Frank M. Polack

The Persistence of Isotopically Labeled Cells in Corneal Grafts.

Summary Corneal homografts containing isotopically labeled cells (labeled with tritiated thymidine incorporated in the DNA of stromal connective tissue and Descemets endothelial cells) were found to persist in apparently undiminished numbers for as long as 12 months. It is expected that studies of older grafts would reveal persistence of donor cells for still longer periods with no indication of an immunological reaction of the host.

Graft Rejection and Glaucoma

Four patients (three women and one man, 30 to 63 years old) developed increased intraocular pressure during graft rejection reactions. The increased intraocular pressure returned to normal in one case after successful treatment of the immune reaction but a second patient required antiglaucoma medication for a short period. Two patients with previous intraocular inflammation or anterior segment changes developed severe glaucoma and required long-term antiglaucoma medication. One patient was a corticosteroid-responder and eventually required filtering surgery.