Objective    To study the effect of curcumin ointment on scar formation in filtering blebs after trabeculectomy in rabbits.     Methods    Twenty-seven rabbits（27 eyes）were randomly divided into control group

and matrix(placebo) group

and curcumin group

9 in each group. Trabeculectomy for right eyes was performed on all rabbits. Eyes in control group were not treated with any drug

eyes in matrix group were smeared with 0.1 g common eye ointment (3 times a day)

and eyes in curcumin group were smeared with 0.1 g curcumin eye ointment (3 times a day). Then

intraocular pressure (IOP)

filtering blebs

inflammatory cells

collagen

fibroblasts and myofibroblasts were detected by immunohistochemical staining.     Results    No significant difference was observed in IOP among the 3 groups before and 1

3

28 d after operation. However

a significant difference was found in IOP among the 3 groups in 7

14 and 21 d after operation (P 0.05). The number of inflammatory cells was larger in curcumin group than in matrix and control groups in 7 d after operation (P0.05). However

the number of inflammatory cells was similar in 3 groups in 14 and 28 d after operation. In 7

14 and 28 d after operation

the type 1 collagen accounted for (21.62±2.87)%

(27.83±2.37)%

and (33.47±2.79)% in curcumin group

(29.71±1.31)%

(36.83±1.73)%

and (47.13±1.85)% in control group

and (31.07±1.67)%

(38.09±1.17)%

and (48.13±1.69)% in matrix group

respectively

(P 0.05). No difference was found in type 3 collagen. The number of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts was larger in curcumin group than in matrix and control groups (P0.05).     Conclusion    Curcumin eye ointment can inhibit the proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts

reduce the secretion of type 1 collagen

and delay the scar formation in filtering blebs.