Expressions of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 and their tissue inhibitors in the conjunctival tissue and fibroblasts cultured from conjunctivochalasis.

AIM: To investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMP-1 and MMP-3) and their tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-3) in the conjunctiva of eyes with conjunctivochalasis (CCh). METHODS: The conjunctival tissue was obtained from the CCh patients and controls, the MMPs/TIMPs expression concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence staining. The expression levels of MMPs/TIMPs in the CCh fibro-blasts were determined by analyzing its concentration in the cellular supernatant that was abstracted from the in vitro cultured CCh fibroblasts. RESULTS: MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels determined by ELISA were both significantly higher in the CCh group than that in the control group (P=0.042, 0.022, respectively), so was the levels of TIMP-1 (P=0.010). No significant difference in the expression of TIMP-3 in conjunctiva was found between the two groups (P=0.298). The expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were both up-regulated significantly in the CCh group (P=0.040, 0.001, respectively) on immuno-fluorescence staining. MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression in the fibroblasts were both significantly higher in the CCh group than that in the control group (P=0.027, 0.001, respectively), while neither the TIMP-1 nor TIMP-3 expression was significantly different between the two groups (P=0.421, 0.237, respectively). CONCLUSION: The overexpression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in conjunctival tissue and fibroblasts may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of CCh.

Lower eyelid tension in young adults determined by a simple lid tensiometer.

PURPOSE: Eyelid tension seems to be related to corneal astigmatism and to affect the ocular surface. The aim of this study is to determine the lower eyelid tension in young adults with a simple lid tensiometer. METHODS: A commercially available precision digital pressure gauge that was connected to a pressure-guided tube full of water with a sensor at its end being placed between the lower eyelid and ocular surface was used as the lid tensiometer to measure the lower eyelid pressure at the central lid in 8 male and 12 female subjects aged between 20 and 39 years with normal healthy eyes. Measurements were respectively performed by 2 operators under the same conditions to test possible interoperator variation. RESULTS: The lower eyelid pressures of the 20 subjects measured by 2 operators at the central lid were 445.28 ± 121.17 and 458.65 ± 127.15 Pa, respectively. The test of interoperator variation demonstrated that there was good agreement between 2 operators (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.965, F = 56.09, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our simple lid tensiometer is a viable option for measuring eyelid pressure with good repeatability.

[Clinical observation of lymphangiectasis in conjunctivochalasis cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the occurrence and development of conjunctivochalasis and bulbar conjunctival lymphangiectasia. METHODS: Case control study. One hundred cases with conjunctivochalasis treated from January to March 2012 were selected to study, and 100 cases with no conjunctivochalasis as the control group at the same time. To observe bulbar conjunctiva lymphatic duct dilatation using slit lamp microscope, analysis bulbar conjunctiva and fascia images by OCT scanning, and ablate lymphatic of conjunctival tissue for pathologic examine. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of the bulbar conjunctiva lymphangiectasia associated with 100 cases (183 eyes) conjunctivochalasis patients, accounting for 15.84%; 8 eyes of the ball conjunctival lymphatic dilation in control group of 100 cases ( 200 eyes), accounting for 4.00%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ(2) = 15.36, P < 0.001). OCT scanning showed that lymphangiectasia of the conjunctiva is at the subcutaneous mainly, some in the conjunctival lamina propria. They are border-clear, full-filled fluid, single-lumen or multi lumens, not involving the fascia. The histopathological examination showed that the lamina propria of the bulbar conjunctiva mildly chronic inflammatory changes accompanied by a large number of lymphangiectasia. CONCLUSION: Bulbar conjunctival lymphangiectasia may be one of the reasons for the conjunctivochalasis.

Comparison study of two diagnostic and grading systems for conjunctivochalasis.

BACKGROUND: Different diagnostic and grading systems of conjunctivochalasis have resulted in apparent disparity between the prevalence rates of recent population-based studies. This study aimed to investigate the disparity between 4-level system cited from Meller and Tseng in 1998 (abbreviated here as Meller's system) and 5-level system modified from Meller's system cited from Zhang and associates (abbreviated here as Zhang's system) regarding the diagnosis and the patients' preferences for the treatment of conjunctivochalasis in the general population. METHODS: A total of 546 senile residents living in the Guiyangyuan community of Shanghai, China, participated in the study. The diagnostic criteria for conjunctivochalasis were based on two diagnostic grading systems: Meller's system and Zhang's system, which was modified from Meller's system. The participants' preference regarding medical treatment for conjunctivochalasis was determined according to the response to a question. One year later, a follow-up interview determines whether the patient had undergone surgery for conjunctivochalasis. RESULTS: With Meller's system, 398 participants were confirmed as having conjunctivochalasis, and the prevalence rate was 72.89%. According to Zhang's system, only 213 participants were diagnosed as having conjunctivochalasis, and the prevalence rate was 39.01%. A total of 109 eyes underwent medical treatment or surgery for conjunctivochalasis in the following year, including eight eyes that were diagnosed as grade II and 101 eyes that were diagnosed as grade III according to Meller's system and five eyes that were diagnosed as grade I, 55 eyes that were diagnosed as grade II, 31 eyes that were diagnosed as grade III, and 18 eyes that were diagnosed as grade IV according to Zhang' system. CONCLUSION: Diagnoses of conjunctivochalasis using Zhang's system are more consistent with patient requests and the medical treatment strategies used than diagnoses made using Meller's system.