Granulocyte invasion related to detachment and degeneration of corneal endothelium in acute keratouveitis.

Invasion of the subendothelial plane of the cornea by granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) in acute keratouveitis is shown to progressively cause separation of the endothelial layer from Descemet's membrane, interruption of the cell layer's continuity, and damage of endothelial cells. This disease mechanism is described in a case that allows for the demonstration of several representative stages of this neutrophil-mediated inflammatory process.