Abstract: Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of saturated hydrogen water on suture induced corneal neovascularization in rats. Design Experimental study. Participants Healthy adult male SD rats. Methods The left eyes of SD male rats were selected as the experimental eyes. The suture induced corneal neovascularization model was successfully induced in 12 rats, and then divided into 2 groups (n=6). The rats of group A were given saturated hydrogen water by dropping three times a day, and those in group B were given saline by dropping three times a day for consecutive two weeks. The cornea were photographed with slit lamp photography and the area of corneal neovascularization were calculated on post-operation-day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14. On post-operation-day 14, the rats were sacrificed, and then HE staining and the expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein were determined. Main Outcome Measures The area of corneal neovascularization. Results The area of corneal neovascularization of group A and B on post-operation-  day 5, 7, 9 , 11 and 14 were 6.43±5.20 and 11.56±4.80 mm2, 10.10±8.79 and 21.39±8.57 mm2, 15.73±12.93 and 33.76±13.96 mm2, 9.85±9.04 and 24.80±13.06 mm2, and 8.42±5.46 and 23.13±13.37 mm2 respectively. The difference at day 5 was not significant(t=-1.774, P=0.106), but a significant difference was found between two groups at day 7 (t=-2.252, P=0.048), day 9 (t=-2.320, P=0.043), day 11 (t=-2.305, P=0.044), and day 14(t=-2.494, P=0.032). Conclusion Saturated hydrogen eye drops inhibit angiogenesis on suture induced corneal neovascularization. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2014, 23: 335-338)

Key words: saturated hydrogen water, corneal neovascularization, antioxidant