Cornea
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Shortages in transplantable corneas are common, yet little appears in the medical literature about patterns of tissue donation and factors affecting procurement. We have analyzed data on eye donations and taken measures to improve procurement rates based on our findings. Fifty consecutive Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) deaths were reviewed to compare the number of transplant-eligible donors to the amount of tissue received. ⋯ During the 12 months after this initiative, the number of transplantable corneas donated from our facility doubled, as compared with the same period in 1992. Despite required request laws and regulations, failure to request tissue donation is common in our facility and may be common elsewhere. Systematic analysis of obstacles to donor eye procurement and their solutions may help to improve our country's performance in this area.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Epidermal growth factor and corneal wound healing. A multicenter study.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted in five centers to assess safety, ocular tolerance, and efficacy of an ophthalmic solution of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the treatment of traumatic corneal epithelial defects. One hundred four patients completed the study: 47 received EGF and 57 placebo (the drug vehicle). ⋯ Local tolerance was adequate in both groups. These results indicated that topical EGF is well tolerated and may be a significant addition to the ophthalmologist's armamentarium for treating corneal epithelial defects.
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Keratoconus is a corneal thinning disorder usually localized to the paracentral cornea. Though acute hydrops has been well described, perforation in keratoconus is an extremely rare event. We report a case of keratoconus with acute hydrops and perforation.
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We report a pyogenic granuloma of the upper palpebral conjunctiva in a soft contact lens user. Pathological examination revealed numerous foreign bodies embedded within the specimen. The contact lens may have contributed to development of the lesion.
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Severe congenital corneal clouding may be associated with abnormal anterior segment development (dysgenesis). Often, congenital corneal opacities preclude visualization of intraocular anatomy. ⋯ Recognition of LCA is pivotal in planning surgical therapy for eyes with congenital corneal clouding. As a clue to recognition of this anomaly, the ring-shaped stromal opacity may aid in diagnosis of this phenomenon and in avoidance of surgical complications.