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. 2024 Dec 18;17(12):2177-2184.
doi: 10.18240/ijo.2024.12.04. eCollection 2024.

Modeling monocular form deprivation in rabbits using a simulated-cataract intraocular lens

Si-Yi Gu  1   2   3 , Li-Ming Xu  1   2   3 , Wei-Jie Sun  1   2   3 , Li-Li Liang  1   2   3 , Lei Lin  1   2   3 , Han Zou  1   2   3 , Jing-Yuan Xu  1   2   3 , Yu Zheng  1   2   3 , Yuan-Yuan Li  1   2   3 , Yin-Ying Zhao  1   2   3 , Ping-Jun Chang  1   2   3 , Yun-E Zhao  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

Modeling monocular form deprivation in rabbits using a simulated-cataract intraocular lens

Si-Yi Gu et al. Int J Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Aim: To establish an animal model of form deprivation amblyopia based on a simulated cataract intraocular lens (IOLs).

Methods: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films (PSF) with different degrees of opacity as IOL materials were prepared. The light transmission of the PSF-IOL was measured, and its in vitro biosafety was determined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay using the HLEC-B3 cell line and ARPE-19 cell line. Subsequently, the in vivo safety was determined by implanting the PSF-IOL with 10% wt SiO2 into the right eyes of New Zealand white rabbits (PSF-IOL group), and compared with two control groups: contralateral comparison group and normal control (NC) group (Contralateral comparison group: the fellow eye; NC group: a group of binocular normal rabbits without intervention). The flash visual-evoked potentials (F-VEPs) were measured to verify amblyopia.

Results: PSFs containing 0, 2%, and 10% wt SiO2 were successfully constructed. The 0 SiO2 PSF was transparent, while the 10% wt SiO2 PSF was completely opaque. It was found that PSF did not induce unwanted cytotoxicity in HLECs and ARPE19 cells in vitro. In vitro, PSF-IOL with 10% wt SiO2 was also non-toxic, and no significant inflammation or structural changes occurred after four weeks of PSF-IOL implantation. Finally, our IOL-simulated congenital cataract rabbit detected by F-VEPs suggested tentative amblyopia.

Conclusion: A PSF-IOL that mimics cataracts is created. A novel form deprivation model is created by the IOL-simulated congenital cataract rabbit. It can be developed fast and stable and holds great potential for future study.

Keywords: amblyopia; congenital cataract; form deprivation; intraocular lens; monocular deprivation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: Gu SY, None; Xu LM, None; Sun WJ, None; Liang LL, None; Lin L, None; Zou H, None; Xu JY, None; Zheng Y, None; Li YY, None; Zhao YY, None; Chang PJ, None; Zhao YE, None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Blurred visions of IOLs containing different wt% of SiO2
With IOLs covered the phone lens, shot 5 m away from the visual chart (A1-A3) and a forceps was used to place IOLs over the text and display the degree of opacity (B1-B3). PSF with a SiO2 mass fraction of 0 results in clear visual chart and text (A1, B1); one with a SiO2 mass fraction of 2% results in the slightly blurred visual chart and text (A2, B2); one with a 10% SiO2 PSF results in completely unreadable visual chart and text (A3, B3). C: The transmission of the PSF (PDMS+0 SiO2) in the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light ranges was close to 100%, whereas that of the PSF (PDMS+10 SiO2) was 0. PSF: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens; PDMS: Poly(dimethyl siloxane).
Figure 2
Figure 2. HLECs or ARPE-19 cells viability of the leaching solutions
CCK-8 assay of HLECs (A) and ARPE-19 (B) cells co-cultured with 5% PSF leaching solutions (IOL group), 5% PBS (PBS control group) and normal medium (blank control group). CCK: Cell counting kit; PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline; PSF: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens.
Figure 3
Figure 3. PSF implantation into the rabbit eye and slit-lamp images of contralateral comparison (n=9) and PSF-IOL groups (n=9) under slit and corresponding diffuse light
A1-A2: Schematic illustration of the PSF implantation. B1-B2: Slit lamp photographs of the contralateral comparison group. B1 is the contralateral comparison group under slit light; B2 is the contralateral comparison group under diffuse light. C1-C2: Slit lamp photographs of the PSF-IOL group. C1 is the PSF-IOL group under slit light; C2 is the PSF-IOL group under diffuse light; PSF: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens.
Figure 4
Figure 4. IOP and aqueous humor inflammatory factors following PSF implantation
A: The IOP recordings revealed no significant differences between the contralateral comparison (n=9) and PSF-IOL groups (n=9) at 1 and 4wk post-operation. ELISA of inflammatory factors such as IL-8 (B) and TNF-α (C) in the aqueous humor of the contralateral comparison and PSF-IOL groups. aStatistically significant difference between the two groups. PSF: Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens; IOP: Intraocular pressure; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor.
Figure 5
Figure 5. F-VEPs detection of New Zealand white rabbits at four weeks post-implantation
A: No significant difference in latency changes between the surgical rabbits (contralateral comparison and PSF-IOL groups) and normal rabbits (both eyes of the NC group). B: Compared with the normal rabbits, the CBI in the surgical rabbits was significantly decreased (P<0.05). aThe two groups of rabbits differed statistically significantly. CBI: Contralateral bias indices; PSF: Poly (dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens; NC: Normal control.
Figure 6
Figure 6. The HE staining of New Zealand white rabbit eyes demonstrating detailed histological identification of the cornea and retina in the contralateral comparison (n=9) and PSF-IOL groups (n=9)
PSF: Poly (dimethyl siloxane)-SiO2 thin films; IOL: Intraocular lens.
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