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The behaviour of corneal epithelium following a standardized alkali wound
Author(s) -
Chung JangHyun,
Fagerholm Per,
Lindström Bo
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.1987.tb07036.x
Subject(s) - wound healing , corneal epithelium , cornea , corneal perforation , epithelium , medicine , perforation , surgery , ophthalmology , pathology , materials science , metallurgy , punching
The short and long‐term healing of the rabbit corneal epithelium was studied after a standardized alkali wound. The wound was inflicted by applying a round filter paper, 5.5 mm in diameter, soaked in 1 N NaOH, for 60 seconds on the central cornea. The wound size and intensity was chosen not to cause melting and perforation, and not to cause vascular ingrowth. n‐Heptanol corneal wounds of the same size were used as control. The eyes were followed for 8 weeks. Two phases of epithelial healing were discerned. The initial healing phase lasted 48 h during which the wound was completely resurfaced. In spite of the more extensive tissue damage caused by alkali, the initial epithelial healing rate was faster than in n‐heptanol wounds. The late healing phase consisted of recurrent epithelial break down, sometimes seen preceded by epithelial blister formation. Four weeks after trauma the state of epithelial healing was at its worst.