Topical allopurinol or corticosteroids and acetylcysteine in the early treatment of experimental corneal alkali burns: a pilot study.

PURPOSE. To investigate the effect of topical allopurinol on experimental corneal burns and to compare this to established treatment modalities such as topical prednisolone and acetylcysteine. METHODS. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n=5 each). The groups were controls (normal saline), allopurinol 0.4% eye drops, prednisolone acetate 1% eye drops and acetylcysteine 8% eyedrops. Corneal burn was induced using a 3 mm paper disc soaked in 1N NaOH for 60 seconds. Drops were instilled 6 times per day. In addition, one drop/day ofloxacine was given to prevent secondary infections. Eyes were enucleated 50 hours later and fixed in 4.5% formaldehyde. Three histological leve…