INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF TIMOLOL MALEATE AND ITS PRESERVATIVE BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE ON CORNEAL EPITHELIAL MIGRATION IN A RABBIT ORGAN CULTURE SYSTEM

Purpose: Timolol maleate, the ophthalmic solutions, is frequently prescribed for glaucoma, although the use of this drop is likely to interfere with wound healing in corneal surgeries. A possible factor that may influence rates of corneal wound healing is how the solutions are preserved. The purpose of this study to evaluate the effect of commercially prepared topical timolol maleate and its preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAC-) 0.0004% and 0.001% or its preservative free effect on the rate of corneal epithelial wound healing. Methods: In this study, New Zealand white rabbits corneas (n= 80) were removed and 7mm epithelia were abraded mechanically. The abraded corneal epithelia were incubated in modified supplemental hormonal epithelial media (SHEM) containing a) timolol maleate drop 0.005% and 0.05% supplied with BAC+ (0.001%) and b) BAC- (preservative free) timolol maleate (purified form) 0.005% and 0.05% and c) along with BAC+ 0.001% and 0.0004% concentration, d) only BAC with 0.001% and 0.0004% concentration. The media containing timolol maleate and BAC was replaced every 24 hours. Photographic documentation of Richardson stained, non-healed areas, was performed at time points 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours of post wounding. Results: The timolol maleate (0.05%) BAC accelerated wound healing and wound closure significantly (p Conclusion: Corneal organ culture model has confirmed that topically applied timolol maleate inhibited corneal wound healing with its preservative BAC, although the appropriate randomized clinical assessment are essential to certify these reports