Autophagy of iron-binding proteins may contribute to the oxidative stress resistance of ARPE-19 cells.

The objective of this study was to elucidate possible reasons for the remarkable resistance of human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to oxidative stress. Much oxidative damage is due to hydrogen peroxide meeting redox-active iron in the acidic and reducing lysosomal environment, resulting in the production of toxic hydroxyl radicals that may oxidize intralysosomal content, leading to lipofuscin (LF) formation or, if more extensive, to permeabilization of lysosomal membranes. Formation of LF is a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and known to jeopardize normal autophagic rejuvenation of vital cellular biomolecules.

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy in a Swedish family: genetic analysis and a seven-year follow-up of photodynamic treatment of a young boy with choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To determine the mutation in a Swedish family with Best disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy; VMD) and to investigate the short- and long-term effects of photodynamic treatment (PDT) on subretinal neovascularization in a young boy.

Methods: The five members of three generations of a family with VMD underwent a thorough ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (VA), visual field, colour vision, biomicroscopy of the posterior segment (dilated), fundus photography and electro-oculography (EOG). For the proband, an eleven-year-old boy, his father and grandfather, dark adaptation test, angiography and electroretinography (ERG) were also performed.

A three-year follow-up of ranibizumab treatment of exudative AMD: impact on the outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop-outs.

Purpose: To analyse a 3-year clinical patient cohort of ranibizumab treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), to investigate the impact on visual outcome of carrying forward the last acuity observation in drop-outs and to explore possible differences between the early and the late phase of the study.

Methods: A retrospective study of 312 eyes with neovascular AMD. The patients were followed up monthly, received three initial monthly injections of 0.

Prophylactic laser treatment of soft drusen maculopathy: a prospective, randomized Nordic study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether mild laser treatment of soft drusen maculopathy might reduce the incidence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and/or significantly reduce loss of visual acuity compared with outcomes in a control group.

Methods:  A total of 135 patients (mean age 70.4 years) were randomized into a treatment group of 67 subjects and a control group of 68 subjects.

From basic to clinical research: a journey with the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium, the cornea, age-related macular degeneration and hereditary degenerations, as seen in the rear view mirror.

Purpose: This Acta Ophthalmologica Award and Gold Medal Honorary Lecture (the Lundsgaard Gold Medal Honorary Lecture) reviews some of the work I have carried out with my mentors and many of my wonderful collaborators and research students over more than 40 years, also including related work by other groups. It concentrates on the basic electrophysiology and ultrastructure of the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), as well as covering basic and clinical aspects of the cornea, contact lenses, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and hereditary diseases.

Methods: The review describes research performed using light and electron microscopy, basic and clinical electrophysiology, genetics and biochemistry in animal experiments and in research on patients.

Encouraging results of photodynamic therapy with Visudyne in a clinical patient material of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a Swedish patient material with smaller lesions than those investigated in the TAP (Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration with Photodynamic Therapy) and VIP (Verteporfin in Photodynamic Therapy) Studies.

Methods: Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was performed according to the results and recommendations of the TAP and VIP Studies. The patients were followed up for 12 months and retreatment was performed every 12 weeks when leakage from CNV was present.

Patients with AMD and a large absolute central scotoma can be trained successfully to use eccentric viewing, as demonstrated in a scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

Twenty patients with age-related macular degeneration, an absolute central scotoma and a mean visual acuity of 0.04 (20/475) were studied. A scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) was used for microperimetry and determination of preferred retinal locus, often located to the left of the retinal lesion (corresponding to a location to the left of the visual field scotoma), which is considered unfavorable for reading.

Aging of cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells: oxidative reactions, lipofuscin formation and blue light damage.

This report reviews our experimental work on cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, fed native or UV-irradiated photoreceptor outer segments (POS). We showed that significantly more lipofuscin (LF) was formed in cells cultured in 40% oxygen than in cells cultured in 8% oxygen, indicating an involvement of oxidative mechanisms in LF formation. The antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, zeaxanthin and lutein significantly reduced LF formation.

[Age-related macular degeneration--new possibilities for prophylactic measures].

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of severely reduced vision in the Western World. The only treatment method previously available, thermal laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), has considerable limitations. More recently, new methods for prophylactic measures and therapy have been developed.

Bacterial keratitis and inflammatory corneal reactions: possible relations to contact lens oxygen transmissibility: the Harold A. Stein Lectureship 2001.

Purpose: Conventional contact lenses, particularly when used for extended wear (EW), are still associated with a high incidence of microbial keratitis and inflammatory reactions. This article discusses the possible relationship of such complications to contact lens oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t).

Methods: The literature, including our own work, is reviewed in regard to the binding of bacteria to the corneal epithelium and receptors likely to be associated with such binding, as well as the incidence of microbial keratitis and inflammatory reactions, in relation to conventional, lower Dk/t contact lenses and new, high Dk/t soft silicone hydrogel lenses.