Acute radiation injury of ocular adnexa.

Eyelids and lacrimal glands of monkeys examined histologically 24 and 48 hours after receiving 2.5 to 20.0 Gy (250 to 2000 rad) of cobalt 60 radiation contained acute inflammation. Cells of meibomian glands, other sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and goblet cells displayed no significant alterations. Acinar cells of major and accessory lacrimal glands and, to a lesser degree, lacrimal duct epithelium showed degeneration and necrosis that were increased in extent in proportion to the radiation dose. Reduced numbers of serous acini and decreased size of remaining acini indicate that atrophy of lacrimal glands can be recognized within two days after irradiation. The morphologic diagnosis for irradiated lacrimal glands was acute, necrotizing dacryoadenitis.