Amniotic membrane-assisted trabeculectomy for refractory glaucoma with corneal disorders.

Purpose: To report the cases of six consecutive patients who underwent amniotic membrane (AM)-assisted trabeculectomy (TLE) to treat refractory glaucoma with severe corneal disorders.

Methods: This study involved six patients (three males and three females, mean age: 69.5±15.

Three susceptible loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma identified by genome-wide association study in a Japanese population.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the major type of glaucoma. To discover genetic markers associated with POAG, we examined a total of 1,575 Japanese subjects in a genome-wide association study (stage 1) and a subsequent study (stage 2). Both studies were carried out at a single institution.

LOXL1 genetic polymorphisms are associated with exfoliation glaucoma in the Japanese population.

Purpose: We performed genetic association studies using a native Japanese population to examine the reproducibility of results of lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) genetic association studies for exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) beyond the differences of ethnicity. We also quantified LOXL1 mRNA expression in the human lens capsule to examine the possible correlation between LOXL1 expression and XFG pathogenesis.

Methods: We performed a case-control study using 95 Japanese XFG patients and 190 controls.

Effects of switching from topical beta-blockers to latanoprost on intraocular pressure in patients with normal-tension glaucoma.

Aims: The effects of switching from topical beta-blockers (beta) to latanoprost (LA) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP-reduction rate (IOP-RR) in patients with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) were investigated.

Subjects And Methods: Sixty (60) NTG patients (60 eyes) were divided into three equal groups receiving carteolol hydrochloride (group A), nipradilol (group B), and betaxolol hydrochloride (group C) twice-daily for 3 months. The drugs were changed to topical LA administered once-daily for the next 3 months.

[Relationship between compliance and background factors of glaucoma patients].

Purpose: To obtain useful information for the improvement of patient compliance in the medical treatment of glaucoma.

Subjects And Methods: An unsigned attitude survey on glaucoma and eye drops was conducted with 431 glaucoma patients. Correlation between compliance and individual(objective and subjective) factors was investigated.

[A case of severe glaucoma with pseudopemphigoid successfully treated by filtration surgery using amniotic membrane].

Background: It is necessary to decrease topical anti-glaucoma medication for severe glaucoma with pseudopemphigoid caused by anti-glaucoma eye drops. Glaucoma filtrating surgery is often needed instead of medication, but the prognosis is poor because it induces scar fomation and makes the filtrating bleb vanish.

Case: An 85-year-old male patient with exfoliation syndrome had twice undergone glaucoma surgery about ten years previously.

Latanoprost nonresponders with open-angle glaucoma in the Japanese population.

Purpose: As some patients show little response to latanoprost, one of the most powerful topical glaucoma medications, we investigated the incidence and clinical profiles of latanoprost nonresponders (LNR) in the Japanese population.

Methods: We examined 62 glaucoma patients (62 eyes) who had received only latanoprost for more than 3 months. Their mean age was 63.

Evaluation of the pressure phosphene tonometer as a self-tonometer.

Purpose: Different from conventional tonometers, the pressure phosphene tonometer (FPT) measures intraocular pressure (IOP) through the upper eyelid without corneal applanation. We evaluated the usefulness of the FPT as a self-tonometer by comparing FPT IOP readings with those obtained with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). We also evaluated the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on IOP measurements obtained with the two different devices.

APC0576 decreases production of pro-inflammatory chemokine and extracellular matrix by human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts.

Purpose: To control intraocular pressure in patients treated by trabeculectomy, progressive inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and the enhanced expression of extracellular matrix (ECM), causes of scar formation at the bleb, must be prevented. Using human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (TCFs), we examined the effect of APC0576, a suppressor of NF-kappaB-dependent gene activation of human vascular endothelial cells that does not adversely affect cell viability, on the production of pro-inflammatory chemokine and ECM. Its effect on TCF proliferation was also assessed.

Evaluation of intraocular pressure change after laser in situ keratomileusis using the pressure phosphene tonometer.

Purpose: To evaluate the applicability of pressure phosphene tonometry in measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting: Baptist Eye Clinic, Kyoto, Japan.

Methods: Thirty-six eyes of 22 consecutive patients who had had LASIK for myopia were enrolled in this prospective comparative study.

A new technique for removing the inner wall of Schlemm's canal using cyanoacrylate.

Purpose: To introduce a new technique for removing the inner wall of Schlemm's canal using cyanoacrylate.

Methods: Two donor eyes were used in this study. A limbal-based scleral flap was dissected.

cDNA microarray analysis of gene expression changes induced by dexamethasone in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

Purpose: To profile gene expression changes induced by dexamethasone in cultured human trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and identify genes related to the occurrence of steroid-induced glaucoma.

Methods: At confluence, dexamethasone (final concentration 10(-7) M in 0.1% ethanol) or vehicle alone (control, 0.