Cellular characteristics of non-allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis.

Purpose: This study examines the histology of conjunctival biopsy samples from patients with persistent allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (AEC) or non-allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (NAEC).

Methods: Fourteen patients with conjunctivitis and eosinophilia in cytology samples were included in the study. Seven had positive skin-prick tests (the AEC group) and seven had negative skin-prick tests (the NAEC group).

Tear fluid concentration of mmp-8 is elevated in non-allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis and correlates with conjunctival inflammatory cell infiltration.

Background: To investigate tear fluid concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and its relation to conjunctival inflammatory cell infiltration in persistent non-allergic eosinophilic conjunctivitis (NAEC).

Methods: Two groups were included: 26 consecutive adult patients with NAEC (conjunctival eosinophils at least 1+ [1-10 eosinophils/slide], skin prick test [SPT] to common allergens negative), and 26 asymptomatic adult persons (no conjunctival eosinophils, SPT negative). MMP-8 tear fluid concentrations were determined by immunofluorometric assay, and conjunctival brush cytology samples from NAEC patients were used for MMP-8 immunocytochemistry.

Elevated expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase 8 in tear fluid in atopic blepharoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) is an effective collagenolytic enzyme that is associated with many ocular inflammatory diseases, such as uveitis, keratitis, and ocular rosacea. We studied the tear fluid concentration and activation of MMP-8 in atopic blepharoconjunctivitis (ABC) and the presence of the enzyme in conjunctival inflammatory cells in vivo.

Methods: Tear fluid samples were collected from 26 patients with ABC and 26 healthy controls.

Effect of 0.03% tacrolimus ointment on conjunctival cytology in patients with severe atopic blepharoconjunctivitis: a retrospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and effect of tacrolimus ointment on conjunctival cytology in patients with atopic blepharoconjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis.

Methods: Ten patients with severe atopic blepharoconjunctivitis treated with 0.03% tacrolimus ointment once daily as an intermittent treatment were analysed retrospectively.

Tear fluid levels of MMP-8 are elevated in ocular rosacea--treatment effect of oral doxycycline.

Background: Ocular rosacea (OcR) is a chronic inflammatory disease especially affecting lid margins. Previous studies have shown that it is accompanied by increased levels and activation of tear fluid gelatinases. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8; collagenase 2) levels and activation are commonly elevated in many inflammatory conditions.

Group IIA phospholipase A(2) concentration of tears in patients with ocular rosacea.

Purpose: To determine the concentration of group IIA phospholipase A(2) (GIIAPLA(2)) in tears of patients with ocular rosacea, and to compare it with GIIAPLA(2) concentration in tears of age-matched healthy controls.

Methods: The GIIAPLA(2) concentration in tears was measured with a time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in 21 patients with ocular rosacea (mean age 55.6+/-9.