Immunoelectron microscopy of neovascular epiretinal membrane

A 59 year old woman presented with vitreous hemorrhage in the left eye. She has seen a dark spot in front of the left eye since one month. The right eye had normal visual acuity with ocular fundus showing mild age related macular Drusen. An important neovascular membrane in the L.E. emerging from the optic disc was harbouring large congested vessels and gave some traction on the papillomacular area. A cardiovascular check-up disclosed a substenoses of the left common carotid artery. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on L.E. and the membrane was peeled off in one piece and divided into two similar portions. One was B5 fixed paraffin embedded tissue. Stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, Langerhans cells and HLA-DR antigens. The other portion was frozen and prepared for immunoelectron microscopy. The cellular componant was mainly T-Lymphocytes with positive OKT8 staining

Ultrastructure of the trabecular meshwork in cases of chronic glaucoma

Serial sections of 90 trabeculectomy specimens of different types of medically uncontrolled glaucoma [52 open angle, 19 narrow angle and 19 other types of glaucoma] were examined by light microscopy. The best 11 specimens, showing the least surgical trauma, were further studied by electron microscopy. Detailed morphometric analysis of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal and the adjacent cirbiform meshwork in the photomontages has shown the following significant observations: 1. - Reduction of the number and size of vacuoles in the endothelial cells. 2. - Reduction of the intercellular free space. 3. - Increase of electron dense material accumulation. We believe that the transport of aqueous humour from anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal is by fluid transport regulated by the activity of the endothelial lining of Schlemm's canal. Thus, we may hypothesize that a dercrease in cellular activity of the endothelial lining of Schlemm's canal may be an aetioIogical factor in primary open angle glaucoma

Diagnostic and therapeutic value of the replica technique in herpetic keratitis

The recommendation of corneal replicas in the management of superficial herpetic keratitis serves a dual purpose. The first purpose is diagnostic to facilitate histopathological examination of the intact corneal epithelium including the herpetic lesions. The second purpose is therapeutic to promote uneventful healing of the corneal ulcer without any complications and perhaps to reduce the recurrence rate. The causes of recurrences may be either due to stromal affections in which the epithelial lesion only was cured. In cases of simple epithelial herpetic keratitis, corneal replicas proved to be effective in healing the condition within 3-5 days without any complications. If the recurrence has occured and it is very low percentage, it may be attributed to insufficient amount of replica or missed diagnosis of significant stromal affection