A rabbit model of lower eyelid fibrosis

Purpose: To create and validate a new model of lower eyelid fibrosis in Dutch-belted rabbits. Methods: Five Dutch-belted rabbits were injected with a transcutaneous 1-ml injection of standard 95% ethanol alcohol just inferior to the eyelid margin of one lower eyelid. A control injection of 1 ml of balanced saline solution was given to the opposite eyelid. A small tattoo was placed on the skin overlying the inferior orbital rim and used as a measuring point of reference in relation to the lower eyelid margin. Analysis was twofold: eyelid measurements were made over 8 weeks to determine the presence of eyelid shortening, and a histopathologic analysis was performed. Results: Mean lower eyelid shortening was greater in the ethanol alcohol intervention eyelids than the control group (-3.4 mm ± 1.67 mm vs. 0.5 mm ± 0.71 mm, p = 0.01). Histopathologic analysis revealed extensive fibrosis in the ethanol alcohol invention eyelids compared with the control group. Conclusions: Ethanol alcohol induces eyelid fibrosis and lower eyelid shortening. This may be a useful model in the future testing of novel surgical or pharmacologic treatments.