Corneal silver deposits following Crede's prophylaxis an examination with electron dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX-analysis) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).
In a case of silver nitrate injury after Credé's prophylaxis, the cornea of a newborn presented yellow-brown, lime-like plaques on the nasal part of the right eye. A paracentral ulcerating stromal opacification undermined these appositions, when the patient was admitted to the eye-clinic at Aachen. In the material obtained by a lamellar keratectomy scanning electron microscopical examination was able to prove the existence of granules, previously described in light-microscopy. These granules measured 100 to 300 nm in diameter. An earlier chemical analysis of necrotic material showed no silver specific reaction. By means of EDX-analysis these granules could be identified as silver-containing. Injuries by silver nitrate solutions used for Credé's prophylaxis are seldom but still reported. The mechanism of injury in this case of a child, born by sectio remains unknown. Neither the use of an unusual silver nitrate solution, that was taken from a disposable ampoule (Mova-Nitrat R) was reported, nor any corneal injury during sectio mentioned. Nevertheless the method of EDX-analysis and SEM proved the diagnosis of corneal silver deposits, so that the origin of the granullar opacification of the cornea could be determined.