Surfactant Effects on the Rate of Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Healing

AbstractThe effects of 0.004% and 0.02% benzalkonium chloride (BAK), 1.3% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), 0.001% thimerosal, 0.005% chlorhexidine digluconate, and 0.00005% polyaminopropyl biguanide were tested on the rate of corneal epithelial regrowth after mechanical lesions, and BAK and SLS after heptanol-generated lesions in rabbit corneas. Drugs were applied three times daily and lesions were photographed, at 6 or 12 hr intervals, after fluorescein staining. Only SLS reduced the rate of corneal healing and increased epithelial sucrose permeability: no other agents had any effect on healing rate. SLS caused an expansion of the lesion after some degree of healing had occurred and complete covering of a 6 mm diameter lesion took up to 8 days. SLS caused damage to the epithelial cells with disruption and expansion of the extracellular space. SLS, a common ingredient in soaps and shampoos, should be used with caution around the eyes if a lesion is present.