Posttraumatic temporal TGF-β mRNA expression in lens epithelial cells of paediatric patients

The aim of the study was to determine temporal TGFB1, TGFB2 and TGFB3 gene expression profiles in the anterior lens capsule of paediatric patients with posttraumatic cataract. The patient group comprised 22 children selected with a fragment of anterior lens capsule obtained during elective cataract surgery and sampled for molecular analysis. The levels of TGF-β isoforms in the anterior lens capsule were determined based on the number of mRNA copies per 1 μg total RNA by real-time qRTPCR. Three time-related result clusters were identified based on hierarchical cluster analysis: 2.2, 4.4 and 15.0 months (time span from injury to anterior capsule sampling during surgery) and compared with regard to temporal gene expression profile and quantitative relations of TGF-β1, 2 and 3 mRNAs. TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 mRNAs were detected in all anterior lens capsule samples. A comparative analysis revealed: TGF-β1>TGF-β2>TGF-β3 during the entire observation period. The TGF-β mRNA levels continued to increase up to four months after injury, then returning close to the base levels after around 15 months. The expression patterns of TGF-β isoforms showed a similar tendency. Differences in the expression levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 between the particular clusters were statistically significant. Posttraumatic transcriptional activities of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in the anterior lens capsule of paediatric patients depend on the time elapsing from injury. Our findings indicate that the transcriptional activities of TGFB family genes show a transient period of over-expression during the months after injury. TGF-β1 is a dominant isoform expressed in lens epithelial cells following injury.

[Scanning laser tomography in the diagnosis of juvenile glaucoma]

The aim of our research was to evaluate the optic nerve head parameters of children with juvenile glaucoma with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope from Laser Diagnostic Technologies Inc. The material consisted of 46 eyes of 25 children aged from 7 to 18 years. There were 18 glaucomatous eyes (I group) and 28 eyes without glaucoma (II group) as a control group. The three examinations were repeated every three months. Mean values of Vol. B in the glaucomatous group were -0.327 +/- 0.098, first visit; -0.390 +/- 0.130, second visit; 0.344 +/- 0.096 mm3, third visit. These values in the control group were--0.234 +/- 0.73; -0.224 +/- 0.071; -0.252 +/- 0.069 mm3. The difference was statistically significant. Mean values of Volume A were significantly lower in the I group: 0.216 +/- 0.034, 0.207 +/- 0.033, 0.203 +/- 0.030 mm3 than in the II group: 0.269 +/- 0.039, 0.283 +/- 0.032, 0.271 +/- 0.042 mm3. CD ratio was higher in the glaucomatous eyes: 0.447 +/- 0.080; 0.491 +/- 0.069; 0.484 +/- 0.074 in comparison with the control group: 0.376 +/- 0.060; 0.368 +/- 0.067; 0.399 +/- 0.056. It was significant difference. More changes of biomorphometric parameters of the optic nerve head were observed in the glaucomatous group during follow-up period. The role of laser scanning ophthalmoscopic tomography is very important in the diagnosis of early forms of juvenile glaucoma in the youth.

[Laser scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in diagnosis of juvenile glaucoma cases with myopia]

The diagnosis of the open angle glaucoma in myopic eyes remains one of the major problems, as the changes of the optic head in myopia may be similar to glaucomatous changes. The aim of the study was to analyse biomorphometric parameters of the optic nerve head in myopic eyes with glaucoma with scanning laser ophthalmoscope from Laser Diagnostic Technologies Inc. There was 29 children examined and among them 12 children with glaucoma and myopia as a study group (I) and 17 children with myopia as a control group (II).

RESULTS

TCA means values; group I: 1.994 +/- 0.158, group II:2.028 +/- 0.200 CD means values; group I; 0.315 +/- 0.072, group II: 0.247 +/- 0.057 Rim means values; group I: 1.366 +/- 0.164, group II: 1.511 +/- 0.136 Vol. A mean values; group I: +0.205 +/- 0.03, group II: +0.83 +/- 0.03 Vol. B mean values; group I: -0.159 +/- 1.608, group II: -0.117 +/- 0.08. Average values of the biomorphometric parameters of the optic nerve head were worse in group I than in group II, but there was not statistical significance between the differences. Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy may be used as very important additional examination in juvenile glaucoma cases with myopia.

[Surgical results using the Friedenwald-Guyton method for congenital ptosis in children]

The studies comprised 96 children with congenital ptosis, aged 10 months to 12 years, operated on in the years 1987-1992. Cosmetic and functional results, as well as the complications of the surgery were evaluated. A stable widening of a interpalpebral fissure with uncovering of the pupil was achieved in 96.6% of cases. The author concluded that the Friedenwald-Guyton's method is especially recommended in children with levator muscle dysfunction. The method is highly efficient, technically easy, causes little surgical trauma and rare complications.

[Primary intraocular implants in congenital cataract]

Analysis of 47 eyes in 31 patients, aged 5-17 years with posterior or anterior IOL's implantation performed during cataract surgery was done. Visual acuity examined 7 days after surgery was 0.02-0.4 in the cases with cataract in one eye and 0.2-1.0 in those with cataract in both eyes. After the mean period of 2.5 years, visual acuity of at least 0.5 was achieved in all cases with binocular pseudophakia and in 20% of those with one pseudophakic eye. Uveitis was the most frequent complication in early postoperative period (25.5% of eyes) and posterior capsule opacities were observed later (31.9% of eyes).

[Incidence of ocular congenital anomalies in clinical material]

The aim of the study was to analyse, basing on the clinical material of the years 1987-1992, the congenital ocular anomalies and to compare the results with the observations made 20 years ago. Among the total clinical material of 7333 examined patients in the age from 3 days to 18 years congenital anomalies, including high myopia, were found in 3882 cases (group A). There were 2201 boys and 1681 girls. Group B, without high myopia, comprised 2639 cases of congenital anomalies, 1539 boys and 1100 girls. It was established that the incidences of congenital retinal degenerations and optic nerve atrophy were now higher than in the 1970-s years. About 1/3 of cases with congenital anomalies were those with high myopia.

[Behavior of intraocular pressure after internal tamponade with SF6]

The clinical material comprised 22 cases of traumatic retinal detachment, in children aged 5-18 years, in whom after circumferential buckle a mixture of air and SF6 was injected into the vitreous cavity. Intraocular pressure was measured with applanation tonometer before surgery, after gas injection and on consecutive 7 days. On the first day after operation intraocular pressure showed changes, however no increase was recorded in the later period.

[Examination of corneal endothelium after cataract extraction in children]

Examined were 39 eyes (23 children) after extraction of congenital cataract or a subluxated lens as well as after implantation of an anterior chamber lens; evaluated were changes of density of the corneal endothelial cells. The operation the least damaging the corneal endothelium showed to be the lensectomy through the pars plana of the ciliary body.