Scanning electron microscopic study: the effect of balanced salt solution on rabbit corneal endothelium.

A serial study was carried out with the scanning electron microscope every 5 h to examine the endothelial alterations that occur when the rabbit cornea remains in the eye after enucleation. The findings are compared with those encountered when the cornea with a scleral rim was removed from the globe immediately after enucleation, immersed in Balanced Salt Solution, and observed at the same time intervals. Our results indicate that this procedure protects the corneal endothelium for at least 20 h.