PURPOSE We clarified the effects of an ophthalmic solution of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist on corneal inflammation and wound healing after alkali burn injury in rats. METHODS After alkali exposure, either an ophthalmic solution with 0.1% pioglitazone hydrochloride (the PPARγ group) or vehicle (the vehicle group) was topically applied to the cornea until d...

Corneal integrity and transparency are indispensable for good vision. Cornea homeostasis is entirely dependent upon corneal stem cells, which are required for complex wound-healing processes that restore corneal integrity following epithelial damage. Here, we found that leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (LRIG1) is highly expressed in the human holoclone-type corneal epithel...

PURPOSE Sulfur mustard, nitrogen mustard (NM), and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide all cause corneal injury with epithelial-stromal separation, differing only by degree. Injury can resolve in a few weeks or develop into chronic corneal problems. These vesicants induce microbullae at the epithelial-stromal junction, which is partially caused by cleavage of transmembranous hemidesmosomal collagen XVI...

Purpose To determine the impact of the loss of syndecan 1 (SDC1) on intraepithelial corneal nerves (ICNs) during homeostasis, aging, and in response to 1.5-mm trephine and debridement injury. Methods Whole-mount corneas are used to quantify ICN density and thickness over time after birth and in response to injury in SDC1-null and wild-type (WT) mice. High-resolution three-dimensional imaging ...

Corneal neovascularization (NV) refers to the growth of blood vessels and/or lymphatics into the physiologically avascular cornea, which occurs in several pathological processes. In mouse models, corneal NV can be artificially induced to investigate mechanisms of corneal pathologies. However, mouse models of corneal NV are not restricted to cornea-specific research, but also are widely used to ...

PURPOSE Selection of an appropriate animal model is crucial for the investigation of the pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba keratitis. To this end, it has been reported that fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Acanthamoeba castellanii bind to human, pig, and hamster corneas, but not to rabbit corneas in organ culture. However, 35S-labeled A. polyphaga and A. culbertsoni have been found to bind ...

Purpose To report a case of regained corneal sensation and function in a patient with neurotrophic keratopathy due to direct damage to the long ciliary nerves by performing a corneal neurotization procedure using ipsilateral supraorbital nerve. Surgical technique is described in detail as well as a review of the literature on corneal neurotization. Observations A patient with devastating corn...

Background & Aims: This study was carried out to determine the leading indications for corneal transplantation in Kerman province. Methods: Medical records of 186 patients underwent corneal transplantation during 3 years (2004-2006) in Shafa Medical Center were evaluated retrospectively. The initial diagnosis and causes of corneal grafting were recorded. Infectious keratitis (Bacterial, Fungal,...