Ultrasound biomicroscopic examination of acute hydrops in patients with keratoconus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible factors involved in the development of acute hydrops in patients with keratoconus.


METHODS
Prospective interventional case series.


METHODS
Thirteen consecutive keratoconic eyes of 13 patients with acute hydrops were examined by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).


RESULTS
Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) examinations revealed a rupture of Descemet membrane and intrastromal clefts in all eyes. In 11 of 13 eyes, the intrastromal clefts were connected to the anterior chamber.


CONCLUSIONS
Formation of intrastromal clefts may be an important factor in the development of acute hydrops in keratoconic eyes. The clefts may cause severe corneal edema and delay the closure of Descemet membrane during the resolution of corneal edema.
Nakagawa
Tomoya
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
Maeda
Naoyuki
N
Okazaki
Noriko
N
Hori
Yuichi
Y
Nishida
Kohji
K
Tano
Yasuo
Y
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture