Effect of Triamcinolone on Angiogenesis-related Factors of Cultured Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of triamcinolone on angiogenesis related factors in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. METHODS: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells were exposed to triamcinolone, cultured in a hypoxic environment, and expression and production of VEGF and PEDF were subsequently tested by RT-PCR and Western blot. Angiogenesis was measured via a tube formation assay using ECV 304 cells and with a migration assay using human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. RESULTS: Expression and production of VEGF and PEDF were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. VEGF abundance was reduced while that of PEDF was unchanged in triamcinolone exposed retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured in hypoxic environment compared with cells with no treatment in hypoxic environment (p<0.05). Tube formation and cell migration were reduced by triamcinolone (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that triamcinolone affects the secretion of angiogenesis-related factors and suppresses neovascularization.

Epidemiologic Studies of Keratoplasty in Korea

PURPOSE: To report an epidemiologic study of keratoplasty in which we analyze basic data of corneal transplants and corneal donations in Korea. METHODS: From June 2004 through October 2004, questionnaires were distributed to 25 hospitals. The questionnaires were about the characteristics of patients registered in eye banks for keratoplasty from May 2001 to April 2003, and about the results of keratoplasties performed from May 2002 to April 2003. RESULTS: The leading corneal diseases in patients registered for keratoplasty were infectious keratitis (22.0%), trauma (21.0%), and pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy (13.8%), in that order. The leading indications in corneal recipients were: trauma (15.5%), pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy (13.7%), and infectious keratitis (10.7%), in that order. In 233 cases of keratoplasties, penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 229 cases (98.3%) and lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 4 cases (1.7%). The most common combined surgery was cataract extraction. Common causes of graft failure were rejection of donor cornea and infection. Imported donor corneas were used in sixty-one cases (26.2%) among the 233 total keratoplasties. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed an epidemiologic data base of patients registered for keratoplasty, corneal donation, and the results of keratoplasties throughout Korea.

Epidemiologic Studies of Keratoplasty in Korea

PURPOSE: To report an epidemiologic study of keratoplasty in which we analyze basic data of corneal transplants and corneal donations in Korea. METHODS: From June 2004 through October 2004, questionnaires were distributed to 25 hospitals. The questionnaires were about the characteristics of patients registered in eye banks for keratoplasty from May 2001 to April 2003, and about the results of keratoplasties performed from May 2002 to April 2003. RESULTS: The leading corneal diseases in patients registered for keratoplasty were infectious keratitis (22.0%), trauma (21.0%), and pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy (13.8%), in that order. The leading indications in corneal recipients were: trauma (15.5%), pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy (13.7%), and infectious keratitis (10.7%), in that order. In 233 cases of keratoplasties, penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 229 cases (98.3%) and lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 4 cases (1.7%). The most common combined surgery was cataract extraction. Common causes of graft failure were rejection of donor cornea and infection. Imported donor corneas were used in sixty-one cases (26.2%) among the 233 total keratoplasties. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed an epidemiologic data base of patients registered for keratoplasty, corneal donation, and the results of keratoplasties throughout Korea.

Induction of Angiogenic Cytokines in Cultured RPE by Oxidative Stress

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate whether expression of angiogenic cytokines including IL-8 and MCP-1 is induced in the cultured RPE by oxidative stress. METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were exposed to H2O2 and paraquat for 24, 48, and 72 hours and then assayed for the detection of IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 expression by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. To determine whether the antioxidant overcame the oxidative stress, we observed expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 gene after ARPE cells were treated by paraquat and antioxidants including N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) at the same time for 72hr. RESULTS: Expressions of the angiogenic cytokines, IL-8 and MCP-1 were increased by incubating with paraquat for 72hr. Antioxidants including NAC and PDTC decreased the expression of IL-8 and MCP-1 gene by counteracting the paraquat effect. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress stimulates angiogenic cytokines including IL-8 and MCP-1 in the cultured RPE. These results may be significant for understanding the cause of age-related macular degeneration and its treatment.

The Effect of Silicone Tube Intubation in Pediatric Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of silicone tube intubation in pediatric patients whose tearing was not relieved by probing method. OBJECTS AND METHODS: We intubated Crawford type and Monoka type silicone tube from 1995 to 2000 in forty eyes which had persistent tearing in spite of conservative treatment and probing method, and inferior turbinate was fractured if necessary. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 16.9 months. The successful results were obtained in 80% of Crawford type, and in 85% of Monoka type. Especially, in cases of the inferior turbinate fracture, success rate was 100% regardless of the type of silicone tube. There was no significant difference in complications in the two types. Monoka type was easier to proceed and less irritant to eyes than Crawford type but there were some cases in which the tube was extruded during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Monoka type silicone tube intubation in pediatric nasolacrimal duct obstruction was as successful as Crawford type and the procedure was easier than Crawford type. In addition, silicone tube intubation could be performed more simply with inferior turbinate fracture.

The Effect on Early Visual Outcome of Corneal Cap Attachment with Brushing after LASIK

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effect on early visual outcome of corneal cap attachment with brushing after LASIK. METHOD: We studied 40 eyes of 20 patients who received LASIK from April, 1998 to March, 1999. Early visual acuity was measured in the first, second and third day after LASIK between the group that received brushing procedure and the group that didn't. RESULT: The consecutive group that received brushing procedure showed considerable increase in recovery rate of visual acuity compared to the control group that did not receive brushing procedure on the first day (P0.05) after LASIK. CONCLUSION: We think that corneal cap attatchment with brushing helps early visual recovery and further investigation in this study is needed.

Surgical Correction of Convergent Strabismus Fixus: A Case Report

PURPOSE: Strabismus fixus is a rare form of strabismus which is known for its difficulty to correct surgically, because it tends to go back to its previous state after the surgery. We report the case because we had successfully corrected the case of convergent strabismus fixus. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A 38-year-old female patient who had both medial rectus muscle tenotomy 10 years before was operated with both lateral rectus muscle resection, superior and inferior rectus muscle recession and temporary traction suture for 5 days, but it was dissatisfactory, so making a hole in the lateral orbital rim was performed by microdrill, with fixation of insertion site of the lateral rectus muscle to the lateral orbital rim by permanent traction suture. RESULTS: At three months after the surgery, patient appeared to be almost orthophoric at primary position. Eye movement was impossible but we had satisfactory result cosmetically. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that eyeball fixation to lateral orbital rim is an effective surgical procedure for the case of convergent strabismus fixus which was not corrected by previous surgical techniques.