The cornea is the principal refractive element in the eye; its optical qualities are determined by its shape and its transparency. Corneal epithelial edema and stromal edema can independently or collectively degrade visual acuity. In this application we focus on the metabolic features of the corneal epithelium as they relate to the maintenance of corneal clarity, examine the interrelationships of other cells in the cornea to epithelial function, and attempt to refine our mathematical model to understand the functional reaction of the cornea to environmental perturbations. Transport and permeability properties will be studied with microelectrode techniques, radioactive tracer measurements, ion substitutions, pharmacological procedures, short-circuit current technique, ultrastructural techniques, thickness measurements, and computer simulation based on nonlinear irreversible thermodynamics. The mechanism of epithelial C1 transport will be studied in detail by determining the kinetics of the membrane """"""""pump"""""""" and the role of paracellular pathways. A mathematical model for corneal hydration dynamics will be extended to include the effects of unstirred layers in cell cytoplasm and in bathing media. With this extension the phenomenological permeability coefficients of the corneal membranes will be determined for a variety of solutes. Specific biochemical events and membrane consequences of new pharmacological probes will be studied to provide a more detailed model for the sequence of events linking receptor activation and the specific increase in epithelial membrane C1- conductance. The influence of sympathetic and sensory innervation on epithelial transport will be studied. Neuroanatomical mapping procedures will be used to document the presence and geographical distribution of sympathetic fibers in the rabbit and squirrel monkey corneas. The effect of sensory denervation on epithelial transport and barrier properties will be studied. The effects of diffusible proteins derived from cell cultured neurons on restoration of epithelial barrier properties after sensory denervation will be examined.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY003311-12
Application #
3257622
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1979-07-01
Project End
1992-06-30
Budget Start
1990-07-01
Budget End
1992-06-30
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Louisiana State University Hsc New Orleans
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
782627814
City
New Orleans
State
LA
Country
United States
Zip Code
70112
Smolek, Michael K; Klyce, Stephen D (2007) Absolute color scale for improved diagnostics with wavefront error mapping. Ophthalmology 114:2022-30
Tabernero, Juan; Klyce, Stephen D; Sarver, Edwin J et al. (2007) Functional optical zone of the cornea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 48:1053-60
Klyce, Stephen D; Karon, Michael D; Smolek, Michael K (2005) Screening patients with the corneal navigator. J Refract Surg 21:S617-22
Smolek, Michael K; Klyce, Stephen D (2005) Goodness-of-prediction of Zernike polynomial fitting to corneal surfaces. J Cataract Refract Surg 31:2350-5
Klyce, Stephen D; Karon, Michael D; Smolek, Michael K (2004) Advantages and disadvantages of the Zernike expansion for representing wave aberration of the normal and aberrated eye. J Refract Surg 20:S537-41
Courville, C B; Smolek, M K; Klyce, S D (2004) Contribution of the ocular surface to visual optics. Exp Eye Res 78:417-25
Klyce, Stephen D (2004) Night vision after LASIK: the pupil proclaims innocence. Ophthalmology 111:1-2
Goto, Tomoko; Zheng, Xiaodong; Klyce, Stephen D et al. (2004) Evaluation of the tear film stability after laser in situ keratomileusis using the tear film stability analysis system. Am J Ophthalmol 137:116-20
Ruberti, Jeffrey W; Klyce, Stephen D (2003) NaCl osmotic perturbation can modulate hydration control in rabbit cornea. Exp Eye Res 76:349-59
Ambrosio Jr, Renato; Klyce, Stephen D; Wilson, Steven E (2003) Corneal topographic and pachymetric screening of keratorefractive patients. J Refract Surg 19:24-9

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