The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the role of limbal stem cells on corneal wound healing. The experimental objects were New Zealand white rabbits. Damage to the cornea was caused by 2,5 N NaOH solution for 50 sec. and was subsequently washed out by saline solution . The rabbits were euthanased 24 hours after alkaly burn and the tissue was fixated in 10% formalin. The samples wereembeddedinparaffin andstainedwithhaematoxilin andeosin. Thespecimen showed focal inflammatory reaction with the presence of macrophages an round - nucleated cells in the limbal area.

        Key words: cornea, chemical burn, limbal cells