These results suggest that disturbance in the physiologic dip may be involved in the progression of glaucoma.

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Aim: To develop a new, non-contact system for measuring anterior chamber depth (ACD) quantitatively, and to investigate its accuracy as well as interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility. Methods: The system scanned the ACD from the optical axis to the limbus in approximately 0.5 second and took 21 consecutive slit lamp images at 0.4 mm intervals. A computer installed program automatically evaluated the ACD, central corneal thickness (CT), and corneal radius of curvature (CRC) instantly. A dummy eye was used for investigating measurement accuracy. The effects of CT and CRC on the measurement results were examined using a computer simulation model to minimise measurement errors. Three examiners measured the ACD in 10 normal eyes, and interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility was analysed. Results: The ACD values measured by this system were very similar to theoretical values. Increase of CRC and decrease in CT decreased ACD and vice versa. Data calibration using evaluated CT and CRC successfully reduced measurement errors. Intraobserver and interobserver variations were small. Their coefficient variation values were 7.4% (SD 2.3%) and 6.7% (0.7%), and these values tended to increase along the distance from the optical axis. Conclusion: The current system can measure ACD with high accuracy as well as high intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility. It has potential use in measuring ACD quantitatively and screening subjects with narrow angle.

The LOC387715 A69S genotype is not associated with lesion composition or size on indocyanine green angiography but with lesion size on fluorescein angiography in patients with subfoveal polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Because fluorescein angiography findings represent secondary exudative changes, including subretinal hemorrhages and retinal pigment epithelial detachment, the results in the present study likely indicate that the T allele at the LOC387715 gene is associated with the exudative activity of polypoidal lesions.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (bimatoprost) in Japanese normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 18 mmHg or less.MethodsBimatoprost was instilled into the unilateral conjunctival sac of Japanese NTG patients with a baseline IOP of 18 mmHg or less. The time courses of IOP, conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratitis, and adverse events were examined at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks post bimatoprost instillation.ResultsThirty-two of the 38 enrolled NTG patients (mean age, 64.1 ± 12.6 years; 19 males and 19 females) completed the study, with six patients unable to complete the study (two patients discontinued because of side effects and four patients withdrew). The levels of IOP in the treated eyes were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) from the baseline IOP levels. No significant change in IOP was observed in the fellow eyes. There were significant increases in conjunctival hyperemia. No significant superficial punctate keratitis scores were noted between the baseline and each point examined. Eyelash disorder, eyelid pigmentation, and deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus were observed in 28, six, and three eyes, respectively.ConclusionBimatoprost effectively lowered the IOP. It was well tolerated in Japanese NTG patients, with few patients having to discontinue because of adverse events.