AIM: To explore the protective effect of dexamethasone combined with hypertonic solution on corneal endothelial cells of rabbit eyes.

METHODS: We made four groups of rabbits for different treatments with dexamethasone and hypertonic solution. All groups were treated with low-permeability solution for 10min to maintain anterior chamber perfusion. Group A was treated with 0.2mL dexamethasone subconjunctival injection, and hypertonic glucose eye drop immediately after surgery. Group B(control group)was subjected to 0.2mL of 0.9% saline subconjunctival injection, and balanced salt solution eye drop immediately after surgery. In group C, 0.2mL dexamethasone subconjunctival injection, and hypertonic glucose eye drop were given on the second day of surgery and in group D(control group), 0.2mL of 0.9% saline through subconjunctival injection and balanced salt solution eye drop were given on the second day of the surgery. The edema degree of cornea was observed with slit lamp before the operation and on the 1, 3, 5 and 7d after operation. The cornea were also examined by anterior segment OCT, and the corneal thickness was measured by A-scan ultrasonography.

RESULTS: In group A, during the entire experimental observation period, the cornea had no edema or only mild edema, the thickness of the central cornea hardly increased, and the number of corneal endothelial cells did not change significantly. There was no significant difference compared with(control group B)before modeling(P>0.05). In groups B, C, and D, corneal edema and corneal thickness increased after the rabbit eyes were modeled. There was a significant difference compared with group A(P<0.05). The number of corneal endothelial cells in the rabbit eyes of groups B and D could not be measured during the observation period due to corneal edema. The number of corneal endothelial cells can be measured in group C up to the 7d after modeling. The number of corneal endothelial cells in group C was significantly reduced as compared with group A(P<0.05), which before modeling and the 7d after modeling.

CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone combined with hypertonic glucose solution has a good protective effect on rabbit corneal endothelial cells. And early application can effectively prevent rabbit corneal edema and this method can also prevent the progression of corneal endothelial decompensation.