Aims-To evaluate the clinical value of scanning laser polarimetry with the nerve fibre analyser type II in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and capsular glaucoma. Methods-Scanning laser polarimetry was performed on one eye of 30 patients suVering from POAG, 25 patients suVering from capsular glaucoma, and on 35 healthy control subjects. The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness values were compared among the groups. Reproducibility of the measurements was calculated and the influence of pilocarpine induced miosis on the results was investigated. Results-RNFL thickness in the superior and inferior sectors, as well as along the total circumference was significantly lower in both glaucoma groups than in the control eyes (p<0.05). None of the thickness values diVered between the two glaucoma groups. Reproducibility was comparable in all groups; the coeYcient of variation varied between 3.0% and 8.9% for the diVerent sectors investigated. Miosis had no significant impact either on the thickness values or on the reproducibility (p>0.05). Conclusion-The results suggest that scanning laser polarimetry is a useful method for nerve fibre layer analysis in glaucoma, and that it is not influenced by the pupil size. (Br J Ophthalmol 1997;81:857-861) Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy which means that gradual loss of the nerve fibres causes diVuse and localised thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). It is well known in clinical practice that RNFL defects are very early signs of glaucoma, since they represent the first step in the glaucomatous morphological loss in the retina.1 Analysis of RNFL properties using black and white photographs requires a well trained examiner and does not provide real quantitative information about the thickness. However, a recently developed computerised technique, scanning laser polarimetry, provides both qualitative and quantitative information on the morphology and thickness of the RNFL, and results are available within a few seconds. In order to test the clinical value of the method we calculated its reproducibility and compared RNFL thickness results for healthy eyes and for eyes suVering from primary open angle glaucoma and from capsular glaucoma. The impact of pilocarpine induced miosis on the thickness values and reproducibility was also investigated.

There is no remarkable VEGF production under physiologic circumstances in rat gingiva, but VEGF is able to increase gingival blood flow through the activation of VEGF2 receptors. Furthermore, NO release may contribute to VEGF's vasodilatory effect.

Apoptosis may play a role in the pathomechanism of Fuchs' dystrophy and in keratocyte death in corneas with PBK.

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Excimer lasers are now used for corneal surgery; however, the physical processes occurring during photoablation of the cornea are incompletely understood. High speed laser-based photographic arrangement was constructed. The temporal resolution was better than 1 ns. The setup could work as a Schlieren arrangement, which is sensitive to the refractive index change caused by the shock wave propagating in the air above the eye. With minor changes the setup was converted into a shadowgraph, which could detect the ablation plume and the waves propagating on the surface of the eye. Due to the impact of the excimer laser pulse onto the surface of the cornea, a shock wave was generated in the air. The shadowgraph clearly showed the ejection of the ablated cornea. The ejection velocity of the plume was found to be over 600 m/s. It was shown for the first time that the recoil forces of the plume are generating a wave on the surface of the eye. The laser-based high speed photographic arrangement is a powerful arrangement in the study of physical effects occurring during photoablation of the cornea. (Refract Corneal Surg (suppl) 1993;9:S111-S115)