Comparación de las características corneales en gallina y codorniz como modelos experimentales de cirugía refractiva

Abstract

Aim To compare the histological, morphological and the biophysical measurements between hen and quail corneas, in order to determine which of them were better suited for use as an animal model for research into corneal refractive surgery. Material and methods A study was performed using the biophysical measurements of the cornea (curvature, thickness, refraction, and axial length) of 20 animals (10 hens and 10 quails). The corneas were then prepared for histological analysis under microscopy light. Results The analysis showed that both groups have the same number of corneal layers as the human cornea and with an evident Bowman's layer. The thickness of the hen cornea and axial length of the eye, 225.3 ± 18.4 μm and 12.8 ± 0.25 mm, respectively, were larger than that of the quail (P < .01 and P < .001, respectively). The radius of curvature for the hen central cornea, 3.65 ± 0.08 mm, was greater than that for the quail (P < .001), but the refractive power of each cornea was similar. The proportion of total corneal thickness of the hen stroma, 82.6%, was more similar to that of the human than was the quail stroma, 72.5%. Within the hen stroma, the density of keratocytes, 8.57 ± 1.49 per 5,000 μm², was about half that in the quail stroma (P < .005).