Light scattering of the rabbit cornea following exposure to ultraviolet radiation

Corneal light scatter following exposure of rabbit corneas to ultraviolet radiation was studied. A 5000 watt xenon-mercury source was used to obtain ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of 270 nanometers. The exposures were made at different energy levels, and at a constant energy level with varying irradiance and time. Light scatter measurements were obtained with a photomultiplier system. Scatter responses were compared to the bio-microscopic appearance of the cornea. It was found that the light scatter measurement technique was a sensitive indicator of corneal changes following ultraviolet radiation exposures. Also, that variations in the irradiance in constant energy exposures resulted in changes in the latency of the corneal response to ultraviolet radiation but did not effect the degree of corneal damage.