Lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) concentration in aqueous humour in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To report on the concentration of lipocalin-like prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) in the aqueous humour (AH) in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective assessment in 20 patients (13 female, 7 male, mean age 74±10.6 y) who underwent surgery for OAG. AH was sampled and analyzed for L-PGDS concentration. AH from 26 patients (11 female, 15 male, 72.4±14.4 y) without glaucoma who underwent cataract surgery, served as control subjects. RESULTS: The L-PGDS concentration in the AH sampled from the anterior chamber in the OAG group (5.9±2.4 mg/L) was significantly (P<0.001) higher than in the control group (3.3±1.3 mg/L). There were no significant differences between the concentrations of L-PGDS between the left and the right eye or between genders. CONCLUSIONS: L-PGDS concentration in the AH of patients with OAG was significantly elevated compared with its concentration in the AH of nonglaucomatous eyes. As L-PGDS is a biologically pluripotent protein, its possible role in glaucoma warrants further examination.

Complete recovery of visual acuity in two patients with giant cell arteritis.

Visual recovery in GCA patients is rare even when treated with HDMP. Treatment is therefore believed to be effective mainly in saving the unaffected eye. We report on two cases with biopsy-proven GCA in which complete recovery of VA occurred under intravenous HDMP.

Balloon catheter dilatation of common canaliculus stenoses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of balloon catheter dacryocystoplasty in treating stenoses of the common canaliculus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2004, elective balloon catheter dilatation was performed under local anesthesia in 36 patients with epiphora and dacryocystography (DCG)-proven high-grade stenosis of the common canaliculus. Eight of the 36 patients had additional stenosis of the nasolacrimal duct. A 2.5-mm diameter balloon was used for common canaliculus obstructions, a 3-mm balloon for nasolacrimal duct obstructions. RESULTS: Dilatation was technically successful in 34/36 patients. In 2/36 patients the guide wire could not be advanced beyond the obstruction. There were no complications. During a mean follow-up of 9 months restenosis occurred in 4/36 patients, in one of whom it led to occlusion of the common canaliculus; a chronic dacryocystitis had already resulted in occlusion of the common canaliculus in this patient's other eye. Two of four restenoses were successfully dilated in a second procedure. In one patient, a bilateral presaccal occlusion was suspected clinically. DCG revealed a high-grade common canaliculus stenosis in both eyes. After balloon catheter dilatation the patient was complaint free in one eye, and in the other eye symptoms improved. CONCLUSIONS: The therapy of choice for common canaliculus stenoses in addition to canaliculodacryocystorhinostomy is silicone tube implantation. The results of both procedures, however, are often disappointing. Balloon catheter dilatation is a minimally invasive technique carried out under local anesthesia which represents an alternative therapy option for the treatment of stenoses of the common canaliculus.