Corneal potential studied on excised cornea

The corneal potential was studied on the excised cornea mounted free from strain using the fine capillary electrode technique. The corneal potential obtained from the excised cornea was similar to that obtained from the enucleated whole eye. Concentration gradients were established across the endothelium. The potential differences were quite different from the diffusion potential. The endothelial barrier should be considered an ionic membrane. The intraocular pressure influenced slightly the corneal potential. The trans-corneal potential was a few mV, as long as the excised cornea was mounted free from strain; however, a large positive potential developed when it was clamped.