[Biological and physical aspects of intraocular pressure]. / Biologische und physikalische Aspekte des Augendrucks.

A thorough understanding of intraocular pressure homeostasis is the biological foundation for the development of new strategies to treat patients with elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma. However, investigations on the physiology of intraocular pressure homeostasis are also important to gain more comprehensive insights into the pathogenesis of glaucoma and other diseases with associated alterations of intraocular pressure. The present review intends to give alternative insights into the biological and physical aspects of intraocular pressure regulation. The pressure-volume as well as the hydraulic model of intraocular pressure and also the relationship between ciliary blood flow and aqueous humor production, which has moved into the centre of interest because of its possible clinical relevance for glaucoma patients, will be explained. The authors Have attempted to interrelate the different aspects of intraocular pressure genesis and regulation in a comprehensive but understandable way.

Ocular involvement in anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid.

PURPOSE: To report an anti-epiligrin cicatricial pemphigoid (AECP) patient with severe ocular involvement and to provide a practical approach to distinguishing AECP patients from those with other subepidermal blistering diseases. METHODS: Techniques included direct and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies, as well as interdisciplinary examinations of mucous membranes and skin. RESULTS: This study describes a patient with clinical features of cicatricial pemphigoid, circulating anti-basement membrane zone IgG antibodies, and subepidermal blisters. Histopathology and immunofluorescence analysis suggested the diagnosis of a cicatricial pemphigoid-like type of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. However, Western blot and immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that the patient's serum contained autoantibodies against laminin 5 alpha3 subunit, leading to the diagnosis of an AECP. CONCLUSION: Since patients with AECP have an increased relative risk for malignant tumors, it is important to distinguish this entity within the spectrum of cicatricial pemphigoid patients by additional studies such as Western blot or immunoprecipitation.

Measurement of stray light and glare: comparison of Nyktotest, Mesotest, stray light meter, and computer implemented stray light meter.

AIM: To evaluate the properties of devices for measuring stray light and glare: the Nyktotest, Mesotest, "conventional" stray light meter and a new, computer implemented version of the stray light meter. METHODS: 112 subjects, divided in three groups: (1) young subjects without any eye disease; (2) elderly subjects without any eye disease, and (3) subjects with (early) cataract in at least one eye. All subjects underwent a battery of glare and stray light tests, measurement of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, refraction, and LOCS III cataract classification. Subjects answered a questionnaire on perceived disability during driving. RESULTS: Repeatability values were similar for all glare/stray light tests. Validity (correlation with LOCS III and questionnaire scores), discriminative ability (ability to discriminate between the three groups), and added value (to measurement of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) were all superior for both stray light meters. Results of successive measurements are interrelated for the conventional but not the new stray light meter. This indicates a better resistance to fraud for the latter device. CONCLUSIONS: The new computer implemented stray light meter is the most promising device for future stray light measurements.

[Hughes' operation and combined procedures]. / Operation nach Hughes und damit kombinierte Verfahren.

BACKGROUND: The Hughes procedure is a standard and widely used technique for lower eyelid reconstruction. This paper presents the results of 55 patients who underwent reconstruction of the anterior and posterior lamella with the Hughes procedure at the University eye clinic in Salzburg between 2002 and 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 55 patients who underwent lower eyelid reconstruction performed with the Hughes procedure including a full skin graft. In 95 % of patients (52/55) this method was performed after tumor resection. The defect size of the lower lid was at least 10 mm horizontally and ranged between 10 and 15 mm. Of the patients three were treated with a combined Hughes and Tenzel procedure whereas in five cases the Hughes procedure was combined with an autologous tarsoconjunctival flap of the contralateral upper lid and a local full skin rotational flap. RESULTS: In 42 out of 55 patients both the eyelid function as well as the restoration of good cosmesis could be achieved. In 6 out of the remaining 13 patients suffering from minor complications, the function and cosmesis were restored after secondary minor surgery or additional conservative treatment. For six patients, further reconstructive surgery was necessary and one experienced a major complication in the form of a recurrence of basal cell carcinoma necessitating exenteration. CONCLUSIONS: The Hughes procedure is a well-suited technique for eyelid reconstruction of shallow defects extending beyond 10 mm horizontally and involving up to 100 % of the eyelid. The latter require a combined procedure such as the Hughes procedure and an autologous tarsoconjunctival flap and skin graft.

[Driving habits of patients with glaucoma]. / Fahrgewohnheiten von Patienten mit Glaukom.

BACKGROUND: Central visual field defects due to glaucoma are common, increasing with old age. Impaired visual processing, for instance caused by glaucoma, may play a role in the aetiology of car accidents involving older drivers which can result in personal injury. Mandatory eye exams with assessment of the visual field in elderly people holding a driving licence will become more and more important, especially in a continuously ageing and increasingly mobile population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 80 patients with overt glaucoma and 52 patients without glaucoma, all holders of a valid driving licence, were enrolled. For each patient, the best corrected visual acuity was recorded and an examination of the central visual field was performed with automatic perimetry. In addition, a detailed questionnaire about the current driving habits of the patient was requested. RESULTS: In summary, 29 patients (36 %; 95 % CI: 26 - 48 %) of 80 glaucoma patients were driving a motor vehicle with binocular congruent scotomata within the central 30 degrees visual field, which is not sufficient to meet current legal requirements in Austria. In addition, 3 out of 29 impaired patients had a visual acuity that was below the mandatory legal requirements. A total of 39 patients (49 %; 95 % CI: 37 - 60 %) of the glaucoma patients fulfilled legal requirements. Examination of these patients showed only monocular or binocular central visual field defects that were not congruent. However, 12 (15 %; 95 % CI: 8 - 25 %) patients were holders of a valid driving licence, but had stopped driving some time ago. Based on the prevalence of glaucoma and the number of driving licence holders, the projected number of actively driving glaucoma patients who do not meet the legal requirements regarding the visual field is probably around 15,400 (7,400 - 29,500) in Austria and around 163,500 (79,000 - 313,500) in Germany. CONCLUSIONS: Time limits for the validity of the driving licence within the European Community have been set. In addition, the legal requirements for driving a motor vehicle should also be clearly defined, especially the requirements regarding the visual field and the acceptable dimensions of central scotomata. In addition, a mandatory eye exam for older drivers to be performed by ophthalmologists should be considered in order to detect persons posing a safety risk in traffic.