| Popis: |
It is estimated that there are millions of corneal operations performed annually in the United Kingdom and United States following pathology and/or acute injury. Equally, millions elect to have corneal refractive surgery to remedy visual disorders such has myopia, prespreopia, astigamatism and associated keratoconus. Following all of these procedures, there is a risk of complications from scar formation, cell loss, and corneal oedema which may adversely affect the surgical outcome and resulting best vision. Through research into how the cornea heals, it is hoped that these factors could be better understood and ultimately used to increase patient satisfaction. The projects are outlined as followed: 1) Using X-ray scattering techniques to investigate the role of Pax 6 on the collagen ultra- structure of murine corneas 2) Oral mucosal fibroblasts as a novel wound healing treatment of LASIK injured ovine cornea 3) Using X-ray scattering techniques to investigate the ultra-structural changes of a 12 year post-operative penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconous 4) Using small angle X-ray scattering techniques to investigate limbal collagen ultra-structure of keratoconic and normal human tissue In this wound healing study, a range of different pathological and acutely injured mammalian corneas (human, sheep, and mouse) were evaluated using a range of quantitative techniques. These techniques encompass small and wide angle X-ray scattering, mechanical analysis, immunofluorescence, spectrophotometry, and cell/organ culture model. We feel that investigating various species and disorders has provided a more comprehensive and broad overview of the various maladies which can occur during the wound healing process. |
