Purpose. To compare the loss of corneal endothelial cells after phacoemulsification according to different anterior chamber depths (ACDs). Methods. We conducted a prospective study on 135 eyes with senile cataracts. Eyes with nuclear density grades of 2 to 4 were divided into three groups according to ACD: ACD I, 1.5 < ACD ≤ 2.5 mm; ACD II, 2.5 < ACD ≤ 3.5 mm; or ACD III, 3.5 < ACD ≤ 4.5 mm. Intraoperative mean cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) was measured. Clinical examinations included central corneal thickness (CCT) and endothelial cell count (ECC) preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Results. There were no significant differences in CDE among the ACD groups (P > 0.05). Endothelial cell loss was significantly higher in ACD I than in ACD III in grades 3 and 4 cataract density groups 2 months after phacoemulsification (P < 0.05). There were also more changes in CCT in all of the cataract density groups in the ACD I group compared to the ACD II and III groups 2 months postoperatively, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions. Eyes with shallow ACDs, especially those with relatively hard cataract densities, can be vulnerable to more corneal endothelial cell loss in phacoemulsification surgery.

AGV implantation with adjuvant bevacizumab was more effective and had a higher success rate than surgery alone for lowering IOP in patients with NVG. The combined procedure tended to show a lower incidence of bleeding-associated complications, such as hyphema.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the Disc Damage Likelihood Scale (DDLS), visual field and various optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters for glaucoma diagnosis. Methods: The study comprised 149 eyes from 149 patients. The patients were categorized as normal, glaucoma suspect or with glaucoma. They were clinically examined and graded according to the DDLS system. OCT was performed to acquire both a retinal nerve fibre layer analysis and an optic nerve head analysis. The relationships between DDLS score, visual field and OCT parameters were analysed using multiple correlation analysis. Results: The normal, glaucoma suspect and glaucoma groups had average DDLS scores of 1.58 ± 1.40, 2.55 ± 1.93 and 5.33 ± 1.39, respectively. Evaluating the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, the DDLS had the best predictive power (0.917), followed by corrected pattern standard deviation. Conclusion: The DDLS is a useful parameter in the diagnosis of glaucoma and it showed a close correlation with visual field, cup/disc ratio and OCT parameters.

PurposeTo investigate the causes and characteristics of glaucoma in children following cataract surgery.MethodsTwenty-four patients (37 eyes) with uncomplicated congenital cataracts who developed glaucoma after cataract surgery were studied retrospectively. Variables included cataract morphology, surgical techniques, post-operative complications, time to the onset of glaucoma, gonioscopic findings, presence of microcornea and the histopathologic characteristics of the filtration angle (in one case).ResultsThere was a bimodal onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery. Early-onset glaucoma occurred at a mean age of 6 months in 15 eyes and delayed-onset glaucoma at a mean age of 12 years in 22 eyes. Early-onset glaucoma was significantly (p=0.018) more likely to be due to angle closure than delayed-onset glaucoma. With delayed-onset glaucoma, the filtration angle was open in 86% of eyes and significantly (p=0.006) more eyes in the delayed-onset group had microcornea. Medical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure in the delayed-onset group while the early-onset group required surgical treatment (P<0.001).ConclusionsThe onset of glaucoma after cataract surgery during infancy follows a bimodal pattern that is correlated with the configuration of the filtration angle. The early-onset glaucoma group had high incidence of angle closure requiring surgical treatment, while in the delayed-onset group non-surgical treatment was sufficient to control intraocular pressure. Prophylactic iridectomy in eyes at risk for pupillary block is recommended. Eyes with delayed-onset glaucoma have open filtration angles yet also have findings of incomplete development of filtration structures. Microcornea is a risk factor for delayed-onset glaucoma.

To evaluate the effects of early surgical intervention in infantile exotropia on the motor and sensory functions, we reviewed the records of 17 subjects diagnosed with exotropia before the age of 12 months, receiving surgery before the age of 24 months, with a follow-up period greater than one year, between 1996 and 2000. Of the 17 subjects (6 intermittent, 11 constant), 14 (82%) (6 intermittent, 8 constant) had a final horizontal deviation of <10 PD, with 3 (18%) needing a re-operation. Fusion and gross binocularity were developed in 7 (4 intermittent, 3 constant), and 11 (6 intermittent, 5 constant) subjects, respectively. Seven subjects developed stereopsis of 200 seconds or better, and 5 of the 6 with intermittent exotropia (83%) being involved. In conclusion, over 80% of the successful alignments were obtained with surgery before the age of 24 months in infantile exotropia, which was similar to previous studies. Furthermore, early surgical intervention, particularly in the intermittent phase, resulted in more effective sensory function.

Baicalin is a flavonoid derived from the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis. In this study, oxygen-induced retinopathy was used to characterize the anti-angiogenic properties of baicalin in mice. Pups were exposed to a hyperbaric oxygen environment to induce retinal angiogenesis and were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of baicalin. Avascular area, neovascular tufts, and neovascular lumens were quantified from digital images. Compared to the vehicle, baicalin clearly reduced the central avascular zone and the number of neovascular tufts and lumens. High-dose baicalin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, angiotensin II, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These results show that baicalin is a powerful antiangiogenic compound that attenuates new vessel formation in the retina after systemic administration, and is a candidate substance for therapeutic inhibition of retinal angiogenesis. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(5): 271-276]

Although most patients acknowledged that they received sufficient information to give consent, few could objectively recall the information given to them. This study thus raises some doubts on the validity and quality of written informed consent, and highlights the importance of giving clear information to patients undergoing glaucoma surgery.

Sulodexide is a mixed glycosaminoglycan composed of heparin and dermatan sulfate. In this study, the anti-angiogenic effect of sulodexide was investigated using an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. The retinas of sham-injected OIR mice (P17) had a distinctive central area of nonperfusion, and this area was significantly decreased in sulodexide-injected mice. The number of neovascular tufts measured by SWIFT_NV and mean neovascular lumen number were significantly decreased in sulodexide-injected mice. Hyperbaric oxygen exposure resulted in increased levels of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9, and when mice were treated with sulodexide, a dose-dependent reduction in VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels was observed. Our results clearly demonstrate the anti-angiogenic effect of sulodexide and highlight sulodexide as a candidate supplementary substance to be used for the treatment of ocular pathologies that involve neovascularization. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(11): 637-642]