Dynamic Changes of the Corneal Epithelium and Stroma after Alkali Burning

Dynamic changes of rat corneal epithelium and stroma after alkali burning were observed with the electron microscope. The neovascularization process in the stroma was almost the same as that observed after burning by heat. Reversible changes of the epithelial cells occurred throughout the course of wound healing. Approximately 10 days after burning, cells in deeper layers of the epithelium showed temporary changes such as increased in number of mitochondria and formation of lamellar cytoplasmic infoldings. These changes gradually disappeared while the reconstruction of regular arrangement of the collagen lamellae in the stroma was established. As it is widely accepted that such iofoldings play a role in active transport, dynamic changes of the epithelial cells in the present study indicate that reabsorption of the corneal edema is accomplished by both the corneal endothelium and the corneal epithelium.