Freezing in vascularized cornea

ABSTRACT

As far as we can ascertain in the literature, this is the first time cryogenic procedure has been applied to the difficult problem of obliterating or artificially regressing corneal blood vesselsUtilizing-50 degree celsius we froze a series of 25 cases of vascularized corneas and have carefully and systematically observed clinically the obliteration and complete regression of the blood vessels by the aid of biomicroscope, operating microscope and with the help of intravenous flourescein. Diagrams of the individual vessels were recorded and photographs of various stages of regression were takenHistopathological examinations of the frozen corneal tissues were made. Photomicrographs of the sections showed the death, disintegration, disapperance of the endotholial cells of the blood vesel with extravasation, some inflammatory reaction and complete disappearance of the vessels. The changes in the non-vascular, cellular and non-cellular structures have been shown. Several cases of frozen vascularized cornea have been subjected to keratoplasty after 4 to 5 months with more favorable results than if the corneal freezing had not been done. (Summary)