Effects of ultraviolet radiation on corneal epithelial metabolism.

Acute exposure to ultraviolet light to 257 nm wavelength produced a photokeratitis associated with characteristic metabolic alterations of corneal epithelial metabolism in rabbits. Significant increases in corneal hydration occurred simultaneously with decreased corneal epithelial glycogen content, but adenosine triphosphate content and enzyme activity of epithelial extracts were not affected despite clinical and histological damage to the corneal epithelium. The pattern and time course of ultraviolet damage to the cornea are distinctly different from those of other forms of trauma.