Izuru Nose

Head-down posture induces PERG alterations in early glaucoma

Purpose:To probe susceptibility of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) to physiological stressors associated with moderate head-down body tilt in patients with suspicion of glaucoma or early manifest glaucoma (EMG). Methods:One hundred nine subjects with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/20 and no disease other than glaucoma [glaucoma suspects (GS)=79, EMG=14, normal controls (NC)=16 and comparable age range were tested. Noncontact intraocular pressure (IOP), pattern electroretinogram (PERG), and brachial blood pressure/heart rate measurements were performed in 3 consecutive conditions (∼0038 min apart): seated (baseline), −10-degree whole body head-down tilt (HDT), and seated again (recovery). PERG amplitude and latency, IOP, and systolic/diastolic blood pressures, heart rate, calculated mean central retinal artery pressure, ocular perfusion pressure, and systolic/diastolic perfusion pressures were evaluated. Results:During HDT, IOP significantly (P<0.001) increased in all groups approximately to the same extent (approximately 20%). PERG amplitude did not change in NC but decreased significantly (P<0.001) in patients (GS, −25%, EMG −23%). PERG phase become delayed in NC (−1.6%, P=0.04) but more so in patients (GS, −2.7%, P<0.001; EMG, −6.0%, P<0.001). The proportion of patients with PERG alterations significantly (P<0.05) exceeding those occurring in age-adjusted and baseline-adjusted NC were, GS: amplitude 20%, phase 15%; EMG: amplitude 14%, phase 50%. All measures recovered baseline values after HDT. Conclusions:Moderate HDT induces temporary worsening of RGC function in a subpopulation of GS and EMG patients. This noninvasive protocol may help disclose abnormal susceptibility of RGCs in a subset of the patients at risk of glaucoma.

Are Ultrasound-Guided Ophthalmic Blocks Injurious to the Eye? A Comparative Rabbit Model Study of Two Ultrasound Devices Evaluating Intraorbital Thermal and Structural Changes

BACKGROUND: Since Atkinsons original description of retrobulbar block in 1936, needle-based anesthetic techniques have become integral to ophthalmic anesthesia. These techniques are unfortunately associated with rare, grave complications such as globe perforation. Ultrasound has gained widespread acceptance for peripheral nerve blockade, but its translation to ocular anesthesia has been hampered because sonic energy, in the guise of thermal or biomechanical insult, is potentially injurious to vulnerable eye tissue. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has defined guidelines for safe use of ultrasound for ophthalmic examination, but most ultrasound devices used by anesthesiologists are not FDA-approved for ocular application because they generate excessive energy. Regulating agencies state that ultrasound examinations can be safely undertaken as long as tissue temperatures do not increase >1.5°C above physiological levels. METHODS: Using a rabbit model, we investigated the thermal and mechanical ocular effects after prolonged ultrasonic exposure to single orbital- and nonorbital-rated devices. In a dual-phase study, aimed at detecting ocular injury, the eyes of 8 rabbits were exposed to continuous 10-minute ultrasound examinations from 2 devices: (1) the Sonosite Micromaxx (nonorbital rated) and (2) the Sonomed VuMax (orbital rated) machines. In phase I, temperatures were continuously monitored via thermocouples implanted within specific eye structures (n = 4). In phase II the eyes were subjected to ultrasonic exposure without surgical intervention (n = 4). All eyes underwent light microscopy examinations, followed at different intervals by histology evaluations conducted by an ophthalmic pathologist. RESULTS: Temperature changes were monitored in the eyes of 4 rabbits. The nonorbital-rated transducer produced increases in ocular tissue temperature that surpassed the safe limit (increases >1.5°C) in the lens of 3 rabbits (at 5.0, 5.5, and 1.5 minutes) and cornea of 2 rabbits (both at 1.5 minutes). A secondary analysis of temporal temperature differences between the orbital-rated and nonorbital transducers revealed statistically significant differences (Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.05) in the cornea at 3.5 minutes, the lens at 2.5 minutes, and the vitreous at 4.0 minutes. Light microscopy and histology failed to elicit ocular injury in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The nonorbital-rated ultrasound machine (Sonosite Micromaxx) increases the ocular tissue temperature. A larger study is needed to establish safety. Until then, ophthalmic ultrasound-guided blocks should only be performed with ocular-rated devices.

An intraoperative intraocular pressure monitor

An autoclavable instrument based on piezoelectric principles for intraoperative monitoring of the intraocular pressure is presented. Accurate and rapid recordings of intraocular pressure during various surgical techniques are discussed.

Temperature-induced corneal shrinkage

Thermokeratoplasty is a procedure utilizing heat to reshape the surface of the cornea through shrinkage of collagen within the stroma. We have constructed an apparatus for measurements of thermally induced corneal shrinkage. Using this apparatus, we have defined the cornea shrinkage rate and examined the relationships between age, shock temperature, and shock temperature duration to the amount of shrinkage on fifteen corneal strips from Eye-Bank eyes. The results show that less heat energy was required to induce shrinkage in older corneas, that acute shrinkage increases with increasing shock temperature and that shrinkage increases with increasing shock temperature duration.

Intraocular diathermy coagulation

Previously used transvitreal diathermy systems were found to be less than adequate. A new, safer 1.25 MHz medium frequency bipolar instrument is presented, which obviates most of the earlier drawbacks. Coagulation at the retinal surface can be obtained with as little as 0.15 J.

Modification, calibration, and comparative testing of an automated surgical keratometer.

A new digital surgical keratometer (SK-1, Canon Inc) designed to fit existing operating microscopes and provide quantitative measurements at a nominal 2.0- and 3.6-mm diameter optical zone of the central cornea was modified for single foot-switch operation by the surgeon. The instrument was tested against three calibrated steel spheres, an astigmatic test-jig, and compared with a standard clinical keratometer (CLC, A.O. Co) in two studies involving six eye bank eyes and five healthy human corneas. Assessed with the steel spheres, the SK-1 calibration error was -0.042 diopters at the 3.6-mm diameter and +0.207 D at the 2.0-mm chord, while it was -0.120 D for the CLC. With cylindrical power greater than 0.50 D, the astigmatic angle was accurate to +/- 1 degree. After correction for calibration error, the CLC readings on eye bank eyes were 1.00 D higher in average (range +0.45 to +1.90) than those obtained with the SK-1 which gave lower keratometric values at the 2-mm chord diameter (-0.254 D, range: +0.05 to -0.7). The human subject corrected readings at the 3.6-mm chord were within 0.137 D (range -0.09 to +0.41) from the CLC values. A mean corrected difference of +0.068 D (range -0.27 to +0.30) was found between the two chords. The SK-1 instrument was easier to use than the CLC. A more accurate calibration and the addition of automated averaging and video display of readings as well as of a motorized Placido disc would further augment its clinical usefulness.

Artificial orbit system for experimental surgery with enucleated globes

A portable system for holding, accurately positioning, and restoring the physiologic integrity of enucleated globes during experimental anterior segment procedures and pars plana vitrectomy is described. A 0 to 500-mm Hg vacuum fixation ring and positioning apparatus mechanically locks globes into known spatial position while they are supported in a 2 to 6-mm Hg pressurized, pliable socket designed to match the size and pressure of a natural orbit. A gravity infusion system and an implantable piezoelectric pressure sensor in conjunction with a syringe and stopcock assembly allow for controlled inflation of globes to intraocular pressure (IOP) levels from 0 to 70 mm Hg, and to over 300 mm Hg. The fixation vacuum level, and intraocular and extraocular pressures are simultaneously monitored on 3-digit LED displays, and permanent records of each can be generated by routing data to storage devices. The anterior segment remains accessible at all times for surgical procedures and diagnostic measurements. The entire system is portable, allowing globes to be transported to multiple experimental stations, while all pressure settings and the position of the globe are maintained. To demonstrate applications of the artificial orbit system, we describe experiments using it to calibrate applanation tonometers, and to study the relationship between IOP and corneal curvature as well as the effect of trephination procedures and limbal vacuum fixation on IOP.

Hydrophilic treatment of porous PTFE for intractable glaucoma implant devices

Intractable glaucoma results from hindrances in the eyeball aqueous humor pathways that increase the intraocular pressure above normal physiological levels (over 20 mmHg). In this study porous PTFE membranes were made hydrophilic with a photochemical method that use ethyl alcohol and water for the chemical solution.

Validation of the barraquer tonometer for high intraocular pressure estimation

PURPOSE To compare the pneumatonometer and the Tono-Pen XL in a closed ex-vivo system in human eye bank eyes at high intraocular pressures (IOP) and evaluate the validity of high IOP measurements with the Barraquer tonometer. METHODS Intraocular pressure was monitored by cannulation of the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity in eight human cadaver eyes (mean donor age: 77.3 +/- 4.9 years, range: 72 to 84 years). Intraocular pressure measurements were taken at 50, 65, and 90 mmHg with the Tono-Pen XL and pneumatonometer. Intraocular pressure was raised to 110 mmHg and then the eyes were deflated slowly until they reached 50 mmHg. Pressure readings with the Barraquer tonometer were recorded when the corneal tonometer interface reached the inner and outer rings. RESULTS The Tono-Pen XL underestimated IOP, a tendency that was more evident at higher IOP In contrast, the pneumatonometer was more accurate and reliable at IOP of 50 and 65 mmHg but its readings underestimated IOP at 90 mmHg. The Barraquer tonometer used in this experiment accurately estimated high IOP A variability of 5.9 mmHg and 5.8 mmHg were recorded for the inner and outer ring, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The Tono-pen XL is an inadequate instrument to assess pressures normally encountered during LASIK flap creation in an ex vivo model using human cadaver eyes. The pneumatonometer and the Barraquer tonometer are accurate instruments at high IOP; however, the pneumatonometer underestimated pressures around 90 mmHg.

Quantification of Holmium:YAG and Thulium:YAG Laser-Induced Scleral Shrinkage for Buckling Procedures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To quantify and compare holmium:YAG (2.1 microns) and thulium:YAG (2.0 microns) laser-induced scleral shrinkage for retinal buckling procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two overlapping spots of either laser radiation were applied at the equatorial sclera of 50 human cadaver eyes. Scleral shrinkage was expressed as a relative change of length between two reference points on the scleral surface, and quantified as a function of energy per pulse, total energy, scleral thickness, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Tissue effects were studied histopathologically. RESULTS Shrinkage was most dependent on total fluence and attained a maximum of 27% to 30% with an IOP of 4 mm Hg, regardless of scleral thickness or laser parameters, but decreased with increasing IOP. The thulium:YAG laser produced more efficient scleral shrinkage and less collagen damage than the holmium:YAG laser. CONCLUSION The recommended parameters for laser-induced scleral shrinkage are the thulium:YAG laser, with 2.4 J/cm2 per pulse and 12.0 to 14.4 J/cm2 total fluence (5 to 6 pulses). IOP control (< or = 4 mm Hg) is crucial during laser scleral buckling.