Chorioretinitis caused by synthetic absorbable sutures.

Two cases of chorioretinitis were caused by polymer material from the suture (Dexon) used in squint surgery. The lesions were macula edema, granulomatous uveitis and capillary occlusions on the ocular fundus located in the operated area. To confirm the cause of this injury, an immunological investigation was performed. Macrophage block and an incomplete adjuvant were necessary to lead delayed hypersensitivity against the synthetic polymer polyglycolic acid (PGA). The mice showed a strong reaction as hyperemia and swelling on their experimental footpads after the injection of PGA. Histologically the footpad accumulated a large quantity of lymphocytes in the swollen tissue but the control footpad had no reaction.