Changes in the biomechanical properties of the human cornea play an important role in the pathogenesis of corneal ectatic diseases. A variety of conditions in primary acquired (keratoconus and pellucid marginal degeneration) or secondary induced (iatrogenic keratectasia after excimer refractive laser surgery) corneal ectatic disorders lead to reduced biomechanical resistance. Corneal collagen c...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate central corneal thickness in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was conducted in the Atatürk University School of Medicine between April 2011 and June 2013. The study group included 60 eyes of 30 patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Sixty eyes of 30 healthy individuals without any ophthalmic or syste...

Pathological angiogenesis is one of the major symptoms of severe ocular diseases, including corneal neovascularization. The blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) action has been recognized as an efficient strategy for treating corneal neovascularization. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether nanoparticle-based delivery of apatinib, a novel and selective inhibitor of VEG...

PURPOSE Primary corneoscleral cyst is a rare disease occurring in the pediatric age group. We report a case of corneoscleral cyst with visual diminution. METHODS We conducted a case report. RESULTS A 7-year-old girl presented with corneal opacity in the left eye. Examination revealed a corneoscleral cyst. The corneal part of the cyst involved visual axis. Surgical excision with a scleral gr...

Background: The effect of corticosteroid therapy on corneal wound healing is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of combination therapy with dexametha-sone and acetylcysteine at different times and durations on experimentally-induced corneal wounds and haze in rabbits. Methods: Eighteen adult New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups of ...

UNLABELLED Our understanding of etiology and pathogenesis of many disorders, corneal included, greatly relies on existing knowledge in human biochemistry and biophysics. This study was aimed at chemical mapping of normal and keratoconic corneas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Modern methods of analytical chemistry, such as X-ray fluorescence and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy on the basis of scan...

Corneal endothelium (CE) is among the most metabolically active tissues in the body. This elevated metabolic rate helps the CE maintain corneal transparency by its ion and fluid transport properties, which when disrupted, leads to visual impairment. Here we demonstrate that glutamine catabolism (glutaminolysis) through TCA cycle generates a large fraction of the ATP needed to maintain CE functi...

The cornea is a transparent tissue in front of the eye that refracts light and facilitates vision. A slight change in the geometry of the cornea remarkably affects the optical power. Because of this sensitivity, biomechanical study of the cornea can reveal much about its performance and function. In vivo and in vitro studies have been conducted to investigate the mechanics of the cornea and det...

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is a safe and effective technique for the management of corneal ecstatic disorders. It has been proven that CXL is effectual in stopping the progression of keratoconus quasi ‘freezing’ the cornea and in many cases avoiding corneal transplantation. Nevertheless, patients’ basic problem, which is the deterioration of their vision due to irregular astigmatism, ...

The management of keratoconus and post – LASIK ectasia included until recently spectacle correction, Hard Fitted Gas Permeable Contact Lenses, Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments. All these interventions are purely symptomatic and their only aim is the improvement of visual function of patients, without interfering with the pathophysiology of the ectatic disorders. The only actual treatment for ...