Ibopamine: D1-dopaminergic agonist in the diagnosis of glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of ibopamine (3,4 di-isobutyrrylester of N-methyldopamine), a D1-dopamine agonist, on intraocular pressure (IOP) in offspring of parents with primary openangle glaucoma as a consequence of outflow structures impairment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included participants aged between 8 and 40 years: group 1, 163 offspring of at least 1 parent with primary openangle glaucoma with normal IOP and without glaucomatous damages; group 2, 108 offspring of healthy parents (without history or existing glaucoma). Ibopamine test was performed by instilling 2 drops, 5 minutes apart, in both eyes followed by repeated IOP measurements over a 45-minute period. The test is considered positive if there is an IOP increase of ≥3 mm Hg 45 minutes after instillation. RESULTS: Baseline IOP before the test was 15.73±2.31 and 15.31±1.86 mm Hg in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Test was positive in 44.33% of cases in group 1 with a mean increase in IOP of 5.57 mm Hg (P<0.001), whereas in all participants of group 2 the test was negative with even 1 to 2 mm Hg IOP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: D1-dopaminergic stimulation due to ibopamine increases IOP as a result of increased production of the aqueous humor in participants with an impaired outflow. The study showed that offspring of at least 1 parent with primary openangle glaucoma--offspring without glaucomatous damages--show an increase of IOP after ibopamine administration, which signifies an impaired function of outflow structures and, therefore, a predisposition to intraocular hypertension and possible glaucoma.

Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis: a human model of autotransplant.

We evaluated the microscopical changes that occurred when bone and dental tissue were exposed to such a foreign environment as the ocular surface and anterior chamber in 17 osteo-odonto-keratoprostheses removed from the recipient's eye after 1 to 20 years. Histochemical methods were performed to demonstrate elastic and precursor fibers, while immunohistochemical procedures were used to study the distribution of collagen types I to VI. Islands of heterotopic, newly formed bone were observed in the dentin and the periodontal space, leading to focal dentoalveolar ankylosis. Remodelling and disappearance of the periodontal ligament was never diffuse.

Standards for modified osteoodontokeratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery according to Strampelli and Falcinelli: the Rome-Vienna Protocol.

PURPOSE: To establish a time-proven "gold standard" in modified osteoodontokeratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery. METHODS: The OOKP is the procedure of choice for restoring sight in patients with corneal blindness caused by end-stage ocular surface disease not amenable to penetrating keratoplasty. Members of the OOKP Study Group met in Rome, Italy in 2001 and Vienna, Austria in 2002 to discuss indications and contraindications, patient selection, surgical technique, postoperative care, and recognition and management of complications of OOKP surgery according to Strampelli and modified by Falcinelli. RESULTS: Falcinelli's modification of Strampelli's technique of OOKP surgery remains the gold standard as far as visual and keratoprosthesis-retention results are concerned. The agreement on indications and contraindications, patient selection, surgical technique, postoperative care, and recognition and management of complications of this technique of OOKP surgery is summarized in the text of this manuscript. CONCLUSION: This standard technique of modified OOKP surgery, where adequately performed, is capable of providing excellent anatomic and functional results even in the long term. In patients with corneal blindness untreatable by other approaches, we strongly recommend this technique for visual rehabilitation. Students of OOKP surgery should become familiar with the protocol described in this paper before subjecting the technique to further modifications.

Modified osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis for treatment of corneal blindness: long-term anatomical and functional outcomes in 181 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of a modified osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) technique for treatment of corneal blindness from various etiologies. METHODS: Two-hundred three patients (224 eyes) underwent modified OOKP surgery between 1973 and 1999. Of the original cohort, 181 patients (98 men and 83 women; mean [SD], age 54.3 [15] years) in whom a standardized 2-step surgical procedure was performed were included in the study. Preoperative diagnoses were dry eye (n = 70) due to ocular pemphigoid (n = 39), Sjögren syndrome (n = 11), trachoma (n = 8), Lyell syndrome (n = 6), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (n = 4), and graft-vs-host disease (n = 1) and congenital lid coloboma (n = 1), severe corneal burns (n = 68), bullous keratopathy (n = 13), keratitis sequelae (n = 15), and bullous keratopathy secondary to antiglaucoma surgery (n = 15). Several innovations were made to the original Strampelli technique. Median follow-up duration was 12 years (range, 1-25 years). RESULTS: Anatomical complications leading to OOKP loss were found in 11 (6.07%) of 181 patients. Survival analysis estimated that 18 years after surgery, the probability of retaining an intact OOKP was 85% (95% confidence interval, 79.3%-90.7%). Pooling patient groups, mean (SD) best postoperative visual acuity was 0.76 (0.34). Mean (SD) final acuity at the end of follow-up declined slightly (0.69 [0.39]) but significantly (P<.01). In individual diagnostic groups, mean acuity decline reached statistical significance (P<.05) only in the pemphigoid (1 line), trachoma (1 line), and bullous keratopathy secondary to antiglaucoma surgery (2 lines) groups. Survival analysis estimated that 18 years after surgery, the probability of retaining best postoperative visual acuity (within 2 lines) was mean (SD) 55.5% (12.9%). CONCLUSION: Modified OOKP surgery for corneal blindness of different etiologies may provide, in the long-term, anatomically stable corneal prosthesis as well as an effective, rehabilitating recovery in visual acuity.