Objective To observe the clinical manifestations, therapeutic efficacy and results of bacterial culture of seven patients of scleral buckle (SB) infection after scleral bulking surgery. Methods Seven patients (seven eyes) underwent SB removal for SB infections were enrolled in this study. The patients included four males (four eyes) and three females (three eyes). The patients aged from 12 to 69 years, with a mean age of 42.7 years. There were four right eyes and three left eyes. The duration (interval between primary surgery and SB removal) ranged from two weeks to ten years, with a mean of 47.5 months. Six patients were concurrent with systemic disease. All the patients were examined for visual acuity, slit lamp microscope and indirect ophthalmoscope examination. Some patients also received external eye examination and fundus photography. Whether SB exposure or not and the clinical manifestations were observed. SB removal was performed in all the patients and the SB were sent to the laboratory for bacterial culture. The follow-up time ranged from two weeks to eight months, with a mean of 3.2 months. Whether infections recurrence and retinal detachment or not were observed. Results SB exposure was in three eyes. Obvious ocular pain and swelling, conjunctival hyperemia and visible yellow-white discharge in the conjunctival sac were presented in two eyes; irritation and discharge were in one eye. No SB exposure was in four eyes. Ocular pain and swelling, conjunctival hyperemia and visible yellow-white discharge in the conjunctival sac were presented in two eyes. Repeated subconjunctival hemorrhage and diplopia were presented in one eye. Visual acuity decline, conjunctival sac discharge and total retinal detachment were in one eye. All patients had no intraocular inflammation. The infection was controlled after SB removal and the retina was attached during the follow-up. The bacterial culture were all positive, which included Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylcoccus epidermidis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Gram positive corynebacterium, Aspergillus flavus, Kocuria roseus, Streptococcus oralis, Maxwell Corynebacterium. Conclusions The clinical manifestations of SB infection and the pathogenic microorganisms are variable. SB removal can control the infection.
Objective To observe the relationship between the suturing patterns to close the scleral incision and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in 23G minimally invasive vitrectomy. Methods Eighty eyes of 80 patients with vitreoretinal diseases, who were treated with primary 23G minimally invasive vitrectomy, were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. Patients with poor closed scleral incision which need suturing were excluded from this study. The corrected visual acuity ranged from hand movement to 0.2. The IOP ranged from 7.9 to 19.8 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), with the mean of (13.9plusmn;1.8) mm Hg. The eyes were randomly divided into three groups: group A (20 eyes), suturing all three scleral puncture after vitrectomy; group B (20 eyes), suturing only two upper scleral puncture, but not the lower infusion puncture after vitrectomy; group C (40 eyes), no suturing for all 3 scleral puncture after vitrectomy. All patients underwent 23G vitrectomy only. The corrected visual acuity and IOP were observed after surgery. Results The corrected visual acuity were 0.1 -0.3, 0.2- 0.5, 0.3 -0.8 in one, seven and 14 days after surgery, respectively. No one in group A, B experienced hypotony in one, three, seven and 14 days after surgery. Thirteen (32.5%), five (12.5 %), two eyes (5.0%) in group C experienced hypotony in one, three and seven days after surgery. Seven eyes (17.5%) experienced severe hypotony (＜5 mm Hg) in 14 day after surgery in group C. The difference was statistically significant compared the incidence of hypotony in group C with group A, B respectively at different time points after surgery (chi;2= 16.82,P=0.007). The difference was statistically significant compared the incidence of hypotony in group C at different time points after surgery (chi;2=11.64,P=0.003). The difference was no significant compared the IOP between group A and B at different time points after surgery (F=1.618,P=0.205). Compared the IOP of group C to group A and B, the difference was statistically significant in one and three days after vitrectomy (F=9.351,P=0.000); but not statistically significant in seven and 14 days after vitrectomy(F=0.460,P=0.633). Conclusions Whether or not suturing the scleral punctures is closely related to postoperative hypotony in 23G vitrectomy. Suturing only the two upper scleral punctures can reduce the occurrence of postoperative hypotony.
Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptors sFlt-1, kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) in lightinjured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods Cultured human RPE cells (8th - 12th generations) were divided into normal control group and light damage group. The cells of two groups were exposed to the 18 W cold white light (2200±300) Lux for 12 hours to induce light damage responses, but the cells of normal control group were packed by tinfoil with doubledeck high pressure disinfection. The VEGF-A, sFlt-1 and KDR mRNA and protein expressions were detected by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot at 0, 6, 12, 24 hours after light damage. Results The VEGF-A mRNA and protein expressions in light damage group were significantly increased at 6 hours, and reached its peak at 12 hours after light damage which obviously higher than that in normal group (t=2.74, 2.93; P＜0.05), and then went down gradually. The sFlt-1 mRNA and protein expressions in light damage group reached its peak at 12 hours after light damage which obviously higher than that in normal group (t=4.32, P＜0.01), but obviously lower than that in normal group at 24 hours after light damage (t=2.41, P＜0.05). The KDR mRNA and protein expressions in light damage group were obviously higher than that in normal group at 24 hours after light damage （t=2.89, P＜0.05）,but there was no changes at 6, 12 hours after light damage (t=1.84, P＞0.05). Conclusions At 6, 12 hours after light damage, the expressions of VEGF-A and sFlt-1 increases significantly and KDR expression is stable in lightinjured RPE cells. At 24 hours after light damage, the expression of VEGF-A and sFlt-1 decreases, but KDR expression increases in light-injured RPE cells.
Objective To observe the effect of persistent flickering stimulus on the structure and function of retina in guinea pigs during a developmentally sensitive period.Methods Twenty-four two- week-old guinea pigs were randomly divided into flicker light (FL) group and control group, with 12 guinea pigs in each group. Animals in FL group were raised under 500 Lux illumination with a duty diurnal cycle of 50% at a flash rate of 0.5 Hz. Animals in control group were reared under steady 500 Lux illumination. Light emitting diode (LED) lamps were used for lighting under a 12-hour light/12-hour dark cycle. After the collection of fundus photographs and electroretinograms recorded at week 12, eyeballs were taken out, three dimensions were measured, and histopathological changes were examined.Results Compared to control group, tessellated fundus in FL group appeared more prevalent; implicit time of ldquo;ardquo; waves were prolonged in electroretinogram; the eyeballs were increased in horizontal, vertical, axial dimensions by (0.89plusmn;0.30), (0.69plusmn;0.20) and (0.96plusmn;0.30) mm respectively, the differences between two groups were statistically significant (t=12.7,11.9,15.8;P＜0.05). The gap of sclera collagen fiber was slightly widened.The photoreceptor layer was more likely to develop a disordered outer segment, which contained deciduous disc membranes.Conclusion Persistent flickering stimulus is attended by development of excessive ocular enlargement,which could affect the retinal structure and function of photoreceptors.