EFFECTS OF RADIANT ENERGY ON THE EYE. G69 



area, many of the nuclei of the corpuscles are pycknotic or fragmented, 

 and cells often contain eosinophilic and basophilic granules. Further 

 away, the nuclei are enlarged and some of them show direct di\ision. 

 A few mitotic figures are also seen. The stroma in the exposed area 

 is still more swollen, stains still less in eosin, and shows evidences 

 of injury down to Descemet's membrane. The individual lamellae 

 are no longer recognizable and the stroma appears as an almost homo- 

 geneous substance pervaded by indistinct wavy lines. There is a 

 moderate leucocytic infiltration. 



After twelve days (PI. I, Fig. 1) the stroma is still more greatly al- 

 tered. In the centre of the exposed area it has lost its normal structure 

 and has undergone semi-liquefaction almost down to Descemet's mem- 

 brane. This softened area contains a large amount of fibrin and a 

 considerable number of pus cells and endothelial phagocytes. The 

 leucocytes, however, are too few in number to cause an appearance 

 in any way resembling an abscess. Around the area of softening 

 groups of corneal corpuscles are actively proliferating, forming cells 

 similar to fibroblasts. The epithelium is intact although altered in 

 appearance. Numerous vessels are making their way into the cor- 

 nea from the limbus. The endothelium has been almost completely 

 reformed, but presents an abnormal appearance due chiefly to ine- 

 qualities in the sizes and shapes of the cells. 



After two months the cornea has returned to its normal thickness. 

 The epithelium and endothelium are normal. The stroma in the 

 affected region presents an abnormal appearance, but less so than 

 might be expected. The corneal corpuscles are greatly increased in 

 number and their nuclei are abnormally rich in chromatin. The 

 new formed corneal lamellae are less regularly arranged than in the 

 normal cornea and here and there occur areas of hyaline tissue that 

 has not yet become definitely laminated. Blood vessels are still 

 present but are small and few in number. 



The Conjunctiva. 



The clinical effects of exposure of the conjuncti\'a to abiotic rays 

 have already been described. Histologically the following changes 

 were noted in the bulbar conjunctiva 24 to 48 hours after exposure to 

 abiotic radiations: Necrosis and desquamation of the epithelium. 

 Infiltration of the epithelium with pus cells. Congestion, edema. 



