PURPOSE Corneal edema is a significant component of the various forms of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-induced stromal disease. Maintenance of corneal thickness, a reflection of corneal hydration, depends on a physical barrier formed by endothelial cell-cell junctions and by the activity of Na+/K(+)-ATPase pumps that regulate ion flux and thus influence water movement through this cell la...

cAMP-dependent activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) regulates fluid transport in many tissues. Secretion by the corneal endothelium is stimulated by cAMP and dependent on HCO(3)(-). We asked whether HCO(3)(-) can secondarily increase CFTR permeability in bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC) by activating soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC). Immunofluorescen...

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is the most common preservative in ophthalmic preparations. Here, we investigated the corneal alternations in rabbits following exposure to BAC. Twenty-four adult male New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. BAC at 0.01%, 0.05%, or 0.1% was applied twice daily to one eye each of rabbits for 4 days. The contralateral untreated eyes were use...

Wide-field specular microscopy, fluorophotometry, pachymetry, and scanning electron microscopy 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 weeks. Mean endothelial permeability to fluorescein is above normal for 10 days following injury, but by...

AIMS/BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the effectiveness of hyaluronan on corneal disruption in patients with dry eye. Corneal epithelial barrier function was evaluated by measuring fluorescein permeability using a slit-lamp fluorophotometer. METHODS 11 patients with dry eye were assigned to this study. Hyaluronan ophthalmic solution (0.1% hyaluronic acid) was inst...