Investigation of Friction-induced Damage to the Pig Cornea

Raquel C Barros; Theo G Van Kooten; Deepak Halenahally Veeregowda

doi:10.1016/j.jtos.2015.05.004

Investigation of Friction-induced Damage to the Pig Cornea

Ocul Surf. 2015 Oct;13(4):315-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2015.05.004. Epub 2015 Jul 9.

Authors

Raquel C Barros¹, Theo G Van Kooten¹, Deepak Halenahally Veeregowda²

Affiliations

¹ University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.
² University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering, W.J. Kolff Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands; Ducom Instruments Europe B.V, Center for Innovation, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: deepak.v@ducom.com.

PMID: 26164094
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2015.05.004

Abstract

Mechanical friction causes damage to the cornea. A friction measurement device with minimal intervention with the pig cornea tear film revealed a low friction coefficient of 0.011 in glycerine solution. Glycerine molecules presumably bind to water, mucins, and epithelial cells and therewith improve both squeeze film and boundary lubrication. Using confocal microscopy, we determined that glycerine solution reduced damage to epithelial cells by 50% compared with the phosphate buffer saline.

Keywords: confocal microscopy; cornea; friction device; glycerine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cornea / pathology*
Corneal Injuries / pathology*
Disease Models, Animal
Microscopy, Confocal / methods*
Stress, Mechanical*
Swine