advertisement
Top-Eleven from the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists Annual Scientific Congress
Perth, Australia, November 24-28, 2007
Anne Brooks, Melbourne
- There are three emerging themes of neurobiology whose convergence will allow further development of the new biology of the optic nerve: evolution of structure and function, understanding the processes of neuronal death as well as recovery, and a greater appreciation of the role of glia and its contribution to optic nerve health and disease. (Helen Danesh-Meyer, Auckland)
- Avastin (Bevacizumab) in tissue culture induces fibroblast death and inhibits wound healing activity. (Queena Quin, Jonathan Crowston, Melbourne)
- The data in a pilot study in New Zealand white rabbits support connexin43 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide gel as an effective anti-scarring agent in glaucoma fi ltration surgery. A single subconjunctival administration of the gel at the completion of surgery significantly minimises post-operative subconjunctival scarring in an animal model of this surgery. (Narme Deva, Helen Danesh-Meyer, Colin Green, Auckland)
- High Myopia (beyond -8 diopters) may be associated with an increased prevalence of open-angle glaucoma (Beijing Eye Study), possibly due to myopic stretching of the optic disc, leading to a secondary macrodisc with a stretched and thinned lamina cribosa and a thinned peripapillary sclera. (Jost Jonas, Heidelberg)
- Bevacizumab may be an additional adjunct to 5-fluoruracil/mitomycin C to reduce the risk of filter bleb failure after filtering surgery. ( Jost Jonas, Heidelberg)
- Interferon α and γ prime human Tenon's to fas-induced apoptosis. This may provide a two-hit approach to terminating scar formation in trabeculectomy. (Jonathan Crowston, Melbourne, Paul Healey, Sydney)
- An acute rise in IOP is associated with changes to astrocyte morphology as well as increased astrocytic enzyme expression in the optic nerve head region. These acute changes may lay the foundation for understanding the more long-term processes occurring in human glaucoma. (Chandrakumar Balaratnasingam, Sydney)
- Significant differences in response to mechanical stress between 'normal' and glaucomatous lamina cribrosa (LC) cells were found. Specific ion channels involved were identified and demonstrated the significance of the cellular cytoskeleton in the process. Results point to a potential calcium handling defect in the glaucomatous LC cells and this is the focus of some of their current work. (Richard Barry, Dublin)
- The Meiktila Eye Study in Burma investigated the relationship between central corneal thickness and IOP. There was a significant, but weak positive association consistent with findings from other studies and suggesting that other factors apart from central corneal thickness influence Goldman Applanation tonometry. (Aanchal Gupta, Rob Casson, Adelaide)
- In glaucoma patients without spontaneous venous pulsation the
increased ophthalmodynanometric force required to induce pulsation
is significantly predictive of progression at seven years. This
is independent of the mean intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness, disc haemorrhages, glaucoma severity (MD) and blood pressure. The force changes over time and the change in force also has independent predictive value. (Bill Morgan, Perth) - A large series of paediatric cataracts (194 patients, 290 eyes), aphakic glaucoma (24 patients, 38 eyes) was strongly associated with age at surgery < 3 months and early post-operative complications requiring re-operation. (John Ruddle, Melbourne)
