The aim of this study was to examine the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) on the healing of alkali-injured cornea. The effects of the solution of H2 in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or PBS alone topically applied on the alkali-injured rabbit cornea with 0.25 M NaOH were investigated using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. Central corneal thickness taken as an index of corneal hydr...

PURPOSE A tripeptide chemoattractant(s) for neutrophils has been shown to release from alkali-degraded cornea. This study is designed to determine the source of the chemoattractant(s). METHODS Whole corneas were degraded in 1 N NaOH for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours to determine an optimal duration of alkali exposure for production of the chemoattractant. Whole cornea...

Definitions It is very important for the clinician caring for a burn victim to know the depth, or degree, of burn. A first-degree burn is superficial, dry, painful to touch, and heals in less than 1 week. A second-degree burn is partial thickness and pink or possibly mottled red. It exhibits bullae or frank weeping on the surface. It usually is painful unless classified as deep and heals in 1 t...

PURPOSE To examine if sonic hedgehog (Shh) is involved in tissue neovascularization by using cell culture and an animal cornea. METHODS The effects of exogenous Shh (5.0 nM), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and/or a Shh signal inhibitor (2.5 or 10.0 muM cyclopamine) on vessel-like tube formation of vascular endothelial cells were examined in vitro. The effects of Shh on the express...

PURPOSE We describe a case of full-thickness corneal restoration after an acute corneal burn with an acid agent. METHODS A 32-year-old male reported painful discomfort, redness, photophobia, and a decrease in visual acuity in the left eye after a unilateral burn with an acid agent. Slit-lamp examination revealed massive corneal melting involving necrotic sequestrum of the entire corneal surfa...

Rabbits receiving subcutaneous ascorbate after corneal wounding showed significant elevation of aqueous humor ascorbate levels but no enhancement of wound breaking strength when compared to controls. In a second group of rabbits, perilimbal alkali burning reduced aqueous humor ascorbate levels one-half to one-third normal. In these perilimbally burned eyes with wounds in clear cornea, subcutane...