Development of a corneal haze model post-surface refractive surgery and evaluation of a tetrandrine-based nanoparticulate therapy

Purpose Haze refers to the opaque turbidity that forms at the interface between the corneal epithelium and stroma within the ablation area following corneal surface refractive surgery. While corticosteroids are conventionally used to control haze, their prolonged use increases the likelihood of complications such as ocular hypertension and cataracts. his study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a tetrandrine (Tet)-loaded mesoporous titanium dioxide nanomedicine (Tet@TiO ₂ ) in inhibiting the inflammatory response associated with haze formation, leveraging its sustained release and biocompatibility properties. Methods Tet@TiO ₂ was synthesized using nanotechnology, and its physicochemical properties and biosafety were evaluated. In vitro experiments involved the co-incubation of Tet@TiO ₂ with inflammatory corneal stromal fibroblasts (HCSFs) to assess the expression of inflammatory markers (α-SMA, CTGF, and type III collagen fiber). In vivo experiments used a New Zealand white rabbit model of corneal haze induced by transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK). Results Tet@TiO ₂ effectively inhibited the expressions of inflammatory markers both in vitro and in vivo . In the rabbit model, Tet@TiO ₂ significantly reduced haze formation and achieved better outcomes than traditional drug treatments. The nanomedicine demonstrated good biosafety and superior efficacy compared to corticosteroids without associated risks such as ocular hypertension. Conclusion Tet@TiO ₂ is a safe and effective novel nanomedicine capable of inhibiting haze formation after corneal surface refractive surgery. It offers a promising alternative to corticosteroids for managing post-operative inflammatory responses.