1: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):190-1. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Recurrent acute angle-closure attacks in age-related macular
degeneration-associated massive posterior segment hemorrhage.

Liu YC, Lau LI, Lee FL, Ko YC, Hsu WM.

Department of Ophthalmology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

PMID: 19333710 [PubMed - in process]

2: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):188-9. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Peripheral retinal neovascularization associated with polycythemia rubra vera.

Krishnan R.

Ophthalmology Department, St Mary\'s Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight, UK,
radhikrishnan2004@yahoo.co.uk.

PMID: 19333709 [PubMed - in process]

3: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):186-8. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Clinicopathological investigation of a retinoblastoma eye enucleated after
vitreous surgery with melphalan perfusion.

Ohshima K, Kaneko T, Takagi S, Kaneko A, Yokouchi Y, Takeuchi S.

Section of Ophthalmology, Okayama Medical Center, Okayama, Japan,
ohshima@okayama3.hosp.go.jp.

PMID: 19333708 [PubMed - in process]

4: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):184-6. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Macular edema from distant branch retinal vein occlusion improved after
vitrectomy.

Taki W, Oohira A, Hirakata A.

Wakaba Eye Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, taki@eye-center.org.

PMID: 19333707 [PubMed - in process]

5: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):182-4. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Recurrence of acute anterior inflammation after intravitreal injection of
bevacizumab in uveitis.

Okada AA, Keino H, Watanabe T, Taki W, Hayakawa R.

Kyorin Eye Center, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan,
okada@eye-center.org.

PMID: 19333706 [PubMed - in process]

6: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):180-2. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Excision of an inadvertent stromal flap after laser ablation in epipolis laser
in situ keratomileusis.

Kim MS, Kim JM, Chang HR, Choi CY.

Department of Ophthalmology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk
Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

PMID: 19333705 [PubMed - in process]

7: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):176-9. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Deepening of eyelid superior sulcus during topical travoprost treatment.

Yang HK, Park KH, Kim TW, Kim DM.

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine,
Seoul, Korea.

BACKGROUND: Topical travoprost, a prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) analog,
has several well-known side effects, including a darkening of the eyelid and
eyelash hypertrichosis, but there are no reports of a deepening of the eyelid
superior sulcus associated with its use. CASES: We examined one patient with
unilateral normal-tension glaucoma and another with unilateral primary
open-angle glaucoma, both of whom were treated with travoprost monotherapy
unilaterally for 2 years. COMMENTS: Both patients gradually developed a
deepening of the eyelid superior sulcus with hyperpigmentation in the eyelid
skin of the treated eye. The disparity between the treated eye and the fellow
eye was quite visible. However, the disparity returned to normal after
discontinuation of travoprost for 15 months. A deepening of the eyelid superior
sulcus is more significant in Asians, who seldom have an eyelid crease or deep
sulcus. One proposed mechanism is a mechanical insult to the eyelid causing
levator dehiscence. A second possible mechanism is fatty degeneration and
reduced collagen fibers in the levator complex caused by the PGF(2alpha) analog.
However, the exact mechanism remains to be determined. CONCLUSION: A deepening
of the eyelid superior sulcus should be considered a possible complication of
topical travoprost that can be reversed by discontinuation of the medication.

PMID: 19333704 [PubMed - in process]

8: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):171-5. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Changes of scleral sulfated proteoglycans in three cases of nanophthalmos.

Fukuchi T, Sawada H, Seki M, Oyama T, Cho H, Abe H.

Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Niigata University, Niigata,
Japan, tfuku@med.niigata-u.ac.jp.

PURPOSE: To examine the composition of scleral sulfated proteoglycans in three
nanophthalmic eyes by electron microscopic histochemistry. METHODS: Scleral
tissues from three cases of nanophthalmos were collected from the Niigata
University Hospital for transmission electron microscopic examination. Sulfated
proteoglycans were studied using the cuprolinic blue (CB) dye binding method in
conjunction with enzymatic digestion. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the
nanophthalmic sclerae were much thicker, and the collagen fibrils showed a less
orderly arrangement. Twisting or fraying of collagen fibrils was noted in some
areas, and fine fibrous materials surrounded the abnormal fibrils. CB-positive
proteoglycan filaments were found around the collagen fibrils and in the fine
fibrous materials in the nanophthalmic specimens. The number of proteoglycan
filaments was smaller than that in the normal specimens. After enzymatic
digestion, the CB-positive filaments were identified as dermatan/chondroitin
sulfate proteoglycans. Although the number of dermatan sulfate filaments in
nanophthalmos sclerae was similar to that in the controls, there were many fewer
chondroitin sulfate filaments. CONCLUSION: A loss of chondroitin sulfate
proteoglycan was observed in nanophthalmic sclerae. The alteration may be
related to the abnormal organization of collagen fibrils and the onset of uveal
effusion.

PMID: 19333703 [PubMed - in process]

9: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):164-70. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Seprafilm as a new antifibrotic agent following trabeculectomy in rabbit eyes.

Tsurumaru N, Arai M, Teruya K, Sueda J, Yamakawa R.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume,
Fukuoka, Japan, sfmhq941@yahoo.co.jp.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of Seprafilm (Genzyme, Framingham, MA, USA)
in preventing postoperative adhesion between the conjunctiva and sclera after
glaucoma filtering surgery. METHODS: A subconjunctival pocket was created and
Seprafilm was inserted into the pocket in nine rabbits (Seprafilm group),
whereas in a second group, a subconjunctival pocket was created in nine rabbits
but no Seprafilm was inserted (non-Seprafilm group). The postoperative adhesion
force was measured 4 weeks after surgery. For the trabeculectomy study,
trabeculectomy was performed and Seprafilm placed on the scleral flap in five
rabbits (Seprafilm trabeculectomy group), whereas in a second group,
trabeculectomy was performed in five rabbits but no Seprafilm was placed
(non-Seprafilm trabeculectomy group). Filtering bleb formation and intraocular
pressure (IOP) was evaluated on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 following
surgery. The eyes were enucleated for histologic evaluation 4 weeks after
surgery. RESULTS: The mean adhesive force between the conjunctiva and sclera in
the Seprafilm group (125.6 +/- 94.5 mmHg) was lower than that of the
non-Seprafilm group (263.3 +/- 79.3 mmHg) (P = 0.0041, unpaired t test). A more
prominent bleb was observed in the Seprafilm trabeculectomy group than in the
non-Seprafilm trabeculectomy group. Histologically, the subconjunctival space
was larger in the Seprafilm trabeculectomy group than in the non-Seprafilm
trabeculectomy group. Mean IOP was significantly lower in the Seprafilm
trabeculectomy group (9.9 +/- 0.6 mmHg) than in the non-Seprafilm trabeculectomy
group (11.9 +/- 0.7 mmHg) 4 weeks after surgery (P = 0.0044, unpaired t test).
CONCLUSIONS: Seprafilm can reduce postoperative conjunctiva-sclera adhesion and
may be a desirable antifibrotic agent for trabeculectomy in the early stages of
wound repair.

PMID: 19333702 [PubMed - in process]

10: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):159-63. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Antiglaucoma drug GLC756 and its effect on cellular cAMP and tumor necrosis
factor alpha release in vitro of activated human monocytic leukemia cells.

Laengle UW, Markstein R, Cazaubon C, Roman D.

Department of Toxicology & Pathology, Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland,
Ulrich.Laengle@novartis.com.

PURPOSE: GLC756, a putative antiglaucoma drug with dopamine D(2) agonist and
D(1) antagonist properties, significantly decreases tumor necrosis factor alpha
(TNF-alpha) levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rats. The present study
describes the effects of GLC756 on cellular adenosine 3\', 5\'-cyclic
monophosphate (cAMP) in relation to TNF-alpha production on LPS-stimulated human
acute monocytic leukemia cells. METHODS: A human peripheral blood acute
monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was activated via LPS. THP-1 cells were
incubated with GLC756 or betamethasone (positive control) at concentrations of
1, 10, and 30 muM. The TNF-alpha concentration in supernatant and cAMP levels in
cellular extract were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 0,1, 2.5,
4.5, 7, and 24 h post-activation. RESULTS: Compared with LPS controls, both
GLC756 at 30 muM and betamethasone at >/=1 muM had a significant inhibitory
effect on TNF-alpha release from THP-1 cells 2.5 to 24 h post-activation.
Parallel to the TNF-alpha decrease, GLC756 induced significant increases of
cellular cAMP 2.5 and 7 h post-activation. Betamethasone had no effect on the
cellular cAMP level. CONCLUSION: Intracellular signaling pathway leading to
inhibition of the production of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha after
GLC756 treatment might be mediated through the second messenger cAMP.

PMID: 19333701 [PubMed - in process]

11: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):151-8. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Morphological observations of rat corneal endothelial cells after exposure to
ozonated solution.

Suzuki H, Sato S, Murano N, Matsui H, Oharazawa H, Takahashi H.

Department of Ophthalmology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.

PURPOSE: To determine whether exposure to ozonated solution alters the
morphology of corneal endothelial cells in rats and to examine the protective
effect of ascorbic acid. METHODS: The anterior chambers of rat eyes were filled
with 4 ppm of ozonated solution. Some were left in that state, while others were
flushed out either 10, 30, or 60 s after exposure to a balanced salt solution
(BSS), or to BSS containing 0.001 M ascorbic acid. Corneal endothelial cells
were assessed by scanning and electron microscopy either 1 h or 1 week after
treatment, and the expressions of aquaporin (AQ)-1 and zonula occludens (ZO)-1
were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: When exposure time was longer
than 10 s, damaged cell membranes and abnormal organelles were observed 1 h
after treatment. The longer the exposure time, the more severe the observed
alterations; however, the eyes regained almost their normal state at 1 week.
When the BSS contained ascorbic acid, no severe damage was observed under any
condition. Normal AQ-1 and ZO-1 expressions were observed even with 60 s of
exposure when ascorbic acid was used. CONCLUSIONS: A short period of irrigation
of the anterior chamber with ozonated solution does not harm the corneal
endothelium even when used in combination with ascorbic acid.

PMID: 19333700 [PubMed - in process]

12: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):145-50. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Dacryoendoscopic surgery and tube insertion in patients with common canalicular
obstruction and ductal stenosis as a frequent complication.

Sasaki T, Sounou T, Sugiyama K.

Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Kanazawa,
Japan, sasatsug@gmail.com.

PURPOSE: To report the performance of a new technique and strategy for treating
common canalicular obstruction (CCO). Since ductal stenosis is a frequent
complication of CCO, access to the whole lacrimal passage is important for CCO
treatment. METHODS: In a retrospective, nonrandomized clinical trial, 46
patients (57 CCO cases, 42-93 years old) were treated with either
dacryoendoscopic canalicular incision (EI) dacryoendoscope-guided tube insertion
(EGT), EI plus inferior meatal dacryocystorhinostomy (iDR)/EGT, EI plus
endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (enDCR), or external canaliculo-DCR depending on
the degree of ductal stenosis. The dacryoendoscope was used for incisional
positioning, examination and guidance. RESULTS: Ductal stenoses/obstructions
were complicated in 14 of 57 CCO cases (24.5%). The success rate after 6-25
months of postoperative follow-up was 89.5% (51/57 cases). The success rates
after EI/EGT alone, EI plus enDCR, and EI/EGT plus iDR were 90.4% (38/42 cases),
100% (4/4 cases), and 90% (9/10 cases), respectively. In one case, false
passages through the submucosa of the canaliculi were identified, and the
surgical approach was converted from EI/EGT to canaliculo-DCR. CONCLUSIONS:
EI/EGT ALONE IS AN EFFECTIVE, MINIMALLY INVASIVE METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF SIMPLE
CCO. ADDITIONAL LACRIMAL SURGERY (IDR/EGT, ENDCR, AND CANALICULO-DCR) IS
EFFECTIVE FOR COMPLICATED CCO:

PMID: 19333699 [PubMed - in process]

13: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):138-44. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Modified method for assessment of the binocular fusional field in patients with
suppression.

Yagasaki T, Oya Y, Maeda M, Tsukui M.

Yagasaki Eye Clinic, Ichinomiya, Japan, y-teiji@jb3.so-net.ne.jp.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of a new system using a modified Goldmann
perimeter and Bagolini striated glasses for quantitative assessment of the
binocular fusional field (BFF) in patients with suppression. METHODS: The BFF
was assessed quantitatively in ten normal patients aged 10 to 15 years by using
a modified Goldmann perimeter equipped with a xenon light source. Subjective
perception was elicited with the use of a crossed or single oblique streak
through Bagolini striated glasses. The BFF in 15 strabismic patients with
suppression were analyzed at their initial visit and at their last visit after
therapy. RESULTS: In normal patients, extent points of the BFF on every 15
degrees meridian ranged from 48 degrees to 56 degrees . The normal BFF drawn
from these average points was approximately equal to the previously published
normal format of binocular single vision for strabismic patients with diplopia.
Additionally, this scoring system for BFF provided quantitatively objective
information during the course of their extraocular disorder in 15 strabismic
patients with suppression. CONCLUSION: This new method of assessing BFF in
patients with suppression can be helpful for evaluation of quantitative effects
in the course of treatment for an extraocular disorder and compensatory abnormal
head position.

PMID: 19333698 [PubMed - in process]

14: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):131-7. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Magnetic resonance imaging of the extraocular muscle path before and after
strabismus surgery for a large degree of cyclotorsion induced by macular
translocation surgery.

Iwata EA, Sato M, Ukai K, Terasaki H.

Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya,
Japan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in the location of the extraocular muscles
(EOMs) following strabismus surgery to treat a large degree of torsional
diplopia induced by macular translocation surgery. METHODS: Six consecutive
patients who underwent macular translocation surgery with 360 degrees of
retinotomy and subsequent strabismus surgery were studied. Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) was performed before and after the surgery. The angle made by the
line connecting the center of the orbit and the center of each rectus muscle and
the horizontal was measured. The changes in these angles before and after
strabismus surgery were studied. RESULTS: The average rotation of the globe
after strabismus surgery was 28 degrees (SD = 7.21; range, 17 degrees -39
degrees ). The average measured EOM shift was -0.3 degrees (SD = 8.04; range,
-20.4 degrees to 20.2 degrees ). CONCLUSIONS: Despite large torsional rotation
of the globe, there was no corresponding torsional repositioning of the deep
paths of the rectus muscles. The paths of the operated muscles were essentially
unchanged.

PMID: 19333697 [PubMed - in process]

15: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar;53(2):125-130. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Comparing outcomes in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization
secondary to age-related macular degeneration treated with two different doses
of primary intravitreal bevacizumab: results of the pan-american collaborative
retina study group (PACORES) at the 12-month follow-up.

Wu L, Fernando Arevalo J, Maia M, Berrocal MH, Sanchez J, Evans T; the
Pan-American Collaborative Retina Study Group (PACORES).

Instituto de Cirugia Ocular, San Jose, Costa Rica, LW65@CORNELL.EDU.

PURPOSE: To compare the total number of injections and the anatomic and
best-corrected visual acuity (VA) response after injecting 1.25 or 2.5 mg of
bevacizumab as needed in patients with primary choroidal neovascularization
secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at 12 months. METHODS: This
was a retrospective, interventional, comparative multicenter study of 60 eyes
treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (35 eyes, 1.25 mg; 25 eyes, 2.5 mg).
RESULTS: The mean number of injections per eye was 3.8 in the 1.25-mg group and
3.2 in the 2.5-mg group (P = 0.2752). At 12 months, in the 1.25-mg group, 16
(46%) eyes gained >/=3 lines of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study
(ETDRS) VA and seven (20%) lost >/=3 lines of ETDRS VA. In the 2.5-mg group, 11
(44%) eyes improved by >/=3 lines, and four (16%) lost >/=3 lines (P = 1.000).
At 12 months, in the 1.25-mg group, the mean central macular thickness decreased
from 419 +/- 201 mum at baseline to 268 +/- 96 mum, compared with a decrease
from 388 +/- 162 to 296 +/- 114 mum in the 2.5-mg group (P = 0.7896).
CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences between the two
dose groups with regard to the number of injections, anatomic and VA outcomes.

PMID: 19333696 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

16: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):120-4. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Comparison of surgical procedures for vitreous surgery in diabetic macular
edema.

Shiba T, Kamura Y, Yagi F, Sato Y.

Department of Ophthalmology, Toho University Sakura Medical Center, Sakura,
Chiba, Japan, tomoaki-s@sakura.med.toho-u.ac.jp.

PURPOSE: Results of vitreous surgery alone in patients with diabetic macular
edema (Vit group) were compared with results of surgery combined with peeling of
the internal limiting membrane (ILM group), and surgery combined with removal of
the residual vitreous cortex after its visualization using triamcinolone
acetonide (TA) and a postoperative intravitreal TA injection (TA group). Visual
acuities after the operation, degree of improvement in visual acuity (VA), and
intra- and postoperative complications were evaluated. METHODS: The study
included 141 consecutive patients (168 eyes) who could be followed up for at
least 12 months after the operation. The Vit group consisted of 66 eyes, the ILM
group of 62 eyes, and the TA group of 40 eyes. Patient background factors, and
visual acuities 6 and 12 months after operation were evaluated first, and at the
final examination, the degree of improvement in VA, the incidences of intra- and
postoperative complications, and the incidence of intraocular pressure >/=25
mmHg were studied. RESULTS: Preoperative VA was compared with the 6- and
12-month postoperative VA and the VA at the final examination. The preoperative
to 6 months postoperative improvements and those between the 12-month
postoperative and final examination did not differ among the three groups.
However, the degree of improvement in VA between 6 and 12 months after the
operation was significantly smaller in the TA group than in the other two
groups. The incidences of intra- and postoperative complications did not differ
among the three groups, but the incidence of intraocular pressure >/=25 mmHg was
slightly higher in the TA group. CONCLUSION: Surgical results did not differ
among the three operative techniques examined in this study.

PMID: 19333695 [PubMed - in process]

17: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):114-9. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Risk factors of implant exposure outside the conjunctiva after Ahmed glaucoma
valve implantation.

Byun YS, Lee NY, Park CK.

Kangnam St. Mary\'s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of
Korea, Seoul, Korea.

PURPOSE: To study possible risk factors in cases in which part of the device
becomes exposed outside the conjunctiva after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV)
implantation. METHODS: Eleven eyes in which one part of the AGV was exposed
outside the conjunctivae were compared with 44 random eyes that underwent the
same operation by the same surgeon during the same time period but without any
complications. Preoperative diagnosis, age, sex, implant location, number of
previous ocular surgeries, and both associated ocular diseases and systemic
diseases were taken into account in both the patient group and the control group
to determine all possible causes. RESULTS: Age, implant location, type of
glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension had no relation to implant
exposure. However, the patient group had more ocular surgeries before AGV
implantation than the control group (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: We found that only
the number of previous ocular surgeries was a possible risk factor for implant
exposure. More effort should be made to decrease implant exposure outside the
conjunctiva, and research should be performed to determine the proper treatment
for implant exposure.

PMID: 19333694 [PubMed - in process]

18: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):107-13. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Bilateral cataract surgery: A controlled clinical trial.

Chung JK, Park SH, Lee WJ, Lee SJ.

Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine,
Seoul, Korea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of simultaneous bilateral cataract
surgery with respect to patient satisfaction, outcomes, and complication rates.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of consecutive patients who had
simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery on the same day or separate bilateral
cataract surgery with an interval of 2 days between operations. The changes in
refraction, visual acuity, degree of anisometropia, and complication rates were
compared between the simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery and separate
bilateral cataract surgery groups. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a
questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients who had simultaneous bilateral
cataract surgery and 100 patients who had separate bilateral cataract surgery
were enrolled in this study. The preoperative best-corrected visual acuity
(logMAR) was 0.31 +/- 0.17 in the simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery group
and 0.29 +/- 0.16 in the separate bilateral cataract surgery group, and it
improved postoperatively to 0.11 +/- 0.12 in the simultaneous bilateral cataract
surgery group and to 0.10 +/- 0.11 in the separate bilateral cataract surgery
group. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.061).
In addition, 96.8% of eyes in the simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery group
and 97.0% of eyes in the separate bilateral cataract surgery group were within
1.0 diopters of the mean absolute error, and there were no sight-threatening
intraoperative or postoperative complications in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS:
Simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery may be an effective and safe bilateral
cataract surgery option with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

PMID: 19333693 [PubMed - in process]

19: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):100-6. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

All-distance visual acuity in eyes with a nontinted or a yellow-tinted
diffractive multifocal intraocular lens.

Hayashi K, Masumoto M, Hayashi H.

Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan, hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp.

PURPOSE: To compare all-distance visual acuity (VA) between eyes with a
nontinted diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL), a yellow-tinted
multifocal IOL, and a nontinted monofocal IOL. METHODS: Thirty-four patients
underwent bilateral implantation of a nontinted multifocal IOL (Alcon ReSTOR),
30 received a yellow-tinted multifocal IOL (ReSTOR Natural), and 17 a monofocal
IOL. All-distance VA was measured with an all-distance vision tester at 12
months postoperatively. The relationships between pupillary diameter and IOL
decentration and tilt with VA were determined. RESULTS: Both uncorrected and
best distance-corrected near VA in the multifocal groups were significantly
better than those in the monofocal group, whereas no significant differences
were found in far-to-intermediate VAs. There was no significant difference in
all-distance VA between the nontinted and yellow-tinted multifocal groups. In
the multifocal groups, a larger pupillary diameter was associated with better
near VA, whereas there was no correlation between VA and IOL decentration and
tilt. CONCLUSIONS: Near VA with a diffractive multifocal IOL was better than
that with a monofocal IOL, although far-to-intermediate VAs were similar.
All-distance VA with the nontinted multifocal IOL was similar to that with the
yellow-tinted multifocal IOL. Larger pupillary diameter was associated with
better near VA with the multifocal IOL.

PMID: 19333692 [PubMed - in process]

20: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):92-9. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Evaluation of eotaxin-1, -2, and -3 protein production and messenger RNA
expression in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Shoji J, Inada N, Sawa M.

Department of Ophthalmology, Division of Visual Sciences, Nihon University
School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, shojig@med.nihon-u.ac.jp.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the in vivo expression of members of the eotaxin subfamily,
eotaxin-1, -2, and -3, at the ocular surface, we analyzed the messenger RNA
(mRNA) expression of the eotaxin subfamily in conjunctival epithelium and the
protein expression of the eotaxin subfamily in tears of patients with vernal
keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and in those of healthy individuals. METHODS: The
subjects were 25 patients with VKC (25 eyes) and 11 healthy volunteers (11 eyes)
as a control. Tear samples were collected using the Schirmer strip method. Tear
samples were eluted, and concentrations of eotaxin-1, -2, and -3 in the tear
samples were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Concentration of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in tears was also determined
by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Conjunctival epithelial cells were
obtained from upper tarsal conjunctiva by impression cytology, and eotaxin-1,
-2, and -3 mRNA extracted from the impression cytology membrane were analyzed by
reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Conjunctival smears,
which were obtained by tarsal conjunctival scraping, were stained for eotaxin-2
using immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: In the ELISA analysis, the
expression ratio of eotaxin-1 (P < 0.01) and -2 (P < 0.001) in tears was
significantly higher in the VKC group than in the control group. Concentrations
of eotaxin-1 and -2 in tears in the VKC group were 0.7 and 1440.5 (median
values) pg/ml, respectively. In the VKC group, the concentration of eotaxin-2 in
tears was higher than that of eotaxin-1. There was a significant correlation
between the concentration of eotaxin-2 and that of ECP in tears in the VKC group
(r = 0.53, P < 0.01). Expression of eotaxin-3 protein in tears was not detected
in the VKC group or the controls. In the RT-PCR analysis, the positive ratio of
eotaxin-1, -2, and -3 mRNA expression in the VKC group was significantly higher
than that in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). In
the immunohistochemical analysis, positive staining was detected in
epithelial-like cells in conjunctival smears obtained from the patients with
VKC. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that the mRNA expression and the protein production
of the eotaxin subfamily at the ocular surface are critical biomarkers when
investigating the pathophysiology of eosinophilic inflammation and the effect of
antiallergic treatment in patients with VKC.

PMID: 19333691 [PubMed - in process]

21: Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2009 Mar-Apr;53(2):81-91. Epub 2009 Mar 31. 

Takayasu disease on the centenary of its discovery.

Sugiyama K, Ijiri S, Tagawa S, Shimizu K.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kanazawa University Graduate
School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan, ksugi@med.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.

Takayasu disease was first reported in 1908 by Mikito Takayasu as "a case of
peculiar changes in the central retinal vessels." Because in these patients the
pulse of the radial artery is impalpable, investigations focusing on the
ischemic symptoms of the upper body were conducted. In 1948, Shimizu and Sano
named this pathological condition "pulseless disease." Since then, the lesions
of Takayasu disease have been detected not only in the aortic arch and its main
branches but also in various vessels, including the abdominal aorta and renal
arteries. The ocular symptoms of Takayasu disease are considered to be due to
ischemia in the retina and choroid. The typical wreath-like arteriovenous
anastomosis around the disc reported by Takayasu is observed at a relatively
late stage of the disease. The characteristic fundus findings of Takayasu
disease include tortuosity and dilatation of the central retinal artery and
vein, retinal arteriovenous anastomosis, prominent retinal vasculature,
microaneurysms in the capillaries, occlusion of retinal arterioles, soft
exudate, choked disc, and optic atrophy. Fluorescein angiography reveals retinal
microaneurysms, sludging, slower blood flow, dilatation of retinal vessels,
leakage of fluorescence dye due to increased vascular permeability, and
arteriovenous anastomosis. Arteriovenous anastomosis initially appears in the
periphery at the early stage, and in the arteriovenous crossing at the advanced
stage. Systemic administration of corticosteroids is required to prevent
vascular stenosis during the early stages of Takayasu disease. Reconstruction of
the carotid artery may improve subjective symptoms and fundus findings.

PMID: 19333690 [PubMed - in process]