This work consists of a histological study of cryopreserved corneal endothelium before and after perfusion, and of measurements of the corneal thickness during perfusion. 1) Histoligical study: a) After 7 hours of perfusion, the endothelium of fresh corneas is unchanged. b) The preserving solutions used for freezing do not modify the histological structure of the endothelium. c) All the freezing and thawing processes described in this paper substantially alter the histological structure of the endothelium. Latent alterations are revealed during perfusion. 2) Pachymetric study: a) In the experimental conditions described, the fresh corneas keep their normal thickness for 7 hours of perfusion. b) The preserving solutions do not modify this property. c) After freezing and thawing the thickness of the perfused cornea increases rapidly. The thickness of the perfused cornea appears more slowly under the following conditions: 33 to 66 p. 100 of serum in the preserving solution, volume less than 1 ml; eutectic point between - 4 and - 6 degrees C; the duration of the plateau less than 4 min. speed of freezing after the plateau about 5 degrees C/min.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pachymetry in the study of preservation of the cornea].

Rabbit corneas were preserved for between 7 and 14 days at + 4 degrees C in a whole eye in synthetic media (T.C. 199 and T.C. Earle) with or without added Dextran. In the absence of Dextran the corneas preserved at + 4 degrees C became thick. This thickening increased with the length of conservation. Dextran limited the hydration of the stroma. Measurement of the variations of corneal thickness during perfusion for 6 hours at 30 degrees C in T.C. Earle could be used as an index of the function of the corneal endothelium. Even after 14 days of preservation at + 4 degrees C the corneal endothelium retained the ability to reduce or prevent hydration during perfusion at 30 degrees C. Histological studies showed good conservation of the cellular structure after 7 days at + 4 degrees C. Pyknosis appeared after 14 days conservation. T.C. 199 preserved endothelial function better than T.C. Earle.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Keratoplasty. Urgent treatment of the corneal perforation (author's transl)].

Sixteen keratoplasties (15 perforating, 1 lamellar) were performed on 12 perforated corneas and on 2 eyes threatened by imminent corneal perforation. The causal disease was metaherpetic kératitis (6 cases), chronic and recurrent ulcers (4 cases), acute keratoconus (1 case) and corneal traumas (3 cases). Enucleation has been avoided and the anterior chamber was restored in all the cases, with or without anterior synechiae. One case only developed ocular hypertension which was cured by fistulisation. Architectonic results are satisfying in all the cases. Recuperation of visual functions is possible only in the most favourable cases. It is indicated to perform keratoplasty before the perforation when this one seems unavoidable and to consider this surgical procedrue as an emergency when the cornea is perforated.

Corneal Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied