RESUMO
This study aimed to characterize a technique that assesses the outflow facility (C) efficacy of five kinds of IOP-lowering drugs commonly used clinically in enucleated porcine Eyes. Eyes were perfused at 15 mmHg with GPBS first to establish the baseline outflow facility (C0). Then the anterior chamber contents were exchanged for GPBS with corresponding concentration eye drops (4.9×10(3) nM Brimonidine, 41.1 nM Latanoprost, 3.4×10(3) nM Levobunolol, 3.0×10(3) nM Brinzolamide, 8.3×10(3) nM Pilocarpine) in five groups (n = 6 each), while 6 eyes received GPBS alone as control. The mean stable facility obtained after drug administration (C1) was continuously recorded. The changes between C0 and C1 (ΔC = C1-C0) were analyzed. Finally, for drugs among the five experiment groups with statistical significance, the concentration was reduced 3 times, otherwise the drugs' concentration was increased to 10 times to confirm its effectiveness further using the same methods (n = 6 each). We found that the average baseline outflow facility was 0.24±0.01 µl·min(-1)·mmHg(-1). C increased significantly in Brimonidine and Latanoprost groups, even the concentration of Brimonidine and Latanoprost was decreased 3 times (P < 0.05). However, there was no significantly increase in Levobunolol, Brinzolamide, Pilocarpine and control group (P > 0.05), but when drugs' concentration was increased to 10 times, the C value of Pilocarpine decreased significantly (P = 0.04). No significant washout effects in porcine eyes were observed. To conclude, outflow facility efficacy of five drugs in enucleated porcine eyes may provide a reference for clinical medicine. A constant-pressure perfusion technique should be useful to evaluate effect of pharmacologic agents or surgical manipulations on aqueous humor dynamics.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The incentives and the factors that affect the onset and outcome of optic neuritis (ON) are not very clear. The aim of this study is to define and get a comprehensive understanding of the clinical profile of ON, and to identify the factors that were related to the prognosis of the patients. METHODS: Medical records of patients with diagnosis of ON at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between March 2008 and June 2011 were reviewed. Clinical features, ophthalmologic and neurologic assessments, neuroimaging studies, laboratory examinations, visual recovery, and final outcome of the patients were evaluated by the authors. RESULTS: Records of 50 patients (32 females and 18 males), aged 15 - 56 years, were reviewed, in which 22% patients had a previous onset of ON. Maximal visual deficit was severe in 72.5% (< 20/200). Abnormal rates of hormone levels and rheumatoid indicators were found in 54.2% and 25.0%. ANA test returned positive in 40%, oligoclonal banding (OCB) was identified in 31.3%, and Serum neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-IgG studies were abnormal in 25% of the patients. Neuroimaging abnormalities associated with ON were documented in six patients. Three of the 50 patients have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and two with NMO. Visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 26.1% and 20/100 or worse in 39.1% affected eyes at the last visit. Poor visual acuity at onset is the main factor that would affect the final outcome of vision (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vision defects of this group of patients were severe. Females had a higher incidence of ON than males. Hormone levels, rheumatoid indicators and immune parameters may be related to the onset of ON. The severe reduction of visual acuity at onset may be related to the poor outcome of vision in ON patients.
