Preservation of tear film integrity and inhibition of corneal injury by dexamethasone in a rabbit model of lacrimal gland inflammation-induced dry eye.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish a clinically relevant short-term animal model of dry eye with utility in identifying compounds with potential therapeutic efficacy.

Methods: Rabbit lacrimal glands were injected with the T-cell mitogen Concanavalin A (Con A) and inflammation, tear function, and corneal epithelial cell integrity were subsequently assessed. The inflammatory response was characterized by quantifying biochemical markers of inflammation ex vivo and by confirming inflammatory cell influx by histology.