Human goblet cells that retain characteristics of goblet cells in vivo can be cultured. EGF receptors are present in human goblet cells, and EGF stimulates their proliferation.

Young men are at particularly high risk for wood intraorbital foreign body. There was a relatively equal distribution of wood type. The time from injury to presentation was variable, ranging from <1 day to over a year. Almost half of the subjects presented within 24 hours of injury. In patients with a known site of penetration, almost half occurred in the conjunctiva, notably without presence of eyelid laceration, emphasizing the need to check the conjunctiva and fornices closely. Preliminary radiographic readings often miss or are inconclusive in detecting the foreign body. The shape, location, serial examinations, and particularly the use of quantitative CT are extremely helpful in distinguishing retained wood foreign body from other low-density signals of air or fat.

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Objective: To evaluate the distribution and clinical as well as treatment outcome characteristics of idiopathic orbital inflammation with the aim of delineating a more systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment.Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of patients with idiopathic orbital inflammation treated at one institution.Results: Ninety eyes in 65 patients (22 men and 43 women) were studied. Diagnoses were isolated dacryoadenitis (n=21), isolated myositis (n=19), concurrent dacryoadenitis and myositis (n=5), orbital apex syndrome (n=6), and idiopathic inflammation involving the preseptal region, supraorbital region, sclera, Tenon capsule, orbital fat, or optic nerve (n=14). The mean age at presentation was 45 years. Pain and periorbital swelling were the most common clinical features and were observed in 45 (69%) and 49 (75%) patients, respectively. Seventeen patients (26%) had bilateral involvement. Biopsy was performed in 19 patients (29%) with atypical presentations or who failed to respond to the initial therapy. Patients were treated with steroids alone (n=45), steroids and subsequent radiation (REPRINTED) ARCH OPHTHALMOL / VOL 121, APR 2003 WWW.ARCHOPHTHALMOL.COM 491

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