[Metabolite changes and ulcer formation in the cornea. Experiments with acid burns of varying severity (author's...

Acid burns with 0,25 n H2SO4 constantly cause mild corneal opacities. Burns with 2 n acid are too severe to be investigated for more than one week. Lactate and pyruvate levels drop in the aqueous and, less pronounced, in the cornea. A very similar decrease of glucose levels in aqueous and cornea can be found depending in its degree on the acid concentration used. In milder burns the levels return to normal within 2--3 weeks. The results can be explained by changes of the blood-aqueous barrier and of the rate of aqueous flow. It seems very unlikely that the metabolite changes cause the formation of corneal ulcers, as severe ulcerations can be found along with almost normal metabolite levels.