DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF OPTIC NEURITIS

Abstract: Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which in a single or repeated attacks can severely and permanently damage visual function. Errors in diagnostic are daily and usually occur because of incomplete diagnostic procedure performed. This manuscript presents a series of 19 patients reffered with optic neuritis diagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed in 15, while four had other changes in the optic nerve or macula. We analyzed the diagnostic specificity of the basic parameters of optic neuritis diagnosis and afferent pupillary defect showed the highest sensitivity. The spectrum of differential diagnoses is shown within this finding. Optic neuritis diagnosis should be established carefully, using usual and available diagnostic methods in ophthalmologic and neurological practice, and if necessary, refer patients to neuro-ophthalmologist, as well as to electrophysiological evaluation and other methods that help fifferentiate disease

Antioxidant Capacity of Lenses with Age-Related Cataract

The immediate cause of the occurrence of cataract is unknown, but oxidative damage and effects of reactive oxygen species are considered important in its etiopathogenesis. Our research was aimed at testing the nonenzyme antioxidant power of corticonuclear lens blocks, with different types and different maturity of age-related cataract. Clinical and biochemical researches were carried out in 101 patients with age-related cataract. In corticonuclear lens blocks of the patient, the concentration of nonprotein and total-SH groups and the concentration of total vitamin C and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) were determined; the current redox balance of dehydroascorbate/ascorbate and total antioxidant power measured by ferric-reducing ability were examined. In corticonuclear lens blocks with incipient cataract a significantly higher concentration of GSH, total SH groups, concentration of total vitamin C and ascorbic acid (AA), and ferric-reducing ability were measured. The measured concentration of DHA is higher than the concentration of AA in the lenses with the incipient and mature cataract. The concentration ratio of redox couple DHA/AA is higher in lenses with mature cataract, where the measured concentration of AA was lower than in the incipient cataract. Timely removal of DHA from the lens is important because of its potential toxicity as an oxidant. An increase of the current concentration of DHA/AA redox balance can be an indicator of oxidative stress

The role of CRP and inflammation in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex, degenerative and progressive disease invol-ving the multiple genetic and environmental factors that can result in severe visual loss. The etiology of AMD is not well understood. Many theories exist and feature mechanisms of oxidative stress, athe-rosclerotic-like changes, genetic predisposition and inflammation. The most recent clinical studies appointed to a great role of inflammation and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the pathogenesis of AMD. There is a large body of evidence indicating the association of CRP with endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as with lipid status disorder in AMD patients. According to recent studies, CRP is definitely not only the inflammatory marker but also a mediator of development of the vascular disorders in the retinal circulation. The results obtai-ned from the present studies may help our understanding the pathogenesis of the retinal vascular disease associated with high levels of CRP