Effects of benzalkonium chloride upon the corneal epithelium studied with scanning electron microscopy.

The corneal surface of rabbits and vervet monkeys was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy after the influence of the cationic surfactant, benzalkonium chloride. The concentration of the drug was 0.02% or 0.01% and the exposure time was 2 or 4 min. The corneas treated with the drug had characteristic changes with small holes or more extensive lesions of the superficial cell membranes, and loss of microvilli or microplicae. The damage was considered to be due to the lytic effect of benzalkonium chloride upon the plasma membranes.