Swelling of the cornea in vivo after the destruction of its limiting layers

Abstract

(1) The rate of increase of thickness of the rabbit's cornea after removal of its limiting layers was determined by an optical method. (2) The average rate of increase was initially about 0.5 per cent. of the thickness per minute for the epithelium, 2 per cent. per minute for the endothelium, and 3 per cent. per minute for the endothelium and Descemet's membrane together. (3) After the removal of the epithelium the cornea swelled on the average to double its thickness, at which level it remained for about2 days, and then regained its original thickness in one or more days simultaneously with the regrowth of the epithelium.