The session centered around three questions: What is the evidence that the pathophysiology of ocular hypertension is cell mediated, how do outflow cells deal with stress, and how does the aqueous humor enter Schlemm's canal? The discussion revealed several areas in which research could aid in our

These findings support the hypothesis that membranes are deranged in cataractous tissue, which should lead to altered levels of calcium.

Na,K-ATPase activity is significantly higher at the equatorial region of the epithelium compared with the anterior, even though the level of Na,K-ATPase protein is similar in the two regions. It is possible that nonuniform distribution of functional Na,K-ATPase activity contributes to the driving force for circulating solute movement through the lens fiber mass.

The effects of metformin on glycaemia, insulin and c-peptide levels, hepatic glucose production and insulin sensitivity (using the euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp) were evaluated at fortnightly intervals in 9 Type 2 diabetic patients using a stepwise dosing protocol: Stage 1--no metformin for four weeks; stage 2--metformin 500mg mane; stage 3--metformin 500mg thrice daily; stage 4--metformin 1000mg thrice daily. Results are expressed as Mean +/- SEM. Fasting blood glucose decreased from basal values (9.7 +/- 1.0 mmol/L) by 13% at stage 2, 34% at stage 3 and 41% at stage 4 (p less than 0.02 vs basal for all stages; p less than 0.02 stage 2 vs stage 3). Post-prandial glycaemia was significantly improved only with metformin 3000mg/day (p less than 0.05). Fasting, meal-stimulated and total insulin and c-peptide levels showed no change. Hepatic glucose output did not change significantly with metformin. Insulin sensitivity, measured as total glucose utilisation during hyperinsulinaemia, increased from stage 1 (10.3 +/- 2.1 mumoL/kg/min) by 23% at stage 3 (p less than 0.05) and by 29% at stage 4 (p less than 0.02). Basal metabolic clearance of glucose increased compared to stage 1 (1.69 +/- 0.16 mL/kg/min) by 30% at stage 2, 53% at stage 3 and 44% at stage 4 (all p less than 0.02). This study demonstrates that improved efficiency of glucose utilisation, both basally and under conditions of euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemia, is the basis of metformin's antihyperglycaemic action.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured in rabbit cornea and iris-ciliary body to quantitate the infiltration and accumulation of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN's) following an inflammatory stimulus. Following injection of clove oil into the cornea, MPO activity could be detected in the cornea at 6 hr, reaching a maximum at 12 hr, and falling to non-detectable levels at 72 hr. MPO activity was only detected in the iris-ciliary body 24 hr after intracorneal clove oil injection. MPO activity in the iris-ciliary body increased in a dose-dependent manner following intravitreal injection of endotoxin. No MPO activity could be detected in cornea. Topical administration of dexamethasone inhibited MPO activity in cornea and iris-ciliary body 24 hr after intracorneal clove oil and intravitreal endotoxin injection, respectively. Measurement of MPO activity in ocular tissues could provide a useful tool to quantitatively evaluate the severity and time course of inflammation.

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