Wound healing in an animal model of glaucoma fistulizing surgery in the rabbit.

We developed a model of glaucoma fistulizing surgery in the rabbit. As is the case with wound healing in general, there was inflammation followed by repair. The sclerostomy and bleb closed due to bulk filling by granulation tissue and contraction by migratory fibroblasts (observed at three days) and by myofibroblasts (observed at ten and 17 days). Fifty-eight percent of blebs had collapsed by ten days, and 94% by 17 days. The fibroblasts were migrating from the episcleral tissues, from the epimysium of the superior rectus, and from subconjunctival connective tissue. Intraocular pressure and facility of aqueous outflow were measured, but we concluded that intraocular pressure is not a reliable indicator of bleb function or of a patent sclerostomy in this model.