The lacrimal functional unit (LFU) is defined as an integrated system comprising the lacrimal glands, ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva and meibomian glands) and lids, and the sensory and motor nerves that connect them. The majority of dry eye symptoms are due to a chronic inflammation of the lacrimal functional unit resulting in a loss of tear film integrity and normal function. This leads t...

Congenital facial weakness is present in a heterogeneous group of conditions. Among them is Moebius syndrome, which has been defined as a disorder with congenital, non-progressive facial weakness and limited abduction of one or both eyes. It is typically attributed to agenesis of the abducens and facial cranial nerves. This paper details ocular motor findings of 40 subjects (23 months to 64 yea...

The chronic effects of unilateral peripheral vestibular loss (UPVL) are influenced by vestibular compensation. This study documents the balance-related symptoms and quantitative vestibular laboratory testing of 20 patients with surgically confirmed UPVL. Included are measures of the semicircular canal-ocular reflex, the otolith-ocular reflex, and both static and dynamic semicircular canal-otoli...

PURPOSE To determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which have been implicated in the development of retinal and choroidal neovascularization, are present in the retinas and optic nerves of patients with diabetes before proliferative retinopathy appears. METHODS Light microscopic immunocytochemistry using antibodies to VEGF, bFGF, ...

PURPOSE Corneal nerves play essential roles in maintaining the ocular surface through provision of neurotrophic support, but genetic control of corneal innervation is poorly understood. The possibility of a neurotrophic failure in ocular surface disease associated with heterozygosity at the Pax6 locus (aniridia-related keratopathy [ARK]) was investigated. METHODS Patterns of corneal innervati...

We are reporting on the recent description published1 in this journal that describes the interesting perspective for previous descriptions2 of the fresco Creation of the Sun, Moon and Plants of the Michelangelo Bounarroti (1475-1564). However, we have a slightly different perspective, in relation to the optic nerves. According to this description1, the nerves would be represented by the heels/f...

CONTEXT With heightened awareness of concussion, there is a need to assess and manage the concussed patient in a consistent manner. Unfortunately, concussion physical examination has not been standardized or supported by evidence. Important questions remain about the physical examination. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Review of ClinicalKey, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and PubMed prior to July 2015 was performe...

Ocular hypertension, a major risk factor for glaucoma, is thought to trigger glaucomatous neurodegeneration through injury to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. The molecular signaling pathway leading from ocular hypertension to RGC degeneration, however, is not well defined. JNK signaling, a component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, and its canonical target, the transcri...

Ocular sympathetic nerves were stimulated chronically in awake rabbits using electrodes unilaterally implanted on the cervical sympathetic trunk. IOP was measured by pneumatonometry and aqueous inflow was measured by fluorophotometry. In each animal, continuous trains of 1 msec pulses were delivered by means of a portable electrical stimulator. Experiments were spaced by 1 week recovery periods...

PURPOSE To evaluate the relationship between the in vivo confocal microscopic (IVCM) morphology of subbasal corneal nerves, corneal sensitivity, and clinical parameters in patients with non-Sjögren dry eye disease (NSDD). METHODS Forty-three patients with NSDD and 14 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were included. Each patient underwent an evaluation of ocular surface disease sym...