Stem cell therapy in glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic, degenerative optic neuropathy, which cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, retinal ganglion cell [RGC] death and characteristic damage to the visual field. Current glaucoma therapeutics lower intraocular pressure [IOP] but they do not repair the damaged optic nerve or reverse vision loss. So, new treatment strategies are in demand. Stem cell therapy presents a new intervention that holds great promise for reversing vision loss. There are at least 3 potential targets for stem cell therapy in glaucoma: the retinal ganglion cells, the optic nerve head, and the trabecular meshwork. Stem cells also have a neuroprotective effect in glaucoma by improving retinal ganglion cell survival. There are many obstacles in using stem cells in glaucoma as the regulation of differentiation, integration, host immune response, tumorigenesis and ethical concerns

role of colour doppler imaging in follow up of choroidal malignant melanoms

We evaluated the blood flow in nine cases of choroidal malignant melanoma before and after radiotherapy using colour doppler imaging. Tumoral blood flow was detected in all cases prior to treatment. Significant flow reduction was noted as early as the first post-irradiation month. Tumour regression occurred in four cases and was preceeded by slowing or complete cessation of tumor circulation in all cases. On the other hand, 3 recurrences occurred and were preceeded by or accompanied with increase in Doppler velocities in tumolur vessels

Extraocular retinoblastoma: an echographic study

In this work we tried to study the role of echography in the diagnosis of extraocular spread of retinoblastoma to the optic nerve and orbit. We examined 30 eyes with advanced retinoblastoma and six cases of orbital recurrences of the tumour both echographically and histopathologically. Echography detected only 25 percent of cases of optic nerve invasion where the nerve appeared grossly enlarged in comparison to that of the other eye. All cases of orbital invasion could be detected by ultrasound. In contrast with intraocular retinoblastoma orbital extensions appeared poorly echogenic with minimal or no calcifications and produced marked sound attenuation. Histopathologically the malignant cells in the orbit appeared closely packed together with no tendency to rosette or pseudorosette formation and with minimal or no necrosis or calcification