Abstract
The normal corneal epithelial surface is a smooth layer with a barrier composed of tight junctions between the plasma membranes of surface cells. The surface is finely irregular, with microvilli and microplicae, and an absorbed layer of the tear film. The integrity of the precorneal film plays a key role in the optical quality of the corneal surface. Topically applied ophthalmic medications or contact lens solutions produce transient concentrations at the cornea and conjunctiva that are significantly higher than those in any other eye tissue, and may damage the tear film and the epithelial cells. Electron microscopy is particularly useful in visualization of the corneal surface reaction after application of ophthalmic solutions. This paper reports on micromorphological findings at the outer corneal surface and demonstrates that the epithelium exibits similar reactions to different noxious stimuli.
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© 1987 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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Brewitt, H. (1987). Effect of Contact Lens Solutions on the Functional Morphology of the Cornea. In: Saettone, M.F., Bucci, M., Speiser, P. (eds) Ophthalmic Drug Delivery. FIDIA Research Series, vol 11. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4175-9_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4175-9_9
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