INTRODUCTION Primary ectatic corneal diseases usually require rigid gas-permeable (RGP) corneal contact lens wear for visual rehabilitation. As the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to fit these lenses. RGP scleral contact lenses now provide another treatment option before resorting to surgery. CLINICAL PICTURE Two patients with pellucid marginal degeneration and one with ...

Six fungal species (Fusarium sp, Exophiala jeanselmei, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus niger, Paecilomyces spp, and Alternaria spp) were used to inoculate soft contact lenses. Four types of soft lenses were used: high-water (58%) and low-water (38%) content lenses and lenses that were unworn or worn for 1 day. The fungi displayed a range of macroscopic and microscopic features that allowed differe...

The crystallins in the lenses of ICR/f mutation rat, a known hereditary cataract model, were analyzed during cataractogenesis. Opacification of the mutant lenses was found to be accompanied by changes in crystallin structure and composition, including several deletions of the N-terminals of beta-crystallins and low molecular weight alpha- crystallins. Because similar deletions were observed whe...

PURPOSE To localize p53 protein and active caspase-3 in the albino rat lens and to compare p53 mRNA and active caspase-3 expression in ultraviolet radiation (UVR) 300 nm exposed lenses and their contralateral nonexposed controls. METHODS Ten Sprague-Dawley albino rats were unilaterally exposed to 8 kJ/m(2) UVR, and the contralateral eyes were left nonexposed. In total, four exposed lenses and...

Purpose. To investigate the effect of tear protein deposition on the change in oxygen permeability (Dk) of soft contact lenses (SCL). Methods. Three hydrogel lenses (polymacon, nelfilcon A, and etafilcon A) and two silicon hydrogel lenses (lotrafilcon A and balafilcon A) were investigated. Etafilcon A lenses were incubated in artificial tear solution for 1, 6, 12, and 48 h, whereas the other SC...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to use antimicrobial efficacy endpoint methodology to determine compatibility of multipurpose disinfecting solutions (MPSs), lens cases, and hydrogel lenses for disinfection (AEEMC) against International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-specified microorganisms and clinical ocular isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. METHODS Six MPSs (PQ/Aldox 1,...

Loss of transparency of the lens is termed cataract which is one of the commonest causes of blindness throughout the world. This major health problem appears to be much commoner in many developing countries such as India and Pakistan, where it causes visual disability at a substantially earlier age and several hypotheses have been put forward to explain this higher prevalence in these areas. Re...

PURPOSE Myopia can be induced in chickens by having them wear either negative lenses (lens-compensation myopia [LCM]) or diffusers (form-deprivation myopia [FDM]), whereas positive lenses cause lens-compensation hyperopia (LCH). These three conditions were compared with respect to (i) their early time course and (ii) the effect of two manipulations of the lighting. METHODS Longitudinal change...

PURPOSE To explore lens crystallin characteristics and morphology of rabbit regenerated lenses in comparison with wild type natural lenses by means of proteomic analysis and histological assay. METHODS The lens regeneration model of the New Zealand rabbit was established, and lens regeneration was observed by slit lamp examination and photography. A histological assay was evaluated under ligh...

To determine if posterior chamber polymethylmethacrylate lenses with polypropylene loops activate complement, the authors measured levels of C3a, C4a and C5a by radioimmunoassay in human sera incubated with and without these lenses. Human sera incubated with intraocular lenses showed elevated levels of C3a and C5a but no change in C4a. There were no statistically significant differences in the ...