Quadruple therapy leads to a sustained improvement of vision in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of a combined intravitreal therapy with prior photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Fifty-two patients (mean age: 72.7 years) with predominantly classic choroidal neovascularization received low-fluence PDT (42 J/cm2 for 72 s), followed 24 h later by a 0.

Cataract surgery with implantation of an artificial lens.

Background: Cataract surgery, the most frequently performed operative procedure worldwide, typically concludes with the implantation of an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to correct aphakia (absence of the crystalline lens).

Method: Selective literature review including current regulations, guidelines and recommendations for cataract surgery.

Results: The main symptom of cataract is loss of visual acuity, which usually progresses slowly.

Content quality of ophthalmic information on the internet.

Purpose: Little is known whether information about eye conditions on the Internet is complete and accurate to support patient or layman decision making.

Methods: Quality of content modules about age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was analyzed on 20 web sites. Content analysis covered 72 criteria in 11 groups.

Corneal re-epithelialization following phototherapeutic keratectomy for recurrent corneal erosion as in vivo model of epithelial wound healing.

Background: This placebo-controlled double-blind study examined the suitability of recording corneal epithelialization after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) as a model of epithelial wound healing.

Methods: Eighteen patients with recurrent corneal erosion were randomized into 2 groups, and received PTK with a 7-mm ablation zone. Postoperatively, one group was treated with an ointment containing 5% dexpanthenol and the other with the ointment vehicle without dexpanthenol.

Retinal vein occlusion and low-dose fibrinolytic therapy (R.O.L.F.): a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter study of low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator versus hemodilution in retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in recent-onset central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) or branch retinal vein occlusion.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled multicenter trial in patients with CRVO or branch retinal vein occlusion, best-corrected visual acuity < or =20/50, and onset of symptoms within 11 days before treatment. In each group, patients were randomized to either hemodilution or thrombolysis with 50 mg of rt-PA with concomitant intravenous heparinization.

Intrastromal keratotomy with femtosecond laser avoids profibrotic TGF-beta1 induction.

Purpose: To examine expression of the profibrotic cytokine TGF-beta1 after selective intrastromal corneal injury with the use of a femtosecond laser.

Methods: Rabbits underwent monocular intrastromal keratotomy at a preoperatively determined corneal depth of 160 to 200 mum with the use of a femtosecond laser. Femtosecond laser-induced TGF-beta1 expression was compared in nonoperated control eyes and eyes treated with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Transparency of information on eye diseases on the internet.

Background: Transparency is an indicator of trustworthiness and quality of health information about eye diseases on the Internet.

Methods: 20 websites that contained information about eye diseases aimed at the general public were evaluated. A modified Afgis (Aktionsforum Gesundheitsinformationssystem/action forum health information system) project transparency checklist was used.

Accessibility of health information on the internet to the visually impaired user.

Purpose: Web sites containing health information should be accessible to visually impaired persons.

Methods: 139 web sites containing medical information addressing laymen or patients were evaluated with respect to their accessibility. A quantitative checklist which is based upon the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) was used.

Influence of temporary hypothermia on corneal endothelial cell density during organ culture preservation.

Purpose: To evaluate temporary exposure to hypothermia for its effects on endothelial cell density of porcine corneas in dextran containing organ-culture medium, with regard to possible negative influences of low temperatures during the transport of corneal grafts.

Methods: Two groups of central discs from pig corneas (diameter 8 mm) were first organ-cultured (MEM with 6% dextran 500) for 24 hours at 32 degrees C. Twelve corneas were exposed to 4 degrees C in group 1 for 12 hours and to 21 degrees C in group 2 for 48 hours each.

Macular thickness after uneventful cataract surgery determined by optical coherence tomography.

Background: Using standardized macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the postoperative period, subclinical changes in macular thickness can be detected. With this method, postoperative development of macular thickness in healthy eyes is evaluated. The repeatability of the method and the influence of selected surgical (phaco time and phaco energy) and biometric parameters (axial length and anterior chamber depth) on the results were assessed.

Corneal femtosecond laser keratotomy results in isolated stromal injury and favorable wound-healing response.

Purpose: To examine the corneal repair response after intrastromal femtosecond (fs) laser keratotomy.

Methods: Twelve rabbits underwent monocular intrastromal keratotomy performed with an fs laser at a preoperatively determined corneal depth of 160 to 200 microm. The fs laser-induced corneal repair response was compared with that of nonoperated control eyes and eyes treated with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Correlation between clinical in vivo confocal microscopic and ex vivo histopathologic findings of Salzmann nodular degeneration.

Purpose: To report clinical, in vivo confocal microscopy and ex vivo histopathologic findings of Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND).

Methods: A 48-year-old woman with symptoms of ocular irritation and decreased visual acuity caused by SND in both eyes was treated by corneal scraping and phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo confocal microscopy, ex vivo light microscopy, immunohistology, and corneal topography were performed.

Training the adult amblyopic eye with "perceptual learning" after vision loss in the non-amblyopic eye.

We recently reported acuity development in the amblyopic eye of a 60-year-old patient after loss of vision in her non-amblyopic eye. Here, we focus on the training that we implemented, based on new insights from psychophysical procedures aiming at functional visual improvement of adults ("perceptual learning"). We alternately used the following procedures: grating acuity (Teller-Cards); contrast sensitivity (Vistech-Charts); two spatial localization tests (vertical alignment, pointing); and labyrinth patterns for a eye-hand coordination exercise.

Endothelial cell density in porcine corneas after exposure to hypotonic solutions.

Purpose: To evaluate exposure to sucrose solution (1.8%) and hypotonic balanced salt solution (BSS) for its effects on endothelial cell density of porcine corneas.

Methods: Two groups of central discs from pig corneas were organ-cultured for 24 h.

Pigment-epithelium-derived factor is upregulated in photocoagulated human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

There is much evidence that pigment-epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a potent antiangiogenic cytokine which inhibits retinal and choroidal neovascularization by inducing apoptosis in activated vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, the regulation of PEDF appears to be linked to the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), one of the most potent inducers of intraocular neovascularization. Previous studies have established that thermal photocoagulation, the mainstay in the therapy of various neovascular diseases of the posterior segment, results in a decrease in intraocular concentrations of VEGF and other angiogenic growth factors, thereby inhibiting active retinal neovascularization.

Unilateral exophthalmos associated with severe fibrous dysplasia.

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign developmental anomaly of bone, often affecting craniofacial bones. We report on a 9-year-old boy, who presented for routine checkup. Clinical examination revealed unilateral exophthalmos of his left eye without decrease of visual acuity or double vision.

Three-dimensional rotational dacryocystography for imaging of the lacrimal draining system and adjacent anatomical structures.

Purpose: A three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography system was used to perform 3D dacryocystography (3DRD) as an adjunct to the conventional dacryocystography assisted by digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

Methods: In 15 patients with severe epiphora, 3DRD was performed after inconclusive results from DSA-assisted dacryocystography.

Results: 3DRD was technically feasible and well tolerated in all 15 cases.

Visual improvement during psychophysical training in an adult amblyopic eye following visual loss in the contralateral eye.

Background: Recent publications have demonstrated neural plasticity in adult amblyopes subjected to psychophysical training based on perceptual learning. The purpose of this case report is to present rarely available prospective data of visual acuity development in a strabismic amblyope undergoing psychophysical training and pleoptic treatment after loss of function of the non-amblyopic eye.

Methods: The design is a prospective, observational and interventional case report.

Pigment epithelium endoscopic laser surgery for treatment of choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To present a new concept and technique for subretinal surgery.

Methods: Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) were included in this study. Nine patients were operated on in Mexico City by one surgeon, 15 patients in Frankfurt by another surgeon.

Factor XII deficiency: a thrombophilic risk factor for retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: Factor XII deficiency is among the coagulation disorders that have been implicated in major thromboembolic events. However, little is known about an association of this coagulation disorder and retinal vessel occlusion. In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of factor XII deficiency in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with reference to age and cardiovascular risk factors.

Detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor in choroidal neovascular membranes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is among the cytokines which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). There is, however, evidence that intercellular signaling molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO), are involved in this process. NO is synthesized via the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS), which is expressed after induction by cytokines.

High prevalence of resistance to APC in young patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Resistance to activated protein C (APC) is among the coagulation disorders that have been implicated in retinal vein occlusion. However, since retinal vascular occlusions may be due to a combination of several mechanisms, the question of whether thrombophilic anomalies are pathogenic for this disorder remains controversial. In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of APC resistance in patients with retinal vein occlusion with reference to age and various cardiovascular risk factors.