Swelling studies of bovine corneal stroma without bounding membranes.

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Abstract
The swelling of demembranated bovine corneal stroma was studied as a function of time and of the pH and ionic strength of the bathing solution. Compared with other pH values, the stroma swelled least near pH 4. In the pH range 6-10, increasing the pH resulted in an increase in the rate of swelling and in the hydration reached in a given time. At pH 2 and 4 a final constant value of hydration was attained. At higher pH values no such equilibrium occurred for at least 100 h. The swelling at high pH values was consistent with the Donnan-osmotic contribution being the major component of the swelling pressure. The ionic strength dependence was complex. A general decrease of swelling existed with increase in the ionic strength (.mu.) until around .mu. = 0.1. The swelling at .mu. = 0.15 was greater than at .mu. = 0.1 and .mu. = 0.25. The Donnan-osmotic effect apparently is the major component of the swelling pressure.