Validation of a preclinical dry eye model in New Zealand white rabbits during and following topical instillation of 1% ophthalmic atropine sulfate

Background : The objective of this study was to validate an animal model for dry eye during and after the administration of 1% ophthalmic atropine sulfate(OAS) in New Zealand white(NZW) rabbits.Methods : OAS(1%) was applied three times per day to 30 eyes of 15 healthy NZW rabbits. Sacrifice, enucleation, and lacrimal gland removal took place on days 15, 21,and 30(OAS group). A second group(n = 5) was used as control. Clinical evaluations took place on days 3, 10, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 30. The primary endpoints were:Schirmer I test, tear break-up time(TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining. As secondary endpoints, clinical changes including intraocular pressure, and histopathology were evaluated.Results : While OAS was administered, the Schirmer I test showed a statistically significant reduction for OAS group versus control( p < 0.001), and versus basal production( p < 0.001). TBUT showed statistically significant differences between groups(days 3 and 10;p = 0.001) and versus basal values(day 3;p < 0.001). Fluorescein staining showed a statistically significant difference(day 3;p = 0.001). The most frequent clinical finding was conjunctival hyperemia(76.9% OAS vs. 20% control). For histopathology, all OAS subjects presented some degree of inflammation(86.7% minimal;13.3% mild) whereas the control presented only 30% minimal inflammation. Goblet cell density showed no difference.Conclusions : The effectiveness of the OAS dry eye model in NZW rabbits as reported in previous studies was confirmed, provided that the application of the drug is maintained throughout the intervention;it is not a viable model after OAS administration is suspended.