bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regenerative medicine in pterygium surgery
Authors: Palarie Natalia , Natalia Palii 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Pterygium is a frequently occurring eye condition that arises due to excessive cellular growth, resulting in the development of abnormal fibrovascular growth of the conjunctiva. Despite the improvement of surgical techniques, preventing postoperative recurrence continues to be a significant challenge. At present, pterygium excision using conjunctival autograft is the preferred surgical method, however there is no universally accepted technique to completely eliminate the risk of pterygium recurrence. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is an autologous blood product rich in proteins and growth factors which can be rapidly obtained from patient blood. Clinically, it is an affordable treatment with potentially broad spectrum of applications in ophthalmology especially in the treatment of complex corneal disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of autologous platelet‐rich plasma in the treatment of advanced pterygium and to compare it to conjunctival autograft technique.Methods: A total of 26 patients (31 eyes) with advanced pterygium were included in this study. Mean BCVA was 0.7. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical technique used: PRGF group (16 eyes) and conjunctival autograft group (15 eyes). All patients underwent excision of pterygium followed by closure of the bare sclera either by PRGF or conjunctival autograft. Solid PRGF was either just placed on the corneal surface or sutured with 2 nodes of 10–00 nylon suture at conjunctiva. If necessary, the procedure was repeated. All patients had corneal OCT scan and photo before the treatment and during the follow up. Patients were followed at 2, 6, 12 and 18 months after the procedure.Results: The mean surgery time was shorter in PRGF group (15.0 ± 2 min) compared to conjunctival autograft group (35.0 ± 5 min) (p = 0.001). Mean BCVA improved to 0.8 in both groups. The recurrence was observed in 2 eyes of conjunctival autograft group, while none of the eyes showed recurrence in PRGF group. Graft loss was observed in 2 cases in PRGF group and in 1 eye in conjunctival autograft group. None of the patients reported general or local side effects of the treatment.Conclusions: PRGF is a simple, fast, reliable and effective therapeutic tool to promote wound healing and prevent recurrence after advance pterygium excision.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cell‐derived secretome ameliorates neuropathic corneal pain
Authors: Hamrah Pedram , Kenyon Brendan , Qiu Fangfang , Harris Deshea 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Prior work from our group has demonstrated a role for plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in corneal nerve homeostasis. Herein, we sought to determine if pDC‐derived secretome could be used for the treatment of neuropathic corneal pain.Methods: The BDCA2‐DTR transgenic mice, in which pDCs can be selectively depleted result in subsequent nerve degeneration, were utilized for ex vivo electrophysiology studies. Animals were treated with pDC secretome drops, beginning 1 day after initial depletion. Electrophysiologic recordings were taken at day 3 post‐depletion analysed. A ciliary nerve ligation model of neuropathic corneal pain (NCP), was used to assess the therapeutic potential of pDC secretome. Spontaneous and evoked pain responses were assessed by palpebral opening measurements and hyperosmolar saline, respectively.Results: There was a significant reduction in cooling threshold following pDC depletion, which was rescued by pDC secretome treatment (26.85 ± 0.65°C vs. 29.52 ± 0.42°C; p < 0.05), restoring the cooling threshold to control levels (29.21 ± 0.51). Furthermore, nerve terminal exhaustion was reduced following pDC depletion and rescued by pDC secretome treatment (0.55 ± 0.08 vs. 1.11 ± 0.10; p < 0.01). Spontaneous pain responses were worse in the vehicle‐treated compared to pDC secretome‐treated group (0.67 ± 0.03 vs. 0.85 ± 0.02; p < 0.001). Similarly, evoked pain responses were worse in the vehicle‐treated compared to pDC secretome‐treated group (30.25 ± 1.50 wipes/30 sec vs. 15.38 ± 1.29; p < 0.0001).Conclusions: Herein, we demonstrate that pDC secretome restores normal functioning of corneal cold receptors. Importantly, in a translational model of NCP, pDC secretome treatment improved both spontaneous and evoked pain responses. Thus, pDC secretome is a viable therapeutic modality for further development and may hold promise in treatment of NCP and other corneal nerve related diseases.Reference1. Jamali A, Kenyon B, Ortiz G, Abou‐Slaybi A, Sendra VG, Harris DL, Hamrah P. Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in the Eye. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 80: 100877.2. Jamali A, Hu K, Sendra VG, Blanco T, Qazi Y, Zheng L, Turhan A, Hamrah P. Characterization of Resident Corneal Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Their Pivotal Role in Herpes Simplex Keratitis. Cell Rep 2020; 32: 108099.
Polihexanide 0.8 mg/mL eyedrops as new treatment for severe Acanthamoeba keratitis
Authors: De Gregorio Chiara , Laborante Mariateresa , De Luca Andrea , Di Zazzo Antonio , Coassin Marco 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Novel effective medical therapy for Acanthamoeba Keratitis.Methods: Interventional observational case series. Compassionate use of Polihexanide 0.8 mg/mL in 2 Acanthamoeba keratits (AK) patients. Two cases of diagnosed Acanthamoeba keratitis were unsuccessfully treated with Poliexamidine biguanide 0.02% and propamidine 0.1% applied hourly then tapered weekly. Clinical worsening was observed up to 4 weeks. Compassionate use of Polihexanide 0.8 mg/mL eyedrops was started.Results: Corneal infection healed completely after 1 month in first case, and after 2 months of therapy in the second case. Corneal opacities and neovascularization decreased slowly, while BCVA (best corrected visual acuity) slightly and progressively increased per 3 months, and no infection recurred.Conclusions: AK is a painful, long‐lasting (12 months) infection that drastically reduces a patient's quality of life. Polihexanide 0.8 mg/mL monotherapy lowers illness duration, chance of recurrence, and need for surgery in high risk settings, improving visual outcomes and quality of life.
Significative effect of COVID‐19 confinement on the evolution of myopia in children and young people in Spain
Authors: Recalde Sergio , Irigoyen Cristina , De la Puente Miriam , de la Viesca María Fraga , Gonzalez‐Zamora Jorge , Bilbao‐Malavé Valentina , Bezunartea Jaione , Hernandez Maria , de Viteri Manuel Saenz , Barrio Jesús , Fernandez‐Robredo Patricia , Layana Alfredo García 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse whether the changes in habits during the pandemic confinement have resulted in a significantly greater increase in the dioptres (D) of children and young people compared to those of another year prior to the pandemic Confinement (PC). Moreover, CUVAF, as an objective measure of time spent outdoors, was also investigated in this cohort.Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out using three different cohorts of participants, one of children (9–17 years old), second one of young people (18–25 years old) and finally, adults (>25 years old) with some degree of myopia (<−0.75D). All of them with at least 3 annual graduation visits (two before March 2020 and one after June 2020). All participants underwent an automatic objective refraction, colour fundus photographs, and CUVAF area picture and measured the area with Fiji programme. All the participants filled out a questionnaire of life style and myopia history. For all statistical analyses, corrected p values <0.05 (two‐tailed) were considered statistically significant using Graphpad 8.0.1 Software.Results: A total of 234 participants were recruited, 138 were children, 80 young people and 16 adults. The data showed that during the PC the 3 cohorts (children, youth and adults) decreased outdoor activities in similar high percentages (78%, 73% and 65% respectively) and similar indoor activities increased (80%, 83% and 75%). However, the children's graduation increased on average 0.51 D (SD ± 0.09) before PC and after PC increase 1.02 D (SD ± 0.11) with high significant increase (p < 0.0001). In the young, the increase was 0.33 D (SD 0.08) before PC and 0.61 (SD ± 0.09) after that (p > 0.01) and in adults it remained stable. There were no differences in the increase in D between children with and without CUVAF during PC, although those who had CUVAF started with lower gains (0.3 D) compared to those who did not (0.5 D) (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The change in habits during the confinement of COVID‐19, with a drastic decrease in outdoor activities and an increase in indoor activities, has led to a significant increase in dioptres in young people and children, being much more pronounced in children. The CUVAF is a valid biomarker to measure the risk of myopia associated with outdoor activities.
Biofeedback fixation training as an important tool to supplement strabismic amblyopia treatment in aduls—preliminary results
Authors: Maneschg Otto Alexander , Barboni Mirella , Killik Petra , Bankó Éva Maria , Németh János , Nagy Zoltán Zsolt 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Fixation stability may be a biomarker of strabismus and amblyopia recurrence after strabismus surgery and therapeutic interventions to improve visual acuity in amblyopic eyes, respectively. We have recently shown that it is possible to improve fixation stability in adult amblyopic eyes after strabismus surgery using microperimetric biofeedback fixation training (BFT). In this study we evaluated the effects of BFT on fixation stability influencing monocular and binocular visual functions in adult patients with amblyopia.Methods: Participants were 18 patients with monocular amblyopia (mean age = 35.2 ± 9.8 years; 6 females, 3 anisometropic, 5 strabismic and 10 mixed amblyopia). BFT has been applied monocularly to 13 amblyopic eyes either on the spontaneous preferential retinal locus (PRL) or to a fixation area close to the PRL. The other five subjects did not undergo BFT (control group). Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA near and distance), monocular (PRL) and dichoptic contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and fixation stability (BCEA 68%) were measured three times: baseline, after 10 and after 20 BFT sessions or twice within 6 months interval for the controls.Results: Baseline fixation stability correlated positively with monocular amblyopic BCVA and CSF, especially in the high frequency range, whereas it was positively associated with dichoptic amblyopic CSF only in the low frequency range, most likely reflecting binocular imbalance. Preliminary results showed that BFT applied to amblyopic eyes improved fixation stability and visual functions. However, some clinical conditions may be required to achieve significant changes.Conclusions: BFT applied to adult amblyopic eyes is a new potential approach to aid in the treatment of suppresive amblyopia in adult patients. Critical pre‐treatment fixational and/or sensorial criteria associated with satisfactory therapeutic effects of BFT on amblyopia remains to be investigated.
Visual function changes along the continuum of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Elvira‐Hurtado Lorena , López‐Cuenca Inés , de Hoz Rosa , Salas Mario , Sánchez‐Puebla Lidia , Matamoros José A. , Fernández‐Albarral José A. , Salazar Juan Jose , Gil Pedro , Mestú Fernando , Ramirez Jose Manuel , Salobrar‐Garcia Elena 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is manifested by a gradual transition from a preclinical phase, characterized by asymptomatic pathological alterations, to an advanced phase of AD accompanied by cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to explore visual function along the entire AD continuum.Methods: Each participant underwent a comprehensive visual examination, with only visually healthy individuals being selected for the study. The study comprised the following groups: controls (n = 53), positive family history of AD (FH+) (n = 13), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (n = 23), mild AD (n = 25), and moderate AD (n = 21). The study analysed the results of visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS).Results: A significant reduction in VA was identified between the control group and the MCI, mild AD and moderate AD groups. CS showed significant changes in all cognitive impairment groups compared to the control group and the FH+ group at spatial frequencies of 12 and 18 cpd. In contrast, significant differences were only observed at spatial frequencies of 3 and 6 cpd between the cognitively impaired groups, starting from moderate AD, with no detectable decrease in CS during the MCI phase. No differences were detected between the control group and the FH+ group. The tests showed a positive correlation with the Mini Mental State Examination score and exhibited a favourable predictive ability in the presence of memory impairment, with higher predictive performance observed in the advance stages of AD.Conclusions: The presence of alterations in VA and CS can be observed as early as the MCI stage in individuals with AD. Recognizing the continuum of AD holds significant significance in early detection, with visual examination offering a straightforward and cost‐effective diagnostic tool for AD. Healthcare professionals can leverage this knowledge to gain a better understanding of the progressive nature of the disease.
The ganglion cell complex thickness and visual function in leber hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Hedström Johan , Nilsson Maria , Engvall Martin , Venkataraman Abinaya 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To evaluate the ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness using the Iowa Reference Segmentation Algorithm in individuals with chronic Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and to assess its relation to visual acuity, visual field sensitivity, and Estermann score.Methods: In this study, a total of 17 patients (34 eyes) aged 16–72 with chronic LHON were enrolled. Visual acuity, visual fields, and Optic coherence tomography (OCT) were performed. Visual fields was evaluated with Estermann and a custom central 30‐degree test, both performed monocularly with the Octopus 900 Haag‐Streit Diagnostics. OCT imaging was performed using a Canon OCT HS‐100 to measure the retinal ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness. The raw OCT images were exported to IOWA Reference Algorithm and the GCC segmentation was rechecked and manually recorrected if needed. The thickness obtained from the Iowa Reference Algorithms was analysed and compared against the automated segmentation provided by the OCT's inbuilt segmentation algorithm. The correlation between the GCC thickness from 9 ETDRS sectors and the visual function were analysed.Results: On average the automated segmentation overestimated GCC thickness by 23.8 μm for all sectors. Macular central GCC correlated significantly with both visual field sensitivity and Estermann points missed (r = −0.486 and −0.396 respectively). Macular middle sector GCC thickness correlated significantly with visual acuity and visual field sensitivity (r = −0.586 and −0.396 respectively). GCC thickness in outer macular sector correlated significantly only with visual acuity (r = −0.471).Conclusions: In patients with chronic LHON, GCC thickness in central and middle sectors of macula correlates well with the visual function. OCT imaging and precise ganglion cell thickness evaluations in the macula can provide useful information about the structural damage and level of visual impairment in chronic LHON patients.
Long‐term efficacy of idebenone in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy in the LEROS study: Analysing change in visual acuity over time according to age at symptom onset
Authors: Llòria Xavier , Yu‐Wai‐Man Patrick , Carelli Valerio , Tomasso Livia , Klopstock Thomas 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a mitochondrial disease leading to progressive, bilateral vision loss. Childhood‐onset LHON has a relatively good prognosis, suggesting that age at onset influences disease progression and potential response to treatment. In LEROS, a Phase IV, open‐label interventional study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02774005), visual acuity (VA) outcomes following 24 months of idebenone treatment (IDE) were compared to those of a Natural History (NH) cohort.Methods: LEROS included patients aged ≥12 years with a disease onset ≤5 years prior. Data from 181 patients were compared to retrospective data from a NH cohort (N = 372), matched by time since symptom onset. Here, we compare the difference in least squares‐mean VA change, or delta VA, from baseline to Month 24 in treated eyes versus those in the NH cohort (a negative value favours IDE). Eyes were stratified by time since symptom onset at baseline: subacute/dynamic (≤1 year) and chronic (>1 year) phase, and by age at symptom onset (<18 years, ≥18 years).Results: In treated subacute/dynamic eyes from the <18 years group (n = 22 IDE), delta VA was +0.38 logMAR (p = 0.020) relative to the NH cohort (n = 22). In the chronic phase, delta VA was −0.08 logMAR (n = 16 IDE vs n = 37 NH eyes; p = 0.405). In subacute/dynamic eyes from the ≥18 years group, delta VA was −0.18 logMAR (n = 99 IDE vs n = 53 NH; p = 0.060). In the chronic phase, delta VA was −0.21 logMAR (n = 100 IDE vs n = 56 NH; p < 0.001).Conclusions: In eyes of patients ≥18 years at symptom onset, VA improvement at Month 24 was greater in idebenone‐treated versus untreated NH eyes. Treatment benefit was particularly apparent in the chronic phase, corresponding to >10 additional letters on the ETDRS chart. In subacute/dynamic eyes, spontaneous VA recovery was unexpectedly high in the NH cohort. In chronic eyes from patients <18 years, a non‐significant trend favouring idebenone was observed.
The characterization of a new murine model of central areolar choroidal dystrophy showed that both cones and rods were affected by R195L mutation in peripherin‐2
Authors: Pastor María José Ruiz , Saez Xavier Sanchez , Kutsyr Oksana , Albertos‐Arranz Henar , Castillo Carla Sánchez , Ortuno‐Lizaran Isabel , Vidal Lorena , Martínez‐Gil Natalia , Maneu Victoria , Lax Pedro , Cuenca Nicolas 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD) is a rare hereditary disease that leads to progressive retinal and choriocapillaris degeneration and vision loss. In Spain, there is a family suffering this disease, since they carry the mutation p.Arg195Leu in PRPH2. Our team have generated a mouse model of CACD carrying the same mutation as the Spanish patients. Our aim was to characterize the progression of CACD in the retina structurally and morphologically in this new murine model.Methods: We studied the model C57BL/6J‐Prph2em1Sal by electroretinography, optomotor test, optical coherence tomography (OCT), immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to assess the structural and morphological alteration of the retina during the progression of the disease in Prph2WT/WT, Prph2WT/KI, and Prph2KI/KI mice.Results: A progressive retinal degeneration was found affecting the retina of both Prph2WT/KI and Prph2KI/KI mice models. We observed a significantly decreased retinal function from 3 months of age in Prph2KI/KI and 6 months of age in Prph2WT/KI, that was correlated with a progressive degeneration of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) shown by OCT images. The Prph2KI/KI mice showed a degeneration of photoreceptors with a reduction in the ONL thickness from 3 months of age, and a severe decrease in the number of photoreceptor rows at 6 months of age. The Prph2WT/KI, however, showed a slower decrease in the ONL thickness, starting from 6 months of age. Additionally, we found unstructured and shortened photoreceptor outer segments as evidenced by immunofluorescence against peripherin, rhodopsin and cone‐arrestin. Moreover, TEM images confirmed an abnormal stacking of photoreceptor discs.Conclusions: The generated model is useful for the study of CACD. Moreover, the p.Arg195Leu mutation in PRPH2 causes the alteration of the outer segments first, triggering the degeneration of both cones and rods.
De novo pigmentation of amelanotic retinal pigment epithelium – An ex vivo model
Authors: Gupta Santosh , Lytvynchuk Lyubomyr , Ardan Taras , Studenovska Hana , Znaor Ljubo , Erceg Slaven , Stieger Knut , Motlik Jan , Petrovski Goran 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) cells perform critical functions in the visual cycle. Their melanin pigmentation, which is organized into specialized compartments ‐ melanosomes, is highly critical for proper vision. We hereby show an ex vivo model for de novo pigmentation of RPE cells.Methods: A chemical method to induce pigmentation in a non‐pigment model of ARPE‐19 cells was applied using L‐DOPA as a repurposed drug from the current treatment of Parkinson's disease.Results: L‐DOPA was optimized for its toxic effect on ARPE‐19 cells along with pigmentation development. We found 1000 μM L‐DOPA to start inducing pigmentation of RPEs by Day 3, and achieve full pigmentation by Day 5. The gene expression of RPE‐specific markers (Tyrosinase, CRALBP, PEDF) was significantly higher in L‐DOPA‐treated ARPE‐19 compared to non‐treated ones. Positive expression for Tyrosinase was confirmed by ICC at both Day 3 and Day 5 of L‐DOPA treatment. Transmission electron microscopy showed the de novo melanosome formation with ultrastructural features of various stages of maturity (Stage I to IV), apical‐basal polarity, and melanosomes localization on the apical side of the RPEs in the L‐DOPA treated cells.Conclusions: Our study showed that L‐DOPA treatment could induce de novo melanosome formation in amelanotic RPE cells.Keywords: RPE, Melanosomes, L‐DOPA, Pigmentation.
A colour Vision Test – Comparing results between computer screens
Authors: Gomes Andreia , Linhares Joao , Alves Paulo Jorge , Monteiro José , Nascimento Sérgio 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: A colour vision test was developed to run on web browser without specific hardware. It can estimate observers' colour vision thresholds, response times and eye movements with a webcam. The aim of this work was to compare the chromatic thresholds (CT) obtained for normal colour vision observers when estimated on calibrated and uncalibrated computer screens.Methods: Four squares with random luminance noise were presented on a uniform grey background. One square was randomly selected to present a colour with a particular hue and saturation. Twenty‐six hues were tested on or near the dichromatic confusion lines. CT for each hue were estimated after a staircase procedure, and by computing the colour difference between the observers' CT and the reference white of the screen in use. The observers' task was to point and select the coloured square with the computer mouse. Two conditions were considered: a condition where the uncalibrated screen of the participants' laptop was used (L), and a condition using a screen calibrated in colour and luminance (D). The setup for D condition was equal across observers ensuring the same stimulus size and colour, observers' distance to screen and dark environment. The setup for L condition was uncontrolled but observers were guided towards providing information about pixel size, using a dark environment, disabling screen night light mode, using a laptop screen, and ensuring that screen brightness and zoom were adequate.Results: 48 normal colour vision observers performed this test on D condition, while a subset of 45 observers repeated this test on L condition. CT were averaged across observers for both conditions. It was found that CT are comparable across different screens and correlatable with traditional colour vision tests. It was also found that hues at degrees 157°,162°,167°,179°,185° and 347° had statistical differences (p < 0.05) when comparing conditions L and D.Conclusions: These results seem to indicate that the assumptions made to run the colour vision test on unknown computer screens with the instructions given, may be sufficient to obtain CT comparable to traditional colour vision tests, even if the test was done in non‐controlled conditions.