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Biomedical subjects

R A Ralph

Publications and source records attributed to R A Ralph.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Tetracyclines and the treatment of corneal stromal ulceration: a review.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the potential value of tetracyclines in the treatment of corneal ulceration after moderate to severe ocular chemical injuries. METHODS: Review of published materials describing landmarks in the development of tetracyclines as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in ophthalmology and related disciplines. RESULTS: Tetracyclines can protect the cornea against proteolytic degradation after moderate to severe ocular chemical injury. They inhibit matrix metalloproteinases by mechanisms independent of their antimicrobial properties, primarily through restriction of the gene expression of neutrophil collagenase and epithelial gelatinase, suppression of alpha1-antitrypsin degradation, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION: Oral tetracyclines can be used along with topical tetracycline preparations and other therapeutic agents to inhibit collagenolytic degradation of the cornea after moderate to severe ocular chemical injuries.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Rapid development of band keratopathy in dry eyes.

In three patients, calcium deposits rapidly developed within the superficial corneal stroma. All eyes had severe desiccation, a bacterial corneal ulcer, and frequent instillation of an artificial tear preparation. Calcium deposition within the ulcer base occurred within two to three weeks.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Nocardia asteroides keratitis. A case report.

An 11-year-old girl developed a corneal ulcer five days after sustaining a corneal abrasion from a fishline sinker. After more than three weeks, the epithelial defect had closed, but superficial stromal opacities in a ring-like distribution had not cleared on topical gentamicin, prednisolone 1% and atropine. Several scrapings disclosed the presence of branching hyphae on smear, eventually identified as Nocardia asteroides by culture. Although sensitivity studies suggested that subconjunctival ampicillin and hourly sodium sulphacetamide would constitute effective treatment, resolution was only partial on this regimen. Only when penicillin G drops were added did the cornea clear maximally and the epithelium heal.

Ampicillin↗
PubMed1975

Clinical experience with a mobile ocular perfusion pump.

The continuous delivery in fluids to the ocular surfaces of 12 patients, for a collective total of 1,500 days, was achieved by means of a mobile perfusion pump. One patient used this device intermittently for a total of 21/2 years. Severe dry-eye symptoms were ameliorated in each patient by the constant perfusion. In various situations, the following perfusion fluids have been tried: commercial balanced salt solution, commercial artificial tear solutions, acetylcysteine, and autologous and homologous serum and plasma. In spite of disadvantages related to its size and weight, the pump seems to be of considerable value, especially following severe chemical burns and after keratoplasty or reconstruction of the lids and fornices in the severely dry eye.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Conjunctival goblet cell density in normal subjects and in dry eye syndromes.

Serial sections prepared from biopsies of the deep tarsal portion of the inferior nasal conjunctival fornix in normal subjects and in patients with various dry eye syndromes were analyzed with respect to the goblet cell densities. When compared to normal subjects, individuals with keratitis sicca, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular pemphigoid, and acute alkali burn all demonstrated progressively lower goblet cell densities per millimeter of epithelial surface. These disease entities can, therefore, be considered goblet cell-deficient syndromes.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1975

Reconstruction of conjunctival fornices using silicone rubber sheets.

A simple procedure is described for reconstructing conjunctival fornices obliterated by severe symblepharon and ankyloblepharon, re-establishing lid movement. After dividing attachments of the lids to the globe and to themselves, a thin sheet of silicone rubber is sutured into the fornices and over the lids. A soft contact lens or scleral shell is worn postoperatively. Epithelialization occurs over denuded surfaces of the reconstituted fornix. The sheets remain in place as long as they are tolerated. Regrowth of symblepharon may not be preventable by this method, but their reappearance can often be postponed for weeks or months.

Cicatrix↗