The Effect of UVB Radiation on the Cultured Rabbit Lens Epithelial Cells

The present study has been conducted to assess the possible mechanism of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cell(LEC) damage and generation of oxygen free radicals after UVB exposure as well as to investigate the role of antioxidants to the survival rate of epithelial cells. Cultured rabbit LECs were exposed to various fluences of UVB radiation. The release of oxygen radicals(superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide) and the activity of antioxidants(SOD, catalase) were also measured. The protective effects of various antioxidants on LECs damage after UVB exposure were measured. UVB radiation brought about a decrease in the survival fraction of cultured rabbit LECs. Exposure of the cells to fluences of 400 mJ/cm2, 1,600 mJ/cm2 and above 2,400 mJ/cm2 of UVB radiation resulted in 50%, 10%, nearly 0% in cell survival fraction, respectively. Cultured rabbit LECs exposed to UVB and hydrogen peroxide. The activity of intracellular SOD(esp. Cu, Zn-SOD) was significantly increased, but the activity of intracellular catalase was not changed. Antioxidants pretreatment(SOD, catalase, purpurogillin and allopurinol) ameliorated the cytoxoxic effect of UVB on the cultured rabbit LECs. These rusults indicate that the release of oxygen radicals are enhenced by exposure of LECs to UVB radiation. The oxygen radicals seem to play a specific role in the cytotoxic effect of LECs after UVB exposure.

A Study for Measurement of the Anterior Chamber Depth and Angle Using Image Analysis Technique in Cataractous Eyes

We measured the anterior chamber depth and chamber angle to understand the biological structure of anterior segment and find a possible relation between cataract and angle closure glaucoma on 235 eyes over 40 years old divided into two groups: 111 cataract eyes and 124 normal control eyes using the Scheimpflug Camera(EAS-1000, Nidek, Japan) and image analysis technique. The values of the anterior chamber depth and angle of the eye of the young person were greater than those of older person, and the values in the male were deeper(p<0.01) and larger(p<0.05) than those in female in both groups. In cata ract eyes, the mean anterior chamber depth was 2.77mm and mean anterior chamber angle was 30.36 degrees. The mean anterior chamber depth and angle of normal control eye were 2.67mm and 29.10 degrees. The anterior chamber depth and angle in cataract group was deeper(p<0.05) and larger(p<0.05) than in normal control group.

Delayed Tear Clearance Induced by Botulinum Toxin Injection in Essential Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm

Assuming that botulinum toxin injection can release the involuntary contraction as well as reduce the tear drainage function, mediated by paralysis of orbicularis oculi muscles, then give rise to effect on tear clearance, Authors have examined 18 blepharospasm and 32 hemifacial spasm patients to evaluate the pre- and post- botulinum toxin injectional values of BUT, Schirmer test, and fluolescein clearance test 1, 2, which evaluate possibilities of delayed tear clearanee induced by botulinum toxin injection. Following treatment with botulinum toxin, results of BUT were increased significantly (p<0.0001), values of Schirmer test tended to increase without statistical significance. In fluorescein clearance test 1, length and concentration values were increased significantly(p<0.05), but in fluorescein clearance test 2, only length measurements were increased significantly(p<0.05). And also in blepharospasm cases of BUT values less than 4 second, both Schirmer test and fluorescein clearance test results were increased with statistical significance(p<0.05). We concluded that delayed tear clearance induced by botulinum toxin injection could be effective treatment for facial dystonias, especially combined cases with dry eye.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy: In First Fundus Examined Diabetic Patients

We performed a epidemiologic study to find a prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. We reviewed 130 diabetic patients who had been performed the fundus examination for the first time for retinopathy at the ophthalmic department of Chung Ang university hospital from March 1993 to December 1993. We studied epidemiologic work-up sheet and performed ophthalmic and laboratory examination. The patients' ages ranged from 25 to 81 years, with an average age of 58.9 years. The age, sex, intraocular pressure, fasting blood sugar, post cibos 2 hours (Pc2hrs), age of onset, residence, smoking, alcohol drinking, diet pattern, blood type, treatment method and menstruation status were not significantly correlated with prevalence of diabetic retinopathy statistically(p>0.05). But the duration of diabetes(p<0.01), glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1C) and cataract operation(p<0.05) were significantly correlated with diabetic retinopathy statisically. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 28.5%(background changes in 21.5%, preproliferative changes in 4.6% and proliferative change in 2.4%). The mean interval between diagnosis of diabetes and the first examination of retinopathy was 6.62 years.

The Topical Effects of Antibiotics and Aprotinin in Experimental Pseudomonas Ketaititis

The effects of the topically applied antibiotics and Aprotinin were evaluated in the experimentally induced pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis in rabbits. 40 albino rabbits were used for this study and were divided into 8 groups according to the treatment protocols as follows: Aprotinin 40u/ml, 1,OOOu/ml, 1O,000u/ml, antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin and Tobramycin), and antibiotics and Aprotinin combined-treated group. The drugs were instilled in the rabbits, cornea 6 times per day for 2 weeks. The clinical evaluation was performed using a hand-held slit lamp every day. For the histopathologic examination, we enucleated every samples at different time intervals and prepared specimens for light microscope. The results were Aprotinin-treated group showed progression of ulcer infiltrates regardless of its concentrations. There was a statistically significant difference between the antibiotics-treated group and the control group (p0.05). There was no clinical and histopathological differences in the rabbit cornea between ciprofloxacin and tobramycin treated group (p>0.05).

Population based Study of Risk Factors and Environmental Factors Contributing to Cataractogenesis

To evaluate the prevalence and related risk factors of the senile cataract, we performed epidemiologic study in two different geographic area with population based study in the group of 40 years or more old subjects. The results of this study are as follow. The prevalence rate of senile cataract was 32.8% in mountainous area (Chung Won) and 43.3% in rural area (Mun Kyung). The prevalence rate in both area had strong tendency to increase according to age, especially after 7th decade. But there was no clear relationship between male and female. In geographic characterisitic, annual sunshine time was longer, but cloud cover was lesser in Mun Kyung. Also related risk factors of senile cataract were smoking, low education level and poor health status. The cataract was more common in patients with diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. And long term use of steroids, antihypertensive drugs and analgesics for arthritis were risk factors for the cataractogenesis. But alchol consumption and number of pregnacny were not contributing to cataractogenesis. As a result, the senile cataract has mulifactorial factors and its process is complex phenomenon which is still partially known.

The Prevalence and Morphological Characteristics of Senile Cataract in the Local Areas of Korea

The epidemiologic study to evaluate the prevalence rate and morphological characteristics of senile cataract in Korea was performed in two different geographic area with population-based study. The results of this study are as follow. In this study based on 40 years of age above, the prevalence rate of cataract was 32.8% in mountainous area (Chung Won) and 45.2% in rural area (Mun Kyung), it had a strong tendency to increase according to age in both areas. But there was no clear relationship in sexual difference. The classification of cataract to the stage showed that the incipient cataract was the most frequent stage in all age, but it was relatively decreased according to age. The immature, mature and hypermature cataract was increased according to age. In distribution of lens opacity to the morphological charactenstics, the single cortical opacity was the most frequent and the mixed opacity was the second in order, but the single nuclear and subcapsular opacity were rare. According to age, the cortical opacity was decreased, mixed opacity was increased, but nucJear and subcapsular opacity were not changed.

The Prevalence and Morphological Characteristics of Senile Cataract in the Local Areas of Korea

The epidemiologic study to evaluate the prevalence rate and morphological characteristics of senile cataract in Korea was performed in two different geographic area with population-based study. The results of this study are as follow. In this study based on 40 years of age above, the prevalence rate of cataract was 32.8% in mountainous area (Chung Won) and 45.2% in rural area (Mun Kyung), it had a strong tendency to increase according to age in both areas. But there was no clear relationship in sexual difference. The classification of cataract to the stage showed that the incipient cataract was the most frequent stage in all age, but it was relatively decreased according to age. The immature, mature and hypermature cataract was increased according to age. In distribution of lens opacity to the morphological charactenstics, the single cortical opacity was the most frequent and the mixed opacity was the second in order, but the single nuclear and subcapsular opacity were rare. According to age, the cortical opacity was decreased, mixed opacity was increased, but nucJear and subcapsular opacity were not changed.

The Clinical Study of the Effective Treatment of Blepharospasm and Hemifacial Spasm with Botulinum toxin A (Oculinum(R))(II)

Two hundred sixty two patients of the essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm were treated with Botulinum toxin A (Oculinum(R)). A total of 620 treatments was given injections over a 3-year period. A reduction in spasm intensity was noted in most patients, and the mean response time of the essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm were 144.2 days and 172.3 days, respectively, There was no clear relationship between age, sex, toxin dose or preinjected spasm intensity, the amount of spasm reduction, and the mean response time. The mean respone time had no difference from the first through the fourth treatments; but in hemifacial spasm, the mean response time of the second treatment was longer than that of first, third and fourth treatments. The lagophthalmos and superficial punctate keratitis were the most frequent complications. As a result of the injection to avoid the center of the upper and lower eyelids, the frequency of complications could be minimized. There was no clear difference in the beneficial effect and the mcidence of complication (lagophthalmos) between toxin stored in the vaccum and in the non-vaccum state. Patients who were treated with lidocaine mixed toxin had a less effective result than those with saline-mixed toxin.

Microphthalmia with Orbital Cyst: Case Presentation

A microphthalmia with orbital cyst resulting from a failure in the involution of primary optic vesicle or defective closure of embryonic cleft is rare congenital anomaly. Clinical features are variable and mainly depend upon the time of arrest in development of the embryonic eyeball The authors have experienced a case of microphthamia with1uge orbital cyst in left orbit. The patient was 4 months of age and it was found at the time of birth. At radiologic study an area of suspicious defect in the orbital roof was shown. The orbital cyst and small eyeball were removed by intracranial approach and histopathologic examination was performed with serial section. We could find a suspicous site of defective closure of embryonic cleft and also ectopic retinal tissue in the cystic wall. A disorganized ocular tissues forming tumor like mass filled with microphthalmic eyeball. No cornea, iris or anterior chamber was found in the slide. In view of those histopathologic findings we can suspect that the defective closure of embryonic cleft occured at 7 to 14 mm embryo stage.