Establishment of a 10.6 μm Laser-Induced Corneal Injury Model in C57BL/6J Mice.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To construct a 10.6 μm laser-induced corneal injury model in C57BL/6J mice and observe the wound healing process. METHODS: Four groups of C57BL/6J mice corneas were irradiated with a 10.6 μm laser at dose of 3.0, 4.5, 7.5, and 10.5 J/cm². Corneal injury severity was assessed 1 day after exposure using slit lamp microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and histopathology to determine the optimal dose for constructing corneal injury model. Following this, the corneal wound healing was monitored with the same methods for 6 months. RESULTS: No corneal damage was observed at dose of 3.0 J/cm². At 4.5 J/cm², a white circular lesion appeared, accompanied by the loss of epithelium and endothelium. At 7.5 and 10.5 J/cm², full-thickness corneal damage was observed, with adhesion to the iris. Therefore, 4.5 J/cm² was selected for constructing the corneal injury model. After injury, the corneas swelled rapidly, reaching maximum at 1 day, and returned to normal by 14 days. From 0hours to 3 days, the corneas exhibited shedding and regeneration of epithelial and endothelial cells, as well as infiltration and regression of inflammatory cells. From 7 days to 6 months, the corneas gradually returned to normal, but some mice still showed stromal hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: A moderate corneal injury model can be established in C57BL/6J mice using a 10.6 μm laser at dose of 4.5 J/cm². The acute phase of corneal injury primarily occurs within the first 3 days. While the corneas restore its original physiological structure, transparency may not fully return to normal by 6 months.