bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RESTORE VISION: Novel advanced and repurposed therapeutics for vision restoration in a group of severe rare ocular diseases – Short introductory talk
Authors: Ritter Thomas 
Published: January 2024

Rare Eye Diseases (REDs) collectively represent a major cause of visual impairment and blindness for children and young adults in Europe. But importantly, REDs also affect adults and the aging population. Defective wound healing at the cornea and ocular surface, excessive inflammation, nerve degeneration, stem cell dysfunction, and aberrant vessel ingrowth are the common denominators in many REDs, representing a critical medical problem and an area of unmet medical need. The onset and progression of many REDs are characterized by common pathophysiologic mechanisms. The goal of many research groups is to disrupt these aberrant mechanisms with the aim of making therapy more effective. Current management is often prohibitively expensive, has low efficacy and leads to debilitating side effects, pointing to a critical medical problem and area of unmet medical need.Here, we will briefly introduce the RESTORE VISION project, which has been recently funded by the European Commission and brings together actors from across the full value chain: 6 leading research institutions, 3 SMEs and a European patient organization. The project will take a ground‐breaking approach to improve eye health by verifying disease pathomechanisms, using cutting‐edge models for each rare disease to test novel and repurposed compounds and determine drug mechanisms of action, formulating compounds as safe eye drop suspensions or subconjunctival drugs, and performing several first‐in‐human trials of novel therapies.
Tear film ocular surface lifestyle report: Lifestyle challenges
Authors: Ferrari Giulio ,   the Lifestyle Challenges Subcommittee of the TFOS lifestyle workshop
Published: January 2024

This presentation summarizes the findings of the Lifestyle Challenges Subcommittee of the recent Workshop of the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society, entitled “A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease.”Lifestyle includes different societal, physical and mental aspects, which have a deep impact on dry eye disease (DED).Specifically, among societal factors, the use of tobacco is robustly associated with tear film instability, cocaine reduces corneal sensitivity, alcohol promotes DED symptoms and alterations of the tear film. Among physical factors, extensive mask wear or obesity are associated with Meibomian gland alterations. Moreover, depression, anxiety‐associated or sleep disorders, and medications used for their treatment, have been linked with DED symptoms. Finally, diseases associated with chronic pain, including migraine and fybromyalgia, appear to increase the risk of DED. Further studies are needed to better dissect the role of chronic pain in different DED subtypes.
Basis for the use of MSCs in optic nerve diseases
Authors: Jimeno Jose Carlos Pastor 
Published: January 2024

Both the retina and optic nerve are expansions of the central nervous system (CNS). In this way they share pathophysiological and possibly therapeutic aspects. One of the acute pathologies that lack treatment is acute non‐arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAION) that can be considered as a heart attack in the optic nerve head.In CNS, the concept of penumbra is used to propose treatments for ischemic stroke. Around the focus of absolute ischemia there is an area (penumbra) of neural tissue that could be rescued with neuroprotective therapies.Using this similarity, under the basis that NAAION lacks treatment and that mesenchymal stem cells are producers of several growth factors that are neuroprotective, its intravitreal use was proposed to treat the acute phases of this disease. After the precilinic safety tests, a pilot study was carried out with 5 patients that has provided encouraging results. Now the sample size has been expanded with a multicenter study involving Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona), Clinico and Ramon y Cajal (Madrid) and IOBA (Valladolid).
The optic nerve in glaucoma
Authors: Jonas Jost 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To describe particularities of the optic nerve head of axially highly myopic eyes.Methods: Measurements were obtained from enucleated globes and from population‐based studies.Results: Morphologic optic disc particularities in high axial myopia included enlarged disc size (secondary macrodisc), widening and temporal translocation of the papillary Bruch's membrane (BM) opening, parapapillary gamma and delta zone, elongation and thinning of lamina cribrosa and peripapillary scleral flange, steeper translamina cribrosa pressure gradient, decreased peripapillary choroid thickness, longer distance between peripapillary arterial circle and optic disc, optic cup flattening, presumably a stretching of the lamina cribrosa pores, and peripapillary intrachoroidal cavitations. These changes may be explained by growth of new BM in the retroequatorial region in the process of emmetropization or myopization as “overshooting” of the emmetropization process.Conclusions: The intrapapillary and parapapillary changes in the highly myopic optic nerve head may be reason for the increased susceptibility for glaucomatous optic nerve damage in high axial myopia. The widening of the papillary BM opening and the potential shift of the optic nerve head's 3 layer into temporal direction, both potentially leading to the development of parapapillary gamma zone may be of interest for elucidating the process of emmetropization/myopization.
The effects of physical exercise on ocular blood flow
Authors: Redondo Beatriz 
Published: January 2024

Vascular resistance is physiologically regulated by changing the local diameter of the arterioles to keep the local blood flow constant. It is well known that physical activity has profound impacts on the vasculature in humans. Short‐term exercise induces immediate changes in artery function, whereas long‐term exercise induces chronic functional adaptation and structural arterial remodelling which leads to a lower risk of risk for cardiovascular disease. These changes depended on the characteristics of the training load and are modulated by other factors such as exercise‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress.The ocular circulation consists of the retinal and choroidal circulations. The retina is the tissue with the most active metabolism in the human body, resulting in a high rate of oxygen consumption. Therefore, ocular blood flow is particularly susceptible to physical exercise. With the arrival of imaging technologies numerous studies have explored the effects of exercise on the ocular blood flow. Most of these studies are focused on the transient impact of acute exercise on ocular blood flow. The objective of this talk is to discuss the scientific literature available about the effects of physical exercise on ocular blood flow, and to highlight its impact on ocular health.
The yin and the yang of molecular decompensation in LHON
Authors: Carelli Valerio 
Published: January 2024

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) remains an incompletely understood disease. Reduced penetrance and male prevalence are two active areas of investigation. In fact, the presence of a homoplasmic LHON‐related mtDNA missense mutation, affecting all individuals along a maternal line, is the necessary genetic factor predisposing to develop LHON, but in most individuals it is not sufficient as they remain unaffected lifelong. Other genetic or environmental factor are assumed to play a role. The other point of investigation is the catastrophic nature of disease onset and progression, which defines LHON as a subacute disease.The application of iPSCs technology has advanced our understanding of LHON, refining the understanding of which mechanisms may be crucial to maintain cells compensated or prime them to degeneration. This presentation will focus on the balance between mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagic removal of mitochondria (mitophagy) as the emerging key mechanism priming individuals carrying the LHON mutation to become affected or to remain unaffected, possibly lifelong. This balance can be targeted by therapeutic strategies, opening new avenues to cure LHON.
Myopia, what causes it and can it be avoided?
Authors: Pärssinen Olavi 
Published: January 2024

Myopia (short‐sightedness or near‐sightedness) is a condition of refraction where vision to distant is impaired. Axial elongation of the eye is the main anatomical cause of myopia.The prevalence of myopia has increased alarmingly fast globally. The estimation of WHO report was that in 2020 27% of world's population would be myopic, and if there will be no changes in the trend then by 2050 there would be 2.56 billion myopic people worldwide. Highest prevalence of myopia has been reported in many South and East Asian countries, where about 80% of the school leavers are myopic. Parental myopia increases the risks of myopia in their children, two myopic parents more than one. Genetic studies have been able to explain only small part of myopia, nor have been able to explain the differences in the prevalence between populations. Myopia relates to higher education, near work and higher occupational status and is mare rare in urban environment and in occupations where people work outdoors. In children myopia usually develop after they had begun attending school and is associated with more time spent on reading and near work and less time on outdoor activities.The major public health concerns connected with myopia are related to its complications. Myopia has become one of the main causes of vision loss due to complications, such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration and haemorrhage, choroidal neovascularization, and open angle glaucoma. The higher myopia is the higher is the risk of these complications. In countries where myopia is common, it is already a significant cause of low vision and blindness.In a Finnish study prevalence of myopia in 7‐ and 11‐year‐olds, was 0.5% and 3.3%, respectively, if daily near work did not exceed 1 h. Multiple regression model adjusted by sex, parental myopia and time spent outdoors, showed that 1 h increase in near work increased the risk of myopia 47% (95% CI 1.099–1.984, P = 0.010) and 35% (CI 1.170–1.548, P < 0.001), in 7‐ and 11‐year‐olds, respectively. Each hour spent outdoors adjusted by sex, parental myopia and time spent outdoors decreased their same risk by 24% (95% CI 0.533–1050, P = 0.096 and 0.648–0.000, P = 0.001, respectively). Higher prevalence of myopia in girls could mainly be explained by their more time spent in near work and less time outdoors.Plenty of long‐term near viewing, and short viewing distance, combined with low amount of time outdoors are risk factors for myopia. Avoiding these factors is more important the younger the child is. It is recommended that the daily time spent outdoors in children should be at least equal to near work time. Early school starting age, increases the risk of myopia and high myopia, and consequently risk for myopia related complications. Great educational stress in young children should be avoided.
Prevention and public awareness of myopia
Authors: Alvarez‐Peregrina Cristina 
Published: January 2024

Myopia has become a Public Health issue, with prevalence rates that depend on age and geographical area, reaching the highest values in Asia. Thus, a recent review on the prevalence of myopia in children, measured with cycloplegia, established that the prevalence ranges from 10% in Africa to 60% in Asia, increasing in all areas every year. These results show the importance of taking action to prevent myopia.The main factors with strong scientific evidence to prevent myopia are increasing outdoor time and decreasing near‐work activities.Public awareness is an essential factor to stop the increase in the prevalence rates of myopia. However, the increase in scientific literature does not give us information about the sensitivity of the general population on a specific topic.Through the internet search trends analysis, we can find out how much interest myopia has in the population, analysing the most concerned countries and how the related queries are being carried out and increased.Thus, if we look for the search trends with the word “myopia” as “term search” in the last 10 years, we can see how the number of searches is increasing, reaching the maximum in 2022. China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong lead the searches on the Internet, reflecting how the higher prevalence in these areas has generated a greater concern. Concerning related queries, we find a high growth in interest caused by the inclusion of myopia among the diseases of the international classification of diseases of the World Health Organization, ICD 10, with an increase of 2000% in the searches. This search suggests that people interested in myopia are looking for reliable sources to collect information. Finally, it is remarkable that in the review of the related queries, we did not find the term prevention among the most performed searches, and treatment, cure, or control are queries that are in positions 20, 21, and 26 of those searches.Compared with other of the most established eye pathologies in society, we can see as myopia is still behind them. For instance, if we compare the searches of the term myopia, with glaucoma or cataract, 61% of the web searches are related to glaucoma, 43% to cataracts, and only 16% corresponded to myopia.In conclusion, even though scientific evidence alerts us about the increase in the rates of myopia and the importance of working on its prevention, there is still a long way to reach society to generate a clear awareness of myopia and the consequences of not taking action to prevent it.
Challenges of glaucoma management in Kosovo
Authors: Daka Qëndresë , Kaja Amina , Maloku Edlirë , Hoti Faik 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Most glaucoma studies are focused on high‐income countries, with very few focused on low‐to‐medium‐income countries such Kosovo. The aim of this study is to present challenges of glaucoma management in Kosovo, a country with a population of 1.8 million and overall life expectancy of 76.7 years that does not have a social insurance system (1–3).Methods: Data are taken from official government documents, very few scientific publications, and individual experience.Results: National health care system in Kosovo is subsidized by the government, through taxation system that struggles from underfunding. A growing private sector operates with out‐of‐pocket payments in up to 33%, that are mainly spend on pharmaceuticals (4–6). There have been efforts to develop treatment protocols, however still clinical practice can be based on the individual preferences or historical practice (7–9).Glaucoma treatment is not an expectation. The reference centre is glaucoma department at the University Clinical Centre of Kosova (UCCK). Conservative glaucoma management is provided in seven regional hospitals and small private clinics through the country. However, many newer procedures are provided only in private hospitals, whereas conservative therapy is not imbursed by state. There is no special glaucoma fellowship programme and very few young ophthalmologists are interested to provide glaucoma care. In the absence of a generalized Health Information System (HIS), there are difficulties in obtaining glaucoma management data through the country, but many incentives and activities are taking places recently.Conclusion: There is a need for HIS in glaucoma clinics, development of care standards as well as extensive training and knowledge transfer among the staff. Shifting to evidence‐based approach management is challenging, however there is potential for improvement.
IOL exchange for positive and negative dysphotopsia
Authors: Luyten Gregorius 
Published: January 2024

Positive and negative dysphotopsia are complaints that sometimes occur after otherwise uneventful cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. In positive dysphotopsia (PD), artefacts such as glare and halos are experienced around light sources, especially in scotopic conditions. In negative dysphotopsia (ND), a dark shadow or crescent is experienced in the temporal visual field, especially in photopic conditions. An IOL‐exchange, especially with an larger sized IOL, is one of the therapies of both conditions.In this presentation, first the surgical technique to perform an IOL‐exchange will be presented. In short, the initially implanted IOL is removed through a small corneal incision (3.0 mm) after luxation of the IOL in the anterior chamber and cutting it in half before extraction. Subsequently, the new IOL is injected directly into the bag through the 3.0 mm corneal incision that was used for the removal of the initial IOL.Subsequently the clinical results of such an IOL‐exchange, with the Aspira‐aXA, a monofocal, 1‐piece hydrophilic acrylic IOL with an optic diameter of 7.0 mm, will be presented. In total, 20 eyes of 16 patients with pseudophakic dysphotopsia were included in the analysis. Nine eyes suffered from PD, ten eyes from ND, and one eye from both complaints. 15 out of 20 eyes (75%) showed complete resolution of complaints after the IOL exchange and four eyes (20%) showed a partial resolution. Postoperatively, in one eye vitreous loss occurred and resulted in cystoid macular edema, and another eye developed posterior capsular opacification, all treated successfully.As the bag‐to‐bag IOL exchange with a 7 mm IOL resulted in partial or complete resolution of positive and negative dysphotopsia in the majority of patients (95%), it is a potential treatment for patients with dysphotopsia.
Idiopathic epiretinal membrane and when to operate
Authors: Kontou Evgenia 
Published: January 2024

Idiopathic epiretinal membrane is a product of pathological processes during the progression of posterior vitreous detachment. Its incidence increases over time and reaches up to 34% of the population over 60 years of age, a rate that significantly increased after the introduction of spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) in daily clinical practice.Traditionally, the decision to intervene was mostly based on the balance between subjective patient complaints and the risks related to vitrectomy surgery itself and less on OCT imaging, especially since advanced epiretinal membranes as seen on OCT are often accompanied by remarkably good visual acuity. Additionally, unilateral incidence, could mask symptoms, depending on eye dominance. However, more recently, technological advances in posterior segment surgery, have significantly reduced the rate of post vitrectomy complications, leading to earlier surgical intervention practices.There is great literature debate concerning the determination of the right intervention timing for idiopathic epiretinal membrane. The most important predictive factors include preoperative visual acuity, the presence of metamorphopsia and impact on the quality of life.According to existing literature, natural progression of the disease leads to anatomical deterioration in a rate ranging from 17 to 39%. Factors related to faster deterioration include metamorphopsia and the presence of cystic formations in the inner layers of the retina on SD‐OCT.
We would like to especially recognize the creativity, energy, and substantive contributions from all women in ophthalmology and vision science! You have brought a fresh and much needed perspective to EVER
Authors: Audo Isabelle , Votruba Marcela , Tassignon Marie‐José , Soubrane Gisèle , Ou Yvonne 
Published: January 2024

We would like to especially recognize the creativity, energy, and substantive contributions from all women in ophthalmology and vision science! You have brought a fresh and much needed perspective to EVER.What Are the Biggest Problems Women Face Today?
The lack of women in positions of power. …
Patriarchy. …
Not enough women at the table. …
Sexism, racism and economic inequality. …
Trauma‐centered feminism. …
Access to equal opportunity. …
The lack of respect for caregiving. …
Navigating career and motherhood.
Mechanisms of ocular surface pain
Authors: Gallar Juana 
Published: January 2024

Ocular pain is evoked upon activation of a small number of nociceptive neurons located at the trigeminal ganglion whose peripheral projections profusely innervate the cornea and conjunctiva. In healthy conditions, nerve impulse activity originated at peripheral nerve endings of these primary sensory neurons in response to noxious or potentially noxious stimuli acting on the ocular surface travels centrally and reaches second‐order neurons located at the trigeminal brain stem complex. In turn, these brainstem neurons send their axons to the contralateral posterior thalamic nuclei, where the third neurons along the ocular nociceptive pathway are found. Thalamic neurons send their axons to the primary somatosensory area of the brain cortex and, after brain cortex processing if this sensory inflow, nociceptive pain sensation is experienced.The activity of ocular nociceptor neurons is modified under inflammation. Inflammatory mediators released at the ocular surface increase the excitability of the nerve terminals. As a result, the impulse response of primary nociceptor neurons to noxious stimuli is increased, which constitutes the basis of hyperalgesia and leads to pain and other sensations such as gritty eyes, foreign body sensation, etc. experienced under ocular inflammation.After a lesion (including surgery) or disease that affects any nerve or neuron of the ocular somatosensory pathway, the activity and connectivity of the neurons involved in ocular pain is altered, sometimes permanently. The excitability of damaged neurons is long‐lasting increased, leading to ocular dysesthesia and development of neuropathic pain referred to the eye.(Supported by PID2020‐115934RB‐I00 from DOI: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/50110001103, and CIPROM/2021/48 from the Generalitat Valenciana, Spain)
Treating corneal perforation related to neurotrophic keratitis
Authors: Nanavaty Mayank 
Published: January 2024

Aim of this presentation: To present various scenarios of impending and actual perforation in the background of neurotrophic keratitis and its understanding of its aetiology and management.Presentation: This will be aimed an intermediate and specialist level. The audience will gain insight into the aetiology of impending and actual perforation, history and diagnostics related to it. The audience will also learn about acute and long term management of this condition.