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Med Phys 2018 Dec 16. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

200 Medical Plaza Ste B265, Los Angeles, CA, 90095.

Purpose: Epi-scleral eye plaques provide excellent local control of ocular melanoma, but vision sparing remains a significant problem with 30% or more of patients experiencing significant visual acuity degradation. The use of silicone oil shielding with Iodine-125 plaques has previously been reported to improve critical structure sparing. We hypothesized that the use of Palliadium-103 would improve the shielding effectiveness of silicone oil due to the strong energy dependence of the photoelectric effect. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 16;12:CD012742. Epub 2018 Dec 16.

Ophthalmology, Nottingham University Hospital, Derby Road, Nottingham, UK, NG7 2UH.

Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. Subconjunctival draining minimally-invasive glaucoma devices such as the Xen gelatin implant and InnFocus stent have been introduced as a treatment to prevent glaucoma progressing.These implants provide a channel to allow aqueous humour from the anterior chamber of the eye to drain into the subconjunctival space on the surface of the eye thus reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) and mimicking the mechanism of the most commonly undertaken glaucoma surgery, trabeculectomy. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018 Dec 15. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Division of Pediatric Immunology and Allergy, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.

Propose: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common, chronic and global health problem. In the last two decades, the efficiency of barrier-enforcing measures in AR has been investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of allergen-blocker mechanical barrier gel (MBG) (AlerjiSTOP) treatment on symptoms and quality of life score (QoLS) in patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. Read More

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2018 Nov 27;175:365-374. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address:

Thermosensitive gels have been developed and optimized in such a way that they become gels at corneal temperature and with a viscosity that allows the adequate release of the Fluorometholone (FMT)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) in order to improve ocular anti-inflammatory efficacy against a commercial formulation. It has been shown that gels avoid burst release of the drug in the first hours with a slow and increasing profile after administration. NPs have maintained their average size and spherical shape within the gels as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Read More

Theriogenology 2018 Dec 10;126:153-158. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address:

In the mare, foaling is a critical unpredictable event due to a wide range of gestational length and the absence of clear signs of impending parturition. To predict foaling, pH, inversion sodium potassium and increase of calcium concentration in mammary secretions are used. The aim of this study was to find how many days are left until parturition knowing mare's age (A) and parity (P) combined with ultrasonographic measurements of the fetal orbit in Standardbred mares with normal pregnancy. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA; Center for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois USA; Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development Service, Chicago, Illinois USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: To study the characteristics of Medicare Beneficiaries hospitalized for ophthalmic conditions DESIGN: Cross-sectional study METHODS: The 2015 National Medicare 100% Inpatient Limited Dataset was analyzed to identify all patients with either an admitting or primary diagnoses for an ophthalmic condition using ICD-9-CM codes. All other hospitalized Medicare patients served for comparison. Comorbidities were calculated using the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Read More

Pediatr Neurol 2018 Oct 23. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Department of Pediatrics, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan.

J Neuroinflammation 2018 Dec 15;15(1):344. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.

Background: Activation of resident microglia accompanies every known form of neurodegeneration, but the involvement of peripheral monocytes that extravasate and rapidly transform into microglia-like macrophages within the central nervous system during degeneration is far less clear.

Methods: Using a combination of in vivo ocular imaging, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry, we investigated the response of infiltrating cells in a light-inducible mouse model of photoreceptor degeneration.

Results: Within 24 h, resident microglia became activated and began migrating to the site of degeneration. Read More

Int J Pharm 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ain Shams University, African Union Street Authority Street, Abbassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt.

Glaucoma treatment with ocular medications requires overcoming the corneal barrier to drug penetration. Liposomes have a great corneal penetration ability and affinity while suffering from poor stability and low entrapment of hydrophilic drugs accompanied by rapid drug release. This work aims to develop a new, effective and stable glaucoma medication with sustained drug release properties; Timolol maleate gelatinized core liposomes. Read More

Int J Pharm 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Service Pharmaceutique, Plateforme Fripharm, Groupe Hospitalier Centre Edouard Herriot, Hospices Civils de Lyon, 5, Place d'Arsonval, F-69437 Lyon cedex 03, France; Université de Lyon, Laboratoire de Pharmacie Galénique Industrielle, UMR-CNRS 5305, Plateforme Fripharm, ISPB-Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8, avenue Rockefeller, F-69373 Lyon Cedex 08, France. Electronic address: http://fripharm.com.

Poor bioavailability and low residence time limit the efficiency of conventional biguanide-based eye drops against Acanthamoeba keratitis. The aim of this work was to formulate an original anti-amoebic thermoreversible ocular gel combining biguanide and metalloproteases inhibitor - chelating agent. Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX)-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (NaEDTA) were compounded in poloxamer 407 saline solution. Read More

Prog Retin Eye Res 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

In the eye immune defenses must take place in a plethora of differing microenvironments ranging from the corneal and conjunctival epithelia facing the external environment to the pigmented connective tissue of the uveal tract containing smooth muscle, blood vessels and peripheral nerves to the innermost and highly protected neural retina. The extravascular environment of the neural retina, like the brain parenchyma, is stringently controlled to maintain conditions required for neural transmission. The unique physiological nature of the neural retina can be attributed to the blood retinal barriers (BRB) of the retinal vasculature and the retinal pigment epithelium, which both tightly regulate the transport of small molecules and restrict passage of cells and macromolecules from the circulation into the retina in a similar fashion to the blood brain barrier (BBB). Read More

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Office of Translational Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Division of Applied Regulatory Science, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, White Oak Federal Research Center, 10903 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA. Electronic address:

Topical ophthalmic drugs are the most commonly used dosage form to treat diseases of the anterior segment of the eye. Although this dosage form has the advantages of ease of application, small volume dose, and rapid action and is largely devoid of systemic adverse effects, the bioavailability is low due to pre-corneal anatomical barriers and the nature of the drug formulation itself. Some complex generic formulations (suspensions, ointments, gels) for topical ophthalmic products face impediments to rapid regulatory approval because of the complex nature of the formulations and difficulties in determining bioequivalence with the innovator product. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Ophthalmology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: To enhance the understanding of dry eye (DE) in diabetes by evaluating the ocular surface characteristics and the levels of tear inflammatory cytokines.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Subjects were divided into four groups: 32 patients in diabetes with DE group; 24 patients in diabetes without DE group; 28 patients in non-diabetes with DE group and 29 volunteers in normal group. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Medicine, the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationships among age-related macular degeneration (AMD), mortality, and biomarkers of systemic inflammation in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Design: Case control study.

Participants: Participants with intermediate-stage AMD at enrollment in the Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS (LSOCA) and 2:1 controls matched for age and gender. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Ophthalmology, Pasteur 2 Teaching Hospital, Nice, France.

Purpose: Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia includes a spectrum of diseases from dysplasia to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Whether the degree of invasion influences outcomes is debated. We evaluated the outcomes and management of conjunctival carcinomas defined as ≤0. Read More

Cerebellum 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.

The differential diagnosis of vertigo or dizziness as a result of cerebellar disorders can be difficult as many patients with a cerebellar pathology do not present with the full spectrum of cerebellar signs. The main goal of this study was to describe the typical clinical features of these patients with vertigo or dizziness of a cerebellar origin. We reviewed the medical records of 5400 patients with vertigo and dizziness from our tertiary outpatient clinic for vertigo and balance disorders. Read More

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Ophthalmology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Purpose: To determine the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection on dry eye signs, symptoms, and tear cytokine levels in patients with intractable dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with intractable DED were randomized to a BTX-A (group A) or control group (group B). Patients were injected with BTX-A or normal saline in the medial part of the upper and lower eyelids. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 13;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Research Programs Unit, Genome-Scale Biology, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common diabetic microvascular complication and major cause of blindness in working-age adults. According to the level of microvascular degeneration and ischemic damage, DR is classified into non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and end-stage, proliferative DR (PDR). Despite advances in the disease etiology and pathogenesis, molecular understanding of end-stage PDR, characterized by ischemia- and inflammation-associated neovascularization and fibrosis, remains incomplete due to the limited availability of ideal clinical samples and experimental research models. Read More

Pharmacol Rep 2018 Oct 11;71(1):156-166. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Medical University of Bialystok, Białystok, Poland. Electronic address:

Skin application of pharmaceutical products is one of the methods used for drug administration. The problem of limited drug penetration via topical application makes searching for safe drug carriers that will provide an expected therapeutic effect of utmost importance. Research into safe drug carriers began with liposome structures, paving the way for work with nanocarriers, which currently play a large role as drug vehicles. Read More

Ocul Surf 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, 1855 W. Taylor Street, EEI, 3164 Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Electronic address:

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2018 Dec;59(15):5904-5911

The Gill Center for Biomolecular Science and the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, United States.

Purpose: It has been known for nearly 50 years that cannabis and the psychoactive constituent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). Elevated IOP remains the chief hallmark and therapeutic target for glaucoma, a major cause of blindness. THC likely acts via one of the known cannabinoid-related receptors (CB1, CB2, GPR18, GPR119, GPR55) but this has never been determined explicitly. Read More

PLoS One 2018 14;13(12):e0209038. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Clinical Microbiology, Virology, and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are common pathogens that can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, and ocular infections. They are divided into seven species containing 85 genotypes. Straightforward typing systems might help epidemiological investigations. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 Dec 14;12(12):e0007027. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Validation of elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is based on clinical indicators, using the WHO simplified grading system. Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection and anti-Ct antibody responses (anti-Pgp3) have both been evaluated as alternative indicators in settings with varying levels of trachoma. There is a need to evaluate the feasibility of using tests for Ct infection and anti-Pgp3 antibodies at scale in a trachoma-endemic country and to establish the added value of the data generated for understanding transmission dynamics in the peri-elimination setting. Read More

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Orbit Oculoplasty Reconstructive and Aesthetic Services, Aditya Birla Sankara Nethralaya, Kolkata, India.

Purpose: To compare the cosmetic outcome of the surgical scar of external dacryocystorhinostomy by the subcuticular versus sutureless technique.

Methods: This was a prospective interventional randomized control study conducted at tertiary level hospital. Fifty patients of primary-acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this study. Read More

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

The Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery and.

Purpose: Periorbital injuries are common in face transplantation (FT) candidates. It is therefore essential that the ophthalmologist play a central role in the multidisciplinary treatment of these patients. In this study, the authors perform a comprehensive review of all procedures involving periorbital components, provide an update for the ophthalmology community regarding the current state of the field, and present 2 cases. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Sep;32(18):1374-1377

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710004, China.

To study the parameters of the suppression head impulse paradigm of vestibular neuritis and explore the application value of suppression head impulse paradigm in vestibular neuritis.Twenty patients with vestibular neuritis in our outpatient clinic were selected. The HIMP and SHIMP gain of unilateral vestibular neuritis patients were detected by video pulse detector. Read More

Lin Chung Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Jul;32(14):1091-1094

Department of Ophthalmology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region People's Hospital.

To analyze the clinical characteristics of ocular tilt reaction in vestibular neuritis patients and discuss its value to the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis.Thirty-five patients with vestibular neuritis confirmed between January 2016 and March 2018 underwent bedside vestibular function physical examination including nystagmus, head impulse test(HIT),head shaking nystagmus(HSN), ocular tilt reaction(OTR), Romberg sign, Fukuda stepping. All patients underwent head CT scan and brain MRI scan + DWI to exclude bleeding and infarction. Read More

Salud Publica Mex 2018 Sep-Oct;60(5):520-527

Departamento de Epidemiología Ocular y Salud Visual, Instituto de Oftalmología Conde de Valenciana. Mexico City, Mexico.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dry eye symptoms (DES) and associated risk factors among adults in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study that included 1 508 individuals aged ≥50 years who answered the Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ5), with a score ranging between 0 and 22; the following categories were defined: no DES (<6); mild-moderate DES (6 to 11) and severe DES (≥12).

Results: The prevalence of DES was 41. Read More

Korean J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec;32(6):523-524

Department of Ophthalmology, Kim's Eye Hospital, Myung-Gok Eye Research Institute, Konyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Korean J Ophthalmol 2018 Dec;32(6):445-450

Department of Ophthalmology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.

Purpose: To compare the tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) between patients with incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and normal controls and to analyze the changes in tear film LLT and blinking pattern after silicone tube intubation in NLDO patients.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 68 eyes in 52 incomplete NLDO patients who underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2017 to July 2017. The LLT, blinking pattern, and Meibomian gland image were measured with the LipiView II ocular surface interferometer. Read More

Head Neck 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Radiation Therapy, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Background: Prospective evaluation of the results of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for sinonasal cancer compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT).

Materials And Methods: We prospectively evaluated 34 patients (pts) treated with postoperative VMAT with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB; RapidArc) from 2011 to 2015. These pts were retrospectively compared with 24 pts treated with 3DCRT from 2003 to 2011. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to report prevalence, ocular outcome, neurological characteristics, cognitive and behavioural problems in children with optic disc coloboma (ODC).

Methods: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study of 31 children between 2 and 18 years of age diagnosed with ODC. The children were part of a larger cohort of 184 children with congenital optic disc malformations. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, County General and Veterans Hospital Vukovar, Vukovar, Croatia.

We present the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with vertigo when pressing the entrance of his right auditory meatus and exposing his right ear to loud noise. A diagnostic procedure revealed bilateral labyrinth weakness, which was confirmed by caloric and rotational testing. The ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials investigation demonstrated a significant weakness of the right utriculus, whereas the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials were normal, indicating preservation of the saccular response. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Purpose: To investigate the cytotoxic effect of bleomycin, mitomycin C (MMC) and Fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with electroporation (EP) on human conjunctival melanoma (CM) and normal conjunctival cell lines using 2D and 3D cell culture systems in vitro.

Methods: Two CM (CRMM1, CRMM2) and one normal conjunctival epithelial cell line (HCjE-Gi) were treated with various EP conditions and increasing concentrations of 5-FU, MMC and bleomycin. Cell survival was assessed by MTT viability assay. Read More

Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The ocular skeleton, composed of the scleral cartilage and scleral ossicles, is present in many vertebrates. The morphology of the scleral cartilage and ossicles varies within different extant reptiles (including birds) and also varies dramatically from the morphology in extant teleosts. This incredible range of diverse morphologies is the result of millions of years of evolution. Read More

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada.

Interferons are cytokines that regulate the host's response to viral infection, particularly in the setting of the immunologic response to the hepatitis C virus (HCV). While the virus has the ability to evade the host's innate and specific immunity, exogenous interferon-α with combined ribavirin, treatments have been found to achieve a significant sustained viral response in subgroups of patients with chronic HCV. One of the major side effects of interferon-α is an ocular retinopathy characterized by flame-shaped hemorrhages and cotton wool spots visualized on funduscopic examination. Read More

Cureus 2018 Oct 8;10(10):e3428. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Ophthalmology, School of Medical Sciences/Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, MYS.

In human, sporotrichosis infection commonly manifests as skin lesions through direct inoculation. It is rarely associated with ocular manifestation via a zoonotic transmission. We describe a young lady who presented with acute left eye granulomatous conjunctivitis who had a history of exposure to her sick cat diagnosed with sporotrichosis infection. Read More

Eye (Lond) 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, Bolton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton, UK.

Objective: To explore self-inflicted retinal burns from laser pointers in children.

Methods: Literature review of laser pointer retinal injuries in childhood and online survey of UK Consultant Ophthalmologists. A cohort of local children with self-inflicted injury is described. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 13;8(1):17828. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi Province, China.

In this study, we explored the effects of particulate matter 2.5 (PM) eye drops on the ocular surface structure and tear function in mice and established a novel animal model for dry eye research. We found that, following treatment with PM, the tear volume and, the tear film break-up time showed statistical differences at each time point (P < 0. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2018 Dec 13:1-5. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

e School of Psychology, University of South Australia , Adelaide , Australia.

Purpose: Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder with negative impact on function and quality of life. It is currently unclear whether vision-related quality of life is affected. The aim of this study was to determine whether vision-related quality of life is reduced by dystonia. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 8;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 8.

Ribeirao Preto Medical School, Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP 14049-900 Brazil.

For decades, neurological, psychological, and cognitive alterations, as well as other glandular manifestations (EGM), have been described and are being considered to be part of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Dry eye and dry mouth are major findings in SS. The lacrimal glands (LG), ocular surface (OS), and salivary glands (SG) are linked to the central nervous system (CNS) at the brainstem and hippocampus. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13547

Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Huzhou University, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common intra-ocular malignancy in children. The association of rs2279744, and rs937283 in MDM2 gene, and p21 rs1801270 polymorphism and RB development have been demonstrated. To provide a comprehensive assessment of and to clarify associations between the 3 SNPs (MDM2 rs2279744, MDM2 rs937283, and p21 rs1801270) and the risk of RB, we performed a meta-analysis of all the eligible case-control studies. Read More

PLoS One 2018 13;13(12):e0209004. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

Today's students have increased expectations for flexible learning options and evidence-based practice resources to be available to support curricular activities. We investigated: (i) the suitability of a static website for teaching ocular anatomy and physiology and an interactive version of the website with quiz and self-assessment activities and (ii) the usefulness of a blended online and in-lab environment to teach in Optometry. We administered a survey to compare responses of optometry students who had access to the interactive website, with those from students from a previous year who used the static version. Read More

N Z Med J 2018 Dec 14;131(1487):80-85. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Ophthalmologist, Gisborne; Senior Lecturer, Dept of Ophthalmology, University of Otago.

Myopia is an eye condition that is increasing around the world, reaching epidemic levels in many countries. It is associated with a higher risk of other ocular diseases including myopic maculopathy and retinal detachment. Historically in New Zealand myopia has existed at a low level, however the environmental changes that have increased myopia internationally will affect New Zealanders too. Read More

Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Nanomaterials Lab, Center of Material Science (CMS), Zewail City of Science & Technology, 6th of October, Giza 12578, Egypt.

Aim: This study involves, for the first time, the development of mucoadhesive biodegradable polymeric-multilayered nanoparticles-in-nanofibers (NPs-in-NFs) matrix as an innovative single-dose noninvasive ocular-insert that could substitute conventional ocular dosage-forms.

Materials & Methods: Azithromycin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymer/pluronic NPs were developed then incorporated into electrospun polyvinylpyrrolidone NFs, and tested for their efficient treatment of ocular bacterial infection.

Results: Release and permeation studies proved the ability of the insert to control drug release over 10 days. Read More

Ophthalmic Epidemiol 2018 Dec 13:1-6. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

a Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA , USA.

Purpose: Trachoma, caused by repeated ocular infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and is targeted for elimination as a public health problem. We sought to determine whether a one-time azithromycin mass treatment would reduce trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) levels below the elimination threshold of 5% in communities with disease prevalence between 5 and 9.9%. Read More

Ann Biol Clin (Paris) 2018 Dec;76(6):675-680

Département de biochimie et génétique, CHU Angers, France.

We report the case of an infant hospitalized for neonatal anoxic ischemia in whom the diagnosis of Alagille syndrome (SAG ; MIM # 118450) was suspected in the presence of major cholestasis, cardiac malformations, suggestive facial dysmorphia, and vertebral and ocular abnormalities. This diagnosis was later confirmed by the detection of a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the gene JAG1, i.e. Read More

Curr Gene Ther 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, The College of Optometry, Tianjin 300384. China.

Background: As one of the main blinding ocular diseases, corneal blindness results from neovascularization that disrupts the angiogenic privilege of corneal avascularity. Following neovascularization, inflammatory cells are infiltrating into corneal to strengthen corneal injury. How to maintain corneal angiogenic privilege to treat corneal disease has been investigated for decades. Read More

Orv Hetil 2018 Sep;159(39):1575-1583

Szemészeti Klinika, Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar Budapest.

To summarize ophthalmological signs of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and to present a case report. Summary of the literature data and presentation of the history of a 46-year-old female patient. In MGUS, pathological, but non-malignant plasma cells produce abnormal monoclonal immunoglobulin. Read More

Neurol Sci 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.

Introduction: The slow-channel congenital myasthenic syndrome (SCCMS) is a postsynaptic form of congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs), a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders caused by genetic defects leading to an abnormal signal transmission at the endplate.

Methods: We report clinical and molecular data of a multigenerational family in which the presentation of a progressive proximal-distal weakness with ocular involvement led to a number of different clinical diagnoses.

Results: A comprehensive genetic study which included whole-genome linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous missense substitution (c. Read More