摘要:

To increase the moisture level around the eyes, small, wet, acute, triangular sponges, from which water steadily evaporates, were attached to special side panels of modified eyeglasses. The moisture level in the region between the cornea and the spectacle lens was measured in 10 patients with moderately severe dry eyes and in 10 normal controls, by a miniature moisture sensor under ambient conditions of 22.3°C and 29.8% humidity. The humidity was 32.0 ± 4.2% with spectacles, frame only (no lenses); 32.3 ± 6.0% with spectacles; 37.9 ± 5.1% with spectacles equipped with side panels, and 42.7 ± 5.7% with side panel moist inserts attached for dry eye patients. Humidity was the highest with moist inserts added to the spectacles of the control group, with or without moderate wind. All dry eye patients noticed symptomatic relief with the inserts, and the rose bengal score and fluorescein staining improved after 2 weeks of their use. Our findings indicate that the combination of side panels and periodically moistened sponge inserts offer a simple and noninvasive approach to increasing the humidity surrounding the eyes, thus decreasing the tear evaporation from the ocular surface and providing amelioration of frequently debilitating symptoms of dry eye.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We analyzed patients with dry eye syndrome with regard to autoimmune conditions. A total of 116 patients with dry eye syndrome were divided into three groups: simple dry eye (SDE), i.e., dry eye with no circulating autoantibodies; autoimmune positive dry eye (ADE), dry eye with circulating autoantibodies; and Sjogren's syndrome (SS), dry eye associated with Sjogren's syndrome. Schirmer test showed values of 3.0 ± 2.2 mm in SDE, 3.1 ± 2.0 mm in ADE, and 2.4 ± 2.3 mm in SS reflecting the inadequacy of this test in differentiating among the groups. However, Schirmer test with nasal stimulation showed values of 19.1 ± 12.4 mm in SDE and 16.4 ± 10.9 mm in ADE, which were significantly higher than the 7.0 ± 6.6 mm found in SS (p < 0.01). Moreover, ocular surface alterations evaluated by vital staining and brush cytology were significantly milder in SDE and ADE than in SS. SDE and ADE have less ocular surface abnormalities with good reflex tearing, whereas SS has less reflex tearing and more squamous metaplasia.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Tear fluid plasmin activities were measured by a fluorometric assay based on a lyophilized kit with the 7-amido-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin derivate of the tripeptidyl H-D-Val-Leu-Lys as substrate. The rapid, sensitive method can detect proteolytic activity in small volume tear fluid samples. Plasmin activity levels (IU/L) measured from the samples were corrected with tear fluid flows (µl/min), yielding a parameter called plasmin flux (µIU/min). Correction is important when patients show tearing due to irritation. Tear fluid samples were collected from 32 asymptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers and 27 controls. Plasmin activity values (2.7 ± 0.3 IU/L) of CL wearers were higher (p < 0006) than those of the controls (1.6-0.1). Mean plasmin flow was 12.6 ± 1.5 µl/min for CL wearers and higher for controls (6.8 ± 0.5 µl/min). The difference was not significant (p=0.063). Plasmin flux values of CL wearers (30.0 ± 4.1 µIU/min) were conspicuously higher than those of controls (10.2 ± 0.7 (µIU/min, p < 0.00006). We conclude that elevated tear fluid proteolytic activity may be related to pathological changes associated with CL wear.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Eleven patients with severe corneal disease have been operated with a collarbutton-shaped keratoprosthesis and have been followed for 9-36 months. Two of the devices have been removed, but the remainder are securely in place. Six of the patients have benefitted substantially in terms of improved vision. The complications have been reviewed, and some factors for success have been identified. Thus, to keep the keratoprosthesis temporarily buried beneath tissue (conjunctiva or skin), application of collagenase-suppressing medication and reduction of evaporative damage to the wound around the device seem particularly important.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The formation of a pterygium is modelled using a population balance model of corneal and limbal epithelial production. Scattered light incident at the temporal limbus is focused at the nasal limbus with a peak intensity ≥20 times. We hypothesize that this causes a focal alteration of corneal epithelial stem cells (which play a role in maintaining a barrier between corneal and conjunctival epithelia). Normative rabbit corneal data were used. Lightinduced conjunctival epithelial proliferation was implemented by amplifying normal epithelial cell production along a nasal sector of the limbal circumference. A tenfold normal peak in stimulation was assumed at the nasal zero azimuth (3 o'clock position in the right eye) with a quadratic attenuation to zero stimulation (normal) at the circumferential limits. Adjacent points on the outer limbus were assumed to be independent generators of epithelial cells that migrated in centripetal streams into the cornea. Normalization of the attrition rate for a net surface accumulation of the proliferating cells was embedded into the computational algorithm. The localized conjunctival mass was allowed to travel the predicted distance along the surface before the final shape was computed. The result shows a wing-shaped mass with a curved leading edge (corneal side). It is proposed that the initial biologic event in pterygium pathogenesis is an alteration of limbal stem cells due to chronic ultraviolet light exposure. The concomitant breakdown of the limbal barrier and subsequent conjunctivalization of the cornea explain the shape and formation of a primary pterygium.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We studied the recovery of corneal sensitivity and corneal regeneration after excimer laser and manual epithelial debridement. The corneal epithelia of right eyes of New Zealand white rabbits (n=21) were manually debrided and the corneal epithelia of the left eyes were ablated with the excimer laser (47 mm depth, 5 Hz, and 160 mJ/cm2). The relative density of innervation on the intraepithelial layer was measured using gold chloride staining and light microscopy. Wound healing and corneal sensitivity also were observed. Laser-ablated corneal sensitivity increased rapidly to a normal level by day 5, then increased gradually and reached a maximum at day 42. It remained elevated until 126 days, then returned to normal at 210 days. There were significant differences in the recovery of sensitivity after excimer ablation and manual epithelial removal. At day 35, relative density of innervation in the intraepithelial layer treated with excimer laser ablation was significantly higher than that treated with manual debridement. We observed a correlation between increased sensitivity and increased nerve density after excimer ablation. Compared with manual debridement, laser treatment resulted in an increase in networks of axons with terminal endings. This may not be the only factor correlating directly with hypersensitivity after corneal debridement, but it may indicate a quicker recovery route by using a presurgical manual debridement technique.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Corneal graft survival in 13 patients (14 eyes) receiving oral acyclovir after penetrating keratoplasty for herpes simplex keratitis was compared with that in nine patients (nine eyes) who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for herpes simplex keratitis without postoperative acyclovir. Mean age, duration of disease, and time of follow-up did not differ in the two groups. There were no recurrences of herpes simplex keratitis in any patient receiving acyclovir during a mean follow-up of 16.5 months compared with a 44% (four of nine) recurrence rate in patients without acyclovir during a mean follow-up of 20.6 months (p < 0.01). Graft failure occurred in 14% (2 of 14) of acyclovir treatment eyes compared with 56% (five of nine) without acyclovir. Long-term prophylactic oral acyclovir significantly decreased the recurrence of herpes simplex keratitis and reduced corneal graft failure in patients who had a history of recurrent herpes simplex keratitis and who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Cecropins are antimicrobial peptides (30–35 amino acids) isolated from the hemolymph of the cecropia moth. Previous studies have demonstrated their antimicrobial efficacy against a variety of pathogens, including both grampositive and -negative bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and enveloped viruses. To assess their therapeutic potential against ocular pathogens, we analyzed the in vitro antimicrobial activity of a synthetic cecropin analog, Shiva- 11, against virulent microbial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus auretis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, andCandida albicans). Bacterial isolates were obtained from human cases of severe ulcerative keratitis. Shiva-11 was tested at varying concentrations in bacterial suspensions containing 1-2 × 106CFU/ml at 37°C. Samples were plated on nutrient agar and colonies counted after 24–48 h of incubation. Shiva-11 yielded >3 log killing of all isolates after 60 min of exposure to this compound. The results of this study indicate that Shiva-11 possesses broad-spectrum in vitro antimicrobial activity against human clinical ocular pathogens.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We examined the effect of the growth factors, human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) and insulin, on corneal metabolism during storage in Optisol, a chondroitin–sulfate-(CS)-based storage medium. Paired cat corneas, in either Optisol only or Optisol with growth factor(s), were analyzed using ex vivo31P nuclear magnetic resonance, after storage for 1 week at 4°C. Lysosomal enzyme release into the media at the end of the storage period also was measured fluorometrically. Both epithelial-intact and epithelial-denuded corneal pairs were examined for all conditions. Considering corneas having either intact epithelia or epithelium-denuded corneas, the addition of either growth factor alone to Optisol did not alter the relative corneal concentrations of five of the six phosphatic metabolite spectral bands measured or two metabolic ratios calculated from these bands. Phosphodiesters, however, were significantly lower in corneas stored in Optisol containing both hEGF and insulin (23%) than in corneas stored in Optisol alone (30%). Intracorneal pH was unaffected by the addition of growth factors). A significantly higher release of α-glucosidase and α-mannosidase was noted in those corneas stored in Optisol containing both hEGF and insulin. Optisol maintains high-energy phosphate corneal metabolism similar to other CS-based media, K-Sol and Chondroitin Sulfate Corneal Storage Medium (CSM). The addition of the growth factors hEGF and insulin to Optisol alters corneal metabolic activity during storage in a manner indicative of conserving corneal phospholipids.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Goblet cell impressions free from epithelial cells could be collected more consistently from the rabbit conjunctiva by creating a space between the applied cellulose acetate filter and the tissue surface. Successive impressions taken over the same region of the conjunctiva could not be matched. When tight control of the area being sampled was established, the impressions left by cells on successive filters varied widely in intensity.

ISSN:0277-3740    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID