[Application of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in ophthalmology]. / Zastosowanie mikroskopii sil atomowych (AFM) w okulistyce.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows to examine surface of different biological objects in the nearly physiological conditions at the nanoscale. The purpose of this work is to present the history of introduction and the potential applications of the AFM in ophthalmology research and clinical practice. In 1986 Binnig built the AFM as a next generation of the scanning tunnelling microscope (STM). The functional principle of AFM is based on the measurement of the forces between atoms on the sample surface and the probe. As a result, the three-dimensional image of the surface with the resolution on the order of nanometres can be obtained. Yamamoto used as the first the AFM on a wide scale in ophthalmology. The first investigations used the AFM method to study structure of collagen fibres of the cornea and of the sclera. Our research involves the analysis of artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs). According to earlier investigations, e.g. Lombardo et al., the AFM was used to study only native IOLs. Contrary to the earlier investigations, we focused our measurements on lenses explanted from human eyes. The surface of such lenses is exposed to the influence of the intraocular aqueous environment, and to the related impacts of biochemical processes. We hereby present the preliminary results of our work in the form of AFM images depicting IOL surface at the nanoscale. The images allowed us to observe early stages of the dye deposit formation as well as local calcinosis. We believe that AFM is a very promising tool for studying the structure of IOL surface and that further observations will make it possible to explain the pathomechanism of artificial intraocular lens opacity formation.

[Contemporary applications of wavefront aberrometry in ophthalmology practice]. / Wspólczesne zastosowania aberrometrii w praktyce okulistycznej.

The aim of the article is to present and summarize the current knowledge of wavefront aberrations, methods and applications of aberrations measurement. Ideal optical system is stygmatic, which means that object point is imaged by optical system into the image point without deformation. Optical system of the eye is not ideal, it has aberrations. Aberrations limitate and determine visual quality. Wavefront aberrometers measure manochromatic low and high order aberrations. Wavefront aberrations are described by Zernike polinomials. More important wavefront sensor types are described in the article. In their practice authors use KR1W Topcon aberrometer. Authors also present difficulties in taking aberrometric measurements. In recent years quality of vision becomes the point of interest for vision scientists. Correction of high order aberrations is the future of optics.

New approach to diagnosis and treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis--systematic review of literature.

PURPOSE: To present new methods of diagnosis and treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Searching Medline base for articles in English publicated since 2006 till the beginning of 2011, describing the way and results of diagnosis and treatment Acanthamoeba keratitis. Publications include studies, reviews as well as case reports concerning discussed subject. RESULTS: 14 publications were found and used to present miscellaneous methods utilized nowadays to identify the reason of Acanthamoeba keratitis with simultaneous evaluations of its' sensitivity and specificity. The review comprises improvements of laboratory diagnosis as well as corneal imaging systems helpful to diagnose infectious keratitis. 17 publications were quoted to elaborate results of pharmacological protocols as well as surgical procedures of Acanthamoeba keratitis treatment. Outcomes of experimental investigations were also cited. CONCLUSIONS: As none of presented methods of diagnosis and treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis have become a standardized guideline jet, still there is a great need to look for new ones.

Anterior segment imaging: Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography versus time-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare anterior segment measurements and morphology of 2 optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, District Railway Hospital, and the Nursing Department and Social Medical Issues, Health Care Division, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland. METHODS: In normal eyes and in eyes with corneal and trabecular-iris angle disorders, the central corneal thickness (CCT), trabecular-iris angle, and angle-opening distance at the nasal and temporal angles were measured 3 times during 1 visit using the Visante time-domain OCT system and the RTVue-100 Fourier-domain corneal anterior module OCT system. Anterior segment morphology was assessed and compared. RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes were evaluated. The mean values (+/-SD) by time-domain OCT and Fourier-domain OCT were, respectively, automatic CCT, 535 +/- 33.07 microm and 538 +/- 31.82 microm; manual CCT, 545 +/- 30.91 microm and 542 +/- 30.57 microm; nasal trabecular-iris angle, 34.7 +/- 9.5 degrees and 35.2 +/- 8.9 degrees; temporal trabecular-iris angle, 35.3 +/- 8.5 degrees and 35.5 +/- 9 degrees; nasal angle-opening distance, 435 +/- 95 microm and 444 +/- 98 microm; and temporal angle-opening distance, 443 +/- 103 microm and 452 +/- 99 microm. There was no significant difference between mean values, and they were highly correlated. On morphologic analysis, time-domain OCT had lower resolution; however, all anterior chamber structures were visible on 1 image. Fourier-domain OCT provided precise information about small areas of the anterior chamber. CONCLUSION: Fourier-domain OCT provided accurate anterior eye segment measurements that agreed with those obtained with time-domain OCT.

[Femtosecond laser application in keratoplasty--current view]. / Zastosowanie lasera femtosekundowego (LF) w chirurgii rogówki.

Main purpose of this article is to present an actual review of application femtosecound laser in keratoplasty. Femtosecound laser keratome is a new option in corneal surgery that provides depth and diameter accuracy even at increased depth settings. It seems to be an ideal instrument to carry out stromal tissue cuttings in penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty as well as in refractive surgery. In this paper we also paid attention on adventages and disadventages of use FL, as well we compare this new technology with mechanical handheld microkeratomes.