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Biomedical subjects

U F Legler

Publications and source records attributed to U F Legler.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. An experimental study with clinical applications.

The posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis technique has been advocated in cases of posterior capsule rupture during extracapsular cataract extraction. The authors compared posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with posterior capsular sharp-edged tears. Two different types of forces were experimentally created on the posterior capsule of 30 human eyes obtained after death: (1) implantation and dialing of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) and (2) increased intravitreal pressure by injection of balanced salt solution. All posterior capsular tears extended toward the equator, causing major capsular defects. In contrast, the posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis remained intact in all cases. This experimental study proves that in cases where an inadvertent posterior capsular tear occurs, a posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis is useful in preventing further capsular damage. Also, in cases where a posterior capsulotomy is indicated, a smooth edge created by a posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis may be useful to maintain the integrity of the capsular bag for PC IOL capsular implantation.

Aged

Prospective experimental study of factors related to posterior chamber intraocular lens decentration.

The effect of posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) dimensions, design, style, loop fixation, and anterior capsular tears on decentration were investigated in an experimental model. Nine posterior chamber IOLs of various designs and styles with loop diameters between 12.0 and 14.0 mm and optic diameters between 5.0 and 7.0 mm were implanted in human eyes obtained post mortem. Symmetrical and asymmetrical fixation were investigated in eyes with and without radial tears using the Miyake posterior view technique. Location of IOL loops proved to be the most significant factor in IOL decentration. Decentration was least with symmetrical bag/bag fixation and no radial tears (mean = 0.20 +/- 0.05 mm). Asymmetrical bag/sulcus fixation in the presence of anterior capsular tears was associated with the highest decentration rate (mean 0.68 +/- 0.28 mm). Optic size and total loop diameter had no apparent effect on IOL centration in the immediate postoperative period.

Cataract Extraction

Loop memory of posterior chamber intraocular lenses of various sizes, designs, and loop materials.

Looped intraocular lenses (IOLs) fixate by exerting centripetal pressure on the ocular tissues. The ability of the flexible loops to maintain pressure depends on their rigidity (i.e., resistance to flexion) and their "memory" (i.e., ability to restore original configuration after a long period of compression). We studied the memory of 30 different posterior chamber IOLs, with loops made of polypropylene (PP) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), of various diameters, styles, and designs. The lenses were inserted into plastic wells, 9.5 mm in diameter, and immersed in water (37 degrees C) for one month. They were then placed on an open plate and allowed to re-expand for one month. Loop memory was calculated as the difference in diameter between the initial (pretest) measurement and measurements taken during the compression and release periods. The results showed that short (12.0 to 12.5 mm) IOLs had relatively better memory than longer (13.5 to 14.0 mm) IOLs. Those with PP loops expanded more and for longer periods than those comparable size and design with PMMA loops. One-piece, all-PMMA lenses exhibited the best loop memory. These lenses have the high rigidity of the PMMA material and the good memory of the design. Thus, the total IOL diameter can be reduced to 12.0 mm while providing long-term constant pressure on the capsular bag to maintain stable fixation.

Equipment Design

Scanning electron microscopic study of modern silicone intraocular lenses.

Silicone, as manufactured today, appears to be a biocompatible material. The safety and efficacy of silicone lenses are primarily related to the intraocular lens (IOL) design. We compared the edge finish of two three-piece polypropylene loop foldable silicone IOL designs (Allergan Medical Optics) and three one-piece designs (Staar Surgical Co., CooperVision-Cilco). Except for an early Staar one-piece design, all lenses including the more recent Staar lenses had acceptably smooth edges with minimal molding flash.

Biocompatible Materials

[Comparison of various capsulectomy techniques in cataract surgery. An experimental study].

Radial tears at the edge of an anterior capsulectomy are often associated with the occurrence of intraocular lens (IOL) loops coming out of the capsular bag with subsequent IOL decentration. We analyzed the incidence of radial tear formation in 40 human eyes obtained postmortem. These eyes were randomly assigned to four groups: "can opener," linear capsulotomy, capsulopuncture ("postage stamp"), and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC). The CCC appeared to be much less likely to be associated with anterior capsular radial tears as opposed to the other three techniques. With the nucleus expression technique used in this study, radial tears occurred in all cases of "can opener," linear capsulotomy and capsulopuncture, whereas no tears occurred with the CCC technique. The results of this study show that CCC is currently the best available anterior capsulectomy procedure for minimizing the incidence of radial tears and sequelae such as decentration.

Aged

Transscleral cyclophotocoagulation using a semiconductor diode laser in cadaver eyes.

We studied the effectiveness of semiconductor diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in cadaver eyes using the Miyake technique and light microscopy. Thermal lesions in the ciliary processes were induced with 0.7-second, 1200-mW, and 100- to 500-microns applications, 0.5 mm from the surgical limbus and defocused 1 mm posteriorly. An effective ciliary body reaction was observed grossly as tissue blanching, shrinkage, and pigment dispersion; and histologically, as coagulation necrosis and epithelial cell disruption. No damage to crystalline or intraocular lenses was evident. This successful application of diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in cadaver eyes suggests that it may prove useful in treating patients with glaucoma.

Ciliary Body

A comparison of neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation and cyclocryotherapy.

The cyclodestructive effects of cyclocryotherapy and of the neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) and diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation were investigated in phakic and pseudophakic cadaver eyes using a modified Miyake posterior-view technique and light microscopy. Cyclocryotherapy to -80 degrees C was applied with a 2.5-mm diameter tip, 1 and 2 mm from the limbus. Freezing at the ciliary processes was evident after 10-15 sec and reached a diameter of 3-4 mm by 30 sec. No visible changes were evident grossly in the ciliary processes, crystalline lens, or intraocular lens. Histologically increased separation of cells was observed. Effective noncontact Nd:YAG and diode laser applications to the ciliary processes were observed grossly as tissue blanching and shrinking and pigment dispersion. This effect was obtained by aiming 0.5-1.0 mm behind the limbus at a 1-mm defocus using 4 J of energy for the Nd:YAG and 1.2 J for the diode laser. The diode laser spot size did not affect the tissue response. No damage was observed in the crystalline or intraocular lens with either type of laser. Histologic changes using both lasers were coagulation necrosis with fragmentation and detachment of the ciliary body epithelium. This study suggested that the gross and histologic thermal effects produced by the diode and Nd:YAG laser were similar in the ciliary body. Also, at the time of surgery, these cyclodestructive procedures potentially cause little alteration of the crystalline or intraocular lens.

Ciliary Body

The relationship between the stretching capability of the anterior capsule and zonules.

The stretching capability of the zonules was studied in 40 human eyes obtained postmortem from 27 patients. A continuous circular capsulorhexis (CCC) (2.2-6.8 mm) was performed, and the lenses were removed by either phacoemulsification (26 eyes) or planned extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) (14 eyes). Maximal zonular stretch was calculated as the difference in distance between the ciliary processes and the zonular insertion at rest and after maximal stretch. This zonular stretch test showed that zonules can stretch to a mean distance of 3.82 mm before rupturing. Capsular elasticity was measured in 35 of the eyes by gradually opening a modified caliper until the capsular opening was torn. The ratio between the circumference at rupture and the circumference at rest was used as an index of capsular elasticity. Circumference of the intact capsulorhexis could be enlarged an additional 62% before a radial tear occurred. In most cases, no significant correlation was seen between the capsular and zonular capability to stretch. Maximal zonular stretch decreased significantly with age by approximately 0.5 mm for every 5 yr, whereas capsular elasticity did not show a significant correlation with age. Two eyes with pseudoexfoliation had relatively friable zonules but the capsular elasticity was within normal limits. Patient age is probably the best indicator of the stretching capability of the zonules.

Age Factors

Lack of impairment of fluocortolone disposition in oral contraceptive users.

Seven healthy women chronically (greater than 6 months) treated with oral contraceptives and 7 age- and weight-matched female controls were studied. Each subject was given 20 mg fluocortolone orally and the plasma concentrations of total and unbound fluocortolone in multiple samples obtained during the following 24 h were determined by HPLC and equilibrium dialysis. In the subjects on oral contraceptives there was no significant change in total clearance, unbound clearance or volume of distribution at steady-state of total and unbound fluocortolone, but there was a significant increase in hydrocortisone concentration compared to the control subjects. It appears that the elimination of the synthetic corticoid fluocortolone was not impaired by chronic administration of contraceptive steroids.

Adult

Impairment of prednisolone disposition in patients with Graves' disease taking methimazole.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of methimazole on the pharmacokinetics of iv prednisolone in patients with Graves' disease. Twenty women were studied, including eight with severe infiltrative ophthalmopathy who had taken methimazole and T4 for at least 4 months, six with severe infiltrative ophthalmopathy who had undergone subtotal thyroidectomy and, therefore, required no antithyroid treatment, and six age-matched normal women. All were euthyroid. Each women received 0.54 mg/kg prednisolone as an iv bolus dose. Plasma total and unbound prednisolone concentrations were measured at multiple times during a 10-h study period by high pressure liquid chromatography and equilibrium dialysis. The clearance of both total and unbound prednisolone was increased significantly in the women receiving methimazole therapy compared to values in both control groups. The volume of distribution at steady state was similar in all groups. These results suggest that patients receiving methimazole have enhanced prednisolone metabolism and, therefore, they may require higher prednisolone doses.

Adult

Pharmacokinetics of cloprednol in healthy volunteers.

Kinetic data for the synthetic corticoid cloprednol were determined in 8 healthy male volunteers after single oral doses (20 mg). Maximal plasma levels (Cmax) of 426 +/- 116 ng/ml occurred within 101 +/- 44 min after oral intake. Cloprednol plasma levels declined monoexponentially after oral administration. Total apparent plasma clearance was 4.07 +/- 0.72 ml/min/kg and apparent clearance of unbound cloprednol was 9.75 +/- 0.8 ml/min/kg. Plasma protein binding was 74 to 94%. Volume of distribution at steady-state was 0.81 +/- 0.14 l/kg for total cloprednol and 1.99 +/- 0.33 l/kg for unbound drug. The results presented in this study characterize the kinetics of total and unbound cloprednol for the first time.

Administration, Oral

Impairment of prednisolone disposition in women taking oral contraceptives or conjugated estrogens.

Companion studies were designed to determine the effects of oral contraceptives and conjugated estrogens on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone. Twenty-four normal women entered the studies, including six young women taking oral contraceptives and six age-matched control women, and six postmenopausal women receiving conjugated estrogens and six age-matched postmenopausal women. All received 0.53 mg/kg prednisolone phosphate, iv. Significant decreases (P less than 0.05) in the clearance and volume of distribution and significant increases in the half-life were found for both total and unbound prednisolone in the women taking oral contraceptives compared to values in the young control women. A significant decrease in the unbound clearance and increases in the total and unbound half-lives of prednisolone were found in the women receiving conjugated estrogens compared to values in the postmenopausal control women. Total clearance and volume of distribution were unchanged by conjugated estrogen therapy. Administration of prednisolone to women receiving estrogen-containing oral contraceptives or conjugated estrogens results in exposure of these women to increased concentrations of unbound prednisolone for increased periods of time. Increases in the pharmacological and toxic effects of prednisolone might be expected in these women.

Adult

Posterior capsule opacification.

A complication of extracapsular cataract extraction with or without posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation is posterior capsule opacification. This condition is usually secondary to a proliferation and migration of residual lens epithelial cells. Opacification may be reduced by atraumatic surgery and thorough cortical clean-up. Clinical, pathological and experimental studies have shown that use of hydrodissection, the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and specific IOL designs may help reduce the incidence of this complication. Capsular-fixated, one-piece all-polymethylmethacrylate PC-IOLs with a C-shaped loop configuration and a posterior convexity of the optic are effective. Polymethylmethacrylate loops that retain "memory" create a symmetric, radial stretch on the posterior capsule after in-the-bag placement, leading to a more complete contact between the posterior surface of the IOL optic and the taut capsule. This may help form a barrier against central migration of epithelial cells into the visual axis. Various pharmacological and immunological methods are being investigated but conclusive data on these modalities are not yet available.

Cataract