EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF OCULAR TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

In a previous study from the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute¹ the factors responsible for the infection of the human eye with tubercle bacilli, for the extension and progression of such local tuberculous lesions and for their limitation and healing were discussed in the light of modern investigations. It was pointed out that ocular tuberculosis is in the main dependent on hematogenous infection arising from tuberculous lesions elsewhere in the body, usually from the hilus glands, and is only infrequently associated with active pulmonary lesions. The extension and progression of an established tuberculous lesion are due to hypersensitivity of the tissues of the eye to tuberculoprotein and to low resistance and are influenced by the number and the virulence of the invading bacilli. The limitation and healing of the tuberculous lesion are associated with low tissue sensitivity and high resistance, and are also influenced by the number and the virulence