chondroitin-sulfates and Corneal-Diseases

To evaluate the protective ability of the soft-shell technique in patients with senile cataract and Fuchs' dystrophy having phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.. Department of Ophthalmology, Railway Hospital, Katowice, Poland.. Sixty-one eyes of 54 patients (37 women, 17 men) with clinically confirmed Fuchs' dystrophy and cataract had clear corneal phacoemulsification and implantation of an intracapsular posterior chamber IOL with sodium hyaluronate 1% (Healon) or chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3% (Viscoat) in combination with sodium hyaluronate 1% (Provisc) in 1 package (DuoVisc). The central corneal thickness (CCT), measured with a Pocket Precision ultrasonic pachymeter (Quantel Medical, Inc.), was compared preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 6 months postoperatively.. The mean preoperative CCT was 549.5 microm +/- 29.3 (SD). The postoperative increase in CCT over preoperative pachymetry measurements remained statistically significant in both ophthalmic viscosurgical device groups throughout the entire follow-up, from the first day to the sixth month after surgery (P<.0001). The maximum increase in CCT in both groups was on the first postoperative day, and it was significantly higher in the Healon group. Six months postoperatively, patients in the Healon group had a significantly greater CCT increase (P = .008).. The soft-shell technique effectively protected the compromised endothelium in patients with Fuchs' dystrophy, proving its advantages in eyes with moderately damaged endothelium.

Topics: Aged; Cataract; Cell Count; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endothelium, Corneal; Female; Fuchs' Endothelial Dystrophy; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Lenses, Intraocular; Male; Phacoemulsification; Prospective Studies

To compare the outcome of corneas obtained at the same hospital in which they were transplanted (group 1) to that of corneas obtained in the United States and grafted in Israel (group 2).. One hundred twenty-six patients undergoing corneal grafting in Israel during the years 1995 to 1998 were included in a retrospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Group 1 included 31 procedures, and group 2 included 95. Data regarding preoperative condition, tissue characteristics, and postoperative outcome were collected from hospital charts. Statistically significant difference between groups was considered as P < 0.05.. Follow-up time was 796 +/- 523 days for group 1 (mean +/- SD) and 815 +/- 510 days for group 2. Donor age and gender, recipient age and gender, graft size, and length of follow-up were similar. Time from preservation to transplantation was longer for group 2 (8.8 +/- 2.29 days) compared with in group 1 (3.13 +/- 2.38 days). Graft clarity was similar between groups 1 and 2 at 1 year (79% versus 71%) and at last follow-up visit (57% versus 62%). Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and incidence of complications such as rejection (32% versus 38%), failure (35% versus 28%), secondary glaucoma (35% versus 43%), corneal ulcer (13% versus 6%), and regrafts (13% versus 7%) showed no difference between the groups.. Air transport of corneal tissue, including loss of time due to travel and handling, did not compromise corneal transplantation success rate.

Topics: Aircraft; Chondroitin Sulfates; Complex Mixtures; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Transplantation; Cryopreservation; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Dextrans; Eye Banks; Female; Gentamicins; Graft Survival; Humans; Israel; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Preservation; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Tissue and Organ Procurement; Tissue Donors; Transportation; Treatment Outcome; United States

To compare the ability of Healon GV (sodium hyaluronate 1.4%) and Viscoat (sodium chondroitin sulfate 4.0%-sodium hyaluronate 3.0%) to protect the corneal endothelium during endocapsular phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.. A small ophthalmology group practice.. One hundred forty patients were randomized, 70 per group, in a prospective, partially masked study of cataract surgery using Healon GV or Viscoat. One ophthalmologist performed all surgery. Primary outcome variables were the 2 week postoperative changes in corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, mean endothelial cell size, and endothelial cell hexagonality. Several secondary variables were measured, and an analysis of the statistical power of the study was performed.. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of age (P = .856), cataract density (P = .117), preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (P = .892), postoperative BCVA (P = .969), amount of viscoelastic material used during surgery (P = .444), amount of irrigating solution used (P = .125), or phacoemulsification time (P = .088). It took longer to remove the Viscoat than the Healon GV (P < .001), and total operating time for the Viscoat group was longer (P < .001). Two weeks after surgery, there were no significant differences between groups in corneal thickness (P = .362), endothelial cell density (P = .351), or mean endothelial cell size (P = .610). However, Viscoat preserved the hexagonal shape of endothelial cells slightly better than Healon GV (P = .043). The study had sufficient power to detect clinically significant differences in corneal thickness, endothelial cell density, and endothelial cell size.. Healon GV and Viscoat were comparable in their ability to protect the corneal endothelium during endocapsular phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation. Results may vary, however, if phacoemulsification is performed anterior to the iris plane.

Topics: Aged; Anesthesia, Local; Cell Count; Cell Size; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Drug Combinations; Endothelium, Corneal; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Lenses, Intraocular; Phacoemulsification; Prospective Studies; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity

To evaluate the toxicity of Amphotericin B (AmB) in Optisol™-GS Corneal Storage Media (Bausch & Lomb) on corneal epithelial cell (CEC) morphology and migration ability.. Sclerocorneal strips were removed from male Japanese white rabbits, and then stored at 4 °C in Optisol™-GS containing 0 µg/ml of AmB (control group) and 2.5, 5, 25, and 50 µg/ml of AmB (AmB groups; four eyes per group). After 7 days of storage, CEC morphology was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining (ZO-1), and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Moreover, to evaluate CEC migration ability, three corneal blocks (6-8 × 3 mm each) from one preserved cornea were cultured for 24 h, and the area of CEC migration (2 mm at the central region) onto the stromal surface was then measured.. At 5, 25, and 50 µg/ml of AmB, deformation and vacuolation of CECs were observed in all preserved corneas. ZO-1 expression was significantly reduced in corneas preserved at AmB concentrations of 25 and 50 µg/ml. TUNEL Labeling Index was significantly increased at AmB concentrations of ≥5 µg/ml. CEC migration was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner at AmB concentrations of 25 and 50 µg/ml compared to the control group.. The addition of AmB to Optisol™-GS can be toxic to CECs and inhibit their migration at a concentration of ≥5 µg/ml. AmB at a concentration of 2.5 µg/ml can be considered safe for the preservation of donor corneal tissue used in corneal epithelial transplantation surgery.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Animals; Chondroitin Sulfates; Complex Mixtures; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Dextrans; Drug Storage; Epithelial Cells; Gentamicins; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Rabbits

Hemoderivative tear substitutes contain various ephiteliotrophic factors, such as growth factors (GF), involved in ocular surface homeostasis without immunogenic properties. The aim of the present work was the loading of platelet lysate into contact lenses to improve the precorneal permanence of platelet lysate growth factors on the ocular surface to enhance the treatment of corneal lesions. To this purpose, chondroitin sulfate, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan, which is normally present in the extracellular matrix, was associated with platelet lysate. In fact, chondroitin sulfate is capable of electrostatic interaction with positively charged growth factors, in particular, with bFGF, IGF, VEGF, PDGF and TGF-β, resulting in their stabilization and reduced degradation in solution. In the present work, various types of commercially available contact lenses have been loaded with chondroitin sulfate or chondroitin sulfate in association with platelet lysate to achieve a release of growth factors directly onto the corneal surface lesions. One type of contact lenses (PureVision(®)) showed in vitro good proliferation properties towards corneal cells and were able to enhance cut closure in cornea constructs.

Topics: Animals; Blood Platelets; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Chondroitin Sulfates; Contact Lenses; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Extracellular Matrix; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Rabbits; Wound Healing

To evaluate the effects of agents on corneal re-epithelization and metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9) activities in corneas of rats submitted to ulceration.. Ninety eight healthy rats.. Corneal ulcers were created using 1N NaOH in their left eye. Eyes were treated every 6 h with 1% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 3% chondroitin sulfate (CS), 10% N-acetylcysteine NAc and saline (S) at 6-h intervals. Corneas were stained with fluorescein and photographed at the same time points. Following 20 h and 40-42 h of corneal injury, corneas were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to quantify microvilli density, and MMPs activities were analyzed using zymography.. The percentage of wound area and the time in hours for corneal re-epithelization did not differ significantly among treatment groups (P > 0.05). In first and the second moments, latent MMP-2 was significantly elevated in the eyes treated with NAC and CS (P < 0.001). Active MMP-2 did not change significantly among treatment groups in the first moment (P > 0.05); significantly higher activity was observed in the second moment in the eyes treated with CS (P <0.001). In the second moment, latent MMP-9 decreased significantly in eyes treated with EDTA and S (P < 0.01). Microvilli corneal density did not change significantly between healthy subjects and treatment groups (P > 0.05).. Any of the studied substances did not accelerate corneal re-epithelization and did not add protection to the corneal microvilli. Significant higher levels of active form of MMP-2 in 3% chondroitin sulfate-treated group may indicate that the agent acts as substrate for such enzyme. At the end of the experiment, 1% EDTA was the most efficient agent to inhibit significantly the latent form of MMP-9. However, any of the substances add benefit over saline on reducing the proteolytic activity in the cornea of rats after alkali injury.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Animals; Caustics; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Epithelium, Corneal; Female; Free Radical Scavengers; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Proteolysis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sodium Hydroxide

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of storing anterior corneal buttons split from donor Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) tissue for later use in tectonic lamellar patch grafting.. Donor corneas for DSAEK were split into anterior and posterior lamellae using a 350-μm depth microkeratome, and the remaining anterior corneal buttons were stored for up to 4 weeks at 4°C in Optisol GS before use in patch grafting of the cornea and sclera.. Optisol GS-preserved anterior lamellar patch grafts successfully restored and maintained corneoscleral integrity after the removal of limbal dermoids (5 cases), after the coverage of the exposed polypropylene suture ends of scleral fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (2 cases), corneoscleral melting after pterygium excision (3 cases), sterile corneal ulceration with or without perforation (5 cases), Mooren ulceration (3 cases), and pseudomonas corneal ulceration with impending perforation (1 case). It was also used as a temporary substitute while waiting for a full-thickness corneal graft in a fulminant candida infection after DSAEK (1 case). All grafts remained structurally intact at the last postoperative examination of 19.2 ± 7.6 months after the tectonic surgery.. Anterior corneal buttons from DSAEK donor tissue may be stored in Optisol GS for later use in tectonic patch grafting. This method obviates the longer operating time required for the surgeon to manually dissect the donor cornea in the operating room and reduces the wastage of precious donor corneas in countries where there are chronic shortages of eye bank donor tissue.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Chondroitin Sulfates; Complex Mixtures; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Transplantation; Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty; Dextrans; Eye Banks; Feasibility Studies; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Preservation; Organ Preservation Solutions; Retrospective Studies; Sclera; Tissue Donors; Young Adult

To investigate and compare the biocompatibility of two types of Ferrara intracorneal ring segment: with and without chondroitin sulfate coating by clinical and histopathological evaluation.. A randomized experimental study was carried out on thirty right-eye corneas from 30 Norfolk albino rabbits allocated into two experimental groups: Group G1 - implanted with Ferrara intracorneal ring segment without coating (FICRS) and Group G2 - implanted with Ferrara intracorneal ring segment with chondroitin sulfate coating (FICRS-CS). Left eyes formed the control group. Clinical parameters analyzed were: presence of edema, vascularization, infection and ring extrusion one, 30, and 60 days after surgery. Histopathological parameters analyzed were: number of corneal epithelial layers over and adjacent to the ring, presence of spongiosis, hydropic degeneration, basement membrane thinning, inflammatory cells, neovascularization and pseudocapsule formation.. At clinical examination 60 days after implant, edema, vascularization and extrusion were observed respectively in 20%, 26.7%, 6.7% of FICRS corneas and in 6.7%, 6.7%, and 0% of FICRS-CS corneas. Histopathological evaluation showed epithelial-layer reduction from 5 (5;6) to 3 (3;3) with FICRS and from 5 (5;5) to 4 (3;5) with FICRS-CS in the region over the ring. Epithelial spongiosis, hydropic degeneration, and basement membrane thinning were present in 69.2%, 53.8%, and 69.2% of FICRS and in 73.3%, 73.3%, and 46.7% with FICRS-CS, respectively. Vascularization was present in 38.5% of FICRS and 13.3% with FICRS-CS, inflammatory cells in 75% of FICRS and 33.3% with FICRS-CS, and pseudocapsule in 66.7% of FICRS and 93.3% with FICRS-CS. Giant cells occurred only in the FICRS-CS group (20%).. Ferrara intracorneal rings coated with chondroitin sulfate (FICRS-CS) caused lower frequency of clinical and histopathological alterations than Ferrara intracorneal rings without the coating (FICRS), demonstrating higher biocompatibility of the FICRS-CS.

Topics: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Stroma; Female; Materials Testing; Prostheses and Implants; Prosthesis Fitting; Prosthesis Implantation; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Reference Values; Reproducibility of Results; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the healing response at the flap interface in corneas with LASIK ectasia that required penetrating keratoplasty (PK).. Corneas of five patients who developed corneal ectasia after LASIK (range: 2.5 to 5 years postoperative) were collected after corneal transplant surgery. The corneas were bisected and processed for conventional histologic analysis and immunofluorescence.. Light microscopy showed a hypocellular fibrotic scar at the wound margin compared with the adjacent corneal stroma in all eyes. All corneas had positive staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), a myofibroblast marker. In one eye, alpha-SMA cells were located in the fibrotic scar region in the area of the semicircular ring of haze along the margin of the LASIK flap corresponding to an area of epithelial ingrowth. In all other eyes, alpha-SMA positive cells were fewer and mainly located in the superficial stroma under the epithelial wound margin surface. Type III collagen was minimal or absent in the central zone and wound margin of all corneas except for the cornea with epithelial ingrowth present in the hypercellular fibrotic scar region. Chondroitin sulfate was stronger in the periphery of the flap wound coinciding with a higher presence of alpha-SMA-positive cells in that region. Positive staining for matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in the paracentral wound margin scar was seen.. A wound-healing process characterized by absence of significant fibrosis and myofibroblasts at the wound edge in the flap interface was noted in all keratectatic eyes. However, changes in the composition of collagen and the presence of MMP-9 at the wound edge several years after LASIK indicates active wound remodeling that may explain the ongoing loss of tissue and tendency of the cornea to bulge.

Topics: Actins; Adult; Chondroitin Sulfates; Collagen Type III; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Stroma; Corneal Topography; Dilatation, Pathologic; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Keratan Sulfate; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Surgical Flaps; Wound Healing

To determine the influence of dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical products (OVPs) on corneal endothelial cell (CEC) density during penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and on the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP).. In 117 eyes of 113 patients, PKP was performed by a single surgeon from April 1, 1998 to April 30, 2002. Loss of CECs and postoperative IOP were evaluated retrospectively after use of Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%, chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) plus Healon (sodium hyaluronate 1.0%) (Viscoat/Healon group) or Healon alone (Healon group) during surgery.. The average CEC loss was 14.6 +/- 15.5% and 9.0 +/- 10.5% at 1 month, 18.1 +/- 14.6% and 10.1 +/- 7.3% at 3 months, 20.1 +/- 16.3% and 12.2 +/- 10.9% at 6 months, and 31.7 +/- 21.4% and 18.1 +/- 15.5% at 12 months in the Healon (n = 74) and Viscoat/Healon (n = 43) groups, respectively. Patients were stratified into groups with corneal leukoma (n = 61) or bullous keratopathy (n = 56). Loss of CECs was significantly smaller in the Viscoat/Healon group compared with the Healon group irrespective of whether patients had corneal leukoma or bullous keratopathy at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. There was no significant difference of postoperative IOP between the Healon and Viscoat/Healon groups over 12 months of follow-up.. These results suggest that the addition of Viscoat to Healon decreases CEC loss during PKP and does not affect postoperative IOP.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cell Count; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Drug Combinations; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endothelium, Corneal; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Rejection; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Period; Retrospective Studies; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome

To determine and model the relationships between phacoemulsification conditions and viscoelastic agents that result in thermal wound injury.. Animal laboratory, Irvine, California, USA.. Mechanical and animal models, various wound sizes, phacoemulsification tips, and dispersive and cohesive viscoelastic agents were evaluated. Settings for phaco power, vacuum, and irrigation levels were controlled within a surgically relevant range. In the mechanical and animal models, incision temperature was assessed as a function of phacoemulsification parameters and time. In the animal model, wound damage was evaluated at the time of surgery.. Induced time delays from the onset of phaco power to the onset of irrigation flow caused a thermal rise at the incision site. In these experiments, lack of irrigation and aspiration resulted in the greatest thermal rise and caused wound damage. Both the cohesive and dispersive viscoelastic agents were associated with a delay in the start of irrigation and aspiration, which resulted in similar maximum temperatures. Mathematical models were developed to estimate the maximum incision temperature from the phacoemulsification power, the duration (seconds) of occlusion, the tip gauge and type, and other phacoemulsification parameters. The models predict that under comparable conditions, occlusion with a viscoelastic agent will result in higher incision temperatures than occlusion with a balanced salt solution.. Under comparable phacoemulsification conditions, both the cohesive and dispersive viscoelastic agents were associated with elevated temperatures that would be preventable by ensuring irrigation and aspiration flow before the onset of phacoemulsification power.

Topics: Acetates; Aged; Animals; Chondroitin Sulfates; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Topography; Drug Combinations; Eye Burns; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Minerals; Phacoemulsification; Rabbits; Sodium Chloride; Visual Acuity

The records of 39 patients undergoing 40 consecutive penetrating keratoplasties were reviewed to identify donor factors that might correlate with the presence of an epithelial defect on the first postoperative day. Of the 40 transplanted corneas, 13 (32.5%) had no epithelial defect, 18 (45%) had some epithelial defect, and nine (22.5%) had a total epithelial defect 1 day postoperatively. The status of the epithelium was correlated with several donor factors. The only factor that had a statistically significant association with the degree of epithelial defect was the time interval from preservation to surgery (p = .001). Based on a logistic regression model, the probability of having an epithelial defect 1 day after penetrating keratoplasty increased with respect to longer storage times. These results may aid the surgeon in the selection of donor tissue, particularly when performing penetrating keratoplasty on patients with ocular surface disorders.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chondroitin Sulfates; Complex Mixtures; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Culture Media, Serum-Free; Dextrans; Epithelium; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Preservation; Postoperative Complications; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Tissue Donors

The existence and pathophysiological role of glycosaminoglycans in the tear fluid in humans was investigated using quantitative analyses of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate in the tear fluid. The subjects were 42 eyes of 31 normal controls, 9 eyes of 9 patients with superficial punctate keratitis (SPK), and 13 eyes of 13 patients with epithelial defect. After an instillation of 100 microliters saline solution in the conjunctival sac, as much tear fluid as possible was collected from the lower cul-de-sac. The glycosaminoglycans in the tears were then treated with chondroitinase ABC to make fractions of unsaturated disaccharides. The quantities of disaccharides were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations were expressed as nanomoles of unsaturated disaccharides per protein in the tears. The concentrations of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate in the normal controls were 0.07 +/- 0.12(n mol/mg protein) and 6.91 +/- 3.63 (n mol/mg protein), respectively. The mean concentration of hyaluronic acid was significantly higher in patients with epithelial erosion than in normal controls, whereas the mean concentration of chondroitin sulfate was significantly lower in patients with epithelial erosion than in normal controls. There was no significant difference in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans between the patients with SPK and normal controls. The results of our study suggest that glycosaminoglycans are synthesized and endogenously secreted into the tear fluids and, especially in the case of hyaluronic acid, may play an important role in corneal epithelial wound healing in patients with epithelial erosion.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Epithelium; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Middle Aged; Tears

A 68-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman had diffuse corneal stromal deposits that stained with alcian blue and colloidal iron but did not react with periodic acid-Schiff stain and lipid stains. Similar deposits were found within postmortem sclera in one case, but not in other ocular or extraocular tissues. The abnormal material was sensitive to testicular hyaluronidase and chondroitinase. The material reacted with monoclonal antibody 9-A-2 after digestion by chondroitinase AC in one case and ABC in both cases, which is consistent with the identification of the glycosaminoglycans chondroitin 4-sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Electron microscopic examination of the cornea in both cases disclosed granular material in vacuoles dispersed extracellularly and, rarely, in keratocytes. Results of blood and skin fibroblast enzyme assays for clinically relevant mucopolysaccharidoses and mucolipidoses were normal in both patients, and there were no somatic abnormalities suggesting a storage disease.

Topics: Aged; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Stroma; Dermatan Sulfate; Female; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Male; Mucopolysaccharidoses; Pedigree; Scleral Diseases

Band keratopathy developed rapidly in two patients following uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation using BSS Plus (balanced salt solution enriched with glutathione, bicarbonate, and glucose) infusion and Viscoat (chondroitin sulfate-sodium hyaluronate), which was left in the anterior chamber at the conclusion of the procedure. Histopathologic evaluation of corneal tissue obtained from one patient at the time of edetic acid chelation revealed histochemical findings consistent with anterior stromal calcification. To investigate a possible relationship between Viscoat and the rapid onset of band keratopathy, Viscoat formulated with varying concentrations of phosphate buffer was injected intracamerally into 42 rabbit eyes. Within 48 hours, clinically obvious corneal opacification developed in nine (47%) of 19 eyes injected with the commercial preparation of Viscoat. Also, similar opacification developed in ten (77%) of 13 eyes that received Viscoat formulated with twice the phosphate concentration of the commercial preparation. Band keratopathy did not develop any of ten eyes that received Viscoat with one fourth the commercial phosphate concentration. In selected opacified corneas, the presence of phosphorus in the subepithelial and posterior corneal stroma was confirmed by histochemical stains and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Anterior Chamber; Calcinosis; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Instillation, Drug; Male; Rabbits

An intraocular-lens abrasion test, vital dye staining, and scanning electron microscopy were used for an in vitro comparison of endothelial protection offered by four viscous solutions of 1% sodium hyaluronate (Healon), 3% sodium hyaluronate (AmVisc), 4% chondroitin sulfate (Viscoat), and 2% methylcellulose. Wide-field specular microscopy with analysis of endothelial cell density and morphologic evaluation, pachymetry, and intraocular pressure measurements were also used to study the toxicity of the viscous solutions in an in vivo cat model with and without anterior chamber washout. All four solutions provided complete endothelial protection from mechanical trauma. Endothelial cell density and morphologic nature were unaffected during the in vivo toxicity study. A mild increase in intraocular inflammation occurred at one and two days after intraocular injection with all four viscous solutions. Intraocular pressure elevations peaked within four hours after instillation of the viscous solutions and were significantly reduced by anterior chamber washout.

Topics: Animals; Anterior Chamber; Cats; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Drug Combinations; Endothelium; Hyaluronic Acid; Intraocular Pressure

K-Sol, a new cornea preserving solution which contains no calf serum of foreign protein and is used for refrigerated storage of donor tissue, has storage procedures identical to those currently used for tissue preservation in McCarey-Kaufman medium. K-Sol can keep corneas alive and usable for penetrating keratoplasty for at least two weeks. The clinical results in a series of 17 patients indicated that tissue preserved in K-Sol for as long as two weeks, even when used by inexperienced surgeons in difficult or unfavorable cases requiring extensive anterior segment reconstruction, including reoperations or retained intraocular lenses, gave results virtually identical to those obtained with tissue preserved in McCarey-Kaufman medium for only two or three days.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Transplantation; Endothelium; Freezing; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mitochondria; Solutions; Tissue Donors; Tissue Preservation; Vitrectomy

Topics: Anterior Chamber; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Corneal Diseases; Humans

A case of corneal graft operation using chondroitin sulphate (CDS-TM) to protect the endothelium, highlights the surgical difficulties encountered as a result of the severe dehydration effects on the donor corneal button produced by the CDS. In vitro experiments comparing Healonid and CDS on 8 mm excised donor corneal buttons from three pairs of human eyes, confirms this effect with CDS which was absent with Healonid.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chondroitin; Chondroitin Sulfates; Cornea; Corneal Diseases; Corneal Transplantation; Dehydration; Female; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; In Vitro Techniques; Male