Expression of vitreous cytokines in proliferative vitreoretinopathy: a prospective study.
(1/740)
PURPOSE: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a major cause of failure of retinal detachment surgery. It is believed to be a wound-healing process in the retina. Many of the cellular functions are influenced by cytokines and growth factors such as interleukins (ILs). The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), IL-1beta, IL-6, and protein in the vitreous of patients with retinal detachment and to determine the value of these mediators in predicting the future development of PVR. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 140 consecutive patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in whom vitrectomy was considered necessary. Vitreous samples were analyzed for the presence of TGF-beta2, bFGF, IL-1beta, IL-6, and protein. Patients were then followed up for 3 months for the development of postoperative PVR. RESULTS: The mean levels of TGF-beta2, bFGF, IL-1beta, and protein in the vitreous were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients with preoperative PVR compared with those without. The mean levels of TGF-beta2, bFGF, IL-6, and protein in the vitreous were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in patients who had postoperative PVR compared with those who did not. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed IL-6 and protein to be significant (P < 0.05), independent, predictive risk factors for the development of PVR. CONCLUSIONS: The various cytokines may play a role in the pathobiology of PVR. High vitreous levels of IL-6 and protein were identified as significant risk factors for PVR. A model was developed to predict the probability of development of postoperative PVR in these patients, and it may be used to indicate intravitreal pharmacologic treatment for those at risk. (+info)
Human diabetic neovascular membranes contain high levels of urokinase and metalloproteinase enzymes.
(2/740)
PURPOSE: Retinal neovascularization is one of the leading causes of blindness. A crucial event in this process is the remodeling and penetration of the capillary basement membrane by migrating endothelial cells. This process requires proteolysis of basement membrane components by a variety of proteinases. The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of proteinases in human retinal tissues showing active neovascularization. METHODS: Epiretinal neovascular membranes surgically removed from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy were analyzed by zymography, and the types and amounts of proteinases present in the tissues were determined. Retinas from nondiabetic donor eyes served as control specimens. RESULTS: Both the high- (54 kDa) and low- (33 kDa) molecular-weight forms of urokinase were present at significantly higher levels in neovascular membranes than in normal retinas. The pro forms of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in the neovascular membranes in comparison with levels in normal retinas. In addition, the active forms of these enzymes were present in the membranes, whereas there was no detectable level of the active forms in normal retinas. CONCLUSIONS: Human diabetic neovascular membranes contain high levels of urokinase and MMP. The increased activity of proteinases in the final common pathway of retinal neovascularization indicates that inhibition of these enzymes may be a useful therapeutic target as an alternative approach in the management of proliferative retinopathies. (+info)
The use of internal limiting membrane maculorrhexis in treatment of idiopathic macular holes.
(3/740)
The purpose of this study was to assess surgical results of internal limiting membrane (ILM) maculorrhexis in macular hole surgery. This study is a part of continuing prospective clinical trial of our team of researchers. Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with idiopathic macular hole underwent vitrectomy with the removal of posterior cortical vitreous, peeling of the macular ILM, and intraocular gas tamponade, followed by postoperative face-down positioning. The excised specimens were evaluated with transmission electron microscopy. Complete closure of the hole was observed in all 13 eyes (100% anatomic success rate). Visual improvement of 2 or more lines on ETDRS visual acuity chart was achieved in 11 (85%) of the 13 eyes. Six (54.5%) eyes attained visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Electron microscopy showed ILM in the removed specimens. ILM maculorrhexis is a promising new surgical approach to close idiopathic macular holes but requires further investigation and long-term evaluation. (+info)
Vitrectomy for cystoid macular oedema with attached posterior hyaloid membrane in patients with diabetes.
(4/740)
AIM: To report the success of vitrectomy in eliminating cystoid macular oedema and improving vision in three eyes of two patients with diabetic cystoid macular oedema. In all of the eyes there was no ophthalmoscopic evidence of traction from a posterior hyaloid membrane or from proliferative tissue. METHODS: Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on three eyes of two patients with diabetic cystoid macular oedema who did not show traction upon examination with a slit lamp biomicroscope and a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. RESULTS: Cystoid changes disappeared 1, 3, and 5 days, postoperatively, and diffuse macular oedema resolved within 2 weeks. The visual acuity was improved and maintained. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy can be effective in some patients with diabetic cystoid macular oedema even in patients who lack evidence of traction by ophthalmoscopy. (+info)
Diagnosis and management of idiopathic macular holes.
(5/740)
Modern vitreoretinal surgery is now one of the most effective tools for treating posterior segment diseases. Recent advances in the pathogenesis and classification and better indicators of visual outcome for idiopathic macular holes have led to a renewed interest in this clinical entity. Refinements in the techniques and instrumentation have led to improvement in surgical results. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of idiopathic macular holes. (+info)
Ablation of vitreous tissue with erbium:YAG laser.
(6/740)
PURPOSE: Using a noncontact erbium (Er):yttrium--aluminium--garnet (YAG) laser, ablation of vitreous was compared to distilled water in vitro. METHODS: The porcine vitreous body and distilled water were ablated in vitro at different pulse lengths and pulse energies. Selected pulse energies were 25, 35, 45, 75, and 100 mJ (pulse rate: 1 Hz; laser beam diameter at the surface of the sample: 2 mm). Pulse lengths were at 140 +/- 3 microsec, 190 +/- 4 microsec, and 240 +/- 5 microsec. The loss of weight in vitreous tissue and distilled water was measured using precision scales and corrected for evaporation, respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the significance of differences in ablation rates of water and vitreous. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Reproducible and constant ablation rates were found in both vitreous and distilled water in each of 10 consecutive series of 50 laser pulses at constant laser parameters. Ablation rates per pulse (microg/microsec) of vitreous tissue were as follows: 3.0 microg to 45.8 microg (140 microsec), 10.4 microg to 53.8 microg (190 microsec), and 17.9 microg to 24.2 microg (240 microsec). The ablation rates exhibited a linear correlation with increasing pulse energies and also with decreasing pulse lengths. Considering the pulse lengths of 190 microsec and 240 microsec with all pulse energies tested, the ablation rates of distilled water were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than ablation of vitreous tissue. The ablation rates at a pulse length of 140 microsec were not significantly different. The differences per pulse were as follows: 0.5 microg to 2.1 microg (140 microsec), 1.9 microg to 6.0 microg (190 microsec), and 3.5 microg to 8.7 microg (240 microsec). CONCLUSIONS: Vitreous ablation is possible using Er:YAG laser. The ablation characteristics of vitreous have proved to be similar but not equal to that of water. (+info)
A vitrectomy improves the transfection efficiency of adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer to Muller cells.
(7/740)
The neural retina is a logical target of gene therapy for various ocular diseases. We developed a new gene delivery method to the neural retina using an adenoviral vector with a high degree of gene transfection efficiency and less functional damage. An adenoviral vector bearing the lacZ gene (AdCALacZ) was injected into the eyes of adult Wistar rats after an SF6 compression gas vitrectomy and left for 30 min followed by washing with balanced salt solution (BSS) (method A). Three other methods, comprising a simple intravitreal injection (method B), an intravitreal injection after an SF6 compression gas vitrectomy (method C) or a subretinal injection (method D), were also studied. The gene expression was examined 6 days after the AdCALacZ injection. An immunohistochemical study for antivimentin, antiglial fibrillary acidic protein and anti S100 protein antibodies showed the neural retinal cells (Muller cells) to be primarily transfected by methods A, B and C, while only a few cells were transfected by method D. The expression of beta-galactosidase was visualized by X-gal staining and the positive areas on each hemiflat mount specimen were measured by an image analyzer and then were adopted as a value of gene transfer efficiency. The highest degree of gene expression was obtained by methods A (23.2% of total retinal area) and C (19.8%), while the lowest degree was obtained by method B (8.9%). The inflammation was observed in all eyes and the value of inflammation was quantified as the average inflammatory cell number in each microscopic field (cells per fields). A moderate degree of inflammation was induced by methods B (28.3 cells per field) and C (27.5 cells per field) and a minimal degree of inflammation was induced by method A (11.2 cells per field). We evaluated the retinal function by measuring an electroretinogram (ERG). The amplitudes of the ERG were depressed in all eyes treated with AdCALacZ. This depression was manifested most by methods B and C, and least by method A. The deterioration in the ERG findings seemed to correlate with the intensity of inflammation. Our study showed that an intravitreal injection with an adenoviral vector can transfer the genes to the neural retinal cells and therefore a vitrectomy and the subsequent removal of the adenoviral vector, can thus significantly improve the transfection efficiency and also reduce the degree of functional damage. (+info)
The etiology and treatment of macular detachment associated with optic nerve pits and related anomalies.
(8/740)
PURPOSE: Up to two thirds of patients with optic disc pits develop a sight-limiting maculopathy. There is confusion regarding the etiology and nature of the maculopathy in these cases. We present 7 cases of serous macular detachment occurring in association with optic pits or related cavitary anomalies and identify a rhegmatogenous etiology. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 7 patients with optic nerve anomalies and macular detachment. Patients were treated with observation, barricade laser, vitrectomy, and/or gas tamponade. RESULTS: Seven patients were noted to have serous macular detachment associated with an optic nerve pit or other cavitary anomaly. A hole or tear in the diaphanous tissue overlying the optic pit was identified in all cases. None of the patients had a posterior vitreous detachment. Two were treated with photocoagulation only, and 5 underwent pars plana vitrectomy with fluid-gas exchange with or without photocoagulation. Pretreatment visual acuity ranged from 20/30 to 6/200. Posttreatment acuity ranged from 20/25 to 20/100. Five of 7 eyes had final acuities of 20/30 or better, and all treated eyes improved. CONCLUSIONS: A tear in the diaphanous tissue overlying the optic nerve pit is responsible for the development of serous macular detachment and is consistent with findings in similar conditions, such as retinal detachment in association with chorioretinal coloboma. These tears may be quite subtle, and careful biomicroscopic examination is required to appreciate them. The treatment of this condition remains controversial. However, because of the relatively poor prognosis, we believe treatment should include the formation of a barricade to fluid movement as well as sealing and relief of traction from the hole. The value of laser treatment may be increased by the early identification of a defect in the diaphanous membrane prior to the development of macular detachment. Consideration of prophylactic laser might then reduce the need for later, more invasive measures, and improve the prognosis. (+info)