C-C chemokines in the vitreous of patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the presence of three C-C chemokines (monocyte chemotactic protein-1 [MCP-1], macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha [MIP-1alpha], and MIP-1beta) in vitreous samples from eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), or retinal detachment (RD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Vitreous samples were obtained and assayed by solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the chemokines MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-1beta in a prospective study of 43 consecutive patients. Eighteen samples from cadaveric control eyes were also assayed. RESULTS: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was detected in all samples. The vitreous of eyes with vitreoretinal disorders showed significantly higher levels than the vitreous of cadaveric control eyes (P < or = 0.05). Median level (5th-95th percentile) in the PVR cases (n = 20) was 890.18 pg/mL (286.04-1806.20); in RD (n = 8), 296.69 pg/mL (171.44-1310.02); and in PDR (n = 15), 434.60 pg/mL (124.56-1092.94). In the cadaveric control eyes (n = 18), median level was 83.97 pg/mL (26.09-208.38). Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and MIP-1beta were not detected in any samples. CONCLUSION: Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 might be involved in the recruitment of macrophages and monocytes into the vitreous of eyes with proliferative vitreoretinal disorders.

Choroidal vascular abnormality in Purtscher's retinopathy shown by indocyanine green angiography.

PURPOSE: To report choroidal vascular abnormality in unilateral Purtscher's retinopathy. METHODS: Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope were used to examine a 19-year-old man four days, three months, and five months after sustaining an injury in a car accident. RESULTS: Indocyanine green angiography showed an area of choroidal hypofluorescence that continued to be present up to five months after the accident. CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal vasculature may be affected in Purtscher's retinopathy. Disorder in the choroidal microcirculation could be an additional cause of the resulting poor vision observed in some patients with Purtscher's retinopathy.

Ocular blood flow velocity reduction after buckling surgery.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that scleral buckling reduces the blood flow velocity in retinal vessels. Blood flow changes may also appear in other ocular and extraocular vessels. This study describes the blood flow velocity changes in the ophthalmic artery (OA) after performing this procedure. METHODS: The study was carried out in 12 patients (12 eyes) with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak and average blood flow velocity in the OA. Measurements were taken 1 day before and 2 days after scleral buckling surgery was performed. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured prior to each ultrasound study. RESULTS: We found that statistically significant reductions in the peak flow velocity (33%) and average flow velocity (31%) occur in the OA after scleral buckling. All patients showed an increase in IOP after surgery. CONCLUSION: Buckling surgery reduces the blood flow velocity in the OA. Since the OA is the origin of the arterial branches that supply blood to the eye, our results suggest that scleral buckling may decrease not only retinal but also choroidal blood perfusion. Some extraocular structures might also be affected.

Impression cytology in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Impression cytology is a simple and painless procedure that allows the collection of the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. Each sample is assigned a grade of epithelial metaplasia, and goblet cell density is calculated in each one. We have studied the superior and temporal bulbar conjunctiva of dry eyes and have compared it with that of normal controls. In normal and dry eyes we find a statistically significant difference both in goblet cell density and grade of metaplasia, between superior and temporal bulbar conjunctiva. The differences in grade of metaplasia and goblet cell density between normal and dry eyes are significant in the superior conjunctiva, but in the temporal conjunctiva we only find significant differences in grade of metaplasia.

Two different genetic markers for high and low myopia.

In myopia patients, Rh and acid phosphatase were typed in two groups: group 1 consisted of 214 patients with low myopia (-6 D or less); group 2 of 124 patients with high myopia (more than -6 D). Statistical analysis of the markers showed a good Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for both groups. In the Rh system there was a significant difference between group 1 and the control population (p < 0.05), but not between group 2 and control (p > 0.1). In the case of ACP there was a significant difference between group 2 and the control population (p < 0.05), but not between group 1 and control (p > 0.25). We conclude that the observed association between myopia and Rh system (chromosome 1) involves low myopia, while the association between myopia and acid phosphatase (chromosome 2) involves high myopia. Further DNA research will lead to more specific results.

[Comparative study of efficacy of focal photocoagulation in diabetic macular edema according to the wave length used]. / Photocoagulation focale de l'oedème maculaire diabétique. Etude comparative de l'efficacité de diverses longueurs d'onde.

We have studied the efficacy of the different wavelengths in the treatment of focal macular edema of diabetic retinopathy. For this purpose, we evaluated the evolution of visual acuity and that of the eye fundus, six months after the treatment in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with blue-green argon laser, in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with monochromatic green argon laser and in 20 eyes of 20 patients treated with yellow dye laser. The best results were obtained in the group treated with yellow Dye laser after six months of follow-up (p less than or equal to 0.05). The efficacy on the reabsorption of exudates was similar for the three types of laser.