M Bumbacher | PubMed Health

PubMed1988

Reduced number of hemidesmosomes in the corneal epithelium of diabetics with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Morphometry on transmission electron micrographs of the hemidesmosomal width was related to the length of the basal plasmalemma in corneal epithelium biopsy specimens. The basal plasmalemma length occupied by hemidesmosomes showed a mean fraction of 0.227 in eight patients undergoing cataract extraction or vitrectomy for diabetic proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In seven non-diabetic control patients of comparable age and sex undergoing cataract or pterygium surgery, 0.412 of the basal plasmalemma was covered by hemidesmosomes. A reduction in hemidesmosomes (P less than 0.001) may contribute to a weakness in the adhesion of diabetic corneal epithelium to the underlying stroma.

Basement Membrane↗

PubMed1985

[Retrobulbar corticotherapy].

Corticotherapy has been proposed several times for the treatment of venous thrombosis of the retina (e.g., Hayreh 1975). Since 1975 the present authors have used it regularly, combined with heparinotherapy, for all types of retinal vascular occlusion, in the form of retrobulbar injections of corticoids. The aim is to reduce edema of the vascular wall at the occlusion and re-establish or improve the flow, and thereby protect the sensory cells during the critical repair period. In edematous or mixed types of venous thrombosis, the effectiveness of the treatment is demonstrated by a rapid improvement in acuity. As recommended by Hayreh, corticotherapy is certainly indicated for edematous and mixed thromboses with loss of central field acuity. In other types of vascular occlusions (ischemic venous thrombosis, arterial occlusion, and vascular papillitis) the benefit can only be guessed at. Corticotherapy is not a replacement for anticoagulation, laser coagulation, or general treatment.

Aged↗