The conjunctival epithelium plays an important role in ensuring the optical clarity of the cornea by providing lubrication to maintain a smooth, refractive surface, by producing mucins critical for tear film stability and by protecting against mechanical stress and infectious agents. A large number of disorders can lead to scarring of the conjunctiva through chronic conjunctival inflammation. F...

PURPOSE To characterize quantitatively the paracellular permeation routes in rabbit cornea, conjunctiva, and sclera using polyethylene glycol (PEG) oligomers. METHODS Corneal, conjunctival, and scleral tissues from New Zealand white rabbits were tested individually in a modified two-chamber Ussing apparatus with the mixture of PEGs with mean molecular weights 200, 400, 600, and 1000 in glutat...

PURPOSE Currently available anti-scarring regimens for glaucoma filtration surgery have potentially blinding complications and thus the need for alternative and safer agents. The effects of a new antibody to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 on in vitro and in vivo conjunctival scarring and after glaucoma filtration surgery were investigated. METHODS The activity of a novel recombinant m...

PURPOSE To analyze for the presence of lipids in conjunctival fibroblasts of a patient with Schnyder corneal dystrophy (SCD). METHODS A proband with SCD was identified, and the pedigree was examined. The proband underwent an automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK). At the same time, the proband underwent a skin and conjunctival biopsy. Specimens were sent for histological and ultra...

Ocular microangiopathic syndrome including retinal and conjunctival abnormalities is frequently found in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease. Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most frequent neoplasia found in patients with HIV-1 disease. We have recently reported a significant association between conjunctival microvasculopathy and KS in 117 patients with HIV-1 disease. ...

PURPOSE Amniotic membrane (AM)-reconstructed conjunctival surfaces recover the normal epithelial phenotype with a significantly higher cell density than the control. The present study was undertaken to examine how AM modulates rabbit conjunctival epithelial cell differentiation. METHODS Rabbit conjunctival epithelial cells (RCEs) were cultured on the basement membrane side of dispase-pretreat...

BACKGROUND Conjunctival amyloidosis is a very rare condition, generally unilateral, and presents mostly as an isolated condition without systemic compromise. Our purpose is to present a new case of systemic amyloidosis with a bilateral conjunctival involvement. CASE PRESENTATION A 66-years-old caucasian female complaining of conjunctival hemorrhage and chemosis in both eyes for the last five ...

BACKGROUND Food allergy is common in children, occurring in 5-7.5%. The diagnosis may, however, be difficult. Elevated IgE or positive skin prick test to a food allergen is often considered proof of allergy, but may represent sensitisation without clinical manifestations. For a precise diagnosis oral challenge is necessary, but this is often not performed because of risk of serious allergic rea...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Increased morbidity and mortality from a number of infectious diseases have been associated with vitamin A deficiency. Trachoma and vitamin A deficiency are both important causes of blindness in Nepal. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the diagnosis of vitamin A deficiency by conjunctival impression cytology and the diagnosis of infectious tracho...

Report of a Case. A 61-year-old man developed cutaneous melanoma in the right preauricular skin. It was managed by surgical resections, skin grafts, irradiation, chemotherapy, and laser for local recurrences and cervical node metastasis. After 18 months, he was referred for progressive ipsilateral conjunctival pigmentation. Examination disclosed cutaneous pigmentation and scarring in the right ...