The relationship of birth weight, gestational age, and postmenstrual age with ocular biometry parameters in premature infants.

PURPOSE: To analyze ocular biometry parameters and evaluate their relationship with gestational age, birth weight, and postmenstrual age in prematurely born infants. METHODS: The right eyes of 361 premature infants born before the 36th gestational week were evaluated. Birth weight, gestational week, and gender were recorded. An A-scan Biometer was used for obtaining axial measurements, including anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous length, and total axial length. RESULTS: Gestational age and birth weight values ranged from 23 to 36 weeks and from 560 to 2,670 g, respectively. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 30.8 ± 2.8 weeks and 1,497.9 ± 483.6 g, respectively. During the first examination (4-5 weeks of postnatal age), birth weight and gestational age of the infants correlated significantly and positively with lens thickness, vitreous length, and axial length (r>0.5, p<0.001), but not with anterior chamber depth (r<0.5). Increased vitreous and axial lengths correlated significantly with increasing postmenstrual age of the infants (r=0.669, p<0.001; r=0.845, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Lens thickness, vitreous length, and axial length, but not anterior chamber depth, were significantly correlated with birth weight and gestational age. All four parameters increased with increasing postmenstrual age, with higher correlations for vitreous and axial lengths than for anterior chamber depth and lens thickness. It was concluded that axial elongation resulted primarily from increasing posterior chamber length.

The relationship of birth weight, gestational age, and postmenstrual age with ocular biometry parameters in premature infants / A relação entre o peso ao nascer, idade gestacional e idade pós-menstrual com a biometria ocular em bebês prematuros

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze ocular biometry parameters and evaluate their relationship with gestational age, birth weight, and postmenstrual age in prematurely born infants. Methods: The right eyes of 361 premature infants born before the 36th gestational week were evaluated. Birth weight, gestational week, and gender were recorded. An A-scan Biometer was used for obtaining axial measurements, including anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous length, and total axial length. Results: Gestational age and birth weight values ranged from 23 to 36 weeks and from 560 to 2,670 g, respectively. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 30.8 ± 2.8 weeks and 1,497.9 ± 483.6 g, respectively. During the first examination (4-5 weeks of postnatal age), birth weight and gestational age of the infants correlated significantly and positively with lens thickness, vitreous length, and axial length (r>0.5, p<0.001), but not with anterior chamber depth (r<0.5). Increased vitreous and axial lengths correlated significantly with increasing postmenstrual age of the infants (r=0.669, p<0.001; r=0.845, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Lens thickness, vitreous length, and axial length, but not anterior chamber depth, were significantly correlated with birth weight and gestational age. All four parameters increased with increasing postmenstrual age, with higher correlations for vitreous and axial lengths than for anterior chamber depth and lens thickness. It was concluded that axial elongation resulted primarily from increasing posterior chamber length. .

RESUMO Objetivo: Medir os comprimentos axiais dos componentes oculares e avaliar a relação com a idade gestacional, peso ao nascer e idade pós-menstrual em crianças nascidas prematuramente. Método: O olho direito de 361 crianças prematuras, que nasceram com menos de 36 semanas de gestação, foram avaliados. O peso ao nascer, semanas de gestação e gênero foram registrados. Um biômetro A-scan foi utilizado para a obtenção das medidas axiais da profundidade da câmara anterior, espessura do cristalino, comprimento vítreo e comprimento axial total. Resultados: A idade gestacional e os valores de peso ao nascimento variaram de 23 a 36 semanas e de 560 a 2.670 g, respectivamente. A idade gestacional e o peso ao nascer foram 30,8 ± 2,8 semanas e 1.497,9 ± 483,6 g. Ao primeiro exame (4 a 5 semanas de idade pós-natal), o peso ao nascimento e a idade gestacional dos recém-nascidos apresentaram correlação positiva, estatisticamente significativa, com a espessura do cristalino, comprimento vítreo e comprimento axial total (r>0,5 p<0,001), mas não com a profundidade da câmara anterior (r<0,5). O alongamento de comprimento vítreo e do comprimento axial total se correlacionaram significativamente com o aumento da idade pós-menstrual dos lactentes (r=0,669; p<0,001 e r=0,845; p<0,001, respectivamente). Conclusões: A espessura do cristalino, o comprimento vítreo e o comprimento axial total, mas não profundidade da câmara anterior, foram significativamente correlacionados com o peso ao nascimento e com a idade gestacional. Todos os quatro componentes aumentaram com a idade pós-menstrual, apresentando correlações mais elevadas do comprimento vítreo e comprimento axial total do que da profundidade da câmara anterior e espessura do cristalino. Concluiu-se que o alongamento axial resultou principalmente do aumento do comprimento da câmara posterior. .

Effects of subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab, etanercept, and the combination of both drugs on experimental corneal neovascularization.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab, etanercept and the combination of both drugs on experimental corneal neovascularization in rats. DESIGN: Experimental study. PARTICIPANTS: 28 male Wistar-Albino rats. METHODS: Right corneas of rats were cauterized by silver nitrate sticks. Rats were divided randomly and equally into 4 groups so that each group contained 7 subjects. Immediately after the cauterization, 0.05 ml normal saline was injected subconjunctivally in group 1 (control group); 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) bevacizumab was injected subconjunctivally in group 2; 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) etanercept was injected subconjunctivally in group 3; 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) bevacizumab and 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) etanercept was injected subconjunctivally in group 4. The rats were euthanized on the 8th day, and digital photographs were obtained before the eyes were enucleated. The area of corneal neovascularization was calculated from digital photographs. Corneal sections were analyzed by histopathologically. RESULTS: The burn stimulus score was +1 or higher in all eyes. The difference of the neovascularization score between groups was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001). The area of corneal neovascularization was 79.8% in group 1, 43.2% in group 2, 54.5% in group 3, and 34.8% in group 4. In group 4, corneal neovascularization was inhibited more than in the other groups. Histologic examination showed that the treatment groups had less neovascularization, inflammation, and fibroblast activity than the control group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown that etanercept does have some antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in treatment of corneal neovascularization. The combination of bevacizumab and etanercept may be a promising approach in the treatment of corneal neovascularization.

The impact of subconjuctivally injected EGF and VEGF inhibitors on experimental corneal neovascularization in rat model.

AIM AND SCOPE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of subconjunctival application of VEGF antibodies bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, and HER2 antibody trastuzumab on corneal neovascularization in a rat model of experimental corneal neovascularization. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty male Wistar albino rats were included in the study. A chemical burn was induced in central cornea of one eye of the rats by a 75% silver nitrate and 25% potassium nitrate stick. Rats were randomly divided into five groups so that each group contained 6 subjects. Right after the chemical burn, 0.1 ml serum physiologic was injected subconjuctivally in control group (group 1). 1.25 mg/0.05 ml bevacizumab was injected in group 2; 1.2 mg/0.1 ml trastuzumab was injected in group 3; 0.5 mg/0.05 ml ranibizumab was injected in group-4; and 0.3 mg/0.1 ml pegaptanib was injected in group 5. On the 8th day of the experiment, rat corneas were photographed by digital photo-camera. Later, eyes of the sacrificed rats were enucleated and corneal speciements were histopathologically analyzed. The percentages of neovascularization on corneal photographs were examined with digital image analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of corneal neovascularization in all treatment groups was found to be significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Bevacizumab was found to be more effective than all other agents (p < 0.05). While the degree of inflammation and vascularization in bevacizumab and trastuzumab groups were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05), the difference was not significant in ranibizumab and pegaptanib groups (p > 0.05). In all treatment groups, fibroblast intensity was significantly lower than the control group. In terms of corneal thickness, no significant difference was observed between treatment and control groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib, and trastuzumab were found effective for the inhibition of corneal NV. In our study we detected that the most effective agent was bevacizumab.

The effect of subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma on corneal epithelial wound healing.

OBJECTIVE: Single-dose subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma (sPRP) injections with or without antibiotic treatment were investigated for their effect on corneal epithelial wound healing in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 rabbits were used in this study. After collecting intracardiac blood samples from 16 rabbits, platelet-rich plasma was obtained by centrifugation. Animals were divided into 3 groups. A mechanical corneal epithelial defect of 7-mm diameter was created on the central cornea of the right eye of each animal. Group 1 (n = 8) received only sPRP, whereas group 2 (n = 8) received sPRP with topical antibiotic throughout the study. The third group (n = 8) served as the control group. Each animal was examined daily under biomicroscope for 10 days. Epithelial defect was measured in horizontal and vertical diameter with a 1/100 sensitive micrometer, and area of the defect was calculated. One animal was sacrificed in each group on the third and seventh day, and all remaining animals were sacrificed on the 10th day. Corneal histopathology was investigated for epithelial regeneration, presence of inflammation, and structural integrity of fibroblasts. All data were statistically analyzed for difference between the study groups. RESULTS: Group 1 had a significantly smaller size in horizontal and vertical defect diameters on each day as compared with the control group. Healing of the epithelial defect in group 1 was found to be significantly different than that in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between group 2 and control group except for the first day. Group 1 had a significantly better healing process after the fourth day as compared with group 2. Histopathological investigations revealed a steady fibroblast migration, quicker epithelial regeneration, and less inflammation in group 1 as compared with the other 2 groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: sPRP seems to improve corneal epithelial wound healing. However, antibiotic and sPRP combination may have a retarded healing effect as compared with platelet-rich plasma alone.