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Acellular Corneal Transparency

Abstract

THE maintenance of corneal transparency and thickness depends on the regulation of its hydration by an active metabolic process probably occurring in the endothelium1. Any inadequacy leads to overhydration, with consequent thickening and loss of corneal transparency. Although most attempts to prolong transparency in excised or cadaver corneas have been aimed at the preservation of a functioning endothelium, it has been shown that transparency can also be maintained by excision anterior to an implant of water impermeable silastic in place of the endothelium2. The critical factor thus seems to be the state of corneal hydration.

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References

  1. Duke-Elder, S., System of Ophthalmology, The Physiology of the Eye and Vision, 4 (C. W. Mosley Co., 1968).

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  2. Dohlman, C. H., Brown, S. I., and Martola, E. L., Trans. Amer. Acad. Ophthal. Otolaryng., 71, 851 (1967).

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  3. Dische, Z., in Methods of Carbohydrate Chemistry (edit. by Whistler, R. L., and Wolfrom, M. L.), 507 (Academic Press, New York, 1962).

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  4. Dunn, M. W., Nishihara, T., Stenzel, K. H., Branwood, A. W., and Rubin, A. L., Science, 137, 1329 (1967).

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RUBIN, A., POWERS, M., HOPKINS, L. et al. Acellular Corneal Transparency. Nature 230, 120–121 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/230120a0

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