The tensile strength of central and peripheral penetrating corneal wounds was measured. The gain of strength of central wounds at different time intervals was recorded up to 100 days. Peripheral corneal wounds healed faster than central wounds. Permanent closure of eye lids had no effect on the gain of tensile strength, nor did the presence of a fornix-based conjunctival flap affect the healing of limbal wounds. Absence of corneal epithelium markedly decreased the gain of tensile strength of central wounds. During the first 12 postoperative days, no tensile strength could be measured; after that time a slow healing began. A conjunctival flap restored normal healing of the denuded wounds; however, a silicone membrane between the flap and the cornea again drastically reduced wound healing.