Confocal microscopy of epithelial and langerhans cells of the cornea in patients using travoprost drops containing two different preservatives.

The recently developed confocal cornea microscopy offers the opportunity to examine pathologies of the cornea and to gain insight into the activity of innate immunity. We aimed to investigate the corneal epithelial and Langerhans cell (LC) densities along with dry eye parameters in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) subjects, treated with either of two commercially available travoprost 0.004 % topical medications containing different preservatives.

Decreased cardiovagal regulation in exfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the parasympathetic cardiovascular regulation, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in exfoliation syndrome (XFS).

Methods: Heart rate variability indices [standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN); the mean of absolute successive differences (RMSSD); the percentage of intervals differing by >50 ms from the preceding interval (pNN50); low frequency power, and high frequency power], as well as BRS and PWV, were determined on 27 consecutive white XFS patients and 20 white control subjects under standard circumstances, with controlled breath rate of 0.25 Hz.

Increase of carotid artery stiffness and decrease of baroreflex sensitivity in exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma.

Aim: To investigate the distensibility of the common carotid artery (CCA), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and its relation to plasma homocysteine concentration in exfoliation syndrome or exfoliation glaucoma (XFS/XFG).

Methods: Homocysteine concentrations were measured in 30 XFS/XFG patients and 18 age matched controls. In 21 patients and 17 controls the end diastolic diameter of the CCA and pulsatile distension were measured and BRS was calculated.

Reduced baroreceptor sensitivity and elasticity of the carotid artery in a preeclamptic patient.

Baroreflex sensitivity, distensibility coefficient, and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery were determined in a preeclamptic patient during 1st and 3rd trimesters as well as after childbirth. From the beginning of her pregnancy, baroreflex sensitivity and distensibility coefficient of the carotid artery exhibited a parallel decline, whereas the IMT increased as compared with normotensive pregnancies. The values of all parameters examined returned to their initial levels after 14 weeks of delivery.

Carotid artery elasticity and baroreflex sensitivity in patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate non-invasively the elasticity of common carotid artery and the arterial baroreflex function in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

Patients And Methods: Data were obtained from patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma (n = 16) [primary open angle- and juvenile open-angle glaucoma] and from age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (n = 18). End diastolic diameter and pulsatile distension of the common carotid artery were measured with a high-precision, automated ultrasound wall-tracking system (WTS).