Branched-chain fatty acids, increased in tears of blepharitis patients, are not toxic for conjunctival cells.

Aim: The composition of the meibum of blepharitis patients is characterised by increased levels of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) that return to normal values in patients treated with cyclins and lid hygiene. The aim of this study was to determine if BCFAs had toxic effects on conjunctival cells related to the disease.

Methods: Chang and IOBA-NHC conjunctival human cells were treated with BCFAs (isoC16 and isoC20) or palmitic acid as a control for 4 h or 24 h at 50 microM or 100 microM.

[Central corneal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in ocular hypertensive patients and healthy subjects].

Objective: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and the central corneal thickness in ocular hypertensive patients and healthy subjects.

Patients And Methods: We prospectively included 55 ocular hypertensive patients (126 eyes) and 63 healthy subjects (110 eyes). In each individual we measured standard automatic perimetry, frequency doubling technique visual field, and central corneal thickness with an ultrasonic pachymeter and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

[Neuroprotection: is it close to us?].

Glaucoma is no longer considered as an only IOP-dependent condition, but as a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by loss of retinal ganglion cells as a result of neuronal cell injury. Several hypotheses have been raised to a better understanding of this neuronal cell death mainly driven by apoptosis. Several experimental models are under development, as well as new therapeutic approaches, aiming to slow, or stabilize glaucoma progression, as potential add-on therapy to those currently used to decrease IOP.

[Side effects of glaucoma treatments].

The high prevalence of glaucoma leads to a very high number of treatments. It is therefore not surprising to see a huge number of side effects, whatever treatment modalities are used. In this article, we describe the iatrogenicity of the treatments commonly used in the management of glaucoma, namely drugs, laser, and the surgical interventions.

Nutrition for the eye: different susceptibility of the retina and the lacrimal gland to dietary omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the susceptibility of the retina and the exorbital lacrimal gland to dietary supplies of long-chain omega-3 (omega3) and omega-6 (omega6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). Male Wistar rats were fed a 5% lipid diet containing: (1) 10% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 7% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or (2) 10% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), or (3) 10% EPA, 7% DHA and 10% GLA or (4) a balanced diet deprived of EPA, DHA and GLA for 3 months. Lipids were extracted from plasma phospholipids, retina and exorbital lacrimal gland, and fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography.

A dietary combination of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids is more efficient than single supplementations in the prevention of retinal damage induced by elevation of intraocular pressure in rats.

Background: To evaluate the effect of a dietary combination of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) compared to single PUFA supplementations on the outcome of a substantial elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in rats.

Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were fed for 6 months with either a control diet, a diet enriched with omega-3 PUFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), a diet enriched with omega-6 PUFAs (gamma-linolenic acid, GLA) or a diet enriched with both omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs (EPA + DHA and GLA). After 3 months of feeding, elevation of IOP was induced by photocoagulation of the episcleral veins, limbus and trabecular meshwork using a 532-nm laser.

Role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in corneal remodelling in diabetes.

Purpose: This study examined the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling on the organization and remodelling of collagen fibrils (CFs) and proteoglycans (PGs) in the stroma of diabetic rat cornea.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in female Wistar rats (n = 5) by streptozotocin (STZ) injection (55 mg/kg). Treatment with a selective inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, AG1478, was started on the same day as the induction of diabetes and administered every other day for 4 weeks.

Efficacy of a 2-month dietary supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids in dry eye induced by scopolamine in a rat model.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in dry eye in a rat model.

Methods: Female Lewis rats were fed with diets containing (1) gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), (2) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or (3) GLA + EPA + DHA, for 2 months before the induction of dry eye using a continuous delivery of scopolamine and during scopolamine treatment. Two, 10 and 28 days after dry-eye induction, clinical signs of corneal dryness were evaluated in vivo using fluorescein staining.

Predicted phenotypes of dry eye: proposed consequences of its natural history.

This paper reviews current knowledge of the pathophysiology of dry eye and predicts that the clinical picture in late disease differs in both severity and quality from that in early disease. It is hypothesized that hybrid forms evolve, in which aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) takes on features of evaporative dry eye (EDE) and vice versa. As a consequence, early and late forms may require different diagnostic criteria and respond to different therapeutic regimes.

Dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA enhance DHA incorporation in retinal phospholipids without affecting PGE(1) and PGE (2) levels.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dietary n-3 and n-6 PUFA may affect retinal PUFA composition and PGE(1) and PGE(2) production. Male Wistar rats were fed for 3 months with diets containing: (1) 10% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 7% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or (2) 10% gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), or (3) 10% EPA, 7% DHA and 10% GLA, or (4) a balanced diet deprived of EPA, DHA, and GLA. The fatty acid composition of retinal phospholipids was determined by gas chromatography.

[Vitreoretinal outpatient surgery: clinical and financial considerations].

Introduction: Vitreoretinal surgery has benefited from great advances opening the opportunity for outpatient management.

Methods: We report on the 6-month experience of outpatient surgery for vitreoretinal diseases.

Results: From November 2007 to April 2008, 270 patients benefited from a vitreoretinal surgery, with 173 retinal detachments, 63 epiretinal membranes, and 34 other procedures.

[Improving medical information for patients with a customized website].

Introduction: In order to improve medical information for the patients consulting at the Department of Ophthalmology, an Internet website was set up. We wanted to estimate the rate of patients connecting to this website. Then we evaluated how the patients could draw a benefit from visiting this Internet site.

[Vitrectomy and endophthalmitis].

The decision to perform a vitrectomy in a case of endophthalmitis is mainly based on the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS) conclusions. An emergency vitrectomy is helpful when the baseline visual acuity is lower than hand motion perceptions. However, various coexisting conditions should be considered: clear media and the availability of an operating room dedicated to emergency surgery.

Screening for diabetic retinopathy in a rural French population with a mobile non-mydriatic camera.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening in a rural population using a mobile non-mydriatic camera.

Methods: The 72 least medicalized areas of Burgundy were the target areas. An orthoptist took fundus photographs using a Topcon TRC-NW6S non-mydriatic camera (four fields: posterior pole; nasal; temporal; and upper).

The learning curve for primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for pseudophakic retinal detachment.

Background: To assess the functional and anatomical outcome of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in pseudophakic patients and to present the learning curve for this surgery in less experienced surgeons.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of pseudophakic patients treated with primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with PVR View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Satisfaction and compliance of ocular hypertensive and glaucoma patients topically treated with a combination therapy].

Objectives: To evaluate satisfaction and compliance in glaucoma and ocular hypertensive patients receiving a fixed combination treatment.

Materials And Methods: After instilling a fixed combination, patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about their satisfaction and compliance at baseline and 15 days after the onset of new therapy.

Results: 1693 glaucoma patients (G) and 621 ocular hypertensive (OHT) patients were included.

[The place of micronutrition in glaucoma management].

The field of micronutrition is currently being developed in ophthalmology. As observed in cardiovascular diseases, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and ocular surface diseases, and even glaucoma could benefit from dietary modifications. Among the different fundamental dietary elements, the role of lipids and essential fatty acids seems particularly interesting.

Microbiologic identification of bleb-related delayed-onset endophthalmitis caused by moraxella species.

Purpose: To report the clinical presentation and outcome of delayed-onset endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella species and to evaluate the eubacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in aqueous humor samples for the microbiologic diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: Seven patients with bleb-related delayed onset-endophthalmitis caused by Moraxella were included in a prospective multicenter study (FRIENDS group, 2004 to 2005). Eubacterial PCR followed by direct sequencing and conventional cultures were carried out on aqueous humor samples taken before the first intravitreal antibiotic injection and on vitreous samples taken during pars plana vitrectomy.

Lipid and fatty acid profile of the retina, retinal pigment epithelium/choroid, and the lacrimal gland, and associations with adipose tissue fatty acids in human subjects.

Accumulation of lipids within Bruch's membrane (BrM) and between BrM and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) accounts for one of the biological changes associated with normal aging and may contribute to the development of age-related maculopathies. The origin of these lipids is still being actively investigated. The relative contribution of plasma lipids and lipids coming from the neural retina remains a matter of controversy.

Activation of a caspase-3-independent mode of cell death associated with lysosomal destabilization in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) exposed to 7beta-hydroxycholesterol.

Purpose: To characterize the possible cytotoxic effects of oxysterols (7beta-hydroxycholesterol (7beta-OH), 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH)) in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and to detail the relationships between some of these effects.

Methods: ARPE-19 cells were treated with 7beta-OH and 25-OH. Cell viability was measured with the MTT assay.

[Combined glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy screening in Burgundy].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield of glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT) screening in association with diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening in a rural population.

Patients And Methods: 676 patients were screened between 2004 and 2005. The four departments the Burgundy region were visited, divided into 39 areas with sparse medical services.

Beneficial effects of myocardial postconditioning are associated with reduced oxidative stress in a senescent mouse model.

Background: There is at present a tragic lack of organs available for transplantation. This has led to the harvesting of hearts from older donors. Unfortunately, hearts from such donors are much more sensitive to ischemic insult.

[Risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma].

Aims: To review the literature for risk factors involved in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Materials And Methods: Articles and reviews studying the epidemiology and assessment of risk factors in POAG were collected from PubMed.

Results: The literature findings were divided into three categories: (1) What are the risks of developing POAG in healthy subjects? Significant factors include advancing age, family history of glaucoma, African origin, and elevated intraocular pressure; (2) What are the risks of developing POAG in ocular hypertensive patients? Significant factors include age, family history of glaucoma, reduced central corneal thickness, pronounced elevated IOP, and IOP fluctuations; and (3) What are the risks for progression in known cases of POAG? Significant factors include advancing age, elevated IOP fluctuations, IOP, elevated cup-over-disk ratio, disc asymmetry, and disk hemorrhages.