Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
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The three-dimensional (3D) printer is a new technology that creates physical objects from digital files. Recent technological advances in 3D printing have resulted in increased use of this technology in the medical field, where it is beginning to revolutionize medical and surgical possibilities. ⋯ A good understanding of this technology will be beneficial to ophthalmologists. The potential applications of 3D printing in ophthalmology, both current and future, are explored in this article.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2014
Decreased DJ-1 leads to impaired Nrf2-regulated antioxidant defense and increased UV-A-induced apoptosis in corneal endothelial cells.
To investigate the role of DJ-1 in Nrf2-regulated antioxidant defense in corneal endothelial cells (CECs) at baseline and in response to ultraviolet A (UV-A)-induced oxidative stress. ⋯ Downregulation of DJ-1 impairs nuclear translocation of Nrf2, causing decreased antioxidant gene expression and increased oxidative damage. The decline in DJ-1 levels leads to heightened CEC susceptibility to UV-A light by activating p53-dependent apoptosis. Targeting the DJ-1-Nrf2 axis may provide a potential therapeutic approach for enhancing antioxidant defense in corneal endothelial disorders.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2014
Measurement of subfoveal choroidal thickness after cataract surgery in enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.
To compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) before and after uneventful cataract surgery using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). ⋯ Mean SFCT increased after cataract surgery. The changes in baseline SFCT were greater in PCME patients and preceded the increase in CRT.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialAntioxidant and inflammatory cytokine in tears of patients with dry eye syndrome treated with preservative-free versus preserved eye drops.
To compare the antioxidant and inflammatory cytokine activities in tears of patients with dry eye syndrome treated with preservative-free versus preserved eye drops. ⋯ Treatment with preservative-free eye drops is effective against the dry eye syndrome. Preservative-free eye drops seem to be more effective than preserved eye drops in decreasing ocular inflammation and in increasing antioxidant contents in tears of patients with dry eye syndrome.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2014
Molecular changes and vision loss in a mouse model of closed-globe blast trauma.
To characterize retinal changes and assess vision after an eye-directed air blast. ⋯ Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cell death became increasingly prevalent, over time post blast suggestive of an ongoing neurodegenerative response. Outer retinal changes either resolved or remained focal. In contrast, inner retinal changes were more robust and spread from focal regions to the entire retina over time post blast. Our model of eye blast trauma causes molecular changes and a decrease in visual acuity within the first month post blast despite a lack of overt eye injury. This subtle response matches the delayed presentation of visual deficits in some blast-exposed Veterans.