A case of tri-segmental cranial nerve V herpes zoster.

Varicella-zoster is the causative virus underlying varicella or "chickenpox" and herpes zoster or "shingles." Cases of disseminated disease have been widely reported in immunocompromised patients. We describe an interesting case of tri-segmental cranial nerve V herpes zoster here with discussion of the salient clinical features as well as brief discussion about ongoing trials for herpes zoster ophthalmicus prophylaxis.

Topical Mitomycin-C enhances subbasal nerve regeneration and reduces erosion frequency in the debridement wounded mouse cornea.

Corneal epithelial basement membrane dystrophies and superficial injuries caused by scratches can lead to recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCES). Patients and animals with reduced corneal sensory nerve innervation can also develop recurrent erosions. Multiple wild-type mouse strains will spontaneously develop recurrent corneal erosions after single 1.

Partial denervation of sub-basal axons persists following debridement wounds to the mouse cornea.

Although sensory reinnervation occurs after injury in the peripheral nervous system, poor reinnervation in the elderly and those with diabetes often leads to pathology. Here we quantify sub-basal axon density in the central and peripheral mouse cornea over time after three different types of injury. The mouse cornea is highly innervated with a dense array of sub-basal nerves that form a spiral called the vortex at the corneal center or apex; these nerves are readily detected within flat mounted corneas.

Wounding the cornea to learn how it heals.

Corneal wound healing studies have a long history and rich literature that describes the data obtained over the past 70 years using many different species of animals and methods of injury. These studies have lead to reduced suffering and provided clues to treatments that are now helping patients live more productive lives. In spite of the progress made, further research is required since blindness and reduced quality of life due to corneal scarring still happens.