Mineral analysis in experimental corneal scars. An EDAX study.

Central penetrating excisional wounds were made in the corneas of 12 rabbits and 10 trout. The scar tissue and the surrounding cornea were compared using a new method for assessing inorganic elements in the cornea: the scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of x-ray (EDAX). Semiquantitative determination of inorganic elements within the range of atomic numbers 9-93 in the periodic system was performed, comparing the relative concentration of those elements in the scar tissue to the surrounding cornea. Results showed that calcium was the only element higher in the healing wound than in the surrounding cornea.

Scanning electron microscopic study: the effect of balanced salt solution on rabbit corneal endothelium.

A serial study was carried out with the scanning electron microscope every 5 h to examine the endothelial alterations that occur when the rabbit cornea remains in the eye after enucleation. The findings are compared with those encountered when the cornea with a scleral rim was removed from the globe immediately after enucleation, immersed in Balanced Salt Solution, and observed at the same time intervals. Our results indicate that this procedure protects the corneal endothelium for at least 20 h.

Epithelial inclusion cysts after radial keratotomy.

Two patients underwent bilateral radial keratotomy procedures and developed epithelial inclusion cysts as a postoperative complication. Metal blades were used for the corneal incisions; this might be related to the development of the cysts.

Ocular human bite.

We report on a case of an ocular bite occurring during a rape attempt. The patient suffered a conjunctival laceration and a stab injury in the upper eyelid, the point of entry of a severe deep infection that caused limitations in extraocular motility. Antibiotic therapy resulted in a complete cure. Psychopathologic considerations about intentional eye injuries are discussed.

Timed biomicroscopy of rabbit corneal wound repair.

Central, full-thickness excisional wounds were made in rabbit corneas to evaluate the biomicroscopic changes during the scarring process. Within the first minutes, the wound is closed with a fibrin clot. A timely microscopic study was performed in 10 rabbits (group A) during the first minutes after surgery to study the morphological changes in fibrin clot formation. A lid speculum was used for lid retraction to continuously expose the eyes. The fibrin clot formed in the first minutes between the wound edges and grew progressively. Subsequent breaks and reconstruction of the clot occurred. With this method, a permanent wound closure did not occur in any of the 10 eyes during the first 90 min. Twenty more rabbits (group B) were used to study the wound repair in more physiological conditions without lid retraction. Microphotographs were obtained at 6 and 12 h, and at 1, 2, 7, 30 and 90 days after surgery. Three months after the procedure, the appearance of the cornea was stable, with a thick leukoma occupying the lesioned area.

Pediatric herpes simplex masquerading as varicella-zoster.

A three-year-old girl developed a generalized cutaneous Herpes simplex infection and a dendritic corneal ulcer. The clinical appearance of the lesions led to the diagnosis of varicella by a pediatrician and of Herpes zoster corneal ulcer by an ophthalmologist, who prescribed topical adrenocorticosteroids. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and cultures were positive for the Herpes simplex virus. Topical antiviral treatment was applied, and the lesions healed without significant sequelae.