Preservative effects on the healing rate of rabbit corneal epithelium.

Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), chlorhexidine digluconate, thimerosal and polyaminopropyl biguanide were tested for their effects on the rate of corneal epithelial regrowth after mechanical lesions, and BAK and SLS after heptanol-generated lesions in rabbit corneas. Only 1.3% SLS reduced the rate of epithelial healing after three times a day drop application as determined using planar measures of epithelial regrowth. SLS, a common ingredient in soups and shampoos, should be used carefully where a lesion or wound is present in the corneal epithelium.