AIM:To evaluate retinal parameters in a sample of healthy young Caucasian adults to define the normal or physiological range of inter-ocular asymmetry in this particular age and ethnic group.METHODS:Study sample consisted of 37 Caucasian children and young adults aged between 12 and 23 years (spherical equivalent from-3.00D to + 4.00D,anisometropia ＜ 0.5D and axial length differences ＜0.3mm).Normal inter-ocular asymmetry values were determined and 95％ inter-ocular difference tolerance values were obtained.RESULTS:Statistically significant inter-ocular differences were found in mean (P=0.003) and superior (P=0.008) retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness,as well as in central macular thickness (P=0.039),with larger values in the left eye in all instances,and with tolerance limits of inter-ocular asymmetry of-9.00p m to 6.00μ m,-28.00μ m to 9μ m and-39.00μ m to 29.00μ m,respectively.In addition,statistically significant differences were found between males and females in mean thickness of the RNFL in the right eye (P=0.020).CONCLUSION:The exploration of the normal asymmetries of the retina may be an effective approach to further understand myopia onset and progression,which is particularly relevant in this age group.Differences in instrumentation and sample characteristics compromise direct comparison with published research and warrant the need for further studies.

AIM:To use in vivo spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to investigate ocular surface epithelial thickness changes in patients treated with oral isotretinoin.METHODS:A total of 64 eyes of 64 acne vulgaris patients were enrolled into two group:thirty-two patients received 0.5 mg/kg isotretinoin daily (Group A),and the other 32 patients received 0.8 mg/kg daily (Group B).The central corneal thickness (CCT),central corneal epithelium thickness (CCET),central corneal epithelium basal membrane thickness (CCEBMT),non-epithelial central corneal thickness (NECCT) and bulbar conjunctival epithelium thickness (BCET) were evaluated using SD-OCT at baseline,at the 45th day,at the fourth month of treatment and at the first month after the end of treatment.RESULTS:There were 44 females (68.75％) and 20 males (31.25 ％) with a mean age of 21.68±3.75y.In both groups,CCET,CCT and BCET were significantly thinner at the 45th day,at the fourth month of the treatment and at the first month after the end of treatment as compared with baseline.CCEBMT decreased significantly at the 45th day and at the fourth month of treatment,but there was no difference between the baseline and the last visit.There were no significant difference in NECCT during and after treatment as compared with the baseline.CONCLUSION:Ocular surface epithelial thickness decreased in patients treated with oral isotretinoin,whereas NECCT was not affected.The decreasing corneal thickness in patients treated with isotretinon is mainly due to epithelial thinning.After a one-month cessation of isotretinoin treatment,CCEBMT returned to the baseline value,and ocular surface epithelial thickness increased.

AIM:To investigate the comparison of total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients with pterygium and control subjects.METHODS:This case-control study was conducted on all persons referred to Ophthalmology Clinic of teaching Hospital of Vali-Asr (peace upon to him) with clinical symptoms of pterygium during the year 2016.The control group was selected among patients referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic of Vaii-Asr (peace without pterygium) that the two groups were matched in terms of age,gender and place of residence.Sixty-six persons [31 people (47％) in patient group and 35 people (53％) in the control group] were enrolled by convenience sampling.Venous blood sample was taken from all patients after the sampling using ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP);FRAP-as a quick 10min measurement,the antioxidant power measurement of samples according to the conversion of ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) was checked.The collected data ware entered to software SPSS 21 and were analyzed by chi-square and MannWhitney tests at the level of α =0.05.RESULTS:The mean of antioxidant capacity in patients was 842.55 ± 161.46 μ mol/L and antioxidant capacity in healthy controls was 856.77±209.41 μ mol/L (P=0.8).In the comparison of mean serum antioxidant capacity in healthy individuals and in the serum of people with pterygium based on gender the results showed that the antioxidant capacity mean in male control subjects has been 894.05 ± 176.82 μmol/L and in females control 780.01±118.33 μmol/L that the observed difference have been reported statistically significant (P=0.008) but the other comparison according the gender between cases and control does not show any significant difference.CONCLUSION:The results of this study showed that the full level of serum antioxidant capacity in patients has been less than the mean of antioxidant capacity in control subjects,however the observed difference has not been significant.The results of this study were consistent with basic results carried out on the damaging effects of oxidative stress in the pterygium pathogenesis.Recommending diet with minerals and vitamins containing antioxidants may be preventing the onset and progression of pterygium.

AIM:To compare the corneal curvature and to investigate the agreement between three different keratometers.METHODS:In this prospective study,keratometry was performed using an IOL Master (IM),a Bausch &Lomb manual keratometer (Man) and TOPCON KR-8800autokeratometer (Top) on 252 eyes of patients recruited from camps for cataract surgery.The average keratometry values were recorded and compared.The agreements between the instruments were analyzed using the Bland-Altman statistical method.The main outcome measure was average keratometry values.RESULTS:1) IOL Master and Manual keratometer:the mean corneal power was 44.62± 1.52 D with the IOL Master and 44.60 ± 1.52 D with the Manual keratometer.The paired t-test demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the mean corneal power between the IOL Master and Manual keratometer (P=0.001).The 95％ LOAs of the two devices were-0.22 to 0.22 as shown in the Bland-Altman plot;2) IOL Master and autokeratometer:the mean corneal power was 44.62±1.52 D with the IOL Master and 44.46± 1.53 D with the autokeratometer.The paired t-test demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the mean corneal power between the IOL Master and autokeratometer (P＜ 0.0001).The 95％ LOAs of the two devices were-0.24 to 0.55 as shown in the Bland-Altman plot;3) Autokeratometer and Manual keratometer:the mean corneal power was 44.60±1.52 D with Manual keratometer and 44.46±1.53 D with the autokeratometer.The paired ttest demonstrated a statistically significant difference in the mean corneal power between the autokeratometer and Manual keratometer (P＜ 0.0001).The 95％ LOAs of the two devices were-0.30 to 0.57 as shown in the Bland-Altman plot.CONCLUSION:Keratometry data obtained with different instruments may not be interchangeable,a fact that has important implications for cataract surgeons with respect to both surgical planning and outcomes auditing.

AIM:To observe the sustained-release effect of compound betamethasone by subconjunctival injection on immunological rejection after ostrich-rabbit lamellar keratoplasty.METHODS:Sixteen healthy New Zealand white rabbits with 6wk old received corneal lamellar keratoplasty,and the corneal graft was ostrich acellular corneal stroma.After surgery all subjects were divided into two groups,Group A (experimental group) were administrated with subconjunctival injection of compound betamethasone injection (once every 7d),and Group B (control group) were administrated with subconjunctival injection of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (once every 7d).At 1,2wk,1,2mo after the surgery,rabbit corneas were taken for paraffin sections,and were observed with H-E staining,in the meantime changes of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were observed by immunofluorescence.RESULTS:Two months after surgery,in Group A corneal grafts remained transparenct,and showed little neovascularization;HE staining and indirect immunofluorescence showed that only a few neutrophil infiltration,no CD4+ and CD8+T lymphocytes.In Group B,the inflammatory reaction was observable at different time points,the corneal graft was turbid;and the tissue sections and indirect immunofluorescence staining showed that neutrophil infiltration was predominant,and CD4+,CD8+T lymphocytes were also seen.CONCLUSION:Compound betamethasone is able to inhibit the ostrich-rabbit corneal transplantation immune rejection,prolong the survival time of the grafts.The present study lay the foundation for further research and clinical application.

AIM:To study the regulation mechanism of diet containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) on retinal neovascularization in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model.METHODS:Sixty C57BL /6J mice,seven-day-old,were classified into 3 groups:A the normal control group,B the OIR model group,C the ω-3 PUFAs diet group.Each group has twenty mice and separated fed by their lactating mice.The normal control group was fed in a standard atmosphere environment,B,C groups were first fed in a hyper-oxygen atmosphere of (75 ± 2) ％ oxygen percentage for 5d,then continue fed in a standard atmosphere.The ω-3 PUFAs diet group was fed with dose base on their weight by 7.5mg/kg/d.All mice were sacrificed when they were seventeen-day-old,the relative neovascularization areas (NA) were calculated by fluorescein angiography on flat-mounted retina.The number of endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the inner linmiting membrane (ILM) was counted on hematoxylin and eosin-stained retinal section.The ω-3PUFAs/ω-6PUFAs relative amount and ratio was measured by GC-MS in the retina.A real-time PCR and Western Blot method were used to detect the mRNA,peroxisome proliferator-avtivated receptor-γ (RPAR-γ),vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)in the retina.RESULTS:There was a significant different in all groups on the relative neovascularization areas and the number of endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the ILM (FNA =20.45,P＜0.05;FILM =48.66,P＜0.05).NA between Group A and B had a significant difference (t=8.64,P＜0.05),the same between Group C and B (t=8.91,P＜0.05).The cell nuclei breaking through ILM in Group A and B was significantly different (t =38.51,P＜ 0.05),the same in GroupC and B (t=19.86,P＜0.05).For the relative contain in retina of ω-3PUFAs and ω-6PUFAs,there was a significant different among all groups (F=129.86,F=112.44;all P＜0.05).That of Group C was significant different than other two groups(t=23.15,25.42;t=16.43,11.95;P＜0.05).There were significant different among all groups on ω-3PUFAs/ω-6PUFAs ratio,retinal RPAR-γmRNA expression,retinal VEGF-A mRNA expression and VEGFR-2 mRNA expression (Fω-3/6 =10.30,FRPAR-γ =138.24,FVEGF-A =69.12,FVEGFR-2 =52.45;P＜0.05).The ω-3PUFAs/ω-6PUFAs ratio of Group C was higher than that of Group B (P＜0.05).Compared to Group B,on one hand Group C had a higher expression (P＜0.05),on other hand Group C had a lower expression on VEGF-A mRNA and VEGFR-2 mRNA(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The diet rich with ω-3 PUFAs uplifts the ω-3PUFAs/ω-6PUFAs ratio and activates RPAR-γ to lower expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 to inhabit oxygen induced retinal neovascularization.

AIM:To investigate effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose conditions and its mechanism.METHODS:Human retinal vascular endothelial cells were cultured in low glucose or high glucose medium,the genomic DNA was extracted and copy number of mitochondrial DNA was detected by real-time PCR.Effects of resveratrol on the mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose medium were studied.The expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and acetylated proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) were analyzed by Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation.RESULTS:High glucose inhibited the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in retinal vascular endothelial cells.However,resveratrol decreased the level of acetylated PGC-1α in retinal vascular endothelial cells,increased the expression of TFAM and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA.CONCLUSION:Resveratrol may improve mitochondrial function of retinal vascular endothelial cells exposed to a high glucose environment via activation of the PCG-1α-TFAM signaling pathway.

AIM:To observe the mechanism of Tianma Gouteng Decoction on the protein molecular level in the optic nerve crush model rats.METHODS:Totally 36 participants 36 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups(6 in every group):normal control group,negative control group,Tianma Gouteng Decoction treatment groups (con-centrations were 0.6g/mL,1.2g/mL,2.4g/mL respictively) and ginkgo biloba tablets positive control group (concentrations was 1.2mg/mL).Nothing was done in the normal control group.The optic nerve of right eye in the other groups was done with the optic nerve crush model.Normal control group and negative control group was treated only with water.The average grey scale values of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor 2B (NMDA2B) receptor protein,beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) in the average grey scale values were detected.RESULTS:The average grey scale value of Tianma Gouteng Decoction in low,medium and high dose groups about NMDA2B receptor protein was significantly less than that of the negative control group (all P＜0.001),and there was no significant difference with the positive control group (P=0.092,0.411,0.676),the difference between normal control group and negative control group was significant (P＜0.001).The high dose group of betaamyloid's average grey scale value reduced significantly than the negative control group (P=0.030,0.001).The low dose group than the negative control group was not obviously (P=0.614).The high dose group was not significantly different from the positive control group (P=0.927),the difference between normal control group and negative control group was significant (P＜0.001).CONCLUSION:Tianma Gouteng Decoction can go through the decrease of the NMDA2B receptor protein expression and the control of beta-amyloid deposition to reduce the retinal ganglion cell injury and apoptosis.

AIM:To study the oxidative damage and mechanism of p75 NTR receptor in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE).METHODS:The NTR p75 receptor was used to transfer the retinal pigment epithelium cells as the experimental group,and the non transfected retinal pigment epithelium cells were used as control group.The BrdU test detected the proliferation of two groups of cells.The rate of apoptosis in two sets of apoptosis was measured by PI/in the V-FITC double dye method.The laser microscope detects the ROS levels within the cell.The flow cytometer detected the levels of ROS,mitochondrial markers,cytochrome C expression in RPE cells.The Western blot method detected the expression level of Fas,Caspase-3,and VEGF165 in RPE cells.RESULTS:The RPE cell proliferation activity was gradually decreasing (P＜0.05) with the extension of the p75 NTR receptor transfer time in experimental group.The RPE cell proliferation activity in each transfection point was significantly lower in experimental group than in the control group (P＜0.05).The percentage of RPE apoptosis was gradually increased with the extension of transfection time in experimental group(P＜0.01).The percentage of RPE cell apoptosis in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.01).ROS fluorescence was significantly better in the experimental group than the control group.Flow cytometry instrument method,according to the results of the experimental group PRE ROS levels in the cell,cytochrome C was significantly higher than control group (P ＜ 0.01),RPE cell mitochondria marker levels significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.01).The results of the Western blot method showed that the expression levels of VEGF165,Fas and Caspase-3 were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The over expression of p75 NTR receptor could lead to damage of mitochondria in retinal pigment epithelium cells,but it could also promote the apoptosis reaction,eventually it led to the formation of choroidal neovascularization,so it could be speculated that p75 NTR receptor is the damage factors of retinal pigment epithelium.

AIM:To compare the early results of different kinds of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking (TE-CXL) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.METHODS:Retrospective study.Twenty four patients (34 eyes) who were diagnosed with progressive keratoconus were divided into three groups.And 10 eyes in hypotonic CXL group received the treatment of hypotonic corneal collagen cross-linking;14 eyes in Ⅰ-CXL 5min group received the treatment of iontophoresis corneal collagen cross-linking for 5min,and 10 eyes from the Ⅰ-CXL 10min group received the treatment of iontophoresis corneal collagen cross-linking for 10min.Uncorrected distance visual acuity,corrected distance visual acuity,Pentacam,in vivo scanning laser confocal microscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography were examined before and after 1wk,1,3 and 6mo postoperatively.RESULTS:Six months postoperatively,corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (LogMAR) in Ⅰ-CXL 10min group increased by-0.21 ± 0.23 (t =2.735,P=0.026);Kmax decreased by 2.32± 5.21D (t=1.40,P=0.193),but the differences were not statistically significant.Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA),CDVA and Kmax in hypotonic CXL group and Ⅰ-CXL 5min group were stable,the differences were not statistically significant.The depth of demarcation line was 152.7±42.9μ m in hypotonic CXL group,213.6±42.3μ m in Ⅰ-CXL 5min group and 237.0±46.4μ m in Ⅰ-CXL 10min group 1wk after the surgery,the differences among groups were statistically significant (F =7.111,P =0.006).The phenomenon of stroma cell apotosis-activate regeneration in Ⅰ-CXL 10min group was the most significant after the surgery.The changes of corneal thinnest thickness and endothelial cell density in three groups were stable.CONCLUSION:Three kinds of transepithelial CXL can halt the progression of keratoconus,among which the reaction of corneal tissue in iontophoresis CXL for 10min is the most obvious.