CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND STRUCTURE FOLLOWING CRYO-INJURY IN THE RABBIT

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (12) , 1416-1425
Abstract
Wide-field specular microscopy, fluorophotometry, pachymetry and scanning EM are used to characterize a reproducible, in vivo model of corneal endothelial injury and recovery in the rabbit. Following an 8-mm central cryo-injury, the cornea remains thickened for as long as 3 wk. Mean endothelial permeability to fluorescein is above normal for 10 days following injury, but by 14 days postinjury the endothelial permeability to fluorescein is not statistically significantly different from preinjury control values, thus indicating that endothelial permeability probably returns to normal by .apprx. 2 wk postinjury. Cell morphology, as determined by scanning EM, is also essentially normal by 2 wk postinjury. Endothelial permeability appears to recover before stromal thickness normalizes, suggesting a lag in recovery of endothelial pump function.