B. Khoobehi

Intravitreal liposome-encapsulated drugs: A preliminary human report

Intravitreal liposome-encapsulated antibiotics and antiviral drugs were used in patients with acute toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis, presumed propionibacterium acne endophthalmitis after cataract surgery, and presumed cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with AIDS. A single intravitreal dose was effective in the treatment of all the conditions. Intravitreal liposomes may prove to be an advantageous drug delivery system for the treatment of chronic intraocular inflammatory disorders.

Calcein angiography: a preliminary report on an experimental dye

Calcein is a new experimental dye for fundus angiography. Injected intravenously, calcein shares most of the characteristics of sodium fluorescein, but it also has some advantages over fluorescein because it lasts longer in the circulatory system. Calcein may be useful in experimental and clinical angiography of the fundus. This study gives the results of angiograms taken with a standard fundus camera after calcein injection.

Long-term effect of erbium-YAG laser (2.9 μm) on the primate cornea

An erbium-YAG (2.9 μm) laser was used in the primate eye to irradiate the anterior surface of the cornea in one group and the midstroma in another group after temporary lamellar keratectomy. The eyes were observed clinically up to a period of eight months, when the animals were sacrificed. The initial opacification of the cornea caused by the erbium laser application gradually disappeared over the observation period and was replaced by a faint haze. The healing process was faster in Group II (midstromal laser ablation). Some degree of flattening of the cornea after laser ablation was seen in both groups by photokeratoscopy. At the end of the observation period, the irradiated corneas demonstrated normal appearing corneal structure without significant damage to the corneal epithelium, stroma, or endothelial cells. Further experimental studies are needed to improve the laser delivery system and reduce the degree of corneal damage produced by long laser pulses.

External limbal sclerostomy with contact Nd:YAG laser versus surgical knife

An ab externo limbal sclerostomy was made into the anterior chamber using either a contact neodymium: yittrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser probe or a surgical superblade. 5-fluorouracil was injected subconjunctivally as an antiproliferative agent to prevent or decrease cell proliferation and scar formation. The contact Nd:YAG laser use was accompanied by minimal complications. The intraocular pressure was lowered for a longer period in the contact Nd:YAG group compared with the other (knife) group. External sclerostomy with an Nd:YAG laser may offer an alternative in the surgical management of recurrent or intractable glaucoma.