Early morphological changes of the corneal epithelium after burning with hydrochloric acid. A scanning electron microscope study.

The morphological changes of the corneal epithelium after burning with hydrochloric acid were examined using a scanning electron microscope. A drop of hydrochloric acid of differing concentrations (1--0.000001 N HCl) was applied under standardized conditions to normal rabbit eyes for a reaction period of 5 or 30 min. The changes in the cell surface, which are dependent on the concentration of the acid, include a loss of microvilli and microplicae, outlining of the cell nucleus, disruption of the intercellular spaces, cell desquamation and even the most severe damage to the cell membrane and cytoplasm of the corneal epithelial cells.