Proliferative vitreoretinopathy is characterized by proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial cells, fibroblasts, glial cells and excessive fibrous tissue production. Recently minoxidil has been found to inhibit the proliferation of cultured fibroblast and retinal pigment epithelium. Minoxidil also inhibits the mRNA expression and protein production of lysyl hydroxylase, a key-enzyme involved in cross-linking of collagen. Therefore, the author investigated the effects of minoxidil on cultured mouse fibroblast and the result was compared with those of 5-fluorouracil and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone demonstrated bimodal effect of stimulation of proliferation at low concentrations and inhibition at higher concentrations. Fifty percent inhibition of growth (ID50) was seen at a concentration of 316mg/L. 5-fluorouracil had the most potent antiproliferative activity with ID50 of 0.8mg/L. Minoxidil had more potent antiproliferative properties on cultured mouse fibroblasts than dexamethasone. Fifty percent inhibition of growth (ID50) was 200mg/L. Reduction in cell number was seen after a 30 minute treatment and was half-maximal after 48 hours of treatment with 1000mg/L minoxidil.
Animals ; Cell Count ; Collagen ; Dexamethasone ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibroblasts* ; Fluorouracil ; Mice* ; Minoxidil* ; Neuroglia ; Procollagen-Lysine, 2-Oxoglutarate 5-Dioxygenase ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; Retinaldehyde ; RNA, Messenger ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

The authors experienced a case of oculo-auriculo-vertebral syndrome(Goldenhar's syndrome) onsisting of epibulbar dermoid, preauricular appendages, pretragal blind fistula, and spina bifida in 16 year old girl. We are presenting the above case with reference to several literatures.
Adolescent ; Dermoid Cyst ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Spinal Dysraphism

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical results of pars plana vitrectomy on posterior segment complications in posterior uveitis. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 20 eyes of 19 uveitis patients who were followed up for 6 months or more after vitrectomy. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 20 months. Final visual acuity improved in 10 eyes (50%), was maintained in 6 (30%), and decreased in 4 (20%). The mean improvement of vision was 1.6 lines (p=0.019). Detached retina was reattached in 8 (80%) among the 10 eyes with primary surgery. Postoperative complications were cataract (7 eyes), macular degeneration (2 eyes), retinal detachment (2 eyes), and recurrence (1 eye). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pars plana vitrectomy may be a safe and effective treatment for posterior segment complications in posterior uveitis, but that early and complete vitrectomy should be considered for a better visual prognosis.
Cataract ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retina ; Retinal Detachment ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Posterior* ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*

Squamous cell papilloma is one of epitheial tumors. Squamous cell papilloma of the lacrimal sac is so rare that the indrvidual clinician rarely acquires substantial experience in their management. The patients with benign squamous cell papilloma present with epiphora, palpable mass and bloody discharge that can be mistaken clinically as evidence of chronic dacryocystitis. The choice of treatment is simple excision and recurrence rate is approximately 20-30%. Most of the papilloma does not reveal any malignant change. We experienced a 40-year-old woman who had a soft, irregular surfaced palpable mass and unilateral epiphora for one year in the lower lid and inner canthus of the left eye. We treated with dacryocystectomy including tumor mass. The histopathologic evaluation revealed the tumor to be a benign squamous cell papilloma. The general conditions of the patient and operation sites are good so, we present our case with a brief review of the literature.
Adult ; Dacryocystitis ; Female ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases ; Papilloma* ; Recurrence

Cogan-Reese syndrome is a disease characterized by glaucoma in an eye with peripheral anterior synechia, multiple pigmented iris nodules, and ectopic Descemet's membranes. Cogan-Reese syndrome is a variant of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and shares common properties whcih are corneal endothelial degeneration, iris atrophy and secondary glaucoma, with progressive iris atrophy and Chandler's syndrome. We have experienced a 43-year-old female patient complaining of visual dimness in the left eye. On examination, we found characteristics of Cogan-Reese syndrome which were corneal endothelial pleomorphism and cell loss, corneal edema, iris atrophy and multiple pigmented nodules on the surface of the iris, peripheral anterior synechia, and increased intraocular pressure in the left eye. We report a case of Cogan-Reese syndrome which has not been reported in Korea.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Corneal Edema ; Female ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndrome ; Iris ; Korea ; Membranes

Lacquer cracks represent the healed mechanical breaks of retinal pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, and choriocapillaris complex.The etiologic mechanism of new lacquer cracks in high myopia has not yet been elucidated. Recently, cases in which new lacquer cracks formed at the site of the previous subretinal bleeding have been reported and it has been postulated that the subretinal bleeding may be the precursor of lacquer cracks formation in high myopia.Herein, we present our patient who developed a new lacquer crack at the site of previous subretinal bleeding with a brief literatures review.
Bruch Membrane ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Lacquer* ; Myopia ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium

PURPOSE: To determine the concentration at which a mixed injection of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and C3F8 gas is toxic, we studied the histopathological changes in the rabbit retina. METHODS: Only tPA was injected into the right vitreous cavities of 18 normal pigmented rabbits at doses of 25 micro gram/0.1mL, 50 micro gram/0.1mL, and 100 micro gram/0.1mL, 6 rabbits per dosage. In the same rabbits, tPA and C3F8 (0.2cc) were simultaneously injected into the left vitreous cavities at doses of 25 micro gram/0.1mL, 50 micro gram/0.1mL, and 100 micro gram/0.1mL. All of the eyes were examined by slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy at 5, 10, and 15 days after the injection, and then they were enucleated for histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Retinal pigmentary alterations were centered around the injection site 3 days postoperatively in the eyes receiving doses of 50 micro gram/0.1mL or greater. On light microscopy(LM), the involved areas showed vacuolization in the photoreceptor elements and the inner nuclear layer(INL) at a dose of 25 micro gram/0.1mL at postoperative 5 days and the vacuolar changes disappeared at postoperative 15 days. But at doses of 50 micro gram/0.1mL or greater, loss, contracture, and vacuolization of the photoreceptor outer segment (POS) and vacuolization of INL were noted at postoperative 15 days. On LM, at a dose of 25 micro gram/0.1mL, the involved areas showed vacuolization in POS and mitochondrial swelling of the photoreceptor inner segment (PIS) at postoperative 5 days. The mitochondrial swelling of PIS disappeared at postoperative 15 days. However, at doses of 50 micro gram/0.1mL or greater, loss and contracture of POS and mitochondrial swelling of PIS were noted at postoperative 15 days. The retinal damage from simultaneous injection of tPA and C3F8 at doses of 25, and 50 micro gram/0.1mL was equal to or less than that of only tPA injection, whereas at a doses of 100 micro gram/0.1mL the damage was greater. CONCLUSIONS: At doses of 50 micro gram/0.1mL or greater, irreVersible retinal toxicity was noted histopathologically in rabbit eyes. At doses of 25, and 50 micro gram/0.1mL, the degree of retianl damage did not seem to be affected by whether C3F8 was injected concomitantly or not.
Contracture ; Mitochondrial Swelling ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Rabbits ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator*

To evaluate the postoperative prognostic factors of pars plana vitrectomy for the proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the authors studied retrospectively the surgical results of 65 eyes that have been followed over 6 months postoperatively. The surgical results were varied according to the indication. Seventy six percent of eyes with vitreous hemorrhage obtained final vision of 5/200 or better. Similar results were obtained in 73% of eyes with macular traction detachment, 47% of eyes with rhegmatogenous-traction detachment. Rhegmatogenous-traction detachment has less favorable outcome than vitreous hemorrhage and macular traction detachment. Factors associated with a favorable visual prognosis were as follows: (1) preoperative visual acuity of 5/200 or better, (2) the avoidance of performing lensectomy, (3) the avoidance of using intraocular gas bubbles, (4) the absence of preoperative retinal detachment. Thirteen eyes resulted in anatomic failure ; vitreous hemorrhage was the cause of failure in 4 eyes(31%) and anterior hyaloid fibrovascular proliferation in 3 eyes(23%), The causes of poor visual outcome included optic atrophy in 3 eyes, ischemic maculopathy in 2 eyes, submacular fibrosis in 1 eye and cataract in 1 eye.
Cataract ; Diabetic Retinopathy* ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; Optic Atrophy ; Prognosis ; Retinal Detachment ; Retrospective Studies ; Traction ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy* ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy is an autosomal dominant inherited congenital retinal disorder which is thought to be caused by abnormal development of retinal vascular system and characterized by avascularity of peripheral retina, temporally dragged retina and ectopia of macula. Fundus findings of this disorder are very similar to those of retinopathy of prematurity except for no history of prematurity and oxygen administration in perinatal period. So the perinatal history and careful examination of family members in suspicious patients are important in diagnosis. The authors examined a six year old girl with poor vision compatible to a familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and all of her family members. The examination revealed that five members of three generations in this family had familial exudative vitreoretinopathy. The inheritance pattern was an autosomal dominant based upon the pedigree.
Diagnosis ; Family Characteristics* ; Female ; Humans ; Inheritance Patterns ; Oxygen ; Pedigree ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Retinopathy of Prematurity

The purpose of glaucoma filtering surgery is to maintain low intraocular pressure byoontinuous filtration of aqueous humor. Filtration failure commonly results from scarring at the surgical site. Fibroblast plays an important role in the scarring process. Mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil are the antimetabolites capable of inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. In this animal experiment, the authors studied electron microscopically the effect of Mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil on the fibroblast proliferation at the surgical site. Posterior sclerectomy was performed to 9 eyes of 9 normal rabbits. Postoperatively, 3 eyes recieved subconjunctival injection of Mitomycin C, 3 eyes 5-fluorouracil and 3 eyes normal saline as a control. Additional one eye of a rabbit was used for observation of normol fibroblast. Animals were killed two days, four days, six days following surgery at the time of 12 hours after the last injection. Globes were immediately removed and processed for transmission electron microscopic examination. The results were as follows; 1. Normal fibroblasts in episclera showed dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). 2. Two days after operation, the fibroblasts were slightly activated. 3. Four days after operation, cytoplasmic organelles in fibroblasts were more activated. 4. Six days after operation, secreting forms of fibroblast were visible. The fibrillar materials of moderate electron density pooled in cisternae of RER, and the filamentous elements were in the periphery of the cytoplasm. 5. In Mitomycin C treated group, there was no remarkable change in the cytoplasmic organelles, but some dilation of RER was noted four days after operation. 6. In 5-fluorouracil treated group, there was the same feature as in Mitomycin C group, but milder. 7. Conclusively, Mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil are considered effective on the inhibition of fibrogenesis with lowering of fibroblastic activity.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Antimetabolites ; Aqueous Humor ; Cicatrix ; Cytoplasm ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Fibroblasts ; Filtering Surgery* ; Filtration ; Fluorouracil ; Glaucoma* ; Intraocular Pressure ; Mitomycin* ; Organelles ; Rabbits