ABSTRACT
Alkaline substances penetrate the eye rapidly as well as severely, damaging the ocular surface, the cornea, its supporting endothelial layer and the intra-ocular structures. In particular, alkaline substances destroy the epithelial layer on the surface of the eye, something which is easily demonstrated by fluoresceinstaining of those areas. Particularly vulnerable are the limbal stem cells, those cells from which the new epithelial layer will be derived. Failure will follow if the damage is severe.
