bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pioneer in refractive lens surgery
Authors: Grzybowski Andrzej 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWincenty Fukala (1847–1911) was born in a Polish family in Zolkiew in Polish Galicia (now Ukraine). He studied medicine in Vienna. He specialized in ophthalmology under the well‐respected professor, Karl Ferdinand von Arlt. He was a pioneer in systematically extracting the clear crystalline lens in young patients with high myopia (Fukala operation). This is the earliest refractive surgery performed in ophthalmology. He demonstrated the benefit to this group of increased visual acuity, which enabled them to work, and ophthalmologists gradually began to carry out surgery in high myopes worldwide. He persisted in operating despite the vigorous opposition of several authorities but, through sheer determination he convinced sceptics of the efficacy of his surgical method of lens dissection. He performed the first lens discission in 1887 and in 1894, he had successfully treated 44 patients. The late complication of retinal detachment, which was not understood until years later, eventually led surgeons to abandon the procedure until the recent improvements in both lenticular and retinal surgery techniques that led to better prognosis. He studied trachoma in Egypt in 1872. His research on scrofulous eye disease led him twice to the United States, in 1891 and 1892. Fukala also developed highly successful, pioneering techniques for the treatment of ectropion in blepharitis, of trachoma, and of shallow sockets following enucleation. In glaucoma, he recommended early iridectomy of the fellow eye when the first eye has gone blind. He was also an expert on the history of ancient European texts and of Arabic ophthalmology.
Autophagy in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kaarniranta Kai 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAge‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population with limited understanding of its pathogenesis and a lack of effective treatment. The progression of AMD is initially characterized by atrophic alterations in the retinal pigment epithelium, as well as the formation of lysosomal lipofuscin and extracellular drusen deposits. Cellular damage caused by chronic oxidative stress, protein aggregation and inflammatory processes may lead to geographic atrophy and/or choroidal neovascularization and fibrosis. The role of macroautophagy/autophagy in AMD pathology is steadily emerging. Selective and secretory autophagy and their role in drusen biogenesis, senescence‐associated secretory phenotype, inflammation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of AMD are discussed.
Bilateral changes in corneal sensitivity after unilateral corneal infections
Authors: Gallar Juana 
Published: December 2022

AbstractOcular infections such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis result in ocular sensitivity changes. During acute HSV episodes and eventually during postherpetic outbreaks, spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia are experienced, being reduced by treatment with Na+ channel blockers (not only by local anaesthetics but also by gabapentin, lacosamide or amitriptyline). At the same time, patients commonly develop hypoesthesia due to the decrease of sensitivity to mechanical stimulation, whose appearance could be due to the internalization of Na+ channels in trigeminal sensory neurons innervating the infected cornea.When explored using a gas esthesiometer that allows selective mechanical, chemical, heat and cold stimulation, HSV‐infected corneas showed those sensitivity disturbances to be expected when corneal polymodal nociceptor activity is altered. On the contrary, sensitivity to cold stimuli is not modified, which suggest that cold thermosensitive ocular neurons are not infected by the virus. A surprising result is the alteration, in the same sense although to a lesser degree, of the sensitivity of the contralateral eye. This contralateral altered sensitivity could be caused by a subclinical HSV infection of the contralateral side. Another possibility is that to be due to a neuroimmune interaction that ends up affecting the activity of sensory nerves of both eyes, in a similar way to what happens in non‐infectious inflammatory processes affecting only one eye.(PID2020‐115934RB‐I00 from DOI: MCIN/AEI/10.13039/50110001103)
Monovision revitalized
Authors: Beiko George 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFollowing cataract surgery in which the target refraction is emmetropia with a monofocal IOL, it has been found that 30–40% of patients achieve functional near vision as well. Further investigation of this outcome has determined that nature has optimized certain ocular parameters to allow this to occur. By understanding these factors, it is possible to plan our refractive outcome to provide similar outcomes for most of our surgical cataract cases. This planning involves measuring the preoperative pupil size and corneal spherical aberrations, using an intraocular lens that does not adjust spherical aberration, and targeting the refractive outcome based on these findings. This approach will be presented in the session.
Gene therapy of glaucoma: Just an attractive experimental approach?
Authors: Comes Núria 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn recent years, much progress has been made in the identification of the genes involved in the physiology of glaucoma and the development of new gene‐based therapies. The eyeball has ideal characteristics for gene therapy due to its location and immunological properties. Gene delivery through viral and particle‐based vectors to target tissues makes gene therapy a more specific and effective treatment than existing conventional treatments. Experimental gene therapy strategies for glaucoma primarily targets trabecular meshwork (TM) (to decrease intraocular pressure) and retinal ganglion cells (for neuroprotection).A chronic disease such as glaucoma, requires the use of vectors that allow long‐term gene expression with low toxicity and immune response. Some examples of experimental gene therapy for glaucoma are the efficient transduction of self‐complementary adeno‐associated viruses – metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) into the TM in a steroid‐induced ocular hypertension model in sheep1. On the other hand, different studies have reported an increased survival of retinal ganglion cells after a single intravitreal injection of adenoviruses carrying brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a rat model of glaucoma2.To develop gene therapy at a therapeutic level it is necessary to broaden our knowledge of the expression and regulation mechanisms of candidate genes in order to control the efficiency and stability of their effect. The specificity of the vectors and the safety to prevent their spread to the rest of the organism must also be improved. Thus, it is necessary to continue devoting efforts to the development of safe and effective gene therapy for glaucoma.References1. Borrás T, Buie LK, Spiga MG. Gene Ther. 2016;23:438–49.2. Ren R, Li Y, Liu Z, et al. Investig Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:1003–11.
Large hole in macular surgery
Authors: Chichur Diana 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional results in eyes with large macular holes using inverted flower ILM flap technique.Methods: This clinical study included 58 eyes with large macular holes, which were divided into 2 groups: first group included 36 eyes with idiopathic macular holes and second group – 22 eyes with myopic macular holes. In both groups diameter of the hole was more than 600 μm. All eyes were treated using an inverted flower flap technique, C3F8 gas tamponade and face‐down posturing. The hole closure, postoperative visual acuity and OCT data were analysed at 1 month and 6 month after the surgery.Results: The inverted flower ILM technique was successful in 100% of the cases. We could observe significant postoperative improvements of visual acuity (p < 0.05) in all eyes. However, the first group showed better functional results compared to the second group. Complete resolution of ellipsoid zone defects was observed on 22 eyes (61.1%) in the first group and on 9 eyes (40.9%) in the myopic group.Conclusion: The inverted flower flap technique confirmed its effectiveness for the closure of large macular holes and good recovery of photoreceptor layers and, consequently, functional result improvement.
Iatrogenic macular detachment for large macular holes: How to improve this technique
Authors: Lytvynchuk Lyubomyr 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIatrogenic macular detachment (IMD) with subretinal injection of balance salt solution (BSS) was proposed as an alternative treatment of the large, persistent and chronique macular holes (MH). Subretinal administration of BSS is aimed to detach the edges of the MH decreasing the stiffness and increasing the elasticity of the retina. Hence, the closure of the MH could be improved. Nevertheless, there are still cases that remain refractory to this approach. Preliminary observational studies of the surgery flow with the use of intraoperative optical coherent tomography revealed that in majority of cases after BSS was injected into subretinal space there was strong remaining almost circumferential adhesion between retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor outer segments at the edge of MH base. These data differ from the visually percepted MD and showed that in studied cases approximately just 5% to 20% of MH edge circumference were elevated predominantly in temporal area. Subretinal BSS blebs appeared to merge with each other within the macula but outside the MH edges. Additionally, there were no correlation between the size or height of the bleb with the extension of the MD at MH edges. It was noticed that nasally to the MH the adhesion between RPE and OPS was stronger. The causes of this adhesion remain unclear. This hypothesizes that separation of the adhesion could improve the closure rate of the refractory MH using IMD technique. Development of the new surgical approaches together with novel instruments to address the separation of the strong adhesion at the MH edge shall be considered in order to improve the results of iatrogenic macular detachment (IMD) technique in treatment of large, persistent and chronique MH.
Rock inhibitors and antisense oligonucleotides for Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy
Authors: Wylegala Adam 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFuchs corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most common primary cause of corneal endothelial dystrophy. FECD is a complex disease where interaction between multiple genetic and environmental factors results in endothelial cells apoptosis and atypical extracellular matrix deposition. Due to the shortage of donor tissue, and high costs of transplants, a topical therapy for treating corneal endothelial dysfunction is urgently required. The topical treatment of several agents has been investigated as therapies for FECD, by the promotion of endothelial cell proliferation and migration, in experimental models of the disorder. ROCK1 and ROCK2 inhibition promotes cell adhesion, prevents apoptosis, and enhances the proliferation of and human corneal endothelial cells. These therapies have involved the knockdown of connexin by siRNA, the release of cell–cell contact inhibition with EDTA, and inhibition of Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) with Y‐27632. Recently several papers showed that Ripasudil, a rho kinase inhibitor, has been shown to promote corneal endothelial wound healing in animal models and in clinical trials. An antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has also been developed to target the repetitive RNA. This has been shown to decrease foci formation and reversal of misplacing in ex‐vivo FECD specimens. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) reduced the RNA aggregates and their toxic downstream events in patient cells. ASO has to be designed to target a particular genetic mutation. This new medical‐based regenerative therapy may provide a less invasive and more effective method for treating patients with FECD.
Targeting corneal dystrophies for genetic treatment; challenges and limitations
Authors: Balidis Miltos 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe cornea is an ideal organ for gene therapy. Its immune‐privileged status, effortless accessibility for treatment with gene therapy agents and visual monitoring are significant aspects for gene therapy. Various viral and non‐viral vectors have been tested for delivering genes to the cornea. Viral vectors offer several fold higher transduction efficiencies and long‐term gene expression compared to non‐viral vectors.Gene therapy is also an attractive approach for the treatment of ocular surface disorders such as corneal scarring and neovascularization. Over‐expression of vasoinhibin‐1 or decorin, can reduce corneal neovascularization.Genetic engineering for corneal dystrophies treatment is at the very early stage. Potential treatments for FECD and TGFBI‐related corneal dystrophies may provide some therapeutic benefit.
Astrocyte activation and protein aggregation in the retina of Alzheimer's disease patients
Authors: Di Angelantonio Silvia , Pediconi Natalia , Mautone Lorenza , Pitea Martina , Grimaldi Alfonso 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD), a primary cause of dementia in the aging population, is characterized by intracellular and extracellular aggregates of misfolded proteins, as amyloid‐beta plaques and tau tangles, together with neurodegeneration and glial activation in the brain. It is commonly thought that the lack of early diagnostic criteria is among the main causes of pharmacological therapy and clinical trials failure; therefore, the actual challenge is to define new biomarkers and non‐invasive technologies to measure neuropathological changes in vivo at pre‐symptomatic stages. Recent evidences obtained from human samples and mouse models indicate the possibility to detect protein aggregates and other pathological features in the retina, paving the road for non‐invasive rapid detection of AD biomarkers. Here, we report the presence of amyloid beta plaques, tau tangles, neurodegeneration and detrimental astrocyte and microglia activation according to a disease associated microglia phenotype (DAM). Thus, we propose the human retina as a useful site for the detection of cellular and molecular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease.We also developed novel 2D and 3D in vitro models of AD related retinal tauopathy, obtaining derived retinal cultures from iPSC harbouring an intronic tau mutation. We report here that mutated tau induces not only tau hyperphosphorylation, but also impaired retinogenesis and altered astrocytic development.
Light scattering in IOLs
Authors: Labuz Grzegorz 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntraocular lens (IOL) calcification is a rare, albeit severe condition that may degrade visual function. Although patients with the affected implants might preserve good visual acuity, they often complain about increased sensitivity to light sources, which may be bothersome enough to necessitate IOL explantation. Disability glare may also be a sign of glistenings (fluid‐filled microvacuoles) that form within the IOL matrix. In those IOL complications, photopic phenomena originate from the scattering of light that cannot be sufficiently quantified using an industry‐standard for IOL testing, namely the modulation transfer function. Instead, one may use the straylight parameter that has proven effective in detecting IOL pathology and also shown a clear correlation between clinical symptoms and optical effects assessed in the laboratory.
IOL glistenings and disability glare
Authors: Grzybowski Andrzej 
Published: December 2022

AbstractGlistenings are small fluid‐filled microvacuoles that appear within the intraocular lens (IOL) optic when it is placed in an aqueous environment. Subsurface nanoglistenings are much smaller fluid‐filled gaps from the surface of the optic of the IOL and they may give the IOL surface whitish coloration when the light is directed at the IOL at the angle of incidence of 30° or greater. It has been proposed that the optical quality of an IOL is not significantly affected by the level of glistenings. However, glistening was shown to degrade vision by inducing glare symptoms (straylight) rather than by lowering visual acuity; straylight elevation demonstrates a proportional relationship with the number of glistenings. Retinal straylight, even presenting in low levels, can cause increase in halo size, elevation in luminance detection threshold, and reduction in contrast sensitivity, being a reason for persistent visual complaints. The magnitude of retinal straylight can be clinically determined by the level of disability glare. Moreover, glistenings are not unique to adults and have been reported in paediatric patients Thus, patients having undergone cataract surgery in childhood should undergo a periodical ophthalmic follow‐up for evaluating visual quality and disability glare, and subsequently as determined by grade of glistenings.
Retinal blood flow and oxygen metabolism in diabetes
Authors: Schmidl Doreen 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy is the leading cause for blindness in the Western countries and its prevalence is constantly increasing. In the last years, evidence has accumulated that alterations in the retinal microcirculation and changes in retinal oxygen metabolism play a key role in the disease process. In particular, tissue hypoxia seems to be a major trigger of neovascularization and macular edema in the retina of patients with diabetes.Recently, new methods to assess the retinal vasculature, such as Doppler Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) or OCT angiography have become available, providing valuable findings in patients with diabetes. Combining these methods with techniques such as the assessment of retinal oxygen saturation, more information about retinal oxygen metabolism can be obtained.The present talk will summarize the current knowledge on retinal blood flow and oxygen metabolism in patients with diabetes.Acknowledgements: Part of the work presented was funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Projects No. KLI 721 and P26157.
Structural and vascular retinal parameters in early onset type 2 diabetics
Authors: Heitmar Rebekka 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe number of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been steadily increasing along with another worrying trend: while typically T2DM is diagnosed in individuals over the age of 40 years, more and more patients are diagnosed with the condition when they are much younger. Those diagnosed with T2DM at less than 40 years of age appear to have a particular high “disease burden” compared to those diagnosed older than 40 years.Retinal vessel changes have been well documented to reflect systemic changes: i.e. arteriolar narrowing with increasing blood pressure and venular widening in diabetes. When it comes to patients with multi‐morbidities this can make it difficult to interpret ocular vascular changes in particular when it comes to establishing a causal relationship. This presentation seeks to discuss the findings of a sample of T2DM patients with such a complex disease profile.
Toxic optic neuropathies – Update on genetics and therapy
Authors: Barboni Piero 
Published: December 2022

AbstractToxic optic neuropathies are characterized by bilateral visual loss, papillomacular bundle damage, central or centrocecal scotoma and colour vision defect. Multifactor causes play a role in disease manifestation such as toxic, nutritional and genetic defects of mitochondrial DNA.Toxic optic neuropathies are caused by defect to mitochondrial metabolism with consequent damage of retinal ganglion cells with higher energy (ATP) demand. Moreover, the interaction of the mtDNA genetic background with most common toxic exposure, tobacco, could explain the phenotypic expression of the disease. Finally, for a better prognosis an early diagnosis is necessary as is a faster therapeutic approach entailing the correction of toxic causes.
Is docosahexaenoic acid supplementation effective in non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy?
Authors: Hernandez‐Martinez Francisco Javier 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of 2‐year supplementation with a highly concentrated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) product with antioxidant activity on nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). A prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was performed. A total of 170 patients with diabetes were randomly assigned to the DHA group (n = 83) or the placebo group (n = 87). NPDR was diagnosed by biomicroscopic examination with a non‐contact slit lamp and classified into mild, moderate and severe stages, monitoring the macular status with oct spectral domain. Patients in the DHA group received a nutritional supplement rich in DHA triglycerides (1050 mg/day), and those in the placebo group received olive oil capsules Results: There were improvements in serum HbA1c levels in both groups, and the change to milder stages of the disease was greater in the DHA group, although not statistically significant.Although in our study group, the protective role of nutraceutical supplementation with DHA in mild stages was less evident, the evidence is encouraging and allows us to speculate about the protective role of DHA supplementation in non‐early stages of diabetic retinopathy, in which the most relevant biomarkers of inflammatory stress can act as a more effective therapeutic target for nutraceutical supplementation.
Pros and cons of natural food and nutraceuticals for dry eyes
Authors: Duran Maria Dolores Pinazo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA healthy diet is a choice for help fighting against the most prevalent ocular disorders, among them the ocular surface disease, Getting adequate daily amounts of specific micronutrients, including carotenoids, omega‐3 fatty acids, vitamins, trace metals and others, may diminish the risk of dry eyes. For boosting eye and vision health the following natural food has to be considered: citrus fruits, dairy products, eggs, fish, leafy green vegetables, legumes, meat, nuts, olives‐olive oil, and also orange‐coloured fruits/vegetables. Furthermore, nutritional supplements are important coadyuvants for managing a wide spectrum of chronic‐degenerative ocular diseases. In this communication we will show the audience how to identify appropriate directions for implementing knowledge on the diet and nutrition on the eyes and vision, the potential antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of natural food (broccoli, tigernuts and walnuts), the role of the Mediterranean Diet, and the state of the art of nutraceutic supplements, that may constitute a promising and highly affordable tool for patients at risk of eye diseases and vision loss. Remember, good nutritional habits at any age are essential for maintaining healthy eyes.
Trabeculectomy indications – when to do it (Trab vs MIGS)
Authors: Besinis Dimitrios 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTrabeculectomy still remains the gold standard in glaucoma surgery, being the only operation that can potentially lead to single digit IOP control. Indications for trabeculectomy have not changed throughout the years in glaucoma management and even with the new EGS guidelines, trabeculectomy still represents what is called “traditional glaucoma surgery”. With the evolution of MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) there has been a broad debate between the use of trabecvulectomy and the gradual replacement by MIGS. In this presentation the indication of trabeculectomy and MIGS will be explained, with specific emphasis on how MIGS complement trabeculectomy and fill the gap between drops and traditional incisional glaucoma surgery. Clinical paradigms will also be presented.