Diurnal variation of some cytological characteristics of the conjunctiva

Variation of conjunctival cells of healthy non-contact lens wearing subjects is described using an impression biopsy technique over a period of nine waking hours. The total cell count was found to be highest on waking, falling to about half that value during the first 3 h, attributable almost exclusively to the change in the neutrophil count. A further slower decrease and finally a small increase in some cellular components was noted.