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Biomedical subjects

F E Kruse

Publications and source records attributed to F E Kruse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Homocysteine levels in aqueous humor and plasma of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

We determined homocysteine (Hcy) levels in aqueous humor (AH) and plasma and their association with B-vitamin levels in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and controls. Both AH Hcy and plasma Hcy levels were significantly increased in POAG, and elevation of AH Hcy and plasma Hcy was a significant risk factor for POAG. In contrast to controls, neither plasma nor AH Hcy of POAG patients demonstrated a significant association with important non-genetic determinants of elevated Hcy such as low B-vitamin levels, increasing age and caffeine consumption. Considering that Hcy is a neurotoxin that induces apoptotic retinal ganglion cell death via stimulation of the N-methyl-D-asparate (NMDA) receptor, increased Hcy concentrations in AH and plasma might contribute to the optic nerve damage in POAG.

Aged↗

[Neurodermatitis. A risk factor for the development of squamous cell carcinoma].

Squamous cell conjunctival carcinomas (SCCC) are rare. We report on a 34-year-old patient with neurodermatitis and chronic conjunctivitis who presented with a therapy-resistant corneal ulcer induced by mechanical irritation diagnosed as SCCC. Chronic blepharoconjunctivitis seems to sustain the development of SCCC in patients with neurodermatitis because of their insufficient immune response.

Adult↗

[The dry eye. Current concepts on classification, diagnostics, and pathogenesis].

The etiology of dysfunctional tear syndrome ("dry eye") is multifactorial and complex. Recent evidence suggests an important role of androgens in regulating tear film secretion onto the ocular surface. In addition, inflammatory processes of the ocular surface seem to be the common final pathway of all chronic forms of dry eye. Novel concepts of pathogenesis and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools are discussed. In vivo confocal microscopy allows quantification of ocular surface inflammatory cells. This is of increasing importance for evaluation of anti-inflammatory treatments in dry eye patients.

Dry Eye Syndromes↗

[Current treatment for dry eye syndrome].

The therapy of dry eye disease as a chronic problem necessitates a long-term therapeutic association between patient and ophthalmologist. The aim of therapy is to relieve symptoms and improve vision as far as possible with an acceptable level of effort on the part of the patient. Therapy of dry eye follows a staged concept including tear replacement, serum eye drops, punctum plugs, novel anti-inflammatory drugs (cyclosporin A), and surgical procedures. Interdisciplinary care, especially of patients with autoimmune disease, is recommended and is best provided in a specialized dry eye outpatient clinic with quality control.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

[Neurotrophic keratitis].

Neurotrophic keratitis is a degenerative disease of the cornea caused by reduced corneal innervation. Trauma, tumors, inflammatory lesions and surgical procedures can damage the first branch of the trigeminal nerve on its entire course from brainstem to and within the cornea. Loss or reduction of corneal innervation leads to a reduced aqueous phase of the tear film and due to reduced supply with neurotransmitters/trophic factors also to reduced epithelial healing capacity (impaired mitosis and migration). Combined existence of tear film deficiency and impaired epithelial healing capacity predispose to persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulcers and perforation. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment may prevent this catastrophic chain of events.

Cell Movement↗

[Conservative and surgical treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy].

Neurotrophic keratopathy is one of the most challenging conditions among the disorders of wound healing of the ocular surface. In addition to bilateral assessment of corneal sensitivity, tear status and lid function must be analyzed and treated by unpreserved artificial tears and adequate lid surgery. Further conservative treatment options include hyaluronic acid and dexpanthenol as well as autologous serum. Application of recombinant growth factors (especially NGF) represents an interesting perspective. Concerning surgical interventions, temporary or permanent occlusion of the lacrimal punctum may be accompanied by lateral tarsorrhaphy which is easy to perform, potentially reversible, and in most cases successful. Depending on the type of wound healing disorder amniotic membrane transplantation may be helpful either as basal membrane transplant (graft) or as a patch, or in combination (sandwich). A tectonic keratoplasty a chaud should typically be combined with a simultaneous amniotic membrane patch and/or a lateral tarsorrhaphy to avoid persistent epithelial defects.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Functional significance of adenosine receptors in the eye and their dysregulation in pseudoexfoliation syndrome].

BACKGROUND: Adenosine regulates many physiologic processes, such as aqueous humor secretion and intraocular pressure, via activation of its receptors. We investigated the expression of the receptor isoforms in eyes with PEX syndrome, which is associated with anterior chamber hypoxia and elevated intraocular pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mRNA and protein expression of the adenosine receptor subtypes in anterior segment tissues of patients with PEX syndrome, glaucomas, and normal control eyes were analyzed comparatively. RESULTS: Whereas the receptor subtypes A1, A2a, and A2b displayed no differential expression between PEX and control tissues, expression of the A3 adenosine receptor was consistently enhanced in the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium of all PEX eyes, independent of the presence of glaucoma, compared to normal and glaucomatous control eyes. CONCLUSION: Considering the known role of the A3 adenosine receptor in modulating aqueous humor secretion, its selective upregulation in the ciliary epithelium may confer cytoprotection and be accessible to therapeutic intervention in PEX patients.

Aged↗

[Diagnosis and follow-up in glaucoma patients using the Heidelberg retina tomograph].

The development of laser scanning tomography in the late 1980s enabled the possibility of an exact three-dimensional biomorphorphometry of the optic nerve head. This technique is designed for 3D measurement of the topography of the optic disc with high accuracy and reproducibility. With the development of the Heidelberg retina tomograph with highly advanced and user-friendly software, a quick examination is possible. Currently the instrument is already used on a routine basis in the ophthalmological practice. It has been shown that glaucomatous changes of the optic disc can be detected using laser scanning tomography before perimetric deterioration occurs. Therefore this technique is crucial in the follow-up of glaucoma patients.

Computer Graphics↗

[Classification of ocular surface disease. Part 1].

The ocular surface consists of the lid margin, conjunctiva and cornea which together with the tear system represent a functional entity. The diagnosis of ocular surface disease can be very difficult due to the similarity of various disease entities. The classification should be made on the pathological and pathophysiological characteristics of ocular surface disease. The first part of the classification comprises diseases of the lid margin, the tear system as well as diseases of the conjunctiva. Both the clinical presentation as well as the underlying pathophysiological and pathological characteristics of the most important ocular surface diseases are reviewed.

Conjunctival Diseases↗

Low-dose-rate ionizing irradiation for inhibition of secondary cataract formation.

INTRODUCTION: Secondary cataract formation limits visual function after cataract surgery. Various experimental methods utilizing the pharmacologic inhibition of lens epithelial cell proliferation have been proposed. However, diffusion into the anterior chamber may lead to damage of corneal endothelial cells. This study evaluated the inhibition of lens epithelial cell proliferation with a capsular bag ring, labeled with a beta-emitting radioisotope. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In vitro studies using rabbit lens epithelial cells were performed to investigate the dose-dependent effect of irradiation. Based on these results, P-32-labeled PMMA rings were implanted into the capsular bag of NZW rabbits in vivo after phacoemulsification. Animals were examined for development of posterior capsule opacification over a period of 12 weeks following surgery. Radiation damage to the surrounding ocular tissue was subsequently analyzed in histologic sections using TUNEL assay and proliferation marker. RESULTS: Irradiation of lens epithelial cells in vitro with >5 Gy resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number of cells. BrdU testing demonstrated a near complete inhibition of cell proliferation. In vivo, implantation of P-32-labeled PMMA rings led to inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation and secondary cataract formation but was not able to fully inhibit aberrant differentiation of some remaining cells. Histologic examination showed no evidence of radiation damage of the ciliary body or the corneal endothelium. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose beta irradiation exhibits the potential for inhibition of lens epithelial cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Further investigation of various nuclides and their radiation profiles is needed to optimize the prevention of posterior capsule opacification due to epithelial cell proliferation.

Animals↗

[Amniotic membrane transplantation for reconstruction of the ocular surface].

Amniotic membrane transplantation has been recently gained wide-spread attention as a new method for reconstruction of the ocular surface. However long term prognosis of the surgical intervention as well as action mechanism are poorly defined. Therefore, we review the current literature concerning the application of amniotic membrane in ophthalmology and the outcome of the surgery. Amniotic membrane is used as graft or patch to promote epithelial healing of persistent epithelial defects, corneal ulcers and following penetrating keratoplasty. It is also used to seal corneal perforations and to treat bullous keratopathy. Amniotic membrane patches facilitate epithelial healing and reduce the number of complications after chemical burns. For partial limbal deficiency, amniotic membrane alone can be sufficient, while total limbal deficiency requires combination with stem-cell transplantation. Furthermore amniotic membrane grafts restore conjunctival surfaces following removal of lesions such as pterygium, tumor, scar, symblepharon, and conjunctivochalasis. The prognosis of amniotic membrane transplantation depends on the underlying disease and the quality of the ocular surface and is inversely related to the degree of inflammation. Recent investigations of the action mechanisms describe intrinsic antiinflammatory properties of the amniotic membrane.

Amnion↗

[Limbus transplantation for reconstruction of the ocular surface].

Proliferation of the corneal epithelium originates in undifferentiated, long-lived stem cells that are located in the basal limbal epithelium. Stem cells are important for corneal epithelial regeneration and wound healing. Depletion of stem cells due to accidents as well as malfunctions of stem cells due to inborn or inflammatory diseases result in limbal stem cell deficiency. Limbal deficiency is characterized by conjunctivalization of the cornea with vascularization and opacification. Partial limbal deficiency can be treated by removing ingrown conjunctival epithelium thus allowing normal limbal epithelium to repopulate the cornea. Unilateral limbus-derived stem cell disease requires either limbal autograft transplantation from the healthy partner eye or kerato-limbal allograft transplantation. Several modifications of the latter technique have been performed including large kerato-limbal lamellar grafts and central penetrating kerato-limbal allografts. All homologous procedures render a very high risk of immunological reactions that require long term systemic immunosuppression. The use of amniotic membrane, better pharmacological drugs for immunosuppression and improvements in the HLA-matching of limbal allografts as well as ex vivo expansion of corneal stem cells should allow for better reconstruction of the ocular surface in limbal deficiency.

Biological Dressings↗

Clinical results of phacoemulsification with the use of Healon5 or Viscoat.

PURPOSE: To compare the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices Healon5 (viscoadaptive) and Viscoat (dispersive) regarding their overall clinical performance during phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation as well as their influence on intraocular pressure (IOP). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. METHODS: In this prospective randomized patient- and observer-masked clinical study, the performance of Healon5 (sodium hyaluronate 2.3%) and Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) was assessed by 3 surgeons during cataract surgery in 90 patients. Surgeons used a 5-point scale for the subjective assessment of the ease of injection, maintenance capacity during continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, remaining capacity during phacoemulsification, facilitation of IOL implantation, removal from the eye, transparency, and overall performance throughout surgery. Intraocular pressure was measured preoperatively and 24 hours and 7 days postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity was assessed preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Overall intraoperative product performance was assessed as good or very good in 34 of 44 patients (77%) in the Healon5 group and in 16 of 46 patients (35%) in the Viscoat group (P <.001). Retention in the anterior chamber was graded good or very good in 36 patients (82%) in the Healon5 group and in 23 (50%) in the Viscoat group (P =.001). There were no statistically significant between-group differences in mean IOP preoperatively and 24 hours postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons graded Healon5 better than Viscoat in overall surgical performance and retention in the anterior chamber during phacoemulsification. These data support that Healon5 adapts to each step during surgery.

Aged↗

Functional changes measured with SLO in idiopathic macular holes and in macular changes secondary to premacular fibrosis. Function in macular holes.

AIM: To evaluate fundus perimetry and laser scanning tomography in idiopathic macular holes and premacular fibrosis and to describe specific functional findings of the adjacent retina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients with macular holes and epiretinal membranes (visual acuity 0.05-0.5) aged 64 +/- 13 years were examined using automatic threshold fundus perimetry with simultaneous observation of fixation, as well as a special fixation task with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). In addition, area and depth of the holes were measured using scanning laser tomography (Heidelberg retina tomograph). RESULTS: All 21 eyes with full thickness macular holes (0.06-0.75 mm2 area; 0.06-0.53 mm depth) showed an absolute scotoma inside of the hole with location of the fixation area at the left border or top of the hole. In contrast, the patients with impending holes or epiretinal membranes (0.14-0.32 mm2 area, 0.09-0.17 mm depth) could detect bright stimuli during perimetry (10-20 dB and 3-9 dB, respectively). We observed a reduced light increment sensibility (4-13 dB) surrounding the full thickness hole in 15 eyes, either with attached or detached retina. CONCLUSIONS: Fundus perimetry with simultaneous documentation of fixation offers the option to detect functional differences between macular holes and changes secondary to epiretinal membrane formation. There is an area of reduced function even in eyes with clinically and tomographically attached retina surrounding the hole which might influence surgical results.

Adult↗