Severe damage to cell repair mechanisms of the limbal region can lead to many disorders such as vascularized conjunctivalization, keratinization, corneal scarring, and corneal opacification, collectively described as limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Limbal stem cell deficiency may occur as a result of depletion of stem cells or destruction of their stromal niche. In such cases, apart from co...

We report a case of tectonic corneal transplantation for impending corneal perforation to preserve anatomic integrity using cryopreserved donor tissue. An 82-year-old woman exhibiting impending corneal perforation suffered from moderate ocular pain in the left eye for one week. After abnormal tissues around the impending perforation area were carefully peeled away using a Crescent blade and Van...

PURPOSE To introduce a specular microscopic reference image for endothelial vacuolation in donated corneas. METHODS Two corneas from a donor with diffuse, round to oval dark areas at the endothelial level on slit lamp biomicroscopy and one normal-appearing donor cornea underwent specular microscopy, histopathologic evaluation and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Specular microscopy...

PURPOSE The primary objective of the present study was to identify the kinetics and origin of ocular infiltrating T cells in a preclinical model of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that induces eye tissue damage. METHODS Graft-versus-host disease was induced using an major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched, minor histocompatibility-mismatched hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) m...

Logistic regression methods were used to analyse the influence of donor and storage factors on the quality of c~meas stored by organ culture in the Bristol eve bank in 1991. Averaae donor a(18 was 57 vears fsd 22. n=2770) -and time from death to en~cleation v& 8 hours (&I 7, n&782): Corneas were placed into organ culture within 27 houra (sd 10, n+2550) of donor death and were stored for 22 days...

The first successful penetrating keratoplasty in a human was performed as early as 1906 by Zirm. The tissue was obtained from the eye of a living donor requiring enucleation. Much has changed since then. Advances in surgical instrumentation and techniques and the introduction of antibiotics and corticosteroids in the 1950s significantly improved the success rate of corneal transplantation. Cons...

Closure of donor site of the flap has special problems. Reduction of this site will decrease the morbidity of operation. In this study, we present our experience in donor site size reduction. METHODS Between 2006 and 2008, 15 patients with skin and soft tissue defects underwent operation. In all patients, coverage of defect was performed with various flaps. Substratum horizontal mat-tress sut...

BACKGROUND Those considering donating or receiving gametes are required to undergo counselling to ensure that they are aware of and consider the psychosocial, emotional and ethical complexities of donor conception before proceeding. AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate gamete donors' and recipients' views about donor counselling and beliefs about disclosure of the use of donor gametes t...

BACKGROUND Little is known about the contributions of faith-based organisations (FBOs) to health systems in Africa. In the specialist area of eye health, international and domestic Christian FBOs have been important contributors as service providers and donors, but they are also commonly critiqued as having developed eye health systems parallel to government structures which are unsustainable. ...