Iridoschisis is a rare condition that consists of the separation of the anterior mesodermic layer of the iris. In more than two-thirds of cases it is associated with glaucoma. We report the case of an 80-year-old patient who had bilateral iridoschisis and presented with acute angle-closure glaucoma. The patient was free from a history of ocular trauma or of heritable ocular disease. Chronic open-angle glaucoma, as well as intermittent angle-closure glaucoma, should be excluded in all patients with iridoschisis, and regular follow-up should be established upon diagnosis of the entity.

BackgroundTo investigate the controlling efficacy of ondasetron and haloperidol in regard to the postcardiotomy delirium.MethodsWe included in this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study 80 patients who developed delirium after heart surgery with the application of heart lung-machine. The patients were divided into two, equally-sized groups, which on detection of delirium received ondasetron 8 mg iv or haloperidol 5 mg iv respectively. The statistical analysis compared the baseline and demographic characteristics of the two groups (age, gender, comorbidities, years of education, type of surgery etc.).ResultsBoth ondasetron and haloperidol had very good delirium controlling effects, without statistically significant differences.Discussion-ConclusionsOndasetron and haloperidol are efficient agents as far as the treatment of postcardiotomy delirium is concerned. As, in addition, ondasetron bares milder side-effects, we believe this could be the agent of choice in patients developing postcardiotomy delirium in the future.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate whether EphrinB2 (EfnB2) or EphB4 influence retinal angiogenesis under physiological or pathological conditions. Methods: Using the mouse model of oxygen-induced proliferative retinopathy (OIR), the expression of EfnB2, EphB4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 was quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and localized in EfnB2-and EphB4-lacZ mice. Angioproliferative retinopathy was manipulated by intravitreal injection of dimeric EfnB2 and monomeric or dimeric EphB4. Results: Dimeric EphB4 (EphB4-Fc) and EfnB2 (EfnB2-Fc) enhanced hypoxia-induced angioproliferative retinopathy but not physiological angiogenesis. Monomeric EphB4 (sEphB4) reduced angiogenesis. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level of EfnB2 increased significantly in the hyperoxic phase (P7-P12), while EphB4, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 showed a significant -up to fivefold -increased expression at P14, the start of morphologically visible vasoproliferation caused by relative hypoxia. Conclusion: The ephrin ⁄ Eph system is involved in angioproliferative retinopathy. Stimulation of EphB4 and EfnB2 signalling using EfnB2-Fc and EphB4-Fc, respectively, enhanced hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. In contrast, sEphB4 inhibited hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. Therefore, angiogenesis is enhanced by signalling through both EphB4 (forward) and EfnB2 (reverse). The distinction in the expression kinetics of EphB4 and EfnB2 indicates that they govern two different signalling pathways and are regulated in diverse ways. sEphB4 might be a useful drug for antiangiogenic therapy.

Aim:To present, through a thorough literature research, current and older scientific efforts to investigate the putative association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and glaucoma, especially primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods:We included in our review article epidemiological, experimental and clinical laboratory studies.Results:While many authors support the existence of a strong correlation between the AD and POAG, based on epidemiological, genetic and immunohistochemical data, others present contradictory results, leaving the issue unresolved.Conclusion:Further research, probably targeted towards genetic parameters and based on large, multicenter studies has yet to be conducted. It is the authors’ opinion however, that the existing data already justify the need for at least some degree of elevated clinical alertness for the occurrence of AD in patients with glaucoma and of glaucoma in patients with AD.

Glaucoma, the most common form of which is primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), is a neurodegenerative disease which is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. Among the factors that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of this disease is infection with Helicobacter pylori. This alleged association has caused a great deal of scientific discussion during the past decade, as the establishment of such a correlation might lead to therapeutic applications for all glaucoma patients. In this review, we assess all relevant major studies and trials in an effort to elucidate the issue.