Prognostic Significance of Biointegration at the Optic-Cornea Joint in Keratoprosthesis Implantation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the morphological and immunological aspects of biointegration at the optic-cornea joint of a second-generation synthetic corneal device.

Methods: The initial prototype, single-piece optic-skirt configuration, is constructed from compact and flexible perfluoroalkoxy alkane with porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) overlying the skirt to allow skirt-cornea biointegration. The second-generation version was modified to add ePTFE around the optic wall to allow optic-cornea biointegration.

Design and Biocompatibility of a Novel, Flexible Artificial Cornea.

Purpose: We sought to introduce the materials, design, and biocompatibility of a flexible and suturable artificial corneal device.

Methods: Single-piece, fully synthetic, optic-skirt design devices were made from compact perfluoroalkoxy alkane. The skirt and the optic wall surfaces were lined with a porous tissue ingrowth material using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Peripheral defocus of monofocal intraocular lenses.

Purpose: To quantify the angular dependence of monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) power.

Setting: Ophthalmic Biophysics Laboratory, Kallam Anji Reddy campus, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

Design: Laboratory study.

Twelve-Month Clinical and Histopathological Performance of a Novel Synthetic Cornea Device in Rabbit Model.

Purpose: To report the biological stability and postoperative outcomes of a second-generation, single-piece, flexible synthetic cornea in a rabbit model.

Methods: Device materials and design were amended to enhance biointegration. Optic skirt design devices were made from compact perfluoroalkoxy alkane with porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ingrowth surface overlying the skirt and optic wall.

Relationship of the cornea and globe dimensions to the changes in adult human crystalline lens diameter, thickness and power with age.

It is well known that human crystalline lens shape, dimensions and optical properties change throughout life and influence whole eye refraction. However, it is not clear if lens properties are associated with other ocular parameters. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship of corneal and external globe dimensions with adult lens diameter (LD), lens thickness (LT) and lens power (LP) in order to determine if external factors influence lens properties.

Isolated human crystalline lens three-dimensional shape: A comparison between Indian and European populations.

There have been many studies on lens properties in specific populations (e.g. in China, Europe, Singapore, etc.

Morphometric analysis of in vitro human crystalline lenses using digital shadow photogrammetry.

There is a great need for accurate biometric data on human lenses. To meet this, a compact tabletop optical comparator, the minishadowgraph, was built for measuring isolated eye lens shape and dimensions while the lens was fully immersed in supporting medium. The instrument was based around a specially designed cell and an illumination system which permitted image recording in both sagittal and equatorial (coronal) directions.

Variations in intraocular lens injector dimensions and corneal incision architecture after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in intraocular lens (IOL) injectors and to assess the effect of IOL insertion on injector tips and eyes after cataract surgery in a rabbit model.

Setting: Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA.

Design: Experimental study.

Interfacial Behavior of Fumonisin B1 Toxin and Its Degradation on the Membrane.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the most abundant component of the fumonisin family, is highly responsible for fungal infections. In this paper, our main aim is to study the surface chemistry and spectroscopic properties of the FB1 molecule and observe the impact of green LED light on the FB1 Langmuir monolayer. From the surface chemistry and spectroscopic studies, we found that the FB1 molecule forms a self-assembled Langmuir monolayer which is sufficient to mimic its interaction with the corneal tissues.

Automated instrument designed to determine visual photosensitivity thresholds.

The Ocular Photosensitivity Analyzer (OPA), a new automated instrument to quantify the visual photosensitivity thresholds (VPT) in healthy and light sensitive subjects, is described. The OPA generates light stimuli of varying intensities utilizing unequal ascending and descending steps to yield the VPT. The performance of the OPA was evaluated in healthy subjects, as well as light sensitive subjects with achromatopsia or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Robotic Remote Controlled Stereo Slit Lamp.

Purpose: Our purpose was to develop a robotic remotely operated stereo slit lamp system allowing three-dimensional stereo viewing and recording of the patient's examination via local area network, Internet, and satellite.

Methods: A commercial slit lamp was modified to accept motors and servos to permit control of all optical and mechanical components of the device. The custom graphical user interface with dual high-resolution real-time stereoscopic imaging, control/position indicators, overview video, and audio were transmitted via local area network, Internet, and satellite.

Long-term outcomes of the aphakic snap-on Boston type I keratoprosthesis at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Purpose: To determine the indications, long-term clinical and visual outcomes, and complications of the aphakic snap-on type I Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro).

Design: Retrospective, non-comparative case series.

Methods: Forty-five eyes of 43 patients with type I aphakic snap-on KPros with at least 1 year of follow-up were included.

New Methods for Quantification of Visual Photosensitivity Threshold and Symptoms.

Purpose: Visual photosensitivity is a common symptom difficult to measure and diagnose, and is found in many ocular and neurological disorders. We developed two novel reproducible quantitative assessments of visual photosensitivity.

Methods: We designed and built the ocular photosensitivity analyzer (OPA), an automated instrument to determine light intensity visual photosensitivity threshold (VPT), and developed the Visual Light Sensitivity Questionnaire-8 (VLSQ-8), an eight-question survey to assess the presence and severity of photosensitivity symptoms.

A new, specular reflection-based, precorneal tear film stability measurement technique in a rabbit model: viscoelastic increases tear film stability.

Purpose: To develop a safe, noninvasive, noncontact, continuous in vivo method to measure the dehydration rate of the precorneal tear film and to compare the effectiveness of a viscoelastic agent in maintaining the precorneal tear film to that of a balanced salt solution.

Methods: Software was designed to analyze the corneal reflection produced by the operating microscope's coaxial illumination. The software characterized the shape of the reflection, which became distorted as the precorneal tear film evaporated; characterization was accomplished by fitting an ellipse to the reflection and measuring its projected surface area.

Differential flow rate of commercially available triamcinolone with and without preservative through small-gauge needles.

Objective: To compare the flow rate through different gauge needles of triamcinolone acetonide with benzyl alcohol (TABA) versus preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension (TAIS).

Materials And Methods: Experimental injections of 1 mL of TABA or TAIS were performed through a 27-, 30-, or 32-gauge needle. A piezoelectric pressure transducer connected to a personal computer was placed between the syringe and needle to record the force-time relationship and assess the flow rate (mL/s).

Local ischemia and increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor following ocular dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The pathogenesis of intraocular tuberculosis remains poorly understood partly due to the lack of adequate animal models that accurately simulate human disease. Using a recently developed model of ocular tuberculosis following aerosol infection of guinea pigs with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, we studied the microbiological, histological, and clinical features of intraocular tuberculosis infection. Viable tubercle bacilli were cultivated from all eyes by Day 56 after aerosol delivery of ∼200 bacilli to guinea pig lungs.

Laser trabeculoplasty induces changes in the trabecular meshwork glycoproteome: a pilot study.

Laser trabeculoplasty (LT) is a commonly used modality of treatment for glaucoma. The mechanism by which LT lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP) is unknown. With the use of cat eyes, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) with a Q-switched frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser was used to treat the trabecular meshwork (TM).