Comparation of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens in patients after LASEK

AIMTo conduct a comparative study of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens, which are used in patients after laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).METHODSSixty-three patients (121 eyes) with a spherical equivalent ≤-5.0 D were chosen after undergoing LASEK in 2012 at Guangdong General Hospital. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The silicone hydrogel group included 32 cases (61 eyes) that wore silicone hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation, while the hydrogel group included 31 cases (60 eyes) who wore hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation. Patients' self-reported postoperative symptoms (including pain, photophobia, tears, and foreign body sensation) were evaluated. The healing time of the corneal epithelium, the visual acuity of patients without contact lens after epithelial healing, and the incidence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding were also assessed. The follow-up time was 1mo.RESULTSPostoperative symptoms were milder in the silicone hydrogel group than in the hydrogel group. There were significant differences in pain, foreign body sensation, and photophobia between the 2 groups (P<0.05), although there was no significant difference in postoperative tearing (P>0.05). The healing time of the corneal epithelium in the silicone hydrogel lens group was markedly shorter than that in the hydrogel group (4.07±0.25 vs 4.33±0.82d, t=2.43, P=0.02). Visual acuity without contact lenses after healing of the corneal epithelium was better in the silicone hydrogel group compared with the hydrogel group (χ2=7.76, P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding between the 2 groups (P>0.05).CONCLUSIONPatients with LASEK using silicon hydrogel contact lenses had less discomfort and shorter corneal epithelial healing time compared with those using hydrogel contact lenses, suggesting that silicon hydrogel contact lenses may be considered to be a better choice of bandage contact lens after LASEK.

MicroRNA-184 negatively regulates corneal epithelial wound healing via targeting CDC25A,CARM1,and LASP1

Background:MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play critical roles in corneal development and functional homeostasis.Our previous study identified miR-184 as one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in the corneal epithelium.Even though its expression level plummeted dramatically during corneal epithelial wound healing(CEWH),its precise role in mediating corneal epithelial renewal was unresolved.The present study aimed to reveal the function and mechanism of miR-184 in regulating CEWH.Methods:Quantitative RT-PCR analysis characterized the miR-184 expression pattern during CEWH in mice.Ectopic miR-184 injection determined its effect on this process in vivo.We evaluated the effects of miR-184 and its target genes on the proliferation,cell cycle,and migration of human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs)using MTS,flow cytometry,and wound-healing assay,respectively.Bioinformatic analysis,in conjunction with gene microarray analysis and cell-based luciferase assays,pinpointed gene targets of miR-184 contributing to CEWH.Results:MiR-184 underwent marked downregulation during mouse CEWH.Ectopic miR-184 overexpression delayed this process in mice.Furthermore,miR-184 transfection into HCECs significantly inhibited cell proliferation,cell cycle progression,and cell migration.MiR-184 directly targeted CDC25A,CARM1,and LASP1,and downregulated their expression in HCECs.CARM1 downregulation inhibited both HCEC proliferation and migration,whereas a decrease in LASP1 gene expression only inhibited migration.Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that miR-184 inhibits corneal epithelial cell proliferation and migration via targeting CDC25A,CARM1,and LASP1,suggesting it acts as a negative modulator during CEWH.Therefore,identifying strategies to suppress miR-184 expression levels has the potential to promote CEWH.

MicroRNA-184 negatively regulates corneal epithelial wound healing via targeting CDC25A,CARM1,and LASPI

Background:MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play critical roles in corneal development and functional homeostasis.Our previous study identified miR-184 as one of the most highly expressed miRNAs in the corneal epithelium.Even though its expression level plummeted dramatically during corneal epithelial wound healing(CEWH),its precise role in mediating corneal epithelial renewal was unresolved.The present study aimed to reveal the function and mechanism of miR-184 in regulating CEWH.Methods:Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analysis characterized the miR-184 expression pattern during CEWH in mice.Ectopic miR-184 injection determined its effect on this process in vivo.We evaluated the effects of miR-184 and its target genes on the proliferation,cell cycle,and migration of human corneal epithelial cells(HCECs)using MTS,flow cytometry,and wound healing assay,respectively.Bioinformatic analysis,in conjunction with gene microarray analysis and cell-based luciferase assays,pinpointed gene targets of miR-184 contributing to CEWH.Results:MiR-184 underwent marked downregulation during mouse CEWH.Ectopic miR-184 overexpression delayed this process in mice.Furthermore,miR-184 transfection into HCECs significantly inhibited cell proliferation,cell cycle progression,and cell migration.MiR-184 directly targeted CDC25A,CARMI,and LASP1,and downregulated their expression in HCECs.CARM1 downregulation inhibited both HCEC proliferation and migration,whereas a decrease in LASPI gene expression only inhibited migration.Conclusi ons:Our results dem on strate that miR-184 inhibits corneal epithelial cell proliferation and migration via targeting CDC25A,CARMI,and LASPI,suggesting it acts as a negative modulator during CEWH.Therefore,identifying strategies to suppress miR-184 expression levels has the potential to promote CEWH.

Matrix regeneration therapy:a solution to enhance healing in fungal keratitis

Corneal ulcers,especially of fungal origin,are a relatively common clinical entity within the spectrum of keratitis in tropical countries.The persistence of a non-healing epithelial defect is a known complication of these ulcers.Despite advances in medical therapy,the management of this condition is still challenging.CACICOL20^(®)is a new ophthalmic matrix therapy that has been proved efficient as a corneal healing agent.To the best of our knowledge there have been reports of the limited use of matrix therapy in ocular healing,specifically in fungal keratitis.We report 2 cases of the efficacy of it as an adjuvant to topical amphotericin B in treating non-healing epithelial defects secondary to fungal corneal ulcers.