Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha for retinal diseases: current knowledge and future concepts.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced by macrophages and T-cells. It plays an important role both in inflammation and apoptosis. In the eye, TNF-α appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory, edematous, neovascular and neurodegenerative disorders.

MFGE8 does not influence chorio-retinal homeostasis or choroidal neovascularization in vivo.

Purpose: Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFGE8) is necessary for diurnal outer segment phagocytosis and promotes VEGF-dependent neovascularization. The prevalence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in MFGE8 was studied in two exsudative or "wet" Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) groups and two corresponding control groups. We studied the effect of MFGE8 deficiency on retinal homeostasis with age and on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice.

Iridolenticular block in heavy silicone oil tamponade.

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the adverse effect of iridolenticular block glaucoma after vitreoretinal surgery and endotamponade with heavy silicone oil in cases of complicated retinal detachment.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 23 eyes of 23 patients who underwent a pars plana vitrectomy and heavy silicone oil (Densiron 68) endotamponade for repair of complex inferior retinal detachment.

Results: Two patients developed high intraocular pressure postoperatively.

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.

Posterior segment complications of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most common surgical procedure for treatment of refractive errors worldwide. Most of its complications are related to the refractive outcome or to corneal and anterior segment injury and wound healing. We review published posterior segment complications of LASIK, current clinical and experimental hypotheses explaining the occurrence of these events, and their management and outcome.

Comparison of standard and aberration-neutral profiles for myopic LASIK with the SCHWIND ESIRIS platform.

Purpose: To compare the induced corneal wavefront aberration of eyes treated for myopia by LASIK with the SCHWIND ESIRIS laser using an aspheric aberration-neutral (Aberration-Free) ablation profile versus a classical Munnerlyn standard profile.

Methods: Two consecutive groups of myopic eyes were analyzed. One group (70 eyes) was treated with a standard non-aspheric Munnerlyn profile (standard group, mean spherical equivalent refraction -4.

Aberration-neutral ablation pattern in hyperopic LASIK with the ESIRIS laser platform.

Purpose: To analyze refractive power changes, topographical changes, and aberrations induction after aberration-neutral (Aberration-Free") hyperopic LASIK using the SCHWIND ESIRIS laser platform.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive eyes of 19 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The outcomes were analyzed at 3 months.

Intravenous thrombolysis with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in central retinal artery occlusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the beneficial effect of intravenous thrombolysis aiming at rapid restoration of blood flow during the early hours of a central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO).

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the visual outcome after thrombolytic treatment with low-dose (50 mg) rt-PA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) and concomitant intravenous heparinization in patients with acute CRAO, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) < or = 20/100, and onset of symptoms within 12 hours prior to treatment.

Phacoemulsification does not induce neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate whether cataract surgery by phacoemulsification induces progression of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to neovascular AMD.

Methods: Retrospective case-control study. Included were consecutive patients who had undergone phacoemulsification from January 2000 to February 2006 at the Recklinghausen Eye Centre, who had a preexisting diagnosis of early AMD and who were followed up for at least 1 year after surgery (n = 1152 eyes of 696 patients).

Topographic changes after hyperopic LASIK with the SCHWIND ESIRIS laser platform.

Purpose: To analyze and compare refractive power changes with topographic changes after hyperopic LASIK using the ESIRIS laser platform.

Methods: Sixty-six consecutive eyes of 37 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Outcomes were evaluated at 3 months.

SKGEL® implant versus T-Flux® implant in the contralateral eye in deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification: long-term follow-up.

Purpose: To intraindividually compare the efficacy and safety of the SKGEL(®) implant versus the T-Flux(®) implant in deep sclerectomy.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis 17 patients were identified who underwent combined phacoemulsification-deep sclerectomy and implantation of SKGEL(®) in one eye and T-Flux(®) in the contralateral eye.

Results: In eyes with SKGEL(®) the IOP decreased from 20.

Age distribution of patients presenting with uveitis.

Background: Endogenous uveitis has long been considered to be uncommon in elderly patients. Recently, population-based studies have shown an increase in the incidence of uveitis with inreasing age. It was the aim of this study to analyse the age distribution of patients presenting with endogenous uveitis in the setting of an eye centre.

Enhanced visualization of acute macular neuroretinopathy by Heidelberg Retina Tomography.

We report Heidelberg Retina Tomography (HRT) findings in a case of bilateral acute macular neuroretinopathy in a 22-year-old man. In addition to fundus photography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and visual field testing, HRT scans of the macula were performed early in the disease and at a follow up of 2 months. We found typical paracentral scotomata in visual field testing corresponding to sharply delineated, hyporeflective areas of the macula as visualized in HRT II scans.

Reactivation of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis under atovaquone therapy in an immunocompetent patient.

Purpose: To report a case of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis reactivation in an immunocompetent patient under atovaquone therapy.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A healthy woman with a history of bilateral toxoplasma retinochoroiditis since childhood presented with a reactivation of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.

Junctional adhesion molecules (JAM)-B and -C contribute to leukocyte extravasation to the skin and mediate cutaneous inflammation.

Leukocyte extravasation is a finely tuned process, in which transmigration is the final step. Transmigration depends on molecules located at borders of endothelial cells; e.g.

Intraocular levels of methotrexate after oral low-dose treatment in chronic uveitis.

Purpose: To determine the intraocular levels of methotrexate in low-dose treatment of noninfectious uveitis.

Methods: One day after oral administration, the methotrexate level was measured in the aqueous humor and serum of a patient with noninfectious uveitis, who underwent cataract surgery. A fluorescence polarization immunoassay was used for determination.

Activated, not resting, platelets increase leukocyte rolling in murine skin utilizing a distinct set of adhesion molecules.

Selectin-mediated tethering and rolling initiates the multi-step process of leukocyte extravasation which is crucial for the formation of an inflammatory infiltrate. We studied the impact of platelets on this process in the skin. Using intravital microscopy, we analyzed platelet interactions with cutaneous post-capillary venules of mouse ears and observed an increase in platelet rolling if platelets were activated (41.