Eyelid Disorders in Ophthalmology Practice: Results from a Large International Epidemiological Study in Eleven Countries.

PURPOSE: Anecdotal evidence suggests that eyelid disorders are common, although estimates of prevalence vary. The current study determines the prevalence of eyelid disorders, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and related diseases (specifically ocular surface disease) in a population of patients presenting for routine ophthalmologic consultations. METHODS: This cross-sectional epidemiologic survey evaluated patients presenting for routine ophthalmic visits. During the consultation an ophthalmologist completed a questionnaire, and each patient underwent an ophthalmic examination and completed a quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-nine ophthalmologists, recruited from 11 countries, provided data on 6525 patients. Patients were predominantly females (61.6%). The mean age of the study population was 57.0 ± 17.6 years. Eyelid disorders were diagnosed in 5109 (78.3%) patients and were statistically associated with: atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, dry eye, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, cataract, allergy and MGD (P < 0.05, all associations). Eyelid abnormalities were identified in 59.6% of patients; conjunctival or corneal abnormalities were observed in 64.9% and 28.1% of patients, respectively. MGD was diagnosed in 54.3% patients and was statistically significantly associated with the presence of eyelid disorders and eyelid margin abnormalities (P < 0.001, both comparisons). Dry eye was diagnosed in 61.8% of patients. Concurrent dry eye and MGD were present in 67.6% of patients. Most patients reported some degree of impaired vision and daily/work activities related to dry eye. Impact on contact lens usage, emotions and quality of sleep was also reported. The effects on daily life were associated with the presence of MGD. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, eyelid disorders were highly prevalent in this 'real-world' population of patients from ophthalmology clinics. Routine ophthalmologic consultations provide an opportunity to improve patient quality of life and to modify topical therapy in patients who may be predisposed to eyelid disorders.

TFOS European Ambassador meeting: Unmet needs and future scientific and clinical solutions for ocular surface diseases.

The mission of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) is to advance the research, literacy, and educational aspects of the scientific field of the tear film and ocular surface. Fundamental to fulfilling this mission is the TFOS Global Ambassador program. TFOS Ambassadors are dynamic and proactive experts, who help promote TFOS initiatives, such as presenting the conclusions and recommendations of the recent TFOS DEWS II™, throughout the world. They also identify unmet needs, and propose future clinical and scientific solutions, for management of ocular surface diseases in their countries. This meeting report addresses such needs and solutions for 25 European countries, as detailed in the TFOS European Ambassador meeting in Rome, Italy, in September 2019.

Efficacy and safety of indomethacin 0.1% eye drops compared with ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in the management of ocular inflammation after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine whether indomethacin 0.1% eye drops are at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in treating ocular inflammation following cataract surgery. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, investigator-masked, parallel-group, randomized, active-controlled clinical trial. Cataract patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive indomethacin or ketorolac administered QID for 3 weeks beginning 1 day before surgery. The primary end-point was aqueous flare measured by laser flare meter at postoperative Days 1 and 7. Secondary end-points included retinal thickness, slit lamp and funduscopic examinations and postsurgical pain ratings. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 86 patients were included in the per protocol population (n = 43 per treatment group). Indomethacin was found non-inferior to ketorolac for comparison of aqueous flare at postoperative Days 1 and 7 (Day 1: 95% CI: -2.37, 5.50; non-inferiority upper margin, 15 ph/ms and Day 7: 95% CI: -7.83, -0.94; non-inferiority upper margin, 8 ph/ms) and statistically better than ketorolac at Day 7 (p = 0.013). There were no significant between-group differences in aqueous flare and change from baseline in retinal thickness at postoperative Days 30 and 90. Indomethacin showed a higher subjective tolerance rating than ketorolac at postoperative Days 7 and 30 (p ≤ 0.044). CONCLUSION: Indomethacin 0.1% was at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% at Day 1 and more effective than ketorolac 0.5% at Day 7 in treating ocular inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Indomethacin was better tolerated than ketorolac. There were no clinically meaningful safety concerns with either treatment.

[Maria Sklodowska-Curie--her chemistry at the centenary of the second Nobel Prize]. / Maria Sklodowska-Curie--jej chemia w setna rocznice drugiej Nagrody Nobla.

The article presents from the perspective of one hundred years the work of Maria Curie-Sklodowska, which in many cases was ahead of the state of knowledge of the time. It opened new horizons and for this reason we made many digressions. The fact of awarding her the Nobel Prize twice is a sensation enough to present the values of careful activity of the Nobel Prize Committee that emphasizes the importance of Maria's achievements. A significant element of Maria Sklodowska-Curie's achievements was still mysterious character of the radiation in her time, and only chemical approach made it possible to organise the phenomena and explain the origin of the radiation. The essence of the research was an arduous separation of components following the track of growing radiation of successive fractions of preparations. This research was a start of the technology of educement of dispersed elements in great mass of materials. We underline the paramount role of the chemical research Maria Sklodowska conducted while still in Warsaw in the laboratories of the Museum of Industry and Agriculture under the guidance of an excellent chemist Józef Jerzy Boguski. Her research in Paris was the origin of the semi-commercial scale in chemistry and setting aside a special shed outside the university building was the beginning of the institutes that now function beyond universities and are key element of scientific and technical progress. Technology of splitting developed by Maria Sklodowska-Curie was applied also by other radiochemists, e.g. By Otto Hahn. Lively movement in radiochemistry of her lifetime resulted in Maria's disputes with e.g. German chemist Marckwald, who questioned the originality of polonium. The scientific disputes like this one Maria won triumphantly although in several others she had to accept opponents' argument, as in the case of radon. Her experiments were planned with utmost rationality as it was with the rejection of the hypothesis saying that radioactivity was transferred from the outer space or from the sun. A great part of Maria Sklodowska-Curie's work was connected with biology which was demonstrated by describing in mathematical terms, for the first time in the history of radiobiology, nonexistent at that time, of the phenomenon of inactivation of bacteria by ionizing radiation. We emphasize difficult conditions for the health of the radiochemists of the time but we don't find any proof that there was any influence of ionizing radiation on Maria's health. She must have absorbed much greater doses of radiation during her heroic work in the mobile radiological surgery at the front of the 1st World War. We don't think it's appropriate to speculate rashly about contamination with alpha emitters. Unfortunately, due to her family's protest it was impossible to collect samples of remains before their relocation to the Pantheon in Paris.

[The development of radiation technologies since Maria Sklodowska-Curie]. / Od Marii Sklodowskiej-Curie do wspólczesnych technologii radiacyjnych.

The article was written on the occasion of the 100. anniversary of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Maria Sklodowska-Curie. The United Nations General Assembly honoured this event by announcing the year 2011 the International Year of Chemistry. Maria Sklodowska-Curie was i.a. the initiator of radiation chemistry, a branch of science analyzing the chemical effects that matter shows when exposed to ionizing radiation. The development of this branch resulted in radiation technologies' applications in many fields of industry, medicine, agriculture, protection of the environment, space research and science. Our point of departure was the article Sur l'etude des courbes de probabilité relatives a l'action des rayons X sur les bacilles that Maria Sklodowska-Curie published in 1929 in the Bulletin of the Académie des sciences. In this study, she presented--for the first time ever--the curves of the so called radiation inactivation, i.e. the relationship between the bacteria life expectancy and the dose of radiation absorbed by it. From the today's point of view, it can be stated that the researcher laid the foundations of the methods of radiation sterilization and material processing by means of radiation. In this context, we recall the history of the first accelerator installation devised and built in 1968 at the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology in Warsaw. Basing on experiences with the linear electron accelerator, the LAE 13/9 was completed in 1992 as the so far only Polish industrial installation for radiation sterilization of medical products and transplants as well as for food irradiation.

[Novelty of vital dyes in ophthalmic surgery]. / Zastosowanie nowych barwników w chirurgii okulistycznej.

The aim of this paper is to present recent developments in the area of novelty of vital dyes in intraocular surgery. The authors present the advantages and disadvantages of several vital dyes currently used in ophthalmic surgery. Vital dyes are used to allow better intraoperative visualization of both the anterior and posterior segments. Indocyanine green and trypan blue are the most frequently used and the most efficacious dyes for staining the important anatomic areas but often are associated with significant side effects. These dyes are used in cataract and vitreo-retinal surgery. Other dyes including rhodamine 6G, E68, bromophenol blue, light green and Chicago blue are still under preclinical assessment.

[Results of tectonic epikeratoplasty in the management of corneal perforations]. / Wyniki epikeratoplastyki tektonicznej w leczeniu perforacji rogówki.

PURPOSE: To present therapeutic application of tectonic epikeratoplasty as logical patch in severe ocular surface disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Full thickness corneo-scleral transplants, 14 mm in diameter were used in 67 operations of 41 patients with corneal perforation or descemetocele. (14 women and 27 men), in the period 1998-2008. The mean age of patients was 55.2 +/- 17.7 years (range 15-82). The transplants were sutured over the limbus or the scleral rim and was implanted under the conjunctiva after 360 degrees peritomy. Donor tissue unsuitable for penetrating keratoplasty because of poor endothelium or corneal scarring, was obtained from Lublin Eye Bank. RESULTS: We observed closing of the perforation in all cases. Healing of the ulceration with scar formation and new vessels ingrowth was noted. In some eyes repeated epikeratoplasties were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Tectonic epikeratoplasty is a safe and simple method of treatment of corneal perforations. It provides a biological patch stimulating the healing of corneal defects. It gives time for systemic treatment before further ocular surface reconstructive procedures can be performed.

Reaction time during semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients with advanced visual field loss.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate reaction time (RT) in patients with advanced visual field (VF) loss using semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP). METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with advanced VF loss caused by glaucoma (31) or retinitis pigmentosa (19), homonymous VF loss caused by post-chiasmal lesions (18) and unilateral anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AION) (10) were examined with SKP (Octopus 101 perimeter). One eye in each patient was enrolled. Additionally, VFs in the 10 healthy fellow eyes of the patients with AION were compared with those in the 10 affected eyes. Reaction time was assessed during the SKP session by presenting kinetic stimuli (III4e) with constant angular velocities of 3 degrees /second moving linearly along so-called 'RT vectors' at four different locations inside the III4e isoptre. Each stimulus presentation was repeated four times in randomized order. RESULTS: The geometric mean RT was 794 ms (95% reference interval [RI] 391-1615 ms) in patients with glaucoma, 702 ms (95% RI 306-1608 ms) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and 675 ms (95% RI 312-1460 ms) in patients with hemianopia. Increases in RT for every 1 degree of eccentricity were 1%, 0.9% and 0.4%, respectively. The geometric mean RT in the 10 patients with unilateral optic neuropathy was 644 ms in affected eyes and 435 ms in unaffected eyes, reflecting an increase of 51% (95% confidence interval 42-62%). CONCLUSIONS: We found substantial inter-subject variability in RT in patients with advanced VF loss. It is possible to correct the position of the isoptres by assessing individual RT. There were no relevant differences in RT between the disease groups. Reaction time increases with eccentricity. In monocular disease (AION), RT is prolonged, compared with in healthy fellow eyes. However, in clinical routine the RT-related displacement of isoptres is negligible in the vast majority of cases.

Occurrence of human papillomavirus in pterygia.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in pterygium. METHODS: The study involved 89 patients undergoing surgical procedures at the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland. Group 1 included 58 patients with clinically diagnosed pterygium. Group 2 consisted of 31 individuals with normal conjunctiva. The material was collected during elective surgical procedures. The presence of HPV genome was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Once the presence of HPV DNA was confirmed, 28 HPV genotypes were determined using reverse hybridization. RESULTS: The determinations confirmed the presence of HPV DNA in pterygium. In the material collected from 58 cases of pterygium (group 1), HPV DNA was identified in 16 patients (27.6%). In the material from 31 diagnostic specimens of normal conjunctiva (group 2), the presence of HPV was demonstrated in three cases (9.7%). A statistically significant difference was found in the presence of HPV DNA between the patients from groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.041). HPV type 16 was most common and was demonstrated in 56% of HPV-positive cases of pterygium. HPV 16 and HPV 6 co-infections were found in 19% of cases, while HPV 18 and HPV 6 co-infections were observed in 13%. In group 2, all three patients with HPV showed HPV 18. CONCLUSION: It seems that HPV is not necessary to induce pterygium; however, it might play a synergistic role in the multi-stage process of its development.

Comparison of static automated perimetry and semi-automated kinetic perimetry in patients with bilateral visible optic nerve head drusen.

PURPOSE: Until now there has been no standardized, systemic approach to diagnostics in patients with optic nerve head drusen (ONHD). This study compares visual field (VF) results obtained with static automated perimetry (SAP) and semi-automated kinetic perimetry (SKP) in patients with bilateral visible ONHD. METHODS: Visual fields in 26 eyes (13 patients) with ONHD were obtained by Humphrey Field Analyser II (SAP) and Octopus 101 (SKP) equipment and classified by three masked observers. Pairs of VFs were considered equivalent if the descriptions given by both methods matched. Individual reaction time (RT) was assessed during SKP. Fifteen healthy volunteers were examined as control material. RESULTS: Visual field pairs matched in 19 eyes (three normal VFs, 16 arcuate defects). In the remaining eight eyes SKP provided more information in concentric constriction of the VF (two eyes) and SAP provided more information on paracentral scotomas (five eyes). Sensitivity was 69% for SKP, 80% for SAP and 88% for both methods together. Mean RT assessed using SKP amounted to 909 ms in eyes with ONHD and 568 ms in normal subjects (p < 0.0003). The median examination duration was 13 mins with SKP and 11 mins with SAP (p = 0.05) in eyes with ONHD, and 8 mins in control eyes (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice it is necessary to perform both SAP and SKP in patients with ONHD because the VF defects are diverse. In SKP, RT is prolonged in eyes with ONHD compared with normal eyes and SKP takes longer than SAP in ONHD eyes.

[Lyell'a syndrome--two case presentations]. / Zespól Lyell'a--opis dwóch przypadków.

Clinical symptoms of toxic epidermal necrosis (TEN) include massive epidermolysis within skin and mucous membranes. Similar to extensive stage II burns, this may be a life-threatening condition. Patients with TEN are usually treated in specialized burn centers andlor surgery departments. Here we present and discuss 2 case reports of patients with ocular complications of TEN. The aim of this study is to emphasize the necessity of ophthalmic control and treatment during the early and late phase of TEN.

[Decrease of the postoperative inflammatory reaction during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after administration of triamcinolone acetonide]. / Zmniejszenie pooperacyjnego odczynu zapalnego wskutek zastosowania octanu triamcynolonu podczas witrektomii pars plana.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the effect on postoperative inflammatory reaction and recovery after application of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), to visualize the vitreous. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was performed in 45 patients (21 males, 24 females) (29 with retinal detachment, 6 with macular hole, 1 with cystoid macular edema, 3 with diabetic retinopathy, 3 with vitreous haemorrhage, 1 with preretinal membrane, 1 with PVR and 1 with lens luxation). After surgical separation of the posterior vitreous and removal of any visible epiretinal membrane, TA was injected over the posterior pole. For the control group we used 15 patients (10 with retinal detachment, 2 with macular hole, 1 with preretinal membrane, 1 with lens luxation and 1 with vitreous haemorrhage) (10 males, 5 females) treated with PPV but without TA administration. To evaluate the degree of postoperative inflammation and to monitor the dynamics of the blood-aqueous barrier disruption, the laser flare cell meter (Kowa FM-500) was used. RESULTS: Tyndalometric mean values in the control group of eyes recorded 1 day after PPV were 32.41 +/- 6.1 ph/ msec while values in TA-treated group were significantly lower (20.26 +/- 2.4, p < 0.02). 10 days after surgery in TA group results were still significantly lower as compared to the control group (16.4 +/- 2.6 vs 32.5 +/- 9.6, p < 0.005). As observed 6 weeks after PPV, tyndalometric recordings in TA-treated group remained lower as those observed in the control group (16.1 +/- 3.1 vs 32.0 +/- 8.1, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The eyes which received TA-assisted PPV showed significantly less breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier than those with routine PPV. Intraoperative administration TA facilitates postoperative recovery after surgery lowering the inflammatory reaction.

[Assessment of the macula function by static perimetry, microperimetry and rarebit perimetry in patients suffering from dry age related macular degeneration]. / Ocena funkcji plamki za pomoca perymetrii statycznej, mikroperymetrii oraz perymetrii "rarebit" u chorych z postacia sucha AMD.

PURPOSE: To compare the visual field results obtained by static perimetry, microperimetry and rabbit perimetry in patients suffering from dry age related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen eyes with dry AMD (hard or soft macula drusen and RPE disorders) were enrolled into the study. Static perimetry was performed using M2 macula program included in Octopus 101 instrument. Microperimetry was performed using macula program (14-2 threshold, 10dB) within 10 degrees of the central visual field. The fovea program within 4 degrees was used while performing rarebit perimetry. RESULTS: The mean sensitivity was significantly lower (p<0.001) during microperimetry (13.5 dB) comparing to static perimetry (26.7 dB). The mean deviation was significantly higher (p<0.001) during microperimetry (-6.32 dB) comparing to static perimetry (-3.11 dB). The fixation was unstable in 47% and eccentric in 40% while performing microperimetry. The median of the "mean hit rate" in rarebit perimetry was 90% (range 40-100%). The mean examination duration was 6.5 min. in static perimetry, 10.6 min. in microperimetry and 5,5 min. in rarebit perimetry (p<0.001). Sensitivity was 30%, 53% and 93% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The visual field defects obtained by microperimetry were more pronounced than those obtained by static perimetry. Microperimetry was the most sensitive procedure although the most time-consuming. Microperimetry enables the control of the fixation position and stability, that is not possible using the remaining methods. Rarebit perimetry revealed slight reduction of the integrity of neural architecture of the retina. Microperimetry and rarebit perimetry provide more information in regard to the visual function than static perimetry, thus are the valuable method in the diagnosis of dry AMD.

[Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) iniections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)--preliminary results]. / Doszklistkowe iniekcje bevacizumabu (Avastin) w leczeniu wysiekowej formy zwyrodnienia plamki zwiazanego z wiekiem (AMD)--doniesienie wstepne.

PURPOSE: To evaluate effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on visual acuity and angiographic lesions characteristics in patients with neovascular AMD and to report safety of such treatement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 32 patients with confirmed choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) and AMD were treated. Patients received 2 intravitreal bevacizumabu (1.25 mg) iniections on 1-3 months basis. Control ophthalmic evaluations included visual acuity measurements with EDTRS charts, intraocular pressure measurements, complete ophthalmic examination in slit lamp, fluorescein angiography and blond pressure measurements. RESULTS: In 18 patients (56%) visual acuity improvement at a mean 3 lines on EDTRS charts was observed, in 9 patients (28%) visual acuity did not change and in 5 (16%) cases decreased visual acuity (about 1,5 lines in EDTRS charts) was noted. Mean follow-up period was 3 months after second injection. In most study eyes fluorescein angiography revealed a marked reduction in leakage from CNV. Apart from one case with endophthalmitis symptoms after second bevacizumab injection, we did not observed systemic or ocular adverse effects of the applied treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term results suggest that intravitreal bevacizumab is relatively safe form of AMD treatement and is associated with improvement in visual acuity and reduction in angiographic leakage in most patients with neovascular AMD. Further evaluation of the long-term effectiveness of this treatment is warranted.

[Fundus autofluorescence imaging in patients with Stargardt dystrophy and fundus flavimaculatus]. / Obrazowanie autofluorescencji dna oka u chorych z choroba Stargardta i fundus flavimaculatus.

PURPOSE: To identify patterns of fundus autofluorescence (AF) in patients with Stargardt dystrophy and fundus flavimaculatus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients in age 7 to 47 years with Stargardt dystrophy and fundus flavimaculatus, were examined. Ophthalmic evaluation included nonstandarized Snellen visual acuity, complete ophthalmic examination, fluorescein angiography and color fundus photographs. The autofluorescence images were obtained using a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope HRA2. RESULTS: In 15 patients lack or decreased AF signal in a foveal region with punctate diffuse spots with increased and decreased AF signal extending far from the macular region were observed. In 4 patients apart from lack of the AF signal in the central area punctate spots were restricted to the macular region. In 1 patient AF image was copletely normal. CONCLUSIONS: Autofluorescence imaging allows for evaluation of the area with changes on the RPE level typical for this disease and is helpful, noninvasive examination for diagnostic process in such patients. A wide variation in clinical phenotype can occur in patients with Stargardt disease and fundus flavimaculatus. Obtained different phenotypes in autofluorescence imaging may correlate with different clinical types of this disease, described in the literature.

[Effect of mydriasis and accommodation on intraocular pressure and pigment release in patients with the pigment dispersion syndrome]. / Wplyw akomodacji i mydriazy na cisnienie wewnatrzgalkowe i uwalnianie barwnika u chorych z zespolem rozproszonego barwnika.

PURPOSE: To determine if mydriasis and accommodation affect intraocular pressure (IOP) and pigment release in patients with the pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients (34 eyes) diagnosed with PDS were included in the study (10 men and 7 women). Tonometry was performed on all patients before, and at 1 and 2 hours after mydriasis and before, and at 1 and 2 hours after sustained reading. The statistical analysis was performed using the paired T-test. RESULTS: In both tests the differences in intraocular pressure values were not statistically significant. Pigment liberation occurred in 11.8% of patients after mydriasis but was not associated with an increase in IOP. CONCLUSION: Accommodation during sustained reading did not cause significant pigment release or an IOP rise.

[Posterior staphyloma in the normal lenght eyeball--a case report]. / Garbiak tylny w galce ocznej o prawidlowej dlugosci--opis przypadku.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to present a case of posterior staphyloma in the eyeball of the normal length. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 17-year-old boy underwent full ophthalmologic examination due to impaired vision in the right eye (R.E.) lasting for one month. The visual acuity of R.E. and L.E. was found to be 0.8 and 1.0, respectively; near visual acuity for both eyes--0.5, intraocular pressure in both eyes--16 mmHg. The anterior part of both eyes was normal. The R.E. ophthalmoscopy revealed the presence of posterior staphyloma near the temporal-upper optic disc margin accompanied by serous retinal detachment above the macula. The L.E. ophthalmoscopy--normal. The eyeball length 23 mm and posterior staphyloma depth 2.4 mm. Refraction test--normal without any vision defect. Additionally fluorescein angiography, US B and OCT confirmed the presence of posterior staphyloma of the right eye. During the 3-month follow up the retinal detachment markedly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The case report shown that posterior staphyloma may develop in the eyeball of normal length although its incidence is rare. New diagnostic methods, especially OCT, are very helpful in the clinical picture evaluation.

Relation between grade of diabetic retinopathy and perilimbal capillary density: digital fluorescein angiographic study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relation between the capillary drop out in perilimbal area and the stage of diabetic retinopathy using the new approach of digital fluorescein angiography and digital image analysis technology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anterior and posterior segment fluorescein angiography were performed in 100 diabetic participants (43 males and 57 females, mean age +/- SD was 60 +/- 10.9 years) and 81 healthy persons as control group (41 males and 40 females, mean age +/- SD was 60.8 +/- 16.7 years). The loss in perilimbal capillary was estimated objectively by measuring the perilimbal intercapillary area (PIA). RESULTS: A significant loss in the perilimbal capillary density was observed in all stages of diabetic retinopathy (P < 0.05). 31.7 +/- 18% increase in perilimbal intercapillary area in average due to diabetes comparing to the control group, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The perilimbal capillary area drops and ischemic changes associated with diabetic retinopathies showed strong correspondence.

Question 2: relation of panspermia-hypothesis to astrobiology.

In the answer to major questions of astrobiology and chirality, the panspermia-hypothesis is often discussed as the only proposal of transportation of life to the Earth. On the basis of the known presence of ionizing radiation in the space, assumed on the level calculated by Clark (Orig Life Evol Biosph 31:185-197, 2001), the hypothesis is rejected as the explanation of origins of life on Earth. In fact, comparatively low doses of radiation sterilize irreversibly all biological material. Sufficiently long sojourn in space of objects containing prebiotic chemical blocks also does not contribute to the origins of life on Earth, because of elimination of homochirality, if any, and of radiation induced reactions of dehydrogenation, decarboxylation and deamination of chemical compounds closing with complete decomposition of organics, leaving elementary nano-carbon and/or minerals like calcium carbonate.