C.-K. Joo

Comparison of clinical results between heparin surface modified hydrophilic acrylic and hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens

Purpose To compare the clinical results of heparin surface modified (HSM) hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with those of hydrophobic acrylic IOL. Methods One hundred patients with cataract were randomized to receive one of acrylic foldable IOLs after phacoemulsification: HSM hydrophilic acrylic IOL (n=50) BioVue3® (BioVue, OII, Ontario, CA, USA) and hydrophobic acrylic IOL (n=50) Sensar® (AR40e, AMO, Santa Ana, CA, USA). Best-corrected visual acuity and refractive error were measured at 1 week, 2 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery in both IOL groups. To assess posterior capsular opacification (PCO), digital retroillumination image of posterior capsule was analyzed at 12 months using POCOman software. Results Best-corrected visual acuity (log MAR) was 0.032±0.082 in BioVue3® group and 0.034±0.077 in Sensar® group at 12 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.554). Refractive error was −0.247±0.821 diopter in BioVue3® group and −0.264±0.808 diopter in Sensar® group at 12 months. There was no statistically significant difference of refractive error between the two groups (p=0.909). At 12 months, BioVue3® IOL group had a lower percentage area and severity of PCO than Sensar® group. However, it was not statistically significant (p=0.349, p=0.288). No Nd:YAG capsulotomy was performed in BioVue3® group while it was required in two eyes (4.0%) in Sensar® group. Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference of postoperative visual acuity, refractive error and degree of PCO between HSM hydrophilic acrylic IOL and hydrophobic acrylic IOL.

Toll-like receptor 4 signalling attenuates experimental allergic conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis from an allergen‐driven T helper type 2 (Th2) response is characterized by conjunctival eosinophilic infiltration. Association between signalling through Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4) and adaptive immune responses has been observed in allergic airway disease. We examined whether administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a prototypic bacterial product that activates immune cells via TLR‐4, could affect the development of allergic conjunctivitis and modify the immune response to ovalbumin (OVA) allergen in an experimental allergic conjunctivitis (EAC) model. Mice were challenged with two doses of OVA via conjunctival sac after systemic challenge with OVA in alum. Several indicators for allergy were evaluated in wild‐type and TLR‐4−/− mice with or without adding of different doses of LPS into OVA in alum. Mice challenged with OVA via conjunctival sac following systemic challenge with OVA in alum had severe allergic conjunctivitis. Of interest, LPS administration markedly suppressed immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated and eosinophil‐dependent conjunctival inflammation. In addition, mice sensitized with OVA plus LPS had less interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5 and eotaxin secretion than mice sensitized with OVA only. The suppression of allergic response by LPS administration was due to Th1 shift. In contrast, the presence of LPS during sensitization with OVA had no effect on severity of allergic conjunctivitis and Th2 responses in TLR4‐4−/− mice. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that LPS suppresses Th2 responses via the TLR‐4‐dependent pathway in the EAC model.