Swelling pressure in bovine cornea determined by dialysis method

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biophysics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The corneal stroma's hydration is crucial for maintaining its optical clarity.
• Understanding the factors influencing corneal hydration is essential for diagnosing and treating corneal diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the swelling pressure and fixed charge concentration in bovine corneal stroma.
• To investigate the effect of ambient sodium (Na) concentration on corneal tissue hydration.

Main Methods:

• Dialysis method to determine swelling pressure and fixed charge concentration.
• Incubation of whole corneas in modified Ussing chambers to assess hydration.

Main Results:

• Swelling pressure was measured at 62 +/- 2 mmHg.
• Fixed charge concentration was determined to be 15.7 +/- 1.9 mmol/kg H2O.
• Corneal tissue hydration was found to be independent of ambient Na concentration.

Conclusions:

• Bovine corneal stroma exhibits a defined swelling pressure and fixed charge concentration.
• Corneal hydration is not significantly affected by external sodium levels, suggesting robust internal regulatory mechanisms.