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Objective:To analyze and compare the corneal higher order aberration (HOA) after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).Methods:A non-randomized controlled study was conducted.Sixty myopic patients (60 eyes) who underwent FS-LASIK or SMILE correction at Shandong Eye Hospital from April 2018 to January 2020 were enrolled and the data from the right eye were collected for analysis.Thirty cases (30 eyes) who received FS-LASIK in FS-LASIK group and 30 cases (30 eyes) who received SMILE in SMILE group had a preoperative equivalent spherical diopter of (-5.36±1.11)D and (-4.93±1.03)D, respectively.The HOA of the 6-mm anterior surface, posterior surface, and whole cornea were measured before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery using Pentacam.The root mean square values (μm) of total corneal HOA, spherical aberration, coma and trefoil were obtained.Differences in the above root mean square values at different time points were compared between the two groups.The study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shandong Eye Hospital (No.SDSYKYY20180306). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The preoperative and 1-, 3-, 6-, 12-month postoperative total HOA of the anterior corneal surface were (0.428±0.126), (0.775±0.169), (0.811±0.194), (0.759±0.214), (0.704±0.199)μm in the FS-LASIK group and (0.409±0.094), (0.656±0.148), (0.681±0.161), (0.668±0.175), (0.648±0.160)μm in the SMILE group, with a significant overall difference ( Fgroup=5.652, P=0.024; Ftime=107.169, P<0.01). Compared with SMILE group, the postoperative total HOA of anterior corneal surface and spherical aberration at different time points were increased in FS-LASIK group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). Compared with before surgery, the postoperative total HOA of the anterior corneal surface and spherical aberration at different time points were increased in both groups, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). In the two groups, the 6- and 12-month postoperative total HOA of the anterior corneal surface were reduced in comparison with the 3-month postoperative ones of the anterior corneal surface, and the 12-month postoperative spherical aberrations of the anterior corneal surface were significantly reduced in comparison with the 1- and 3-month postoperative ones of the anterior corneal surface, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.05). There were significant differences in the coma and trefoil of the anterior corneal surface between before and after the operation (coma: Ftime=47.848, P<0.01; trefoil: Ftime=2.497, P=0.046). Compared with before surgery, the postoperative coma was significantly increased in the two groups (all at P<0.05). There were significant differences in total corneal HOA and spherical aberration at different postoperative time points between the two groups (total HOA: Fgroup=8.093, P=0.008; Ftime=125.019, P<0.01.spherical aberration: Fgroup=4.771, P=0.037; Ftime=34.033, P<0.01). Compared with SMILE group, the total corneal HOA and spherical aberration were significantly increased in FS-LASIK group at different postoperative time points (all at P<0.05). Compared with before surgery, postoperative total HOA of the anterior corneal surface and spherical aberration at different postoperative time points were significantly increased in both groups (all at P<0.05). In both groups, the 12-month postoperative corneal spherical aberration was significantly reduced in comparison with the 1- and 3-month postoperative ones (all at P<0.05). There was a significant difference in coma between before and after surgery ( Ftime=30.829, P<0.01). Compared with before surgery, the postoperative coma was significantly increased at different time points in both groups (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:Both FS-LASIK and SMILE increase the HOA of the anterior corneal surface and the whole cornea.Compared with FS-LASIK, SMILE introduces less HOA of the anterior corneal surface and the whole cornea as well as spherical aberrations.
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Objective:To assess the changes in corneal endothelial cell density (CD) and morphology in patients with different stages of keratoconus.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.One hundred and nineteen patients (199 eyes) with keratoconus who were treated in the Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were included from March 2018 to October 2021.The 199 eyes were classified into stage Ⅰ (111 eyes of 58 cases), stage Ⅱ (41 eyes of 30 cases), stage Ⅲ (47 eyes of 31 cases) keratoconus groups according to the Amsler-Krumeich classification.In the same period, 25 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (50 eyes) were enrolled as a normal control group.Corneal topography and anterior segment parameters such as keratometry (K), central corneal thickness (CCT), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal diameter and corneal volume were obtained by Pentacam 3-dimensional anterior segment imaging and analysis system.The corneal endothelial CD, percentage of hexagonal cells (6A), average cell area (AVE), maximum cell area (MAX), minimum cell area (MIN), cell area standard deviation (SD) and cell area coefficient of variation (CV) in the central area were evaluated by non-contact specular microscopy.The correlation between corneal endothelial CD, morphological parameters and corneal topographic parameters was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shandong Eye Hospital (No.SDSYKYY201803). All patients were informed of the purpose and methods of the study and written informed consent was obtained before any medical examination.Results:The CD of the normal control group and stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ keratoconus groups was 2 941(2 809, 3 072), 2 825(2 667, 3 030), 2 747(2 475, 2 903) and 2 370(2 142, 2 525) cells/mm 2, respectively.With the progression of keratoconus, CD decreased gradually, and there was a significant difference in CD among the four groups ( H=94.862, P<0.001). There were significant differences in CV and 6A among the four groups ( H=45.018, 20.421; both at P<0.001). CV was significantly higher in stage Ⅲ keratoconus group than that of the normal control group and stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ keratoconus groups and 6A was significantly lower in stage Ⅲ keratoconus group than that of the normal control group and stage Ⅰ keratoconus group (all at P<0.05). With the progression of keratoconus, MAX, MIN, AVE and SD increased gradually, and there were significant differences in MAX, MIN, AVE and SD among the four groups ( H=37.905, 32.437, 110.182, 72.941; all at P<0.001). MAX and MIN in stage Ⅲ keratoconus group were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ keratoconus groups and normal control group (all at P<0.05). AVE and SD in stage Ⅲ keratoconus group were significantly higher than those in normal control group and stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ keratoconus groups (all at P<0.05). In patients with keratoconus, CD was moderately positively correlated with CCT ( rs=0.47, P<0.001) and TCT ( rs=0.53, P<0.001), and was moderately negatively correlated with mean keratometry (Km) ( rs=-0.59, P<0.001).6A was weakly positively correlated with CCT ( rs=0.18, P=0.01) and TCT ( rs=0.22, P=0.002), and was weakly negatively correlated with Km ( rs=-0.32, P<0.001). CV was weakly negatively correlated with CCT ( rs=-0.35, P<0.001) and TCT ( rs=-0.37, P<0.001), and was moderately positively correlated with Km ( rs=0.48, P<0.001). There was no correlation between CD, CV, 6A and ACD, or corneal volume. Conclusions:As the keratoconus progresses, the cornea protrudes and becomes thinner with CD and 6A decreasing while CV increasing.Corneal topographic parameters are related to the density and morphology of corneal endothelial cells.
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MicroRNA (miRNA) is a short noncoding RNA, which can regulate gene expression.miR-21 is one of the human miRNAs identified earlier.As an oncovirus, it is involved in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene and plays important roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation.In addition, miR-21 promotes inflammatory responses and also plays a key role in regulating the function of immune system.Recent studies have shown that miR-21 could be detected in corneal fibroblasts cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, retinal microvascular endothelial cells, retinal microglia and other eye-derived cells.Furthermore, miR-21 plays an important part in the development of various eye diseases including retinoblastoma, uveal melanoma, corneal alkali burn, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis.Further studies have shown that inhibited expression of miR-21 can treat retinoblastoma and rescue vision loss caused by corneal neovascularization and diabetic retinopathy, while overexpression of miR-21 can promote corneal epithelial healing and treat primary open-angle glaucoma and retinal degeneration.This review summarized the recent research progress of the role of miR-21 in eye diseases.
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Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic, bilateral allergic conjunctivitis common in school children.VKC is classified into palpebral-conjunctival type, limbal type and mixed type primarily based on clinical findings.Most allergic conjunctivitis does not impair vision, however, VKC probably causes visual impairment because of the involvement of cornea besides conjunctiva.Corneal lesions of VKC would lead to amblyopia in younger children.The term "vernal" in VKC indicates a seasonal onset, but 20%-60% patients are found onset throughout the year.In addition, misdiagnosis and improper treatment often lead to persistence or recurrence of VKC and other complications.Previous study has suggested that VKC is a hypersensitivity disease involved both type I and type IV, however, recent researchers found that immune factor, genetic factor and endocrine factor show close associations with the pathogenesis of VKC.The diagnosis of VKC depends on the clinical symptoms, pathological findings, infiltration of dendritic cells by laser scanning confocal microscopy and allergen tests.The treatment of VKC mainly focuses on symptom relief.In addition to anti-allergy, anti-inflammation and artificial tears, immunosuppressor has become a new trend.The pathogenesis and treatment progress of VKC are reviewed.
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Objective:To investigate the risk factors and treatment outcome of recurrent Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) after corneal transplantation. Methods:A serial case-observational study was carried out.Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with AK who underwent corneal transplantation in Shandong Eye Hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were enrolled.All the eyes received corneal transplantation from failing to respond to topical and systemic anti- Acanthamoeba medical therapy, including 13 eyes that received penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and 15 eyes that received lamellar keratoplasty (LKP). The corneal lesion was removed by a trephine with a diameter of 0.5 mm over infiltration area during PKP or LKP.The clinical features of recurrent AK were summarized, including recurrence time, site and signs, and the risk factors of AK recurrence were analyzed.Local and systemic anti- Acanthamoeba medical therapy was performed in all relapsed eyes, and secondary surgery was performed for the eyes with poor response to medication.The therapeutic outcome of recurrent AK was evaluated.The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.This study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Shandong Eye Hospital (No.201112). Results:In the 28 eyes, 7 eyes (25%) appeared recurrent AK after keratoplasty, including 2 eyes after PKP and 5 eyes after LKP.There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between the two methods ( P=0.396). The recurrence rate of eyes that had used glucocorticoids drugs before operation was 57.14% (4/7), which was significantly higher in comparison with 14.29% (3/21) of eyes without glucocorticoids before surgery ( P=0.043). The recurrence rate of eyes with ulcer diameter ≥8.2 mm was 50.00% (5/10), which was significantly higher than 11.11% (2/18) of eyes with ulcer <8.2 mm ( P=0.036). The recurrent lesions began at the edge of implant bed accounted for 85.71% (6/7), and the recurrent lesions located below graft accounted for 14.29% (1/7). In 7 eyes with recurrent AK, 6 eyes were completely cured.Among recurrent AK eyes after LKP, 2 eyes were cured by long-term medical therapy, and 2 eyes were cured by extended-diameter LKP, and another 1 eye was cured by conjunctival flap covering surgery.One eye with recurrent AK after PKP was cured by extended-diameter PKP. Conclusions:The risk factors of recurrent AK after surgery are application of glucocorticoids before surgery and big lesions.Recurrent AK after surgery is curable by individualized therapy targeting to different clinical characteristics.
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Objective:To evaluate and compare the safety, efficacy, stability and predictability of laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) with femtosecond laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for high myopic eyes.Methods:A non-randomized controlled clinical study was performed.The clinical data of 141 eyes of 75 patients who received LASEK or FS-LASIK for high myopia in Shandong Eye Hospital from January 2013 to December 2016 with complete medical data during 1-year following-up.The 56 eyes with the preoperative diopter of (-8.29±1.64)D received LASEK (LASEK group), and the 85 eyes with the preoperative diopter (-7.97±1.38)D underwent FS-LASIK (FS-LASIK group). Pre- and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and post-operative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) were recorded, and the spherical equivalent was examined by subjective optometry.The efficacy index, safety index, refractive stability, predictability and complications were assessed 6 months and 12 months after surgery.Efficacy index was defined as postoperative UCVA/preoperative BCVA; safety index was postoperative BCVA/preoperative BCVA; refractive stability was the difference of spherical equivalent between postoperative 6 months and 12 months, and predictability was the percentage of the eyes with the diopter ≤±0.50 D after surgery.This study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee of Shandong Eye Hospital (No.SDSYKYY20180130).Results:There were no significant differences in efficacy index and safety index in both LASEK group and FS-LASIK group at 6 months and 12 months after surgery (all at P>0.05). The spherical equivalent was (0.08±0.30)D and (0.10±0.38)D in the LASEK group and (0.00±0.32)D and (0.01±0.35)D in the FS-LASIK group at 6 months and 12 months after surgery, and there were no significant differences between different time points in both LASEK group and FS-LASIK group ( t=0.376, P>0.05; t=0.227, P>0.05), showing a good refractive stability.At 12 months after surgery, the percentage of the eyes with spherical equivalent within ±0.50 D was 91.1% in the LASEK group and 96.4% in the FS-LASIK group, there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=1.838, P>0.05). Four eyes in the LASEK group developed corneal haze at 12 months after the operation, and the postoperative BCVA was less than the preoperative BCVA. Conclusions:Both LASEK and FS-LASIK are safe, effective, stable and predictable for the correction of high myopic eyes.Corneal haze after LASEK is the main reason for the loss of BCVA.
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Objective:To evaluate and compare the safety, efficacy, stability and predictability of laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) with femtosecond laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) for high myopic eyes.Methods:A non-randomized controlled clinical study was performed.The clinical data of 141 eyes of 75 patients who received LASEK or FS-LASIK for high myopia in Shandong Eye Hospital from January 2013 to December 2016 with complete medical data during 1-year following-up.The 56 eyes with the preoperative diopter of (-8.29±1.64)D received LASEK (LASEK group), and the 85 eyes with the preoperative diopter (-7.97±1.38)D underwent FS-LASIK (FS-LASIK group). Pre- and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and post-operative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) were recorded, and the spherical equivalent was examined by subjective optometry.The efficacy index, safety index, refractive stability, predictability and complications were assessed 6 months and 12 months after surgery.Efficacy index was defined as postoperative UCVA/preoperative BCVA; safety index was postoperative BCVA/preoperative BCVA; refractive stability was the difference of spherical equivalent between postoperative 6 months and 12 months, and predictability was the percentage of the eyes with the diopter ≤±0.50 D after surgery.This study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee of Shandong Eye Hospital (No.SDSYKYY20180130).Results:There were no significant differences in efficacy index and safety index in both LASEK group and FS-LASIK group at 6 months and 12 months after surgery (all at P>0.05). The spherical equivalent was (0.08±0.30)D and (0.10±0.38)D in the LASEK group and (0.00±0.32)D and (0.01±0.35)D in the FS-LASIK group at 6 months and 12 months after surgery, and there were no significant differences between different time points in both LASEK group and FS-LASIK group ( t=0.376, P>0.05; t=0.227, P>0.05), showing a good refractive stability.At 12 months after surgery, the percentage of the eyes with spherical equivalent within ±0.50 D was 91.1% in the LASEK group and 96.4% in the FS-LASIK group, there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=1.838, P>0.05). Four eyes in the LASEK group developed corneal haze at 12 months after the operation, and the postoperative BCVA was less than the preoperative BCVA. Conclusions:Both LASEK and FS-LASIK are safe, effective, stable and predictable for the correction of high myopic eyes.Corneal haze after LASEK is the main reason for the loss of BCVA.
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Objective To investigate the clinical feature and treatment outcome of paediatric posttraumatic endophthalmitis.Methods A retrospective case study was performed.Twenty-six paediatric posttraumatic endophthalmitis children with 26 eyes were enrolled in Shandong Eye Hospital from April 2014 to April 2017.The clinical features,causes of trauma,time and mode of treatment,complications and visual acuity were analyzed.The subjects were graded according to the prognostic status,and the prognosis of the children was compared among different treatment time,vitrectomy time,operation frequency and antibiotic application.Results Of 26 cases,including 20 males and 6 females,aged from 1 year to 13 years,the average age was (6.56±3.25) years.The subjects were divided into infant group (2 cases,7.69％),preschool group (10 cases,38.46％) and school age group (14 cases,53.85％).The main cause of injury was wire,accounting for 34.62％ (9/26).Syringe needles accounted for 15.38％ (4/26).Fireworks accounted for 11.54％ (3/26).All of the 26 cases received vitrectomy,24 cases combined with lens extraction (92.31％).Among the 26 cases,8 cases had no primary visual acuity record;in the remaining 18 cases,the visual acuity at last follow-up was significantly improved when compared with the preoperative primary visual acuity (x2 =7.385,P =0.033).The positive rate of pathogenic bacteria culture in aqueous humor and vitreous humor was 23.08％ (6/26),gram-positive cocci was the main pathogenic bacteria of posttraumatic endophthalmitis,which account for 83.3％ (5/6).The prognostic grade was grade 1 in 15 cases (57.7％),grade 2 in 7 cases (26.9％) and grade 3 in 4 cases (15.4％).There were significant differences in the number of prognostic grading cases among children with different hospitalizing time or vitrectomy time (all at P＜0.05).The hospitalizing time,time of vitrectomy,number of operations and systemic application of antibiotics were positively correlated with the prognosis grade (rs =0.580,0.414,0.428,0.535;all at P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Children with posttraumatic endophthalmitis should undergo vitrectomy as early as possible,which can receive better prognosis.
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Background Recent researches show that oxidative stress is involved in the progress of keratoconus.Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway plays a critical role in the defense against oxidative stress,but its function in keratoconus is unclear.Objective To investigate the differences of Nrf2-ARE signaling activation and matrix degenerating enzymes between keratoconus and normal corneal stromal cells.Methods Corneal stromal cells were isolated from keratoconus and normal cornea by using dispase and collagenase digestion.The cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to mimic in vivo oxidative stress condition.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by fluorescence substrate DCHF-DA incubation.Nrf2 level and the expression of Nrf2-ARE downstream antioxidant genes were analyzed by Western blot and real-time quantitative-PCR(RT-qPCR).The activity of matrix degenerating enzymes,including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)-uPA receptor (uPAR) system and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) were assessed by Western blot and gelatin zymography respectively.Results In normal culture,keratoconus corneal stromal cells assumed increased basal ROS and Nrf2 level when compared with normal cells(t =18.155,P＜0.01).However,after H2O2 treatment,the keratoconus corneal stromal cells showed increased ROS production,while decreased Nrf2 translocation and no significant difference in expression levels of Nrf2-ARE downstream antioxidant genes (Nrf2:t =62.123,P＜ 0.01 ; (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinine oxidoreductase-1 [NQO-1]:t =2.209,P =0.092 ; hemo oxygenase-1 [HO-1]:t =0.293,P =0.784 ; superoxide dismutase [SOD2]:t =0.749,P =0.495).The contents of uPA-uPAR and the activity of MMP-2 also showed a higher level in keratoconus corneal stromal cells than normal cells,with significant differences between them (t =19.164,15.458,4.818,all at P＜0.01).Conclusions The defect of Nrf2-ARE signaling activation exists in the keratoconus corneal stromal cells,and correlats with the abnormal expression level of stromal degeneration enzymes,which suggests that the defect of Nrf2-ARE signaling activation may be involved in the progression of keratoconus.
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The amniotic membrane has been shown to have anti-inflammatory,anti-fibrotic,anti-angiogenic properties and ability to provide a substrate for the growth of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells,and it is an ideal material for ocular surface reconstruction.The treating patten of corneal and ocular surface diseases has changed due to the widespread using of amniotic membrane transplantation,but there are a lot of problems in the application of amniotic memebrane in clinic,such as how to grasp indications and reduce the failure rate,how to apply individual skill for different patients with corneal disease,and how to observe postoperative complicationsm and reasonably use medicine after operation.This paper give some personal experience and opinion in orde to achieve better effects in treatment of corneal and ocular surface diseases using amniotic membrane transplantation.
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Background In recent years,incidence of drug-induced keratopathy is increasing highly.Druginduced keratopathy is lack of typical clinical features and offen confused with the primary disease.Therefore,summarizing and concluding the clinicals feature and standard treatments of drug-induced keratopathy are key problem need to be solved urgently for us.Objective This study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical features and therapeutic procedure of drug-induced keratopathy.Methods A retrospective case series analysis method was adopted.The clinical data of 36 eyes (31 patients) with drug-induced keratopathy were collected by Shandong Eye Hospital from 2008 to 2012,including eye disease history,medication history,medication dosage and duration.A series of relevant examinations were performed,including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and 1 month after treatment,Schirmer test Ⅰ (S Ⅰ t),tear film break-up time (BUT),meibomian gland findings,the location of the keratopathy,the characteristics of keratophthy before and after fluorescein staining.The treating were given,including cessating of the original drugs,applying corneal repair promotion and anti-inflammatory drugs as well as the comprehensive treatment for meibomian gland embolization and dry eye,such as the hot packs and massage in the eyes with meibomian gland dysfunction and a tear dot embolization therapy in the eyes with S Ⅰ t ＜ 5 mm and BUT＜5 s.Paired t test and repeated measured one-way analysis of variance in SPSS 17.0 software were used to compare the BCVA,BUT and S Ⅰ t outcomes.The correlation between corneal repair duration and S Ⅰ t results was analyzed by Pearson linear correlation analysis.Results The primary cause of drug-induced keratopathy was irrational use of drugs,including antiviral drugs,antibiotics,hormone,antiallergic,lowering-intraocular pressure drugs,turn for 23 eyes,12 eyes,10 eyes,1 eye and 1 eye,respectively.Improper route of administration included 25 cases of overuse of eye drops and 6 cases of subconjunctival injection.BCVA was 0.69 ± 0.28 1 month after treatment,which was significantly improved in comparison with before treatment (0.32 ± 0.26) (t =11.02,P ＜ 0.01).Clinical manifestations included corneal epithelial diffusive and point-like roughness,corneal epithelial defect and even corneal ulcer for severe cases,corneal edema,Descemet membrane folds and partially visible corneal filiform.Drug-induced keratophthy was mainly located in the central and lower cornea.Comprehensive therapy was effective with the treating duration about 1 week to 8 weeks.A negative correlation was found between the corneal restore duration and S Ⅰ t results (r =-0.835,P＜0.01).Conclusions Corneal changes secondary to topical medications may affect all layers of the cornea.Clinicians should be mindful of drug-induced ocular disorders.The early diagnosis of druginduced keratopahthy depends on the medical history and clinical features.A comprehensive treating based on ocular surface conditions is available.
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Objective To analyze the distribution, diversity, and the sensitivity of common pathogen species to antifungal drugs in fungal keratitis during 2000 - 2006 in Shandong province. Methods Samples from corneal serapings and corneal buttons from keratoplasties were used for fungal culture and identification. The distribution and diversity of the pathogens in different years were analyzed. The sensitivity of some common species to antifungal drugs were tested. Results A total of 898 patients were diagnosed as fungal keratitis, in which 770 (85.7%) were positive in fungal culture. Pathogens in 748 cases caused by fungal infection were identified, of which 547 cases were caused by Fusarium (71.0%). The prevelence of Fusarium from 2000 to 2006 was 75.5%, 72.8%, 71.5%, 75.2%, 76%, 68. 8% and 56.4% respectively. Eighty-four cases were caused by Aspergillus( 10.9% ) , which accounted for 15.1% , 15.2% , 13.1%, 10. 2%, 10. 4% , 8.0% and 6. 9% of the cases from 2000 to 2006, respectively. Seventy-four eases were caused by Alternaria (9. 6% ), the percentage of which during 2000 -2006 was 1. 9%, 3.3%, 3.7%, 6. 6%, 8. 8%, 12. 0 and 29. 7% respectively. In genus Fusarium, 10 species were found and the most common species were Fusarium Solani ( 33. 8% ), Fusarium oxysporum ( 28.2% ) and Fusarium moniliforme( 27.4% ). Six species were identified in genus Aspergillus, with Aspergillus flavus (53.6%) and Aspergillus fumigatus (39.3% ) being the most common species. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B, terbinafin, itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole against the common species were 0. 647, 0. 714, 1. 624, 15. 108 and 27. 070 μg/ml, respectively. The mean MICs of the above five antifungal drugs against Fusarium were 0. 899, 0. 893, 3.077, 37. 124 and 21. 687 μg/ml, respectively, and for Aspergillus, the mean MICs of these agents were 0.794, 0.591, 0.416, 23.973 and 7.127 μg/ml, respectively; for Alternaria,the MICs were 0. 409,0. 479,0. 433,11. 655 and 7. 104 μg/ml ,respectively. Conclusions Genus Fusarium, Aspergillus and Alternaria were the predominant pathogens in fungal keratitis in Shandong Province. During 2000 -2006, Fusarium was the most common one, followed by Aspergillus. The percentage of Aspergillus decreased annually. The third most common pathogen, Alternaria increased during the period. The geometric mean MICs of amphotericin B and terbinafin against Fusarium were lower than those of itraconazole, 5-flucytosine and fluconazole. The MICs of these five anti-fungal drugs against Aspergillus and Alternatia were lower than those for Fusarium.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To test the immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporine (Cs) in a polymer placed in the anterior chamber of corneal allograft recipients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar inbred rats with vascularized corneas were recipients of corneal allografts from Sprague-Dawley donor rats. Rats underwent penetrating keratoplasty and were divided randomly into four groups: untreated control animals (UCA); Cs-polymer anterior chamber recipients (CPA); co-polymer subconjunctival recipients (CPS); and Cs-olive oil drop recipients (COO). Grafts were examined by slit lamp every 3 days and clinical conditions were scored. Cs concentration in the aqueous humor was assayed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation, the operated eyes were collected for histopathological evaluation of the grafts.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median survival time of the allografts was 8.2 +/- 1.48 days for the UCA group, 11.4 +/- 2.50 days for the CPS group, and 17.0 +/- 2.00 days for the CPA group. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between survival time of the allografts in the animals of the CPA group compared to the other groups of graft recipients. Significantly higher concentrations of Cs were found in the eyes given an anterior chamber implant of Cs-polymer, compared to other treatment groups or untreated rats. A transient inflammatory response in the anterior chamber was observed in the CPA group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cs-polymer placed in the anterior chamber significantly prolongs corneal allograft survival time in a high risk corneal graft rejection model. This intraocular delivery system may be a valuable adjunct for the suppression of immune graft rejection.</p>