Aims: To compare the in vitro killing effect of different agents on Demodex and to report the in vivo killing effect of tea tree oil (TTO) on ocular Demodex. Methods: Survival time of Demodex was measured under the microscope. Sampling and counting of Demodex was performed by a modified method. Results: Demodex folliculorum survived for more than 150 minutes in 10% povidone-iodine, 75% alcohol, 50% baby shampoo, and 4% pilocarpine. However, the survival time was significantly shortened to within 15 minutes in 100% alcohol, 100% TTO, 100% caraway oil, or 100% dill weed oil. TTO's in vitro killing effect was dose dependent. Lid scrub with 50% TTO, but not with 50% baby shampoo, can further stimulate Demodex to move out to the skin. The Demodex count did not reach zero in any of the seven patients receiving daily lid scrub with baby shampoo for 40-350 days. In contrast, the Demodex count dropped to zero in seven of nine patients receiving TTO scrub in 4 weeks without recurrence. Conclusions: Demodex is resistant to a wide range of antiseptic solutions. Weekly lid scrub with 50% TTO and daily lid scrub with tea tree shampoo is effective in eradicating ocular Demodex.

After dissolution of original amniotic BM, new BM formed by ex vivo expanded human limbal corneal epithelial cells on iAM deposits much faster and is more mature, resulting in regeneration of a limbal epithelial phenotype. In contrast, BM deposition is delayed and remains immature on dAM, resembling wound healing by a corneal epithelial phenotype. Thus, BM resynthesis may be used as another objective readout for assessing the success of ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial progenitor cells on AM.

PURPOSE: To report a case of late onset lamellar keratitis and epithelial ingrowth associated with orbital cellulitis 1 month after LASIK surgery. METHODS: A 19-year-old patient presented with pain and subsequent blurry vision in the right eye. One month prior to presentation, he had undergone LASIK in both eyes. Orbital cellulitis was suspected. RESULTS: Under aggressive treatment, the patient recovered from orbital cellulitis and lamellar keratitis and he also regained his vision with topical steroid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lamellar keratitis does not always occur early following LASIK and may be associated with orbital cellulitis. [J Refract Surg. 2006;22:202-204.]

Purpose Acute angle-closure is a rare manifestation of choroidal metastasis. We reported a case of choroidal metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma presenting with unilateral acute angle-closure attacks relieved with radiotherapy after failed conventional medical and laser treatments. This represented the first detailed report of treatments of secondary acute angle-closure attacks in patients with choroidal metastasis Case description A 69-year-old female without ocular history was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. One month later, she complained of blurred vision and pain in the right eye that lasted 2 days. IOP was 58 mmHg and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting finger in the right eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed corneal edema with ciliary congestion, extremely shallow anterior chamber both centrally and peripherally, mid-dilated pupil and moderate cataract in the right eye. While the left eye was normal. B-scan ultrasound and orbital computed tomography showed an appositional choroidal detachment with an underlying choroidal thickening suggesting choroidal metastasis in the right eye. There was limited effect of medical and laser therapy. IOP was 9 mmHg in the right eye after two months of palliative external beam radiotherapy in the right orbit. BCVA was hand motion in the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed clear cornea, deep anterior chamber in the right eye. Regression of choroidal detachment and choroidal metastasis in the right eye were observed in B-scan ultrasound. Conclusion This case demonstrated that patient with secondary acute angle-closure attacks from large bullous choroidal detachment related to choroidal metastasis could only be successfully treated with radiotherapy as both medical and laser therapy might not be capable of breaking angle-closure attacks.