Tache noir de la sclerotique
Tache noire de la sclerotique (French for Black spot of the sclera), often simply referred to as tache noir, is a phenomenon in which the sclera of the eye dries out and becomes discoloured, forming a yellow to black triangle or band corresponding to the position of the eyelids. The phenomenon is most commonly reported in corpses, but has been documented in living individuals who are unable to blink.
Presentation
Tache noir de la sclerotique presents as triangular or linear desiccation and discolouration of the conjunctiva on one or both sides of the cornea, often giving the appearance of a horizontal band across the sclera.[1] This discolouration initially appears yellowish, becoming yellow-brown or red and eventually darkening to black.[2][3] Tache noir may appear similar to subconjunctival haemorrhage, but can be differentiated from haemorrhage by its symmetrical presentation corresponding to the position of the eyelids.[3][4] It occurs most commonly in corpses, but is sometimes reported in living individuals.[1] It also occurs in animals, but is often less noticeable due to the relatively larger cornea and smaller area of exposed sclera.[5]
Causes
Tache noir de le sclerotique is a result of the eyelids remaining open over an extended period, causing the exposed area of the sclera to dry out and accumulate dust.[1][6] This often occurs in corpses, developing in as little as one to two hours post-mortem when the eyelids remain open.[1][2][7] In the living, tache noir may present in individuals suffering from prolonged eye exposure due to incomplete eyelid closure.[6][8]
References
- ^ a b c d Rutty, G.N. (2001). "Post-mortem Changes and Artefacts". In Rutty, G.N. (ed.). Essentials of Autopsy Practice. London: Springer. p. 82. doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-0699-9_4. ISBN 978-1-4471-1181-8. OCLC 853263346.
- ^ a b Madea, Burkhard; Henßge, Claus; Reibe, Saskia; Tsokos, Michael (2022). "Postmortem Changes and Time since Death". In Madea, Burkhard (ed.). Handbook of Forensic Medicine (2nd ed.). Chichester: Wiley. pp. 104–105. doi:10.1002/9781119648628.ch7. ISBN 9781119648550. OCLC 1363108280.
- ^ a b Ang, Juan Lyn; Collis, SallyAnne; Dhillon, Baljean; Cackett, Peter (2021). "The Eye in Forensic Medicine: A Narrative Review". Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology. 10 (5): 486–494. doi:10.1097/APO.0000000000000426. ISSN 2162-0989. OCLC 732896407. PMID 34524140.
- ^ Lee Goff, M. (2009). "Early post-mortem changes and stages of decomposition in exposed cadavers". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 49 (1–2): 21–36. Bibcode:2009ExpAA..49...21L. doi:10.1007/s10493-009-9284-9. ISSN 1572-9702. OCLC 37785917. PMID 19554461.
- ^ Brooks, Jason W.; Sutton, Lerah (2018). "Postmortem Changes and Estimating the Postmortem Interval". In Brooks, Jason W. (ed.). Veterinary Forensic Pathology. Vol. 1. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp. 43–63. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-67172-7_4. ISBN 978-3-319-67170-3. OCLC 1000579205.
- ^ a b Lin, Michael K.; Sebrow, Dov; Slone, Michele; Horowitz, Jason (2016). "A Postmortem Ocular Finding of Tache Noire in a Living Patient". JAMA Ophthalmology. 134 (5): 603. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.5951. ISSN 2168-6165. LCCN 2012200364. OCLC 1026526463.
- ^ Gelderman, H.T.; Boer, L.; Naujocks, T.; Ijzermans, A.C.M.; Duijst, W.L.J.M. (2018). "The development of a post-mortem interval estimation for human remains found on land in the Netherlands". International Journal of Legal Medicine. 132 (3): 863–873. doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1700-9. hdl:2066/193275. ISSN 0937-9827. LCCN sn91033072. OCLC 444635582. PMC 5920129. PMID 29110084.
- ^ Kandarakis, Stylianos A.; Karageorgiou, Georgia; Petrou, Petros (2024). "Before the Final Curtain: Unraveling "Tache Noire De La Sclerotique"". Ophthalmology. 131 (12): 1480. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.12.021. ISSN 0161-6420. LCCN 78005685. OCLC 03661682. PMID 38243993.