Frequency of Behçet's disease among a group of visually impaired adults.

Background: Behçet's disease (BD) is one of the reasons of acquired visual impairment among young adults. Ocular involvement is a significant cause of disability in BD. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of BD among a group of adults who has visual impairment.

Differential expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-a isoforms in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) isoforms in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) were excised in 24 patients, 8 of them underwent previous photodynamic therapy. All procedures were performed before anti-VEGF therapies were implemented in Germany.

Long-term visual outcome and its predictive factors following treatment of acute submacular hemorrhage with intravitreous injection of tissue plasminogen factor and gas.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term functional outcome and its predictive factors of treatment of acute submacular hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration with intravitreal application of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and gas.

Methods: Twenty-six patients were enrolled in the retrospective case series. A complete history and ocular examination, including fluorescein angiography, were performed.

Expression of c-Kit and its ligand SCF in primary uveal melanoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the concurrent rate of expression of c-Kit and its ligand stem cell factor (SCF) in uveal melanoma in respect to the further clinical course and the correlation of these markers.

Methods: Paraffin sections from 35 primary uveal melanomas were evaluated immunohistochemically for the expression of c-Kit and SCF. Sixteen cases developed systemic metastasis during the follow-up (median: 5 years after diagnosis).

Long-term visual acuity and its predictors after cataract surgery in patients with uveitis.

Purpose: To analyze the outcomes of phacoemulsification and posterior intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with uveitis and to determine factors responsible for poor visual outcome.

Methods: The records of 155 patients (180 eyes) with uveitis who had phacoemulsification and IOL implantation between August 2001 and March 2008 were examined retrospectively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded at the immediate preoperative visit and at follow-up examinations every 3 months.

Effects of bevacizumab on apoptosis, Na+ -K+ -adenosine triphosphatase and zonula occludens 1 expression on cultured corneal endothelial cells.

Background: This laboratory study was undertaken to investigate the influence of bevacizumab on apoptosis, Na(+)-K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) expression on cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs).

Methods: Annexin V binding combined with propidium iodide (PI) costaining was used to distinguish viable, early and late apoptotic cells. Immunolocalization of ZO-1 and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was performed to analyze intercellular cell integrity after exposure to 5.

Papillary capillary activation in Terson syndrome.

We report the immunopathology and histopathology of a patient with Terson syndrome. The design was an observational case-report. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining for endoglin (CD105) of an eye from a patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage and Terson syndrome was performed.

Human anterior lens capsule as carrier matrix for cultivated human corneal endothelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of human anterior lens capsule (HALC) as a carrier matrix for cultivating and transplanting human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs).

Methods: HALCs obtained from 12 patients during cataract surgery were exposed to enzyme digestion to dissolve the lens epithelium and were plated with the epithelial side up in 6-well plates. HCECs were harvested from human donor eyes and seeded on HALCs.

Early effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide on inflammation and proliferation in human choroidal neovascularization.

Objective: To evaluate the early effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on inflammation, proliferation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Methods: Retrospective review of an interventional case series of 29 patients who underwent macular translocation. Fourteen CNV membranes without previous therapy (control CNV group) and 4 CNV membranes excised 3 days after photodynamic therapy (PDT CNV group) comprised the control groups.

Comparison of in vitro safety profiles of vancomycin and cefuroxime on human corneal endothelial cells for intracameral use.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of cefuroxime and vancomycin on cultured human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) to determine their safety for intracameral use.

Methods: Human corneal endothelial cells were harvested from human donor eyes and exposed to various concentrations of cefuroxime and vancomycin (0.15 to 15 mg/mL).

Analysis of the neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 in internal limiting membranes after indocyanine-green assisted peeling.

Background: Indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was suspected to disrupt the innermost layer of the neural retina. We examined whether surgically excised specimens contain remnants of neuronal tissue.

Methods: Ten patients with macular hole underwent pars plana vitrectomy and indocyanine green-assisted ILM peeling.

Vitreous levels of bevacizumab and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in patients with choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: To investigate the vitreous levels of bevacizumab and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) after intravitreal injection of the drug in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Design: Interventional case series.

Participants: Eleven eyes of 11 patients with submacular hemorrhage and CNV due to age-related macular degeneration (n = 10) or angioid streaks (n = 1).

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor and other endogenous interplayers in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifaceted disease characterized by early subclinical changes at the choroidea-retinal pigment epithelium interface. Both the causal and formal pathogenesis of the disease is still puzzling. Similarly, the reason for progression into two distinct late forms which are "geographic atrophy" and "choroidal neovascularization" remains enigmatic.

Effect of bevacizumab on inflammation and proliferation in human choroidal neovascularization.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, California) on inflammation and proliferation in human choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Retrospective review of interventional series of 38 patients who underwent choroidal neaovascular membrane (CNVM) extraction. Twenty-four patients received intravitreal bevacizumab 1 to 154 days preoperatively (bevacizumab CNV group).

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy due to giant cell arteritis with normal inflammatory markers.

Background: In anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), it is important not to miss the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) because this requires immediate steroid treatment to prevent involvement of the second eye and possible blindness. A missed diagnosis also might lead to fatal systemic complications.

Materials And Methods: Observational case report.

Toxic effects of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator on cultured human corneal endothelial cells.

Purpose: Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) are nonmitotic cells. Any intracameral application of a drug requires evaluation of the potential apoptotic and toxic effects. Intracameral recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is successfully used for the treatment of severe and prolonged postoperative fibrin reaction.

Early effects of triamcinolone on vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin in human choroidal neovascularization.

Objective: To evaluate the early effects of triamcinolone acetonide as monotherapy or as an adjuvant to ocular verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on angiogenesis in human choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: Retrospective review of an interventional series of 55 patients who underwent CNV extraction. Eleven patients were treated with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg) monotherapy (triamcinolone-treated CNV group [n = 5]) or with PDT-triamcinolone combination therapy (PDT-triamcinolone-treated CNV group [n = 6]) 3 to 9 days before surgery.

Early electroretinographic features of streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy.

Background: This study set out to document the early electrophysiological and immunohistochemical changes that occur in the retina of experimentally induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ). Electroretinogram readings were taken monthly under either short-duration or long-duration stimuli for up to 3 months after STZ.

Safety profile of a taurine containing irrigation solution (AcriProTect) in pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical safety of a taurine containing irrigation solution (AcriProTect) before its routine application in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods: Twenty-five patients who underwent PPV were included in this prospective interventional clinical study. Standard irrigation solution containing the addendum 3 mmol/L taurine was used during PPV.

Safety, penetration and efficacy of topically applied bevacizumab: evaluation of eyedrops in corneal neovascularization after chemical burn.

Purpose: That vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in inflammatory angiogenesis has been well established. This pilot study was designed to evaluate experimental treatment with bevacizumab eyedrops in corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn. The feasibility of topical administration, corneal cell viability and corneal penetration were investigated in an animal model.

Safety profile of bevacizumab on cultured human corneal cells.

Purpose: To study the corneal biocompatibility of bevacizumab on various cultured human corneal cells.

Methods: Cell cultures of corneal keratinocytes (CKs), corneal fibroblasts (CFs), and corneal endothelial cells (CECs) were harvested from human donor eyes and exposed to various concentrations of bevacizumab (0.25-5.

Safety monitoring in bevacizumab (Avastin) treatment: retinal function assessed by psychophysical (visual fields, colour vision) and electrophysiological (ERG/EOG) tests in two subgroups of patients.

Background: Bevacizumab (Avastin) has been used as off-label treatment for the specific inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Although only intravenous administration of the drug is approved in combination therapy of colorectal carcinoma, promising short-term results have been reported about its intravitreal administration. However, VEGF is also known to exhibit neurotrophic capabilities.

Influence of verteporfin photodynamic therapy on inflammation in human choroidal neovascular membranes secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To examine the short- and long-term consequences of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on inflammation with regard to infiltration of macrophages and leukocytes and expression of thy-1 in human choroidal neovascularization membranes (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Retrospective review of an interventional case series of 43 patients who underwent removal of CNV. Twenty patients were treated with PDT 3 to 246 days preoperatively.

Matrix metalloproteinases in human choroidal neovascular membranes excised following verteporfin photodynamic therapy.

Aim: To evaluate expression of proangiogenic matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 at distinct intervals after verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in human choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Retrospective review of an interventional case series of 49 patients who underwent removal of CNV. Twenty-six patients were treated with PDT 3 to 383 days prior to surgery.

Effect of verteporfin photodynamic therapy on endostatin and angiogenesis in human choroidal neovascular membranes.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) on endostatin with regard to expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVs) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: A retrospective review of an interventional case series of 68 patients who underwent removal of CNV. 29 patients were treated with PDT 3-655 days before surgery.