bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal Microcirculation as Revealed by SEM Corrosion Casts in the Rat
Authors: Pannarale L. , Onori P. , Ripani M. , Gaudio E. 
Published: April 2018

The morphology of the retinal microcirculation has been extensively studied by different techniques. Nevertheless, some problems concerning the capillary bed lamination and pre- and postcapillary patterns have not yet been clarified. In the present study the SEM corrosion cast technique was employed to study the three-dimensional relationships of rat retinal vessels and to follow the smallest vascular branches. Rat retina is considered a useful experimental model for a number of pathologies which affect the microvascular bed deeply. Two precapillary patterns have been observed. Precapillary arterioles gave rise to capillaries both as terminal branches or as collaterals. The former pattern of ramification allows only a regulation of flow in a whole group of capillaries downstream, the latter pattern could provide a finer regulation of blood flow. SEM corrosion casts have shown very well the lamination of the capillary bed: one can easily realize this by seeing the overlapped meshes of the two different planes, vessels in between the two capillary laminae can always be followed from one meshwork to the other. This three-dimensional organization is an interesting model for retinal circulation because it shows many features in common with the retina of humans and primates
Surgical Management of Exudative Maculopathies: Preliminary Report
Authors: Krasnov M.M. , Stolyarenko G.E. 
Published: April 2018

A new surgical approach to the management of exudative maculopathies has been developed including the transvitreal route. As a result of surgery the subretinal spaces are drained and their viscous content removed. A special tool was designed for this operation. The method has been clinically tested on 32 patients (32 eyes) with different forms of age-related macular degeneration in the phase of complicated pigment epithelium detachment and on six patients (six eyes) with myopic exudative maculopathy. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 32 months. No fluid reappeared in the macular zone in patients with age-related macular degeneration, except one; visual function improved in 26 out of 32 cases (81.3%). Similar results were obtained in all six patients with myopic exudative maculopathy.
Local Excision of Retinal Metastasis from Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Balestrazzi E. , Blasi M.A. , Marullo M. , Greco I.M. , Spadea L. 
Published: April 2018

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is constantly rising. Ocular involvement is rare and the choroid is the most accessible structure to metastatic emboli. The case described is noteworthy on account of several particular features: 1) the missed diagnosis of the primary malignancy. This might be because either cutaneous melanoma or cutaneous nevi show several common features; 2) the rarity of the retinal metastatic site. Unlike the choroid, the retina is an unusual metastatic site but, regardless of organ blood flow, the metastatic efficiency may be related to interactions between tumour cells and host tissue; 3) the treatment of the retinal metastasis, excised conservatively. As far as we know, this is the first report of a retinal metastasis being treated by local resection.
Oculoplastic Surgery with a Contact Nd:YAG Laser Silica Scalpel. A Case Report
Authors: Fankhauser F. , Piffaretti J.-M. , Henchoz P.-D. , England C. , Kwasniewska S. , Van Der Zypen E. 
Published: April 2018

Baso-cellular carcinomas involving the medial canthal regions of both eyes were resected using a 10 W cw-Nd: YAG laser scalpel. The wound bed was repaired one side by a free, split-thickness graft and on the other by a frontal pedicle flap. Surgery was, for the most part, virtually bloodless. Since laser radiation immediately seals both capillaries and lymphatics, the incidence of postoperative hemorrhage and edema was significantly less than after cold scalpel surgery. Healing was uneventful. The advantages of laser-assisted surgery are worthy of consideration: not only is the operation time markedly curtailed, but the wound healing response is excellent, with only a minimal inflammatory reaction.
A Cross-Over Trial Comparing Once Daily Levobunolol with Once and twice Daily Timolol
Authors: Akafo S.K. , Thompson J.R. , Rosenthal A.R. 
Published: April 2018

The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of once-daily levobunolol 0.5% was compared with timolol 0.5% twice-daily and timolol 0.5% once-daily in 20 chronic open angle glaucoma and 5 ocular hypertensive patients. The design used was a randomised double blind cross-over trial with three periods each of 8 weeks separated by 2 weeks of no treatment. We found that following levobunolol a two week washout was not sufficient for the IOP to return to its original baseline level suggesting that levobunolol is a longer acting drug than timolol. Adjusting for this carryover effect, we found no significant difference in the IOP lowering effect among the three regimes (p=0.53). Reduced cost, less ocular discomfort and better compliance are the main potential advantages of the once daily treatments.
Copper Intraocular Foreign Body: Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Billi B. , Lesnoni G. , Scassa C. , Giuliano M.A. , Coppè A.M. , Rossi T. 
Published: April 2018

Copper intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) are relatively common after penetrating eye injuries. Ocular signs and symptoms vary greatly in relation to the copper content, ranging from chronic uveitis and severe visual loss for IOFB containing more than 85% copper, to local copper deposits with no severe ocular damage for less toxic alloys. Reported here is the case of a ten-year-old boy who suffered from recurrent chronic uveitis five months after a perforating eye injury due to copper wire. Diagnostic ultrasound and computerized tomography revealed an IOFB within the lens and X-ray spectrometry (DXS) indicated the nature of the IOFB as copper, and accurately measured the dissolution of the metal. The patient underwent cataract extraction and standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy with gas-fluid exchange. Twelve months after surgery the retina was flat and visual acuity had risen to 20/60. Undiluted vitreous samples obtained in the course of the intervention, studied by immunohistochemical techniques, showed an inflammatory reaction with a prevalence of PMN-N and CD3 T-lymphocytes. DXS thus appears to be a new and reliable diagnostic tool for the early detection and management of copper and other toxic metal IOFB.
Patterns of Corneal Topography after Penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Ibrahim O. , Bogan S. , Waring G.O. 
Published: April 2018

Background The topography of corneas after penetrating keratoplasty is highly variable. We classify the topography into five groups. Methods We performed videokeratography on 45 clear compact penetrating keratoplasties, with all sutures removed. Three ophthalmologists classified the keratographs independently into five previously defined topographic groups, based on the pattern of the normalized color-coded videokeratograph. Results The five topographic patterns included: prolate bow tie, 14 (30%); oblate bow tie, 14 (30%); mixed prolate and oblate bow tie, 8 (17%); asymmetric, 3 (9%); and steep/flat, 6 (14%). The three ophthalmologists agreed in their initial classification in 87% of the cases and after discussion, in 96%. Conclusion The topography of the cornea after penetrating keratoplasty can be classified into five qualitative groups by trained observers, with good clinical reliability.
Treatment of Inferior Oblique Muscle Overaction with Myectomy Or with Anterior Transposition
Authors: Chimonidou E. , Chatzistefanou K. , Theodossiadis G. 
Published: April 2018

This paper presents a comparative study of the effectiveness of myectomy and anterior transposition in the treatment of inferior oblique muscle overaction. We operated 160 patients with overaction of the inferior oblique muscle. Eighty patients (148 eyes) were operated by myectomy at the insertion and 80 patients (151 eyes) by anterior transposition of the insertion of the inferior oblique near the temporal side of the insertion of the inferior rectus muscle. Comparison of the two methods, using the chi-squared test, showed that: 1) both surgical procedures were equally effective (χ2=0.26) for correcting overaction of the inferior oblique muscle and V-phenomenon; 2) weakening of the inferior oblique muscle of both eyes was almost always required (in 115 out of 116 cases) in cases with V-phenomenon and often (24 out of 44 cases) in cases of congenital paresis of the superior oblique muscle. We conclude that both procedures are equally effective and equally easy to perform.
Indocyanine Green Angiography (Icga) in Pathological Myopia
Authors: Brancato R. , Trabucchi G. , Introini U. , Avanza P. , Pece A. 
Published: April 2018

One hundred and fifty patients (300 eyes), mean age 49±15 years, with degenerative myopia underwent fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Fluorescence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) on ICGA was less evident than with fluorescein angiography (FA). FA revealed CNV in 98 eyes; ICGA showed CNV with different angiographic patterns in 82 eyes. ICGA permitted CNV diagnosis when retinal hemorrhages were present. ICGA allowed a more precise evaluation of lacquer cracks which appeared more numerous than the ones identified by FA. ICGA visualized the retrobulbar vasculature. This study shows that ICGA has a useful role for diagnosing and managing pathological myopia.
The Dacron Felt Colonizable Keratoprosthesis: After 15 Years
Authors: Pintucci S. , Pintucci F. , Caiazza S. , Cecconi M. 
Published: April 2018

Keratoprostheses (KP) are made of an optical cylinder integrated with a supporting element which governs their biocompatibility. The Pintucci KP with a Dacron tissue three-dimensionally colonizable support was designed in 1979 and has since been improved in order to reduce the complications associated with the use of KP. The biological background (in vivo and in vitro), electron microscopy observations and the surgical technique will be discussed. Sixty-three patients were operated from 1979 with different surgical techniques and Dacron tissues. Twenty transoral mucous KP were implanted with our most recent technique in severely vascularized corneas from 1985 to 1991, with a follow-up ranging from 48 to 85 months. The favorable results may be indicative of their better reliability.
Effects and Side Effects of Mydriatic Eyedrops in Neonates
Authors: Öğüt M.S. , Bozkurt N. , Özek E. , Bírgen H. , Kazokoğlú H. , Öğüt M. 
Published: April 2018

The pupils of neonates and premature infants often need to be dilated for retinal examination. The drops used for this purpose have some known side effects. This study investigated the effects and side effects of these drops. In this prospective randomized study, 80 healthy neonates were randomly assigned to eight groups. In Group A 1% cyclopentolate was used; in Group B 1% tropicamide; in Group C 2.5% phenylephrine; in Group D 1% cyclopentolate and 1% tropicamide; in Group E 2.5% phenylephrine and 1% tropicamide; in Group F 0.5% cyclopentolate, 0.5% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine; in Group G 1% cyclopentolate and 2.5% phenylephrine and in Group H 0.9% NaCl. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded before, and 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes after instillation of the drops. Pupillary size was measured at baseline, 30 and 60 minutes. To stimulate the conditions of indirect ophthalmoscopic examination, the pupil sizes were measured under the intense beam of a halogen light. The results were analyzed statistically. Maximum side effects were seen in group C; the safest was group B and maximum mydriasis was achieved in group F.
Endothelial Morphological and Functional Evaluation after Cataract Surgery
Authors: Díaz-Valle D. , Del Castillo Sanchez J.M. Benítez , Toledano N. , Castillo A. , Pérez-Torregrosa V. , García-Sanchez J. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose To assess endothelial barrier function, morphological appearance and corneal thickness three months after cataract surgery in order to evaluate intraoperative endothelial damage. Methods Endothelial permeability was examined by fluorophotometry, and contact specular microscopy and corneal pachymetry measurements were made in 40 patients (40 eyes) with senile, non-complicated cataracts one month before and three months after cataract surgery. Twenty eyes underwent uneventful phacoemulsification (Group 1) and 20 uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with continous curvilinear capsulotomy (Group 2). Results were analyzed using the two-tailed Student's t test, analysis of variance, and multifactorial and regression analysis. Results There was a significant postoperative increase in endothelial permeability in both groups (p<0.001), but no real differences between the postoperative values (p=0.07). Mean cell loss was 15.2% in ECCE and 18.3% in phacoemulsification (p=0.4). There was a significant linear correlation between ultrasound time, cell loss and functional damage. Postoperative pachymetric measurements were not significant. Conclusions Endothelial response showed no differences between the surgical techniques. Endothelial barrier function remained disturbed in spite of the apparent morphological stabilization. Corneal pachymetry is not useful for assessing postoperative endothelial changes.
Reduction of Retinal Exudates in Diabetic Retinopathy after Heparin-Induced Extracorporal Ldl-Precipitation (Help). A Case Report
Authors: Janknecht P. , Schumann M. , Hansen L.L. 
Published: April 2018

Introduction Exudative diabetic retinopathy is difficult to treat. We describe a patient in whom we believe extracorporeal LDL-precipitation (HELP) improved visual acuity. Methods HELP is a variant of extracorporeal dialysis which reduces low-density lipoprotein and fibrinogen levels. Case report. A heavily overweight patient with massive exudative diabetic retinopathy was administered HELP. Four months after starting HELP, and after vitrectomy and panretinal photocoagulation, the massive exudation was drastically lower. Visual acuity improved from 0.03 (0.02) OD (OS) to 0.25 (0.13) OD (OS). Discussion The role of vitrectomy and panretinal photocoagulation is discussed. HELP seems to be the most probable explanation for our patient's gain in visual acuity.
Intraocular Lens Implantation in Myopic Eyes
Authors: Malukiewicz-Wiśniewska G. , Kalużny J. , Lesiewska-Junk H. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To assess the results of posterior chamber lens implantation in myopic eyes with cataract. Methods. Retrospective study of postoperative results ranging from 4 to 89 months (mean 35 months) in 54 myopic patients (62 eyes with axial length of 26 mm or more) who had undergone PC IOL implantation in the Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Academy of Bydgoszcz, Poland. Outcome measure. Best corrected distance and near visual acuity, operative complications, early and late postoperative complications. Results. in 95% of patients with eye length 26–28 mm visual acuity of 0.5 or more was achieved. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent was -0.8 D. Posterior capsule opacification which required Nd:YAG capsulotomy developed in 19% of eyes, on average after one year of follow-up. No complications such as retinal detachment, glaucoma or corneal dystrophy were observed. Conclusions. PC IOL implantation in myopic eyes with cataract appears to be an efficacious, satisfactory and safe procedure.
Stato-Kinetic Dissociation in Subjects with Normal and Abnormal Visual Fields
Authors: Gandolfo E. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. The aim of the study was to assess the presence and the importance of stato-kinetic dissociation (SKD) in subjects with normal and pathological visual fields (VF). Methods. A “customized” perimetric test designed for the assessment of SKD was carried out in seven homogeneous samples of subjects (normal, glaucomatous, ocular hypertensive, retinopathic, cataract, anterior visual pathways neuropathic and posterior visual pathways neuropathic). The results were statistically compared (Anova). Results and Conclusions. SKD is a physiological phenomenon, more evident in the central, paracentral and superior VF, influenced by age and partially by sex. SKD increases in the VF periphery when a posterior visual pathway disorder or retinopathy is present, and decreases in the centro-paracentral VF of glaucomatous and ocular hypertensive eyes. This SKD behaviour should be useful for early diagnosis of glaucoma.
Vitrectomy for Ocular Trauma: A Question of Timing?
Authors: Dalma-Weiszhausz J. , Quiroz-Mercado H. , Morales-Canton V. , Oliver-Fernandez K. , De Anda-Turati M. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. A long-standing controversy exists regarding the proper timing for vitrectomy in a traumatized eye. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of timing on the final visual acuity. Materials and methods. A retrospective review was made of 45 consecutive patients who underwent a pars plana vitrectomy procedure for repair of ocular trauma. The patients were divided into two groups according to the timing of the surgery post-trauma: those operated before or after 14 days. Type of trauma and pre- and postoperative visual acuities were compared. Results. A contusion type of trauma was more frequent in the late surgery group. Sharp, penetrating injuries were more common in the early vitrectomy group. No significant difference was found though visual acuity was worse in the patients with a contusion component to their injury. Timing of surgery seems to have very little effect on the final outcome. Conclusions. Final visual acuity is determined by the type and extent of trauma rather than the timing of surgery.
A Clinical Study of the Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant
Authors: Ashworth J.L. , Rhatigan M. , Brammar R. , Sunderland S. , Leatherbarrow B. 
Published: April 2018

The hydroxyapatite orbital implant has been used in the anophthalmia patient to give good motility of the artificial eye and a cosmetic result which matches that of the natural eye. It is thought to reduce the unacceptable complication rate that has been associated with other implants, as its buried, vascularized state deters extrusion and migration of the implant. Eighty consecutive patients were followed, 33 of whom had been referred for primary enucleation or evisceration, and 47 for secondary implant surgery. Thirteen of the secondary patients already had implants in situ. There were 44 males and 36 females in the study. The age range was 2.5 to 72 years with a mean of 36 years. The follow-up time was 2 to 30 months with a mean of 15 months. Twenty patients had been pegged at the time of review. A standardised operative and post-operative protocol was followed. The patients were assessed for the results of the motility of the artificial eye for both smooth pursuit and saccades, and for the cosmetic result. The amount of upper lid sulcus deformity was assessed to give an indication of volume replacement by the implant. The nature of any complications was noted as well as any further surgical procedures undertaken. The results show the hydroxyapatite orbital implant to give good cosmetic results with good motility of the artificial eye and to be associated with a low rate of complications. Drilling of the implant is simple to perform and also not associated with any significant complications. The hydroxyapatite orbital implant can be used successfully not only as a primary but also as a secondary or exchange implant with very few contraindications.
Ophthalmological Aspects in Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation: Sjögren-Like Syndrome in Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Authors: Mencucci R. , Ferrini C. Rossi , Bosi A. , Volpe R. , Guidi S. , Salvi G. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. A major complication of allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), characterized principally by involvement of the eyes, producing a Sjögren-like syndrome (SLS). This study assessed the predictive role of the eye involvement in the onset of GVHD. Methods. Thirty-five patients transplanted for hematological malignancies were routinely examined for ocular manifestation of dry eye. Examination includes the Schirmer I test, break-up time, Lissamine Green staining, fluorescein test, lactoferrin test and impression cytology. A threshold was established for quantitative analysis of SLS. Results. Fifteen of 35 patients (40%) developed SLS during long-term follow-up. Ten of these (77%) developed acute or chronic GVHD. Conclusions. The possible etiology of SLS includes three factors: total body irradiation, ocular toxicity of chemotherapy and GHVD. A correlation was found between poor-prognosis GVHD and the occurrence of SLS.
Conjunctival Scrapings and Impression Cytology in Chronic Conjunctivitis. Correlation with Microbiology
Authors: Cvenkel B. , Globočnik M. 
Published: April 2018

To assess the utility of exfoliative cytology in the diagnosis of chronic conjunctivitis, we compared its findings with microbiological examination and established the correlation between cytology and microbiology in 32 patients with conjunctivitis lasting four weeks or more, with a nonspecific clinical picture. The material for cytology was collected by scraping and by imprint of the ocular surface on Millipore filter paper. The specimens were stained with Giemsa. Material for bacterial culture and fluorescent antibody test for viruses and Chlamydia were obtained at the same time. In 12 patients neutrophils predominated in cytology, in six eosinophils were found and in four there were more lymphocytes. One patient had a basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion specific for Chlamydia infection. In eight patients coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species and in one Staphylococcus aureus were isolated, in two the fluorescent antibody test for Chlamydia was positive and in three for viruses. In all patients with a positive bacterial culture, a predominance of neutrophils was observed. All patients with a positive test for viruses had lymphocytosis in conjunctival scrapings. In two patients microbiology detected Chlamydia, but characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusions were observed only in one. Scrapings gave more specific results, that correlated well with microbiology in bacterial and viral infection, whereas the results of impression cytology showed minor metaplastic changes of epithelial cells that were nonspecific for the type of inflammation. Cytology remains a useful non-invasive tool and is an adjunct to clinical and microbiological examination. It proved especially helpful in allergic conjunctivitis.