A whole-mount cholinesterase technique for demonstrating corneal nerves: observations in the albino rabbit.

A histochemical staining technique for cholinesterase is reported for the study of corneal nerves in whole-thickness rabbit cornea. The technique is relatively simple, yields reproducible results, allows good definition of the nerve fiber pattern, and provides the investigator, using a binocular microscope, with the advantage of three-dimensional study. When tissue is stained for specific cholinesterase, definition is sufficient to allow visualization of individual axons and their terminations, as well as large nerve fiber bundles. The stain for nonspecific cholinesterase appears to demomtrate the large nerve fiber bundles but not individual axons. The anatomy and cholinesterase content of corneal innervation is discussed in relation to the enzyme demonstrated.