Influence of tissue sample dimensions on the swelling of the corneal stroma

The kinetics of imbibition of unbuffered 1% NaCl at 37 degrees C by whole ovine corneal stroma preparations were compared to those for square samples of stromas with side dimensions of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 13 mm. The rates and extent of swelling over a 24-hour period were proportionately greater for samples with smaller dimensions. After 24 h, the relative magnitude of the changes in wet mass ranged from 465% for complete stromas to 1,185% for 4 x 4-mm tissue squares. This size-dependent difference in swelling may, in part, account for differences between previous studies.