Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
-
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jan 2015
Observational StudyPapillomacular bundle and inner retinal thicknesses correlate with visual acuity in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
To evaluate the ability of the papillomacular bundle (PMB) retinal nerve fiber layer and macular inner retinal layer thickness measurements with Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) to differentiate eyes with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) from uninvolved eyes and to evaluate whether their thicknesses correlate with visual acuity. ⋯ Macular segmentation by Spectralis and Cirrus OCT revealed inner retinal layer atrophy in NAION eyes. The temporal and PMB pRNFL thicknesses and central macular IPL thickness by Spectralis-OCT and outer nasal TMT by Cirrus were strongly correlated with BCVA in NAION eyes.
-
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyInhibition of RAP1 enhances corneal recovery following alkali injury.
Recently, RAP1 (Telomeric Repeat Binding Factor 2, Interacting Protein [TERF2IP]) was discovered as a modulator that selectively regulates nuclear factor light chain kappa enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signaling. The roles of RAP1 in regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis for corneal recovery following corneal injury remain poorly understood. The effects of RAP1 deletion on corneal resurfacing and neovascularization in a corneal alkali burn mouse model were examined. ⋯ Deficiency of RAP1 facilitates corneal recovery after injury. Specificity of RAP1 inhibition may lead to design of specific inhibitors of NFκB in the treatment of ocular injuries.
-
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyAltered amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in primary open-angle glaucoma: a resting-state FMRI study.
To analyze the altered amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) of the brain using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). ⋯ Primary open-angle glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease involving multiple brain regions, including the visual cortices, DMN, limbic system, and motor and sensory networks. Moreover, the alterations in some of these networks are correlated with the progression of POAG; for the abnormal spontaneous neural activities in the left cuneus, bilateral MTG and right prefrontal cortex are correlated with glaucoma severity.
-
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Dec 2014
Corneal cross-linking in keratoconus using the standard and rapid treatment protocol: differences in demarcation line and 12-month outcomes.
To compare the occurrence rate and depth of the demarcation line and topographical outcome after corneal cross-linking (CXL) for keratoconus using two different treatment protocols. ⋯ The rapid CXL protocol negatively influences the occurrence and depth of the demarcation line 1 month after CXL. Our results show a negative effect on the topographical outcome 1 year after CXL.
-
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Dec 2014
Neurosteroids are endogenous neuroprotectants in an ex vivo glaucoma model.
Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid and powerful modulator of neuronal excitability. The neuroprotective effects of allopregnanolone involve potentiation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory responses. Although glutamate excitotoxicity contributes to ganglion cell death in glaucoma, the role of GABA in glaucoma remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine whether allopregnanolone synthesis is induced by high pressure in the retina and whether allopregnanolone modulates pressure-mediated toxicity. ⋯ These results indicate that the synthesis of allopregnanolone is enhanced mainly via NMDARs in the pressure-loaded retina, and that allopregnanolone diminishes pressure-mediated retinal degeneration via GABAA receptors. Allopregnanolone and other related neurosteroids may serve as potential novel therapeutic targets for the prevention of pressure-induced retinal damage in glaucoma.