Visual and vestibular determinants of the translational vestibulo-ocular reflex.

Prior studies indicate that the human translational vestibulo-ocular reflex (tVOR) generates eye rotations approximately half the magnitude required to keep the line of sight pointed at a stationary object--a compensation ratio (CR) of ∼0.5. We asked whether changes of visual or vestibular stimuli could increase the CR of tVOR.

Effects of topical brinzolamide on infantile nystagmus syndrome waveforms: eyedrops for nystagmus.

Background: Recent advances in infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) surgery have uncovered the therapeutic importance of proprioception. In this report, we test the hypothesis that the topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) brinzolamide (Azopt) has beneficial effects on measures of nystagmus foveation quality in a subject with INS.

Methods: Eye movement data were taken, using a high-speed digital video recording system, before and after 3 days of the application of topical brinzolamide 3 times daily in each eye.

Mutation screen of beta-crystallin genes in 274 patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: The crystallin family of proteins comprise the main structural proteins of the vertebrate lens and have been classified into alpha-, beta-, and gamma- families. Several of the beta-crystallin proteins have been detected in the retina where they are each localized to different compartments of rod and cone photoreceptors. Functionally, beta-crystallins have been implicated in the protection of the retina from intense light exposure.

Mutation screen of the cone-specific gene, CLUL1, in 376 patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Clusterin is a secreted glycoprotein expressed ubiquitously in many tissues that appears to function as a molecular chaperone capable of protecting stressed proteins. It is upregulated in many different forms of neurodegeneration and is thought to represent a defense response against neuronal damage. Clusterin has been found to be a common protein identified in drusen preparations isolated from the retina of donor eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population of developed countries.