Protective Effect of Catechin on Apoptosis of the Lens Epithelium in Rats with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced Cataracts

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of catechin on apoptotic cell death in the lens epithelium of rats with cataract. METHODS: Cataract was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) to ten day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. The neonatal rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=15 in each group): a control group, and four cataract-induction groups, treated with either 0, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg catechin. We performed slit-lamp biomicroscopic analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, Western-blot for Bcl-2 and Bax, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. RESULTS: Apoptotic cell death in lens epithelial cells that increased following cataract formation in rats was suppressed by cathechin. CONCLUSIONS: Catechin inhibited cataract-induced apoptotic cell death in the lens epithelium and may prove useful for the prevention of cataract progression.

A Case of Thelazia Callipaeda Recurred At a One-month Interval

PURPOSE: To report a relapsed case of an intra-conjunctival Thelazia callipaeda infestation within one month. CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old female patient presented with symptoms of itching and a sense of foreign substance in her left eye, which she had been experiencing for several days. Conjunctival hyperemia and follicle multiplication along with ten actively moving worms were identified and were extracted with forceps. The symptoms disappeared until 25 days later, when they recurred and five additional worms were extracted. All of the extracted worms were confirmed to be Thelazia Callipaeda and the patient's symptoms disappeared after the final extraction. CONCLUSIONS: More than one month of follow-up observation is required for human infection by Thelazia Callipaeda due to the post-extraction growth of the larva.

Postoperative Recurrence Rate of Superior-Inferior Sliding Conjunctival Flap and Mytomycin-C for the Treatment of Primary Pterygium

One of the major problems after pterygium removal are recurrence and complications of the adjunctive therapy. The author compared the recurrence rate, interval and age of the primary pterygium after surgical treatment and with(group 1:94 eyes) or without(group 2: 101 eyes) supple-mentary mitomycin-C therapy. All of whom had been treated by one surgeon using a pterygim and subconjunctival tissue removal and superior-inferor, sliding conjunctival flap to cover the pterygium defect, In group 1, supplementary mitomycin-C was topicall used. In group 1, three pterygia(3.2%) were recurred. Recurrence were more Likey after ealy polstperative wound disruption with flap retraction(2 of 3 recurrences), relativy uoung pationts(all recurrences are under 50), and recurrence occured at a mean interval of 3.8 months after surgery. In group 2, three pterygia(3.0%) were recurred. Recurrencd were monre likely after early postoperative wound disruption with flap retraction(all recurrences). young patients(all recurrences are under 45), and recurrence occured at a mean interval of 3.1 months after surgery. Between two group no significant difference in recurrence rate, age, and interval so pterygium surgical procedure, operator and early postoperative conjunctival flap state are more important factors than adjunctive therapy in recurrence.

Method of Preventing Central Island after Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia

In order to prevent the development of central island after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK), 547 eyes which had undergone PRK were studied to evaluate the incidence, width and height of central island retrospectively. Based on this result, PRK was performed on 63 eyes under conventional protocol(software version 3.20, VISX Twenty/twenty Inc, Santa Clara, CA) and then additional laser ablation with a correction amount of 2.5D and adiameter of 3mm was performed whether the incidence has been decreased and additional complications have occurred. As a result of conventional protocol, central island had occurred in 121 eyes out of 547(22.1%) and the width was 2.94+/-0.22mm and the height was 2.64+/-0.89D. In case of 63 eyes which underwent additional laser ablation, central island occurred in 4 eyes (6.34%) and overcorrection occurred only in 3 eyes(4.76%) at one month after PRK. From the standpoint of the above results, we reached the conclusion that the additional ablation for 2.5D by a 3mm in diameter after PRK under conventional protocol is effective. By using this method, we could reduce the incidence of central island without the aid of the upgraded version that contains the anti-central island program.

The Effect of Saponin on the Na+ - K+ Activated ATPase of Cattle Lens Epithelial Cell

The effect of saponin on the Na+ - K+ ATPase of anterior capsule and epithelium of cattle lens has been investigated. The experiment also designed to determine the cation of saponin on the Na+ - K+ ATPase activity in anterior capsule and epithelium of cattle lens. The following results are observed. 1. The Na+ - K+ ATPase activity of cattle lens epithelial cell membrane is inhibited by low concentration of saponin, but increased by high concentration. The strongest activity showed at the dose of 50mg% saponin concentration. 2. The activating effect of saponin on the cattle epithelial cell membrane Na+ - K+ ATPase activity is inhibited by ouabain, but the stimulation of the Mg++ ATPase by high concentration of saponin is not inhibited by ouabain. 3. The activity ratio of Na+ - K+ ATPase by high concentration of saponin is increased by raising the sodium concentration but decreased by raising the potassium concentration. 4. The Na+ - K+ ATPase activity is increased by small amount of calcium but completely inhibited by over 5mM concentration of calcium.

Effect of Carteolol Hydrochloride on Sodium-Potassium Activated ATPase in Cattle Lena Epithelial Cell Membrane

The effect of Carteolol hydrocholride on the Na-K ATPase of anterior capsule and epithelium of cattle lens has been investigated. The experiments were also designed to determine the action of Carteolol hydrochloride on the Na-K ATPase activity in anterior capsule and epithelium of cattle lens. The following results were observed. 1. The predominent location of Na-K ATPase was located in the epithelim and NaK ATPase was closely related with active trasport system of sodium and potassium in the lens epithelium. 2. The activity of Na-K ATPase of cattle lens epithelium was alomst totally inhibited by Ouabain. 3. Beta-adrenergic blocking agent(Carteolol hydrochloride) in the epithelium of cattle lens was shown to be actively transported by the ATPase. 4. The Na-K ATPase activity of cattle lens epithelium was inhibited by Carteolol hydrochloride.

The Changes of IOP during General Anesthesia

The effects of general anesthesia on intraocular pressure were studied in 30 patients ranging in age from 15 to 48 years old. The intraocular pressure was measured by the Schiotz tonometer. The patients were divided into 2 groups: thiopental-succinylcholine-intubation (Group 1) and thiopental-vecuronium-intubation(Group 2). The results were as follows: 1) IOPs after thiopental(5 mg/kg) administration were decreased significantly compared with the control value in both group(p<0.05). 2) IOP after succinylcholine administration were elevated, but it was not statistically significant compared with the control value. 3) IOP after vecuronium administration was decreased significantly compared with the control value(p<0.05). 4) IOP after intubation were elevated significantly compared with control value in both groups(p<0.05). 5) IOP at 10 minutes after the induction of general anesthesia was not changed compared with the control value in group 1, but was decreased significantly in group 2(p<0.05).

Changes of Water Content in Senile Cataractous Lenses

Changes in the state of water in senile cataractous lenses at the different stages of the maturation of cataract were investigated. Senile cataracts of 34 eyes were divided into 4 groups according to degree of lens opacity. Intracapsular cataract extraction was performed and wet weight, dry weight and water content of the cataractous lenses were measured. In incipient and immature cataract, wet weight was 197.4 +/- 20.6mg, dry weight 66.2 +/- 8.2mg and water content 130.6 +/- 15.2mg(66.2%). In mature and hyper mature cataracts, wet weight was 240.8 +/- 39.3mg, dry weight 53.4 +/- 8.3mg and water content 176.3 +/- 37.5mg(73.2%). Wet weight and water content were significantly increased and dry weight was significantly decreased with the maturation of cataract. Sexual differences of wet weight, dry weight and water content were not significant.

A Case of Metastatic Conjunctival Tumor

The incidence of metastasis to the eye and its related structure on recent studies appear to be more common than previous studies demonstrate. The authors experienced a case of hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the conjunctiva. A 48-year-old man with known hepatocellular carcinoma in the liver had a mass surrounded with blood clot on the upper palpebral conjunctiva of right eye. A biopsy demonstrated that the lesion was hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the conjunctiva.

The Change of the Intraocular Pressure and Blood Pressure After Exercise

The object of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise on intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and pulse rate. This study was performed in 60 eyes of 30 patients. The intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and pulse rate were taken before exercise, and after exercise for 5 minutes. The change of the intraocular pressure and blood pressure before and after exercise were compared using the t-test. The results of analysis were summarized as follows; 1. The mean of systolic blood pressure was 118.2 +/- 8.2 mmHg before exercise, 145.2 +/- 11.5mmHg after exercise. This change was statistically significant. 2. The mean of diastolic blood pressure was 77 +/- 6.1 mmHg before exercise, 90 +/- 8.3mmHg after exercise. This change was statistically significant. 3. The mean of pulse rate was 73 +/- 11.8/min. before exercise 103.3 +/- 14.4/min. after exercise. This change was statistically significant. 4. The mean of intraocular pressure was 17.41 +/- 1.6 mmHg in right eye 17.80 +/- 1.6rnmHg in left eye respectively before exercise, and 17.34 +/- 1.6 mmHg in right eye 17.64 +/- 1.6 mmHg in left eye respectively after exercise. This change was statistically insignificant. With the above results, we found no clear association between change of intraocular pressure and change of blood pressure after exercise.

A Study of 44 Cases of Ophthal mia Neonatorum

The authors analysed clinically 44 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum from april, 1981 to march 1982. The followings are it's results; 1) Bilaterality of ophthalmia neonatorum was 52. 3%(23 cases) and unilaterality was 47.7%(21 cases), which was no significant difference in incidence between both eyes. 2) The most common causative organism was gonococcus and nasolacrimal duct obstruction was associated with 11 cases(25%) of ophthalmia neonatorum. 3) The onset of discharge varied between under 24 hours and over 21 days after birth with a mean of 5.7 days. 4) Treatment with adequate topical and systemic antibiotics were successful in eliminating the ophthalmia neonatorum.

A Case of Gonococcal Conjunctivitis in Adult

The authors have experienced a case of gonococcal conjunctivitis in 19 year-old male, who showed bilateral lid edema and copious yellowish conjunctival discharge which progress rapidly for four days. A stain of the conjunctival exudate appeared gram-negative intraCellular diplococci. This patient was treated with topical and systemic antibiotics for 7 days and topical antibiotics and corticosteroids for 12 days, with almost complete resolution. Involvement of corneal epithelium and residual punctate corneal opacity were remained slightly.

A Statistical Observation of the Ocular Injuries

The author analysed statistically 221 cases of the ocular injuries, among 4056 out-and-in patients who visited to the Red Cross Hospital, during the period of 1979. 6. 1. ~ 1980. 5. 31. The incidence of ocular injuries was 5.4% of all patients. The incidence was exceedingly more common in male (76.5 %) and in the age of first to second decade (56.6 %). The ocular injuries were more common in the spring (33.1 %). Subconjunctival hemorrhage is a most common in the ocular injuries (21.8 %). Small flying particles, such as sand, dust, and iron piece, were most common causative agent of ocular injuries. At the first visit, 15.8 % of all cases were markedly decreased visual acuity and 2.5 % of all cases were not improved. The prognosis of the ocular injury is good with early adeguate management of trauma.