Ophthalmologic health status of an aging population-data from the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II).

PURPOSE: Vision of the elderly may be affected by typical age-related diseases like cataract and macular degeneration. Little is known about the effect of aging on visual difficulties and vision-related quality of life. This study was conducted to compare the ophthalmological health status of younger and older individuals within a large cohort study of residents of a greater metropolitan area (Berlin Aging Study II [BASE-II]). METHODS: A total of 1655 participants (805 men) aged 60 years and older and 494 participants (232 men) aged between 22 and 48 years from the Berlin Aging Study II were included in the analysis. The subjects were examined during a 2-day clinical examination period. History of ocular diseases, vision-related quality of life using the visual function questionnaire (VFQ- 25), refraction, distance and near visual acuity, tonometry, and color vision were provided. RESULTS: Older subjects performed significantly worse concerning distance and near visual acuity, color vision, and vision-related quality of life compared to young subjects. Intraocular pressure showed no significant difference between groups. Individuals are often unaware of existing eye diseases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ocular diseases and the impairment of vision increases with age. Although 98% of elderly subjects have reported to suffer from any ocular disease, subjective quality of life seems to be affected to a lesser extent.

Comparison of the lubricant eyedrops Optive®, Vismed Multi®, and Cationorm® on the corneal healing process in an ex vivo model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of lubricant eyedrops on the corneal healing process and corneal toxicity. METHODS: Optive® and Cationorm® were tested regarding corneal irritability against Vismed Multi® and 0.01% benzalkonium chloride as negative and positive control, respectively. Formulas were applied on rabbit corneas (n = 5) cultured on artificial anterior chambers (EVEIT system) hourly over 3 days. Initially, 4 corneal abrasions (2-5.4 mm²) were induced. All defects were monitored during drug application by fluorescein stains and photographs. To ensure corneal vitality, glucose and lactate concentrations were determined photometrically in artificial anterior chamber fluids. Corneal fluorescein sodium permeability was tested as an indicator of the corneal barrier function. RESULTS: Optive® and Vismed Multi® showed a complete corneal healing on day 2. In one cornea (Optive®), erosion reoccurred on day 3. Erosion sizes of Cationorm®-treated corneas increased significantly from 12.20 mm² to a subtotal erosion of 51.89 mm² on day 3. Histology revealed epithelial loss and severe alterations of the superficial stroma for Cationorm®. Glucose and lactate concentrations did not change after application of Optive® and Vismed Multi®. In contrast, Cationorm®- and BAC-treated corneas showed a significant increase in lactate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Vismed Multi® application resulted in rapid corneal healing. Whether the toxicity seen for Optive® in one cornea is a valid result should be examined further. Cationorm® showed considerable corneal toxicity that could be caused by its additive, cetalkonium chloride. Otherwise, the electrostatic properties of Cationorm® led to a drug film on the area of epithelial loss that could hinder epithelial cell migration and adhesion in order to heal the lesion.