PURPOSE To investigate the cellular distribution of the muscarinic receptor (MR) subtypes m1-m5 on the ocular surface and to determine their function in cell growth. METHODS Human limbal and conjunctival epithelial cells and conjunctival fibroblasts were isolated and cultured. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, immunostaining and Western blot analyses for m1-m5 were performed on cultured cells and tissue...

The cornea is the outermost tissue of the eye and it must be transparent for the maintenance of good visual function. The superficial epithelium of the cornea, which is renewed continuously by corneal stem cells, plays a critical role in the permanence of this transparency. These stem cells are localized at the cornea-conjunctival transition zone, referred to as the limbus. When this zone is af...

OBJECTIVE To assess the potential role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of pterygia by comparing the immunolocalization patterns of MMPs in altered limbal basal stem cells, activated fibroblasts, and areas of elastotic degeneration adjacent to the pterygia. METHODS Nine primary and 1 recurrent pterygia along with normal superior limbal-conjunctival tissue and cornea wer...

BACKGROUND Treatment of recurrent pterygium associated with symblepharon usually involves the use of tissue grafting and/or the intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC). For the graft, a conjunctival/limbal autograft and/or amniotic membrane may be used. This generally requires extra technical skills and assistance, an increase in the cost and duration of surgery, and a more extensive an...

Introduction: A pterygium is an elevated, superficial, external ocular mass that usually forms over the peri-limbal conjunctiva and extends onto the corneal surface. It is more common in the tropics secondary to higher exposure to ultraviolet light. This study compares the various techniques of pterygium surgery including bare sclera, conjunctival autograft, and conjunctival mini-graft (with or...

INTRODUCTION Both limbal and para limbal conjunctival incisions are routinely used in strabismus surgery with comparable results however their outcome has not been compared while using adjustable sutures. OBJECTIVE To compare limbal (von Noorden) and para limbal (Santiago) conjunctival incisions for adjustable recessions of horizontal recti. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Uniocular adjustable recessi...

We report the first case of ocular benign lymphoid hyperplasia (BLH) treated with subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (Avastin). A 27-year-old man presented to our clinic with conjunctival masses and limbal neovascularization. An incisional biopsy yielded the diagnosis of BLH. The patient was subsequently given a subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg / 0.1 mL). The patient did ...