Correlation Analysis between Ocular Surface Parameters with Subjective Symptom Severity in Dry Eye Disease

Purpose@#To evaluate the clinical symptoms of patients with dry eyes, based on the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and analyze the relationship between OSDI and various ocular surface parameters. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective study that included 45 eyes of 45 dry eye patients who visited the Seoul Nune Eye Hospital from August 2017 to December 2017. The patients were assessed by non-invasive keratography for the first break-up time, lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear osmolarity, tear matrix metalloproteinase-9 immunoassay as well as with the conventional Schirmer I test and fluorescein break-up time. The patient’s symptoms were evaluated by the OSDI questionnaires and correlations were analyzed based on the parameters described above. @*Results@#There were significant negative correlations between OSDI and non-invasive keratography for the first break-up time (p = 0.038, r = -0.330), and LLT (p = 0.005, r = -0.426). However, there were no significant correlations between OSDI and fluorescein break-up time, Schirmer I score, and tear osmolarity (p = 0.173, 0.575, and 0.844 respectively). OSDI was not significantly different between matrix metalloproteinase-9 positive and negative groups (p = 0.768). @*Conclusions@#Non-invasive examinations such as non-invasive keratograph break-up time and interferometry of LLT can be efficient tools for evaluating dry eye symptoms.

Comparison of Hyperopic Photorefractive Keratectomy and LASIK

PURPOSE: We compared the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of hyperopia. METHODS: Patients who underwent PRK or LASIK, under +6.00 diopters (D) hyperopia and under −2.00 D astigmatism were included. In total, 21 patients (38 eyes) underwent PRK surgery and 25 patients (41 eyes) underwent LASIK surgery. We compared the visual acuity, refractive error, safety, and efficacy between the two groups. RESULTS: The manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of the PRK and LASIK groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, the MRSE was not significantly different at postoperative 6 and 12 months between the two groups. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of the PRK and LASIK groups at 1 month after surgery was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, the UCVA was not significantly different at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. The best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly different at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. The safety index was not significantly different between the two groups at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The efficacy index of the PRK group was lower than that of the LASIK group at 1 month after surgery. However, the efficacy index was not significantly different at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the predictability of the two groups at postoperative 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: After PRK treatment, temporary myopic deviation was observed after 1 month, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments after 3 months of follow-up. In the correction of hyperopia, there was no significant difference between PRK and LASIK in efficacy or safety.

Effect of 3% Diquafosol Tetrasodium on Tear Film Stability after Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of 3% diquafosol tetrasodium (DQ) after laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This prospective randomized study included 150 eyes in 75 patients who were scheduled for LASIK. The patients in the 3% diquafosol tetrasodium (DQ) group (37 patients, 74 eyes) were instructed to apply one drop of DQ, six times daily post-op, while the patients in the 0.3% sodium hyaluronate (HA) group (38 patients, 76 eyes) were instructed to apply one drop of HA, six times daily post-op. A Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining score (FLSS), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated pre-op and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-op while the tear osmolarity was evaluated pre-op and at 4 and 12 weeks post-op. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding Schirmer test results or tear osmolarity and conjunctival FLSS. The BUT was significantly higher in the DQ group at 1 week and 12 weeks post-op. The corneal FLSS was significantly lower in the DQ group at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks post-op. The OSDI was significantly lower in the DQ group at 1 week post-op. CONCLUSIONS: Use of 3% diquafosol tetrasodium after surgery improved ocular dryness and increased the tear film stability.

The Effect of Topical Cyclosporine 0.05% on Tear Osmolarity for Dry Eye Syndrome

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of topical cyclosporine 0.05% (Restasis; Allergan, Irving, CA, USA) on tear osmolarity in patients with dry eye disease. METHODS: The present study was a single-center, randomized, prospective, and longitudinal trial. Patients who had been using artificial tears to treat dry eye disease were prescribed cyclosporine 0.05% and evaluated using tear osmolarity, tear break-up time, ocular surface staining score, Schirmer test, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index for symptomatic improvement. Clinical measurements of commonly used objective tests were performed at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: At the end of the study, patients demonstrated statistically significant improvement in tear break-up time (6.26 +/- 1.26 sec at 3 months vs. 4.41 +/- 1.63 sec at baseline, p = 0.022) and OSDI (34.98 +/- 20.19 at 3 months vs. 45.02 +/- 22.38 at baseline, p = 0.032) only at 3 months. Other measures such as Schirmer test, ocular surface grade, and tear osmolarity also showed improvement. However, the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Over a 6-month period, topical cyclosporine 0.05% showed beneficial effects on symptoms and other commonly used signs of dry eye disease for 3 months; however, the tear osmolarity values were not significantly improved.

Clinical Outcomes of Foldable Iris-Fixed Phakic Intraocular Lens and Change in Corneal Endothelial Cell Density

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, stability and complications of the foldable iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (Artiflex(R), Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) implantation for the correction of myopia with astigmatism. METHODS: The present study included 40 eyes of 20 patients who underwent Artiflex lens implantation, and 20 eyes of 10 patients who underwent Toric Artiflex lens implantation and were followed up for 1 year. We retrospectively examined visual acuity, refraction, any changes in astigmatism, efficacy, safety and corneal endothelial cell density. A correlation coefficient analysis of the factors that affected the changes was performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative refractive spherical equivalent was -9.18 +/- 2.27 D and reached -0.45 +/- 0.45 D at 1 year after surgery. Postoperatively, 99.9% of the eyes showed improved visual acuity of more than 0.8. In patients with Toric Artiflex lens implantation, the preoperative mean astigmatism was -2.67 +/- 0.87 D, and at 1 year postoperatively -0.76 +/- 0.40 D, showing a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001). The preoperative mean endothelial cell density was 2,850 +/- 230 cells/mm2 and decreased 1.3% on the final follow-up (2,812 +/- 261 cells/mm2) but without statistical significance (p = 0.456). Statistically significant correlation was not observed between endothelial cell loss and anterior chamber depth (r2 = -0.146, p = 0.267). CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the iris-fixed intraocular lenses, Artiflex and Toric Artiflex, was safe and effective for correcting high myopia and astigmatism.

Clinical Outcomes of Foldable Iris-Fixed Phakic Intraocular Lens and Change in Corneal Endothelial Cell Density

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, stability and complications of the foldable iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (Artiflex(R), Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) implantation for the correction of myopia with astigmatism. METHODS: The present study included 40 eyes of 20 patients who underwent Artiflex lens implantation, and 20 eyes of 10 patients who underwent Toric Artiflex lens implantation and were followed up for 1 year. We retrospectively examined visual acuity, refraction, any changes in astigmatism, efficacy, safety and corneal endothelial cell density. A correlation coefficient analysis of the factors that affected the changes was performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative refractive spherical equivalent was -9.18 +/- 2.27 D and reached -0.45 +/- 0.45 D at 1 year after surgery. Postoperatively, 99.9% of the eyes showed improved visual acuity of more than 0.8. In patients with Toric Artiflex lens implantation, the preoperative mean astigmatism was -2.67 +/- 0.87 D, and at 1 year postoperatively -0.76 +/- 0.40 D, showing a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001). The preoperative mean endothelial cell density was 2,850 +/- 230 cells/mm2 and decreased 1.3% on the final follow-up (2,812 +/- 261 cells/mm2) but without statistical significance (p = 0.456). Statistically significant correlation was not observed between endothelial cell loss and anterior chamber depth (r2 = -0.146, p = 0.267). CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the iris-fixed intraocular lenses, Artiflex and Toric Artiflex, was safe and effective for correcting high myopia and astigmatism.

Comparison of Clinical Results between Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy and Brush Photorefractive Keratectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the results of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (trans PRK) and brush-assisted photorefractive keratectomy (brush PRK) for the treatment of myopia. METHODS: A total of 146 eyes from 78 patients who received brush PRK or trans PRK with the Schwind Amaris laser platform were included in the present study. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) at postoperative 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were compared between the 2 groups as well as epithelial healing time. RESULTS: The mean time to complete epithelial healing was 3.27 +/- 0.75 days in the trans PRK group and 3.67 +/- 0.93 days in the brush PRK group (P < 0.05). At 1 week after surgery, UDVA recovered more rapidly after trans PRK than brush PRK (brush PRK: 0.13 +/- 0.12 log MAR units, trans PRK: 0.09 +/- 0.08 log MAR units, P < 0.05), however, UDVA was not significantly different at 1, 3, 6, and, 12 months postoperatively between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Re-epithelialization and visual recovery were faster in the trans PRK group while visual outcome and postoperative complications were equivalent to the brush PRK group.

Yoga Training Improves Metabolic Parameters in Obese Boys

Yoga has been known to have stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the metabolic parameters and to be uncomplicated therapy for obesity. The purpose of the present study was to test the effect of an 8-week of yoga-asana training on body composition, lipid profile, and insulin resistance (IR) in obese adolescent boys. Twenty volunteers with body mass index (BMI) greater than the 95th percentile were randomly assigned to yoga (age 14.7+/-0.5 years, n=10) and control groups (age 14.6+/-1.0 years, n=10). The yoga group performed exercises three times per week at 40~60% of heart-rate reserve (HRR) for 8 weeks. IR was determined with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). After yoga training, body weight, BMI, fat mass (FM), and body fat % (BF %) were significantly decreased, and fat-free mass and basal metabolic rate were significantly increased than baseline values. FM and BF % were significantly improved in the yoga group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Total cholesterol (TC) was significantly decreased in the yoga group (p<0.01). HDL-cholesterol was decreased in both groups (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed between or within groups for triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Our findings show that an 8-week of yoga training improves body composition and TC levels in obese adolescent boys, suggesting that yoga training may be effective in controlling some metabolic syndrome factors in obese adolescent boys.

Increased Expression of ATP-sensitive K+ Channels Improves the Right Ventricular Tolerance to Hypoxia in Rabbit Hearts

ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) are major component of preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, there is little information regarding to the expressional difference of K(ATP) and its function between left and right ventricles. In this study, we measured the lactate dehydrogenase release of rabbit heart slices in vitro and determined the difference of the K(ATP) expression at the both ventricles by measuring the level of K(ATP)-forming Kir6.2 (OcKir6.2) mRNA using in situ hybridization. The hearts were preconditioned with 15 min hypoxia and reoxygenated for 15 min before a hypoxic period of 60 min, followed by reoxygenation for 180 min. With hypoxic preconditioning (100% N2) with 15 min, left ventricles (LV) showed higher release of LDH comparing with right ventricles (RV). Adding KATP blocker glibenclamide (10 microM) prior to a hypoxic period of 60 min, hypoxic preconditioning effect of RV was more abolished than LV. With in situ hybridization, the optical density of OcKir6.2 was higher in RV. Therefore, we suggest that different K(ATP) expression between LV and RV is responsible for the different response to hypoxia and hypoxic preconditioning of rabbit hearts.

A Carbohydrate Fraction, AIP1, from Artemisia Iwayomogi Reduces the Action Potential Duration by Activation of Rapidly Activating Delayed Rectifier K+ Channels in Rabbit Ventricular Myocytes

We investigated the effects of a hot-water extract of Artemisia iwayomogi, a plant belonging to family Compositae, on cardiac ventricular delayed rectifier K+ current (I(K)) using the patch clamp technique. The carbohydrate fraction AIP1 dose-dependently increased the heart rate with an apparent EC(50) value of 56.1+/-5.5 microgram/ml. Application of AIP1 reduced the action potential duration (APD) in concentration-dependent fashion by activating I(K) without significantly altering the resting membrane potential (IC(50) value of APD(50): 54.80+/-2.24, IC(50) value of APD(90): 57.45+/-3.47 microgram/ml). Based on the results, all experiments were performed with 50 microgram/ml of AIP1. Pre-treatment with the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (I(Kr)) inhibitor, E-4031 prolonged APD. However, additional application of AIP1 did not reduce APD. The inhibition of slowly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (I(Ks)) by chromanol 293B did not change the effect of AIP1. AIP1 did not significantly affect coronary arterial tone or ion channels, even at the highest concentration of AIP1. In summary, AIP1 reduces APD by activating I(Kr) but not I(Ks). These results suggest that the natural product AIP1 may provide an adjunctive therapy of long QT syndrome.

Comparative Analysis of the Tear Protein Expression After Photorefractive Keratectomy Using Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis

PURPOSE:To investigate the change in the tear protein composition of patients who underwent refractive surgery. METHODS: Tear samples were collected before photorefrative keratectomy (PRK), on the first, the second, and the third postoperative day, and then a month after the operation from 40 eyes of 20 patients. These tear samples were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Matrix-associated laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) was employed for the identification of expressed proteins. Control tear samples were collected from 40 eyes of 20 healthy volunteers who had no history of ocular surgery or pathology. RESULTS: On the first postoperative day, lipocalin-1 precursor, lipocalin-1, and lysozyme were up-regulated. On the second postoperative day, serum albumin precursor and serum albumin were up-regulated. The tears collected on the third postoperative day and after 1 month had similar protein expression levels to the control group. Lipocalin 1 precursor and lysozyme were up-regulated and down-regulated after reftactive surgery, respectively. However, each protein had a different molecular weight and isopotential point. CONCLUSIONS: The tear protein composition changed uniquely in the early postoperative period, and proteins with different isopotential points were detected after PRK. We hypothesized that the healing process might influence the expression of the tear proteins.

Changes in Refraction and Anterior Chamber Depth According to the Type of the Intraocular Lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes of refraction and anterior chamber depth in pseudophakia with the single-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs) and the three-piece IOLs after cataract surgery. METHODS: This single-center prospective study comprised of 34 eyes in 27 cataract patients who underwent cataract surgery. Eighteen eyes of seventeen patients received the single-piece IOLs, and sixteen eyes of fifteen patients received the three-piece IOLs. At one day, one week, and six months after cataract surgery, the refraction, corneal thickness, and anterior chamber depth of both groups were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: The refraction after cataract surgery was not significantly different from the preoperative predictive refraction in both IOL groups. The corneal thickness increased significantly as compared with preoperative value at operative day in both groups. However, after 1 week postoperatively, there was no statistically significant difference between the preoperative and the postoperative corneal thickness. The anterior chamber depth of the single-piece IOL group decreased constantly, and the decrease was statistically significant at 6 months postoperatively. In the three-piece group the anterior chamber depth was stationary and there was no statistically significant change from 1 day postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: There was remarkable difference of the changes of anterior chamber depth after cataract surgery between the single-piece and the three-piece IOL groups. In particular, the relative decrease of anterior chamber depth of the single-piece IOL group would affect the postoperative refractive errors.

The Effect of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Pterygium Excision

PURPOSE: In order to analyze the clinical efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation, this study reviewed the literature on the treatments of pterygium with antimetabolites, radiation and conjunctival autograft. In addition, the outcome of simple excision with preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of a primary and recurrent pterygium were assessed. METHODS: A total of 28 eyes with pterygium (primary 11 eyes, recurrent 17 eyes) were treated with a simple excision and a preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation. A recurrence was defined as a regrowth of fibrovascular tissue invading the cornea. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 86 days, 2 (7%) recurrences were observed. One out of 11 eyes had a recurrence of the primary pterygium (9%), 1 out of 17 eyes had a recurrence of the recurrent pterygium (6%). No side effects or complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The simple excision of pterygium with amniotic membrane transplantation had a low recurrence rate and no side effects. The amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective method for treating pterygium.

The Efficacy and Safety of Reverse Geometry Lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the amount of myopia correction and safety after Ortho-K LK(TM) lens wear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis on 17 patients (34 eyes) wearing Ortho-K LK(TM) lenses. Uncorrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, astigmatism, and corneal endothelial cell count were measured before fitting and 1week, 2weeks, and 1, 3 and 6months after lens fitting. RESULTS: There was significant improvement of uncorrected visual acuity and spherical equivalent 1week later and these effects maintained after 6months. However, there was no significant change of the amount of astigmatism and corneal endothelial cell density. The most common complications were decenterations of lenses, corneal erosion, and iron deposit.; these were not, however, serious enough to stop lens wearing. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant improvement of unaided visual acuity and spherical equivalent after Ortho-K LK(TM) lens wear. There was some significant decrease of visual acuity between 3 and 6months after lens wear and there must be another reason other than patients' compliance.

Research on the Actual Educational Condition of Contact Lens in Korean Ophthalmology Residency Training Hospitals

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the actual educational condition of contact lenses in Korean ophthalmology residency training hospitals. METHODS: A questionnaire survey about the educational condition of contact lenses was performed twice between October 2000 and September 2002 in 75 Korean ophthalmology residency training hospitals. In the second examination, the same primary questionnaire was administered to confirm the improvement of educational condition. RESULTS: Nine percent of the subjects were satisfied with the educational condition of contact lenses in the first examination and 12% in the second examination. Most residents were not satisfied because of lack of manpower and interest. The ratio of hospitals conducting the contact lens education program increased from 12% in the first examination to 45% in the second examination. Most of the residents agreed to alter the contact lenses fitting into obligatory provision during the residency training period; 80% in the first examination and 75% in the second examination. CONCLUSIONS: Most residents agreed with the necessity of contact lens education, but the program was not performed well. Thus, the interest and education of the Korea ophthalmologic society and each ophthalmology residency training hospital will be required to educate the information about contact lenses and their correct wearing.

Age and Spherical Equivalent Related Changes in Wavefront Aberrations

PURPOSE: To estimate the age and spherical equivalent related changes in the wavefront aberrations. METHODS: The age related difference in the wavefront aberrations were measured using a WASCA aberrometer on 63 eyes from 38 persons ranging in age from 18 to 60 years with a mean spherical equivalent of -0.55 diopter. The total RMS (root mean square), the high order RMS, coma and spherical aberration were analyzed and compared according to age(second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth decade). The spherical equivalent related difference in the wavefront aberrations were also measured on 118 eyes from 62 persons with a spherical equivalent ranging from +0.5 D to -10.5 D (average -4.87 D). The total RMS, high order RMS and spherical aberration were analyzed and compared according to the spherical equivalent. RESULTS: With increasing age, the total RMS showed no statistically significant increase (p>0.05), but a high order RMS and spherical aberration showed a significant increase (p0.05). With the increasing amount of spherical equivalent, the total RMS increased significantly (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In emmetropia, the total RMS and high order aberration increased significantly with increasing age. With increasing amount of spherical equivalent, the total RMS increased significantly while coma and the spherical aberrations did not.

Research on the Current Status of Contact Lenses in Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present points of improvement data in developing a public educational approach for the correct understanding and use of contact lenses with a focus on the actual condition of wearing contact lenses, side effects and problem of circulation. METHODS: The questionnaires were distributed to contact lens wearers of 175 local clinics, 75 universities and general hospitals and 202 opticians were interviewed. RESULTS: This survey showed that many respondents had incorrect knowledge about contact lenses (purchase, prescription, complication, method of contact lens use), including persons who are not optometrists handling contact lenses. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide pre-education is necessary for the correct understanding and purchase, prescription, and side effects of contact lenses, as well as to prohibit opticians from illegally prescribing the lenses; ophthalmologists should prescribe all contact lenses for proper vision correction.

Anterior Stromal Puncture with 26-Gauge Needle for Recurrent Corneal Erosion: A Report of Five Cases

PURPOSE: Recurrent corneal erosion (RCE) is a highly recurrent and intractable disease. None of the available conventional treatments has been shown to be specifically efficacious for RCE. Recently, many new methods were actively studied and used for RCE such as epithelial basement membranectomy, excimer laser therapeutic keratectomy, and anterior stromal puncture. We report 5 cases of RCE successfully cured using anterior stromal puncture with disposable 26-gauge needle. METHODS: A total of 5 eyes from 5 RCE patients, who had been initially treated with conventional therapy but suffered from recurrence, were treated using anterior stromal puncture with disposable 26-gauge needle from January 1999 to October 2001. We investigated the efficacy of this method over conventional therapy by retrospective review of their medical records. RESULTS: The average trial number per patient was 1.2 (once or twice). There was no recurrence of RCE in 5 patients after the final trial. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown that anterior stromal puncture with disposable 26-gage needle is a better method over conventional methods to cure RCE caused by trauma and epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

Comparison of Wavefront Guided Customized Ablation vs. Conventional Ablation

PURPOSE: To compare the visual outcome and satisfaction rate after the wavefront guided ablation with the conventional ablation in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) patients. METHODS: We performed a prospective study that included 182 eyes of 91 patients who were treated with LASIK (60 eyes) or PRK (122 eyes) using MEL 70 excimer laser system (Carl-Zeiss Meditec, Germany). We applied wavefront guided ablation on the right eye of each patient. The conventional ablation (control group) was performed on the left eye of the same patient. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent refraction, high order aberrations and contrast sensitivity were evaluated preoperatively and after surgery. Satisfaction rate was evaluated after surgery. RESULTS: We found statistically insignificant improvement of BCVA in wavefront guided ablation group. There were no statistically significant differences in contrast sensitivity between wavefront guided ablation and conventional ablation. In LASIK group, we found statistically significant differences of high order aberrations; RMS HO (High order)(p<0.05) and in PRK group; Z (3, -1), Z (3, 3), Z (4, 0), Z (4, 2), RMS HO (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between wavefront guided ablation and conventional ablation in patient's satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: High order aberrations of wavefront guided ablation were less increased than of conventional ablation. These results indicate the potential role of the wavefront guided ablation in the field of refractive surgery.

Profiling of Differentially Expressed Genes in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte on Human Amniotic Membrane

PURPOSE: To identify genes that showed altered expression between human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell cultured on plastic and on amniotic membrane by the technique of differential hybridization of two Altas(TM) Human cDNA expression array. METHODS: 32P-labeled complimentary DNA probes derived from RNA of either human polymorphonuclear leukocyte cultured on plastic and cultured on amniotic membrane were hybridized to two identical human cDNA expression array membranes containing 588 known genes. RESULTS: Of the total 588 genes, 130 genes were up- or down-regulated. 50 up-regulated and 80 down-regulated genes were identified in polymorphonuclear leukocyte cultured on amniotic membrane compared with control. After different signal intensity was normalized more than 4000 by Atlas Image(TM) 1.0 Software, 19 genes were up-regulated and 36 genes down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: Genes associated with the process of apoptosis, DNA synthesis and repair were down-regulated in PMN cultured on AM and genes associated with DNA binding protein, transcription factor were altered. Cell-cell communication factors including TGF-beta, PDGF-A, RANTES, MRP-14, oncostatin M, MIP-2 alpha were significantly down-regulated and cell surface antigen CD11a (LFA-1) was down-regulated, suggesting that AM can suppress the inflammatory reaction mediated by adhesion molecule, inflammatory, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines.