ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE (ACTH) AND CORTISONE IN OPHTHALMOLOGY

Abstract

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to present preliminary clinical observations on the use of ACTH and cortisone when administered systemically and locally in the treatment of a variety of ocular lesions. The more important facts concerning the physiological effects of these hormones, beneficial and otherwise, which are essential for their clinical use are briefly reviewed. Excellent surveys of existing knowledge concerning their complex metabolic and therapeutic effects have been made available by Hench and associates,¹ Sprague and associates,² Mote³ and the Proceedings of the Staff Meetings of the Mayo Clinic since April 1949. Some knowledge of the action of these potent hormones is important in helping to choose ocular conditions which might benefit from such therapy and likewise in recognizing and preventing toxic or otherwise undesirable manifestations. HISTORICAL SURVEY In 1849 Addison demonstrated that the adrenal cortex was essential for life and showed that there was