A New Method for Studying Endothelial Regeneration

Abstract

Pieces of paper clips about 1 mm. long were inserted into the anterior chamber of nembutalized and heparinized guinea pigs and rabbits through keratome incisions through the upper cornea. After about 2 weeks a hand magnet was used to draw the metal across the corneal endothelium, producing a scar which caused the corneal stroma to swell and gradually become opaque, reaching the peak of reaction in about 2 hrs. Healing with transparency took 1-2 wks. but a bad abrasion caused permanent opacity with a membrane on the posterior corneal surface. Here there was no vascularity. Vitamin C deficiency did not inhibit the endothelial regeneration.