Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S N Key.
Trophozoites and cysts of amebas were found within the necrotic cornea of an enucleated eye. The organism was identified, by indirect immunofluorescent staining using specific antiserum, to be Acanthamoeba castellani. This case report illustrates the difficulty of clinical diagnosis and typical inefficacy of medical therapy shown in other reports of this rare keratitis.
The histopathologic features of 176 eyes from 115 patients with senile macular degeneration have been studied. The results support the view that older persons with drusen are predisposed to the development of serous detachments, areolar retinal pigment epithelial atrophy, and subretinal pigment epithelial neovascularization. Direct clinicopathologic correlation was accomplished in 11 cases. Serial sections through the macular lesions were prepared and studied in 45 eyes. Five eyes were studied with stepped-serial sections through the macula at 0.1 mm intervals. Two-dimensional map reconstruction of the macular lesion of eight eyes was performed. Electron microscopic study of Bruch's membrane was performed in five eyes. A flow chart illustrating the interrelationships of the various morphologic forms of senile macular degeneration is proposed.
In a study of 45 patients, those with monarticular and pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and with antinuclear antibodies, were likely also to have chronic, persistent iridocyclitis. In cases where iridocyclitis was present, topical mydriatics were used to prevent formation of posterior synechiae. Topical corticosteroids were used but discontinued if the uveitis failed to respond. Despite the generally poor prognosis for the vision of these patients, surgery for complicated cataract was often successful.
The eyes of three patients followed clinically for many years with a diagnosis of macular disciform scarring, secondary to ocular histoplasmosis, were studied histopathologically. A fibrovascular scar interposed between the choroid and retina was observed in all cases. Vessels passing from the choroid through defects in Bruch's membrane into the nodule were demonstrated. Theories of the pathogenesis of the lesion are discussed.