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Biomedical subjects

B Winn

Publications and source records attributed to B Winn.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The frequency characteristics of accommodative microfluctuations for central and peripheral zones of the human crystalline lens.

Temporal variations in the nominally steady-state accommodation response can be characterized approximately by two principal regions of dominant activity: a low frequency region (LFR less than 0.6 Hz) and a high frequency region (HFR greater than 1.0 Hz). The observed changes of activity in the LFR induced by varying stimulus conditions has led to the proposal that this region may be utilized as an error detector in the accommodation feed-back loop. The role of fluctuations in the HFR is, however, equivocal particularly as several reports have shown their magnitude to be positively correlated with pupil size. The implication is that HFRs are a consequence of the mechanical and elastic properties of peripheral rather than central zones of the crystalline lens and hence do not contribute to the accommodation control process. The aim of the study was to compare the incidence and magnitude of microfluctuations in LFRs and HFRs for central and peripheral lens zones when viewing a near target. Accommodation was measured continuously with a modified Canon Autoref R1 infra-red optometer on five young emmetropic subjects. We show that although the total power of the microfluctuations is reduced in the periphery, the form of the power spectra is similar for central and peripheral zones. Thus rather than being spurious effects caused by the periphery of the lens HFRs are present for both central and peripheral lens zones.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1990

Arterial pulse modulates steady-state ocular accommodation.

Rapid and continuous fluctuations in ocular focus are known to occur when the eye views a stationary target. The advent of high-speed infra-red optometers has established that these microfluctuations of ocular accommodation have two dominant components: low frequency of less than 0.6 Hz and high frequency between 1.0-2.3Hz. Although the retinal image blur associated with microfluctuations has the potential to guide and maintain optimum accommodation levels, there is no consensus with regard to the respective contribution of each of the dominant frequency components. Using a newly-designed measurement and recording system we show that, when viewing a stationary target located at 25cm, individuals exhibit little variation in the frequency of low frequency components but significant variation in high frequency components. Simultaneous measurements of ocular accommodation and systemic arterial pulse demonstrate that the variation in high frequency component is significantly correlated with arterial pulse frequency. Since control experiments indicate that the microfluctuations are derived from activity of the crystalline lens our observations could provide the basis for a non-invasive method of assessing the effects of arterial pulse on ciliary body/choroidal vasculature, the vitreous/lens interface and intraocular pressure. Further, it is feasible that under certain conditions an abnormal increase in the magnitude of arterial pulse may affect the aggregate nature of accommodative microfluctuations to an extent that disrupts the normal control processes maintaining optimum retinal contrast during sustained near vision.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

Twin channel infrared optometer for recording binocular accommodation.

A twin channel infrared (IR) optometer for recording accommodation from each eye is described. Some modifications to a conventional single channel optometer design are necessary to facilitate binocular recording. The optometer incorporates an on-line microcomputer for data acquisition and processing. Processing includes power spectrum and correlation analysis, and a facility for performing cursor controlled measurement of time delays. Accommodation responses recorded are shown to be independent of horizontal eye movements, and little affected by the drug used for mydriasis.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

Binocular accommodation reaction and response times for normal observers.

Accommodation was recorded from right and left eyes of visually normal observers in both binocular and monocular viewing. Reaction and response times were similar in monocular and binocular viewing and are not influenced by eye dominance. Far-to-near responses were significantly quicker than near-to-far responses. The origin of this difference may be a feature of the elastic properties of the accommodation mechanism. Limited data are presented that indicate that the slowing of accommodation speed with age affects the near-to-far response disproportionally. Errors in the initial direction of response were fewer in binocular viewing in comparison with monocular viewing.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

The effect of pupil size on static and dynamic measurements of accommodation using an infra-red optometer.

The study examines to what degree the output of the Canon Auto-ref R1 infra-red (IR) optometer is affected by variations in pupil size for both static measurement of refractive error and for continuous recording of accommodation when switched to its modified mode of operation. In the normal static mode of operation the measurement of refractive state simply depends on the position of the peak photodetector output for each of three meridians: it does not depend on signal amplitude and hence pupil size. However, in continuous mode the actual output of a single photodiode is measured and the measurement is susceptible to changes in pupil size that occur within the area of the exit pupil utilized by the instrument. Using static and dynamic recording on model and human eyes the study shows that a 10% reduction in output signal relative to the maximum output level (for a constant stimulus) occurs for pupil sizes of 3.9 mm. The relatively small exit pupil has important advantages with regard to the use of mydriatic drugs and task-induced changes in pupil diameter.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

Perceptual detectability of ocular accommodation microfluctuations.

When the eye fixates a stationary stimulus, the power of the lens is known to change rapidly and continuously. Although the basic characteristics of this fluctuating activity are known and the influencing factors have been identified, their exact role in the control of accommodation is uncertain. It is thought that, for the fluctuations to be useful, a detectable change in the retinal image is necessary, yet an accommodation response can be provoked by a stimulus change of only 0.1 D, well within the ocular depth of focus as conventionally measured. In this study we examine whether the fluctuations of accommodation are able to provide perceptual sign information or whether the presence of a sensorimotor mechanism utilizing subthreshold blur is required. Normal accommodation fluctuations for steady-state viewing were recorded using an infrared optometer and subsequently were used to drive a Badal stimulus optometer. The perceptual threshold of the fluctuation signal for an eye under cycloplegia was then determined. The threshold for the detection of the fluctuations at optimal focus was not significantly different from the root-mean-square value of the actual response. Hence a portion of the fluctuations more than spans the dead space (depth of focus) and is therefore capable of providing information to control accommodation without the need for a subthreshold mechanism.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1989

A procedural guide to the modification of a Canon AutoRef R-1 for use as a continuously recording optometer.

We have recently reported on the modification of the Canon AutoRef R-1 for use as a continuously recording optometer, while retaining its capacity to measure in 'single-shot' mode. Although the principles of the modification and performance of the dual mode of operation have been described in previous publications, this technical not aims to provide sufficient detail for research laboratories wishing to implement the modification.

Electronics↗
PubMed1988

Modification of the Canon Auto Ref R1 for use as a continuously recording infra-red optometer.

The Canon Auto Ref R1 has been modified to allow continuous recording of accommodation while retaining its capacity to record in 'single-shot' static mode. Possible alternative principles of modification are discussed with emphasis placed on the method used in this paper. Preliminary results are presented for both a novel dynamic model eye and an emmetropic real eye. The system described provides a useful research tool in the study of ocular accommodation dynamics.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1988

Reduced aniseikonia in axial anisometropia with contact lens correction.

Aniseikonia, although present in isometropia, is associated principally with anisometropia and is widely thought to be the result of differences in the retinal image size presented to each eye. This assumes that equating retinal image size results in congruous cortical images. To test this assumption 1 refractive and 17 axial anisometropic subjects were examined to determine the aniseikonia present when corrected with spectacles and contact lenses. Contrary to many previous predictions, based upon Knapp's Law, the presence of equal retinal images resulted in larger aniseikonias than observed when the eyes were presented with unequal retinal images. This suggests that non-optical components have a significant role in the production of the cortical image, and this therefore requires a shift in the way the management of anisometropia is considered clinically. Contact lens correction maintains the aniseikonia at a minimum level in axial as well as refractive anisometropia and offers the clinician an acceptable practical alternative when prescribing for these patients.

Aniseikonia↗
PubMed1987

Power spectrum analysis in the study of ocular mechanisms.

The use of power-spectrum analysis in the study of ocular dynamics is becoming increasingly widespread. This paper summarizes the key points of signal acquisition and power-spectrum analysis, emphasizing aspects which we have found to be of relevance when the technique is applied to experiments in binocular accommodation. The considerations and conclusions are relevant to other areas of investigation into ocular dynamics and similar biological systems.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1985

The interaction of melanoma cells with fibroblasts and endothelial cells in three-dimensional macromolecular matrices: a model for tumour cell invasion.

Comparative quantitative data are presented concerning the adhesion, proliferation and invasive behaviour of RPMI-3460 melanoma cells on (1) plain collagen gels, (2) monolayer cultures of fibroblasts and endothelial cells growing on the gel surface, and (3) the exposed endothelial and fibroblast extracellular matrices (ECMs). Both types of ECMs enhanced melanoma cell adhesion and proliferation (compared with plain gels) and had marked, but distinctive, effects on melanoma morphology. The thickness and composition of the ECMs was altered by treatment of the matrices with enzymes (trypsin, elastase and chondroitinase ABC) or by using ECMs produced by endothelial cells at various times after confluence. Variations in the thickness and composition of the ECMs had no effect on the behaviour of melanoma cells growing on these matrices; our results suggest that the glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycan ECM constituents removed by digestion with the enzymes do not play an important role in melanoma cell attachment, proliferation and migration. Melanoma cells plated on the surface of a plain collagen gel rapidly migrated down into the collagen matrix, with approximately 30% of the cells found within the gel after 6 days of incubation. Fibroblast and endothelial ECMs significantly and distinctively inhibited melanoma invasion into the underlying collagen gel. The extensive invasion of melanoma cells into the gel was not accompanied by hydrolysis of the collagen fibres. Conversely, fibroblast and endothelial ECMs, which acted as effective barriers, were extensively hydrolysed by the melanoma cells. The possible use of ECMs deposited on collagen in the study of melanoma local invasion (on fibroblast ECMs) and extravasation (on endothelial ECMs) is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Lymphocyte migration into three-dimensional collagen matrices: a quantitative study.

Lymphocytes have been plated onto the surface of three-dimensional gels of native collagen fibers, and their distribution throughout the three-dimensional collagen matrix has been determined in a quantitative fashion at various times thereafter. Information regarding the total number of applied cells may be obtained by this means. Lymphocyte penetration into the collagen gel does not appear to involve the expression of collagenolytic activity, nor does it require the presence of serum. Analysis of the kinetics of lymphocyte penetration into the gel matrix indicates that lymphocytes are migrating in a "random-walk" fashion. Our objective has been to establish a model system for studying the cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions which influence the pattern of lymphocyte recirculation in vivo and the results presented here are discussed in this context.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1982

The use of three-dimensional collagen gels for the study of tumour cell invasion in vitro: experimental parameters influencing cell migration into the gel matrix.

We have been using three-dimensional gels of native collagen fibres as a substratum for the study of cell migratory behaviour. The objective of this work has been to develop an experimental model system for the study of tumour cell invasion. Data are presented in this communication concerning the effects of a number of experimental parameters on the migration of human foreskin fibroblasts (normal) and a Syrian hamster melanoma cell line (tumour) into three-dimensional gels of native collagen fibres. We find that the migration of both these cell types into the gel matrix is affected by the concentration of collagen in the gel, as well as by the initial density of cells plated onto the gel and the density of cells in the stock culture dishes. These results are discussed in terms of the control of cell migration into the gel and also demonstrate the potential utility of this model system for the study of tumour cell invasion.

Animals↗