Biomolecular evaluation of cryopreserved amniotic membranes for ophthalmological use by ELISA and RT-PCR at one and eighteen months.

PURPOSE: To study the presence of certain proteins - EGF (epidermal growth factor), KGF (keratinocyte growth factor), IL-10 (interleukin 10), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), Alpha2-macroglobulin and IL-1RA (interleukin 1 receptor antagonist) in cryopreserved amniotic membranes at 1 and 18 months and, as a secondary objective, to detect mRNA corresponding to KGF, IL-1Ra, Alpha2-macroglobulin, Fas Ligand, TGF beta (transforming growth factor beta) and Lumican by RT-PCR in membranes preserved at 1 and 18 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four samples of amniotic membrane were divided into 2 groups: the first group (N=2) cryopreserved for 1 month and the second group (N=2) cryopreserved for 18 months, in order to be studied by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: RT-PCR detected KGF, IL-1Ra, Alpha2-macroglobulin, Fas Ligand, and Lumican. Of these, FAS Ligand mRNA was found in samples preserved for 1and 18 months. KGF, Lumican, and alpha2-microglobulin mRNA were found only at 1 month, and IL-1Ra mRNA was absent in both sample groups. RT-PCR for TGF-beta was inconclusive. ELISA was performed for detection and quantification of 6 proteins (EGF, KGF, IL-10, HGF, Alpha2-macroglobulin and IL-1Ra) in both amniotic membrane groups. All 6 proteins were found in all samples, with a lower concentration at 18 months compared to 1 month of preservation. CONCLUSION: This study shows that membranes cryopreserved in 50% glycerol for 18 months do retain the proteins necessary for regeneration of the corneal surface, giving these membranes their biochemical properties.

Treatment of cystoid macular edema in homozygous twins with glutathione synthetase deficiency and retinal dystrophy.

Monozygotic twins with glutathione synthetase deficiency, progressive retinal dystrophy and cystoid macular edema were followed for foveal changes on optical coherence tomography under different treatment modalities. The purpose of the study is to show the effect of topical dorzolamide in conjunction with systemic acetazolamide in terms of decreasing macular edema in this specific disease. The results showed that systemic acetazolamide alone or in combination with topical dorzolamide decreased CME in both patients for a certain period of time. The result can be temporary sustained after treatment discontinuation. In conclusion, topical dorzolamide, in conjunction with systemic acetazolamide, could reduce cystoid macular edema in GSSD.

[Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of primary congenital glaucoma]. / Épidémiologie et caractéristiques cliniques du glaucome congénital primitif.

INTRODUCTION: Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is a rare and sight threatening condition. Few large epidemiological studies are available in the literature concerning this condition. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of children affected by PCG. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Children affected by PCG, from 1 day to 3 years old at the time of diagnosis were retrospectively included between 1999 and 2014. The analysis concerned the pregnancy, family history, initial referral, clinical presentation with description of the classic findings in this condition, mean age at first consultation, duration of follow-up and presence of a delay in treatment, defined as a delay of over one month from the appearance of clinical signs until diagnosis. Two groups were defined according to age at appearance of the clinical signs: "early" group prior to 2 months old and "late" group beyond 2 months up until 3 years old. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one eyes of 71 children were included, with 49.3% girls (n=35 children) and 50.7% boys (n=36 children) for a male:female ratio of 1.02. The "early" group included 50 children i.e. 70.3% of the population; the "late" group 21 children or 29.7% of the population. A first-degree family history of congenital glaucoma existed in 28% of cases (n=19). The average age at first consultation was 13.1 months for the entire population, and the mean duration of follow-up was 56.6 months. Involvement was bilateral in 99.3% of cases (n=70 children) and the most frequent clinical sign was buphthalmos in 64.5% of eyes (n=91 eyes). Treatment was delayed in 35.3% of cases (n=25 children). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study is of particular relevance because it was performed over a long period and on a large population, considering the rare prevalence of the pathology, and has found epidemiological and clinical data comparable with those available in the literature for similar populations.

[Long-term efficacy of Fadenoperation associated to conventional surgery in the treatment of esotropia with distance-near incomitance: About 55 cases]. / Efficacité à long terme de la Fadenoperation associée à une chirurgie conventionnelle dans le traitement des ésotropies avec incomitance loin-près: à propos de 55 cas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-, medium- and long-term efficacy of posterior fixation sutures with conventional surgery in controlling strabismus in the case of esotropia with distance-near incomitance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients with partially accommodative and non-accommodative esotropia associated with distance-near incomitance who underwent posterior fixation sutures along with conventional surgery. The preoperative and postoperative distance and near deviation measurements and the distance-near incomitance were evaluated at 1, 6 and 12 years. Surgical success was defined as a postoperative distance angle and a distance-near incomitance less than 10 prism diopters (PD). RESULTS: In total, 55 patients were included. Preoperatively, the mean distance deviation, near deviation and distance-near incomitance were 15.9 (± 3.4), 29.7 (± 5.8) and 13.8 (± 3.1) PD, respectively. Postoperatively, the mean distance deviation was 1.6 (± 0.8) PD (P < 0.001) at 1 year, 2.8 (± 1.6) PD (P< 0.005) at 6 years and 5.6 (± 2.4) PD (P < 0.05) at 12 years. The mean near deviation was 7.8 (± 2.3) PD (P < 0.001) at 1 year, 10.5 (± 3.7) PD (P < 0.005) at 6 years and 15.2 (± 4.4) PD (P < 0.05) at 12 years. The mean distance-near incomitance was 5.2 (± 1.8) PD (P < 0.01) at 1 year, 7.7 (± 2.8) PD (P < 0.05) at 6 years and 9.6 (± 3.2) PD (P > 0.05) at 12 years. The success rate was 91, 78 and 58% at 1, 6 and 12 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Distance-near incomitance is a source of amblyopia. It needs to be corrected while treating an esotropia. This study seems to confirm the short- and medium-term efficacy of posterior fixation sutures along with conventional surgery in the treatment of this problem. It also seems to show progressive, albeit partial, loss of its long-term efficacy.

[Epidemiologic and etiological characteristics of congenital cataract: study of 59 cases over 10 years]. / Caractéristiques épidémiologiques et étiologiques de la cataracte congénitale : étude de 59 cas sur 10ans.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze the epidemiology and maternal, prenatal and perinatal risk factors for congenital cataracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive cases of congenital cataracts diagnosed and managed at hôpital Nord Marseille, France. We describe demographic, personal, maternal and familial characteristics of these patients. RESULTS: We identified 59 children with congenital cataract. The group consists of 31 girls (53%) and 28 boys (47%). Cataract was bilateral in 71% of cases and unilateral in 29% of cases. This group is first divided according to etiological forms. Idiopathic cataract accounts for 63% of patients. Genetic and infectious cataract accounts for 34% and 3%, respectively. According to the clinical presentation, congenital cataract was an isolated finding in 51% of cases. It was associated with ocular abnormalities in 27% of cases and with systemic abnormalities in 22% of cases. The diagnosis was made upon routine screening in 41% of cases. Leucoria and strabismus led to the diagnosis in 24% and 19%, respectively. The average age of diagnosis was 19.7 months. CONCLUSION: Congenital cataract is a relatively rare condition. The description of a series of 59 cases is important as well as the comparison of our results to large epidemiological data previously published. The elucidation of novel risk factors requires consideration at a national or even global scale.