bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optic nerve sheath diameter changes at altitude
Authors: Simpkins Ciaran , Westwood Jessica , Mayhook‐Walker India , Darby‐Smith Andrew , Normando Eduardo Maria , Morris Daniel 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: This study aimed to assess variations in Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter (ONSD) as a correlate of Intracranial Pressure (ICP) during ascent to high‐altitude and to explore the relationship between ONSD and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). AMS is a high‐altitude illness characterized by headaches, lethargy, nausea and vomiting. At present there is no consensus on the pathophysiology of AMS. There are similarities in symptomology between AMS and raised ICP. A greater understanding of ICP at altitude and its role in AMS may yield new strategies for management of the illness.Methods: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study involving 10 mountaineers climbing Mt Toubkal (4167 m). Participants underwent daily binocular ultrasound B‐scans at interval altitudes during the ascent. Altitude, AMS diagnosis and severity (using Lake Louise Score [LLS]) were recorded concurrently with ultrasound examinations. Ultrasound scans were reviewed by a blinded observer who measured ONSD and assessed image quality (1 = poor, 2 = moderate, 3 = good).Results: During the ascent to 4167 m and return to low‐land, there was no significant variation in left (p = 0.97), right (p = 0.68) or mean (p = 0.86) ONSD. The ratio of ONSD to baseline was significantly (p = 0.038) greater in participants with AMS on Day 5; this was not consistent across all time points. No significant correlation between the ratio of ONSD to baseline and LLS was observed at any time point. Mean image quality was 2.12 (SD ± 0.65); images largely scored in the ‘Moderate’ – ‘Good’ range.Conclusions: This study is reflective of changes in ONSD during slow ascent profiles commonly used in mountaineering. This suggests that ONSD and therefore ICP does not significantly vary during this style of ascent to 4167 m. We did not identify any convincing relationship between AMS and ONSD, adding to previous research suggesting the same. Considering the limitations of this study, it cannot stand alone to disapprove a causal relationship between ONSD and AMS.
Fundus autofluorescence pattern in different cases of cone inherited macular dystrophies
Authors: Boned‐Murillo Ana , Diaz Maria Dolores , Bartolome Isabel , Hospital Elvira Orduna , Gavas Javier Mateo , Fernández‐Espinosa Guisela , Pinilla Maria Sopeña , Lozano Isabel Pinilla 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: To study fundus autofluorescence (FAF) with blue light excitation (488 nm) in different cases of cone inherited macular dystrophies an to assess differential characteristics.Methods: We studied different cone inherited retinal dystrophies due primary to ABCA4 mutation with blue FAF and correlate the findings with the clinical impairment. We compared with the findings in other mutations.Results: We presented 9 cases of Stargardt diseases with ABCA4 mutation with different blue FAF characteristics, from single macular impairment with an hypofluorescence, pattern, hyperreflective flecks around the central lesion or flecks extended outside the vascular branches. The extension of the flecks was no correlate with the degree of functional impairment. We compared with other cone dystrophies such as CRX mutation, with similar findings than the ones with only central impairment. Asymptomatic CRX mutation showed a hyperreflective central lesion.Conclusions: FAF is an essential tool to diagnose and follow‐up inherited retinal dystrophies with primary macular manifestation. Same mutation and clinical stage could present different patterns.
Tear film stability in dry eye syndrome: Time and break‐up patterns
Authors: Gallo Vanessa , D'Ancona Fabrizio , Panzeri Alessia , Nucci Paolo , Villani Edoardo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: Comparison between traditional invasive methodologies and modern non‐invasive high‐tech methodologies for qualitative and quantitative evaluation in 3 groups of patients with dry eye disease.Methods: Cross sectional study of 111 participants recruited consecutively at the eye clinic of San Giuseppe Hospital in Milan in 3 groups: healthy (n = 30), aqueous deficient dry eye ADDE) (n = 32) and evaporative dry eye (EDE) (n = 49) underwent osmolarity assessment, OSDI questionnaire, tear meniscus height measurement (TMH), Non‐invasive (NIKBUT‐first and NIKBUT‐average) and invasive (FBUT with fluorescein) tear film break up time, Meiboscore, corneal staining and Schirmer test.Results: FBUT, Schirmer test, f‐NIKBUT and a‐NIKBUT were significantly different between the three groups (p < 0.001). FBUT and also f‐NIKBUT were lower in EDE group (4.46 ± 2.24) than other groups; In healthy and ADDE subjects, tear film break‐up time was located in the lower sector between the periphery average and the extreme. NiKBUT pattern was significantly different between the upper and lower peripheral, nasal and temporal periphery and the central temporal into the different groups (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed an inverse association between age and f‐NIKBUT (r = −0.358) between all patients. Corneal staining was more severe in ADDE patients.Conclusions: In ADDE group the f‐NIKBUT was higher, almost at normal values, compared to FBUT. In a previous study, NIKBUT was found to be higher than FBUT due to non‐installation of dyes in the eye. In healthy and EDE subjects the tear film rupture was located in the lower sector between the average periphery and the extreme, probably due to a longer exposure time than in other areas. In EDE subjects, however, f‐NIKBUT was found in the central temporal and nasal sectors in according with previous studies. Average and f‐NIKBUT were negatively related with the age and also positively related to each other. FBUT and f‐NIKBUT were related to each other differently in 3 groups of patients; they could study different aspects of the same phenomenon, further studies are ongoing.References1. Mark D.P. Willcox, Pablo Argüeso, TFOS DEWS II Tear Film Report, Ocular Surface, 2017.2. Michae L.A. Lemp, The Definition and Classification of Dry Eye Disease, 2007.
Evidence for visual cortical plasticity in retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Castelo‐Branco Miguel , Sampaio Joana , Silva Eduardo , Ferreira Sónia , Almeida Otilia C. d' 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: Neural plasticity upon visual loss remains a very controversial phenomenon. We asked how the changes in peripheral visual input in adult Retinitis Pigmentosa patients would impact the stability versus plasticity of neuronal population receptive fields in early visual areas.Methods: A total of 37 participants were recruited. The Retinitis Pigmentosa group (RP) included 12 patients with RP. The full‐field Control group (FFCnt) included 13 healthy participants that performed the original protocol (as the RP group); and an artificial scotoma Control group (ASCnt) (n = 12). Population Receptive Field (pRF) fMRI paradigms were used at 3 Tesla. The maximum field of view was 23° × 30°. The stimuli used for pRF estimation consisted in conventional single, 45° counter‐clockwise rotating wedge and expanding ring stimuli with a high‐contrast (~100%) flickering (8 Hz) checkerboard pattern. To resolve chronic from acute adaptive effects we performed an artificial scotoma experiment, in an independent control group.Results: The general increase of pRF size on eccentricity was found in both Retinitis Pigmentosa and control individuals as expected. Interestingly, in RP, the regression slopes of pRF size and eccentricity in V1 and V2 seem to collapse in RP patients, in contrast with controls. Analysis of the regression lines adjusted to the mean pRF size along eccentricity in the calcarine sulcus of RP and matched ASCnt showed a significant difference between slopes (F(1,296) = 15.01, p < 0.001), corresponding to a group difference in pRFs size in more peripheral locations, suggesting plasticity. Artificial scotoma pRF mapping showed no evidence for rapid adaptation.Conclusions: We found evidence for long term visual plasticity in adult Retinitis Pigmentosa patients as demonstrated by increased size of peripheral neuronal population receptive fields in early visual areas, which could be explained by rapid adaptation mechanism.
Neuropathic corneal pain impacts patient's quality‐of‐life dimensions more than dry eye disease
Authors: Mirzaee Leyla , Meka Akhil , Lopez Maria , Jamali Arsia , Dieckmann Gabriela , Koseoglu Dilruba , Ramesh Navneet , Khasksari Bijan , Cox Stephanie , Hamrah Pedram 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: To compare the perception of ocular pain in patients with neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) and dry eye disease (DED), and to measure its impact on quality‐of‐life (QoL) dimensions (physical, psychological, social).Methods: A retrospective, cross‐sectional study, comparative study was conducted, including NCP (N = 119) and DED (N = 43) patients. Demographic features, ocular pain assessment survey (OPAS), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores were reviewed. The OPAS comprises physical (vision‐related), social and psychological dimensions of QoL through six items.Results: The mean age of DED and NCP were 56.3 ± 15.7 and 56.2 ± 16.0 years, respectively (p = 0.966). The mean pain intensity scores (scale 0–10) in the last 24 h and 2 weeks were 2.04 ± 2.68 in DED patients and 5.03 ± 3.22 in NCP (p < 0.01) and 2.08 ± 2.91 (DED) and 4.77 ± 3.51 (NCP; p < 0.01) respectively. The interference of pain on QoL for DED and NCP patients was: reading/computer (DED 3.33 ± 3.24, NCP 5.54 ± 3.46, p = 0.003), driving/TV (DED 3.08 ± 3.28, NCP 4.59 ± 3.32, p = 0.024) for physical (visual related) dimension and Gen Act (DED 2.04 ± 2.77, NCP 3.87 ± 3.04, p = 0.001); Mood (DED 3.04 ± 3.39, NCP 5.66 ± 3.48 p = 0.001); Sleep (DED 2.32 ± 3.28, NCP 3.46 ± 3.18, p = 0.014) for the psychological dimension; enjoying life/social relations (DED 2.80 ± 3.26, NCP 5.15 ± 3.50, p = 0.001) for the social dimension of QoL. While pain had no significant impact on the visual dimension of QoL in DED (R = 0.14; p = 0.25), it had a significant impact in NCP patients (R = 0.41; p = 0.001). No significant difference in gender was resulting in any QoL dimension (p > 0.05).Conclusion: Pain in patients with NCP has a more pronounced interference with physical, psychological, and social dimensions of QoL as compared to patients with DED. The vision‐related dimension of QoL is impacted by pain in NCP, but not in DED.
Spontaneous resolution of treatment‐resistant foveal capillary macroaneurysms in retinal diseases
Authors: Braham Imene Zhioua 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: Capillary macroaneurysms (CMAs), may be observed in many retinal diseases causing chronic macular edema. A targeted photocoagulation can be efficient to close extrafoveal CMAs. However, treatment of foveal CMAs can be challenging. We report 2 cases of foveal CMAs with chronic edema resistant to intravitreal injections (IVI), which spontaneously resolved after discontinuation of treatment.Methods: Patients with foveal aneurysms greater than 150 μm in diameter, related to retinal diseases and treatment‐resistant were evaluated with ophthalmologic examination and multimodal imaging.Results: Case 1: a 74‐year old female with retinal branch vein occlusion complicated with chronic macular edema was referred for treatment. Foveal macroaneurysm was detected on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and was resistant to ranibizumab followed by aflibercept monthly IVI. Six months after stopping treatment, macular edema spontaneously resolved with occlusion of the CMA.Case 2: a 82‐year old patient was treated for a chronic diabetic macular edema on his left eye. He received regular IVI of ranibizumab, aflibercept and dexamethasone implant without improvement. A retrofoveal CMA was noted on ICGA. After 4 months without IVI, the central macular thickness and the vision improved spontaneously.Conclusions: Chronic macular edema related to foveal CMAs is usually resistant to anti‐VEGF and steroid intravitreal injections. In some cases, spontaneous resolution of the macroaneurysm can occur when treatment is stopped.
Efficacy and safety of pneumatic vitreolysis for management of vitreomacular traction syndrome
Authors: Braham Imene Zhioua 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the outcome of small volume injection of perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas for symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT).Methods: A retrospective review of eyes with VMT treated with a limited volume of 0.2 ml of C3F8 gas was performed with limited face‐down position. Main outcome measures were release of VMT, best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) and adverse events.Results: Ten consecutive patients with symptomatic VMT underwent pneumatic vitreolysis. Overall success was of 90% in VMT release. The CMT decreased from 397,8 μm ±) 81.87) preoperatively to 309,8 μm ±) 51.76) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean BCVA improved from 0.42 ±) 0.24) to 0.24±) 0.23) logMAR at 6 months (p < 0.001). One patient with a large VMT had no change in the optical coherence tomography aspect. Another patient with large VMT associated to large retrofoveal cyst has VMT release but formed a macular hole after gas injection. No other adverse events were seen.Conclusions: Pneumatic vitreolysis with small volume of C3F8 and limited face‐down position is a viable option for treating VMT with few adverse events. Macular hole formation can occur in cases of large retrofoveal cysts.
Trends in glaucoma: Update on clinical trials and new targets to treat glaucoma
Authors: Kolko Miriam 
Published: December 2022

AbstractClinical trials with glaucoma have increased significantly over the last 30 years. The three main areas of clinical trials are in diagnostic tools, medical treatments, and new surgical strategies. While medical treatments have been the most common clinical trials, the number of clinical trials in surgery is now leading. In medical care, most new goals are new IOP‐lowering strategies, whereas clinical trials of neuroprotection and vascular modalities are still sparse. In addition to traditional medicine, dietary supplements and growth factors are also assessed for a potential anti‐glaucomatous effect. Within medical targets, the success rates for Phases II and III are below the reported success rate for all diseases and ophthalmology in general. The reasons for the low success rates can be explained, among other things, by the need for a stricter phenotyping of patients. Here, an overview of trends in clinical trials will be given and a future perspective will be discussed.
Retinal involvement in mitochondrial disease
Authors: Votruba Marcela 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRetinal involvement in mitochondrial disease is a variable feature of mitochondrial dysfunction. The retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor layers can both be affected. It manifests with signs ranging from asymptomatic peripheral salt‐and‐pepper retinopathy to classic bone‐spicule pigmentary changes. The consequences can be progressive mild or severe visual field constriction and central visual acuity loss. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in retinal dysfunction in mitochondrial disease are still being elucidated and may include a range of metabolic and bioenergetic defects.Mitochondrial conditions affecting the eye that display prominent outer retinal involvement include.(a) mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) secondary to the m.3243A > G mtDNA mutation in MT‐TL1,(b) neuropathy, ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP) secondary to the m.8993 T > G mtDNA mutation in MT‐ATP6,(c) chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO), in particular the Kearns‐Sayre syndrome (KSS) secondary to single large‐scale mtDNA deletions, and.(d) some newer entities, such as optic neuropathy and pigmentary retinopathy seen in patients with mutations in the gene SSBP1.The features and diagnostic pathway for these conditions will be illustrated and discussed.
Keypoints in clinical presentations, lab tests and treatment options
Authors: James Teifi 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTeifi James will explain the crucial importance of the history in the clinical presentation of Uveitis. He will discuss key signs and how to confirm their presence or absence. Teifi will also explain how the urgency of the situation depends on the clinical presentation. He will then proceed to consider which laboratory tests are appropriate depending on clinical presentation. He will close by mentioning the different treatment options that are available for Uveitis.
How to perform gonioscopy and normal findings in the angle
Authors: Schmidl Doreen 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAlthough new techniques for the assessment of the anterior chamber angle have become available recently, gonioscopy remains the gold standard. Different lenses that can be used for gonioscopy and their application will be discussed. Further, suggestions for a systematic assessment of the anterior chamber angle will be presented. Normal findings in healthy eyes will be summarized.
Distinguishing infectious endophthalmitis from noninfectious inflammation – Cataract surgery and intravitreal injection
Authors: Ascaso Francisco Javier 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWith both cataract surgery and intravitreal injections, there is a risk of infectious or non‐infectious intraocular inflammation. The ability to differentiate between the two types of inflammatory reaction is important as the delay in treatment in the former case or unnecessary treatment in the latter case can have consequences.Infectious endophthalmitis is usually associated with pain, hypopyon, severe anterior chamber reaction, hyperemia and significant vision loss, while symptoms associated with sterile endophthalmitis are often less severe. Nevertheless, although rarely, non‐infectious intraocular inflammation can be potentially vision‐threatening after phacoemulsification cataract surgery or intravitreal injection. Since it may be easily mistaken for infectious endophthalmitis, a clear understanding of this pathology is essential. If the ophthalmologist is not sure about the sterile origin of the inflammation, this complication must be treated as an acute endophthalmitis because of the severe visual outcome of this intraocular infection without antibiotic therapy. The aetiology of sterile endophthalmitis remains uncertain and a multifactorial origin must be considered. We will provide further insight into the mechanisms, causative factors and clinical differences among various types of inflammation, with the goal that clinicians can reduce the risk of these events in the future.
Can we measure neuroprotection yet in glaucoma?
Authors: Normando Eduardo 
Published: December 2022

AbstractGlaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by axonal injury and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Several neuroprotective compounds have been explored in preclinical studies and some of them have progressed to clinical trials in glaucoma. To date, these clinical trials have produced inconclusive results manly due to the lack of effective metrics able to quantify neuroprotection.Here we will explore the most recent advances in measuring neuroprotection in Glaucoma.
Development of neuroprotective agents – Possible endpoints and regulatory considerations
Authors: Garhöfer Gerhard 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNeuroprotection, the therapeutic approach aiming to prevent neuronal degeneration and loss of function, is a promising and fast developing field to treat various systemic and ocular degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and glaucoma. As for the eye, despite may efforts, there is currently no approved neuroprotective agent available. This talk will summarize the current challenges in the development of ocular neuroprotective agents. Possible clinical endpoints will be covered and regulatory requirements will be discussed.
Sigma − 1 receptor activation as a new option for the treatment of glaucoma in preclinical models
Authors: Fekete Andrea , Tran Minh N. , Besztercei Balazs , Torok Gyorgy , Medveczki Timea , Takácsi‐Nagy Anna , Gasull Xavier , Szabo Attila J. , Kovacs Illes , Hodrea Judit 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntroduction: Trabecular meshwork (TM) is the main pathway for aqueous humour drainage. The fibrotic‐like remodelling of the actin cytoskeleton in TM cells results in accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins leading to altered stiffness and impaired outflow. These are the primary cause of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma. Our group owns a world‐wide patent for various Sigma‐1 receptor (S1R) agonists as novel antifibrotic compounds. Fluvoxamine (FLU), a potent S1R agonist, decreases the levels of key elements of fibrosis in the kidney and in the lung, and preserves organ function.Aim: Here in vitro (1) we identified the presence and localization of S1R in the eye, (2) studied S1R activation on cytoskeletal rearrangement and (3) investigated the IOP lowering‐effect of FLU in the in vivo mice‐model of glaucoma.Methods: S1R was detected on HTM5 and on primary MsTM cells. Cells were treated platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF, 24 h, 20 ng/ml) combined with 10 μM of FLU. Cell proliferation and migration were measured band F‐actin formation was visualized by phalloidin staining. To induce IOP C57BL/6J mice were weekly injected (n = 8–12/group) with vehicle or Dexamethasone Acetate (Dex) through periocular conjunctival fornix to both eyes. FLU eye drops (30 mM) were given bilaterally twice daily after 1 week of Dex. IOP was measured with Icare Tonolab weekly.Results: S1R was present both in TM cells and is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. PDGF‐induced cell proliferation, migration and cytoskeletal rearrangement were ameliorated or even prevented by FLU treatment. Dex increased the IOP in WT mice after 3 weeks from baseline 17.26 ± 1.46 to 18.61 ± 1.05 mmHg (+7.82%; p < 0.05). Two‐week treatment of FLU‐containing eye drop was not harmful to the eyes and lowered IOP to 16.90 ± 1.19 mmHg (−9.18%; p < 0.05) compared to Dex group.Conclusions: FLU is non‐toxic and reduces profibrotic factor‐induced cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell proliferation of TM cells. FLU treatment effectively prevents the increase in IOP. Thus Sigma‐1 receptor agonists could be potential candidates for the development of a novel drug candidate for glaucoma.Grants: OTKA‐ K135398, LP2021‐3/2021, TKP2021‐EGA‐24.