OBJECTIVES To confirm the downregulation of PTGER4 mRNA in the conjunctiva of Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) patients and to examine the expression of its EP4 protein in the conjunctival epithelium of patients with various ocular surface disorders. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We performed quantita...

Myxoma is a benign soft tissue tumor that presumably derives from primitive mesenchyme. It is characterized histopathologically by abundant mucoid material, a loose meshwork of reticulin fibers, and relatively small numbers of spindleand stellate-shaped cells. The stromal matrix is rich in glucosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid, and it is sparse in collagen and vascular structures. Myxoma can a...

OBJECTIVE To report the use of preserved amniotic membrane and living related corneal limbal/conjunctival transplantation in total limbal stem cell and conjunctival deficiency secondary to severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome. DESIGN Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ten eyes of 10 patients with total limbal stem cell and conjunctival deficiency second...

OBJECTIVE To describe the in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) appearances of the tarsal conjunctiva in trachoma compared with the appearance of healthy conjunctiva and to develop grading systems for IVCM examination of the tarsal conjunctiva for use in future studies on trachoma and other conjunctival diseases. DESIGN Prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS In vivo confocal microscopy ...

PURPOSE. Trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness, is a chronic inflammatory scarring condition. Blindness follows the development of trichiasis, which is treated surgically. Unfortunately, it frequently recurs, compromising the treatment. In this study, gene expression analysis was used to examine factors that may be involved in the inflammation and tissue remodeling after surgery. ...

OBJECTIVE To describe an alternative method to repair exposed glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) when conventional attempts have failed. METHODS Four eyes, from 3 patients, with severe ocular surface disease were included in the study. All eyes had previously received a Baerveldt GDD for uncontrollable intraocular pressure and postoperatively had exposed GDDs. The conjunctival defects were unre...

PURPOSE To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of besifloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin in the conjunctival tissue of healthy volunteers after topical application. METHODS One-hundred eight (108) subjects were randomly assigned to receive one drop of besifloxacin (0.6% suspension), gatifloxacin (0.3% solution), or moxifloxacin (0.5% solution) ophthalmic formulations in one eye prio...

PURPOSE To report a case of atypical herpes simplex keratitis initially diagnosed as bacterial keratitis, in a contact lens wearer. RESULTS Case report of an 18-year-old woman using contact lenses who presented with pain, redness and gradual decrease in vision in the right eye. Examination revealed a paracentral large stromal infiltrate with a central 2-mm perforation. Corneal and conjunctiva...

The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of hedgehog signaling pathway in the carcinogenesis of eyelid skin and conjunctival epithelial malignant tumors. The study was conducted on specimens from 41 patients with cutaneous eyelid basal cell carcinoma, 22 with bulbar conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 12 with bulbar conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia. Major molecules of Hed...

Pterygium is an abnormal fibrovascular tissue extending on the cornea which is a degenerative and hyperplastic disorder. A stromal overgrowth of fibroblast and blood vessels is accompanied by an inflammatory cell infiltrate and abnormal extracellular matrix accumulation. The surgical excision is the main treatment method of pterygium, but recurrence is the most common postoperative complication...