The extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C is highly expressed during embryonic development, tissue repair and in pathological situations such as chronic inflammation and cancer. Tenascin-C interacts with several other extracellular matrix molecules and cell-surface receptors, thus affecting tissue architecture, tissue resilience and cell responses. Tenascin-C modulates cell migration, proliferation and cellular signaling through induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oncogenic signaling molecules amongst other mechanisms. Given the causal role of inflammation in cancer progression, common mechanisms might be controlled by tenascin-C during both events. Drugs targeting the expression or function of tenascin-C or the tenascin-C protein itself are currently being developed and some drugs have already reached advanced clinical trials. This generates hope that increased knowledge about tenascin-C will further improve management of diseases with high tenascin-C expression such as chronic inflammation, heart failure, artheriosclerosis and cancer.

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The role of tenascin-C in tissue injury and tumorigenesis.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements obtained with a novel rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam; Oculus) with scanning slit topography (Orbscan; Bausch & Lomb), and with ultrasound pachymetry (SP-2000; Tomey). Methods. CCT in 30 healthy eyes was measured twice with each modality by 2 independent observers in random order. The results from scanning slit topography are given both with and without multiplication with the acoustic correction factor of 0.92. In addition, the displayed images from the rotating Scheimpflug camera and scanning slit topography were used to calculate the signal difference-to-noise ratios (SD/N) between cornea and background signal. Results. The mean CCT values as determined with the different modalities ( standard deviation) were: 542 29 m, 576 37 m, 530 34 m, and 552 32 m for rotating Scheimpflug imaging, for uncorrected and for corrected scanning slit pachymetry, and for ultrasound, respectively. The differences between modalities ( 95% limits of agreement) were -9.8 31 m between rotating Scheimpflug and ultrasound, 24 31.2 m between scanning slit and ultrasound, and 33 27 m between scanning slit and rotating Scheimpflug imaging. The limits of agreement for within and between observer effects were within 4.2% of the absolute CCT values for scanning slit and ultrasound and within 2.2% for the rotating Scheimpflug imaging. The rotating Scheimpflug camera showed similar SD/N ratios but steeper edges of the corneal surfaces in the intensity profile plots. Conclusion. In the assessment of normal corneas, the Pentacam measured CCT values closer to ultrasound pachymetry and with less variability compared with Orbscan. The (interobserver) reproducibility with the Pentacam was highest of all 3 modalities. (Optom Vis Sci 2005;82:892-899)

Repeatability and reproducibility of central corneal thickness measurement with Pentacam, Orbscan, and ultrasound.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to prospectively compare visual acuity (VA) scores obtained with Snellen charts versus Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts in a “real world” retinal practice, and second, to see if there was a difference in visual acuity measurements obtained with ETDRS charts starting at 4 or 2 meters.

Prospective evaluation of visual acuity assessment: a comparison of snellen versus ETDRS charts in clinical practice (An AOS Thesis).

Eight-year follow-up of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation for moderate to high myopia

http://www.brightonvisioncenter.com/Research/Phakic_IOLs_for_Correction_of_Myopia_2009.pdf

Phakic intraocular lens implantation for the correction of myopia: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: To study the incidence and progression of lens opacification after implantation of phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses for myopia and its correlation with vaulting and endothelial cell density (ECD). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria. Methods: An implantable contact lens (ICL V4, Staar Surgical Inc.) was inserted in 76 myopic eyes. Patients were prospectively followed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. The uncorrected visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were determined. Vaulting was measured optically with a Jaeger II pachymeter, and the crystalline lens was examined at the slitlamp for the presence and characteristics of opacification. Endothelial cell morphometry was performed by specular microscopy, and the ECD was calculated. Eyes in which lens opacification developed were followed for at least 12 months to determine the degree and course of visual impairment. Results: Lens opacification occurred in 11 eyes (14.5%). Opacification was correlated with intraoperative trauma to the crystalline lens, age older than 50 years, and decreased ECD values throughout the observation period. Vaulting of the ICL did not correlate with the risk for lens opacification. After onset of lens opacification, 6 eyes (55%) had a stable BCVA within ±0.5 lines and 5 eyes had progressive opacification, losing between 3.5 lines and 0.5 lines (mean 1.8 lines ± 1.1 [SD]). Three eyes (3.9%) in the progressive group had a 1- to 2-line loss of BCVA over preoperative values and subsequently had cataract surgery. Conclusions: Risk factors for lens opacification after implantation of the model V4 ICL included intraoperative trauma to the crystalline lens and older age. Decreased ECD in eyes with opacification suggests ongoing inflammation as a cause. Patients younger than 45 years may have a significantly lower incidence of opacification.

Long-term results of implantation of phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses

Outcome after treatment of ametropia with implantable contact lenses

Purpose To simulate and measure subjectively observed glare and halos after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting University of Vienna, Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Vienna, Austria. Methods In 16 eyes of 10 patients, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and subjectively observed glare and halo size under mesopic conditions were measured before LASIK and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Infrared pupillography was used to ensure that all patients had a larger ablation zone than the measured pupil size under mesopic conditions. Results Preoperatively, the mean Snellen BCVA was 0.88 ± 0.17 (SD) and the mean glare and halo size was 1.97 ± 1.20 square degrees (sqd) before the treatment. One month after LASIK, the BCVA was 0.83 ± 0.29 and the mean glare and halo size, 2.61 ± 3.14 sqd. Three months after LASIK, the mean values were 0.90 ± 0.26 and 1.88 ± 2.37 sqd, respectively. Six months after LASIK treatment, they were 0.85 ± 0.28 and 1.30 ± 1.63 sqd, respectively. The 95% confidence interval for the difference between preoperative glare and halo and glare and halo at 6 months was −1.56 to + 0.51 sqd. Conclusion Subjectively observed glare and halo size after LASIK reached a peak after 1 month and decreased in the following postoperative period.

Glare and halo phenomena after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Influence of Blue-Light-Filtering Intraocular Lenses on Color Perception and Contrast Acuity

Purpose To evaluate monocular and binocular depth of focus in eyes with different multifocal intraocular lens (IOLs) systems. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Methods In this comparative interventional study, binocular implantation of multifocal IOLs was performed in 3 groups. In the first group, 26 eyes of 13 patients received asymmetric Acri.Twin (Acri.Tec) IOLs, a near-weighted 733D in 1 eye and a distance-weighted 737D in the fellow eye. In the second group, 26 eyes of 13 patients received a diffractive 811E IOL (Pharmacia). In the third group, 26 eyes of 13 patients received a refractive Array IOL (AMO). The visual acuity was tested monocularly and binocularly starting at 6 m in 0.50 diopter (D) defocusing steps. Results Distance visual acuity was best in eyes with the distance-dominated 737D IOL; eyes with the other IOLs had comparable results. Binocular distance visual acuity was comparable between the Acri.Twin group and the 811E group. The Acri.Twin group had better distance visual acuity than the Array group ( P ≤.048). Near visual acuity was best in eyes with the near-weighted 733D, followed by the 737D and the 811E. Patients with Array IOLs had worse visual acuities at reading distance (between 33 cm and 40 cm) ( P ≤.001). Patients with diffractive bifocal IOLs had better results than patients with refractive multifocal IOLs at reading distance ( P ≤.018). Conclusion The diffractive IOLs performed better than refractive IOLs. Asymmetric-weighted IOLs provided better binocular depth of field.

Gerald Schmidinger

Papers

Long-term results of implantation of phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses

Outcome after treatment of ametropia with implantable contact lenses

Glare and halo phenomena after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Influence of Blue-Light-Filtering Intraocular Lenses on Color Perception and Contrast Acuity

Depth of focus in eyes with diffractive bifocal and refractive multifocal intraocular lenses