alpha-chymotrypsin and Retinal-Degeneration

Injection of 150, 500, or 750 U of alpha chymotrypsin into the posterior chamber of clinically normal Beagles resulted in changes in intraocular pressure and iridocyclitis. In the 6 eyes treated with 500 or 750 U, lens subluxation occurred in 4 eyes, retinal detachment in 1 eye, retinal degeneration in 1 eye, and optic nerve degeneration in 6 eyes. Scanning electron microscopic changes included dose-related zonulolysis and zonulary remnants within the aqueous humor outflow pathways. Ultrastructural changes by transmission microscopy of the optic nerve degeneration revealed loss of axoplasm and organelles and disruption of the myelin sheaths. Retinal and optic nerve changes may represent the direct toxic effects of alpha chymotrypsin and/or the indirect effects of increased intraocular pressure.

Topics: Animals; Chymotrypsin; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Eye; Eye Diseases; Intraocular Pressure; Lens Subluxation; Microscopy, Electron; Nerve Degeneration; Ocular Physiological Phenomena; Optic Nerve; Optic Nerve Diseases; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Detachment; Uveitis, Anterior

Some premises on the clinical aspects of retinal detachment in patients operated upon for cataract and in conditions of lens dislocation are made. The different aspects of the preoperative prophylaxis (indications, techniques, application time) are dealt with, and the technical procedures used during operation for cataract are described. The authors point out the necessity of a postoperative control of the aphakic eyes, at short-or long-term in order to avoid vitreo retinal alterations.

Topics: Cataract Extraction; Chymotrypsin; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Retinal Degeneration; Retinal Detachment; Uveitis