Novel Role of Molecular Hydrogen: The End of Ophthalmic Diseases?

Molecular hydrogen (H) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which displays non-toxic features at high concentrations. H can alleviate oxidative damage, reduce inflammatory reactions and inhibit apoptosis cascades, thereby inducing protective and repairing effects on cells. H can be transported into the body in the form of H gas, hydrogen-rich water (HRW), hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) or H produced by intestinal bacteria.

Crosstalk Between Microglia and Müller Glia in the Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Role and Therapeutic Value of Neuroinflammation.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive neurodegeneration disease that causes photoreceptor demise and vision impairments. In AMD pathogenesis, the primary death of retinal neurons always leads to the activation of resident microglia. The migration of activated microglia to the ongoing retinal lesion and their morphological transformation from branching to ameboid-like are recognized as hallmarks of AMD pathogenesis.

Application of Hydrogels in the Device of Ophthalmic Iontophoresis: Theory, Developments and Perspectives.

The human eye is a consolidated organ with delicate structures and unique immune privileges. Ocular diseases are intractable due to the intrinsic biological barriers within the eyeball. Hydrogels are excellent drug-carrying substances with soft material and excellent properties.

The novel chalcone analog L2H17 protects retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

Chalcone is a plant metabolite widely found in fruits, vegetables, spices and tea, and has anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, antibacterial and anti-oxidation activities, as well as many other pharmacological and biological effects. Our team has shown that its analogs have antioxidant activity, and oxidative stress is a pathological hallmark of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury that can lead to retinal damage and visual loss. This investigation aims to identify a chalcone that protects retinal ganglion cells in vitro from the effects of oxidative stress and examine its mechanism.

A modified approach to actively remove high viscosity silicone oil through 23-gauge cannula.

Aim: To report a simple approach to actively remove high viscosity silicone oil through a 23-gauge cannula via pars plana.

Methods: Forty-eight eyes of 48 patients underwent silicone oil (5700 centistokes) removal (SOR) were enrolled. A section of blood transfusion set was prepared to connect a standard 23-gauge cannula and vitrectomy machine.

Passive Removal of Silicone Oil with Temporal Head Position through Two 23-Gauge Cannulas.

Purpose. To report a new approach for removal of silicone oil. Methods.

Application of 5-Fluorouracil-Polycaprolactone Sustained-Release Film in Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation Inhibits Postoperative Bleb Scarring in Rabbit Eyes.

This study was designed to investigate whether 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-polycaprolactone sustained-release film in Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation inhibits postoperative bleb scarring in rabbit eyes. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (A, B and C; n = 6 per group). Group A received combined 5-Fu-polycaprolactone sustained-release film application and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, group B received local infiltration of 5-Fu and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation, and group C received Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation.

PI3K-mediated glioprotective effect of epidermal growth factor under oxidative stress conditions.

Aim: To determine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the proliferation and migration of Müller cell line Moorfields/Institute of Ophthalmology-Müller 1 (MIO-M1), and its related molecular mechanisms under normal and oxidative stress conditions.

Methods: Müller cells were cultured with different concentrations of EGF in the presence or absence of varied amounts of H2O2 and glucose oxidase (GO) which induced oxidative stress. The proliferation and migration of Müller cells were examined by 5-Bromo-2-deoxyUridine (BrdU), MTT assay, Transwell assay and scratch wound healing assays.

Elevated erythropoietin in vitreous of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Aim: Our purpose was to determine the vitreous erythropoietin (EPO) level in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

Methods: The levels of EPO in vitreous were measured using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit from 64 patients, of whom 40 had RRD, 13 had PVR and 11 had idiopathic macular hole as control.

Results: The mean levels of EPO in the RRD group (54.

Erythropoietin as a novel therapeutic agent for atrophic age-related macular degeneration.

The purpose of this article is to propose a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population (over 60 years of age) in developed countries. Although recent advances have been made in the treatment of the neovascular form of ARMD, there is still no effective treatment for the most prevalent atrophic form of ARMD. Although the exact etiology and molecular pathogenesis of the atrophic ARMD are not fully understood, it is believed that oxidative stress and local inflammation play a major role in the pathologic processes and that the disease is triggered by dysfunction in the retinal pigment epithelia, leading to the degeneration of macular photoreceptor cells, followed by irreversible loss of vision.

Clinical characteristics of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy in Chinese patients.

Purpose: To review the clinical features of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) in Chinese patients.

Methods: All patients with AZOOR during 2002-2004 in our hospitals were reviewed retrospectively.

Results: Seven consecutive Chinese patients with AZOOR were recruited and followed up for 4-18 months.

[Prognosis of traumatic eyes with no light perception undergone vitrectomy and analysis of risk factors].

Objective: To evaluate the prognosis of traumatic eyes with no light perception post vitrectomy, and to analyze the risk factors influencing the final results.

Methods: Five hundred and ninety nine mechanically injured eyes in 577 patients undergone vitrectomy were registered from 1999 - 2004. Thirty-eight eyes in this group showed no light perception in initial visual examination.

Proposed classification of lens capsule defects.

Background: Capsule defects are common during or after intraocular surgery of various kinds. The purpose of this work is to establish a classification system of lens capsule defects to provide uniform description of these defects for ophthalmic research and IOL implantation.

Methods: A retrospective study of 128 patients (156 eyes) with lens capsule injury after ocular trauma and intraocular surgery was performed.

Binocular membranous cataract associated with binocular retinal detachment.

A 36-year-old man with a history of consanguineous marriage between his parents presented with bilateral membranous cataract that was complicated by bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Biomicroscopy revealed an absence of the crystalline lens bilaterally, a single piece of integrated fibrotic membrane in the right eye, and a membrane with a central cleft at the level of the ciliary process in the left eye. A small amount of residual cortex was revealed in the peripheral part of the membranes bilaterally when the pupils were dilated.

[Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy].

Objective: To study the clinical manifestations of acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) and to differentiate it from other retinal diseases.

Methods: Six patients diagnosed AZOOR had complete eye examinations including fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), electroretinography (ERG), visual evoked potentials and visual field examination. Medical consultation and neurological consultation were performed in those patients.