The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical experience about the effects of human amniotic membrane transplantation in eyes with neurotrophic ulcers. In 11 eyes the application of amniotic membrane was performed since January 1999 because of neurotrophic ulcers. The follow up period was longer than 12 months: 19.7+/-6.0 months. The average healing period after the surgery was 1.6+/-0.6 wee...

Langerhans cells (LC) in normal human corneas (with the exception of newborns) lack thymocyte antigen T6, a highly specific marker for noncorneal LC. Because corneal LC could not be induced to express T6 antigen when cultured with various cytokines including interleukin-1 (shown to modulate T6 expression on gingival LC), some authors assume that corneal LC may represent a distinct LC subpopulat...

Bacterial keratitis can cause significant morbidity from ulceration of the cornea and the resultant scarring. The use of steroids to decrease these complications is controversial with arguments for and against their use. The SCUT (Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial) was initiated in 2006 to definitively determine whether steroids in bacterial keratitis were beneficial or harmful. While the SCUT ...

The focus in relation to the consequences of nerve damage in diabetes has been the loss of sensation in the feet predisposing to the development of foot ulceration and lower extremity amputation (1). However, the cornea is 300– 600 times more sensitive than skin (2). In addition to serving a protective function, corneal nerves regulate corneal epithelial integrity, proliferation, and wound heal...

A 36-year-old man diagnosed with Keratitis-IchthyosisDeafness (KID) syndrome who had loss of vision in his right eye. He had been treated with penetrating keratoplasty on four previous occasions (the last time four years earlier) because of ulcers, corneal leucoma and infections caused by Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The patient is forced to wear permanent contact lenses because...

PURPOSE To report the clinical course, microbiologic findings, treatment, and outcomes of overnight orthokeratology associated microbial keratitis. METHODS Four cases of overnight orthokeratology associated microbial keratitis are reported. RESULTS Four patients aged 14-23 years (mean 18 years) who had central or paracentral corneal ulcers were included. Visual acuity at presentation ranged...

Neurotrophic corneal defects are difficult to heal and all too often lead to scarring and vision loss. Medical management is often of limited success. We describe the results of nine patients (ages 37-84) with chronic nonhealing neurotrophic corneal epithelial defects who were treated with thymosin beta 4 (Tbeta4) sterile eye drops for 28 or 49 days with a follow-up period of 30 days. Those wit...

PURPOSE To report 4 cases of flap margin-related corneal ulcer that developed 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedures. METHODS We retrospectively documented the clinical and laboratory characteristics of all patients between 2004 and 2008 who presented with LASIK-related corneal ulcer that appeared >5 years postoperatively. The 4 patients who had this condition were 25-,...

Stable eye drops of 5% carnosine have been developed. Trials of the drug on mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs showed it to be well tolerated at both total and local levels. In animals the eye drops did not affect the diameter of the pupil, nor did they increase the intraocular pressure. Clinical trials were carried out in 109 patients. Carnosine eye drops exerted a good therapeutic effect in cornea...

Out of 742 out-patients screened for ocular disease, 177 (24%) had eye lesions due to leprosy. These were more in the lepromatous spectrum of the disease and showed increasing trend with age of patient and duration of the disease. Madarosis was the commonest lesion (76%). The serious and sight threatening lesions like lagophthalmos, corneal anaesthesia, corneal opacities and ulcers, iritis and ...