Monocular trial of intraocular pressure-lowering medication: a prospective study.

Objective: To investigate the validity of the monocular therapeutic trial of therapy in patients commencing topical glaucoma treatment.

Design: Prospective intention-to-treat cohort study of untreated patients presenting with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Participants: We included 30 treatment-naïve subjects.

Increased expression of hepcidin and toll-like receptors 8 and 10 in viral keratitis.

Purpose: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs) form part of the "chemical barrier" of the ocular surface to microbes. Evidence suggests that pathogen recognition by TLR releases AMPs, altering AMP-TLR profiles in pathological states. This study investigated ocular surface expression of AMP-TLRs in health and disease.

Signalling pathways involved in ribonuclease-7 expression.

Antimicrobial peptides are host defence molecules that play a potential role in preventing infection at the epithelial surfaces. Ribonuclease (RNase)-7 has been shown to possess a broad spectrum of microbicidal activity against various pathogens. Here, we demonstrate that RNase-7 protein is localised to the superficial layers of ocular surface cells and increased in response to interleukin (IL)-1β, suggesting an active role during inflammation related to ocular surface infection.

A novel antimicrobial peptide on the ocular surface shows decreased expression in inflammation and infection.

Purpose: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are cationic host defense peptides with microbicidal and cell-signaling properties. They show promise as potential therapeutic agents. In the present study, a beta-defensin AMP gene was isolated from the ocular surface for the first time, and its expression was characterized in the presence of ocular inflammation and/or infection.

Predictive value of early IOP in mitomycin-C augmented trabeculectomy.

Purpose: To determine whether early intraocular pressure (IOP) after mitomycin-C (MMC) augmented trabeculectomy has any predictive value for intermediate IOP outcome.

Methods: Retrospective case note review. All cases of trabeculectomy using MMC augmentation and at least 1-year follow-up during the study period were included.

Alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome: a prospective study of efficacy and safety.

Aim: To investigate the safety and efficacy of alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for recalcitrant recurrent corneal erosion syndrome (RCE) in a prospective non-comparative interventional case series.

Methods: Patients with RCE who remained symptomatic despite topical lubrication and 3-month use of an extended wear (bandage) contact lens were included. The intensity of pain on a scale of 1 to 10, and duration and frequency of attacks were recorded.