[Quantitative evaluation of corneal epithelial barrier function in corneal epithelial edema].

Corneal epithelial barrier function in patients with corneal epithelial edema was evaluated by fluorophotometry. Fluorescein uptake through the intact corneal epithelium was 28.1 +/- 2.7 ng/ml (n = 35, mean +/- SE (standard error), calculated from the standard line) at 30 minutes after instillation of 3 microliters of 0.5% sodium fluorescein (20 minutes after eye washing with 20 ml of BSS PLUS). Fluorescein uptake by the cornea in 7 patients with corneal epithelial edema and 6 patients with corneal stromal edema without epithelial edema were 2,489.7 +/- 1,045.6 ng/ml and 99.3 +/- 25.0 ng/ml, respectively, showing a significant increase when compared to normal corneal epithelium (p < 0.0005). Moreover, in patients with corneal epithelial edema, the corneal epithelial barrier function showed significant decrease in comparison with those having corneal stromal edema without epithelial edema (p < 0.05). These results demonstrate a significant decrease in the corneal epithelial barrier function in the epithelial edema.