bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Color fundus photography versus fundoscopy in diabetic retinopathy patients: A pilot study
Authors: Kabanarou Stamatina , Bitzanakis Nikolaos , Bontzos Georgios , Smoustopoulos Georgios , Sgourou Chrysoula , Garnavou‐Xirou Christina , Xirou Tina 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To compare fundoscopy with Color fundus photography (CFP) in identifying diabetic retinopathy (DR) abnormalities.Methods: This is a pilot cross‐sectional study of diabetic patients attending the medical retina clinic for routine examination. All patients underwent dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy and CFP, both performed by the same doctor. The following retinal features were identified in 5 segments during both procedures (CA‐central area, UT‐upper temporal, LT‐lower temporal, UN‐upper nasal, LN‐lower nasal): pre‐retinal/retinal (RH)/vitreous haemorrhages, exudates (EX), intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA), venous beading (VB), vein loops (VL), cotton wool spots (CWS), retinal neovascularization (NVD/NVE) and ghost vessels (GV).Results: Thirty‐six eyes of 18 patients were included in the study. Overall, CFP recorded more retinal features in comparison with fundoscopy in most segments. In particular, in CFP: RH and VB were identified in 1 extra case but CWS was missed in 2 cases in CA. Imaging in UT segment revealed RH and CWS in 3 and 1 additional cases, respectively. RH, VB, CWS were recorded in 3, 1 and 1 extra cases in LT. RH and EX were documented in 4 and 1 additional cases respectively while CWS and GV were missed in 1 case in UN. In LN, RH and GV were identified in 2 extra cases, but NVD/NVE was missed in 1 case. The main differences were observed in the documentation of RH in all but one segment (apart from CA) as in >3 cases in each segment, RH was missed in fundoscopy. Moreover, in CA, retinal features were similarly identified in both examination techniques.Conclusions: Fundoscopy is part of routine ophthalmic assessment but requires experience and adequate patient cooperation. CFP is a reliable imaging tool that can objectively document diabetic retinopathy lesions. New advances in retina imaging make CFP a promising device for DR assessment patients.
Evaluating the macular vascular complexes' density by OCTA for dyslexia
Authors: de los Reyes Retamero Sánchez María , Gómez‐Molina Celia , Miquel‐López Carmen , Navarro‐Abellán Maria Victoria , De‐Paco‐Matallana Maravillas , Espín‐López Laura , del Pino Sánchez María , del‐Río‐Vellosillo Mónica , García‐Medina Jose Javier 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To compare the vascular density of macular superficial and deep vascular complexes between dyslexic subjects and normoreaders at the fovea and parafovea.Methods: We performed a pilot study examining 60 eyes—36 of subjects with dyslexia and 24 of normoreaders as controls. Al the participants underwent an ophthalmological examination complemented with an optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany), in which we measured the vascular density of the deep and superficial vascular complexes of the macula using an ETDRS123 pattern.Results: The deep vascular complex of the fovea was found to have a significant increase in the density of the different subfields of the inner and outer parafovea in the dyslexic group, as compared to the normoreaders. In contrast, no differences were found for the superficial vascular complex at any subfield.Conclusions: The increase in the deep vascular complex density of the macula could be associated with dyslexia.
Choriocapillaris, photoreceptor and inner retinal layers in spatial relationship to parapapillary alpha, beta, gamma and delta zone
Authors: Jonas Jost , Jonas Rahul , Jonas Shefali , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To examine the spatial relationships between the choriocapillaris, retinal layers and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in the parapapillary region.Methods: Human eyes enucleated due to uveal melanomas or secondary angle‐closure glaucoma were histomorphometrically examined.Results: The investigation consisted of 100 globes. In non‐highly myopic non‐glaucomatous eyes, the photoreceptor layer, choriocapillaris and retinal inner nuclear layer (INL) ended approximately at the end of the RPE layer, with no significant (all p ≥ 0.10) difference between the layers. In the non‐highly myopic, glaucomatous eyes and the highly myopic eyes, the photoreceptor layer, choriocapillaris and inner nuclear layer ended in the majority of eyes beyond the RPE‐end in direction to the optic disc border, with the INL extending beyond the RPE‐end significantly more than the photoreceptor layer (non‐highly myopic non‐glaucomatous group: 133 ± 183 μm versus 66.5 ± 96.8 μm; p = 0.001; highly myopic glaucomatous eyes: (266 ± 395 μm vs. 211 ± 286 μm; p = 0.03). A larger extension of the photoreceptor layer, choriocapillaris and INL beyond the RPE‐end correlated with longer axial length (beta: 0.50; B: 32.2; 95% CI: 21.6, 42.8) and wider beta zone (beta: 0.28; B: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.16), with longer axial length (beta: 0.24; B: 23.0; 95% CI: 1.6, 44.5) and longer beta zone (beta: 0.59; B: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.41; p < 0.001), and with longer axial length (beta: 0.34; B: 43.7; 95% CI: 11.6, 75.7), longer gamma zone (beta: 0.52; B: 0.28; 5% CI: 0.15, 0.41) and diagnosis of non‐highly myopic glaucoma (beta: 0.28; B: 267; 95% CI: 80.8, 454), respectively.Conclusions: Non‐glaucomatous non‐highly myopic eyes differ from highly myopic eyes and glaucomatous eyes in the spatial relationship of the parapapillary tissue layers. The findings support the notion of an axial elongation‐associated shifting of the parapapillary RPE and Bruch's membrane for development of myopic beta zone, and an RPE‐cell loss for development of glaucomatous beta zone.
The use of artificial tears among the danish population: Epidemiological observations
Authors: Ahrensberg Simone , Andreasen Jens Rovelt , Kolko Miriam 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To investigate the use of artificial tears (AT), identify which eye diseases are most prevalent among the users, determine which products are preferred by the population, and analyse their preservative content.Methods: Data originate from the FOREVER questionnaire. Respondents are customers from Synoptik A/S aged from 18 years and of both genders, and have given written consent for the use of their data. All 48 AT in the questionnaire appear in The Nordic Guidelines Dry Eye Disease 2022. T‐test and chi2 were performed to examine significant differences in the data.Results: 41.723 participants had answered the questionnaire, 15.613 men and 26.110 women, with a mean age of 55.4 (15.0) years. 10.1% reported having an eye disease diagnosed by a doctor, the most prevalent being cataract, then glaucoma, vitreous detachment and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). 5129 (12.3%) used AT. This subpopulation consisted of 1268 men and 3861 women with a mean age of 61.2 (14.8) years. 21.8% had an eye disease diagnosed by a doctor. The most prevalent eye disease remained cataract, then glaucoma, vitreous detachment and AMD. Thealoz Duo (preservative free (PF)) was the most used brand, then Systane Ultra (PF or PolyQuad 0.001%) and Viscous Eye Drops (benzalkonium chloride (BAK) 0.011%). It was possible to identify 2560 respondents using a PF product and 874 using a product with a preservative. The mean age was significantly higher among those using AT, compared with those who did not use AT (54.6 ± 14.8 years) with p < 2.2·10−16. Also, a significant distribution between eye disease and the use of AT was found (p < 2.2·10−16).Conclusions: Around 12% of the population used AT. Their mean age was significantly higher than those not using AT (61.2 years compared to 54.6 with p < 2.2·10−16) and the prevalence of eye disease was also significantly higher (21.8% compared to 10.1%, p < 2.2·10−16), but the four most common eye diseases was similar in both groups.
In‐vivo corneal collagen crosslinking using ruthenium and visible light
Authors: Gulzar Ayesha , Kaleli Humeyra Nur , Hasanreisoğlu Murat , Tas Ayse Yildiz , Sahin Afsun , Kizilel Seda 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Corneal collagen cross‐linking (CXL) treatment is widely applied to halt the progression of ectatic diseases such as keratoconus. Unfortunately, the standard CXL procedure based on riboflavin and UV‐A light can only be applied to cornea thicker than 400 μm and results in frequent complications, such as corneal haze and endothelial damage [1]. This study investigates a new CXL procedure based on ruthenium, which is a water‐soluble photoinitiator and visible light (430 nm) in vivo.Methods: For the CXL procedure, tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy)3]2+), an SPS solution was applied to the rat's cornea and exposed to blue light. After the crosslinking procedure, observations were made for corneal opacity, corneal neovascularization, limbal neovascularization and corneal epithelial damage. Furthermore, the corneas were isolated for histopathological examination, cell viability and SEM analysis, and the results were compared with the conventional riboflavin/UV‐A crosslinking approach.Results: Crosslinked corneas with ruthenium‐based CXL approach showed significantly improved scoring in corneal opacity, corneal neovascularization, limbal neovascularization and corneal wound healing as compared to the standard riboflavin and UVA‐based CXL procedure. Histopathological analysis and cell viability revealed ruthenium to be nontoxic and create more bonds between collagen fibrils when observed under scanning electron microscopy.Conclusions: In this in vivo study, the ruthenium and visible light‐based crosslinking approach proved to be non‐toxic and a faster alternative to the conventional riboflavin and UVA‐based CXL method. We foresee that ruthenium visible light‐based crosslinking treatment could potentially change the treatment modality in keratoconus patients in a clinical setting.Funding Information: This work is supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) under GrantARDEB‐219S349.References:1. Gulzar, A., et al., Ruthenium‐induced corneal collagen crosslinking under visible light. Acta Biomater, 2022. 147: p. 198–208.
In vitro compatibility study of a new preservative‐free multidose 0.6% bilastine eye drop formulation containing sodium hyaluronate with soft and gas rigid permeable contact lenses
Authors: Rey Eider Arana , Cortes Tatiana Suarez , Gonzalo Ana , Victoriano Noelia Andollo , Prat Inés Torrens , Zazpe Arturo , Hernández Gonzalo 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Despite many patients with allergic conjunctivitis are contact lens wearers, research on the physical compatibility of antihistamine eye drops and contact lenses is lacking. The aim of this work was to evaluate the in vitro compatibility of a new preservative‐free bilastine eye drops with the main types of contact lenses.Methods: The physical compatibility of a new preservative‐free bilastine eye drops in comparison with an isotonic saline solution, was evaluated in three types of contact lenses: hydrogel, silicone hydrogel and gas rigid permeable. Physical properties evaluated: diameter of the lens, posterior vertex power, radius of curvature, physical appearance, and spectral transmittance were characterized. For initial characterization, the lenses (n = 60) were equilibrated in a saline solution at 20–25°C for 24 h. After, 10 lenses of each type were separately immersed in either the saline solution or the bilastine formulation, both at 20–25°C, for 1 h, and then subjected to 30 wash cycles. The physical characterization was carried out after 1, 15 and 30 wash cycles, measurements performed in triplicate. Measurement methods and tolerance limits of the physical properties and general procedure and performance criteria for assessing the physical compatibility of contact lens were conducted in accordance with the guidelines (UNE‐EN ISO 18369‐3:2007; UNE‐EN ISO 18369‐2:2007; UNE‐EN ISO 11981:2013).Results: The incubation of contact lenses with the new preservative‐free bilastine eye drop formulation did not affect any of the physical properties of the lenses and the results were comparable to those exposed to the control saline solution. The physical properties of all the contact lenses tested in both conditions complied with the manufacturer's specifications and tolerance limits stablished.Conclusion: These results indicate that the new preservative‐free bilastine eye drop is physically compatible with soft and rigid gas permeable contact lens.
Anterior chamber phakic lens implantation after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. Retrospective cohort with 24‐month follow‐up
Authors: Usuga Juan Cadavid , Velez Mauricio , Gomez Jorge Donado , Gomez Camilo , Izquierdo Luis 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To report the outcome of correction of high myopia with anterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) implantation after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).Methods: Retrospective study with 7 eyes of patients who underwent DALK. The main variables measured were corrected visual acuity (CVA) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), spherical equivalent, and endothelial cell density (ECD). Follow‐up was performed up to 24 months after the lens implant.Results: The spherical equivalent (SE) recorded a mean of −14.16 (± 3.50) before the lens implant and −0.30 (±0.93) after the implant, with a mean difference of 13.85 (10.25 to 13.85) and a p‐value of <0.001. The mean of uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) before the lens was 1.82 (±0.63), 6 months after lens implant was 0.22 (±0.07), and after 24 months, 0.30 (±0.14) with a p‐value of 0.001. Among patients, 85.71% had a UCVA equal to or better than 0.3 logMAR and 42.85% had a UCVA of 0.2 logMAR vs. 0% preoperatively. 71.42% of the patients had residual ametropia within ±1.00 D. The mean corrected visual acuity (CVA) was 0.31 (±0.06) before lens implantation, 0.12 (±0.04) 6 months post‐ implantation and 0.14 (±0.05) 24 months post‐implantation. All patients had improvement of UCVA of at least 10 lines of vision (range 10 to 14); at 6 months, 71.42% of patients had a gain of at least 2 lines of vision in CVA and at 24 months only one patient had a decrease in UCVA. The mean difference in ECD was 68.71 (95% CI 11.97 to 125.44), corresponding to a loss of 1.26% of cells per year.Conclusions: Phakic IOLs are an effective and stable procedure for management of high myopia after DALK, demonstrating stable safety and efficacy rates up to 24 months. The known risk of endothelial loss should be closely monitored, as such loss is higher compared to eyes with phakic IOL implants without DALK.
Gene expression in calcium triggered healthy primary limabal epithelial cells, in vitro
Authors: Suiwal Shweta , Stachon Tanja , Fries Fabian Norbert , Li Zhen , Chai Ning , Seitz Berthold , Amini Maryam , Szentmáry Nóra 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Calcium supplementation can induce differentiation of several cell types. The tear film has an important role in maintenance of the ocular surface homeostasis with an ionic calcium concentration of 0.4 mM‐1.0 mM. The effect of calcium concentration on healthy primary limbal epithelial cells (LECs) has not been analysed, yet. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of calcium supplementation on gene expression of primary limbal epithelial cells (LECs) of healthy donor corneas, in vitro.Methods: Primary LECs were isolated from corneoscleral rims of healthy donors (n = 6) and were cultured in serum free low calcium (0.06 mM Ca+2) Keratocyte growth medium 3 (KGM3). The primary LECs were then supplemented by 0.3 mM‐2.0 mM Ca+2 concentrations for 72 h. Control LEC cultures were supplemented by low calcium (0.06 mM Ca+2) KGM3 medium. After cell harvesting, RNA and protein were extracted from treated and control LECs to perform qPCR and western blot analysis.Results: The calcium supplementation had no significant effect on PAX6 mRNA expression after 72 h. The differentiation marker and adhesion protein DSG1 and the cornea specific keratin K3 expression did not change significantly through Ca+2 supplementation (p ≥ 0.5). The retinoic acid signalling component fatty acid binding protein FABP5 expression (p ≥ 0.5) the wound healing and vascularization marker CAV1 gene expression (p ≥ 0.5) did not change significantly through Ca+2 supplementation, after 72 h.Conclusions: Calcium supplementation for 72 h did not change PAX6 expression and did not trigger differentiation of healthy primary limbal epithelial cells. We plan to analyse the effect of longer incubation time in the future in order to trigger a full differentiated status of limbal epithelial cells, using calcium supplementation.
Simvastatin and amfenac act as immunomodulators during induced epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in ARPE‐19 cells
Authors: Harju (ex‐Bhattarai) Niina , Loukovaara Sirpa , Kauppinen Anu 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment can develop into proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after surgery. Inflammation contributes to epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, which takes place in PVR. The aim here was to explore the effects of simvastatin and amfenac on inflammation during the EMT.Methods: EMT in ARPE‐19 cells was stimulated by the commercial Stem X Vivo EMT supplement (R&D Systems) either in non‐inflammatory or inflammatory conditions induced by 2.5 pg/mL IL‐1β (Gibco) or 10 pg/mL IL‐1α (R&D Systems). Cells were treated concurrently with 5 μM simvastatin (Sigma Aldrich), 0.1 μM amfenac (Cayman Chemical) or both. The release of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8 (BD Biosciences), as well as monocytic chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1; Thermo Fisher Scientific) were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and intracellular ATP levels were determined using commercial kits (Promega). Cells were photographed under an Axio Vert A1 Zeiss microscope.Results: Simvastatin alone or with amfenac reduced the release of IL‐6 in inflammatory and non‐inflammatory conditions upon experimental EMT, increased the IL‐8 release upon IL‐1α exposure and MCP‐1 in non‐inflammatory conditions and upon IL‐1β exposure. During EMT process, LDH release was increased by simvastatin alone and together with amfenac. They also increased ATP levels without inflammation and with IL‐1α. Amfenac had no effects on the cytokine levels (IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1), LDH release, or ATP upon EMT process without inflammation. However, amfenac increased IL‐6 and MCP‐1 release and reduced LDH levels upon IL‐1β, and reduced IL‐6 upon the IL‐1a exposure. Under microscope, cells appeared alive and bigger but partly detached upon simvastatin.Conclusions: Simvastatin and amfenac showed immunomodulatory effects on ARPE‐19 cells during EMT. Further studies are needed concerning the effects of drugs on the EMT.
Mitophagy as a potential mediator for the anti‐inflammatory effects of metformin in human retinal pigment epithelium cells
Authors: Toppila Maija , Hytti Maria , Ranta‐aho Sofia , Kaarniranta Kai , Kauppinen Anu 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Mitochondrial malfunction and subsequent excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), deficient autophagy and chronic inflammation are associated with many age‐related diseases, including age‐related macular degeneration. In this study, we investigated metformin and its ability to activate mitophagy and alleviate inflammation in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells upon induced mitochondrial damage.Methods: Experiments were conducted using the ARPE‐19 cell line. The cells were treated with 15 mM metformin (Met) for 1 h before adding 10 μM mitochondrial complex 3 inhibitor Antimycin A (Aa) for additional 2–24 h. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐8 were measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of the autophagy substrate SQSTM1/p62 and the autophagy marker LC3 were studied using the Western blot method. To further analyse mitophagy, LC3 and TOM20 colocalization was detected using immunofluorescence. Mitochondrial ROS production was assessed using MitoSOX CMXRos staining.Results: The production of proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐8 were increased by Aa exposure. Conversely, Met treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL‐6 and IL‐8. The autophagy substrate SQSTM1/p62 was accumulated in the cells after Aa treatment implying a blockage in the autophagic flux. Met treatment induced the clearance of SQSTM1/p62 and LC3 I and II at 6‐h time point. At 24‐h time point, Met treatment increased the amount of LC3 puncta/cell and colocalization of LC3 and TOM20 suggesting enhanced mitophagy in cells suffering mitochondrial damage induced by Aa. Aa treatment led to increased production of mitochondrial ROS which was decreased by Met treatment.Conclusions: Metformin has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties in human RPE cells upon antimycin A exposure. Studies on autophagy markers suggest enhanced activation of autophagy, and mitophagy, upon metformin exposure, which could explain the detected positive effects on inflammation and oxidative stress.
The size of the ciliary body in human enucleated chronic angle‐closure glaucoma
Authors: Jonas Rahul , Jonas Jost , Panda‐Jonas Songhomitra , Jonas Shefali 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose:: The size of the body of the ciliary stroma in relation to the morphology of the angle of the anterior chamber in human enucleated eyes.Methods: A histomorphometric analysis of enucleated human eyes using a light microscope.Results: 107 enucleated human eyes (mean axial length 25.1 ± 2.8 mm; range 21.0–36.0 mm) were included for analysis using light microscope. 68 of those eyes had an open anterior chamber angle and 39 had an endothelialized and closed angle. The body of the ciliary stroma measured was broadest with 541 ± 210 μm vs 59 ± 179 μm (p < 0.001) and narrowest with 214 ± 107 μm vs 17 ± 55 μm (p < 0.001) and the highest ciliary muscle height was 593 ± 557 μm vs 293 ± 111 μm (p < 0.001). In the angle‐closure group these parameters were significantly smaller, than in the open‐angle group. The width of the broadest section of the stroma of the ciliary body increased with the presence of an open‐angle anterior chamber (beta:0.82; B:517; 95%CI:435599; p < 0.001) and a longer axial length (beta:0.17; B:18.2; 95%CI:4.2,32.2; p = 0.01). The width of the narrowest section of the stroma of the ciliary body correlated with an open anterior chamber angle (beta:0.65; B:177; 95%CI:140213; p < 0.001) and an increase in the height of the ciliary body muscle (beta:0.23; B:0.06; 95%CI:0.03,0.10; p = 0.001). The height of the ciliary body muscle increased with increasing maximal height of the stroma (beta:0.43; B:1.54; 95%CI:0.92,2.17; p < 0.001).Conclusions: The size of the stroma of the ciliary body in eyes with an angle of the anterior chamber closed by endothelial cells is smaller than in open‐angle eyes. Due to the tightening of the anterior angle the access of aqueous humour to the trabecular meshwork and to the ciliary body stroma may cause a reduction of the uveoscleral or uveovortex outflow.