The effect of brimonidine and proparacaine on metabolic enzymes: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and glutathione reductase.

Oxidative stress is to upregulate the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The PPP consists of two functional branches, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconaste dehydrogenase (6PGD). Glutathione reductase (GR) has a significant role in catalyzing an oxidized glutathione form into a reduced form. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of brimonidine and proparacaine on the activity of 6PGD, G6PD, and GR enzymes purified from human erythrocytes. Brimonidine displayed considerable inhibition profile against G6PD with IC50 value and KI constant of 29.93 ± 3.56 and 48.46 ± 0.66 µM, respectively. On the other hand, proparacaine had no inhibitory effect against G6PD. KI values were found to be 66.06 ± 0.78 and 811.50 ± 11.13 µM for brimonidine and proparacaine, respectively, for 6PGD. KI values were found to be 144.10 ± 2.01 and 1,654.00 ± 26.29 µM for brimonidine and proparacaine, respectively, for GR. Herein, also in silico molecular docking studies were performed between drugs and enzymes.

Pigment epithelial-derived factor in the lens anterior capsule of patients with senile cataract with pseudoexfoliation.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to evaluate pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) levels in lens anterior capsule material taken during cataract surgery from patients with senile cataract with pseudoexfoliation. METHODS: The study included 90 eyes of 86 patients who were diagnosed with, and underwent surgery for, cataracts. Sixty of the eyes included in the study had senile cataract. Thirty eyes of 30 young patients with other forms of cataract were included as a control group. Pseudoexfoliation was present in 21 patients with senile cataract. PEDF levels in the lens anterior capsule material - extracted with capsulorhexis in the classical phacoemulsification procedure - were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The PEDF level in the lens anterior capsule in the senile cataract patient group was 149.36 ± 17.46 pg/ml. A statistically significant lower level of PEDF was found in the lens anterior capsule of patients with senile cataract compared with the other groups. In the patient group with pseudoexfoliation, the PEDF level in the lens anterior capsule was found to be statistically significantly lower than the patient group without pseudoexfoliation. CONCLUSION: PEDF levels decrease with senile cataract and pseudoexfoliation. These findings may clarify the pathogenesis of these conditions and point toward alternative treatment modalities.

Paintball-related ocular trauma: Paintball or Painball?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe the type and severity of paintball-related ocular trauma and to determine the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of ocular injury regardless of whether adequate eye protection was used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified patients treated for paintball-related ocular trauma at the Ataturk University Medical Hospital from June 2010 through March 2013. A descriptive analysis of data was performed. RESULTS: Ten patients with paintball-related ocular trauma were identified. At the time of their first examination, 7 of these patients had visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse. One patient had a final VA of no light perception and 4 patients had a final VA of 20/200 or worse. Hyphema was noted in 7 patients, traumatic cataract in 2, iridodialysis in 2, retinal detachment in 3, and secondary glaucoma in 1. Six patients required surgery. Although all victims have used eye protection during the game, all patients were injured after they thought the game was over and had taken off their helmets or eye-protective devices. CONCLUSIONS: Paintball-related accidents result in serious ocular trauma and most of the patients require surgery. These injuries result in severe loss of VA in some patients. Uninterrupted use of proper eye protection whenever a player is in the game field, even after they believe the game has ended, may reduce the incidence of severe ocular trauma in paintball players.

Comparison of the efficacy of topical N-acetyl-cysteine and a topical steroid-antibiotic combination therapy in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) with a topical steroid-antibiotic combination, betamethasone-sulfacetamide sodium therapy in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Twenty patients with MGD were prospectively randomized and assigned into 2 groups. The patients were instructed to use either NAC 5% or a topical steroid-antibiotic combination, betamethasone 0.1%-sulfacetamide sodium 10%, topically 4 times a day for a month. All patients were instructed to apply lid hygiene once daily. RESULTS: One month of topical therapy provided statistically significant improvements in fluorescein break-up time and Schirmer scores as compared with the initial study visit in both groups (P≤0.001). Significant improvements for the symptoms of ocular burning, itching, and intermittent filmy or blurred vision were noted in both groups at 1 month as compared with 1 day (P<0.05). Considering these rates, there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). None of the patients developed an allergic reaction to the medications, and intraocular pressure measurements were within the normal limits in both groups. CONCLUSION: When used in conjunction with eyelid hygiene, topical administration of NAC appears to be as effective as a topical steroid-antibiotic combination, betamethasone-sulfacetamide sodium therapy in patients with MGD.

Central corneal thickness in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate central corneal thickness in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. METHODS: The study group was made up of 40 eyes of 20 patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (mean age, 40.55 ± 10.7 years). Forty eyes of 20 healthy individuals (mean age, 39.25 ± 11.1 years) without any ophthalmic or systemic pathology were used as a control group. The central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasonic pachymetry. RESULTS: The mean central corneal thickness was 541.45 ± 24.68 µm in the study group and 544.30 ± 22.16 µm in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean central corneal thickness measurements in the meibomian gland dysfunction group in comparison with the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Central corneal thickness measurements do not differ in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction compared with healthy control subjects.

Efficacy of topical N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) therapy in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Twenty patients with MGD were prospectively randomized and assigned into 2 groups. The patients were instructed to use either NAC 5% or preservative-free artificial tear topically 4 times a day for a month. All patients were instructed to apply lid hygiene once daily. Preservative-free artificial tears treated group served as control. Paired sample Student's t-tests were used to detect differences between the baseline and 1 month after treatment initiation in mean ocular symptoms, fluorescein break-up time (FBUT) values, and Schirmer scores in each group. Difference in mean ocular symptoms, Schirmer's test scores, and FBUT values between the baseline and 1 month after treatment initiation were compared between the groups using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: One month of topical NAC therapy provided statistically significant improvements in FBUT and Schirmer scores as compared with the initial study visit. The average Schirmer increase rate was significantly better in the NAC group than in the control group. Significant improvements for the symptoms of ocular burning, foreign body sensation, and intermittent filmy or blurred vision were noted in both groups; and only NAC-treated group showed improvement for the symptom of itching, at 1 month as compared with 1 day. NAC provided significantly better improvement in itching symptom when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Topical administration of NAC is thought to be effective and well tolerated in patients with MGD.

Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with rowatinex usage.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is an idiopathic disorder characterized by serous detachment of the neurosensory retina. This report describes a case of CSC associated with rowatinex usage.

Topical pranoprofen 0.1% is as effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent as diclofenac sodium 0.1% after strabismus surgery.

To compare the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of topical pranoprofen 0.1% with diclofenac sodium 0.1% after strabismus surgery, 40 patients were prospectively randomized and assigned into 2 groups. Signs and symptoms of inflammation, as well as intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients, were evaluated at 1 day and 1 and 3 weeks following surgery. Both groups reported reduced inflammation and discomfort at 1 week, as compared to 1 day. There was no statistically significant difference in any measurement of postoperative inflammation (i.e., discomfort, chemosis, secretion, conjunctival hyperemia, and conjunctival gap size) between the 2 groups at any time. None of the patients developed an allergic reaction to the medications and IOP measurements were within the normal limits in both groups. Pranoprofen 0.1% was found to be as effective as diclofenac sodium 0.1% in reducing inflammation and pain after strabismus surgery. Pranoprofen could be used as a safe and effective anti-inflammatory alternative for the treatment of inflammation following strabismus surgery.

Effects of autologous serum eye drops on corneal wound healing after superficial keratectomy in rabbits.

PURPOSE: : To study the effects of topically applied autologous serum on the wound healing process of mechanically produced corneal ulcers. METHODS: : A superficial keratectomy was done in 1 eye from each of 28 rabbits, using a corneal trephine. Four groups of 7 rabbits were treated topically 4 times a day with nondiluted autologous serum; diluted autologous serum (20%); unpreserved pharmaceutical tear substitute; and physiologic saline. The saline-treated group served as a control. The healing of the ulcers was followed on a slit-lamp biomicroscope regarding its size, infiltration, and neovascularization on alternate days up to day 10 with and without fluorescein staining. RESULTS: : Autologous serum significantly accelerated the corneal wound healing process in both concentrations compared with either the unpreserved pharmaceutical tear substitute or physiologic saline solutions, but the process was faster with the nondiluted concentration. CONCLUSION: : Autologous serum eye drops could be used as a corneal wound healing adjuvant in mechanical corneal ulcers. To accelerate the wound healing process, the blood-derived factors were brought externally to the avascular cornea through autologous serum eye drops. The importance of the vascular supply on the wound healing process of vascular tissues is well known, and this study considers the benefit of blood-derived factors on the healing process of cornea.

Histopathological changes in ciliary ganglion of rabbits with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The histopathological changes in the ciliary ganglia due to subarachnoid hemorrhage were investigated. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was produced by infusing autologous blood to the cisterna magna of rabbits. The number of neurons in the ganglia was evaluated with physical dissector method. Comparing with controls, a statistically significant increase in the number of degenerated neurons in subarachnoid hemorrhage group was noted. It is considered that the loss of trophic effect from the presynaptic supply of ciliary ganglion via the preganglionic fibers of oculomotor nerve could alter the structure of the ganglion through the anterograde transneuronal degeneration process in subarachnoid hemorrhage.