Nitric oxide and tumour necrosis factor alpha in the process of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

AIM: To establish the role of nitric oxide (NO), ascorbic acid and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). METHODS: Our study included 120 patients who were referred for cataract surgery. All patients were divided into four groups according to clinical findings: XFG, early and late pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS), and cataract (without pseudoexfoliation). Serum and aqueous humour levels of the ascorbic acid, NO and TNF-α were measured. The concentrations of the ascorbic acid and NO were measured by an appropriate spectrophotometric method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine TNF-α level. RESULTS: Aqueous humour concentration of ascorbic acid was significantly lower in patients with late XFS (0.61±0.11 mmol/L) and XFG (0.48±0.15 mmol/L) compared to patients with early XFS (0.9±0.15 mmol/L) and cataract (1.16±0.22 mmol/L), while there was no difference in serum concentration in all examined groups. Aqueous humour concentration of NO was significantly higher in patients with XFG (77.7±11.4 µmol/L) compared to patients with early XFS (50.27±9.34 µmol/L) and cataract (49.77±7.1 µmol/L), while serum concentration was increased in the early stage of XFS (73.26±8.29 µmol/L). Aqueous humour level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α was increased in patients with XFS (early 460.04±18.32 pg/mL; late 502.42±53.23 pg/mL) and XFG (510.34±43.07 pg/mL), while there was no difference in serum level in all examined groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Reduced ascorbic acid and elevated NO and inflammation related cytokine TNF-α level in aqueous humour of the patients with developed XFG suggest that oxidative stress induces local inflammation.

Proinflammatory Cytokines Induce XFG Development.

PURPOSE: To reveal the roles of proinflammatory cytokines within the process of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) production. METHODS: Our study included 120 patients referred to cataract surgery (early and late stage of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG), and control group). Serum and humor levels of cytokines were measured in a sample with high sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that TNF-α and IL-17, overlooked by IL-6 action in the early stage and in the phase of glaucoma, played the main role in the inflammation activation in the tissue in the early and late stage of XFS and in XFG. CONCLUSIONS: Local conditions cause chronic inflammation in the eye, subsequently activating fibrotic process with fibrotic tissue deposits in the eye.

Evaluation of central corneal thickness in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma.

AIM: To determine correlation between central corneal thickness (CCT) and applanation intraocular pressure (IOP) in normal patients with primary open angle glaucoma and patients with ocular hypertension. METHODS: Two-year retrospective study designed to determine correlation between CCT and IOP. Records of 121 patients were included in the study. Inclusion criteria were: IOP higher than 22 mm Hg for a group with ocular hypertension but without functional, morphological damage and progression, diagnosis of glaucoma for a group with open-angle glaucoma and normal ophthalmological results for a control group. Patients who were mono-oculus, patients with secondary glaucoma and who had surgical treatment were excluded. The patients were selectively grouped according to types of glaucoma, by gender and age. The IOP values were measured by Goldman's applanation tonometer, CCT values were determined using ultrasonic pachymeter, in the period from January 2011 to December 2012. RESULTS: Of total 121 subjects, 51 had primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), 40 had ocular hypertension (OHT) and 30 had normal ophthalmological findings (control group). The CCT values in OHT group 529.37+/-25.18 µm were greater than of both POAG, 501.02+/-14.04 µm and control group, 497.37+/-14.90 µm. The IOP values in OHT group were 20.25+/- 3.62 mm Hg, and in POAG group were 18.25+/-2.70 mm Hg, while in the control group they were 13.53+/- 3.62 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Determination of CCT in patients with glaucoma is crucial, considering its impact on IOP values, which represents a parameter in glaucoma diagnosis, as well as monitoring further progress of ocular hypertension and patients diagnosed with glaucoma.

Tumor of orbit / Tumor orbitário

The cavernous hemangiomas are the most common intra orbital tumors found in adults of the middle age. Although histological benign, they can encroach on intra orbital or the adjacent structures (optic nerve) and be considered anatomically or positional malignant. We present a case report of orbital cavernous hemangioma of right orbit in young women after pregnancy, from Topola near Kragujevac (Central Serbia) with visual compromise and it's by trans-nasal endoscopic surgical management. Our patient was controlled and treated with the symptomatic therapy, topical therapy with artificial tears and surgical treatment. Our patient has optimal visual acuity of affected right eye after surgical treatment of orbital tumor. Surgical treatment of symptomatic orbital cavernous hemangioma is safe and effective, so that the cosmetic results are the important parameter to evaluate the clinical outcome.

Os hemangiomas cavernosos são os tumores intraorbitais mais comuns encontrados em adultos de meia-idade. Embora histológico benigno, eles podem invadir a área orbital ou intraorbital ou ainda as estruturas adjacentes (nervo óptico) e ser considerado anatomicamente ou posicional maligno. Apresentamos um relato de caso de hemangioma cavernoso orbital da órbita direita em mulheres jovens após a gravidez, a partir de Topola perto Kragujevac (Central Sérvia), com comprometimento visual e medicado por tratamento cirúrgico endoscópico transnasal. O paciente foi controlado e tratado com terapia, terapia tópica sintomático de lágrimas artificiais e tratamento cirúrgico. Nosso paciente tem acuidade visual ideal do olho direito afetada após o tratamento cirúrgico de tumor orbital. O tratamento cirúrgico do sintomático hemangioma cavernoso orbital é segura e eficaz, de modo que os resultados cosméticos são o parâmetro importante para avaliar o resultado clínico.

Congenital blindness and visual impairment cause infection or non infection.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: none declared. INTRODUCTION: Authors are from reference documentation to archive at Organization of Federation of blind and visually impaired in central Serbia (Kragujevac), by retrograde analysis, of 2007-2012, comprehend two groups by etiology-clinical characteristics of congenital blindness and visually impaired, caused infection or non infection example. AIM: to analyze relationship between infectious and non infectious of congenital blindness and visually impaired in our referent region and compare with world references. MATERIAL/METHODS: With 6-years analysis included the most frequency cases of congenital blindness and visually impaired in two groups, according to presence or absence infectious causes. From infectious causes of congenital blindness and visually impaired are included: CMV - infection, congenital rubella syndrome, congenital toxoplasmosis, congenital syphilis and rare mixed syndrome. From non infectious causes are included: retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy prematurity, primary congenital glaucoma, Leber's congenital amaurosis and rare syndrome. RESULTS: From total number of registered blind and visually impaired - 1308 (100%), over the last 6 years, the registration was 349 (26.68%) with congenital blindness and visually impaired. From recorder with the number of the most common congenital blindness and visually impaired-194 (55.59%) with infections cause, and 155 (44.41%) non infection cause. CONCLUSION: Congenital blindness has shown permanent increase in past 6 years, in group with infectious and with non infectious causes. Congenital blindness and visually impaired of the most common etiology among registered members of our association in Kragujevac is subject of our correlation and global trends mentioned observation of these diseases.