bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating combination therapies for myopia control: Insights from a retrospective study‐combining atropine %0.05 with peripheric defocus progressive addition lenses
Authors: Akagun Nilay , Altiparmak Emrah 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to assess the additive effect of combining Myopi‐X progressive addition lenses with 0.05% atropine therapy compared to monotherapies with either Myopi‐X lenses or 0.05% atropine alone.Methods: Clinical records of patients using Myopi‐X lenses (Group 1), receiving atropine 0.05% eye drop treatment (Group 2), and undergoing combined Myopi‐X lenses and atropine 0.05% eye drop treatment (Group 3) were reviewed. Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, spherical equivalent (SE), and axial length (AL), were analyzed. Changes in SE and AL at 12 months were assessed.Results: The study comprised 76 eyes of 38 patients. At baseline, the groups were similar in age, SE, and AL. At 12 months, no significant difference was observed in SE change among the groups. However, the atropine 0.05% group showed less SE progression compared to the Myopi‐X group (p = 0.01). No significant difference was noted between Myopi‐X and Myopi‐X plus atropine 0.05% groups. Similarly, no significant difference in AL change was found among the groups at 12 months.Conclusions: Combining Myopi‐X PALs with 0.05% atropine therapy did not exhibit an additive effect on individual treatment efficacy compared to monotherapies. The findings suggest that monotherapy may be preferred for myopia control, highlighting the need for further research to optimize treatment strategies. This study contributes to the limited literature on combination therapies for myopia control.References
Erdinest N, London N, Lavy I, Levinger N, Pras E, Morad Y. Myopia control utilizing low‐dose atropine as an isolated therapy or in combination with other optical measures: A retrospective cohort study. Taiwan J Ophthalmol. 2022 Aug 1;13(2):231‐237.
Nucci P, Lembo A, Schiavetti I, Shah R, Edgar DF, Evans BJW. A comparison of myopia control in European children and adolescents with defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) spectacles, atropine, and combined DIMS/atropine. PLoS One. 2023 Feb 16;18(2):e0281816.
Erdinest N, Atar‐Vardi M, London N, Landau D, Smadja D, Pras E, Lavy I, Morad Y. Treatment of Rapid Progression of Myopia: Topical Atropine 0.05% and MF60 Contact Lenses. Vision. 2024; 8(1):3.
Peripheral defocus spectacle lenses versus single‐vision spectacle lenses for myopia control: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lima João Pedro , Vital Flávia Maria , Cardoso Júlia Vargas Moreira Pillar 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: Myopic children wearing traditional single‐vision lenses (SVL) will continue to increase in nearsightedness as eye growth occurs. However, peripheral defocus lenses (PDL) are specialized spectacles based on the retinal‐defocus theory, designed to slow down the progression of myopia. Therefore, we aimed to perform a meta‐analysis exploring the effectiveness of PDL and SVL in controlling myopia.Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, Epistemonikos and BVS for studies comparing the PDL to SVL in children and adolescents with myopia. Outcomes were spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL). The RoB 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias.Results: We included 673 patients from 5 randomized clinical trials. PDL was used to control myopia in 403 (59,9%) patients. The mean age was 9.4 years old. Follow‐up ranged from 6 to 12 months. In the pooled analysis, the SER (RR 4.41; 95% CI 1.76, 11.08; I2 = 0%) and AL (RR 28.10; 95% CI 5.57, 141.58; I2 = 18%) was lower in patients using PDL compared to SVL. In the segment analysis, all segments showed a deceleration of the SER of PDL when compared to SVL. The 6 month was the only one to show a result with low heterogeneity (WMD ‐0.19; 95% CI ‐0.26, ‐0.13; I2 = 21%). The analysis at 12 months showed substantial heterogeneity (WMD ‐0.35; 95% CI ‐0.44, ‐0.26; I2 = 57%). When analyzing AL, it can be seen that PDL grows less than SVL in all the segments analyzed. The differences between 6 months (WMD 0.11; 95% CI 0.22, 0.19; I2 = 88%) and 12 months (WMD 0.14; 95% CI 0.10, 0.17; I2 = 70%) were small and with significant heterogeneity.Conclusions: PDLs were associated with more effectiveness at slowing down the progression of myopia, as assessed by both spherical equivalent and axial growth. The substantial heterogeneity between the studies suggests the need for additional research without conflict of interest bias to confirm these results and understand the variations in the effects of the different PDL designs.
Performance comparison of peripheral defocus spectacle lenses
Authors: Lembo Andrea , Schiavetti Irene , Serafino Massimiliano , Caputo Roberto , Nucci Paolo 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of myopia control spectacle lenses with Highly Aspherical Lenslets (HAL) to Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) in European children with progressive myopia after 12M & 24M of lens usage.Methods: In this retrospective study, data from 146 progressive myopic patients (73 treated with DIMS vs. 73 treated with HAL), aged 6‐17 years (mean age ±SD, 11.3±2.36) with Spherical Equivalent Refraction (SER) between ‐0.50D to ‐9.25D and no associated ocular pathology were included. Spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline, 12M and 24M.Results: The mean change in SER from baseline to 12M and baseline to 24M for the HAL and DIMS groups were ‐0.30±0.30D and ‐0.34±0.46D (12M) and ‐0.63±0.56D and ‐0.50±0.64D (24M), respectively. The mean difference was ‐0.04 (95%CI: ‐0.17 ‐ 0.08) at 12M and ‐0.13 (95%CI: ‐0.07 ‐ 0.32) with no statistically significant difference between the two groups both at 12M and 24M (Mann‐Whitney U Test, p = 0.80 and p = 0.05 respectively). The mean change in AL from baseline to 12M and baseline to 24M for the HAL and DIMS groups were 0.15±0.47mm and 0.19±0.56mm (12M) and 0.32±0.72mm and 0.29±0.63mm (24M), respectively. The mean difference was 0.04 (95%CI: ‐0.13 ‐ 0.21) and ‐0.03 (95%CI: ‐0.25 ‐ 0.19) with no statistically significant difference between the two groups both at 12M and 24 M (Mann‐Whitney U Test, p = 0.34 and p = 0.71 respectively).Conclusions: Data from these retrospective analyses demonstrate and highlight that both optical interventions are effective in controlling myopia progression at 12M and 24M (i.e. non‐inferiority of DIMS vs. HAL) in European children with progressive myopia.
Efficacy of topical insulin for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects: A case series
Authors: Mancini Alessandra , Mancini Maura , Scorcia Vincenzo , Aragona Pasquale , Taloni Andrea , Bifezzi Luca , Giannaccare Giuseppe 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: This study aims to report the successful clinical outcomes achieved in cases of refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects through the utilization of insulin eye drops.Methods: This case series, conducted in three University Centers, included patients with persistent epithelial defects (PEDs) refractory to conventional treatment. The participants were treated with Insulin eye drops (1 unit per mL) 4 times a day in all cases. Demographic data, etiology of PED, corneal sensitivity, previous treatments, area of epithelial defect over time (using imageJ software), and healing rate were examined.Results: Twelve eyes of eleven patients (6 male, 5 female, mean age 54 ±14.83 years) affected by epithelial defects refractory to conventional medical therapy were included. Each patient received topical insulin drops (1 unit per mL) 4 times a day. At T0, the mean area of the corneal epithelial defects was 19.64 ± 16.4 mm2 while corneal sensitivity was absent in 10 out 12 cases. Complete corneal re‐epithelialization occurred in 12 out 12 cases (100%) within 15 to 30 days of therapy. Neither adverse events nor episodes of recurrence were reported during follow‐up visits.Conclusions: Topical insulin represents as an easy to obtain, inexpensive and effective treatment for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical efficacy and side effect profile of this treatment.
Factors associated with the speed of response to perfluorohexyloctane eye drops (SHR8058) in dry eye disease associated with meibomian gland dysfunction: A post‐hoc analysis of a randomised, phase 3 trial
Authors: Gu Hao 
Published: January 2025

Aim: In a randomised, double‐masked, phase 3 trial, perfluorohexyloctane eye drops (SHR8058) significantly improved signs and symptoms compared to 0.6% sodium chloride (NaCl) in patients (pts) with dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Here, we present a post‐hoc analysis of this phase 3 trial to identify factors associated with the speed of sign and symptom responses to SHR8058.Methods: Adult pts with DED associated with MGD were randomized 1: 1 to receive SHR8058 or 0.6% NaCl 4 times daily for 57 days. In this post‐hoc analysis, pts were divided into rapid‐ and non‐rapid‐response groups based on the speed of sign or symptom response to SHR8058. Rapid response was defined as a response in total corneal fluorescein staining (tCFS) scores ( ≥ 3 reduction from baseline) at day 29 for signs and in eye dryness scores (EDS, ≥ 30% reduction from baseline) at day 15 for symptoms.Results: A total of 143 pts who responded to SHR8058 in either signs or symptoms were included in this analysis, with 90 pts in the rapid‐response group for signs and 51 for symptoms. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline tCFS score (OR 1.4, 90% CI 1.06–1.74, p = 0.040) was significantly associated with a rapid response for signs, and none of the other baseline factors showed an association (all p > 0.05), including age, sex, DED‐related eye symptoms, EDS, sticky feeling, burning/stinging sensation, foreign body sensation, itchiness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, pain, awareness of DED symptoms, frequency of dryness, ocular surface disease index scores, tear film breakup time, MGD scores, Schirmer I test results, menopause and refractive error. However, none of the above factors were correlated with rapid response for symptoms (all p > 0.05).Conclusions: In pts with DED associated with MGD, baseline tCFS score is markedly associated with sign response speed to SHR8058, whereas no baseline factor shows an association with symptom response speed.
Tear substitutes and native tear protein interaction. A pilot study to evaluate possible chemical structural interferences
Authors: Astolfi Gloria , Ponzini Erika , Orlando Marco , Tavazzi Silvia , Versura Piera 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: The loss of ocular surface homeostasis leads to the Dry Eye Disease (DED) onset. Although tear substitutes are the front‐line treatment for DED, recent advances suggest new therapeutic approaches to modulate the different mechanisms leading to the ocular surface impairment [1]. For this reason, there is a need to better understand the specific interactions between the new formulations and the native components of the tears. This pilot study is focused on assessing the chemical stability of two major human tear proteins, lysozyme C (LYS‐C) and lactoferrin (Lf), after the contact with formulations containing trehalose (Thealoz Duo, A) and trehalose plus N‐acetyl‐aspartyl‐glutamic acid (Thealoz Total, B).Methods: Human LYS‐C and Lf (Sigma) were resuspended in saline, incubated at 37°C with A and B previously diluted to simulate the final concentration in a real‐life condition, up to 2 hours. The chemical structures of LYS‐C and Lf were analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) (J‐815, Jasco) as alone, and after the incubation with A and B, with blank subtraction performed on saline.Results: Data from CD showed that the contribution of both formulations had no impact on the structural conformation change of both LYS‐C and Lf. The spectra of the protein structures remained unchanged showing a chemically matched profile of the secondary structure elements in native proteins (Wavelength 208‐222 nm). Further studies will be focused on assessing if protein stability could be affected after longer incubation times.Conclusions: Thealoz Duo and Thealoz Total did not produce any conformational change in native LYS‐C and Lf. Data suggest that analysis of possible chemical interactions with the native tear proteins could be of benefit during the process of new tear substitute formulation.References
Barabino, S et al.“Dry eye disease treatment: the role of tear substitutes, their future, and an updated classification.” Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.2020; 24(17): 8642‐8652.
The burden of medical contraindications to corneal donation: Time for review
Authors: Thuret Gilles , Cortez Oliver Dorado , Poinard Sylvain , Magali Epinat , Fanny Collange , Ninotta Sandrine , Perrot Jean Luc , Gain Philippe 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: The risk of transmission of systemic diseases from donor to recipient is particularly low, since in 50 years and 2.5 million transplants, only 8 cases of rabies, 2 cases of hepatitis B and 2 cases of Creuzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) have been well documented. Conversely, other cases of rabies, HIV, hep C, hep B and CJD have not been transmitted. Nevertheless, the list of contraindications (CI) to donation also includes diseases for which no risk has been identified: neurodegenerative diseases, haematological malignancies, melanomas, tumours of the central nervous system and carcinomatous meningitis and lymphangitis.Methods: In order to measure the precise impact of these CI, we analyzed 45 months of exhaustive data from the hospital coordination for organ and tissue procurement at St‐Etienne University Hospital (2020‐2023). All stages of donor selection were analysed.Results: Out of 2349 consecutive potential donors, 1346 (57%) had a CI to donation. Neurodegenerative diseases were the most frequent, accounting for 29% of CIs. Of these, 75% were related to cognitive disorders. The 5 families of diseases that we question concerned 712 donors, corresponding to 30% of the files examined and 53% of all CIs. Of the 1003 deceased without CI, 738 families (74%) were contacted. No objection to donation was received in 52% of cases, enabling 385 procurements to be carried out. Eliminating these 5 CIs would have increased the number of donors by 71% (658 instead of 385).Conclusions: Eliminating 5 categories of CI to corneal donation that are not based on any medical or scientific rationale would have a major effect on reducing the shortage of donors and combating corneal blindness. We propose that this elimination should be accompanied by a prospective evaluation process, by allocating the corneas of these donors to patients aged 75 and over, and by monitoring them for a minimum of 5 years.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide counteracts high glucose‐induced inflammation in corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Maugeri Grazia , D'Amico Agata Grazia , Magrì Benedetta , D'Agata Velia 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: The purpose of the current work was to evaluate the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) to counteract inflammatory events characterizing diabetic keratopathy (DK).Methods: Rabbit corneal epithelial cells (SIRCs) were cultured in either normal glucose (5 mM) or high glucose (25 mM) ± PACAP (100 nM). The corneal epithelial barrier was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The inflammatory event was evaluated by analyzing the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1ß, and nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐kB), through western blot analysis, ELISA and immunofluorescence analysis.Results: In SIRCs, high glucose concentration led to the alteration of corneal epithelial barrier integrity and triggered the inflammatory events as demonstrated by the overexpression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and the activation of NF‐kB. The treatment with PACAP markedly restored corneal epithelial barrier integrity. Moreover, the treatment with the peptide significantly reduced the TNF‐α and IL‐1β cytokines expression and NF‐κB activation.Conclusions: Inflammation is enhanced in the diabetic cornea, and concurs with corneal epithelial barrier alteration. PACAP treatment has been shown to prevent high glucose‐induced inflammatory processes and maintain corneal epithelial barrier integrity. Therefore, PACAP therapy may represent a useful approach for the management of DK.Additional information: Study funded by MUR (PRIN PNRR P2022JRBMB).Reference
Maugeri G et al. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171107.
Impact of residual stromal thickness on the outcomes of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty
Authors: Taloni Andrea , Alessio Giuseppe , Romeo Maria Angela , Bifezzi Luca , Mancini Alessandra , Rossi Costanza , Borselli Massimiliano , Giannaccare Giuseppe , Scorcia Vincenzo , Lucisano Andrea , Scalzo Giovanna Carnovale 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: To analyze how postoperative outcomes of manual deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) are influenced by the thickness of the residual stromal bed of the recipient, and to explore predictive factors for this parameter.Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients affected by keratoconus undergone manual DALK. Best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) and tomographic parameters were evaluated preoperatively (T0) and postoperatively after complete suture removal (1 year, T1). The residual stromal bed of the recipient at T1 was assessed using the “flap thickness” module of CASIA SS‐1000 optical coherence tomography (Tomey, Tokyo, Japan). Measurements were performed at the center of the graft and at 12 peripheral points, 2 mm inside the margin of the corneal graft, along 6 different meridians equally spaced at 30 degrees. Then, mean peripheral thickness was calculated.Results: Data from 40 eyes undergone manual DALK were evaluated. BSCVA significantly improved at T1 (1.11 ± 0.55 LogMAR [95% CI, 0.94‐1.28] vs 0.17 ± 0.16 LogMAR [95% CI, 0.12‐0.22]). A significant linear correlation was found between postoperative BSCVA and the mean apical thickness of the residual stromal bed (72.85 ± 27.77 μm [95% CI, 64.24‐81.46]; r = 0.48, p = 0.002), but not with the mean peripheral thickness of the residual stromal bed (78.47 ± 25.32 μm [95% CI, 70.62‐86.31]; r = 0.28, p = 0.09). Multivariate regression analysis found mean posterior and anterior keratometry (K) readings of the axial power map to be the strongest predictive factors for the apical thickness of the residual stromal bed (R2 = 0.32, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Postoperative BSCVA is significantly correlated with the apical thickness of the residual stromal bed. The preoperative mean posterior and anterior K readings may be predictors of the postoperative apical thickness of the residual stromal bed.
Comparison of two commercial media for corneal organ culture and deswelling: CorneaMax/CorneaJet versus Tissue‐C/Carry C
Authors: He Zhiguo , Ninotta Sandrine , Toubeau David , Sagnial Tomy , Poinard Sylvain , Cortez Oliver Dorado , Goin Paul , Gain Philippe , Muraine Marc , Thuret Gilles 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: Corneal storage in organ culture (OC) at 31‐34°C is the reference method in Europe. In France, eye banks have traditionally used CorneaMax/CorneaJet media (Eurobio, Les Ulis, France) for several decades. Recently, Tissue‐C/Carry‐C media (Alchimia‐Moria, Antony, France) became available. This study aims at comparing the quality of corneas stored in these two media.Methods: Eye banks in Saint Etienne and Rouen participated in the study. In Rouen, two experiments were conducted. The first included 18 pairs of corneas, with endothelial cell density (ECD) measured by routine eye bank methods on days ‐10 and ‐30 of OC, and 4 days after deswelling. In the second experiment, the protocol for Tissue‐C was modified by renewing the medium on day‐10. ECD was measured on days ‐10 and ‐22 of OC, and 4 days after deswelling. The ECD of 10 pairs of corneas was measured on days ‐4 and ‐28 at the Eye Bank of Saint‐Etienne. After 2 days of deswelling, the viable ECD was assessed using Hoechst‐Calcein‐AM staining. Corneal thickness was also measured.Results: In the first experiment in Rouen, ECD was higher in CorneaMax on day‐30 (2202 ± 403 vs 2004 ± 434 cells/mm2, p = 0.008) compared to Tissue‐C, and higher in CorneaJet after 4 days of deswelling (2088 ± 399 vs 1852 ± 419 cells/mm2, p = 0.019) compared to Carry‐C. In the second experiment in Rouen, with the medium renewal for Tissue‐C and reduced OC duration, the ECD difference disappeared. In Saint Etienne, with medium renewal for Tissue‐C during OC, no significant difference in ECD was found during OC. However, the viable ECD of corneas deswelled in CorneaJet was significantly higher than in Carry‐C (1647 ± 324 vs 1436 ± 235 cells/mm2, p = 0.018).Conclusions: CorneaMax recommends renewing the medium after the first ECD count, while Tissue‐C does not. When following these instructions, CorneaMax showed better ECD results than Tissue‐C. However, when the medium for Tissue‐C was also renewed during OC, the ECD difference during OC disappeared. The viable ECD indicated that CorneaJet, a deswelling medium was superior to Carry‐C. This could be related to the greater thickness of corneas in Tissue‐C during OC.
Ocular findings in erythema multiforme major
Authors: Aoun Safa Ben , Ferchichi Molka , Romdhani Sana , Maamouri Rym , Fendouli Ines , Badri Talel , Cheour Monia 
Published: January 2025

Aims/Purpose: To describe the ocular findings in two cases of erythema multiforme major (EMM).Methods: Case series of 2 patients admitted to the dermatology department for episodes of EMM following oral herpes infections.Results: The first patient is a 38‐year‐old pregnant woman with a history of recurrent EMM. Eight days after the onset of her most recent episode, she started complaining of redness in her right eye, without visual blurring or pain. Her visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Slit‐lamp examination revealed signs of episcleritis in her right eye and bilateral punctate epithelial defects. She was started on lubricating eye drops. Intravenous methylprednisolone was administered to alleviate the pain from oral ulcers. Two days later, her symptoms improved with reduced ocular redness but she developed severe bilateral blepharitis. She was started on topical azithromycin and advised on eyelid hygiene, leading to progressive improvement. The second patient is an 18‐year‐old male with EMM who reported bilateral eye redness that coincided with the onset of the cutaneous eruption. His visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Slit‐lamp examination showed bilateral diffuse conjunctival injection, severe blepharitis, and punctate epithelial defects. He was treated with lubricants, topical dexamethasone, and ofloxacin eye drops. Significant improvement of his symptoms was observed within two days.Conclusions: Our observations highlight the importance of thorough ophthalmic evaluation in patients with EMM to ensure prompt management and prevent potential sight‐threatening complications. The presence of unilateral episcleritis or punctate epithelial defects in this context may suggest a herpes simplex virus infection, necessitating close follow‐up, especially when topical steroids are used.