The Expression of TGF-beta Isoform mRNA in the Cataract Lens Epithelial Cell

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is recognized as being associated with cataractogenesis. We quantitated the mRNA expression of TGF-beta isoforms in cataractous crystalline lens to determine the effect of the isoforms on cataractogenesis. METHODS: With lens epithelial cells from thirty eyes in thirty patients, the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, beta2 and beta3 were quantitated by real-time SYBR Green polymerase chain reaction and the results were compared according to cataract type and presence of diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Each isoform mRNA of TGF-beta was expressed: TGF-beta3 in all 30 eyes, TGF-beta1 in 29 eyes (96.7%), with the exception being one diabetic senile cataract, and TGF-beta2 in 9 eyes. The amount of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the diabetic cataracts than in the non-diabetic cataracts (P=0.056). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-beta was associated with cataractogenesis. It is significant that the expression of TGF-beta2 mRNA was decreased in all cataracts. The decrease of TGF-beta1 mRNA expression was more meaningful in the diabetic cataracts than in the non-diabetic cataracts.

Histologic Study after 5-Fluorouracil Injection into the Bleb in Ahmed Valve Implanted Rabbit Eyes

PURPOSE: To study the effect of the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injection into the bleb after the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant in rabbits. METHODS: Ahmed valve was implanted in normal 10 rabbits without previous ophthalmic history. In 4 of 10 rabbits, 5-FU (50 mg/ml, 0.1ml) was injected into filtering bleb in every two weeks for two times at postoperative 1 month and others were followed up as a control group. We obtained histological findings in 2 rabbis of control group at postoperative 1 month. In the control group and 5-FU injected 4 rabbit eyes, each 2 rabbit eyes were enucleated at postoperative 3 months and 6 months in both groups. The dissected bleb was examined through light microscopy with hematoxyline and eosin (H and E) stain and Masson-Trichrome (M-T) stain, and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The bleb was relatively avascular on gross and histological examination in the 5-FU injected group, and collagen fibers of the 5-FU injected group were less compact than that of the control group at postopeative 3 months. The number of inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and capillaris in outer layer was decreased in the 5-FU injected group. Under the electron microscopic examination, the density of collagen fibers was decreased and the space among them was widened. This change was more prominent in the 5-FU injected group. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the histological changes of blebs were made by the influx of aqueous humor through the Ahmed glaucoma valve and more stimulated by injection of 5-FU into the bleb after implantation of Ahmed glaucoma valve in a rabbit model.

One Case of Sebaceous Carcinoma that Masquerades as a Chronic Unilateral Blepharo conjunctivitis

Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid is a rare tumor that usually arises from tarsal sebaceous gland. Because the clinical manifestations can masquerade as unilateral recurrent chalasion or chronic blepharoconjunctivitis, its diagnosis may be delayed. Therefore, early biopsy for diagnosis is needed for the persistently recurring unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis. The masquerade syndrome was first described in 1967 by Theodore and Irvine as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis due to an underlying conjunctival carcinoma. While the originally described neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas, many of the tumors producing this clinical picture are believed to be sebaceous in origin. We experienced a case of pathologically confirmed sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid which originally masqueraded as chronic blepharoconjunctivitis and was treated with topical antibiotics and steroids for 1 year and 8 months, finally being treated by partial orbital exenteration.

Central Corneal Thickness before and after Excimer Laser Photore fractive Keratectomy in Myopia

This prospective study was done to investigate the correlation between central corneal thickness before excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in myopic eyes and clinical factors including age, sex, left or right eye, myopic degree, and preoperative contact lens wearings, and also the relationship between the changes in postoperative central corneal thickness and age, sex, and myopic degrees. The average values of preoperative groups of less than -6.0D and over -6.0D were 519.78+/-29.87micrometer and 514.63+/-3 0.5 3 micrometerrespectively, showing much thinner value in high degree myopic eyes with statistical significance(p=0.02). Female patient's value was much thinner than male patient's value with statistical significance(p=0.016). The postoperative changes according to time process in central corneal thickness in 79 eyes which were followed up for more than six months were statistically significant(p=0.046). Among the changes in postoperative central corneal thickness, the recovery pace had no relations with age but female patient and over -6.0D in myopic degree showed faster recovery paces than male patient(p=0.035) and under -6.0D in myopic degree respectively during follow up period(p=0.001).

Us efulness of Standard Electro retinogram in the Early Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy: Analysis using Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) Curve

Authors recorded standard electroretinogram in two groups of diabetic patients. Group A, consisted of 60 eyes with no visible diabetic retinopathy and Group B, 30 eyes with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The electroretinogram was recorded according to the standard electroretinogram procedure recommanded by the ISCEV. In rod and cone response, the amplitude of b wave were 329.0+/-46.9 microvoltin Group A and 308.8+/-37.8 microvoltin Group B. The implicit time of b wave were 40.5+/-3. 0microvoltin Group A and 45.8+/-5.4microvolti n Group B. The summed amplitude of oscillatory potentials were 125.7+/-38.7microvolt in Group A and 112.0+/-17.7microvoltin Group B. Above results indicate that for the disgnostic criteria for diabetic retinopathy, the amplitude and implict time of b wave, and the summed amplitude of oscillatory potentials in maximal combined response were useful. On receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves in maximal combined response, cut off value for the amplitude and implicit time of b wave were 315 microvoltand 42ms espectively. Cut off value for the summed amplitude of oscillatory potentia-als was 118 microvolt. In results, on ROC curve, the implicit time of b wave in maximal combined response was most accurate, and the summed amplitude of oscillary potentials was the next, followed by the amplitude of b wave in the maximal combined response.

Toxicity of Benzalkonium Chloride on Corneal Endothelium of Rabbits

An experimental study was performed on 16 rabbits to evaluate the toxicity of benzalkonium chloride(BAK) on the corneal endothelium. Each rabbit received two drops of 0.01% BAK in the right eye and BSS in the left eye as control. The rabbits were divided into 4 groups: instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in normal cornea(group 1), instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in normal cornea (group 2), instillation of BAK 20 times at 6-minute intervals in de-epithelized condition with the size of 6mm diameter(group 3) and instillation of BAK 40 times at 3-minute intervals in deepithelized cornea(group 4). After the last instillation of BAK, histopathologic examination was performed with electron microscope. Group 1 showed nearly normal corneal endothelial findings, but group 2, 3 and 4 showed enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, partially distrupted Goigi apparatus and mitochodria, the presence of vacuoles and phagosomes. Group 4 showed severe destruction of subcellular structures. The results of this study indicate that an exaggerated use of topical drug containing 0.01% BAK may induce corneal endothelial damage, especially when the epithelium was already damaged.

Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for Experimental Fungal Keratitis

Photoablation with 193-nm excimer laser was performed on the corneal infiltration after induction of experimental Candida albicans keratitis and Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis in rabbits in order to evaluate the therapeutic effect of excimer laser. The excimer laser eradicated the corneal infiltration in all eight eyes of the C, albicans group. In the A, fumigatus group, two corneas were perforated during treatment and one cornea left the fungal hyphae in the deep corneal stroma after treatment. Though it cannot remove the hyphae completely in the deeply invaded fungal keratitis because of corneal perforation during treatment, excimer laser photoablation may be an effective technique to eradicate early, localized, superficial fungal keratitis.