A theory of endothelial control of corneal hydration.
The details of our previously described theory of how the endothelium controls corneal hydration in the absence of the epithelium are provided. A central postulate is that the endothelium can produce across its limiting plasma membranes an osmotic gradient that reduces stromal swelling pressure so that it does not exceed intraocular pressure during thinning of a swollen cornea.
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006874:Hydrostatic Pressure; D008954:Models, Biological; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
D001639:Bicarbonates; D012964:Sodium; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D011188:Potassium