Considerable confusion exists in the literature with regard to the events leading to the closure of a penetrating corneal wound, including both early and late changes. Among early components of wound healing are included those factors operative within the first hour after the penetrating wound. These include: (1) mechanical alterations in the cornea as a result of physical stress, (2) the role of fibrin, and (3) edema. Eliminated from consideration of early changes are appreciable effects of such components as epithelial proliferation, endothelial proliferation and regeneration of Descemet's membrane, and fibroblastic repair. Although there is a sizable body of literature on this subject of corneal wound healing, there is little effort to concentrate on what occurs in a corneal wound during the period immediately after the injury. As regards the mechanical factor, there seems to be considerable disagreement as to what actually occurs. Parsons1 stated, "the wound is rapidly