Spontaneous resolution of extensive descemet membrane detachment caused by sodium cyanide injury to the eye.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical course, ultrasonographic and confocal microscopic findings in a patient who developed a large Descemet membrane (DM) detachment that resolved spontaneously after ocular sodium cyanide injury.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
The patient presented with severe corneal stroma edema, a large detachment of DM, iritis, and anterior subcapsular lens opacity in the left eye caused by contact with 5% sodium cyanide. The ultrasound biomicroscopic and in vivo confocal microscopic examination exhibited the configuration of the DM detachment and extensive damage of corneal cells. Although no viable endothelial cells were observed with in vivo confocal microscopy, the DM spontaneously reattached 11 days after injury, coincident with increased intraocular pressure. However, persistent corneal edema and iris atrophy were observed 6 months after DM reattached.


CONCLUSIONS
Sodium cyanide can cause severe injuries to the cornea and the anterior segment. Extensive DM detachment may resolve spontaneously despite the absence of viable endothelial cells.
Department of Ophthalmology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Bei
B
Zhang
Fei
F
Pan
Yu-Feng
YF
Yao
D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015242:Ofloxacin; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012421:Rupture; D012966:Sodium Cyanide; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
C009935:prednisolone acetate; D011239:Prednisolone; D015242:Ofloxacin; D012966:Sodium Cyanide