bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First cases of ocular dirofilariasis caused by drofilaria repens in Belgium
Authors: Smets M. , De Potter P. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo report two different clinical ocular presentations of dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens and to illustrate the symptoms resulting from this rare condition.MethodsA case series of 2 patients.ResultsThe first patient was a 26 years old Romanian man complaining of 1 month‐duration painless swelling and redness of the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed a scleral nodule located nasally with conjonctival hyperhemia. This condition was diagnosed as nodular scleritis and was initially treated with systemic nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medication and later, with systemic corticosteroids. Few weeks later, the patient came back to our clinic with the complaint of ‘something coming out of the eye’. The examination of the right eye revealed a partial extrusion of a whitish living worm. Excisionnal biopsy was performed under general anesthesia with complete removal of the parasitic cyst wich was adherent to the medial rectus muscle.The second case was a 61 years old man complaining about a slowly growing and slightly painful nodule located at the internal portion of the left superior eyelid that as been diagnosed as an inflammatory versus infectious anterior orbital cyst. A B‐scan ultrasonography of the lesion documented an encapsulated cyst containing a living worm. The MRI confirmed the cystic component of this preseptal orbital and well‐defined lesion with heterogenous signal. Through transcutaneous approach, excisionnal biopsy of the cyst was performed. The opened cyst showed a living parasite.ConclusionsOcular Dirofilariasis is a rare condition that can easily be confused with tumoral and/or inflammatory lesion.
Accommodation and fusion in patients with constant and intermittent exotropia
Authors: Boychuk I. , Aloui T. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo determine the characteristics of the accommodation and fusion in patients with constant and intermittent divergent strabismusMethodsUnder observation there were 59 patients: 33 with a constant form of strabismus (I) and 26 with intermittent form (II) aged 10–21 y.o. with visual acuity with correction (0.8 ± 0.3) and refraction (0.5 ± 2.8) dptr, the angle of deviation in group I was for distance (36.6 ± 2.8) dptr, and for near (16.6 ± 2.5) dptr; in the II group (26.6 ± 2.8 and 12.0 ± 2.3) dptr respectively, p >0.05. The nearest point of convergence was determined by proximeter, the AK/A ratio by heterophory method and the fusion was assessed using synoptophore, distance and near deviations were assessed using prism cover test.ResultsData analysis showed that the nearest point of convergence did not differ significantly in patients of both groups (8.8 ± 0.9) cm and (8.6 ± 0.6) cm, respectively). Values of AK/A also did not differ significantly (−0.5 ± 2.5) and (1.02 ± 0.97), in the I and II group respectively, but values less than 0 were found in 53.5% of cases at the I and in 38% at the II. Fusion by synoptophore was significantly more frequently in patients of the II group – 53.8%, in comparison with the I – 24.4%, (χ2 = 6.2), p = 0.001.ConclusionsIt is noted that in cases with the permanent form of strabismus low values of AK/A are more common (53.5%) than in intermittent (38%), which may be associated with weakness of accommodative convergence in these patients. Found that the fusion exist significantly more common in patients with intermittent form of divergent strabismus (53.8%) in comparison with a constant (24.4%), χ2 = 6.2, p = 0.001.
Retinal structural changes before and after idiopahic epiretinal membrane peeling – a study using OCT segmentation
Authors: Sousa F. , Pinto J. , Marques‐Neves C. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeWe aim to study the microstructural changes and thickness of inner retinal layers in patients with idiopathic epirretinal membranes treated with peeling.MethodsObservational retrospective study that included patients treated for idiopathic epiretinal membrane. Visual acuity and central retinal layers thickness were recorded before and at the last follow up visit. The retinal layers thickness was given by automated segmentation of OCT Heidelberg Spectralis but the accuracy was verified and when in disagreement, manual correction of the segmentation was made and the new measured thickness was used. 33 patients were treated with combined fhacoemulsification.and peeling and 14 patients had only peeling of the epiretinal membrane with vitrectomy.Results47 eyes of 46 patients were included with a mean age of 73.44 years. There was a significant improvement of visual acuity from 0.3 ± 0.1 to 0.6 ± 0.2 (p < 0.0001). From the tomographic analysis,was noted a significant reduction in the mean central macular thickness (CMT) from 469.4 ± 97.74 to 397.8 ± 71.16 (p < 0.0001), in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness from 51.2 ± 49.84 to 24.71 ± 23.21 (p < 0.0001), in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness from 55.4 ± 25.22 to 39.2 ± 13.08 (p < 0.0001), in the internal plexiform layer (IPL) thickness from 46.31 ± 13.46 to 38.62 ± 13.62 (p = 0.0012), in the outer plexiform layer (OPL) thickness from 39.71 ± 9.04 to 34.38 ± 7.9 (p = 0.0016) and in the internal retinal layers (IRL) thickness from 384.5 ± 97.7 to 312.8 ± 70.8 (p < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in the thickness of the outer retinal layer, outer nuclear layer and inner nuclear layer before and after membrane peeling.ConclusionsThe layers that most have changed and contributed to the reduction of central thickness treated with peeling were the Internal Retinal Layers: RNFL, GCL and IPL.
From perfect visual function to ‘legally’ blind in one year: new mutations in progressive cone dystrophy
Authors: Sousa Neves F. , Braga J. , Loureiro M. , Arede C. , Sequeira J. , Varandas R. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeWe aim to report a case of a 15 year‐old patient with severe and rapid bilateral visual impairment due to progressive cone dystrophy and describe the associated mutations.MethodsThis is a case report of a patient with a rare disease who underwent full ophthalmologic evaluations including optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the posterior pole, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and electroretinography (ERG).ResultsA 15‐year‐old girl was presented at our Department with progressive vision loss and poor colour vision complaints. The patient reported these complaints for a year, despite a full uneventful ophthalmic evaluation at that time. Best‐corrected visual acuity was 6/60 for each eye and Ishihara 24‐plates colour test was altered. Fundoscopic evaluation showed a maculopathy with spotty pigment changes in addition to temporal pallor of the optic disk. Posterior pole OCT showed a reduced outer nuclear layer and retinal pigment epithelium unspecific changes. FAF revealed a central dark area surrounded by a ring of increased autofluorescence. ERG was inconclusive due to poor collaboration, although it was hypothesised to have a slight cone dysfunction. Moreover, genetic analyses of ABCA4 and CDHR1 genes were found to be positive for multiple mutations. The c.6816 + 2T>A (p.Leu2035Pro) mutation was never described and the c.6104T>C (p.Leu2035Pro) mutation was only present in one patient with Stargardt disease. After a period of 2 years of follow‐up visual function and retinal disease remained stable.ConclusionsProgressive cone dystrophy is a rare inherited ocular disorder characterized by the loss of cone cells. This case report emphasizes the need to reach a clear diagnosis when uncommon symptoms appear in an otherwise normal ophthalmic evaluation and also describe newer mutations in ABCA4 gene enhancing our knowledge about this disease.
Visual function response to ocriplasmin for the treatment of vitreomacular traction: results from the oasis study
Authors: Jackson T.L. , Lescrauwaet B. , Duchateau L. , Verstraeten T. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThe effect of an intravitreal ocriplasmin‐injection on vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) resolution was investigated in a phase 3b randomized, sham‐controlled, double‐masked, multicentre study. The objective of this analysis was to assess the effect of ocriplasmin on patient‐relevant visual function outcomes.MethodsPrespecified analysis of secondary endpoints in the OASIS study. A total of 220 participants with symptomatic VMA/VMT were enrolled, of whom 146 received a single IVT‐injection of 125 μg ocriplasmin and 74 a sham‐injection. Visual function response (VFR) was defined as either a VA improvement of ≥2 lines or an improvement exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in the composite score or the VFQ‐25 mental health subscale score of the Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ‐25). The MCID was estimated using the standard error of measurement approach. The main outcome measure was the VFR at 6 months, with further assessments at month 12 and 24.ResultsThe MCID was estimated at 3.71 points for the VFQ‐25 composite score and 10.71 for the VFQ‐25 mental health subscale score. VFR occurred in 51.0% of ocriplasmin vs. 23.3% of sham subjects (p = 0.0001). The VFR was maintained through months 12 and 24: 53.1% and 50.3% in ocriplasmin vs. 21.9% and 20.5% in sham subjects, respectively (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsTreatment with ocriplasmin compared with sham resulted in a significant improvement in VFR. The 6‐month treatment effect was sustained at month 12 and 24.
Visual outcomes of fractionated radiotherapy in optic nerve sheath meningioma
Authors: Kheir V. , Borruat F.X. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeOptic nerve sheath meningioma (ONSM) is a rare benign tumor of the optic nerve sheath that can lead to blindness if untreated. We conducted a retrospective monocentric study to assess the effect of radiotherapy on tumor control and visual outcomes in patients with ONSM.MethodsAll patients diagnosed with ONSM at our centre were reviewed and data on: symptoms at presentation; visual acuity (VA), color vision and visual fields (VF); treatment type; visual outcome if treated with radiotherapy were recorded.ResultsThere were 34 (26 female) patients reviewed. Presenting symptoms were decreasing vision (25 patients), subjective scotoma (4 patients), transient visual obscuration (4 patients), disturbance of color vision (1 patient), diplopia (4 patients), exophthalmia (3 patients), palpebral edema (2 patients), tearing (2 patients), conjunctival hyperaemia (2 patients), pain (8 patients) and headaches (3 patients). Median initial VA was 0.1 (interquartile range (IQR) 0–1) logMAR, color vision was 1 (13 plates) and VF mean defect was 7 dB. 16 patients were treated with fractionated radiotherapy (total 50.4 Gy/28 sessions) between 2002 and 2015. After radiotherapy, VA improved in 13 eyes, was unchanged in 1 eye and decreased in 2 eyes. Median best‐corrected VA improved from 0.1(IQR) (0–0.4) logMAR to 0 (−0.1 to 0) logMAR, color vision improved from 5 (0 to 12) to 12 (1 to 13), and median VF mean defect improved from 10 (5 to 19) dB to 4 (1 to 10) dB. Tumor size was reduced in 3 patients, and stable in 11 patients (not available in 2 patients). No adverse side‐effects were reported during the time of follow‐up.ConclusionsFractionated radiotherapy is a safe procedure and can be used to treat patients with ONSM. In our study, visual improvement was observed in 13 (81%) eyes and visual loss in 2 (12.5%) eyes.
Assessment of postoperative corneal healing after epithelium‐off cross‐linking with a regenerating agent in progressive keratoconus patients
Authors: Kymionis G. , Schmetterer L. , Garhöfer G. , Schmidl D. , Chiambaretta F. , Grouin J.M. , Gumus K. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo evaluate and compare data on corneal healing from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) in adult patients with progressive keratoconus undergoing epithelium‐off corneal collagen cross‐linking (epi‐off CXL) and receiving a regenerating agent (RGTA).MethodsAn individual study review and a meta‐analysis were performed by searching RCTs assessing the effect of RGTA (Cacicol®) postoperatively used for keratoconus. We focused on the outcome related to corneal healing and epithelial defect size measured by slit lamp/photography with fluorescein staining or optical coherence tomography. Other endpoints related to symptoms included ocular pain, burning, stinging, tearing, photophobia, conjunctival hyperaemia, and postooperative consumption of analgesics.ResultsThree RCTs were identified for the meta‐analysis including 118 patients (136 eyes) in total. The individual review showed faster reepithelialisation after instillations of RGTA compared to standard postoperative treatment (respectively, 83.3 vs. 13.3% of patients healed at day 2 postoperatively, p < 0.001), to artificial tears (61.1 vs. 11.1% at day 3, p = 0.002) and to hyaluronic acid (4.4 ± 1.3 vs. 6.1 ± 2.3 days for complete healing, p = 0.008). The meta‐analysis showed that instantaneous chances of achieving complete healing over time were with RGTA twice as high as with control (Hazard ratio: 2.01; 95% confidence interval: [1.64; 2.47]; p < 0.001). The overall safety profile of RGTA was found to be satisfactory.ConclusionsInstillation of RGTA facilitates corneal epithelial healing after epi‐off CXL in patients with progressive keratoconus.
Comparison of multifocal pattern ERG responses to luminance and chromatic contrast stimulations
Authors: Charlier J. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the relationship between ganglion cells properties and responses obtained with multifocal pattern ERG.Methods6 normal subjects were tested with 3 types of multifocal ERG stimulations: standard flash, pattern reversal with luminance contrast (black / white) and pattern reversal with chromatic contrast (red / green). The amplitude density and implicit times (ms) of responses were evaluated as a function of eccentricity with respect to fixation.ResultsThe amplitude density of responses was much smaller for pattern reversal stimulations than for flash stimulations with a ratio of 2.5 at the fovea (57 nV/deg2 vs. 146 nV/deg2) and 13 at 15 degrees of eccentricity (3.2 nV/deg2 vs. 43 nV/deg2). The responses to chromatic contrast were significantly delayed in comparison with luminance contrast.ConclusionsThe variation of amplitude density of multifocal ERG responses with eccentricity was found similar to the variation in density of photoreceptors for flash stimulations and of ganglion cells for pattern stimulations.
A dual therapeutic approach for the reversal of cataracts
Authors: Beltz J. , Pfaff A. , Ercall N. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeOver 20 million people suffer from cataracts worldwide. Currently, surgery is the only effective treatment for this condition. Although cataract surgery is routine and generally considered safe, it is neither feasible nor accessible for much of the world's population. Thus, there is a high demand for an effective topical treatment that can reverse or prevent cataracts in those for whom surgery is not a viable option. Clouding of the lens is caused by the aggregation of water‐soluble crystallin proteins. Crystallins are a major component of the lens and allow it to refract light. Crystallins are rich in sulfur‐containing amino acids, which are susceptible to the formation of disulfide bonds upon oxidative damage. This damage results in protein misfolding and aggregation. Thiol antioxidants have the potential to protect these proteins from oxidative damage and to prevent the formation of cataracts. α‐Crystallins act as chaperons for other crystallin isoforms, binding damaged β‐ and γ‐crystallins and impeding aggregation. Recently, sterols such as lanosterol and 25‐hydroxycholesterol have demonstrated the ability to stabilize the healthy, functional α‐crystallin structure, which preserves the anti‐aggregation action of these chaperons. The objective of this study was to determine additive and/or synergistic effects of a thiol antioxidant in combination with 25‐hydroxycholesterol to combat crystallin aggregation in two ways: protecting crystallin thiol residues and bolstering α‐crystallin chaperon activity.MethodsTo investigate thiol antioxidant candidates for incorporation into a topical cataract treatment, an ex vivo model using Wistar rat pup lenses was employed. Various thiol antioxidants were examined for their ability to reverse cataracts when used in combination with 25‐hydroxycholesterol.ResultsTo be discussed.ConclusionsTo be discussed.
Autophagy is affected by Mitf in mouse primary RPE cells
Authors: Garcia Llorca A. , Ogmundsdóttir M.H. , Steingrimsson E. , Eysteinsson T. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeMicrophthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) regulates the differentiation and development of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Mice that lack functional MITF do not develop the RPE and have microphthalmia. Recent studies have involved MITF in autophagy regulation in other cell types. The purpose of this study was to examine if the Mitf gene plays a fundamental role in regulating autophagy in primary RPE cells using various mutations in the Mitf gene.MethodsPrimary RPE cells from wild type and MITF mutant mice Mitf mi‐enu122(398), Mitf Mi‐Wh/+ and Mitf Mi‐Wh/Mitf mi‐mi) were isolated by enzymatic dissociation. The levels of LC3 and MITF were measured and compared by western blot in the primary RPE cultures from wild type and mutant mice. Basal autophagy was also analysed with western blots and confocal imaging using same markers in primary RPE cells from C5BL/6J mice. Untreated cells were compared to cells treated with the mTOR inhibitor Torin1, cells incubated in starvation media and cells treated with the autophagy inhibitor, bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1).ResultsThe treatment with starvation media and Torin1 increased the levels of LC3 in RPE cells. Furthermore, both starvation and Torin1treatment resulted in reduced MITF protein levels. Cotreatment of Torin1 or starvation with Baf A1 restored the protein levels of MITF and LC3. Only the LC3II protein was detected in RPE cells from MITF mutant whereas wild type RPE cells showed both LC3I and II, suggesting that the degradation pathway of LC3 is stalled in the RPE from Mitf mutant mice.ConclusionsThis study suggests that autophagy is affected in Mitf mutant mice. This is consistent with in vitro data showing that MITF regulates expression of genes involved in autophagy.
A 5‐min time interval between two different dilating eyedrops increases their combined effect
Authors: Saguet P. , Charlot F. , Mouriaux F. , Lux A.L. , Beraud G. , Denion E. 
Published: September 2016

PurposePatients are usually advised to wait 5 min between eyedrops. This delay supposedly allows the first drop not to be washed out by the second one, thereby increasing the combined effect. However, in the only experimental study conducted in humans on the concurrent administration of two different eyedrops, the authors concluded that a 5‐min time interval between eyedrops did not increase their combined effect. Our study was designed to reassess this puzzling conclusion.MethodsUsing digital photographs shot in photopic conditions in 40 eyes of 20 healthy volunteers, we compared relative pupil surface (i.e. pupil to iris surface area ratios) before and after the administration of one drop of 10% phenylephrine and one drop of 0.5% tropicamide either immediately or after a 5‐min time interval.ResultsWaiting 5 min yielded a 5.6% relative pupil surface gain (p < 0.001) indicating an additional combined effect with a 5‐min time interval.ConclusionsThis prospective blind study is the first to show in humans that waiting 5 min between two different eyedrops increases their combined effect. This conclusion is probably the result of methodological refinements including challenging of the mydriasis by photopic conditions and use of pupil and iris surface areas, which may show differences that would be undetectable in terms of diameter.
Canaloplasty with Stegmann's Canal Expander® for open‐angle glaucoma
Authors: Stangos A. , Mameletzi E. , Sunaric Megevand G. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the surgical outcome of canaloplasty using Stegmann's canal expander in open‐angle glaucoma (OAG).MethodsProspective, non‐comparative, interventional study. We recruited patients with uncontrolled OAG. All cases were operated by the same surgeon using a standardized canaloplasty procedure with 360‐degrees dilatation of Schlemm's canal (SC) using a flexible ophthalmic microcannula followed by the insertion of the expander into both surgically created SC ostia. Primary outcomes: mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications following surgery. Secondary outcomes: complication rates; percentage of eyes with successful insertion of the expander in SC.Results44 eyes of 42 consecutive patients included. 38 (86%) were Caucasians; 32 (73%) female; primary‐, pseudoexfoliative‐, pigmentary‐ OAG had 25 (57%), 17 (39%), 2 (4%) respectively; 30 (68%) were pseudophakic; mean age (±SD) was 77 ± 8 years. All patients reached month‐6 follow‐up visit (range: 6–24). Mean IOP decreased from 22.4 ± 7.8 mmHg before surgery to 8.4 ± 4.2, 12.05 ± 3.59, 11.07 ± 4.08, 11.3 ± 3.51, 11.2 ± 2.6, 11.1 ± 2.7, 11.6 ± 2.3 at day‐1, week‐1, month‐1, ‐3, ‐6, ‐12, ‐24 respectively (p < 0.01). Mean number of glaucoma medications reduced from 3.36 ± 0.74 before surgery to 0.15 ± 0.47 at the last recorded visit (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon). No complication was recorded in 20 eyes (45%); a spontaneously‐resolving hyphema in 14 (32%); a choroidal detachment in 4 eyes (9%); a Descemet's membrane detachment and anterior uveitis each in 3 eyes (7%). Uneventful insertion was achieved in 29 eyes (66%). The stent was trimmed in 2 eyes (4.5%) due to some resistance during insertion and it was inserted only in one side in 8 eyes (18%).ConclusionsCanaloplasty with Stegmann's expander appears to reduce IOP in OAG with minor and self‐limited complications.
Association of polymorphic variants of miRNA processing genes DGCR8 and XPO5 with primary open‐angle glaucoma risk in a Polish population
Authors: Szaflik J.P. , Molasy M. , Walczak A. , Przybyłowska‐Sygut K. , Szymanek K. , Szaflik M. , Szaflik J. , Majsterek I. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeMany reports suggest the association between altered miRNA level and the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes DGCR8 and XPO5, which are involved in microRNA biogenesis, may be the key factor in this process. The aim of this study was the analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms of DGCR8 and XPO5 genes, which are involved in miRNA processing pathway, in relations with primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG).MethodsThe material used in the experiment was blood obtained from patients affected by primary open‐angle glaucoma and age matched controls. The control groups rs3757 DGCR8 and rs11077 XPO5 consisted of 135 and 140 subjects respectively. The rs3757 DGCR8 study group consisted of 137 patients, while rs11077 XPO5 number of patients was 138.The polymorphic variant frequencies of rs3757 and rs1107 were determined using DNA isolated from the peripheral blood lymphocytes in TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays.ResultsThe statistical analysis revealed that the genotype AG of DGCR8 rs3757 occurred more frequently in healthy individuals (p = 0.001), while homozygote GG was present mostly in people affected by primary open‐angle glaucoma (p = 0.003). No association between the risk of POAG and AC/CC genotypes of XPO5 was found.ConclusionsDuring the experiment it was evaluated that genotype AG in rs3757 DGCR8 exhibits protective effect, decreasing the risk of primary open angle glaucoma, while the homozygote GG probably is associated with increased risk of glaucoma. The analysis of polymorphic variants of the genes involved in miRNA biogenesis could enable people classification to high‐risk group. This work was supported by grant NCN no. 2012/05/B/NZ7/02502.