Polymorphism Analysis of VSX1 and SOD1 Genes in Greek Patients with Keratoconus.

Background: A number of mutations in the VSX1 and SOD1 genes have been reported to be associated with keratoconus (KC), however the results from different studies are controversial. In this study, we conducted the genotyping of common polymorphisms [VSX1: D144E, H244R, R166W, G160D; SOD1: intronic 7-base deletion (c.169 + 50 delTAAACAG)], in a case-control sample panel of the Greek population.

Assessment of the macula in keratoconus: an optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography study.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to assess the macular thickness and the electrophysiological changes in keratoconic patients without any systemic or ocular disorders.

Methods: 64 eyes of 32 keratoconus patients as well as 60 eyes of 30 controls participated in the study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, color vision testing, fundus examination, intraocular pressure measurement, central foveal thickness (CFT) measurement by optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan, and multifocal-electroretinogram (mf-ERG) recording.

Acanthamoeba keratitis and contact lens disinfecting solutions.

Objectives: To report cases of culture-proved Acanthamoeba keratitis in Greece over a 10-year period and to evaluate the effectiveness of the commonly used commercial contact lens disinfecting systems in clinical cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Material And Methods: During the years 1994-2004, 45 contact lens wearers and 3 non-contact lens wearers presenting with symptoms and signs of keratitis underwent corneal sampling. The scrapings obtained were inoculated directly onto appropriate culture media for bacteria, fungi and Acanthamoeba.

Severe toxic effect of methylene blue 1% on iris epithelium and corneal endothelium.

Purpose: To report a case of corneal endothelial decompensation and iris pigment dispersion following the inadvertent use of methylene blue 1% for capsular staining during cataract surgery.

Design: Case report.

Methods: During an otherwise routine phacoemulsification cataract surgery, inadvertent anterior capsule staining with methylene blue 1% instead of trypan blue 0.

Arcuate relaxing incisions with a 5.00-mm optical zone for the correction of high postcataract astigmatism.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of arcuate cuts with a 5-mm optical zone to correct high postoperative astigmatism after extracapsular cataract extraction. We performed 5-mm optical zone arcuate cuts on 23 eyes of 23 patients with high postoperative astigmatism. Ophthalmic examination included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and the amount of the refractive and keratometric cylinder before and 9 months after operation.

Keratoconus and tapetoretinal degeneration.

In a series of 233 keratoconus cases, electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked responses (VERs) were recorded; the results of this study are discussed. In six cases, the ERGs were extinguished, and the VERs were pathologic. In contrast to this, in four cases, ERGs were normal, but VERs were pathologic.

Clinical experience with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive.

In this paper 385 cases treated with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive during the years 1980-1995 are studied. The indications, outcomes and complications of cyanoacrylate adhesive are investigated and the results are analysed. It is encouraging that except for three cases of ocular hypotony and two cases of microbial infection no other complications occurred.

Extracapsular cataract extraction in diabetic eyes. The role of YAG laser capsulotomy.

Cataract surgery may exacerbate preexisting diabetic retinopathy. Especially diabetics with active retinal neovascularisation are at high risk of rubeosis iridis after intracapsular cataract extraction. Thirty-five eyes previously treated with panretinal photocoagulation underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation.

Some observations on the treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy.

We examined the efficacy of the treatment with steroids, vasodilators, and vitamins B1, B6, and B12 in 23 cases of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy treated at the Athens University Eye Clinic. We stress the necessity of an extended medication for 2 to 3 months, depending upon the improvement of visual acuity. Good results were achieved in 14 of the 23 patients.