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PubMed1991

An improved photochemical model of embolic cerebral infarction in rats.

To provide further evidence that the multiple cerebral infarcts found in rats following photochemical damage to the carotid artery are caused by emboli and to eliminate the systemic hypotension and heating of the blood reported with the previous photochemical embolic stroke model (rose bengal and a green laser), I have modified the photochemical technique. Brain pathology was studied in 18 Wistar rats following carotid artery irradiation with a red laser (632 nm) at powers ranging from 100 to 800 mW/cm2 for 10 or 20 minutes following the injection of the photosensitizing dye Photofrin II. Multiple cerebral arterioles were occluded by platelet aggregates containing frequent erythrocytes and leukocytes, identical to the thrombotic material in the carotid artery but different from the platelet aggregates seen in the carotid artery and the brain in the rose bengal model. Eighty infarcts were distributed randomly throughout the brain ipsilateral to the nonocclusive carotid thrombus. Significant heating (0.5 degree C or more) of the blood occurred only with laser powers higher (1,600 mW/cm2) or laser irradiations longer (25 minutes) than those used in the improved model of embolic stroke. This model mimics one mechanism of stroke in humans and provides a means to study systematically the morphological evolution of small cerebral infarcts.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Tear-film deficiencies in patients with sarcoidosis; clinical study of 56 patients].

BACKGROUND: The eye and its adnexa are frequently involved in sarcoidosis. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is a typical manifestation that is believed to result from aqueous-layer deficiency in context with lacrimal gland disease. In this study we determined which layer of the tear-film might be involved. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with clinically and histologically proven sarcoidosis were prospectively analysed for symptoms of dry eye, visual acuity, signs of blepharitis, Schirmer II test, rose bengal test, fluorescein staining, break-up time (BUT), and impression cytology (IPC). Deficiencies of the lipid, water and mucin layers were differentiated. The observations were compared with those from a control group of patients with symptoms of "dry eye" (n = 56). RESULTS: All patients in the control group, but only 20 sarcoidosis patients had dry eye symptoms. The BUT in the control group (7.2 +/- 5.4; mean +/- SEM) was shorter (p < 0.02) than in sarcoidosis patients (8.9 +/- 4.5; mean +/- SEM). Compared with the sarcoidosis patients, conjunctivitis occurred more frequently in the control group (p < 0.01). Rose bengal staining was positive in 18 sarcoidosis patients, and in 35 patients of the control group (p < 0.01). Signs of blepharitis, the results of Schirmer test, fluorescein staining and IPC, and the frequent incidence of deficiencies of aqueous layer, lipid layer and combined deficiencies of two or more layers did not differ significantly between the two groups. Deficiencies of the mucin layer were detected in 43 sarcoidosis patients, and in 51 patients in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tear-film deficiencies are common in sarcoidosis patients, even when clinical symptoms are absent. Observations herein suggest that patients with sarcoidosis may not only suffer from deficiencies of the aqueous layer, but also of the mucin and lipid layers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Argon laser punctal therapy versus thermal cautery for the treatment of aqueous deficiency dry eye syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective randomized study was to compare the safety and efficacy of argon laser punctal ablation and electrocautery punctal occlusion in the treatment of moderate to severe dry eye and to correlate standard clinical signs with symptoms in these patients. METHODS: From June 1996 to April 1997 we studied 32 patients (64 eyes) referred to a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital with signs or symptoms of dry eye. Moderate to severe dry eye was confirmed by means of the Schirmer 1 test, fluorescein and rose bengal staining and a visual analogue scale measure of six subjective symptoms. Patients with severe dry eye were randomly assigned to undergo argon laser ablation (17 eyes) or electrocautery occlusion (18 eyes), and were reassessed 2 weeks, 1 month and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the laser-treated patients had a peak improvement of 40% in surface wetting at 1 month and improvement of 33% at 6 months; the peak improvement at 6 months in the electrocautery group was 84% (p < 0.05). At 6 months the laser group had a twofold reduction in rose bengal staining, compared with a sevenfold reduction in the electrocautery group (p < 0.05). The electrocautery group had the greatest decrease in fluorescein staining at 6 months (2.8-fold vs. twofold) (p < 0.05). The laser group reported a reduction in symptoms of 31% at 1 month and 14% at 6 months; the corresponding values for the electrocautery group were 55% and 64% (p = 0.02). Posttreatment epiphora was insignificant in both groups. In patients with surface wetting of more than 5 mm at baseline, regular use of Tear-Gel resulted in both objective and subjective improvement. INTERPRETATION: Although argon laser punctal ablation is a safe method of treating aqueous tear deficiency states, with minimal side effects, both subjective and objective improvement were greater with electrocautery punctal occlusion. Intensive use of Tear-Gel offers benefit to patients with debilitating symptoms in whom aqueous tear production is not severely reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

New treatment of dry eye: the effect of calcium ointment through eyelid skin delivery.

AIM: To demonstrate the efficacy of a petrolatum based calcium ointment applied to the lower lid skin in the management of dry eye. METHODS: In a controlled double masked study, the effects of water free petrolatum ointment containing calcium carbonate (10% w/w) on tear functional factors and ocular surface vital staining in dry eye patients were observed. Petrolatum without calcium carbonate served as control. Patients were instructed to place ointment to the lower lid skin twice a day. Evaluation of subjective complaints, fluorescein and rose bengal staining patterns, blink rate, tear evaporation and tear break up time (BUT) were performed before and 3 months after treatment. In order to demonstrate the movement of petrolatum from the skin to the tear film, petrolatum containing 1% sodium fluorescein was placed on the lower lid of four healthy volunteers, and the concentration of fluorescein in the tear film was followed up to 6 hours using an anterior fluorometer. RESULTS: Subjective symptoms significantly improved in both the calcium group (p=0.001) and control (p=0.012), while only the calcium group demonstrated a significant improvement in fluorescein (p=0.043), rose bengal (p=0.021) scores, and blink rate (p=0.004). Tear evaporation also significantly decreased in both the calcium group (p=0.0004) and control (0.043). BUT did not improve in either group. CONCLUSION: Petrolatum based calcium ointment significantly improved symptoms, tear dynamics, and ocular surface staining in dry eye patients. However, some of the therapeutic effects may be due to lipids in the petrolatum vehicle. Petrolatum applied to the lower lid skin is an effective drug delivery system for slowly releasing drugs to the ocular surface.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1999

Tear production in dogs with epiphora and corneal epitheliopathy.

Measurement of tear volume by phenol red thread tear test (PRT), Schirmer's tear test (STT-1) and Schirmer's tear test with topical anesthesia (STT-2), and vital staining with a combination of fluorescein and rose Bengal of the cornea were performed in dogs with normal eyes and those with epiphora. The breeds included the Shih-Tzu (n = 26), and five other breeds (n = 50). The PRT, STT-1 and STT-2 results from the five breeds of normal dogs were 26.9 +/- 3.0 mm, 17.4 +/- 4.3 mm, and 8.8 +/- 3.2 mm, respectively. The PRT, STT-1, and STT-2 results for the Shih-Tzu eyes were (mean +/- standard deviation): 28.2 +/- 4.3 mm, 19.5 +/- 4.1 mm, and 9.2 +/- 4.5 mm, respectively. In the five breeds, corneal epitheliopathy, as evidenced by the retention of topical fluorescein and rose Bengal, occurred in 97% of dogs with epiphora and in 55% of the dogs without epiphora. Also in the dogs with corneal epitheliopathy the STT-2-value was low (4.0 +/- 2.8 mm) compared with those eyes without corneal epitheliopathy (8.8 +/- 3.1 mm). In the Shih-Tzu breed the STT-2 results were not significantly different between those dogs with corneal epitheliopathy and those with normal corneas. In the non-Shih-Tzu breeds the decrease in basic tear secretion, as measured by the STT-2, is associated with the corneal epitheliopathy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

Phototoxic reaction to xanthene dyes induced by visible light.

Many dyes, for instance methylene blue, rose bengal, and eosin, are known as photosensitizers, and in the presence of molecular oxygen they induce cell lethality and skin photosensitivity (1-4). Several dyes are used in cosmetic products, particularly in lipsticks. Human lip skin is therefore exposed to potential danger from dye-sensitized phototoxic reactions. Using an in vivo system of mammalian skin, such as the abdominal skin of rabbits, we established screening tests for the phototoxic potential of synthetic dyes in two ways: (a) intracutaneous injection; (b) topical application with and without damaging the barrier property of the stratum corneum. In the intracutaneous injection assay, distinct phototoxic reactions were induced by rose bengal, eosin Y.S., and dibromofluorescein. When these dyes were applied topically to intact skin, no phototoxic reactions were observed. Phototoxic reactions were, however, elicited when the dye solutions were applied to abraded or scratched skin. The intensity of phototoxic reaction was found to be influenced by the vehicle in which the dyes were suspended. Phototoxic reaction to the dyes was induced by artificial light as well as by sunlight. By using commercially available fluorescent lamps with different spectral emissions, the action spectra for the phototoxic reaction to these dyes were investigated and it was found that the maximum phototoxicities of the dyes were manifested by light within a spectral range of 400-600 nm. Further studies on action spectra, using a monochromatic irradiation system, revealed a high correlation between the action spectra of the dyes and their absorption spectra. Maximum effective wavelength for the phototoxic reaction of eosin Y.S. was 525 nm. This topical as well as intradermal assay for assesing phototoxic reaction to synthetic dyes in living skin will be a practical and useful measure for studying the phototoxicity of the dyes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in the coastal savanna zone of Ghana.

323 sera from cattle raised in four locations in a coastal savanna area of Ghana were screened for brucellosis using the Rose Bengal plate test. The overall prevalence rate was 9.3%. No significant difference was seen between the infection rates in females (11.3%) and in males (4.3%). Generally, regardless of the sex of the animal, older animals (> or = 2 years) had significantly higher infection rates (11.6%) than younger animals (3.5%). In the females, the older animals had a relatively higher infection rate (13.5%) compared to nil (0) for the younger ones. However, in the males the converse was true, with younger animals having a relatively higher infection rate (6%) compared to the matured males (2.4%). 31% of the 42 herds examined tested positive for brucella antibodies in the Rose Bengal plate test. The need to monitor bovine brucellosis and educate the population at risk on dangers of infection is emphasised.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Informative capacity of 8 serological tests in the diagnosis of human brucellosis].

Assessment of the informative value of 8 immunological tests: sero-agglutination (Wright and Rose Bengale), indirect immunosorbent assay, counter immuno electrophoresis, ELISA IgG, IgM and IgA, and particle counting immunoassay (PACIA) has been performed among the results of serum of 209 patients. The patients were divided in four groups: 71 who already had brucellosis, 18 Yersinia infections, 12 Tularemia and 108 free of desease. The informative capacities of a positive result of counter immuno electrophoresis (Protein antigen Brucellin-INRA Tours-Nouzilly) is higher than others reactions and can be proposed as a confirmatory test of brucellosis. Among others techniques, 4 were found to be more sensitive: Elisa IgA (se = 97.6) and IgG (se = 90.1), IFI (se = 91.5) and Rose Bengale (se = 85.9) and can be proposed as screening test for medical diagnosis or epidemiological survey. Many cross-reactions were observed specially with Yersinia enterocolitica even with new serological methods.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome in Slovenia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in Slovenia. METHODS: A total of 889 randomly selected adults were invited to take part in our study. The classification of SS was based on the validated criteria reported by a multicentre study performed in Europe. The participants were asked six simple questions for assessing both ocular and oral involvement. Information on co-morbidities and related treatment was collected at the same time. All participants were subjected to a Schirmer-I test, an unstimulated salivary flow test, as well as serological studies (rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies). When indicated, Rose Bengal score, salivary scintigraphy and histopathological investigation of the minor salivary glands were carried out until three out of the six European classification criteria for SS were shown to be negative or until SS was diagnosed. RESULTS: Out of the 889 invited subjects, 332 (37.3%) participated in our study: 183 females, mean age (+/- S.D.) 52.2 +/- 13.7 yr (range 20-84) and 149 males, mean age (+/- S.D.) 56.3 +/- 12.9 yr (range 23-84). After the first visit, 244 of the 332 (73.5%) participants proved to be negative for three out of the six above-mentioned criteria, and were eliminated from further tests. The remaining 88 participants were consecutively subjected to Rose Bengal score, salivary scintigraphy and minor salivary gland biopsy. Fifteen participants refused to perform either one or more of the proposed tests at the second study stage. Two females of the 332 study participants [0.60% (exact 95% CI 0.07%, 2.16%)] fulfilled the criteria for primary SS. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated prevalence of definite SS in Slovenia is 0.60%.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Efficacy of a new warm moist air device on tear functions of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of an original warm moist air device on tear functions and ocular surface of patients with simple meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Fifteen patients with simple MGD and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited in an initial prospective interventional clinical trial to evaluate the safety and short-term effects of the warm moist air device. The device was applied to the eyes of the subjects for 10 minutes. Temperatures of the eye lids and corneas were measured with an infrared thermometer. Symptoms of ocular fatigue were scored using visual analog scales (VASs). Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), DR-1 tear film lipid layer interferometry, fluorescein staining, and rose bengal staining were also performed before and after the application of the eye steamer. After the initial study, another 2-week prospective clinical trial was carried out in 10 patients with MGD who received the warm moist air treatment. Ten other patients were also recruited and received warm compress treatment with hot towels for 2 weeks to evaluate the long-term effects of the warm moist air device and the warm compresses on tear film lipid layer thickness and ocular surface health. The warm moist air device and the warm compresses were applied for 10 minutes twice a day. The changes in VAS scores for symptoms, BUT values, fluorescein, and rose bengal staining scores were examined before and after each treatment during the second trial. RESULTS: VAS scores of ocular fatigue improved significantly with short- and long-term applications of the warm moist air device in both studies. The mean corneal surface and eye lid temperatures showed significant elevation within safe limits 10 minutes after the moist air application. The mean BUT prolonged significantly in the patients receiving warm moist air applications but did not change significantly in those treated with warm compresses. DR-1 tear film lipid layer interference showed evidence of lipid expression in the patients and controls, with thickening of the tear film lipid layer after 10 minutes of warm moist air device use. In the 2-week trial, tear film lipid layer thickness increased in both warm moist air device and warm compress groups, with a greater extent of increase in the warm moist air device group. CONCLUSION: Warm moist air device use provided symptomatic relief of ocular fatigue and improvement of tear stability in patients with MGD. The new warm moist air device seems to be a safe and promising alternative in the treatment of MGD.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Persistence of serologic and allergic reactions in ewes after vaccination with the H.38 or Rev.1 vaccines in a brucellosis (Brucella melitensis) enzootic area].

In a flock of 2,000 ewes located in an endemic area of Brucella melitensis infection, subjected to systematic vaccination of lambs either with killed and adjuvanted B. melitensis H.38 vaccine from 1973 to 1978, or with living B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine since 1979, reactions to allergic intrapalpebral test, complement fixation test and Rose Bengal plate test were recorded in small groups of animals vaccinated four, three, two or one years ago. Four years after H.38 vaccination, 39 ewes out of 40 (97%) remained positive at least to one of the three tests. After vaccination with strain Rev.1, 16% out of 153 ewes vaccinated one to four years before were positive. These results were discussed according to two aspects: 1) infectious or vaccinal origins of these positive reactions; 2) consequences on implement of test and slaughter procedures in a vaccinated flock: allergic or complement fixation tests would have led to eliminate 9% out of ewes vaccinated with the Rev.1 vaccine, but only 1% with the Rose Bengal plate test.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Congo red vital staining of cornea and conjunctiva.

Vital staining with an aqueous solution of 1% Congo red has been studied in the slit lamp. In 98 cases the dye was mixed with 1% lissamine green, in 120 eyes subsequent staining was performed with 0.125% fluorescein, and in 80 cases the mucous thread from the inferior conjunctival fornix was microscoped. Congo red stains dead cells, degenerate cells, and mucus. The dye discloses keratitis, corneal erosion, contact lens damages, corrosions, etc. It stains like lissamine green and rose bengal, though less frequently and less intensely than these. Congo red is a pH indicator. Acid reaction beyond its pH-range (3.0-5.2) has not been demonstrated. Amyloid-specific colour reaction (red-green dichromatic polarisation) has been noticed in mucous fibrils, most often in relation to infectious conjunctivitis and corrosion, never in normal eyes. The phenomenon is believed to indicate degeneration of the mucous fibrils (on the analogy of toluidine-blue-stained mucus), whereas not presence of genuine amyloid. It is, in other words, an important phenomenon in the differential diagnosis. Congo red is hardly indicated in ordinary clinical practice for vital staining of cornea and conjunctiva. Fluorescein, combined with rose bengal or lissamin green should be preferred.

Congo Red↗
PubMed1987

On the mechanism and measurement of shape transformations of constant volume of human red blood cells.

A method is described for measuring the rate of disc-sphere transformations of constant volume by recording changes in the intensity and noise envelope of light transmitted through a stirred suspension of human red blood cells. We used this method to determine the rates and characteristics of disc-sphere transitions induced by various sphering agents (uranyl nitrate, rose bengal, Na glycocholate). It was found that, when sphered by any of these agents, cells spontaneously reverted to discs upon continued incubation in the presence of the agent. The rate of sphering was directly proportional and the rate of spontaneous reversal inversely related to the concentration of sphering agent used. Plasma added before an agent is added prevents subsequent sphering; plasma added after sphering had occurred accelerated reversal. During spontaneous reversal of the spheres to discs, sphering could again be induced prior to subsequent return to discs either by the addition of more agent or, in certain circumstances, by the addition of plasma. Spontaneous reversal of discs to spheres qualitatively correlates with the uptake rate of agent (rose bengal), the cells becoming discs as uptake is completed. Furthermore, establishment of temporary proton gradients across the membrane promotes sphering with return to discs as pH equilibrium takes place. Evidently, the spherical shape is a transient form representing the unequal distribution of agent across the membrane. The spherical form could thus be associated with a change in the relative surface energies between the outer and inner lipid leaflets, such as a difference in their relative surface areas, as hypothesized in the "bilayer couple" models. The molecular mechanism(s) underlying the action of sphering agents and protons may not be the same.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca in rheumatoid arthritis.

The prevalence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) was studied in a randomly selected group of 104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Symptoms of KCS were noted in 33 patients (31.7%) and they were studied further. After rose bengal staining, 22 of these patients were found to have KCS which was diagnosed by the presence of corneal or conjunctival desiccation. The overall prevalence of KCS was 21.2%. Although an abnormal Schirmer's test was noted in 21 of the 22 patients with KCS, only 8 patients had values of 5 mm or less while the remainder had a mild abnormality ranging from 6 to 15 mm. A reduced marginal tear film was noted in 15 patients (68.2%) with KCS and 13 patients (59%) had a reduced tear break-up time. The Schirmer's test alone is inadequate to make a definite diagnosis of KCS and it is essential to perform slit lamp examination to detect epithelial staining with rose bengal.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

EPR studies on the kinetics of quenching singlet oxygen.

The specific reaction between singlet oxygen (1O2) and 2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-piperidine (TEMP) was utilized to investigate the kinetics of singlet oxygen quenching. Rose bengal was used for the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). The deuterium isotope effect (rho) was found to be 22.1. The rate constant (kT) of the reaction of TEMP with 1O2 in H2O, D2O and ethanol were found to be 9.0 x 10(5) M-1s-1, 1.5 x 10(6) M-1s-1 and 7.3 x 10(5) M-1s-1, respectively. The intercept of the plot of [TEMPO]-1 at different H2O/D2O ratios was found to be constant, indicating the lifetime of 3Sens is independent of solvent deuteration. The quenching of 1O2 by azide and the sensitizer itself were confirmed by the constant intercept on the kinetic plots. Thus, the quenching rate constants for azide anion in ethanol solution (96%) and for ground state rose bengal in 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), were found to be 8.36 x 10(8) M-1s-1 and 1.72 x 10(4) M-1s-1, respectively. These studies not only verify the specificity of the reaction between TEMP and 1O2 but also provide a sensitive and specific assay for 1O2.

Cyclic N-Oxides↗
PubMed2001

Autologous serum eyedrops for dry eyes and epithelial defects: clinical and in vitro toxicity studies.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Autologous serum drops have been reported to be beneficial in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and persistent epithelial defects (PED). A clinical pilot study was carried out to examine these potential uses and in vitro toxicity testing on corneal epithelial cell cultures was performed to compare the effect of serum drops with unpreserved hypromellose (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 0.3%). METHODS: Patients with KCS and PED, unresponsive to conventional treatment were recruited. Patients were examined before treatment, at 1 and 2 weeks after initiation, and then 2 weekly until treatment ceased. Symptoms were assessed at each visit. Clinical examination included Schirmer's test without anaesthesia, rose bengal staining, and fluorescein staining. Epithelial defects were measured with the slit beam. In the laboratory, cultured human corneal epithelial cells were exposed to serum drops and hypromellose, and their viability evaluated with fluorescent viability staining (Calcein AM ethidium homodimer) and an ATP assay. RESULTS: Autologous serum was used in 15 eyes of 13 patients with PED and 11 eyes of nine patients with KCS. In two patients serum drops were started after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The PKs were performed for perforations secondary to PEDs. Of the 15 eyes with PED, nine healed at a mean of 29 days and six failed. The mean duration of PED before the use of serum drops was 48.2 days. Of the 11 eyes with KCS, six had improved subjective scores and fluorescein scores, and five had improved rose bengal scores after the use of serum drops. For the two patients who used serum eyedrops post-PK, there was a stable and intact epithelium at 1 week. Cessation of serum drops during the postoperative period led to deterioration in the subjective and objective scores in both patients. One developed a PED that responded to reinstitution of serum drops. The morphology and ATP levels of cultured epithelial cells exposed to serum were better maintained than those exposed to hypromellose. CONCLUSION: Autologous serum drops are useful for PED and KCS. This effect may be related to a number of active factors in serum including growth factors, fibronectin, vitamin A, and anti-proteases. In vitro toxicity testing demonstrated that serum drops have reduced toxicity compared with unpreserved hypromellose. Currently regulatory restrictions in the UK have prevented the establishment of a prospective randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of autologous serum drops for the management of this group of ocular surface disorders.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

Impact of environmental pollution on the eye.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of environmental toxins on the ocular surface in persons travelling through highly polluted areas of the metropolis of Delhi. METHODS: A total of 500 apparently healthy volunteers recruited from the metropolis of Delhi were examined to establish the frequency of ocular surface disorders. All subjects underwent a slit-lamp examination, tear break-up time (BUT) test, Rose Bengal test, Schirmer's test and tear lysozyme level test. RESULTS: Subjects in the study group had significantly higher levels of ophthalmic symptoms compared to the control group. In all, 105 (42%) and 125 (50%) subjects in the study group compared to 50 (20%) and 65 (26%) in the control group complained of redness and irritation (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in visual acuity (VA) between the two groups, with best corrected VA being 6/9 or better in 92% of the study group and 96% of the control group. The average (+/-standard deviation) Schirmer's test result was 13.42+/-6.67 mm in the study group compared to 15.95+/-6.14 mm in the control group. This difference was statistically significant. The BUT was also significantly lower in the study group (12.97+/-6.12 seconds) compared to the control group (19.23+/-5.70 seconds) (p < 0.001). The Rose Bengal test and tear lysozyme activity did not show any significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: According to our study, environmental conditions appear to have a very significant effect on the ocular surface. There were very high levels of subclinical ocular surface changes among persons travelling in highly polluted areas.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Sodium hyaluronate eyedrops in the treatment of dry eyes.

BACKGROUND: Several studies in the past have attempted to demonstrate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of dry eyes. However, results have been conflicting and a definite conclusion has not yet been reached. This study recruited a larger group of patients and has incorporated for the first time both fluorescein and rose bengal staining in the evaluation of the epithelium. METHODS: Eighteen albino rabbit corneas were used in a basic animal study to demonstrate the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate by comparing the effects on the rate of epithelial healing. The optimal concentration to be used in the clinical trial was determined from the results of the basic study. In the clinical study 104 patients with dry eye syndrome were enrolled in a double masked controlled clinical trial. Patients received sodium hyaluronate drops in one eye and control medication in the other eye for 4 weeks. Grading of subjective symptoms and clinical examinations were performed at 2 and 4 weeks. RESULTS: In the animal study sodium hyaluronate at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5% significantly accelerated the recovery time of iodine vapour induced corneal erosions (p < 0.01). In the clinical study no statistical significance was observed in the improvement of subjective symptoms or rose bengal staining, while fluorescein scores significantly improved in eyes receiving sodium hyaluronate (p = 0.0001) at 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Sodium hyaluronate drops applied in six daily doses could not be demonstrated to offer advantages over conventional tear supplies in the improvement of subjective symptoms, but may play a role in maintaining a healthy corneal epithelium.

Animals↗