The influence of storage method on the transparency of pig crystalline lens / A influência do método de armazenamento na transparência do cristalino de porco

ABSTRACT Purpose: The porcine eye is frequently used as a research model. This paper analyzes the effect of different storage methods on the transparency of pig crystalline lens. Methods: A spectral transmission curve (from 220 to 780 nm) for the crystalline lens was determined experimentally after storage in different conditions: saline solution, formalin, castor oil, and freezing at -80°C. The total transmission in the visible spectrum, which was used as an index of transparency, was calculated from these curves. For comparative purposes, fresh lenses were evaluated and used as controls. Results: Storing the porcine crystalline lens in saline solution or castor oil resulted in a transparency loss of approximately 10% after 24 h and storage in formalin resulted in a loss of nearly 30%. Storage by freezing at -80°C for 4 weeks maintained the transparency of the crystalline lens; the spectral transmission measured immediately after defrosting at room temperature coincided exactly with that of the freshly extracted lens. Conclusions: The transparency of porcine crystalline lens is affected by the storage method. The visible spectrum is the most affected, evidenced by the effect on the transparency and consequently the amount of light transmitted. The results show that freezing at -80°C maintains the transpa rency of the crystalline lens for at least 4 weeks.

RESUMO Objetivos: Olho de porco é frequentemente usa do como modelos de pesquisa. Este estudo analisa o efeito de di ferentes métodos de armazenamento na preservação da transparência do cristalino de porco. Métodos: Uma curva de transmissão espectral (de 220 até 780 nm) para o cristalino foi experimentalmente determinada após armazenamento em diferentes condições: solução salina, formol, óleo de mamona e congelamento a -80°C. Transmissão total do espectro visível, que foi usada como um índice de transparência foi calculada a partir dessas curvas. Para fins comparativos, lentes frescas foram avaliadas e usadas como controles. Resultados: O armazenamento do cristalino suíno em solução salina ou óleo de mamona resultou uma perda de transparência de aproximadamente 10% após 24 h e o armazenamento em formol resultou uma perda de quase 30%. O armazenamento por congelamento a -80°C durante 4 semanas manteve a transparência do cristalino; a transmissão espectral medida imediatamente após o descongelamen to à temperatura ambiente coincidiu exatamente com a da lente extraída recentemente. Conclusão: A transparência do cristalino suíno é afetada pelo método de armazenamento. O espectro visível é o mais afetado, evidenciado pelo efeito sobre a transparência e consequentemente a quantidade de luz transmitida. Os resultados mostram que o congelamento a -80°C mantém a transparência do cristalino suíno por pelo menos 4 semanas.

In Situ Peripheral Iridoplasty in Phakic Eyes for the Treatment of Symptomatic Peripheral Iridotomy

No abstract available.

Refração e seus componentes em anisometropia / Refraction and its components in anisometropia

OBJETIVO: Em anisométropes comparar os valores médios individuais dos componentes oculares de ambos os olhos, correlacionar as diferenças dos componentes com as diferenças de refração; e identificar o menor número de fatores que contenham o mesmo grau de informações expressas no conjunto de variáveis que influenciam a diferença refrativa. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se estudo transversal analítico em população de 77 anisométropes de 2 D ou mais, atendida no ambulatório de Oftalmologia do Hospital Universitário da Faculdade de Medicina Nilton Lins, Manaus. RESULTADOS: Os anisométropes foram submetidos à refração estática objetiva e subjetiva, ceratometria e biometria ultrassônica A-scan. A análise dos dados foi feita por meio dos seguintes modelos estatísticos: análise univariada, multivariada, de regressão múltipla e fatorial. CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferenças significativas na comparação dos valores médios individuais dos componentes oculares entre os olhos. Houve correlação negativa média entre a diferença refrativa e a diferença de comprimento axial (r= -0,64) (p<0,01) e correlação negativa fraca entre a diferença refrativa e a diferença de poder do cristalino (r= -0,34) (p<0,01). As variáveis analisadas responderam, no seu conjunto, por 78 por cento da variação total para a diferença refrativa. Foram identificados três fatores para a diferença refrativa: fator 1 (refração, comprimento axial); fator 2 (profundidade da câmara anterior, poder da córnea) e fator 3 (poder do cristalino).

PURPOSE: To compare the individual means of ocular components of both eyes in patients with anisometropia; to correlate the differences of the components with refractive differences; and to identify the smallest number of factors that contain the same level of information expressed in the set of variables that influence refractive difference. METHODS: An analytical transversal study was carried out in 77 patients with anisometropia of two or more dioptres seen at the Ophthalmologic Clinic, University Hospital, Nilton Lins Medical School, Manaus. RESULTS: All participants were submitted to ophthalmologic examination which included objective and subjective cycloplegic refractometry, keratometry and ultrasound biometry. Data analysis comprised the following statistical models: univariate, multivariate, multiple and factorial regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the comparison between the individual means of the ocular components. There was negative correlation between refractive difference and difference of axial length (r= -0.64; p<0.01) and weak negative correlation between refractive difference and crystalline lens power difference (r= -0.34; p<0.01). The analyzed variables reached 78 percent of the total variation of refractive difference. Three factors were identified for refractive differences: a) factor 1 (refraction, axial length); b) factor 2 (anterior chamber depth, cornea power), and c) factor 3 (crystalline lens power).

Wave onset in central gray matter - its intrinsic optical signal and phase transitions in extracellular polymers

The brain is an excitable media in which excitation waves propagate at several scales of time and space. ''One-dimensional'' action potentials (millisecond scale) along the axon membrane, and spreading depression waves (seconds to minutes) at the three dimensions of the gray matter neuropil (complex of interacting membranes) are examples of excitation waves. In the retina, excitation waves have a prominent intrinsic optical signal (IOS). This optical signal is created by light scatter and has different components at the red and blue end of the spectrum. We could observe the wave onset in the retina, and measure the optical changes at the critical transition from quiescence to propagating wave. The results demonstrated the presence of fluctuations preceding propagation and suggested a phase transition. We have interpreted these results based on an extrapolation from Tasaki's experiments with action potentials and volume phase transitions of polymers. Thus, the scatter of red light appeared to be a volume phase transition in the extracellular matrix that was caused by the interactions between the cellular membrane cell coat and the extracellular sugar and protein complexes. If this hypothesis were correct, then forcing extracellular current flow should create a similar signal in another tissue, provided that this tissue was also transparent to light and with a similarly narrow extracellular space. This control tissue exists and it is the crystalline lens. We performed the experiments and confirmed the optical changes. Phase transitions in the extracellular polymers could be an important part of the long-range correlations found during wave propagation in central nervous tissue

Fisiologia da acomodaçäo e presbiopia / Physiology of accommodation and presbyopia

A presbiopia é um dos mais precoces sinais do envelhecimento natural e a fisiopatologia básica envolvida no seu desenvolvimento tem sido um tema de controvérsia durante séculos. Este artigo discute vários aspectos da presbiopia através de uma revisäo literária das alteraçöes que ocorrem no olho durante este processo, e que já foram descritas previamente por diversos autores.

Effect of low voltage on electrical properties of eye lens.

In the present study, the Cole-cole plot of lens tissue has been drawn using AC impedance system (EG and G PARC Model 318) in the frequency range 10 mHz to 10 Hz at low voltage stress. The impedus locus between real part (Z') and imaginary part (Z") of complex impedance of lens was examined. Results showed that the extracellular resistance (Re), distribution factor (alpha) and depressed angle (theta) were significantly varied at experimental low voltages. An attempt has been made to explain the electrical data of voltage-tissue interaction on the basis of solid state biophysics.

Two new functions of inositol in the eye lens: antioxidation and antiglycation and possible mechanisms.

The extent of glycation of human eye lens proteins with glucose in presence of added inositol was examined in vitro using [U14C] glucose. Lens homogenate was reacted with varying concentrations of glucose and glucose + inositol. At the end of the reaction, the proteins were precipitated with TCA, centrifuged, dissolved in NaOH and the radioactivity was measured. Inositol decreased the glycation by 57-67%. Pure inositol and glucose suitably labelled with 3H or 14C when reacted and followed by paper chromatography and HPLC showed that glucosyl inositol was present along with unreacted free glucose. Preliminary studies made of the UV spectra of pure inositol (i) when reacted with H2O2 showed that inositol removed H2O2 from the reaction mixture (ii) when reacted with arachidonic acid showed that they formed a conjugate. The observations indicate that the antioxidant property of inositol could be the result of its' quenching action on reactive oxygen, intermediates and conjugate-formation with compounds like arachidonic acid and the antiglycating property due to scavenging of glucose. The antioxidant and the antiglycating properties of inositol may be beneficial in delaying or averting cataract.