Ultrastructural Study of the Corneal Epithelium in the Recurrent Erosion Syndrome

Overview

Journal Br J Ophthalmol

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 1995 Mar 1

PMID 7703211

Citations 10

Authors

D A Aitken

Z A Beirouty

W R Lee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: This study describes the adhesion systems in the corneal epithelium in the recurrent erosion syndrome and the mechanisms by which binucleate and multinucleate cells are formed within the epithelium.

Methods: Twenty five samples of sliding epithelium were obtained from 23 patients and were examined by conventional light and transmission electron microscopy.

Results: The separation of the anchoring system occurred either below the level of the anchoring plaques or at the level of the epithelial cell membrane. Normal and degenerate polymorphonuclear leucocytes were found within and between the epithelial cells and within the anchoring layer. Binucleate and multinucleate cells were found within all the layers of the epithelium as were cysts containing degenerate cellular material.

Conclusion: The presence of leucocytes and degenerate epithelial cells within the sliding epithelium suggests that these are the source of the metalloproteinases which cleave Bowman's layer below the anchoring system. The formation of binucleate and multinucleate giant cells does not appear to occur by fusion of adjacent cells, but rather by nuclear indentation and cleaving due to an abnormal microtubular system in the cytoskeleton.

Citing Articles

Matrix Metalloproteinases and the Pathogenesis of Recurrent Corneal Erosions and Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy.

Jadczyk-Sorek K, Garczorz W, Bubala-Stachowicz B, Francuz T, Mrukwa-Kominek E Biology (Basel). 2023; 12(9).

PMID: 37759662 PMC: 10525265. DOI: 10.3390/biology12091263.

Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Concentrations in Corneal Epithelium of Patients with Recurrent Corneal Erosions.

Jadczyk-Sorek K, Garczorz W, Bubala-Stachowicz B, Francuz T, Mrukwa-Kominek E J Ophthalmol. 2022; 2022:5024037.

PMID: 36199293 PMC: 9527436. DOI: 10.1155/2022/5024037.

Treatment of Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy to Optimize the Ocular Surface Prior to Cataract Surgery.

Yeu E, Hashem O, Sheha H Clin Ophthalmol. 2022; 16:785-795.

PMID: 35321046 PMC: 8935016. DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S356421.

Corneal Sensitivity and Tear Function in Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.

Kang E, Chen H, Hsueh Y, Chen H, Tan H, Hsiao C Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020; 61(3):21.

PMID: 32181797 PMC: 7401482. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.3.21.

Clinical course and risk factors of recurrent corneal erosion: Observational study.

Nanba H, Mimura T, Mizuno Y, Matsumoto K, Hamano S, Ubukata S Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(16):e14964.

PMID: 31008925 PMC: 6494251. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000014964.

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