VIP and VIP gene silencing modulation of differentiation marker N-cadherin and cell shape of corneal endothelium in human corneas ex vivo.

Purpose: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is expressed by corneal endothelial (CE) cells and is present in the aqueous humor, which bathes CE cells in vivo. This study demonstrated the role of CE cell VIP in maintaining the expression level of a CE differentiation marker, N-cadherin, and the hexagonal cell shape.

Methods: To determine the most effective VIP concentration, bovine corneoscleral explants were treated with 0 (control) and 10(-12) to 10(-6) M VIP.

Laser refractive surgery in a patient with a prepapillary arterial loop.

Purpose: To present a patient with a prepapillary vascular loop, a congenital anomaly that has been associated with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal vascular occlusion, who underwent refractive surgery.

Methods: A 45-year-old man with 2.00 diopters (D) of myopia and a unilateral prepapillary arterial loop presented with an interest in LASIK.

Blindness and eye disease in Cambodia.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and etiology of blindness and low vision and to assess the prevalence of common eye diseases in central Cambodia.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, population-based study, 6,558 residents of Kandal Province, Cambodia were registered, and 5,803 (88.5%) were interviewed and examined.

Flap tearing during lift-flap laser in situ keratomileusis retreatment.

A flap tear occurred during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment using a flap-lifting technique in 1 eye of 2 patients 4 to 5 months after the primary procedure. In the first case, the tear occurred in a decentered, standard thickness flap (168 mum) in a location close to the corneal limbus and limbal vessels. In the second case, the tear occurred in a well-centered thin flap (116 mum) that involved a peripheral corneal pannus.

New antimicrobials in ophthalmology.

This article discusses the newest antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals and their application in ophthalmology. The literature is reviewed to present the latest research on topical antibiotics, with particular attention to the newest classes of fluoroquinolones, new oral and topical antifungals, and new oral antivirals. Data comparing in vitro susceptibilities and minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics and antifungals are presented in tabular form.