Collagen types in normal human and keratoconus corneas were separated by salt fractionation and thermal gelation in the pepsin-soluble fraction of the lyophilized tissues. Peptic digestion indicated no significant differences between normal and keratoconus corneas. Further collagen characterization was performed using SDS-PAGE. Collagen concentration were determined via hydroxyproline. Soluble collagens from normal human cornea represent 85% collagen type I, maximally 10% collagen type III and 5% collagen type V. Soluble collagens of keratoconus corneas consist of 90% type I collagen and maximally 5% type II and type V collagen.

In contrast to pseudoexfoliation, true exfoliation is an extremely rare condition not associated with glaucoma. In true exfoliation the superficial layers of the anterior lens capsule are partially peeled off. This results in a fine homogenous water-clear transparent membrane floating in the anterior chamber. The etiology of this mostly bilaterally condition may be exposition to infrared rays, iridocyclitis, metallic intraocular foreign bodies and trauma. To our knowledge this is the first published report of a case of idiopathic true exfoliation of the lens capsule.

A patient suffering from an excentric vascularized tumorlike corneal change is reported who submitted to a penetrating optic keratoplasty. The diagnosis of a secondary corneal amyloidosis was established by histological examination. The clinical course and pathological findings by means of light- and electron microscopy are described and discussed.

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Visual acuity, color vision, pattern-visual-evoked-potentials (P-VEPs) and pattern-electroretinograms (P-ERGs) were measured in 13 diabetic subjects before, and 24 hours and 5 weeks after blue-green argon laser treatment. As control, the same examinations were performed in 7 normal subjects and 7 diabetic patients before and after slit lamp examination with the Goldman three mirror contact lens. Visual acuity and P-ERG amplitudes were significantly reduced one day after the laser treatment, while 5 weeks after the laser coagulation, visual acuity and P-ERG amplitudes recovered to pretreatment values. The control group showed no significant changes after slit lamp examination. Since fluorescein angiography revealed no macular changes after laser treatment, the possibility of a reversible functional light damage after blue-green argon laser coagulation (ALC) is discussed.