Reply
Diğer, ss.1, 2026
- Yayın Türü: Diğer Yayınlar / Diğer
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Reply:
We appreciate the opportunity to address the comments regarding our image analysis technique. The authors suggest that iris-derived transillumination in albino rats may have influenced our ImageJ-based segmentation. We would like to clarify why we believe our results accurately reflect true corneal neovascularization:
First, a critical aspect of our methodology was the use of change rates (Day 14/Day 7). Because each rat served as its own baseline, any persistent background signal from the underlying iris would be present in both the 7th and 14th day photographs.1 Therefore, the statistically significant differences observed between groups represent the dynamic alteration of superficial corneal vessels, not static anatomical structures such as the iris.
Second, corneal neovascularization induced by silver nitrate cauterization is characterized by dense, centripetal vascular loops originating from the limbus. In our 16× magnification images, these superficial vessels are clearly distinguishable from the deeper, more diffuse iris vasculature. Our scientist (B.I.) verified the photographs to ensure that the thresholding mask aligned with the clinical presentation of corneal neovascularization.
By converting to an 8-bit scale and applying the threshold feature, we prioritized high-contrast signals.2 New corneal vessels, which are highly engorged following a chemical burn, provide a much sharper contrast than the background transillumination referred to by the commenters.
Finally, the highly significant difference (P < 0.0001) between our treatment groups and the sham group using the same photography and analysis settings across all cohorts, strongly indicates a biological response to the pharmacological agents rather than an artifact of imaging.
In conclusion, while we acknowledge the theoretical challenges of imaging albino eyes, we are confident that our standardized protocol and comparative data analysis effectively isolated the corneal vascular response.