Detergent Penetration into Young and Adult Eyes

Using animal models, we have examined the effects in the eye of one of the detergents, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), that is included in soaps and shampoos. We also have determined how SLS is taken up by the eye. Four findings have ensued: first, SLS is rapidly taken up and accumulated by eye tissues. SLS is retained for up to five days in most eye tissues. Second, SLS uptake is greater in younger rabbits with decreasing amounts with increasing age. Third, SLS causes changes in the amounts of some proteins of eye tissues whether they are treated in the living animal or tissues are bathed in SLS while in tissue culture. Fourth, SLS treatment extends the healing time of the corneal epithelium (the cellular surface layer of the cornea) to 10 days, far beyond the normal two days. Our findings lead us to call for more judicious use of detergents such as SLS by both manufacturers and users of soaps and shampoos. This is particularly true when possible accidental exposure to SLS could occur in infants, where growth is occurring, and in any instance where a healing process occurs.