The Post Hurricane Harvey Respiratory Protection Training Program.

Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an outreach program which included safety training and the distribution of personal protection kits in the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Methods: Outreach: 71 volunteers conducted training sessions at 19 different sites and distributed a total of 1187 kits. Follow-up study: We conducted telephonic interviews to collect data on respiratory symptoms and obtain perceptions of the quality of the safety training provided among 83 participants.

NMDA receptor-dependent afterdepolarizations are curtailed by carbonic anhydrase 14: regulation of a short-term postsynaptic potentiation.

In the hippocampus, extracellular carbonic anhydrase (Car) speeds the buffering of an activity-generated rise in extracellular pH that impacts H(+)-sensitive NMDA receptors (NMDARs). We studied the role of Car14 in this brain structure, in which it is expressed solely on neurons. Current-clamp responses were recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons in wild-type (WT) versus Car14 knock-out (KO) mice 2 s before (control) and after (test) a 10 pulse, 100 Hz afferent train.

Lamellar corneal transplantation.

Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) has been the gold standard for the surgical treatment of most corneal pathologies; lamellar keratoplasty that only replaces the diseased corneal layers has recently evolved as an alternative, however. Innovations in surgical technique and instrumentation provide visual outcomes comparable to PK. We review the indications and outcomes of various techniques of anterior lamellar surgery developed to treat stromal disorders.

Preemptive regulation of intracellular pH in hippocampal neurons by a dual mechanism of depolarization-induced alkalinization.

Numerous studies have documented the mechanisms that regulate intracellular pH (pH(i)) in hippocampal neurons in response to an acid load. Here, we studied the response of pH(i) to depolarization in cultured hippocampal neurons. Elevation of external K+ (6-30 mm) elicited an acid transient followed by a large net alkaline shift.

Endothelial survival after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with retained anterior chamber intraocular lenses: two-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate endothelial cell survival 2 years after Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in the presence of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOL).

Setting: LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute, Boynton Beach, Florida, USA.

Design: Case series.

Endothelial cell survival after descemet stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty with retained anterior chamber intraocular lens.

Purpose: To evaluate the donor endothelial cell loss in the first year after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasy (DSAEK) for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in the presence of an anterior chamber (AC) intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of a surgical case series of 25 patients who underwent DSAEK in the presence of an AC IOL. The donor central endothelial cell density (ECD) was recorded at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively and then compared with the preoperative eye bank values.

Role of platelet-activating factor in cell death signaling in the cornea: A review.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent bioactive lipid generated in the cornea after injury whose actions are mediated through specific receptors. Studies from our laboratory have shown that PAF interactions with its receptors activate several transmembrane signals involved in apoptosis. Continuous exposure to PAF during prolonged inflammation increases keratocyte apoptosis and inhibition of epithelial adhesion to the basement membrane.

Immunofluorescence of rabbit corneas after collagen cross-linking treatment with riboflavin and ultraviolet A.

Purpose: To assess ultrastructural modifications in keratocytes and inflammatory cell response in rabbit corneas after riboflavin and ultraviolet A exposure using immunofluorescence microscopy.

Methods: Twenty adult New Zealand albino rabbits weighing 2.0–3.

A novel platelet activating factor receptor antagonist reduces cell infiltration and expression of inflammatory mediators in mice exposed to desiccating conditions after PRK.

Purpose: To study the contribution of a novel PAF receptor antagonist LAU-0901 in the modulation of the increased inflammatory response in mice exposed to dessicating conditions (DE) after PRK.

Methods: Eighty 13-14 week old female Balb/C mice were used. They were divided into two groups: One group was treated with LAU-0901 topical drops.

Bilateral reversible corneal edema associated with amantadine use.

Purpose: In this article, we report a case of bilateral severe reversible corneal edema caused by amantadine therapy.

Case: A 39-year-old women was referred to us for evaluation of bilateral corneal edema. Her past medical history was significant for multiple sclerosis, anorexia, and seizures.

Effect of the shape of the endothelial graft on the refractive results after Descemet's stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Objective: To investigate the magnitude and the possible causes of the refractive changes after Descemet's stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). In this article we describe the changes in corneal power after DSAEK and correlate them with the shape, diameter, and thickness of the endothelial graft obtained.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Immunohistological evaluation of the healing response at the flap interface in patients with LASIK ectasia requiring penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the healing response at the flap interface in corneas with LASIK ectasia that required penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods: Corneas of five patients who developed corneal ectasia after LASIK (range: 2.5 to 5 years postoperative) were collected after corneal transplant surgery.

Safety of DSAEK in patients with previous glaucoma filtering surgery.

Purpose: To report 4 cases of Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the presence of previous glaucoma filtering surgery.

Design: Observational case series.

Methods: Review of clinical data of 4 patients who underwent DSAEK successfully performed in the presence of previous glaucoma filtering surgery with endothelial survival rates comparable with larger series published previously and good postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) control.

Novel therapeutic approach in the management of band keratopathy using amniotic membrane transplantation with fibrin glue.

A 91-year-old man with advanced glaucoma, status post trabeculectomy, and pseudophakia had a symptomatic recurrent band and bullous keratopathy in his left eye. Three previous ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid chelations with immediate recurrence of the calcic band keratopathy with frequent breakdown produced recurrent painful corneal epithelial defects. The calcified lesions were removed surgically, resulting in a smooth ocular surface.

Cystoid macular edema in a pseudophakic patient after switching from latanoprost to BAK-free travoprost.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report a case of cystoid macular edema (CME) in a pseudophakic patient after switching from latanoprost to BAK-free travoprost.

Methods: This study is presented as an interventional case report.

Results: Clinical examination showed the development of CME, proven by ocular coherence tomography, after institution of BAK-free travoprost in a patient that was previously treated with Latanoprost.

Autogenous lamellar scleral graft in the treatment of scleral melt after pterygium surgery.

Background: We report a case series of three patients who developed scleral melting 18-26 months after pterygium removal with beta-irradiation that refused to use any donor tissue.

Case Series: All patients presented with constant pain, redness and foreign body sensation on their eye.

Results: Initial evaluation revealed the presence of an area of scleral melt and epithelial defect with an underlying calcific plaque over the necrotic area in the nasal conjunctiva.

Comparative in vivo high-resolution confocal microscopy of corneal epithelium, sub-basal nerves and stromal cells in mice with and without dry eye after photorefractive keratectomy.

Background: The present study compares, using a new-generation high-resolution in vivo confocal microscope, the epithelial morphology, sub-basal nerves and stroma in two groups of mice: one exposed to normal conditions (NC) and the other to a desiccating environment (DE), following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with mechanical epithelial scraping.

Methods: Twenty-four 4- to 8-week-old female Balb/C mice were used in this study. Twenty mice underwent bilateral corneal epithelial scraping using an electric brush prior to PRK.

Safety and stability of laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic correction performed under thin flaps.

Background: To determine the safety and long-term refractive stability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed under thin flaps (<110 microm) and to compare them with those of conventional thicker flaps (>110 microm).

Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 120 myopic eyes of 68 patients who underwent LASIK performed with the use of the Moria M2 microkeratome and the Technolas Keracor 117C excimer laser. Indicators of efficacy, predictability, and long-term stability were followed for 1 year after surgery and were compared among 3 groups of patients that varied according to the flap thickness used: thin (<110 microm, n = 29), medium (111-139 microm, n = 47) and thick (>140 microm, n = 44).

New surgical approach for superior conjunctivochalasis.

Purpose: To show poor adhesion between the conjunctiva and the sclera in eyes with superior conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and to introduce a new surgical approach by reinforcing adhesion between the conjunctiva and the sclera for correcting this deficiency.

Methods: After conjunctival peritomy and removal of the loose Tenon remnants, "Tenon reinforcement" for conjunctival adhesion to the underlying sclera was achieved by transplantation of cryopreserved amniotic membrane with fibrin glue (group A, 9 eyes of 6 patients) or 10-0 nylon sutures (group B, 8 eyes of 6 patients) in 17 eyes of 12 patients with refractory superior CCh.

Results: The mean age of patients was 68.

Healing process at the flap edge in its influence in the development of corneal ectasia after LASIK.

Purpose: Post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal ectasia is a progressive deformation of the gross corneal anatomy that occurs after surgery. However, this is a rare event even after deep lamellar keratoplasty. We hypothesize that the strength of the lamellar keratoplasty wound is derived from the sutures that enhance the wound edge healing response.

A new surgical technique for anterior segment ectasia: tectonic lamellar sclerokeratoplasty.

A 41-year-old patient with severe anterior segment ectasia and a previous history of failed corneal graft was treated by placing a 14-mm tectonic corneoscleral allograft in the eye to support both the corneal and the scleral thinning. Nylon 10-0 interrupted sutures were used at the sclero-scleral junction. The host conjunctiva, including the limbal area, was carefully sutured to the donor limbal area.

Surgical correction of hyperopia.

Surgical attempts to correct hyperopia have yielded varying results over the last 130 years. These techniques include the reshaping of the cornea through incisions, burns, or lamellar cuts with removal of peripheral tissue; the addition of central inlays; laser ablations; and the replacement of the crystalline lens. By examining the success of each surgical technique, the refractive surgeon may be able to make an informed decision on its indications and limitations, based on the specific patient's characteristics.

Wound-healing response and refractive regression after conductive keratoplasty.

Purpose: To characterize the histological changes that occur after conductive keratoplasty (CK) using a rabbit model.

Setting: LSU Eye Center and Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Methods: Conductive keratoplasty was performed on 24 eyes of 12 New Zealand albino rabbits.

Management of a displaced angle-supported anterior chamber intraocular lens.

A 49-year-old patient had a displacement of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) producing a cyclodialysis cleft and persistent hypotony with maculopathy. The patient underwent intraocular lens extraction, repair of the cyclodialysis cleft, and iris-fixation of an acrylic posterior chamber IOL with resolution of the hypotony and improvement of the maculopathy and best-corrected visual acuity. Many surgeons consider the implantation of an anterior chamber IOL as their first choice in the treatment of inadequate capsule support associated with cataract surgery, probably because it is a relatively easy procedure to perform.