Serum antiproteases and polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral collagenolytic protease in the tear fluid of patients with corneal ulcers treated with n-butylcyano acrylate glue.

Four patients with central melting perforating corneal ulcers were treated by n-butylcyano acrylate gluing of the ulcer region. The glue facilitated healing of the eyes, and when the glue scaled off weeks later the corneas were left with stable leucomas. The glue membrane appears to prevent tear-borne polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PML) from reaching the ulcer region and to diminish activation of PML, with the consequent dramatic fall in tear fluid polymorphonuclear leucocyte neutral collagenolytic protease (PML-c-ase). After gluing, the tear fluid content of serum antiproteases returns to normal levels within days. This might indicate a decreased leakage of proteins from conjunctival vessels.