title: Ultrasound biomicroscopic examination of acute hydrops in patients with keratoconus.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: Kohji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tano
mesh_terms: 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