Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To note whether collagen fibrillar order is related to corneal stromal transparency Methods:We altered the fixed stromal charge in bovine corneas, osmotically clamped at physiological hydration, by regulating the amount of chloride ions bound to the matrix. We measured transparency by spectrophotometry and local collagen order by X-ray diffraction. Results:As the bound anions increased up to physiological values, both the transparency at all wavelengths (400-800nm) and local fibrillar order increased to their optimal values. Collagen fibrillar diameter remained constant in all experimental conditions. Conclusion:The frequently suggested proposition, that corneal transparency critically depends upon local order in the collagen fibrillar matrix, is experimentally demonstrated.
Keywords: 374 cornea: stroma and keratocytes • 370 cornea: basic science