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Several studies suggest a role for IL-6 in the pathogenesis of uveitis. Earlier we have shown that aqueous humour obtained from patients with uveitis contained raised levels of IL-6. In the study described here we investigated the IL-6 levels in vitreous fluid samples obtained from 75 uveitis patients with different uveitis entities. Vitreous samples from 14 patients with proliferative intraocular disorders (PID) and 29 eye bank eyes were used as controls. All the samples were tested in the IL-6 B9 bioassay as well as in a sensitive ELISA for IL-6.Raised IL-6 levels were detected in the vitreous fluid of uveitis patients as well as patients with PID, implicating IL-6 as a common inflammatory mediator. The highest mean level of IL-6 was found in the vitreous fluid of patients with acute retinal necrosis. The mean IL-6 levels measured by the ELISA were higher compared to the levels measured by the B9 bioassay. This may be caused by the presence of B9 bioassay inhibitory factors in the vitreous fluid of these patients.

Group G streptococci can cause serious infections in patients with predisposing factors. Involvement of the eye has rarely been reported in patients without ocular history. Two cases of group G streptococcal endocarditis which presented with an endogenous endophthalmitis are reported. Topical and systemic antimicrobial therapy resulted in recovery, but visual outcome was poor.

The Hopping Electron Cathode (HEC) is a novel low-drive electron source, which can be used in CRTs to reduce the cost of the set electronics and to improve the image quality. It is based on a self-regulating secondary emission process enabling transport of electrons over insulating surfaces. The HEC utilizes this mechanism to compress electrons coming from a large conventional cathode into a small funnel structure of insulating material. The exit of the funnel serves as a high-brightness electron source for a CRT and can be used to reduce the spot size.