Surfactant-induced opacity of bovine isolated cornea: an epithelial phenomenon?

Incubation of isolated bovine cornea with the surfactants lauryl trimethylammonium bromide (LTAB), sodium lauryl sulphate (NaLS) or Tween 20 in contact only with the epithelium side (outside) of the cornea produced dose-related development of opacity. The order of efficacy was LTAB greater than NaLS greater than Tween 20. After incubation and opacity reading the epithelium was surgically removed and the opacity of the remaining de-epithelialized cornea (stroma and endothelium) measured. The results indicate that the surfactants caused opacity predominantly by affecting the epithelium which itself became opaque.