PURPOSE: To evaluate 20% ethanol toxicity on the rabbit corneal epithelium, ethanol-treated rabbit corneas were examined with electron microscopy. METHODS: Rabbit corneas(24 eyes) were treated with 20% ethanol for 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 2 minutes by using LASEK(Laser Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis) instruments, and washed with sterile water. Zero time, 1, 3, 5 days after ethanol treatment, corneas were excised and examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Widespread damage or disappearance of microvilli and local breaks of intercellular junction were observed. The changes were more severe in corneas with longer ethanol treament. In corneas with over 1 minute ethanol treatment, slough of superficial corneal epithelium was shown and increased with time. It was difficult to recognize microvilli or distinctive intercellular junction in corneas with 2 minute-treament. These pathologic changes persisted 5 days after ethanol-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, 30 seconds to 1 minute-ethanol treatment is recommended in corneal surgery to avoid severe, persisting damage of superficial corneal epithelium.
Cornea ; Epithelial Cells* ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Ethanol ; Intercellular Junctions ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microvilli ; Water

PURPOSE: We evaluated ocular penetration and drug level in tear after topical ofloxacin instillation in rabbit eye with amniotic membrane transplantation(AMT). METHODS: In the first set of experiment, 24 rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 4 groups according to the epithelial removal or AMT. Topical ofloxacin was instilled 4 times every 15 minutes and then, 1 hour after the last eyedrop, the samples of amniotic membrane(AM), cornea and aqueous humor were collected. In the second set of experiment, 24 rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 6 groups according to the freshness of AM or its attached time. Topical ofloxacin was applied to eyes and then, tear samples were collected at 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Ofloxacin concentration in the samples of two experiments were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Mean ofloxacin concentrations in cornea and aqueous humor were statistically higher in deepithelized corneas regardless of AMT(P<0.05). And mean tear levels of ofloxacin in AMT groups were statistically higher than those in non-AMT groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AMT seems to interfere with the ocular penetration of topical ofloxacin in normal rabbit cornea, but rather enhances ofloxacin penetration in the cornea with epithelial defect. And also the ofloxacin level in tear was higher in eyes with AMT up to 1 hour after topical ofloxacin use. Therefore it seems that AM has potential to act as an effective drug delivery system.
Amnion* ; Aqueous Humor ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cornea ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Ofloxacin*

PURPOSE: We studied to know the relationship between meniscal injury & defect of articular cartilage and its clinical importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 252 patients were selected, who undergone arthroscopic surgery for meniscal injury from May 1997 to December 2001. We excluded patients with severely progressed osteoarthritis or degenerative changes in simple X-ray. Physical examinations, simple X-rays, MRI & arthroscopic photographs were taken for all patients. And the results were analyzed according to age, duration from accident to operation and type of meniscal injury RESULTS: 40 cases (15.9%) showed defects of articular cartilage with meniscal injury. Among them, 18 cases (45%) in femur, 10 cases (25%) in tibia, and 12 cases (30%) in both. Incidence of articular cartilage defect was significantly higher in patients over the age of forty (p<0.01) and in those with a history longer than six months (p<0.05). Posterior horn tears were associated with the highest incidence of articular cartilage defect, but were also associated with a longer history and with older patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with meniscal injury, older age, long duration of symptom and tear at posterior horn have higher incidence of articular cartilage defect, especially femoral condyle. The reason for this is not entirely clear but these patients need close attention and early treatment.
Animals ; Arthroscopy* ; Cartilage, Articular* ; Femur ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Examination ; Tibia