title: [Intraocular epithelial downgrowth - report on 14 cases from 1986 to 2000].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diffuse and cystic epithelial downgrowth occur rarely, but they represent a mostly preventable potential cause of blindness as sequels to trauma and surgery. The aim of this study is to report on the etiology and course of disease in patients with histologically verified epithelial downgrowth.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 1986 until 2000 the ophthalmopathological laboratory of the University Eye Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf received 13 (4 external) referrals. Ten patients with cystic of diffuse intraocular epithelial downgrowth were treated and 9 eyes were operated on in the Hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At presentation 4/10 patients had a visual acuity of < or = 0.1, and 2/10 had no light perception. A cystic epithelial downgrowth was verified histologically in 9/13, and a diffuse form in 4/13 patients. Mucin production was proven histochemically in 1/9 intraocular epithelial downgrowth sections. In one case a spontaneous iris cyst was detected by the immunohistological examinations. Trauma (10/14) and surgery (3/14) were the most frequent causes and were symptomatic on average 17 years after the primary event. A curative surgery was done in 13/14 patients (5 x en bloc excision, 2 x penetrating keratoplasty, 1 x iridectomy, 2 x enucleations, 3 x external) resulting in no recurrences during the follow-up of 4(1/2) years (1 - 12 years). The postoperative visual acuity was ameliorated in 5/9, worsened in 2 patients, and 2 were enucleated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epithelial downgrowth is a rare but preventable cause of blindness. The most important prophylaxis is meticulous primary surgery including a sufficient wound closure. The visual outcome depends on the preoperative conditions.
authors.affiliation: Augenklinik mit Poliklinik des Univ.-Krankenhauses Eppendorf, Hamburg.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bangert
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Bialasiewicz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Engelmann
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: D Von
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Domarus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002828:Choristoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002924:Ciliary Body; D003228:Conjunctiva; D003560:Cysts / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004848:Epithelium; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007633:Keratins