[Demonstration of the effects on the corneal epithelium of a mucomimetic collyrium. Study using scanning microscopy]

Ocular surface drying was studied in rabbits using an experimental model of blinking interruption. This model produces a discontinuity in the pre-corneal tear film after a few minutes of exposure to air. Changes in superficial epithelial cell structure were studied using a scan microscope. A decrease of micro-folds and an increase in epithelial cell desquamation were observed. Prolonged exposure to air produced similar cellular lesions in deeper layers. The instillation of a single mucomimetic eye-drop containing chondroitin sulphate prevented total interruption of epithelial humidification, kept the epithelial surface intact and preserved normal cellular structure.