The oxygen tension and temperature of the superior palpebral conjunctiva.

A Clark-type oxygen sensor and temperature-sensing thermistor embedded in a ring designed to fit into the human palpebral aperture were used to directly measure the oxygen tension and temperature of the upper palpebral conjunctiva in 16 human subjects. The mean oxygen tension was found to be 61.4 +/- 6.9 mmHg, equivalent to an atmosphere of 8.2% oxygen, slightly higher than previously reported. The mean temperature was 36.2 +/- 0.6 degrees C, in good agreement with previous findings. Significant individual differences in both oxygen tension and temperature were apparent.