Short-term re-epithelialization of the alkali-burned rabbit cornea

Pfister and associates have shown that treatment with citrate solution reduces the incidence of stromal ulceration after alkali burn of the cornea. In the course of study of the effect of inhibitors of plasminogen activation on corneal re-epithelialization following alkali burns, we noted that when citrate was used in the medication, the healing process proceeded rapidly for three days; however, the denuded area became abruptly larger on the fourth day, and then resumed healing on the fifth day.