[Comparative investigation of treatments for evaporative dry eye]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Therapie des evaporativen trockenen Auges.

BACKGROUND: Evaporative dry eye is the most common form of tear film dysfunction. The present trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of two established treatment options with different modes of action by comparison. PATIENTS/MATERIAL AND METHODS: 216 patients suffering from evaporative dry eye were included in this prospective, randomised two-centre trial. Divided into two treatment groups, patients either received treatment with hyaluronate artificial tears (Vismed light) or a phospholipid-liposome eye spray (Tears Again), each for three months. Tests (lid-parallel conjunctival folds [LIPCOF], non-invasive break-up time [NIBUT], Schirmer's test, inspection of lids and subjective assessment) were performed before as well as 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of this study. RESULTS: In the patients of the eye spray group there was a significantly greater reduction of the LIPCOF grade (p < 0.02) and the grade of inflammation of the lid margin (p < 0.002). With respect to the tear film break-up time (NIBUT) there was a significant difference between the results of both groups (p < 0.003). The improvement of the break-up time in patients of the eye spray group turned out to be more than twice as high as that in the artificial tears group. CONCLUSIONS: Both therapies improved evaporative dry eye, but patients on phospholipid-liposomal eye spray demonstrated greater clinical benefit from their therapy, particularly regarding the degree of inflammation of the lid margins as well as the grade of LIPCOF. When compared to hyaluronate artificial tears, NIBUT more than doubled in the phospholipid-liposome eye spray group. Clinical severity of dry eye is more pronounced when evaporative dry eye and aqueous tear deficiency coincide. A combination of the phospholipid-liposome eye spray and artificial tears appears to represent a considerable advancement in tear replacement therapy for severe cases of dry eye.

[Tissue typing in perforating corneal transplantation]. / Gewebetypisierung bei der perforierenden Keratoplastik.

The demand for matched corneal grafts has risen rapidly over the last years. One reason for this is the change in the judgement of the value of tissue and especially HLA typing for prevention of an immune reaction in perforating corneal transplantation. Besides HLA or major antigens, there are other immunologically relevant tissue surface molecules such as the non-MHC antigens of which blood groups and minor antigens are the most important. With regard to effective cost-benefit and waiting time-benefit analyses, differentiated matching strategies are needed to assure optimized utilization and allocation of the still unsatisfactory number of available corneal grafts. With special matching strategies, such as the calculation of the individual waiting time, the consideration of split, non-MHC and HLA antigens, additional HLA loci as well as so-called "permissible" and "taboo" mismatches, much more has to be taken into account in the future than just the numerical correspondence of HLA antigens. This will make it possible to turn from a pure numerical approach to a functional matching strategy. This review summarizes the discussion and different matching strategies, possibilities and limitations of HLA and tissue typing in perforating corneal transplantation.

[Contact lens associated dry eye. Current study results and practical implementation]. / Trockenes Auge bei Kontaktlinsenträgern. Aktuelle Studienergebnisse und ihre praktische Umsetzung.

Contact lens-associated dry eye symptoms have mostly been therapeutically addressed using artificial tears containing hyaluronic acid to supplement tear film volume with often unsatisfactory results. However, the main reason for contact lens-associated dry eye is not the lack of tear fluid but the lack of tear film stability due to meibomian gland dysfunction leading to reduction of the lipid film of tears. This is associated with increased evaporation of the aqueous phase of tear fluid and a measurable hyperosmolarity of the residual "denatured" tear film. A subsequent inflammatory reaction of the ocular surface then leads to the vicious circle of dry eye. The aim of this review is to summarize current study results on this topic and to give practical advice on how to address dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers more accurately. For most contact lens-associated dry eye symptoms a combined therapy with unpreserved artificial tears plus phospholipid-liposome eye spray yields the best results. In cases of additional signs of blepharitis the regular use of phospholipid-liposome solution for lid margin hygiene is beneficial.

[Eyelid hygiene for contact lens wearers with blepharitis. Comparative investigation of treatment with baby shampoo versus phospholipid solution]. / Lidrandhygiene bei Kontaktlinsenträgern mit Blepharitis. Therapievergleich Babyshampoo versus Phospholipidlösung.

BACKGROUND: Blepharitis due to Meibom gland dysfunction (MGD) is presumed to be one of the main reasons for dry eye symptoms which occur in up to 50% of contact lens users. Thus, MGD presumably plays an important role in dry eye in contact lens wearers. In the present prospective, randomized and double blind trial the efficacy of two established treatment options for MGD and blepharitis was evaluated in symptomatic contact lens wearers. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized 2-centre trial 53 symptomatic contact lens wearers suffering from blepharitis were included. Patients were randomly selected for two treatment groups: group A performed lid margin hygiene using the commonly recommended mild baby shampoo (Bübchen Kinder Shampoo-extra augenmild, Bübchen Werk Ewald Hermes Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH, Soest, Germany) and group B performed lid margin hygiene using a phospholipid-liposome solution specially designed for lid hygiene (Blepha Cura, Optima, Moosburg/Wang, Germany), each for 4 weeks. Before as well as 4 weeks after initiation of this study the following tests were performed: standardized subjective assessment using the ocular surface disease index, non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT) and objective evaluation of lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF) and further lid margin criteria by double blinded evaluation of slit lamp photographs. RESULTS: Of the 53 symptomatic contact lens wearers suffering from blepharitis 21 (39,6%) were randomly selected for treatment group A and 32 (60.4%) for group B. In both treatment groups there was objective and subjective improvement of symptoms of dry eye in contact lens wearers. Interestingly, there was a significantly greater improvement, subjective as well as objective, in treatment group B which used the phospholipidliposome solution for lid margin hygiene compared to group A using baby shampoo. CONCLUSIONS: Although both therapies improved symptoms of dry eye due to blepharitis in symptomatic contact lens wearers, patients using phospholipid-liposomal solution for lid margin hygiene demonstrated a significantly greater clinical benefit from the therapy. Thus, clinical practice recommending just baby shampoo for lid margin hygiene should be re-considered, as phospholipid-liposomal solution for lid margin hygiene appears to yield greater and faster clinical benefits for symptomatic contact lens wearers suffering from dry eye symptoms.

[Corneal metabolism with contact lenses in competitive sports]. / Hornhautstoffwechsel unter Kontaktlinsen im Sport.

The corneal metabolism during the use of contact lenses plays an important role for permanent corneal health, especially in competitive sports. Thus, it is important to understand the steps of corneal metabolism in general and during highly competitive sports activity in particular. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on physiological and biochemical effects of contact lens wear. Of the energy requirements of the cornea 75 % is supplied by aerobic processes; therefore, the eye needs the highest possible amount of oxygen and sufficient glucose which can be obtained from external air and to a lesser degree from within the anterior chamber. If the oxygen supply is too low this results in hypoxic edema. Fitting athletes with contact lenses must still be viewed with caution as the visual needs of athletes are usually much more demanding than those of the general public. An indiscriminate choice of lens design can adversely affect athletic performance and may even create a hazardous situation. An intelligent choice of contact lens can provide some subtle advantages that may improve athletic performance and provide the decisive margin for victory.

[Practical tips and tricks in fitting soft contact lenses]. / Praktische Tipps und Vorgehensweise bei der Anpassung weicher Kontaktlinsen.

This review is intended to give supportive information for beginners in contact lens fitting who are interested in providing a quality-related service to customers and patients. In Germany the proportion of contact lens wearers is significantly lower than in most other countries; therefore, there is a potentially fast growing market. The aim of this paper is to provide comprehensive guidelines for practitioners to develop and improve contact lens fitting practice and minimize unnecessary or preventable complications. The fundamental requirement for starting in contact lens fitting is to have correct education in the field and for the practice to be appropriately equipped. The key to providing a safe a reliable contact lens fitting practice is to continually update knowledge in the field and to maintain the practice to the highest professional standards.

[Correct contact lens hygiene]. / Richtige Kontaktlinsenhygiene.

Although contact lenses have long been established in ophthalmology, practical aspects of handling contact lenses is becoming increasingly less important in the clinical training as specialist for ophthalmology. Simultaneously, for many reasons injuries due to wearing contact lenses are increasing. In order to correct this discrepancy, information on contact lenses and practical experience with them must be substantially increased from a medical perspective. This review article deals with the most important aspects for prevention of complications, i.e. contact lens hygiene.

[Acute angle closure glaucoma with unilateral acute loss of vision]. / Akutes Glaukom mit einseitigem akutem Visusverlust.

We report the case of a 31-year-old patient who presented with unilateral acute loss of vision, severe headache, and symptoms of an acute angle-closure glaucoma. Surprisingly, a prepapillary uveal melanoma was the underlying reason; that is, a masquerade syndrome was seen. Enucleation and histopathological investigation of that eye were performed within 3 days after first presentation. Acute angle-closure glaucoma as the initial presentation of uveal melanoma is rare. Nevertheless, clinicians should be aware that patients with refractory unilateral angle-closure glaucoma and asymmetrically opaque media may harbor an occult uveal melanoma.