The Role of Microfibril in Pathogenesis of Exfolion Syndrome

We electron-microscopically studied 15 specimens of upper limbal conjunctiva obtained from 14 patients with exfoliation syndrome and clinical evidence of glaucoma. Of 15 specimens, four(three patients) contained exfoliation materials in the stroma of the stroma of the conjunctiva. These exfoliation materials of immature, intermediate, and mature forms were composed of abnormal microfibrils lying adjacent to the fibroblasts and located in close proximity to the elastic and collagen fibers. These observations suggest a sequence of events by which microfibrils develop into exfoliation materials.

Clinical Study on the Cryo-extraction of the Lens in Senile Cataract

The authors report the result of cryo-extraction of the lens in 50 eyes (44 cases) which were operated in B.N.D. Hospital from January 1978 to April 1980. The results are as follows: 1. The incidences of complication during operation were hyphema(8%), vitreous loss and rupture of the lens capsule(2%). Hyphema was the most common complication during operation. 2. The incidences of early postoperative complication were striate keratitis(26%), hyphema (2%), shallow anterior chamber(2%) and uveitis. 3. The incidences of late postoperative complication were vitreous prolapse into anterior chamber (6%), updrawn pupil(6%), macular edema(4%) and posterior synechia (2%), corneal degeneration with abnormal tissue growth into anterior chamber (2%), iris atrophy (2%) and vitreous opacity (2%). 4. The postoperative final visual acuity more than 0.5 were 37 eyes(74%) and less than 0.1 were 2 eyes(4%).

Retinal Vascular Patterns Part III: Endophthalmitis following by perforating injury and corneal ulcer

The authors studied the retinal vascular patterns of human eye suffered from complicated endophthalmitis following by perforating injury and corneal ulcer. The technique of preparing slides to study the retinal vascular patterns were same as previously noted Part I report. A lot of microorganisms, such as cocci, bacilli and fungi are found in the inflamed foci(with or without filaments) around the retinal vessels unless the vessels were completely occluded. Focal and diffuse exudative vasculitis is related to the species of microorganisms and cbserved stage but almost all retinal vessel waIls show diffuse loss of perivascular argyrophilic fibers, socalled "moth eaten" appearance. In the later stage of vasculitis microorganisms are not found in the inflamed focus("punched out" lesion) of the occluded vessels which show as "bark-stripped-dead tree" appearance in reticulin stain.

Ultrasonograms in the Ocular and Orbital Diseases

Ultrasonograms were obtained from 27 cases of intraocular and 10 cases of orbital diseases with S.K.L containing a general transducer(A-mode), 1~3 MHz in its frequency and 15mm in its diameter. The authors summerized that these ultrasonograms would provide some benefits in supplementary clinical diagnosis, especially in confirming the presence of intraocular tumors, differential diagnosis of primary and secondary retinal detachment and deciding the location and surgical procedure preoperatively in the orbital tumors.

Clinical Study of Traumatic Cataract

The authors analyzed the results of operation in 88 eyes of traumatic cataract for recent 5 years at Busan National University Hospital. The follow up study was at least 3 months up to 3 years. The results were as follows; 1. The incidence of traumatic cataract was 8.2% of all ocular injuries. 2. The main cause of traumatic cataract was flying objects (44.8%) and sharp material(33.3%). 3. The major causes of decreased visual acuity after operation were corneal opacity (36.4). after cataract (22.8%). and vitreous opacity (21.6%).

Benign Tumors of the Eye and its Adnexa

The authors reported clinical review of 85 cases of benign tumors of the eye and its adnexa diagnosed histopathologically for last 15 years at Department of Ophthalmology, Busan National University Hospital. The followings were summarized. 1. The occurence of benign tumors of the eye and its adnexa by age was frequent under 3rd decade but no sexual differences were found. 2. The benign tumors in the eye and its adnexa were frequently involved eye lids (33 cases, 38.8%), orbit (25 cases, 29.4%) and conjunctiva (19 cases, 22.4%) in erder. 3. The frequency of occurence of benign tumors in the eye and its adnexa was dermoid cyst (18 cases, 21.2%), hemangioma (12 cases, 14.1%), cysticercosis and nevus (9 cases, 10.6% in each) and pseudotumor (5 cases, 5.9 %) in order. In addition, 3 rare benign tumors in the ocular adnexa, such as an epibulbar osseous choristoma in the subconjunctiva, a benign mixed tumor originated from medial canthal eccrine gland and hemangioendothelioma located in the eye lid were presented.

Retinal Vascular Patterns-Part II: Primary, secondary and absolute glaucoma

The authors observed retinal vascular patterns of the blind eyes surgically removed on account of pain, high intraocular pressure and global rupture by injury. Material for the study was 10 eyes which were 4 eyes of long standing absolute glaucoma, late stage of chronic simple glaucoma (3 eyes) and chronic angle closure glaucoma (1 eye). aphakic glaucoma (1 eye) and an eye of chronic simple glaucoma with traumatic global rupture. The technique of preparation of the slides was made of flat preparations of retinal vessels that all nonvascular components were digested with tris-buffered 3% trypsin solution and stained with PAS-hematoxylin and Wilder's reticulin stain. RESULTS OBTAINED AS FOLLOWS; 1. it is possible that diffuse acellularity (predominant loss of endothelium) in the capillaries of the equatorial and posterior portion of retina results from the arterial occlusion. 2. Solitary microaneurysm in the peripheral retinal capillary was found in the early stage and numerous saccular and fusiform aneurysms (rows of bead-like aneurysms) on the venules, and arteriolar and venular capillaries are related to the degree and duration of the venous occlusion. 3. The majority have had venous occlusion initially, on which distal venule there are found rows of bead-like outpouchings, and the occlusive arterioles show fibrinous appearence, accllularity and increasing PAS staining. 4. It is possible that abnormal A-V shunts and venous collaterals result from the venous occlusion and rows of bead-like microaneuysms in the capillaries will be switched over to shunts and collaterals.