Histochemical demonstration of cholinesterase activity in the cornea of the rat and the effect of various denervations on the corneal nerves.

Cholinesterase (ChE) activities of the rat cornea were demonstrated histochemically by using both light and electron microscopes. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reaction was localized in the axolemma of the nerves in the corneal stroma. The epithelial cell membranes and the intraepithelial nerve endings also showed AChE reaction. Non-specific cholinesterase (NsChE) activity was observed only in the endothelial cell membranes. Cervical sympathectomy, ciliary ganglionectomy and stereotactic coagulation of the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve were performed in order to study the routes of the AChE-containing nerves to the cornea. The disappearance of AChE-containing nerves was observed only after ophthalmic neurotomy. It is suggested that the AChE-containing nerves are distributed to the rat cornea exclusively via the ophthalamic nerve. They seem to be sensory nerves.