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Aim: Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a rare disease characterized by abnormal proliferation and structural changes of the endothelium, obliteration of the iridocorneal angle, and anomalies of the iris. The consequence of these changes is secondary glaucoma and corneal decompensation. The etiology is unclear, and the syndrome more commonly affects middle-aged women., Case Reports: In this article we present two different case studies of young patients diagnosed with ICE syndrome with complications. The first case report is about a young woman in whom surgical treatment of glaucoma and corneal edema was successful. On the other hand, the second report presents a complicated case of a 29-year-old patient whose treatment was not successful despite repeated interventions., Conclusion: This text highlights the complexity of ICE syndrome, the difficulty of its therapy and the importance of early diagnosis.

Aim: To demonstrate a rare case of ciliary body leiomyoma in our patient Case report: A 72-year-old female reported to our clinic for a preventive examination, upon which we found a dome-shaped grey-brownish mass on the retinal periphery. After completing gonioscopic and ultrasound examinations, we referred the patient to a specialist facility. Due to a finding of suspicious malignant melanoma, we completed the MRI scan and recommended enucleation of the eyeball. A histopathological examination showed a leiomyoma of the ciliary body., Conclusion: The aim of this case report is to demonstrate the difficulty of intraocular leiomyoma diagnosis. Only immunohistochemical examination differentiated the tumor from malignant melanoma and determined the diagnosis of ciliary body leiomyoma. Perhaps because of the extreme rarity of this type of tumor, we often neglect to consider a diagnosis of leiomyoma.

Purpose: We investigated associations between neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and rs10490924 polymorphism of ARMS2 gene (age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2), rs1061170 polymorphism of gene for complement factor H (CFH), rs2230199 polymorphism of gene for complement component C3 and rs11200638 polymorphism of gene for serine protease high-temperature requirement A1 (HTRA1) in the Czech population., Methods: We analysed samples of DNA from 307 patients diagnosed with neovascular form of late AMD (average age: 73.7 ± 7.7 years) and 191 control subjects, recruited from patients awaiting cataract surgery (average age, 73.6 ± 8.7 years)., Results: HTRA1, CFH and ARMS2 genes polymorphisms were found to be related to neovascular AMD in the Czech population. All analysed polymorphisms were statistically significantly associated with neovascular AMD, with stronger associations in females than in males. In whole group, CC genotype of CFH gene polymorphism, TT genotype of ARMS2 gene polymorphism and AA genotype of HTRA1 gene polymorphism showed the greatest risk for neovascular AMD with odds ratios equal to 8.43, 10.07, 9.83, respectively (p < 0.0001). Only CG polymorphism of C3 gene showed statistically significant risk for neovascular AMD. In addition, we observed an association between waist circumference and neovascular AMD in both sexes, which further suggests the significance of excessive abdominal fat as a risk factor of AMD. We found a statistically significant association between polymorphisms in HTRA1, CFH and ARMS2 genes and neovascular AMS in the Czech population. The association was stronger in females than in males., Conclusion: We demonstrated a relationship between neovascular AMD and genes for HTRA1, CFH, ARMS2 and C3 in Czech population. To our knowledge, the relationship between these polymorphisms and neovascular AMD in Czech population has never been investigated before., (© 2020 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To analyze clinical outcomes of cataract surgery with implantation of a toric intraocular lens (IOL) and to evaluate the effect of capsular tension ring (CTR) presence or absence on the rotational stability of implanted IOLs and postoperative refraction., Methods: This cohort study included 64 eyes of 41 patients who underwent uneventful cataract surgery with implantation of a toric IOL (enVista toric MX60T; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) to correct preoperative corneal astigmatism. In 30 eyes, a CTR (11 SR model; Videris s.r.o., Prague, Czech Republic) was co-implanted. Analyzed parameters were refraction, visual acuity, and misalignment of toric lenses., Results: The mean patient age was 67 years (range: 42 to 89 years) and the mean follow-up period was 5 months. Mean manifest astigmatism improved from -1.53 ± 1.15 diopters (D) preoperatively to -0.40 ± 0.61 D postoperatively (P < .001). Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.10 ± 0.13 logMAR (20/25 Snellen). Mean absolute IOL misalignment was 3.70° with CTR and 3.85° without CTR (P = .683). In eyes with an axial length of 24 mm or greater, IOL axis matched the planned axis in 90.5% of eyes with CTR and 81.8% of eyes without CTR (P = .964). Four eyes (6.25%) needed additional surgical IOL rotation., Conclusions: In eyes after cataract surgery with implantation of a toric IOL, there were no significant differences in the rotational stability of the lens with respect to the presence or absence of CTR. In eyes with an axial length of 24 mm or greater, better IOL alignment was observed in the group with CTR. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(3):186-192.]., (Copyright 2020, SLACK Incorporated.)

The thesis deals with comparison of topographic corneal indexes and their importance for the diagnosis of corneal ectatic disease. The corneas with different stages of keratoconus, forme fruste keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal warpage syndrome, and physiological cornea with varying values of regular astigmatism were included in the tested group. The study was conducted in 2015-2018 at the European Eye Clinic Lexum Brno. The study group contained 208 eyes, 111 eyes with keratoconus, 31 eyes with forme fruste keratoconus, 23 eyes with pellucid marginal degeneration, 10 eyes with corneal warpage syndrome and 33 physiological eyes. 19 corneal parameters and indexes were monitored for these ectatic diseases, which were compared with healthy corneas with regular astigmatism. A single-factor ANOVA test, a Student t-test were used for statistical analysis. Pearson&#39;s coefficients were used to assess the correlation. In all the observed tomographic parameters a statistically significant difference was found between the physiological and ectatic group of corneas. The parameters with the highest statistical difference were BEThLo, ISV, IHD, D, Rmin. Statistically significant indices were also found between the forme fruste keratoconus and physiological corneas. The best parameters for detecting the subclinical keratoconus were the back elevation at the thinniest point of the cornea (BEThLo), the difference between the thinniest and the central point of cornea (CP-TL), the maximum pachymetic progression index and the Db and D indexes (p 0.6) according to Pearson&#39;s correlation coefficient. Statistically significant differences in the KK and PMD groups were found in the index of relative pachymetry, central pachymetry, CKI and Dp. Key words: Pentacam, corneal ectasia, keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, corneal warpage syndrome, forme fruste keratoconus.

The work compares visual functions after cataract surgery and implantation of spherical (AAB00) and aspherical (ZCB00, MX60) intraocular lenses (IOL). The study was conducted in the years 2017-2018 at the European Eye Clinic Lexum Brno. The examined group contains 60 eyes. The study focused primarily on the comparison of distance corrected visual acuity (DCVA), the postoperative value of the total spherical aberration (SA), the depth of field (DoF) for the near and the contrast sensitivity. A single-factor ANOVA test was used for statistical analysis. Nearly all of the monitored values were statistically significantly better for the aspheric IOL group. It was DCVA (ZCB00: p = 0.048, MX60: p = 0.001), the total postoperative SA (ZCB00: p.

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of cataract surgeries with implantation of intraocular trifocal toric lens, and to study the accuracy of astigmatism correction, lens rotational stability, and safety of the procedures., Patients and Methods: Our study comprised 22 eyes of 16 patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral implantation of AT LISA tri toric 939MP, or its implantation in combination with AT LISA tri 839MP. Mean patient age was 58 ± 11 years (39 to 75 years). Mean follow-up was 5 months. Evaluated parameters were preoperative and postoperative decimal corrected (CDVA) and uncorrected (UDVA) distance visual acuity. Uncorrected near (UNVA) and intermediate (UIVA) visual acuity was obtained with Jaeger optotypes. Furthermore, we studied manifest refraction, amount of corneal astigmatism, implanted lens position, and potential complications. Using two types of questionnaires we surveyed patients on their subjective satisfaction with vision., Results: Spherical equivalent changed from preoperative -1.32 ± 4.05 D (-9.25 to 4.00 D) to postoperative -0.23 ± 0.21 D (-0.75 to 0.00 D). Preoperative corneal astigmatism was -1.97 ± 0.76 D (-4.02 to -1.01 D), manifest astigmatism was -1.70 ± 1.26 D. After the surgery, manifest astigmatism significantly improved to -0.34 ± 0.37 D (p<0.001). Mean monocular UDVA increased from 0.26 ± 0.18 (0.05 to 0.60) to postoperative 0.88 ± 0.13 (0.60 to 1.00) (p<0.001). CDVA also improved significantly, from 0.57 ± 0.24 to a final value of 1.02 ± 0.07 (p<0.001). Mean postoperative monocular UNVA was Jaeger 1-2, UIVA corresponded to Jaeger 3-4.No serious complications were recorded. Based on the outcome of questionnaires, all patients are satisfied with their vision and they are independent of spectacles., Conclusion: In the present study we have obtained very good functional outcomes of vision at far, near and intermediate in cataract patients after trifocal AT LISA tri toric lens implantation. Also, total astigmatism in studied eyes was substantially reduced. The treatment led to a high subjective satisfaction of patients and to their independence of spectacles., Key Words: trifocal toric intraocular lens, cataract, astigmatism, refractive outcomes, patient subjective satisfaction.

Purpose: Herpes stromal keratitis is a serious condition and the most frequent cause of unilateral blindness. The real-time PCR is an accurate and fast diagnostic method for an analysis of infectious agents causing keratitis and keratouveitis. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between clinical symptoms, treatment efficacy monitoring and viral quantity in corneal swabs determined by quantitative real-time PCR method. The real-time PCR method was used as well for the detection of other viral eye pathogens., Methods: A total of 212 patients (136 men and 76 women) suspect of having herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis or keratouveitis were included in the study. The detection and quantitative analysis of the viral DNA were performed using the EliGene HSV1 RT kit, and the result was correlated with the clinical picture of the disease. The patients were routinely treated with acyclovir applied locally or, alternatively, in systemic administration. In a case of acyclovir treatment resistant keratitis, the patients were treated with local ganciclovir (Virgan gel ophth 0.15%)., Results: A total of 636 analyses of the viral DNA were performed; 85 patients were positive for HSV1 (198 detected). There were 16 acyclovir resistant cases of keratitis (14%)., Conclusions: The real-time PCR appears as a fast and accurate method for an exact identification of the viral DNA in patients with herpes stromal keratitis. The introduction of the quantification is important for the treatment evaluation and for the specification of a so-called acyclovir resistant keratitis. A long-term systemic administration in maintenance doses may lead to the resistance and repeated, frequent relapses of the disease., (© 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Acta Ophthalmol.)

Unlabelled: Confocal microscopy represents modern, non-invasive, semi-contact examination method making possible to visualize separate corneal layers (from the endothel to the epithel) in high resolution. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is a method using argon-fluoride laser with 193 nm wavelength to treat corneal surface diseases., Aim: To evaluate the use of confocal microscopy for epithelial basal membrane dystrophy diagnosis (Cogan microcystic dystrophy) and following corneal ultra-structural changes in vivo after PTK., Material and Methods: The group consisted of 14 eyes of 9 patients (6 men and 3 women) of average age 45.8 +/- 14.4 years who underwent in the department in last two years phototherapeutic keratectomy for recurrent erosion in Cogan microcystic corneal dystrophy. For the diagnosis of this disease, the confocal corneal microscope (Confoscan 4, Nidek, probe x 40) was used. Computer controlled laser photoablation was in all patients performed; the average depth was 14.8 +/- 3.3 microm (Technolas 217, Bausch & Lomb). The follow-up visits were scheduled always day 5 and 12, and month 1, 3, 6, and 12 after the PTK. The reactive processes in all corneal layers, the subepithelial inervation restoration velocity and recurrence of the primary disease detectable by means of the confocal corneal microscope were followed-up., Results: Cogan microcystic dystrophy was diagnosed in all followed-up patients by means of confocal microscope according to the findings of the area thickening and corneal epithelium basal membrane irregularities. These patients were indicated to the PTK. After the treatment, the healing of the epithelial layer was finished as early as the fifth day. The subepithelial nervous plexus average regeneration period was 6.2 +/- 2.8 months. In all patients, the edema of the anterior stroma was found at the day 5. The beginning of the re-popularization of the anterior stroma by keratocytes from deeper layers we diagnosed, on average, at the day 11.5 +/- 1.9 after the treatment and the following reduction after 5.1 +/- 1.4 months. In the posterior stroma and in the endothel, no changes were found. During the follow-up period, in none of the followed-up patients, the recurrence of the primary disease was found., Conclusion: The confocal microscopy may be recommended for superficial corneal dystrophies quality and accurate diagnosis and to follow up changes after phototherapeutic keratectomy as suitable treatment method of these diseases.

Unlabelled: The authors refer to the cross-sectional study of surgical technique, operation, early and late postoperative complications in the first 30 patients after DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty)., Setting and Methods: The group comprised 17 women and 13 men with an average age of 62 years (SD 12.2). The follow up period 1-12 months, average 4.2 months. The DMEK were indicated in patients with boullous keratopathy, Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy and endothelial insufficiency after repeated corneal transplantation., Results: In half of the patients had to undergo DMEK surgery and the other half DMEK surgery combined with cataract surgery. One patient dropped from the Descemet membrane transplantation because of insufficient donor cornea and was indicated re DMEK. SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS: 4 times difficulty of the striping of Descemet membrane, 2 times operating decentration plates, 1 times bleeding the implementation of peripheral iridectomy. Early postoperative complications in 10 patients: 3x pupillary block, 1x fibrin reaction in anterior chamber, 1 curled strip of anterior chamber in 1st postoperative day, 3x coiled plate with localized corneal oedema, 1 residual membrane size 2 x 2 mm Descemet slats off the optical axis. Late postoperative complications were recorded in a total of 7 patients. 4 occurred secondary glaucoma and 2 corneal edema localized outside the optical zone. Once there was a bridging of traction plates. Visual acuity in uncomplicated patients were arranged within 21 days after surgery, patients with complications within 3 months. 1 times was made re DMEK rolled plates with the removal of the anterior chamber, 3 by 5 days to reposition scrolling border membranes by repeated big bubble technique., Conclusion: DMEK seems like a good option to remedy endothelium defects. About 70% of patients have fewer complications when used alone DMEK than cataract surgery combined with DMEK. For knowledgeable surgeon, starting with Descemet membrane transplantation, it is appropriate to separate transplants without combination with other procedures (cataract surgery, iriedktomy). Laser iridotomies before operation seems an appropriate procedure to avoid bleeding while surgery.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein encoded, in humans, by BDNF gene on chromosome 11. BDNF protects adult neurons and promotes growth and differentiation during ontogenetic development but the nature and magnitude of its effects could be influenced by functional polymorphisms. The BDNF polymorphism Val66Met (rs6265) has been studied in the context of etiology of mental diseases including alcoholism. Alcoholism - a complex disorder known to be linked to several genes - has multiple manifestations, including sensory deficits such as those affecting vision. In the present study we examined a relationship between the Val66Met polymorphism, alcohol dependence and colour vision deficiency (CVD) in 167 alcohol-dependent men and 289 control male subjects. Statistical analysis revealed that almost half (about 48%) of the alcohol dependent men had a CVD. In addition we found that CVD was significantly associated (P=0.005) with the Val66Met polymorphism. The A allele containing 66Met promotes BDNF expression and this may protect humans against CVD induced by long-term excessive alcohol intake. The present findings indicate that alcohol-induced CVD does not depend solely on excessive alcohol consumption but is significantly influenced by genetic predisposition in the form of a specific BDNF polymorphism., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of research study was to evaluate the effect of corneal cross-linking (CXL) in the frame of patients with progressive keratoconus 1 year after treatment., Methods: There were 40 eyes of 35 patients with mean age 28, 45 +/- 9.3 (SD) (15 to 48 years) included in the study. Patients were treated with standard protocol of CXL with abrasion of corneal epithelium. Complete ophthalmological examination included best corrected spectacles visual acuity (BCSVA), slit-lamp microscopic finding, corneal topography and corneal thickness measured with ultrasound method was performed before, on the 5-th day, 1. 6., 12. month after CXL. We divided patients according to the stage of keratoconus into 2 groups (stage I. and stage II.) and according to the age into 3 groups (until 20, from 21 to 39, over 40 years)., Results: In all treated eyes, the CXL was without relevant complications. The only complication was stromal haze of cornea. In the evaluation based on stage of keratoconus, in the first group any patient became a haze of cornea in 1 year after CXL. In the second group 35.7% of patients had a haze of cornea. The average BCSVA 1 year after treatment was improved in the 1. group about 5.38 letter and in the 2. group about 1.25 letter. Topographic analysis showed decrease of simulated keratometry and refraction (1. group--0.1 D, 2. group--0.17 D), maximal keratometry and refraction (1. group--0.67 D, 2. group--0.76 D). Minimal keratometry and refraction in the 1. group decreased (1.17 D) and increased in the 2. group (1.09 D). In the evaluation based on the age was haze monitored in the first group one year after CXL in 12.5% of researched eyes. In the second group was haze of cornea in 20% of eyes and in the third group consisting of patients over 40 years old, in 50% of eyes. The average BCSVA was improved in the 1. group (2.85 letter), and in the 2. group (3.68 letter).The average BCSVA was decreased in the oldest patients in about 1.43 letter. In the 1. and 2. group the topographic analysis showed decrease of simulated keratometry and refraction (1. group--0.12D, 2. group--0.21D), maximal keratometry and refraction (1. group--1.13 D, 2. group--0,68D), minimal keratometry and refraction (1. group--1.17D, 2. group--0,69 D). In the 3. group the topography analysis showed increase of simulated keratometry and refraction (0,8D), maximal keratometry and refraction (0,98D), minimal keratometry and refraction (0,28D). Corneal pachymetry remained stable in all researched groups of patients., Conclusions: CXL is considered as safe procedure to stop progression of keratoconus also for patients until 19 years old. The best effect and minimal complications were by patients until 40 years old and by patients with the I. grade.

Aim: The aim of the prospective study was to evaluate photopic high-contrast visual acuity, mesopic contrast sensitivity, and high order aberrations, to compare changes and post-operative development of those parameters and to analyze the dependence among aberrations and contrast sensitivity after conventional LASIK treatment., Materials and Methods: The authors followed-up patients treated by means of refractive LASIK treatment during the period from November 2006 to November 2007. The authors analyzed 51 eyes (31 patients). The average age of the group was 28.5 +/- 5.4 years (range, 18 - 41 years), preoperative average spherical equivalent was -4.95 +/- 1.24 D (from -3 to -8,25 D). Before the treatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after LASIK treatment we evaluated the visual acuity (Snellen optotypes), contrast sensitivity under mesopic circumstances (CSV-1000E, VectorVision) and monochromatic aberrations (aberometer Zywave, Bausch & Lomb)., Results: One year after the treatment the average uncorrected visual acuity was 1.07 +/- 0.15, index of effectiveness 0.99, and index of safety 1.02. The contrast sensitivity was in month 12 significantly decreased comparing to the preoperative level at the frequency 12 c/deg, in other already tested frequencies after 3-6 moths did not differed from preoperative values. During the follow-up period the curvature of contrast sensitivity average values was in the upper half of the normal interval range. Conventional LASIK treatment significantly induced the higher order aberration (twice), as well as the spherical aberration (four times).The same level of higher order aberrations root mean square (HOA-RMS), or increased maximally by 0.1 microm was detected by 10 % of cases; the spherical aberration was, compared to the preoperative value, lower, or increased maximally by 0.05 microm in almost one half of the cases. The increase of the higher order aberrations depended directly proportionally to the preoperative value of the spherical equivalent. Before the treatment, the values of total aberrations correlated to the contrast sensitivity of low space frequencies; however, there was not found any correlation between the higher order aberrations and contrast sensitivity. Six months after the LASIK treatment the values of higher order aberrations correlated to the contrast sensitivity except of the lowest frequency tested. The higher order aberrations increased together with decreasing contrast sensitivity. The data from the one-year follow up control did not show statistically significant correlation between the contrast sensitivity and the higher order aberrations. There was not found any correlation between the contrast sensitivity and the spherical aberration at any follow-up control after the surgery., Conclusion: Although after the conventional LASIK treatment the curve of mesopic contrast sensitivity was located in the upper half of the normal range, in the medial space frequency it remained decreased comparing to the preoperative stage. The induction of higher order aberrations was twice as much and was directly correlated to the degree of the laser correction. The spherical aberration was four-times higher comparing to the preoperative values and was independent to the level of the initial refractive error. Significant correlation between the contrast sensitivity and the higher order aberrations was not proven.

Unlabelled: The aim of the prospective study was to evaluate higher order aberrations and contrast sensitivity after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using the standard photoablation profile., Materials and Methods: The group consisted of 37 patients (69 eyes), the mean age 27.2 +/- 4.5 years, who underwent PRK with target emetropia during the period January 2007 -December 2007. In 19 cases, it was correction of myopia, in 50 cases myopia with astigmatism.The preoperative spherical equivalent was -3.14 +/- 0.95 D. The PRK was performed by means of excimer laser system Technolas 217 (Bausch & Lomb) with the standard phoptoablation profile (PlanoScan 2000), using the 6.5 mm optical zone. The visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS; CSV-1000E, VectorVision) under mesopic circumstances and monochromatic aberrations (Zywave, Bausch & Lomb) were evaluated before the surgery, and 1,3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. The pair t-test, Wilcoxon test, and the Mann - Whitney U test (alpha = 0.05) were used for the statistical analysis., Results: The PRK showed high index of effectiveness and safety (0.98, respectively 1.03 in the first year after the procedure). The contrast sensitivity under mesopic circumstances was not significantly involved after the PRK. The main value of the CS remained during the whole follow-up period within the physiological range in all spatial frequencies. Postoperatively, the part of spherical aberration on the higher order aberrations increased from 13.1% preoperatively to 16.6% one year after the PRK. In one half of the cases, the change of the higher order aberrations was within the range +/- 0.1 microm. In 66% of cases, the change of the spherical aberration was +/- 0.05 microm. The higher order aberrations comparing to the preoperative values decreased or remained unchanged approximately in one third of the cases, and the spherical aberration in one quarter of the cases. There was not established dependence between monochromatic aberrations values and the contrast sensitivity., Conclusion: Although the conventional RPK for low myopia treatment induces higher order aberrations including the spherical aberration, the impact on the contrast sensitivity under mesopic circumstances in our group were not significant. The contrast sensitivity of the most of patients was near the upper limit of the normal range.

Aim: To examine by means of immunohistochemistry the expression of the tumor suppressing gene p53 and gene p21 in cells of malignant melanoma of the uvea from formalin-paraffin material from patients, who were during the period 2000 - 2006 surgically treated due to malignant melanoma of the uvea at the Department of Ophthalmology in the University Hospital in Brno (Brunn), Czech Republic, E.U., and to correlate the results of the immunohistochemical detection with clinical signs of the tumor of each patient., Methods: Twenty-nine malignant melanomas of the uvea were examined by means of monoclonal antibody DO-1 (Novocastra company) and all 29 samples of malignant melanoma of the uvea were immunohistochemically examined for the p21 gene expression by means of the monoclonal antibody SX 118 (DAKO company). We evaluated the percentage of positive nuclei and the intensity of the staining in immunohistochemically detected p53 and p21 genes expression., Results: Results suitable for evaluation we obtained in 28 samples of malignant melanomas, one sample was not suitable for evaluation due to extremely high presence of melanin pigment. In 3 patients, weak nuclear p53 gene expression was detected in 5-15% of cells, in 1 patient, the very weak intensity of staining in 5-15% of cells was found. In three patients, in 5-15% of cells, weak expression of p21 gene, and in one patient, very weak expression of p21 gene in 5-15% of cells (in all 4 cases, the p53 expression was established) were found. In one of those 4 patients with p53 gene expression it was the malignant melanoma of the iris, in one of them it was malignant melanoma of the ciliary body, and in 2 of them it was malignant melanoma of the choroid., Conclusion: The expression of the p53 gene and the expression of the gene p21 were established in 4 out of 28 patients (14.3%). From the above-mentioned results we can assume that stabilizing mutations of p53 gene are rare in the melanoma of the uvea. The proved expression p53 in 4 patients is probably result of the expression of the standard (wild-type) p53 gene, especially according to the ability to induce the expression of p21 gene. In our group, there were not proved marked nuclear accumulation of p53, which would suggest the presence of p53 gene mutation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the dry eye syndrome and corneal complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to assess its association with the -174 gene polymorphism for interleukin 6. The group consisted of 123 patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis (20 men, 103 women); the mean age was 53 years (+/- 13.6). Every patient had completely ophthalmologic examination and special attention was paid to the amount of tears. The presence of corneal complications was detected in the medical history and evaluated during the slit lamp examination. In all patients the polymorphism-174 IL-6 examinations were performed. For the statistical data processing, the chi square (chi2) test for nominal variable was used. The dry eye syndrome (DES) was found in 98 eyes (79.7%), severe dry eye syndrome was detected in 53 patients (43.1%). Corneal complications appeared in 9 patients (7.3%). DES was present in 32 patients with the GG genotype (91.4%, n1 = 35), in 49 patients with the CG genotype (71.0%, n2 = 69), and in 8 patients with the CC genotype (42.1%, n3 = 19). After the statistical evaluation we have found the association between the dry eye syndrome and the GG genotype (chi2 = 8.9) and the association between less common dry eye syndrome appearance and the presence of the CC genotype (chi2 = 10.3). Severe dry eye syndrome we proved in 18 patients with GG genotype (51.4%, n1 = 35), in 31 patients with CG genotype (44.9%, n2 = 69), and in 4 patients with CC genotype CC (21.1%, n3 = 19). We proved statistically significant association between CC genotype and less often appearance of the severe dry eye syndrome (chi2 = 4.45). Corneal complications we noticed in one patient with GG genotype (2.8%, n1 = 35), in 5 patients with CG genotype (7.2%, n2 = 69), and in 3 patients with CC genotype (15.8%, n3 = 19). We did not prove statistically significant association between the 174 IL-6 polymorphism and corneal complications appearance. The 174 IL-6 polymorphism influences the appearance of the dry eye syndrome. In patients with GG genotype of the -174 gene polymorphism for IL-6 is its appearance more common. Patients with the rheumatoid arthritis and with CC genotype of the -174 gene IL-6 polymorphism have lower frequency of the dry eye syndrome presence.

Aim: The authors evaluate the significance of the DNA diagnostics in patients with superficial keratitis of viral origin and their capability to be used for monitoring of the treatment effectiveness in the follow-up. The presence of herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus (HSV 1, HSV 2, VZV), and adenoviruses was assessed by means of the DNA analysis., Material and Methods: The group consisted of 54 patients (33 men and 21 women), mean age 45.6 +/- 9.5 years, who were treated at the Eye Department for superficial keratitis or keratouveitis of viral origin. A sample from the involved place was taken with a cotton swab and a sample of approx. 50 microL of tears was taken from the conjunctival sac with a single-use micropipette. The cotton swab and the tears were shaken with the EliDNA Store Kit (ELISABETH PHARMACON, Czech Republic) buffer, which prevents the DNA degradation and allows the storage and transport of samples at the room temperature. After the transportation in to the laboratory, the DNA was isolated by means of the UltraClean DNA Tissue Kit (MoBio, U.S.A.). The isolated DNA was used for HSV 1, HSV 2, VZV, and adenoviruses detection by means of PCR (polymerase chain reaction). All samples were screened for the HSV1 presence using the in-house RealTime method with TaqMan probe and the Applied Biosystems RealTime System 7300 device. In case of positive result of the DNA analysis, control samples were taken in 7 - 10 days periods until negative result was obtained; another sample was taken in case of suspected relapse. The control examination was also performed by means of cultivation from the same sample by another laboratory., Results: Altogether 82 samples were taken and 230 DNA analyses were performed. The DNA diagnostics proved the presence of HSV 1 DNA in 28 patients, in one case, VZV DNA was detected, and 16 patients were positive on adenoviruses. The HSV 1 positive samples were confirmed by means of in-house RealTime PCR method as well as commercially available in vitro diagnostic healthcare device End-Point PCR HSV1/2 (Nanogen Advanced Diagnostics, Italy). All cultivation control examinations performed in another laboratory were negative. The samples were taken repeatedly in 9 patients to monitor the efficacy of the treatment., Summary: The DNA diagnostics seem to be a fast and reliable method to determine the etiological agent in patients with superficial keratitis and allow very accurate monitoring of the treatment efficacy.

Purpose: The malignant melanoma of the uvea (MMU) is the most common intraocular tumor among adults. The aim of the retrospective study was to evaluate the stage of the malignant melanoma of the uvea (MMU) at the time of diagnosis in a group of patients, to whom it was diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty Hospital Brno. In the years 2005 and 2006, there had been diagnosed the MMU in 19 patients (11 women and 8 men) with the average age of 64.6 +/- 9.0 years., Methods: The group of 19 patients was analyzed in accordance to various criteria: age, sex, location of MMU (iris, ciliary body, and choroid), size of MMU at the time of diagnosis, clinical signs of MMU, methods used in the diagnostic evaluation of the MMU, its treatment, histological type, TNM classification, and metastases., Results: MM of the choroid was diagnosed in 14 cases, MM of the ciliary body in 4 cases and MM of the iris in 1 patient. The MMU was asymptomatic in 3 patients, in 2 patients manifested with the pain, and in all other cases (in 14 patients) manifested with the decrease of the visual acuity. The patient with MM of the iris was treated by means of therapeutic partial iridectomy and lamelar keratectomy, 5 patients were treated by means of brachytherapy, 3 patients were treated by means of Leksell gama knife and 10 patients underwent the enucleation because of large size of the tumor. At the time of the MMU diagnosis, there were no metastases present in any of the 19 patients., Conclusion: Despite to the currently diagnostic possibilities available, the majority of MMU is diagnosed at late stage, which requires radical surgical treatment. The variety of MMU clinical signs' knowledge may help to the early diagnosis of MMU, which will contribute to the opportunity to use the treatment, which particulary spares the visual functions.

The postoperative refractive error after otherwise successful perforating keratoplasty (PK), often negatively influents the visual acuity.The authors refer about the results of postoperative ametropia correction by means of the LASIK method. There were 43 eyes of 38 patients in the study group. In 41 eyes, there was myopia with myopic astigmatism, and in two eyes, the hyperopia with hyperopic astigmatism were present. The average age of the group was 35.6 +/- 10.5 years (24-87 years), and the follow-up period was 27.4 +/- 22.9 months (maximum, 95 months). The average spherical refractive error before the LASIK procedure was -2.67 +/- 3.66 D, and preoperative subjective astigmatism -5.14 +/- 2.81 Dcyl. The average astigmatism established by means of corneal topography was 5.16 +/- 2.45. Dcyl. LASIK was performed during one session using the excimer laser Keracor 117 (Chiron) or Technolas 217 (Bausch & Lomb). For the lamellar keratectomy the authors used the mechanical LKS (Moria) and the automatic ACS keratome (Chiron). For the corneal topography examination, the ORBSCAN II (Bausch & Lomb) machine was used. The authors evaluated 1) the development of the postoperative refraction, 2) the change of the axis of the astigmatism induced by LASIK, 3) the development of the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), 4) the final uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), 5) the change of the endothelial cells' density after LASIK, and 6) the occurrence of per- and postoperative complications. At the last postoperative control, the average of the spherical refractive error was -0.17 +/- 1.01 D, subjective astigmatism was -1.58 +/- 2.03 Dcyl, and topographical astigmatism was 3.62 +/- 2.06 Dcyl (t-test, p < or = 0.001). We reduced the spherical refractive error by 93.6%, subjective astigmatism by 69.3%, and topographical astigmatism by 29.8% only. In 14 eyes (32.6%) the change of the axis was recorded--so called surgically induced astigmatism--the average value was 30.8 +/- 19.8 degrees (t-test, p > or = 0.05). The final UCVA 0.5 and better was reached by 74.4% of eyes (t-test, p < or = 0.001) and BCVA 0.5 and better in 83.8% of eyes (t-test, p < or = 0.05). The postoperative UCVA improved according to the preoperative one in 95.3% of cases, the BCVA in 37.2% of cases (by means of gain of lines on the Snellen chart). During the follow-up period the authors didn't prove statistically significant decrease of the endothelial cells' density (CD) according to the LASIK procedure (t-test, p > or = 0.05). Peroperatively, the authors noticed small defect of the lamella 4 times, and total lamellar detachment 2 times. Postoperatively, in 6 eyes a slight fibrosis occurred, and in two cases, the late rejection of the corneal transplant was diagnosed. The keratoconus relapsed 12 months after the procedure in 2 eyes and was indicated to rekeratoplasty. LASIK is an effective and relatively safe method for postoperative refractive error correction after perforating keratoplasty.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to review the incidence of the dry eye syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, evaluate the association among the incidence of the dry eye syndrome, presence of positive rheumatoid factor (RF), the RA stage, and the duration of the disease. The group consisted of altogether 100 patients, 16 men and 84 women; the average age was 58.9 years (SD 14.6). The average duration of RA was 12.3 years, SD 11.0. In each patient, the Schirmer test I was performed, the presence of the LIPCOF (Lid Parallel Conjunctival Folds) on the slit lamp was assessed, the BUT (Tear Break-Up Time) was measured and vital fluorescein staining was performed. In each patient the data of the presence or absence of the RF in the serum, RA severity according to the X-ray examination, and the disease duration were recorded. The Pearson's association test for nominal variables was used for statistical evaluation of the association between the rheumatoid arthritis presence and the dry eye syndrome. In our group of 100 patients, the Schirmer test I was positive in 67% of patients. Positive BUT was marked in 84 % of patients. The conjunctival folds were present in 45 % of patients only. The pathological findings after cornea fluorescein staining appeared in 18 % of patients. The dry eye syndrome incidence was marked in 74% of patients with RA. Subjective difficulties were declared by 38.3% of patients only. The local treatment was already established in 23.0% of patients only. We did not find statistically significant correlation between the RF positive rheumatoid arthritis appearance and dry eye syndrome, nor between the stage of the rheumatoid arthritis and presence of the dry eye syndrome. We proved statistical connection between the presence of dry eye syndrome and the duration of rheumatoid arthritis longer than 10 years. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is the most common ocular complication in rheumatoid arthritis patients. We proved the connection between the dry eye syndrome presence and duration of the RA longer than 10 years; we did not find the dependence among the RF presence and stage of the rheumatoid arthritis and the appearance of the dry eye syndrome. The early diagnosis of the dry eye syndrome and the effective local therapy may prevent very serious corneal complications, which are difficult to treat.

The problems of mild and high hyperopia surgical correction are complicated and an individual approach is needed. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term efficiency and safety of two types of refractive procedures in mild and high hyperopia correction: LASIK and ICL (phakic intraocular posterior chamber contact lens) implantation. The authors evaluated a group of 37 eyes of 20 patients; the average age was 36.3 years +/- 11.8 (SD) and the follow-up period was 28.1 months +/- 10.2 (SD) after LASIK procedure, and a group of 21 eyes of 13 patients; the average age was 28.6 years +/- 6.1 (SD) and the follow-up period 30.4 months +/- 20.9 (SD) after the ICL implantation. They compared occurrence of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative complications in both methods. They specified the efficiency and safety of the procedure by means of so called efficiency and safety index. With a questionnaire they evaluated the patient's subjective satisfaction with the refractive procedure. In the group of hyperopic LASIK, they proved statistically significant appearance of the refractive error regression, number of performed re-operations, appearance of the peroperative decentration of the photoablation zone and induced astigmatism (p < 0.05). In the ICL group, the repeated preoperative sessions for Nd-YAG laser iridotomies were necessary. Postoperatively, the appearance of keratitis striata, syndrome of the late pigment dispersion, and glare were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The authors also demonstrated higher efficiency and safety of the ICL implantation method comparing to LASIK during the whole follow up period (p < 0.05), and also higher subjective satisfaction after ICL implantation. Comparing the intraocular procedure (ICL) to the laser method (LASIK), in mild and high hyperopia correction, the higher efficiency and safety was achieved by ICL implantation.

The problems of hyperopia surgical correction are complicated. The most used methods are corneal laser treatments (PRK and LASIK), phakic intraocular lenses or clear lens extraction (CLE). The aim of the study was to evaluate and to compare long-term postoperative results of two types of refractive procedures in mild and high hyperopia correction: LASIK and ICL (phakic intraocular posterior chamber contact lens) implantation. The authors evaluated a group of 37 eyes of 20 patients; the average age was 36.3 years +/- 11.8 (SD) and the follow-up period 28.1 months +/- 10.2 (SD) after LASIK procedure, and group of 21 eyes of 13 patients; the average age was 28.6 years +/- 6.1 (SD) and the follow-up period 30.4 months +/- 20.9 (SD) after the ICL implantation. The final uncorrected (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and postoperative refractive error (for far and near) and their development in time were compared. They found statistically significant improvement of the UCVA postoperatively comparing to the preoperative values in both methods (LASIK and ICL) (p < 0.05). Better UCVA was achieved by means of ICL implantation (p < 0.05). The BCVA improved after the ICL implantation only (p > 0.05). In hyperopic LASIK, the final BCVA worsened comparing to this before treatment (p > 0.05). The BCVA changes were not statistically significant. The authors also proved better final spherical refraction for far (p < 0.05 in the first and second year) and for the near as well (p < 0.05 in the first and second year) in the ICL method comparing to the hyperopic LASIK. The stableness of the postoperative refraction was better after the ICL implantation during the whole follow up period. In the laser treatment, the continuous regression of the postoperative refraction was evident. The final cylindrical refraction value was also lower in the ICL group (p > 0.05). The stableness of the postoperative cylindrical refraction was also higher in the ICL method during the whole follow up period. Comparing the intraocular procedure (ICL) to the laser method (LASIK), the ICL implantation demonstrates better final BCVA and UCVA and the postoperative refraction is more stable.

Aim: To compare results of classical and digital analysis of the corneal endothelium., Material and Methods: We evaluated a group of 36 eyes with physiological findings of the anterior segment of the eye; the average age of examined persons was 32.8 years (SD +/- 9.5). The examination was performed by means of non-contact specular microscope SP 1000 TOPCON. The obtained finding was evaluated by means of (i) classical analysis, (ii) automatic digital analysis, and (iii) revised digital analysis. The result of the classical analysis is the cellular density (number of cells/mm2). The digital analysis is made possible by means of the connection of the specular microscope with the computer program IMAGENET. The Endothelial Analysis System evaluates furthermore the coefficient of the cellular area variation (%), and the hexagonality (%). The normality of the values' distribution was evaluated by means of the test Liliefors, subsequently the paired t-test or nonparametric Wilcoxon's test were used., Results: Comparing results of the automatic to the revised digital analysis, statistically significant difference in all evaluated parameters was found (P = 0.01). The average cells' density calculated by means of classical analysis (2643 +/- 347) is by 3 % smaller than the value established by means of revised digital analysis (2718 +/- 330 cells/mm2). Regardless of that, no statistically evident difference was found at the 1% level of significance. In 13 cases the revised digital analysis showed lower values than the classical one, whereas in 23 cases the overestimation by revised digital analysis up to 501 cells/mm2 was found. To complete the classical analysis or the automatic digital analysis, it takes in average 7-8 minutes. The time needed to examine one sample of endothelium using the revised digital analysis was in the examined group 25-30 minutes., Conclusion: Although there is no statistically significant difference (P = 0.01) between the revised digital analysis and the classical analysis, and between both methods there is statistically significant dependence (r = 0.82); it is necessary to consider their incomplete compatibility in case of results' interpretation in a single patient. The revised digital analysis is rather more time consuming, but supplies more information about the status of the endothelial single layer.

Purpose: To evaluate the successfulness of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation and refractive error after the triple procedure., Methods: During the period 1995-2004, the triple procedure was performed in 51 eyes of 43 patients aged 29-83 years (mean 66 years) with corneal disease and cataract. For the IOL power calculation, the SRK II formula was used. In case of impossibility to measure the keratometry, the data from the other eye, or the value 7.7 mm were used. The donor cornea was punched by trephine with the diameter 0.50 mm (in 88.2% of eyes) or 0.25 mm (in 11.8% of eyes) larger than for the recipient cornea. In 30 eyes (58.8%), the interrupted suture was used, in 21 eyes (41.2%) the running suture was employed. In 33% of eyes, the PMMA IOL was implanted, in 18 eyes (35.3%) the hydrophilic acrylate IOL. The final refraction and visual acuity was evaluated 13 - 24 months (mean, 17.1 months) after the surgery, and always after the suture removal., Results: The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged 0.1 - 1.0 (mean, 0.4 +/- 0.2). BCVA 0.5 or better was achieved in 26 eyes (51.0%). The spherical equivalent of postoperative refractive error less or equal to 2 dioptres was achieved in 35 eyes (68.6%) and ranged from 0.0 to 3.6 dioptres (mean, 1.4 +/- 1.1 dioptres)., Conclusion: According to the final refraction of the eye, the use of our method of IOL power calculation in the triple procedure is satisfying and its results are comparable with results published in the literature.

Disadvantage of ultrasonography is its dependence on subjective assessment of displayed images. The way how to minimize both intraobserver and interobserver differences is creation of standard conditions for examination including a quantitative approach to evaluation of tissue reflectivity. The oldest mode of standardisation is standardised A- scan, used in ophthalmology. It enables differentiation of echoes, reflected from different ocular structures and is helpful in assessment of extraocular muscle thickness. Standardisation of B-scan depends on the type of diagnostic device and is based on quantification of image echogenicity. In our study reference values of grey-level histogram were established for some thyroid diseases using standard setting of imaging parameters. Results indicate that both standardised A- and B-scan should be helpful in differential diagnostics.

The problem of postoperative astigmatism after perforating keratoplasty is complicated. Several possible methods of correction exist. The time and approach to correction of astigmatism after perforating keratoplasty is important. The authors present an account on a group of 10 eyes treated by the LASIK method on an apparatus Keracor 117. In four instances hyperopia with astigmatism was involved and in six eyes myopia with astigmatism, the mean age of the patients being 46.25 years. The mean values of the preoperative spherical hyperopic componenent was +1.37 D and of the myopic spherical component -2.12 D. The preoperative hyperopic astigmatism was +4.5 D and the myopic astigmatism -5.84 D. The follow up period was 9.5 months (1-25 months). The authors evaluate the postoperative natural vision, the resulting postoperative refraction, the incidence of complications and changes of endothelial cells before and after surgery. The resulting mean postoperative hyperopic astigmatism was +0.5 D and the myopic astigmatism -2.4 D. The reduction of values of hyperopic astigmatism was 88.9% and of myopic astigmatism 58.9%, the reduction of the spherical hyperopic component was 100% and of the myopic component 75%. On account of the stabilization of the postoperative refraction, low incidence of peroperative and postoperative complications and the insignificant decrease of endothelial cells the LASIK method is evaluated as effective.

Endocapsular distance ring increases possibilities of extraction subluxated cataract. Its importance consists of stabilisation of capsular bag and with the possibility of implantation posterior intraocular lens. In the group there are 20 patients with implanted 21 distance rings. The period of follow up was 4-24 months. We used of a polymethyl methacrylate distance ring from firms Erilens, Morcher and IOLTechnology. Indication for the implantation of a distance ring was dialysis less than 2 quadrants, it depends on size and type of distance ring. The authors evaluate complications during the operation and early and later results after operation.

The investigation comprises the results of post-traumatic artephakias. In the course of 15 months the authors treated 15 patients with traumatic cataract after previous perforating or blunt eye injuries. In 12 patients after extracapsular extraction a retropupillary IOL was implanted. In three patients implantation was not performed. Retropupillary pseudophakia is the optimal correction of aphakia even in patients with previous serious eye injuries. A higher incidence of postoperative complications may be expected.

The authors assessed the spectral absorption of coloured glasses Vacumcolor 50% and found differences between different pairs of glasses which attained in the red areas as much as 17%. They also examined changes of the colour sense in a group of normal trichromats when using these coloured glasses. They found that these glasses alter the colour sense in the direction of deuteranomaly and cause deterioration of colour asthenopia.

The authors describe their own manual technique of extracapsular cataract extraction with subsequent implantation of a synthetic intraocular lens. They give an account of results assembled in 83 patients after ECE, incl. 60 where an intraocular lens was implanted. They achieved very satisfactory results with a minimal number of complications, one of which was more serious. In the conclusion the authors emphasize that final evaluation calls for a longer follow-up period.