The role of inflammation in the progression of ocular surface damage in children following allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate HLA-DR expression and cellular morphology of the conjunctival epithelium cells in children who underwent haematopoietic cell transplantation, and to assess the relation between HLA-DR expression and cellular morphology. Impression cytology with staining was used to visualize epithelium cells, whereas immunohistochemistry was applied to assess HLA-DR expression. Elevated HLA-DR expression and increased cytological abnormalities were observed in the study group when compared to the controls. An increase in HLA-DR expression was accompanied by a decrease in the number of eyes with normal epithelium morphology together with the increase in squamous metaplasia features. We can conclude that inflammation of conjunctiva can follow stem cell allotransplantation. Ocular surface inflammation may lead to squamous metaplasia of the conjunctiva.

Roles of endothelin-1 and selected proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: Analysis of vitreous samples.

PURPOSE: To investigate the roles of endothelin-1(ET-1), TNF-alpha, IL-6 in the pathogenesis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Vitreous and blood serum samples were collected during vitrectomy from 19 patients with PDR and 15 patients who underwent vitrectomy for other reasons. The concentrations of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, vWF, sE-selectin were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Intraocular and serous concentrations of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6, vWF, sE-selectin were higher in patients with PDR than in the control group. The vitreous ET-1/plasma ET-1 ratios the group of diabetic patients and in the control group were similar. Also TNF-alpha, IL-6 vitreous/plasma ratio were not statistically different between the analysed groups. Correlation between intraocular ET-1 and TNF-alpha concentrations in patients with PDR and between the increases in both factors in the vitreous and HbA(1)c concentration were shown. In the vitreous the increase in vWF depended on elevated levels of vWF in the serum. E-selectin concentration correlated with diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence of the activation of the local synthesis of ET-1, TNF-alpha, IL-6 in PDR. The relationship between the increase in vitreous ET-1, TNF-alpha concentrations and HbA(1)c concentration is a important confirmation of the necessity to optimise diabetes treatment.

[Clinical advantages of colorimetric exploration in the early diagnosis of glaucomatous neuropathy]. / Intérêt clinique de l'exploration colorimétrique dans le diagnostic précoce de la neuropathie glaucomateuse. Etude préliminaire.

AIM: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate acquired color vision defects in the early stages of primary glaucoma and in patients at risk for glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, normal-tension glaucoma and ocular hypertension were examined with the IF-2 anomaloscope. The Rayleigh equation and the Moreland equation were tested. We studied the relationships between color vision defects and the other tested variables. RESULTS: We found the mean value of the setting range of the Moreland equation significantly increased in all tested groups. Color vision disturbances were found in 57% of eyes with glaucoma and in 31% of eyes with ocular hypertension. We found a positive correlation between the blue-green colour vision defects and the perimetric changes in the glaucomatous eyes. These results indicate a decrease in color discriminating sensitivity in the short wavelength part of the visible spectrum in patients with glaucoma as well as in patients with ocular hypertension. CONCLUSION: Blue-yellow color vision testing with the anomaloscope may serve as an additional test in the early diagnosis of glaucoma but the absence of dyschromatopsia does not exclude the disease.

[The role of electrooculographic examinations in the glaucoma diagnosis]. / Znaczenie badan elektrookulograficznych w diagnostyce jaskry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of the electrooculography in the diagnosis of glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 31 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (aged 22-69 years), 29 patients with normal-tension glaucoma (aged 19-77 years) and 22 healthy controls (aged 38-65 years). We performed routine ophthalmological examinations and electrooculography in all patients. RESULTS: Arden's coefficient results concerning electrooculography were the highest in control group and the lowest in primary open-angle glaucoma group, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Electrooculographic examinations do not seem to be effective for detecting glaucoma.

[The behavior of angiotensin-converting enzyme in patients with uveitis]. / Zachowanie sie enzymu konwertujacego angiotensyne w schorzeniach zapalnych blony naczyniowej.

UNLABELLED: Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is considered as a marker in many disorders, especially in sarcoidosis. The aim of this study was to assess ACE activity using Haiakari spectrophotometry in patients with non-sarcoidosis uveitis before and after treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 patients, including 21 adults and 15 children, were investigated. ACE concentration was increased mostly in patients with recurrent toxoplasmic and toxocaral iridocyclitis and choroiditis. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that concentration of ACE was increased especially in toxocariasis uveitis. After treatment the concentration of ACE was significantly decreased in all patients.

[Coexistence of migraine and glaucoma-like visual field defects]. / Wspólistnienie migreny i jaskropodobnych zmian w polu widzenia.

PURPOSE: Functional and morphological evaluation of the optic nerve heads in patients suffering from migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 21 patients--13 women and 8 men (mean age 40 +/- 10) with neurologically confirmed diagnosis of common and classic migraine were examined. The headache history was obtained by standard questions. The patients suffered from migraine from 2 to 30 years and the frequency of attacks was from < 10 to > 100/year. Ophthalmologic examination involved evaluation of visual acuity, anterior segment, irido-corneal angle, retina and optic disc. In all cases optic disc photography, diurnal tension curve and two central visual field examinations with Octopus 101 programm G2 were performed. RESULTS: In all cases IOP was normal (< 21 mm Hg). In 4 eyes (2 patients) there was early glaucomatous-like damage of the optic disc, without visual field defect. In most of these patients the optic nerve head looked normal, in part of them slightly pale. In 28% patients glaucomatous-like visual field defects were found (MD-3.9 dB to 6.6 dB). There was statistically significant relationship between increase of MD and frequency of migraine attacks (Mann-Withney U test, a = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Static perimetry of the central visual field has high diagnostic value in ocular vasospastic syndrome. Functional dysregulation of the optic nerve head circulation in patients with migraine might be involved in the pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma.

[The role of cytokines in ocular inflammation]. / Rola cytokin w schorzeniach zapalnych galki ocznej.

In this paper the immunological mechanisms connected with cytokines in the intraocular inflammation were discussed. The attention was paid to the possible involvement of a cytokine--network in the development of uveitis.

[Early diagnosis of optic nerve neuropathy in multiple sclerosis]. / Wczesne rozpoznawanie uszkodzenia nerwu wzrokowego w przebiegu stwardnienia rozsianego.

PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic sensitivity of clinical tests in optic demyelinating neuropathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 21 persons (38 eyes) with confirmed sclerosis multiplex (SM) with no episodes of posterior optic neuritis in the history of the disease. The examination method included: Static perimetry of central visual field (30 degrees, by Octopus 101), pattern visual evoked potentials (p VEP), colour photographs of optic disc and magnetic resonance imaging (MR) of central nervous system, optic nerves and optic chiasm. Visual acuity and colour vision were normal. RESULTS: There was statistically significant elongation in the latency of P 100 in pattern VEP (> 118 ms, 3 x SD), and significant reduction in mean light sensitivity (MS) in central visual field. MRI revealed demyelinisation in cortex and/or spinal cord of all patients and demyelinating lesion in optic nerve of one patient. There was no Gd-DTPA enhancement. In statistical analysis there was no correlation between results of pattern VEP, IMR, morphology of optic disc, and duration of SM, stage of the disease (in Kurtzke gradation scale) or age of patient. In regression analysis there were statistically significant relationships (p < 0.05) between results of central static perimetry, duration and stage of disease.

[Central visual field in patients with multiple sclerosis without symptoms of optic neuritis]. / Ocena centralnego pola widzenia u pacjentów ze stwardnieniem rozsianym bez klinicznych objawów neuropatii nerwu wzrokowego.

PURPOSE: To estimate central visual field (30 degrees) of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (SM). SM was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There was no posterior optic neuritis in the history of the disease. The visual acuity of examined the 28 eyes was 1,0. The results of static perimetry were analysed by regression analysis. RESULTS: There were significant relationships between mean sensitivity (MS) and duration of the disease, stage of the disease (in Kurtzke gradation scale) and age. Mean defect (MD) was significantly higher in the upper half of central visual field and between 15-30 degrees (p < 0.05). We observed positive relationships between MD, short time fluctuation (STF) and corrected loss variance (CLV). We found negative correlations between MS, MD, CLV and STF. Mean reliability factor RF was < 10%. CONCLUSION: Static perimetry seems to be a useful test in early diagnosis and monitoring of optic nerve neuropathy in SM.

[Ocular complications in toadstool mushroom poisoning]. / Powiklania oczne w zatruciu muchomorem sromotnikowym.

We present a case of a young man poisoned with Amanita phalloides. He survived thanks to intensive treatment, however he had multiple complications, including endophthalmitis in one eye, which was enucleated, and macular deposits in the second eye, which was affected by glaucoma.

[Angioid streaks in Grönblad-Strandberg syndrome]. / Pasma naczyniaste siatkówki w zespole Grönblad-Strandberga.

The authors present signs and symptoms in Grönblad-Strandberg syndrome and current opinions on therapeutic procedures in choroidal neovascularization where central vision is threatened. The publication includes a case report.

[Use of soft contact lenses in the Riley-Day syndrome in a small child]. / Zastosowanie miekkich soczewek kontaktowych w zespole Riley-Day u malego dziecka.

We present the observation of a boy treated in our Ophthalmological Department in Wroclaw from the age of 6 months up to 6 years for the serious keratitis with ulceration. We diagnosed Riley-Day syndrome with regard to many associated pathological features. The efficacy of the local treatment improved after application of soft contact lenses.

[Retinal antigens in eye diseases--clinical value of diagnostic tests]. / Antygeny siatkówkowe w schorzeniach narzadu wzroku--znaczenie kliniczne testów diagnostycznych.

Current review of data concerning the role of antigen S, IRBP and antigen CAR in various ocular diseases, including, uveitis of unknown etiology, birdshot choroid retinopathy, vasculitis, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa.

[Posterior uveitis--clinical forms and experimental models]. / Zapalenie naczyniówkowo-siatkówkowe--formy kliniczne a modele doswiadczalne.

The author presented contemporary views concerning etiology and clinical forms of endogenous posterior uveitis as well as the experimental models and histopathological studies of these diseases. The similarities between clinical and experimental forms of choroiditis are emphasized.

[Experimental autoimmune uveitis and retinitis induced by S-antigen immunization]. / Eksperymentalne autoimmunologiczne zapalenie naczyniówki i siatkówki wywolane immunizacja antygenem S.

Experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) was induced in Lewis rats by a single injection in foot pads of S-antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant. Clinically, during the 2 nd week after immunization, EAU starts by acute anterior, lately--posterior uveitis. Peptide S2, located in the N-terminal region of S-antigen, has a regulatory effect on EAU, while peptide M is a pathogenic site inducing EAU. Antibodies directed at peptide S2 were observed in rats not developing EAU while high levels of antibodies directed at S-antigen and peptide M were present in all rats.

[Hereditary macular degeneration in 3 generations]. / Zwyrodnienie dziedziczne plamki w trzech pokoleniach.

The family was described, where the vitelliruptive macular degeneration with various morphological picture was diagnosed in four persons (two males and two females) on the basis of ophthalmoscopic examination as well as fluorescein angiography. Morphologic variability of this dystrophy may lead to diagnostic difficulties, what previously caused unnecessary treatment of two examined men as cases of "central choroiditis".

Suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist.

S-antigen (S-Ag)-induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) was suppressed in Lewis and PVG rats by treatment beginning 4 days post immunization with prazosin, a specific alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist. A significant suppression of EAU was observed at clinical and histological levels in both treated groups compared to a severe EAU which developed in controls. Fluorescein angiography showed no leakage of dye from the optic disc of a treated PVG rat presenting no ocular inflammation by clinical examination. The treatment had no effect on the titer of anti-S-Ag antibodies. Perivascular infiltrates of T-lymphocytes and macrophages together with alterations of blood-retinal barrier permeability are early events in EAU. Prazosin, by acting on the vascular alpha 1-adrenoreceptors, inhibits vasospasm, preserves blood-retinal-barrier integrity and prevents vascular edema and early inflammatory cell infiltration observed in EAU.

[Retinal detachment of unknown etiology]. / Odwarstwienie siatkówki o nieustalonej etiologii.

Cases of retinal detachment of undetermined aetiology were analyzed on the material of the Ophthalmological Department in Wroclaw. Presented were the results of the surgical procedures taking into account the actual classification of the detachments. A positive anatomical result of the operation was achieved in 80 p.c. of patients, instead the improvement of the visual function was observed in only 56.5 p.c. of cases.