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Biomedical subjects

T J van den Berg

Publications and source records attributed to T J van den Berg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Temperature dependence of thermal damage to the sclera: exploring the heat tolerance of the sclera for transscleral thermotherapy.

Thermal damage to the human sclera in relation to temperature and duration of exposure was studied in order to determine the heat tolerance of the sclera with respect to transscleral thermotherapy of choroidal melanoma. Samples of human sclera were submerged in saline for 10 sec to 10 min at temperatures of 37-100 degrees C. The effects of heat on the shape, weight and size of the samples were studied. Thermal damage of scleral collagen was examined by polarized light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). The sclera was embedded in epoxy resin and stained with toluidine blue for LM and with uranyl acetate and lead citrate for EM. Thermal damage of scleral collagen on polarized LM was graded on a five point scale. Scleral damage was visible on macroscopic examination and on LM and EM in sclera heated at 65 degrees C for 20 sec or longer, at 70 degrees C for 10 sec or longer, and at higher temperatures. A sigmoidal function was used to define the relation between temperature and changes in diameter, thickness, and weight of scleral samples. Using fitted functions, the threshold temperature for thermal damage was estimated to be 59-61 degrees C when samples were heated for 10 min, 62-63 degrees C when heated for 1 min, and 66-67 degrees C when heated for 10 sec; the threshold exposure time at 60 degrees C was estimated to be 7-12 min. These results indicate a temperature of 60 degrees C for 1 min is well tolerated by human donor sclera; information of in vivo studies is required to validate whether this setting can be used in transscleral thermotherapy (TSTT) for choroidal melanoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Transscleral laser thermotherapy of hamster Greene melanoma: inducing tumour necrosis without scleral damage.

The feasibility of using transscleral thermotherapy (TSTT) to induce necrosis of choroidal melanoma without causing damage to the sclera was investigated. Fifty-two subcutaneously implanted hamster melanomas covered by human donor sclera were irradiated for 1 min with an 810 nm laser using a 3 mm spot diameter, with and without cooling of the scleral surface. Immediately after irradiation the temperature of the scleral surface was measured with an infrared camera. Irradiation at 2000 mW, without cooling of the sclera, resulted in tumour necrosis to a mean depth of 4.4 mm and a mean diameter of 5.5 mm, without causing damage to the scleral collagen; the surface temperature of the sclera was 44.5 degrees C, and the estimated temperature at the sclera-tumour interface was 60.1 degrees C. There was a sharp demarcation between the viable and the necrotic part of the tumour. TSTT at 2500 mW, without cooling of the sclera, caused maximal tumour necrosis to a mean depth of 5.2 mm and a mean diameter of 5.9 mm; the scleral layers adjacent to the tumour had an estimated temperature of 67.6 degrees C and showed signs of damage in 14% of the experiments. Cooling of the sclera resulted in less thermal damage to the sclera but also less tumour necrosis. Results indicate that TSTT has potential in the treatment of choroidal melanoma.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Light scattering model for donor lenses as a function of depth.

The amount of light scattered by normal donor lenses (n = 15, ages 43-82 years) from a 1 x 0.1 mm white slit beam was measured as a function of depth in the lens for seven angles from 10 to 165 degrees, and for four wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. Apart from the most superficial layers, the data could be described with a model that consisted of three components. (1) small sized protein particles (alpha-crystallin), (2) large sized protein particles and (3) spectrally neutral rough surface reflectance ('zones of discontinuity'). Component (1) and (3) dominate backward scattering. Component (2) dominates forward scattering, but occupies only around 0.000006 of the lens volume, with the lowest values in the nucleus. Component (3) is important for a small range of backward directions only, being much stronger in extranuclear areas than in the nucleus.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Conversion of lens slit lamp photographs into physical light-scattering units.

PURPOSE: To derive from lens slit lamp photographs by means of densitometry the physically defined quantity for light scattering (the Rayleigh ratio) and to expand the use of the Lens Opacity Classification System (LOCS III) to include clear lenses and also to calibrate the LOCS III Nuclear Opacity (NO) score in physical terms. METHODS: Series of slit lamp photographs were taken from 38 eyes from 29 subjects (age range 18 to 84 years old) including cataracts, for 0.1- and 0.2-mm slit width, using 200 ASA and 1600 ASA film speed (Kodak professional; Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY) and different flash settings with a Topcon SL-6E (12 slit/speed/flash combinations; Paramus, NJ). Additionally 19 eyes were photographed with a Zeiss 40 SL/P (8 slit/speed/flash combinations; Carl Zeiss, Thornwood, NY). A calibrated suspension of latex spheres also was photographed at the same 20 conditions. Densitometry was performed on the nuclear area of all photographs including the LOCS III standards, using a photometrically corrected photocell. Slit width and flash intensity settings were photometrically calibrated. All eyes and the suspension were digitally "photographed" with the EAS-1000 (Nidek, Gamagori, Japan) Scheimpflug system. RESULTS: For each eye and the suspension, the series of 20 or 12 densities, corresponding to a range of about 1 log unit in the amount of light used, proved to follow closely a course common to all eyes (the two film characteristics), apart from a shift in the amount of light (because of the differences in light back scattering). CONCLUSIONS: From normal slit lamp photographs, the physical quantity for light (back) scattering can be derived using transformation graphs derived in this study. The LOCS III NO score also can be used for clear lenses and translated into physical units. In this way, slit lamp photography can be used better for more precise studies, provided some minimal calibration of the photograph slit lamp.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of a reference set based grading system for retinal nerve fiber layer photographs in 1941 eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a reference set based grading system for retinal nerve fiber layer photographs. METHODS: A total of 1,941 retinal nerve fiber layer photographs (Canon non-mydriatic camera) were evaluated using a reference grading system. The reference system consists of 25 photographs of the retinal nerve fiber layer (Canon CF60U camera) of normals and patients with glaucoma. Each reference photograph represents a score for the visibility of the nerve fibers. Superior and inferior regions of the 1,941 photographs of the sample of the normal population were matched separately to the references. RESULTS: The standard deviation of between eyes differences was 2.76. This standard deviation compared reasonably to the standard deviation of 1.0 to 1.9 for real repeated measurements in an earlier study and indicates that the grading system has good accuracy in relation to the total range of 1 to 25. A clear relationship between photograph score and age was established. CONCLUSION: The photographic grading system demonstrated that it is viable in a different setting. Therefore, evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer photographs with a photographic reference set might help ophthalmologists and technicians to integrate retinal nerve fiber layer photography in their clinical practice.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of variance of microspheres blood flow measurements in rabbits.

As part of a larger study on the interpretation of angiographically derived hemodynamic parameters, blood flow in several ocular tissues was measured using the radioactively labelled microspheres technique. As an unexpected secondary results, it was found that the microspheres data gave quantitative information on hyperaemic effects in the eye. This is the subject of the present paper. The measurements were made in 13 anaesthetized pigmented rabbits. In each animal, three blood flow measurements were performed at three different ocular perfusion pressures (60-15 mmHg). The perfusion pressures of the experimental eye were varied by changing the intra-ocular pressure. The contra-lateral eye served as a control. Labelled microspheres were used as a non-recirculating blood flow indicator, enabling the estimation of regional blood flows, in this case for the iris, ciliary body, peripheral choroid and peripapillary choroid separately. Using analysis of variance with perfusion pressure as covariate and taking into account the blood flow of the control eye, hyperaemia could be quantified in the experimental eye. Apart from a difference amongst animals, hyperaemia depended on tissue type. The amount of hyperaemia proved to be more pronounced in the anterior part of the eye, iris and ciliary body, and to decrease towards the posterior pole. With regard to the causes of this hyperaemia one could speculate about the invasive handling (anterior eye needles) topical administration of tropicamide, in combination with the general anaesthesia.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

A comparison of retinal and choroidal hemodynamics in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-pressure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To quantify, compare, and assess differences between retinal and choroidal hemodynamics in normal control subjects and patients with ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma, and normal-pressure glaucoma. METHODS: Video fluorescein angiograms were made in 20 normal subjects, 11 patients with ocular hypertension, 45 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, and 43 patients with normal-pressure glaucoma. Choroidal dye build-up curves were analyzed using an exponential model. The model time constant tau reflected the local blood refreshment time, the time needed to replace the blood volume in a tissue volume. Retinal arteriovenous passage time was estimated from the time lapse between retinal arterial and venous dye curves. RESULTS: The retinal arteriovenous passage time was longer in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma compared with normal subjects and patients with normal-pressure glaucoma; the average arteriovenous passage times (+/-SEM) in normal subjects and in patients with ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma, and normal-pressure glaucoma were, respectively, 2.44 +/- 0.19, 2.90 +/- 0.37, 3.02 +/- 0.17, and 2.55 +/- 0.15 seconds. Choroidal tau was longest in the normal-pressure glaucoma group but not as long in the primary open-angle glaucoma group; tau values in normal subjects and patients with ocular hypertension, primary open-angle glaucoma, and normal-pressure glaucoma were, respectively, 4.6 +/- 0.29, 5.6 +/- 0.69, 6.2 +/- 0.39, and 7.1 +/- 0.33 seconds. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas choroidal circulation is especially slower in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma, retinal circulation is delayed in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. The choroidal and retinal vascular systems behave differently in primary open-angle and normal-pressure glaucoma, which may be important in the management of glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Near infrared light absorption in the human eye media.

Available literature on the spectral transmittance of the eye media in the infrared (IR) is insufficiently accurate to estimate the deposited doses, e.g. in view of light damage risks. Analysis of the data of Boettner and Wolter [Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 1, 776-783 (1962)] for cornea, anterior chamber, lens and vitreous separately, shows that they can be explained on the basis of the pure water content. The transmittance spectrum of Geeraets et al. [Archives of Ophthalmology, 64, 606-615 (1960)] for all eye media combined is found to be impossible. It is concluded that in the near-IR, light losses in the eye media are best estimated with the absorption coefficient for pure water. A table is given from 700-2500 nm in steps of 10 nm.

Anterior Chamber↗
PubMed1997

Choroidal haemodynamics in glaucoma.

AIM: Quantification of haemodynamics of the peripapillary choroid in and the assessment of possible differences between normal subjects (N), ocular hypertensive (OHT), primary open angle (POAG), and normal pressure glaucoma (NPG) patients. METHODS: Video fluorescein angiograms (Rodenstock SLO 101) were made in 22 N subjects, 12 OHT, 48 POAG, and 46 NPG patients. The angiographically derived dye build up curves were described by means of an exponential model. One of the model parameters is the time constant tau theoretically reflecting local blood refreshment time; the blood refreshment time tau is the time needed to replace the blood volume in the choriocapillaris, inversely proportional to the local choroidal blood flow. Other variables are maximal fluorescence (Fdt) and time of first fluorescence (t0). Mean variable values were calculated for disc area and circular areas around the disc. RESULTS: Fdt of the disc was significantly lower in the POAG and NPG patients. There was no statistical difference in t0 between the study groups. The choroidal blood refreshment time was significantly longer in NPG patients and to a lesser extent in the POAG patients compared with the normal controls. The slowest choroidal blood refreshment can be found in the NPG group. The median choroidal blood refreshment times (25th-75th percentile) in the controls, OHT, POAG, and NPG patients were 4.1 (3.7-4.5), 4.4 (3.7-6.4), 5.8 (4.3-6.8), and 7.1 (5.5-9.3) seconds respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With the help of parametrisation of dye curves, using a one compartmental model, choroidal haemodynamics can be quantified. The blood refreshment time of the peripapillary choriocapillaris was found to be significantly prolonged especially in NPG patients; this may indicate slower choroidal haemodynamics in NPG patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Light scattering by donor lenses as a function of depth and wavelength.

PURPOSE: To determine quantitatively dependence on the wavelength and angle, as a function of depth, of light scattering in the human lens. To compare the result for forward directions with psychophysical data. To derive candidate particle distributions that might be responsible for nuclear light scattering as significant in the psychophysical situation. METHODS: The amount of light scattered by donor lenses (n = 15, ages 48 to 82 years) from a 1-mm x 0.1-mm white slit beam was measured as a function of depth in the lens for seven angles from 10 degrees to 165 degrees, and for four wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. Absolute values for light scattering (Rayleigh ratios) were derived. RESULTS: The light-scattering data are confounded by the short wavelength-absorbing pigments in the lens. After correction, backward light scattering in the nucleus followed wavelength to a power of -4. In the superior layers and for forward directions in the nucleus, light scattering was less dependent on wavelength. The nuclear data could be explained on the basis of a bimodal protein particle distribution: particles much smaller than wavelength, in quantitative accordance with the literature, and particles larger than wavelength, which control forward light scattering. CONCLUSIONS: The particles of significance for forward light scattering have, on average, a mean radius of 692 nm and constitute only 0.000003 of the volume. The wavelength dependence of retinal stray light is lessened by: the large sizes, the contribution of superficial lenticular layers, the lenticular pigments, and the contribution of other components of the eye.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Study of choroidal blood flow by comparison of SLO fluorescein angiography and microspheres.

Choroidal hemodynamics estimated with parameters describing the dye build-up curves obtained with video fluorescein angiography, were compared with a classical regional blood flow measurement: radioactively labelled microspheres. Video fluorescein angiograms (Rodenstock's SLO 101) and microspheres blood flow measurements were made in 13 anaesthetized pigmented rabbits. Ocular perfusion pressures were varied from 60 to 15 mmHg by changing the intraocular pressure. The angiographically derived dye build-up curves were described by means of an exponential model. One of the model parameters is the time constant tau theoretically reflecting local blood refreshment time. Labelled microspheres act as a non-recirculating blood flow indicator, enabling the estimation of regional blood flows. The relation between choroidal blood flow and perfusion pressure is nearly linear, suggesting the passive nature of choroidal vasculature. There is a significant correlation between tau and microspheres flow (R = 0.67, P < 0.01). According to the rheological model the product of blood flow and tau corresponds to the relevant blood volume. Hence, a function for the volume of the choriocapillaris as a function of perfusion pressure was established. The model parameter tau can be interpreted as the local blood refreshment time. Since the parameter tau, unlike microspheres, can be used clinically, tau may be used to retrieve information on choroidal hemodynamics in clinical practice. Information on the spatial distribution of choroidal hemodynamics is also obtained.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Depth-dependent forward light scattering by donor lenses.

PURPOSE: To determine quantitatively forward light scattering in the human lens as a function of depth. To use this to explain the psychophysical result, verified earlier in vitro, showing total light scattering in the human lens to decrease with scattering angle according to an approximate power law (power -2). METHODS: The amount of light scattered by donor lenses (n = 15; age range, 43 to 82 years) from a 1 mm x 0.1 mm white slit beam was measured as a function of depth in the lens for seven angles from 10 degrees to 165 degrees and for four wavelengths from 400 to 700 nm. Absolute values for light scattering (Rayleigh ratios) were derived. RESULTS: Light scattering of the total lens corresponded quantitatively to psychophysically determined in vivo stray light data. Powers were approximately -2.2. An important source of forward scattered light is located superficially at the anterior and the posterior poles. Nuclear forward light scattering varied over 2 log units, more or less in line with clinical assessment of nuclear opacity (LOCS III NO score). Nuclear powers were approximately -1.4. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro forward light scattering of donor lenses as a whole corresponded with in vivo data, but different depths in the lens contributed differently. Studies on functionally relevant light scattering by the human lens proteins should be conducted to explain true (in vivo) lenticular light scattering.

Absorption↗
PubMed1995

Hemodynamic parameter estimation from ocular fluorescein angiograms.

BACKGROUND: A method is proposed for parameterizing choroidal blood flow from fluorescein angiograms. METHODS: After digitizing and aligning the angiographic sequence, the intensity build-up curves of fluorescence are analysed per pixel (approx. 10 microns in fundo). Two models are compared. A one-compartment model predicts an exponential build-up curve, from which the following parameters are estimated: maximum fluorescence, dye appearance time and local perfusion rate (reciprocal of the time constant of the exponential). To account for the contribution of the systemic circulation to the shape of the build-up curve, a two-compartment model is used which predicts a bi-exponential curve. RESULTS: Introduction of the second (systemic) compartment resulted in a significant improvement of fit in 37 of 48 patients studied. The rate constants of the systemic compartment found were mainly in the range of 0.30-1.00 s-1. CONCLUSION: For the individual patient, the local perfusion rates may vary strongly, with lower perfusion rates possibly being of prognostic value for ocular diseases such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed1995

Stray light in photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

We performed a study to evaluate the influence on visual function of intraocular straylight after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). We present 4 eyes of 4 myopic individuals, who had contacted our clinic for keratorefractive surgical treatment. PRK's were performed with a Summit laser, using a 5 mm ablation zone. The straylight meter was used to measure the amount of intraocular scattered light, the physical cause of glare complaints, before and after PRK. This apparatus uses the direct compensation method to assess the amount of intraocular light scatter. The results showed a significant increase in straylight values, in the tested eyes, during the first two weeks after PRK. After the initial rise, straylight values returned to preoperative levels, except for two eyes that clearly developed a haze higher than grade two. Instead of returning to baseline levels, straylight values remained significantly higher in these eyes.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Peripheral cone contrast sensitivity in glaucoma.

Colour vision tests for detection of glaucomatous damage frequently suffer from two problems: most tests are confined to foveal vision, whereas defects tend to appear first extrafoveally; and the modulation directions in colour space are not optimal. This paper deals with peripheral testing à la Yu, Falcao-Reis, Spileers and Arden [(1991) Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 32, 2779-2789], and investigates whether there are modulation directions that show preferential sensitivity reduction in glaucoma. In 14 eyes with early glaucoma, 17 risk eyes and 10 normals, 12 deg peripheral colour contrast thresholds were determined for L, M, S, L-M and L+M test directions. Threshold elevations were correlated in all test directions, with S modulation yielding the largest elevations.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Grading of retinal nerve fiber layer with a photographic reference set.

PURPOSE: We developed a new quantitative approach for the evaluation of diffuse atrophy of the retinal nerve fiber layer. METHODS: A simultaneous, visually supported grading system was designed, which consisted of a set of 25 reference photographs, numbered from 25 (broad, clearly striated nerve fiber bundles) to 1 (no nerve fibers visible). We prospectively evaluated this method by matching 60 retinal nerve fiber layer photographs of patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension and normal subjects to the reference photographs twice by three observers with varying experience levels in evaluating retinal nerve fiber layer RESULTS: Intraobserver and interobserver reliability, evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient statistics, was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.8). Intraclass correlation coefficients within observers were from 0.89 to 0.98 (lower limits 905% confidence interval, 0.84 to 0.97), and intraclass correlation coefficients between observers were from 0.81 to 0.91 (lower limits 95% confidence interval, 0.50 to 0.87). Clinical validity, in which the scores for upper and lower halves of photographs were compared with the mean deviation of the Humphrey 30-2 visual field program by using the Spearman correlation coefficient, was substantial (r = -.68, P < .01 for upper photo score and lower field mean deviation, r = -.53, P < .01 for lower photo score and upper field mean deviation). CONCLUSIONS: By using a reference set of of photographs of the retinal nerve fiber layer, we defined a method to derive a quantitative measurement of retinal nerve fiber layer with good reliability and to extend evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer photographs to nonspecialists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Analysis of intraocular straylight, especially in relation to age.

PURPOSE: To analyze straylight resulting from different sources (cornea, lens, wall translucency, and fundus reflectance) in combination with different properties (age and pigmentation). To give formulas for straylight calculations. METHODS: In straylight on the retina multiple scattering can be assumed to be unimportant. Consequently, an additive model can be applied. RESULTS: An efficient parameter to quantify straylight is the "straylight parameter" s(theta), with theta the scatter angle. The model reads s(theta) = s(cornea)(theta) + s(lens)(theta) + s(wall)(theta) + sfundus(theta), and each of these sources is analyzed as sx(theta) = sx,base(theta) + a(age)*sx,age(theta) + p(pigm.)*sx,pigm.(theta). CONCLUSIONS: The most important effects, viz., s(lens,age), s(wall + fundus,pigm.) and s(cornea + lens + fundus,base) as well as a(age) and p(pigm.) were estimated. With the straylight parameter different effects of straylight, notably its disabling effect of contrast reduction, follow directly.

Adult↗