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Purpose: To determine the concentration of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in the aqueous humor of highly myopic eyes., Design: Observational case series., Methods: The PEDF concentration in the aqueous humor of 23 eyes of 17 patients with high myopia (axial length >26 mm) who underwent cataract surgery was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay., Results: The mean concentration of PEDF in eyes with high myopia (0.54 +/- 0.12 microg/ml) was significantly lower than that in control eyes (0.86 +/- 0.04 microg/ml, P = .0022). The PEDF level in myopic eyes with chorioretinal atrophy (0.32 +/- 0.05 microg/ml) was lower than that in myopic eyes without chorioretinal atrophy (0.71 +/- 0.12 microg/ml; P = .041) and control eyes (P = .0003)., Conclusions: The significantly lower concentration of PEDF in eyes with chorioretinal atrophy-associated high myopia probably resulted from degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelial cells and/or the retinal ganglion cells that are the main sources of PEDF in the eye.

Purpose: To report a penetrating ocular injury resulting from inadvertent placement of a fetal scalp monitoring spiral electrode into the right eye of a preterm male with a face presentation., Methods: Case report and review of the literature., Results: A spiral electrode was screwed clockwise into the right eye, tearing the inferior retina and creating two inferior iridotomies. Severe myopic astigmatism resulted from gradual lens dislocation combined with elongation of the eye. Despite persistent occlusive therapy and aggressive optical correction, before and after lensectomy at age 3 years, visual acuity was only 20/200 at age 8 years., Conclusions: Although complications from spiral monitoring electrodes are uncommon, this case emphasizes that before inserting a spiral monitoring electrode during labor, face presentation must be excluded to prevent inadvertent ocular injury.

Purpose: To report three patients who underwent the lasso procedure to revise overcorrection with radial keratotomy., Methods: Case report and review of the literature., Results: Four eyes of three patients who had undergone radial keratotomy with resultant hyperopic overcorrection underwent a lasso procedure. Before the procedure, average cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent was +3.656 +/- 1.352 diopters, and average manifest refraction spherical equivalent was +2.250 +/- 0.621 diopters. A 10.0 monofilament nylon suture was placed in a circumferencial manner through the corneal stroma and overlapping the old radial keratotomy incisions. At 1 month postoperatively, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in all four eyes, with average cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent +0.438 +/- 1.423 diopters and average manifest refraction spherical equivalent -0.156 +/- 1.147 diopters. Mean delta cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent was 3.219 +/- 1.724., Conclusions: The lasso procedure provides an immediate solution for symptomatic overcorrected hyperopic eyes after radial keratotomy. Predictability and long-term stability necessitate further follow-up.

The effects of rolipram, a cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (phosphodiesterase 4) inhibitor, on experimentally-induced amnesia were examined using a 3-panel runway paradigm in rats and a passive avoidance task in mice. Scopolamine, cerebral ischemia induced by four-vessel occlusion and electric convulsive shock impaired working memory in the 3-panel runway task. Rolipram at 0.1 mg/kg reduced the increase in errors induced by scopolamine or cerebral ischemia. Rolipram at 0.32 mg/kg also reduced the increase in errors induced by electric convulsive shock. Dibutyryl cAMP also had similar effects in 3-panel runway experiments. In the passive avoidance task, rolipram reversed the impairments of the avoidance response induced by scopolamine, cycloheximide and electric convulsive shock at 10, 10 and 3 mg/kg, respectively. These results indicate that rolipram ameliorates impairments of learning and memory in rats and mice, and suggest that rolipram might ameliorate the impairments of learning and memory by elevating cAMP levels.