Comparison of laser epithelial Keratomileusis with and without mitomycin c for wavefront customized surface ablations

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of mitomycin C (MMC) in preventing haze formation in surface wavefront customized ablations with successful refractive treatment (laser epithelial keratomileusis [LASEK]) and to evaluate the safety of this technique on corneal stroma and enclothelium.METHODS: This study was a prospect masked, randomized clinical trial involving 52 eyes (30 placebo and 22 MMC) of 26 patients. The-manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), best spectaclecorrected visual acuity, uncorrected visual acuity, corneal pachymetry, topography, aberrometry, endothelial specular microscopy, contrast sensitivity, corneal confocal microscopy, and complaints of pain via a subjective questionnaire were recorded preoperatively and 90 days postoperatively,RESULTS: The mean MRSE at 90 days postoperatively was -0.56 diopters (D) (-4.95 +/- 1.85 D, range: -8.00 to -1.62 D) for the MMC group and -0.49 D (-4.51 +/- 1.81 D, range: -7.75 to -2.25 D) for the placebo group. Higher order aberrations were similar between the placebo and MMC groups 90 days postoperatively (0.538 +/- 0.228 mu m and 0.478 +/- 0.134 mu m, respectively). Analysis of the enclothelial cell count indicated a statistically significant decrease in endothelial cell density (P=.017) after LASEK, independent of MMC use.CONCLUSIONS: The predictability of the final target refraction, induction of high order aberrations, and improvement in contrast sensitivity proved that the use of MMC was equally safe when compared to procedures that did not use MMC. In addition, the procedure was efficient in the prevention of corneal haze.Excimer Laser Santa Cruz, Sao Paulo, BrazilClin Oftalmol Nakano Sta Cruz EYE Inst, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Is pseudoexfoliation syndrome inherited? A review of genetic and nongenetic factors and a new observation

Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is the commonest identifiable cause of open-angle glaucoma worldwide. PEX is characterized clinically by small whitish deposits of fibrillar-granular material in the anterior segment of the eye. Despite its prevalence and potential for ophthalmic morbidity, surprisingly little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of PEX. This article reviews the literature and presents evidence regarding genetic and nongenetic arguments for the etiology of pseudoexfoliation. Lines of evidence that support a genetic basis for PEX include transmission in two-generation families, twin studies, an increased risk of PEX in relatives of affected patients, and HLA studies. Nearly all pedigrees in the literature, and our own experience with PEX families in Iceland and Canada, suggest maternal transmission, raising the possibilities of mitochondrial inheritance, X-linked inheritance, and autosomal inheritance with genomic imprinting. A number of nongenetic factors have also been evaluated for their possible implication in the development of PEX. These include ultraviolet light, autoimmunity, slow virus infection, and trauma. It is possible that a combination of genetic and nongenetic factors may be involved in the etiology and pathogenesis of PEX, i.e. it may be a multifactorial disorder. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to delineate more clearly the contribution of genetic (nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA or both) and nongenetic factors to the development of pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

Familial occurrence of pseudoexfoliation in Canada

Background: Genetic factors may play an important role in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. We describe the familial occurrence of pseudoexfoliation in Canadian families.Methods: Probands with pseudoexfoliation were referred to a tertiary care glaucoma service in Ottawa because of a family history of pseudoexfoliation or glaucoma, or both. Probands and family members who agreed to participate underwent a systematic interview and eye examination. The pseudoexfoliation status was classified as affected, suspect or unknown based on preestablished criteria for the diagnosis of pseudoexfoliation and glaucoma.Results: Thirty-four members of 10 families were assessed (18 affected, 2 suspect and 14 status unknown). Six families had two or more generations with pseudoexfoliation, and four families had one generation affected. There was a predominance of females among the affected subjects (17:1), and transmission in all cases appeared to be maternal. Eight of the families were of Irish/Scottish ancestry. Nine (50%) of the affected subjects had cardiovascular disease. Affected subjects tended to be older than suspects and those whose status was unknown (mean age 77, 67 and 55 years respectively). Seven subjects were affected unilaterally and 11 bilaterally. Affected subjects had moderate angle pigmentation in both eyes (mean +2.7, where 0 = no pigment and +4 = dense homogeneous pigment). The mean intraocular pressure in both eyes was higher for the affected subjects (23.1 [standard deviation (SD) 8.6] mm Hg) than for the suspects (16.8 [SD 6.1] mm Hg) and those of unknown status (16.8 [SD 2.9] mm Hg). An enlarged cup:disc ratio was seen in the affected subjects (mean 0.62). Eleven (61%) of the affected subjects had open angles on gonioscopy, and five had occludable angles and required peripheral iridectomy. Ten (56%) of the affected subjects were classified as having glaucoma, and 14 (78%) had evidence of cataract formation in at least one eye.Interpretation: Pseudoexfoliation appears to be transmitted matrilineally, which raises the possibility of mitochondrial inheritance, X-linked inheritance or autosomal inheritance with genomic imprinting. A larger study of families with pseudoexfoliation is necessary to clarify the mode of transmission and to identify the gene(s) involved in the etiology of this disorder