Effect of prolonged exposure to chlorine vapours on the cornea of albino rats

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five albino rats were included in this study, five were used as a control group and 20 animals were exposed to the same concentration of chlorine vapors used in industries and domestic purposes. Ten animals were sacrificed after 2 months of chlorine exposure, the other 10 after 3 months and the 5 control animals were killed simultaneously. The eyeballs were dissected and processed for a light microscopical study using the routine H and E, trichrome, PAS and reticulin stains. Prolonged exposure to chlorine vapors produced structural changes in the cornea. Mitotic figures appeared in the basal cells of the corneal epithelium, the Bowman's membrane was thin, irregular in some parts and more filamentous material was deposited in the epithelial cells. Edematous areas between the stromal lamellae were seen. The endothelial layer was markedly thickened, with intercellular edema, hydropic degeneration and fibrillation of the Descement's membrane