The cornea is a principal refractive element in the eye; corneal transparency and corneal shape determine its optical qualities. Corneal epithelial edema, stromal edema and corneal shape anomalies can independently or collectively degrade visual acuity. The focus of this application is on the metabolic features of the corneal epithelium as they relate to the maintenance of corneal hydration; the refinement and application of a mathematical model that integrates the thermodynamic description of corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial transport properties into a model of corneal hydration control; and, finally, the development of methods to assess the optical quality of the corneal surface through the analysis of corneal topography. The following specific aims are proposed: 1) Expand understanding of corneal epithelial transport processes through continued in vitro chemical, pharmacological, and neural manipulation of rabbit tissue. 2) Adapt a mathematical model for corneal hydration dynamics to test specific corneal responses to clinical or pathological situations and incorporate a method to deal with structural modifications as they relate to corneal shape. 3) Extend the analysis of corneal topography from surface reconstructions and color coded map clinical presentations to numerical constructs that can be used for the evaluation of corneal surface optical quality as it relates to visual acuity in corneal surgery patients. It is a long term goal of this project to consider the above three specific aims within the same framework. This will allow the development of consistent formalism with which to understand the physiology of the cornea as it relates to Us optical characteristics. The rationale for the construction of a comprehensive model for corneal optics is that such a synthesis of separate knowledge derived from several experimental approaches should lead to an improved fundamental understanding of how the cornea participates in human visual performance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01EY003311-13A1
Application #
3257616
Study Section
Visual Sciences A Study Section (VISA)
Project Start
1979-07-01
Project End
1997-06-30
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1992
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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