bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxygen metabolism in age related macular degeneration
Authors: STEFANSSON E , GEIRSDOTTIR A , HARDARSON S 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose To determine whether oxygen saturation in retinal vessels of patients with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is different from that of a healthy population.Methods The non‐invasive retinal oximeter is based on a fundus camera. It simultaneously captures images of the retina at 600 nm and 570 nm and estimates retinal vessel oxygen saturation. Mean oxygen saturation of hemoglobin was measured in retinal arterioles and venules of 28 individuals with AMD, 6 were males. Eight patients had early AMD in at least one eye, 8 patients had untreated exudative AMD in at least one eye, and 12 patients had early AMD in one eye and untreated exudative AMD in the other eye. The age of AMD patients was 78 ± 9 years (mean ± SD) compared to 66 ± 4 years for the healthy controls (n=26).Results Oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterioles, after adjusting for vessel width, was 94.3 ± 3.7% in the healthy population compared to 93.5 ± 3.1% in early AMD (n= ;p=0.42) and 93.7 ± 3.8% in exudative AMD (n= ;p=0.55). The corresponding values in venules were 60.9 ± 5.6% in healthy eyes compared to 64.9 ± 7.0% in exudative AMD (p=0.017). In eleven patients with early AMD in one eye and exudative AMD in the other eye, oxygen saturation in arterioles was 93.5 ± 3.0% and 92.4 ± 2.8% (p=0.52) and in venules 66.3 ± 4.9% and 64.4 ± 5.3% (p=0.080).Conclusion Oxygen saturation in venules in exudative AMD is higher than in healthy controls and there is a similar trend in early AMD. Arteriovenous difference is smaller in AMD subjects than normals. The study suggests that retinal oxygen metabolism is affected in AMD.
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Oxygen distribution in the retina
Authors: POURNARAS CJ 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the distibution of the preretinal and transretinal partial pressure of oxygen(PO2) in normal and ischemic retinas.Methods Evaluation of either the preretinal or intraretinal oxygen partial pressure (PO2) distribution, using oxygen sensitive microelectrodes, in normal or ischemic retinal conditions.Results The distribution of PO2 close to the vitreoretinal interface is heterogeneous, being higher near the arteriolar wall. Preretinal and transretinal PO2 profiles indicate that O2 diffusion from the arterioles affects the PO2 in the juxta‐arteriolar preretinal region. Both the preretinal and inner retinal PO2 recorded far from the vessels remain constant in all retinal areas. The oxygen tension (PO2) in the inner half of the retina remains largely unaffected by moderate changes in perfusion pressure, systemic PaO2 changes occuring during either hyperoxia or hypoxia. However, an increase in PaCO2 (hypercapnia), as well as an intravenous injection of acetazolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) both lead to an increase in preretinal PO2 due to dilation of the retinal vessels. In eyes with experimental branch retinal vein occlusion, PO2 values within the inner retinal layers are indicative of hypoxic conditions, whereas adjacent areas appear to remain normal. In diabetic patients undergoing vitrectomy a lowered vitreal PO2 in the affected retinal areas has also reported.Occlusion of the retinal circulation renders most of the inner retina anoxic.Conclusion Thanks to the autoregulatory ability of the retinal circulation, the oxygen tension (PO2) in the inner half of the retina, remains largely unaffected during physiological stimuli. In both normal and inner retinal ischemic conditions,the oxygen supply from the choroid is sufficient to support only the photoreceptor inner segments.
Neurodegeneration as an early event in the pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy: A multicentric, prospective, phase II‐III, randomised controlled trial to assess the efficacy of neuroprotective drugs administered topically to prevent or arrest Diabetic Retinopathy. EUROCONDOR – EU FP7 Project
Authors: CUNHA‐VAZ J 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose To assess whether neuroprotective drugs administered topically (somatostatin and brimonidine) are able to prevent or arrest neurodegeneration as well as the development and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in its early stages.Methods Primary: 1) To assess whether somatostatin, administered topically, is able to prevent or arrest the development and progression of neurodegenerative changes. 2) To assess whether, brimonidine, administered topically, is able to prevent or arrest the development and progression of neurodegenerative changes.Results Primary: Changes in the Implicit Time assessed by mfERG (IT‐mfERG). Secondary: 1) Neurodegenerative variables: Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL); Ganglion Cell Layer (GCL) and central retinal thickness assessed by SD‐OCT. 2) Microaneurysm turnover assessed by Colour Fundus Photography; DR severity. 3) Other variables: BCVA; Visual Fields; Visual‐related Quality of Life; Need for rescue treatment.Conclusion Clinical Trial Population Type II diabetic patients; ETDRS levels <20 (50%) or ≤35 (50%). 450 patients to be enrolled in 11 or more clinical centres in Europe (41 patients per centre).
Is there still room for penetrating keratoplasty in 2012
Authors: GICQUEL JJ 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPenetrating keratoplasty (PK) is the most commonly performed graft in the western world. Recent advances in the medical management of corneal diseases and the advent of lamellar surgeries have considerably changed patterns in the indications of PK. Hence we will apprehend what indications are left for PK, as well as the enhanced PK techniques.
New therapeutic approaches in uveitis
Authors: FERAOUN N , HESBERT A , MONNET D , BREZIN A , BATTEUX F 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose Autoimmune uveitis is a severe disease, responsible for approximately 10% of acquired blindness. The side effects induced by systemic steroids or immunosuppressive therapies have prompted us to search for more specific treatments. Recently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including imatinib and sunitinib, have shown interesting properties in several autoimmune diseases. Their immunomodulating properties make them potential interest in the treatment of autoimmune uveitis and we analyzed their therapeutic effects in the mouse model of experimental autoimmune uveitis.Methods We induced uveitis to C57BL6 mice by immunization with IRBP protein, and we performed a randomized blinded controlled trial in 30 mice treated with either sunitinib (50mg/kg/day), imatinib (50mg/kg/day) or placebo. We then compared the efficiency of these treatments by measuring the frequency and the severity of the uveitis induced.Results An effect of sunitinib in the prevention of experimental autoimmune uveitis was observed, with an average uveitis clinical score of 1.1 in the control group, 0.70 in the imatinib group (p=0.28) and 0.36 in the sunitinib group (p=0.02). This effect was confirmed by retina histological examination, with a histopathological score of 0.95 in the control group versus 0.19 (p=0.003) in the sunitinib group. We furthermore demontrasted that sunitinib efficiency is most likely related to the immunomodulation of the immune response, with a reduction in the Th17 response and an inhibition of T cell proliferation.Conclusion Thus, we report for the first time that a tyrosine kinase inhibitor can prevent experimental autoimmune uveitis or decrease its intensity. In particular, sunitinib could be considered as a potential treatment for autoimmune uveitis.
Atypical panuveitis parasitic and Herpes virus co‐infection in immunocompetent adults: real co‐infection or false positive?
Authors: NGUYEN AM , DENIS P , GRANGE JD , KODJIKIAN L 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose Acute panuveitis with retinitis diagnosis may sometimes be difficult. Contribution of microbiological analyzes of intraocular samples currently allows a rapid diagnosis to guide therapeutic management when visual function is severely threatened.Methods We report three original cases of panuveitis with retinitis for which analyzes showed concomitant infection with Toxoplasma and Herpes viruses.Results PCR techniques have increased the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests for ocular pathogens, including Toxoplasmosis and Herpes viruses. For Toxoplasmosis, Western blot and Desmonts coefficient remain standards tests in immunocompetent adults. As for central nervous system infections, Herpes viruses PCR is the gold standard test for intraocular samples. The clinical cases described here are atypical and the clinical examination failed to set the diagnosis. The detection of two infectious agents has led to the establishment of a double etiologic treatment, due to the severity of the ocular involvement. However, we may suppose that certain viruses in dormant states can be liberated in an inflammed eye, causing DNA to be detected on PCR testing, making more than one true positive result both possible and clinically relevant.Conclusion In actual clinical use, false‐positive results are possible from contamination, and false‐negative results are possible from polymorphism, specimen degradation, or failure to sample in the acute stages of disease. It remains difficult to determine the responsibility of both infectious agents revealed. Is it a real co‐infection, or false positive?
Quantitative assessment of the visual pathway by DTI‐MRI in Glaucoma
Authors: MICHELSON G , WAERNTGES S , ENGELHORN T , HORNEGGER J , DöRFLER A 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose In glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy (glOA) damage of retinal ganglion cells may continue to the linked optic radiations (OR). This study investigated differences between glOA and non‐glOA in relation to impairment of the optic radiations using DTI‐MRI.Methods We examined 42 patients with healthy optic nerve head and no ophthalmological signs of an affected visual pathway, 134 glOA patients, and 35 non‐glOA patients (mean age 54±15.9 years, 64±12.4 years, and 49±15.2 years, respectively). The participants underwent the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure the axonal integrity, i.e. fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), and demyelination, i.e. radial diffusivity (RD), in the semi‐automatically outlined optic radiations. The results were correlated with the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) acquired by the Spectralis optical coherence tomography and with the mean defect provided by standard automatic perimetry.Results Age correlated significantly with the DTI parameters in all groups. If corrected for age only in the glOA patient group the mean defect correlated with FA (r=‐0.31; p=0.004) and RD (r=0.22; p=0.043). In the non‐glOA group the RNFL correlated with MD (r=‐0.57; p=0.027) and RD (r=‐0.59; p=0.019). The control group did not show a correlation of DTI parameters with the mean defect or RNFL.Conclusion In both types of optic nerve atrophy a correlation was found between visual field and axonal integrity/ demyelination of the optic radiations, and the reduction of the RNFL was associated with an impairment of the axonal integrity/ demyelination of the optic radiation. The damage of the optic nerve was significantly associated with loss of RNFL and ageing.
Neurodegeneration of the visual pathway in glaucoma
Authors: CORDEIRO MF 
Published: August 2012

AbstractGlaucoma has recently become recognized as a neurodegenerative disorder. This has been predominantly because that neuronal and axonal changes occur throughout the visual pathway from the retina to the brain. Furthermore, as in other neurodegenerative conditions, there are numerous studies investigating neuroprotective agents in glaucoma, using vitro and in vivo models. Historically, there has been a problem translating results however, from the laboratory to the clinic. In fact, there is a real shortage of good clinical trials in this area. In glaucoma, it is recognized that there is a need an alternative therapeutic approach, independent of IOP reduction. Several mechanisms have been implicated in initiating the apoptotic cascade in glaucomatous retinopathy and numerous drugs have been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of glaucoma, although translating to the clinical arena has been difficult to date. This lecture will summarize neurodegeneration of the visual pathway in glaucoma and review current potential neuroprotective strategies.
Neuroprotective therapy of the visual pathway in glaucoma
Authors: ARAIE M 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose To review our results of experiments relating to neuroprotective therapy of glaucoma at various levels of the visual pathway.Methods Using isolated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) culture system, drug effects on hypoxic stress‐induced damage of RGCs were studied. Using monkey unilateral experimental glaucoma model, 1) drug effects on the optic nerve head (ONH) circulation, and 2) neural degeneration secondary to experimental glaucoma in the CNS visual pathway were studied. Drug effects on CNS degeneration secondary to RGC death were also studied in a mice model. A double‐masked placebo‐controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of oral nilvadipine, a Ca2+‐blocker, on the visual field in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.Results Ca2+‐blockers and some of the beta‐blockers were found to be neuroprotective against hypoxia‐induced cultured RGC damage. Both nilvadipine and lomerizine, another Ca2+‐blocker, increased the ONH circulation not only in normal, but also experimental glaucoma eyes in monkeys. In the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of experimental glaucoma monkeys, M‐cells were first damaged, and then both M‐ and P‐cells damaged, where endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in apoptotic processes and activation of glial cells were involved. Systemic lomerizine and memantine were found to alleviate CNS damages secondary to NMDA‐induced RGC death in mice. In a clinical trial, a low dose of oral nilvadipine (4mg/day) significantly decreased the rate of mean deviation (MD) deterioration in NTG patients as compared to placebo.Conclusion A systemic drug administration such as oral nilvadipine which can alleviate damage at various levels of visual pathway may have potential in neuroprotective therapy in glaucoma.
Retinal vessels as biomarkers
Authors: SCHMETTERER L 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose In the recent years much interest was directed towards the analysis of retinal vessel diameters. This is related to our improved understanding of the systemic, ocular, environmental and genetic factors that control retinal vascular calibers.Methods Methods to assess retinal vessel diameters are described. In addition, more sophisticated analyses of vessel structure are presented based on fractional analysis. Finally, techniques to study retinal vascular responses during stimulation, such as diffuse flicker light, are presented.Results Narrower retinal arteriolar caliber is associated with aging, systemic hypertension and obesity. Wider retinal venular caliber is associated with impaired fasting glucose and diabetes, dyslipidemia and cigarette smoking. In addition, wider venular calibers are considered markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Reduced flicker‐induced vasodilatation is an early process in diabetes.Conclusion Assessment of retinal vessel diameters is an interesting approach for risk stratification based on ophthalmological findings. Refined technology and longitudinal studies are required to fully explore the potential of these techniques.
Combining vessel analysis with Doppler OCT
Authors: GARHOFER G 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose It has been recognized that morphological and functional changes of retinal vessels do not only reflect ocular vascular pathologies, but are also associated with systemic disease. Changes of the retinal vascular system may therefore serve as an indicator for systemic vascular related disorders such as diabetes and hypertension. The resolution of classical fundus‐camera based systems is, however, limited, and vessels smaller than 40 ‐60µm cannot be adequately imaged.Methods As such, much emphasis has been put into the development of new and sophisticated methods to assess retinal blood flow in vivo. One approach is based on Doppler optical coherence tomography (OCT), yielding in principle information on both, velocity and diameter. We investigated the validity of this approach by comparing vessel diameters with values as obtained using the Dynamic Vessel Analyzer (DVA) and blood velocities as obtained with laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV).Results Comparison of velocity data as obtained with bi‐directional Fourier Domain Doppler OCT showed good correlation with LDV data during both normoxic and hyperopic conditions (p < 0.01 each). Diameter data as obtained from OCT images were, however, significantly lower as those measured with DVA (p < 0.01). This was the case when data were extracted from both the amplitude and the phase images. In some cases the OCT technique underestimates the vessel diameter by as much as 20 µm.Conclusion Whereas velocity data are adequately measured using Doppler OCT velocity data are significantly underestimated. As such adequate data on retinal blood flow can only be extracted using a combination of fundus camera‐based vessel analysis and OCT‐based velocity extraction. This technique may have considerable potential for risk stratification of cardiovascular patients.
Biology of metastatic disease
Authors: COUPLAND SE , KALIRAI H , DODSON A , DAMATO B 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose Despite successful treatment of the primary tumour, uveal melanoma (UM) disseminates haematogeneously in approx. 50% of patients, usually to the liver. In a few patients, metastases can be treated surgically; however, in the majority, there is no effective chemotherapy, as the “magic bullet” for metastatic UM has yet to be found.Methods Literature review to provide an overview of the morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic features of metastatic UM. In addition, immunohistochemical studies for various proteins, including BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP‐1), were performed on tissue microarrays of matched primary and metastatic UM. The percentage of tumor cell positivity was scored blind by independent assessors, and correlations were measured with statistical tests.Results Literature review revealed only a few studies of human UM metastases, including some on fine needle aspiration biopsies, liver resections, or on autopsy material. Occasional studies examined matched primary and metastatic tumour samples. The majority of investigations had performed immunohistochemistry, with only a few examining the genetic changes of these tumours. The results of our analyses of a cohort comprising >100 metastatic UM will be presented. We confirm that absence of BAP1 correlates with metastasis of UM; however, metastasis can occur despite BAP1 expression.Conclusion In order to understand the dissemination process of UM, including the mechanisms involved in successful tumour cell colonisation, the tumour microenvironment‐, the immunophenotype‐, genotype and possible susceptible signalling pathways of the melanoma cells, it is essential that greater efforts are made to access and investigate these samples. Only in this way can treatment of the systemic phase of UM be successful.
Difficult counselling issues
Authors: HALL G 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose Families present to the genetic ophthalmic clinic in a wide variety of challenging situations. Unexpected, complex diagnoses have an impact on individuals and their families that require multidisciplinary genetic counselling and support. While there is limited research into the impact or service needs of families with inherited eye disease, we can learn a great deal from the cases presenting in clinic.Results In this presentation, we describe clinical situations that have presented challenges for the genetic eye team in order to highlight counselling issues and improvements in care. Examples will include the diagnosis of multisystemic disease, approaching sudden and unexpected vision loss in children and the impact and ethical challenges in cascade screening in families.Conclusion Genetic counselling as part of a multidisciplinary approach for inherited eye disease is required to support families around diagnosis, impact of vision loss and testing in the wider family.
Mitochondrial optic neuropathies
Authors: VOTRUBA M 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose This update will focus on recent and exciting new developments in mitochondrial optic neuropathies after reviewing the background, including clinical and molecular features.Methods Mitochondrial optic neuropathies are a group of conditions which are currently untreatable and which comprise non‐syndromic conditions such as Leber's Hereditary optic neuropathy, dominant optic atrophy, recessive optic atropby, as well as syndromic optic neuropathies. A number of key developments in genetic testing, counselling and potential therapies will be reviewed together with difficult or challenging cases as examples.Results Understanding the pathophysiology of the mitochondrial optic neuropathies will aid in our quest for new diagnostic, management and therapeutic interventions. The focus of the update will be to highlight some key developments and encourage discussion and participation from the floor.Conclusion This is a rapidly advancing field with a potential for future therapies emerging on the horizon.
Inherited retinal disease
Authors: LEROY BP 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPurpose To illustrate several inherited retinal dystrophies and dysfunctions and their management in the ophthalmic genetic clinic.Methods A case presentation format will be used to illustrate different genetically determined retinal dystrophies and dysfunctions. Case descriptions will include clinical and electrophysiological phenotypes as well as genotypes.Results Phenotypes and genotypes of genetically determined retinal diseases are very different. An important distinction to be made is the one between stationary and progressive diseases, as the visual outcome differs considerably between different conditions.Conclusion Inherited retinal diseases are very diverse. Taking a thorough history in combination with an extensive clinical examination and psychophysical and electrophysiological tests most often allows a to make a specific diagnosis. It is important to distinguish between progressive and stationary conditions.
Perspectives for new treatments at Alcon ‐ part 2
Authors: RICH C 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn an effort to continue to meet unmet medical needs for ophthalmology conditions Alcon continues to have a well developed pipeline of products in the Ophthalmology space. This presentation will give the audience an overview of how we identify a wide variety of potential products to develop and how we condense this list down to the final candidates that will establish our pipeline strategy. This process is conducted across the 3 main franchises of Alcon: Pharmaceuticals, Surgical and Vision Care. This presentation will review products in development in the area of Retina and this is an exciting area for Alcon with several projects in development for the treatment of a number of conditions. Alcon is conducting multiple projects in the area of vitreo‐retinal diseases including products for vitreolysis, dry and wet AMD, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. In the area of rare diseases Alcon currently has a program to evaluate the treatment of multifocal choroiditis. During this presentation we will discuss these programs on a high level and also discuss our approach to retina, which we see as a growing area within ophthalmology. The treatment of retinal conditions is still early in its evolution and Alcon looks forward to developing products that treat significant unmet medical needs in the area of Retina.