X-ray diffraction study of intraocular lenses explanted from eyes with uveitis

In some eyes where an intraocular lens [IOL] is implanted, intractable uveitis supervenes some time postoperatively. In order to determine whether structural changes in the polymer substance of these all-polymethylmethacrylate [PMMA] IOLs might contribute to such a chronic inflammatory reaction, we subjected five all-PMMA lenses, explanted at 6 to 12 months after extracapsular cataract surgery from five eyes of children aged between 3 and 9 years, to X-ray diffraction. The results were compared to those obtained by X-ray diffraction of 5 virgin [unused] IOLs of the same material. We found that there was evidence of crystallization within the previously amorphous material of the IOL. The degree of crystallization was greater, the longer the lens had remained within the eye. Further studies are required before a direct causal relationship between this crystallization and the postoperative chronic uveitis can be established

Oral acyclover in herpetic corneal ulceration

58 patients having herpes simplex corneal ulceration were treated with acyclovir [Zovirax]. They were classified into two groups. Group l [30 patients] included patients with no history of previous attack. Group 11 [28 patients] included patients with recurrent attacks. Half the patients of each group were given acyclovir ophthalmic ointment 5 times daily. The other half were given oral acyclovir 400 mg 5 times daily. In group l healing occurred in 93.3% of the patients treated locally and in 86.7% of those treated orally. The time taken to heal was shorter with acyclovir ointment[mean 5 days] than with oral acyclovir[mean 7 days]. In group 11 healing occurred in 64.3% of locally treated patients and in 58.7% of orally treated patients. The time taken to heal was longer with local acyclovir [mean 9 days] than with oral acyclovir [mean 7 days]. This may indicate that in recurrent cases the oral route is more effective than the local