Alexander G. Zabolotniy
Kuban State Medical University, Russia
Title: The study of interaction of terahertz radiation with the cornea in experiment in vivo
Biography
Biography: Alexander G. Zabolotniy
Abstract
Studying the possibilities of applying terahertz radiation (THzR) in diagnostics and treatment of the anterior eye segment pathology determines the actuality of the research of THzR influence on cornea in normal and pathological conditions. Purpose: The analysis of THzR impact on cornea of animal eyes in experiment in vivo. Materials & Methods: 10 eyes of 5 Californian rabbits were studied. During the experiment, we exposed one eye of each rabbit to a Terahertz photometer (Institute of Photonics and Optical Informatics), the second eye as control group. The sensitive innervation of cornea was checked after 5 minutes of THz exposure with 25-68 nW power and 0.015-320 RUs intensity, Ø spots – 1.5-5.0mm. Analgesic effect was checked starting from 1 min after the onset by applying mechanical irritation at the main area of cornea with von Frey hair (algesimeter). To evaluate the THz impact on epithelization rate of corneal erosion, the notch of 2.5mm had been made with a scarify superficially in the center of cornea. Photo registration of the corneal epithelization was performed immediately and after the exposure for 1.5 days. The corneas were stained with fluorescein solution. Results: The corneal sensitivity pre-and post THzR exposure was sustained and didn’t change. The corneal epithelization in the experimental group with low-power (26 nW) more intensive during the first 3-4 hours. The total epithelization time (24 hours) the same in both groups. The accelerated epithelization is related, our opinion, to the therapeutic effect of THzR-26 nW on the anterior epithelium of cornea. Conclusion: The most representative was the experiment of applying low-power (26.0 nW) THzR. The radiation of 0.1-2.6 THz is well safe for rabbit eyes: it doesn’t change cornea innervation, doesn’t have analgesic effect and causes acceleration of epithelization of scarified corneas in the first few hours, without changing the total epithelization time.