CORNEAL SENSITIVITY AS A FUNCTION 
                                      OF CLOSING THE EYE

The sensitivity of the cornea progressively decreases when the eye is closed for some time (see graph).  This decrease apparently is due to a decrease in the oxygen supplied to the cornea as lower oxygen supply and contact lens wear decreases the sensitivity.















(Graph after Millodot M and OíLeary DJ.  Loss of Corneal Sensitivity With Lid Closure in Humans.  Exp Eye Res 1979; 29:417-421)