J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1975 Mar;16(1):73-77.

Three cases of the necrotizing scleritis

• Rhee CW

Abstract

Rarely necrotizing scleritis has been reported as a complication of the pterygiectomy and author experienced that three cases of the scleral ulcerations developed after pterygiectomy were successfully treated by medical management. The cases had histories of beta irradiation, instillation of mitomycin and cauterization with silver nitrate solution respectively during the post operative course for the purpose of preventing recurrence. The ulcer showed small punched-out scleral lesions 3 X 4, 5 X 8, and 3 X 5mm. respectively in size and situated just anterior to the insertion of the medial rectus muscle. The sclera is essentialiy collagenous, avascular and scanty of cellular components thus a proliferative reaction to injury rarely occurs, but rather healing is primarily dependent on neighbouring mesenchymal tissue. Beta ray and mitomycin suppress the mitotic activity and inhibit the healing process of the injuried sclera. It is stressed that caution should be exerted in application of noxious agents for the purpose of preventing recurrence especially in the bare scleral method, as these seemed not only to interfere with the healing of the collagen structures but sometimes resulting in a scleral ulceration.

MeSH Terms

Beta Particles
Cautery
Collagen
Mitomycin
Recurrence
Sclera
Scleritis*
Silver Nitrate
Ulcer
Collagen
Mitomycin
Silver Nitrate