Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2000
Effects of oleoresin capsicum pepper spray on human corneal morphology and sensitivity.
To examine the potential harmful effects on corneal structure, innervation, and sensitivity of a spray containing the neurotoxin capsaicin (oleoresin capsicum, OC). ⋯ Although OC causes immediate changes in mechanical and chemical sensitivity that may persist for a week, a single exposure to OC appears harmless to corneal tissues. The changes are possibly associated with damage of corneal nerve terminals of mainly unmyelinated polymodal nociceptor fibers.