Association of polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 with primary open-angle glaucoma in Turkish patients

Purpose To investigate the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE), tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) genes and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a cohort of Turkish subjects. Methods Seventy-five POAG patients (49 women, 26 men) and 119 healthy subjects (67 women, 52 men) were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Allele and genotype frequencies between healthy subjects and glaucoma patients were compared by the χ2 test, and intraocular pressure (IOP), cup/disc ratio (C/D) and visual field indices (MD and PSD) were compared among different APOE, p53, and p21 genotypes in POAG group. A p value 0.05). POAG subjects with the ε2ε3 genotype had a worse PSD value (median=2.2) than those with the ε3ε4 genotype (median=1.77; p=0.01) and POAG subjects with the ε3ε3 genotype had worse MD and PSD values (median= -7.4 and 3.4, respectively) than those with the ε3ε4 genotype (median= -4.1 and 1.77, respectively; p=0.034 and 0.028, respectively). Conclusions Our study found no link between polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 genes and POAG in Turkish patients, although a larger sample is required to elucidate the role of these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis and course of glaucoma

Exfoliation and carotid stiffness

Casual or causal

Acquired anterior ocular melanocytosis following cataract extraction

The right eye of a 59-year-old man was the subject of extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. He gradually developed superior sectoral scleral and diffuse iris hyperpigmentation within 7 years postoperatively. The iris was also uniformly thickened. He sustained 20/20 visual acuity in the pseudophakic eye. Despite marked pigmentation of the angle, his right intraocular pressure remained within normal limits. We use the term acquired anterior ocular melanocytosis because the pigmentary changes were confined to the anterior segment and the choroid was not involved. We conclude that surgical injury in the form of cataract extraction can induce episcleral/scleral hyperpigmentation and iris hyperchromia

Corneal Neovascularization Possibly Associated with Latanoprost Therapy

PURPOSE. To report a case of corneal neovascularization possibly associated with latanoprost therapy

Corneal graft rejection and recurrent anterior uveitis associated with intraocular cilium

A 60-year-old male patient with pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in his right eye underwent corneal transplantation. Graft rejection occurred and the patient was regrafted 1 year later. The postoperative course was complicated with recurrent anterior uveitis attacks. In his right eye, he had a cilium in the posterior chamber at the five o'clock position between the intraocular lens and iris. The cilium was removed and the patient was free of any anterior uveitis or corneal rejection for 18 months. Eyes harboring corneal transplants and suffering frequent rejection, or chronic recurrent anterior uveitis should be examined carefully for the possible presence of foreign bodies

Tear lactoferrin levels in chronic meibomitis associated with acne rosacea

PURPOSE. To determine tear lactoferrin levels in patients with chronic diffuse meibomitis associated with acne rosacea and to investigate their role in the development and perpetuation of some inflammatory ocular surface complications

The roles of T-lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) HLA-DR receptor, and mast cells in etiopathogenesis of pterygium

Purpose: The etiopathogenesis of pterygia is controversial. We wished to explore the effects of inflammatory cells and mediators such as T-lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), mast cells, intercellular adhesion molecule-I (ICAM-I), and HLA-DR receptors on pterygium development. Methods: Immunohistochemical stainings were performed for T-lymphocyte subpopulations, mast cells, ICAM-I, and HLA-DR on sections of pterygium specimens. Nasal bulbar conjunctival specimens of patients undergoing cataract or vitrectomy operations were used for comparision. The mean number of mast cells/mm(2) was calculated using an ocular grid, and the difference between the numbers derived from pterygium and from normal conjunctival sections was analyzed statistically using the Mann-Whitney U test. CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in the epithelial and subepithelial regions, and ICAM-I and HLA-DR expression on pterygium epithelium were compared qualitatively. Results: Increased CD4 and CD8 lymphocytic infiltration in pterygium sections was observed. Only occasional lymphocytes were detected in normal conjunctival sections. The CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.33 for pterygium epithelium and I.34 for pterygium substantia propria. Increased HLA-DR and scattered ICAM-I expression were also detected on pterygium epithelium, but not on the normal conjunctival epithelium. The difference in mast cell numbers between the pterygium and control groups was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The detection of T-lymphocyte infiltration and ICAM-I and HLA-DR expression in pterygium epithelium strongly supports the suggestion that cellular immunity plays an important role in pterygium formation. Pterygium epithelium also seems to participate actively in the augmentation of this inflammatory process by expressing ICAM-I and HLA-DR molecules. Mast cells may participate in some stages or subtypes of pterygium during its development