1.Case series of children with steroid-Induced glaucoma
Norshamsiah Md Din ; Lam ChenShen ; Umi Kalthum Md Noh ; Mae-Lynn Catherine Bastion
Malaysian Family Physician 2018;13(3):32-37
Steroid-induced glaucoma is the most serious complication of the injudicious use of steroids,
particularly among children affected by allergic conjunctivitis. This condition is steroid-dependent,
and children are commonly being prescribed topical anti-inflammatories, including topical steroids,
by general practitioners. Furthermore, topical steroids are also available over the counter, and this
availability contributes to overuse without proper monitoring by an ophthalmologist. We present
a series of five cases illustrating the devastating effect of unmonitored, long-term use of steroids
among children for vernal keratoconjunctivitis. The medications were prescribed initially by general
ophthalmologists and were continually bought over the counter by parents. At the presentation to
our center, these patients were already compromised visually, exhibiting glaucomatous optic disc
changes and high intraocular pressure. The series highlights the optic nerve damage resulting in
irreversible visual compromises among children on long-term, topical steroids and the importance
of regular monitoring with a low threshold for ophthalmologist referral.
2.Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) Therapy in Rescuing Photoreceptors and Establishing a Sodium Iodate-Induced Retinal Degeneration Rat Model
Chenshen LAM ; Hiba Amer ALSAEEDI ; Avin Ee-Hwan KOH ; Mohd Hairul Nizam HARUN ; Angela Ng Min HWEI ; Pooi Ling MOK ; Chi D LUU ; Then Kong YONG ; Suresh Kumar SUBBIAH ; Mae-Lynn Catherine BASTION
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2021;18(1):143-154
BACKGROUND:
Different methods have been used to inject stem cells into the eye for research. We previously explored the intravitreal route. Here, we investigate the efficacy of intravenous and subretinal-transplanted human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in rescuing the photoreceptors of a sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration model.
METHODS:
Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used: intervention, vehicle group and negative control groups (n = 6 in each). Intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg sodium iodate (day 0) induced retinal degeneration. On day 4 postinjection of sodium iodate, the rats in the intervention group received intravenous DPSC and subretinal DPSC in the right eye; rats in the vehicle group received subretinal Hank’s balance salt solution and intravenous normal saline; while negative control group received nothing. Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to assess the retinal function at day 0 (baseline), day 4, day 11, day 18, day 26, and day 32. By the end of the study at day 32, the rats were euthanized, and both their enucleated eyes were sent for histology.
RESULTS:
No significant difference in maximal ERG a-wave (p = 0.107) and b-wave, (p= 0.153) amplitude was seen amongst the experimental groups. However, photopic 30 Hz flicker amplitude of the study eye showed significant differences in the 3 groups (p = 0.032). Within the intervention group, there was an improvement in 30 Hz flicker ERG response of all 6 treated right eyes, which was injected with subretinal DPSC; while the 30 Hz flicker ERG of the nontreated left eyes remained flat. Histology showed improved outer nuclear layer thickness in intervention group; however, findings were not significant compared to the negative and vehicle groups.
CONCLUSION
Combination of subretinal and intravenous injection of DPSCs may have potential to rescue cone function from a NaIO3 -induced retinal injury model.
3.Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) Therapy in Rescuing Photoreceptors and Establishing a Sodium Iodate-Induced Retinal Degeneration Rat Model
Chenshen LAM ; Hiba Amer ALSAEEDI ; Avin Ee-Hwan KOH ; Mohd Hairul Nizam HARUN ; Angela Ng Min HWEI ; Pooi Ling MOK ; Chi D LUU ; Then Kong YONG ; Suresh Kumar SUBBIAH ; Mae-Lynn Catherine BASTION
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2021;18(1):143-154
BACKGROUND:
Different methods have been used to inject stem cells into the eye for research. We previously explored the intravitreal route. Here, we investigate the efficacy of intravenous and subretinal-transplanted human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in rescuing the photoreceptors of a sodium iodate-induced retinal degeneration model.
METHODS:
Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used: intervention, vehicle group and negative control groups (n = 6 in each). Intravenous injection of 60 mg/kg sodium iodate (day 0) induced retinal degeneration. On day 4 postinjection of sodium iodate, the rats in the intervention group received intravenous DPSC and subretinal DPSC in the right eye; rats in the vehicle group received subretinal Hank’s balance salt solution and intravenous normal saline; while negative control group received nothing. Electroretinogram (ERG) was performed to assess the retinal function at day 0 (baseline), day 4, day 11, day 18, day 26, and day 32. By the end of the study at day 32, the rats were euthanized, and both their enucleated eyes were sent for histology.
RESULTS:
No significant difference in maximal ERG a-wave (p = 0.107) and b-wave, (p= 0.153) amplitude was seen amongst the experimental groups. However, photopic 30 Hz flicker amplitude of the study eye showed significant differences in the 3 groups (p = 0.032). Within the intervention group, there was an improvement in 30 Hz flicker ERG response of all 6 treated right eyes, which was injected with subretinal DPSC; while the 30 Hz flicker ERG of the nontreated left eyes remained flat. Histology showed improved outer nuclear layer thickness in intervention group; however, findings were not significant compared to the negative and vehicle groups.
CONCLUSION
Combination of subretinal and intravenous injection of DPSCs may have potential to rescue cone function from a NaIO3 -induced retinal injury model.