Rabbit endothelial response to ophthalmic preservatives
K. Green, D. S. Hull, E. D. Vaughn, A. A. Malizia Jr and K. Bowman
The endothelial surface of isolated rabbit corneas were perfused for three
hours with varying concentrations of benzalkonium chloride and
cetylpyridinium chloride. The threshold for physiological and
ultrastructural alteration of corneal endothelium is approximately 0.0001%
for benzalkonium chloride and 0.01 mM for cetylpyridinium chloride. The
effects of the surfactants can be induced with as little as a 15-minute
exposure without subsequent recovery. Use of ophthalmic medications or
irrigating solutions containing these agents inside the eye is potentially
hazardous to the corneal endothelium. Topical administration of 0.133%
benzalkonium chloride to the anterior surface of deepithelialized in vivo
corneas (five doses, seven minutes apart) caused no alterations of corneal
endothelial cell function or ultrastructure.
