Effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation on rabbit corneal epithelial cell migration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous application of electrical stimulation on the rate of corneal epithelial healing in corneal abrasion using an in vivo model of corneal wound healing in the rabbit. METHODS: This was an experimental study including 16 adult Dutch rabbits that were randomly allocated to 2 study groups (8 in each group) to receive transcutaneous electrostimulation or no treatment. The corneal epithelium was lifted from the round limbal border. The rabbits in the study group received transcutaneous electrostimulation for 30 minutes by placing the active electrode (-) on the upper right lid and the passive electrode (+) on the right foot. Photographs of corneal epithelial defects were taken each day until the sixth day by digital photographs and the images were analyzed using software. RESULTS: The healing percentage was significantly higher in those who received transcutaneous electrostimulation at days 2 (P < 0.001), 3 (P < 0.001), 4 (P = 0.001), and 6 (P = 0.014) after the procedure. The healing rate was also significantly higher in the transcutaneous electrostimulation group at days 2 (P < 0.001), 5 (P = 0.022), and 6 (P = 0.044) after the procedure. The healing rate did not differ significantly between the groups at days 3 (P = 0.169) and 4 (P = 0.426). The maximum healing rate was observed in the first 24 hours, and the minimum healing rate was observed during day 3 in the electrical stimulation group. CONCLUSIONS: The transcutaneous application of electrical stimulation can considerably increase the rate of corneal healing, especially in the first 24 hours of healing full surface corneal abrasion.