Gonioscopic laser sclerostomy versus filtration surgery in a rabbit model.

In a prospective and randomised study, we compared the course of pulsed dye laser ab interno sclerostomy with the course of posterior lip sclerectomy in 25 rabbits. One eye of each rabbit was randomly selected to be treated with laser; the fellow eye underwent posterior lip sclerectomy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) determinations and slit lamp examinations were recorded pre-operatively, then every other day for 3 weeks on 21 of the rabbits.

Interobserver and intraobserver variability in the detection of glaucomatous progression of the optic disc.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential value of obtaining follow-up stereoscopic photographs on glaucoma suspects in identifying progressive optic nerve damage.

Methods: Nineteen sets of stereoscopic optic disc photographs, reflecting one eye from each of 19 patients at two time points, were selected from the records of subjects enrolled in the Glaucoma Screening Study. By consensus, three experts judged 13 of these eyes to have progressive glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

The effects of growth factors on Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in serum-free culture.

This study was performed to develop and improve a completely defined in vitro ocular wound-healing model of fibroblast proliferation for glaucoma filtration surgery. This model is essential for the investigation of protein-sensitive drugs and cytokines. Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in their third passage were incubated overnight, washed free of serum, and fed defined media, Aim V or Clonetics FBM serum-free medium containing platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, or fibronectin at various dilutions and in combinations at optimum concentrations.

Comparative efficacy of antiviral drugs on human ocular fibroblasts.

The effects of several antiviral drugs on fibroblast attachment and proliferation from human Tenon's capsule were investigated. These drugs included purine nucleoside analogs, vidarabine and acyclovir (ACV); pyrimidine nucleoside analog, AZT; and a synthetic cyclic primary amine, amantadine. Fibroblast attachment and proliferation inhibition were determined by Coulter counter, a colorimetric assay of the enzyme hexosaminidase, and a 3H-thymidine uptake assay.