Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Exp Eye Res 2021 Apr 2;205:108526. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Stem Cell Laboratory, Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Center, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; Center for Ocular Regeneration (CORE), LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Electronic address:

Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), caused due to corneal injury, primarily by chemical/alkali burns, leads to compromised vision. Recently, several animal models of corneal alkali burn injury have become available. The majority of the studies with these animal models start interventions soon after the injury. Read More

Sci Rep 2021 Jan 27;11(1):2351. Epub 2021 Jan 27.

Department of Ophthalmology, Dongguk University, Ilsan Hospital, 814, Siksadong, Ilsan-dong-gu, Goyang, Kyunggido, 410-773, South Korea.

Ocular surface diseases (OSD) can cause serious visual deterioration and discomfort. Commercial artificial tear solution containing hyaluronic acid (HA) show excellent biocompatibility and unique viscoelastic characteristics. Here, we developed a novel HA membrane (HAM) by chemical crosslinking using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether for the effective treatment of OSDs. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020 Dec;61(14):22

Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of locally delivered regulatory T cells (Tregs) on acute corneal wound healing after alkali burn.

Methods: After corneal alkali burn, the mice were injected subconjunctivally with regulatory T cells (Tregs) isolated from syngeneic mice. The wound healing process was monitored by clinical manifestation, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020 Oct;61(12):20

Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Purpose: Corneal injury that occurs after burning with alkali initiates wound-healing processes, including inflammation, neovascularization, and fibrosis. Excessive reactions to injury can reduce corneal transparency and thereby compromise vision. The NADPH oxidase (Nox) enzyme complex is known to be involved in cell signaling for wound-healing angiogenesis, but its role in corneal neovascularization has been little studied. Read More

Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2020 10;26(10):541-552

State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, GuangZhou, China.

Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a refractory ocular surface disorder characterized by progressive corneal epithelial degeneration, conjunctivalization, and neovascularization, potentially leading to blindness. There are currently no effective therapeutic options for patients experiencing routine symptomatic treatment failure. Transplantation of amniotic membrane (AM) with adherent stem cells (but not bare AM transplantation alone) has shown promise in preclinical studies for ocular surface restoration. Read More

J Mol Med (Berl) 2020 11 22;98(11):1639-1656. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA.

Fibulin-3 (F3) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein found in basement membranes across the body. An autosomal dominant R345W mutation in F3 causes a macular dystrophy resembling dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), whereas genetic removal of wild-type (WT) F3 protects mice from sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposit formation. These observations suggest that F3 is a protein which can regulate pathogenic sub-RPE deposit formation in the eye. Read More

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2020 10 13;40(10):2425-2439. Epub 2020 Aug 13.

Division of Molecular and Vascular Biology, IRDA, Kumamoto University, Japan (M.M., T.M.).

Objective: The calcineurin-NFAT (nuclear factor for activated T cells)-DSCR (Down syndrome critical region)-1 pathway plays a crucial role as the downstream effector of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)-mediated tumor angiogenesis in endothelial cells. A role for DSCR-1 in different organ microenvironment such as the cornea and its role in ocular diseases is not well understood. Corneal changes can be indicators of various disease states and are easily detected through ocular examinations. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020 08;61(10):24

Dean McGee Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States.

Purpose: Corneal opacity and neovascularization (NV) are often described as outcomes of severe herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. The current study investigated the role of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)+ cells and soluble factors in the progression of HSV-1-induced corneal NV and opacity.

Methods: MaFIA mice were infected with 500 plaque-forming units of HSV-1 in the cornea following scarification. Read More

Cornea 2020 Aug;39(8):961-967

Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Purpose: To investigate the causes of graft failure and risk factors associated with total graft opacity after primary penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in children with Peters anomaly (PA).

Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with PA (younger than 5 years) who received primary PK in Beijing Tongren Hospital were reviewed. The follow-up period was a minimum of 6 months. Read More

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2020 02;61(2):46

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Purpose: The goal of this study was to determine the role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in the pathogenesis of herpes stromal keratitis (HSK).

Methods: In an unbiased approach, a membrane-based protein array was carried out to determine the level of expression of pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules in uninfected and HSV-1 infected corneas. Quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA assays were performed to measure the amounts of IGFBP-3 at mRNA and protein levels. Read More

Cornea 2020 Jun;39(6):736-741

Department of Ophthalmology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Purpose: To describe the efficacy of autologous serum (AS) eye drops to reverse severe contact lens (CL)-induced limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: This is a prospective, uncontrolled, interventional case series that enrolled 20 eyes of 14 consecutive patients diagnosed with severe CL-induced LSCD at presentation, based on clinical examination, at a tertiary referral center for the period December 2016 to December 2018. All eyes underwent AS treatment for at least 2 weeks with a follow-up for at least 2 months. Read More

Cornea 2020 May;39(5):598-604

Casey Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.

Purpose: To map and measure the depths of corneal neovascularization (NV) using 3-dimensional optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at 2 different wavelengths.

Methods: Corneal NV of varying severity, distribution, and underlying etiology was examined. Average NV depth and vessel density were measured using 840-nm spectral-domain OCTA and 1050-nm swept-source OCTA. Read More

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2020 Feb 25;258(2):359-366. Epub 2019 Nov 25.

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of spontaneous regression of congenital corneal opacity (CCO) and identify clinical factors associated with the regression.

Methods: Medical records and anterior segment photographs were reviewed of 57 eyes in 35 patients with CCO that were not related to congenital glaucoma, tumors, infection, trauma, or metabolic disorders and were followed up without corneal transplantation for longer than one year at Seoul National University Hospital. Spontaneous regression of corneal opacity was defined as a decrease in corneal opacity significant enough for visual axis clearance. Read More

Vestn Oftalmol 2019 ;135(5):75-79

Novokuznetsk State Institute of Advanced Training of Physicians, Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, 5 Stroiteley Av., Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo region, Russian Federation, 654005.

Treatment and rehabilitation of patients with destructive lesions of the cornea is a serious problem for ophthalmologists due to severity of the outcome of the disease - the formation of leukomas with a persistent decrease in vision, or even a complete loss of visual functions. The article presents a clinical case of a patient with posttraumatic ectaticized leukoma of the functionally promising eye, which course was complicated by perforation. The authors, in the absence of the donor cornea, faced a complex clinical task - the risk of functional and anatomical death of the single eyeball in the absence of adequate care for the patient. Read More

Indian J Ophthalmol 2019 07;67(7):1193-1194

Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, 18 College Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

We report a rare case of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) neovascularization managed with combination of subconjunctival bevacizumab and argon laser photocoagulation. A 24 year old male underwent Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for corneal stromal opacity following presumed viral keratitis. Deep corneal neovascularization was observed postoperatively which was successfully managed using a combination of subconjunctival bevacizumab and argon laser photocoagulation within one week of DALK. Read More

J Biochem 2019 Jul;166(1):107-113

Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Nanbaixiang, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). MSCs were subconjunctival injected into rat corneal alkali burn models. Their impacts on the degree of corneal neovascularization (CNV) and corneal opacity were evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after injection. Read More

Nutrients 2019 May 27;11(5). Epub 2019 May 27.

División de Investigación, Hospital Juárez de México, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 5160, Magdalena de las Salinas, Gustavo A. Madero, Ciudad de México 07760, México.

Severe corneal inflammation produces opacity or even perforation, scarring, and angiogenesis, resulting in blindness. In this study, we used the cornea to examine the effect of new anti-angiogenic chemopreventive agents. We researched the anti-angiogenic effect of two extracts, methanol (Met) and hexane (Hex), from the seed of , on inflamed corneas. Read More

Top Companion Anim Med 2019 Jun 7;35:18-25. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate the efficacy of a periophthalmic cream of a pool of fatty acids (FAG®) in association with 0.15% hyaluronate eye drops in alleviating the clinical symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in a case series of dogs. The study was conducted on 10 dogs diagnosed with idiopathic KCS. Read More

Eur J Ophthalmol 2020 Sep 17;30(5):NP23-NP25. Epub 2019 May 17.

Department of Ophthalmology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.

Purpose: To report two cases with corneal sterile infiltration presumably due to topical ocular hypotensive agent.

Method: Case report.

Results: Case 1: A 65-year-old man presented with corneal opacity and neovascularization in his left eye. Read More

J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 2019 06 15;35(5):283-290. Epub 2019 May 15.

1 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

To evaluate the efficacy and primary safety of treatment with artesunate in reducing ocular neovascularization in humans. Five patients with corneal, iris, and retinal neovascularization and no light perception were treated with intravitreal injections of artesunate 80 μg. Visual acuity, anterior segment photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were used to evaluate efficacy, while intraocular pressure (IOP) and lens opacity degree were employed to evaluate safety. Read More

Exp Eye Res 2019 07 22;184:201-212. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, 74100, Israel.

Exposure to sulfur mustard (SM) may result in severe ocular injuries. While some of the eyes show a clinical resolution of the injury (defined as clinically non-impaired), part of the eyes develop irreversible late ocular pathologies (defined as clinically impaired) that may lead to corneal blindness. Understanding the pathological mechanisms underlying the development of the late pathology may lead to improved treatment options. Read More

Xenotransplantation 2019 07 14;26(4):e12515. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

We investigated the predictive biomarkers for graft rejection in pig-to-non-human primate (NHP) full-thickness corneal xenotransplantation (n = 34). The graft score (0-12) was calculated based on opacity, edema, and vascularization. Scores ≥ 6 were defined as rejection. Read More

Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019 07 25;19(7):643-653. Epub 2019 Apr 25.

a Institute of Genetic Medicine , Newcastle University, International Centre for Life , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.

Introduction: Cornea is a transparent, robust tissue that comprises highly organized cells. Disruption of this specialized tissue can lead to scarring and subsequent blindness, making corneal damage a considerable challenge worldwide. At present, the available medical treatments are unable to address the wide range of corneal diseases. Read More

Xenotransplantation 2019 07 10;26(4):e12509. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

China Regenerative Medicine International Limited, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

Background: Corneal transplantation is a common surgical intervention for restoring vision loss due to corneal damages. However, for cultural reasons, there is a huge shortage of donor corneas in China. Acellular porcine corneal stromas (APCSs) can be used as corneal substitutes in lamellar keratoplasty for corneal ulcers. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 May 8;113:108558. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, PR China. Electronic address:

Immune rejection is a critical complication that results in the graft failure after corneal transplantation. Thus, there remains a need for new therapies for allograft rejection. AICAR (aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is an, as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator and a purine nucleoside with a wide range of metabolic effects, including activation of AMPK. Read More

Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2019 Dec 23;38(4):315-321. Epub 2019 Jul 23.

Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.

To compare the therapeutic effects of human derivatives in a mouse alkali burn model. The right eyes of mice were injured using NaOH. After alkali injury, one of the following agents was topically administered for 7 d: human amniotic membrane (hAM) suspension, human umbilical cord serum (hUCS), and human peripheral blood serum (hPBS), or saline. Read More

Vet Ophthalmol 2019 May 30;22(3):294-304. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

National Veterinary School of Touluose, Toulouse, France.

Objective: To describe the phenotype of canine macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) including the clinical presentation, multimodal ocular imaging, histopathology, and ultrastructural analysis in ten Labrador Retrievers.

Procedure: Multicentered data collection.

Results: Labrador Retrievers affected by MCD were presented between the age of 4. Read More

J Am Vet Med Assoc 2018 Dec;253(12):1623-1629

CASE DESCRIPTION A 7-year-old sexually intact female snow leopard (Panthera uncia) was examined because of blepharospasm, periocular discharge, ventral deviation of the upper eyelid cilia, third eyelid prolapse, and corneal opacity of the right eye. CLINICAL FINDINGS An ophthalmic examination performed with the patient anesthetized revealed a 3 × 3-mm ulcer that extended approximately 60% of the depth of the right cornea and was accompanied by perilesional and intralesional cellular infiltrates and active vascularization. The upper eyelid of the right eye also had a previously repaired coloboma resulting in trichiasis. Read More

Acta Ophthalmol 2019 Sep 4;97(6):e948-e949. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Japan.

Burns 2019 03 30;45(2):398-412. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

Departamento de Biología Celular, CINVESTAV-IPN. Apdo. Postal 14-740, México D.F. 07000, México. Electronic address:

Background: Since recent reports have shown that (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could be used for treating proliferative and inflammatory disorders, we explored its use for the management of corneal chemical burns.

Materials And Methods: Initially, EGCG was assayed on the rabbit corneal epithelial cell line RCE1(5T5) to establish the best testing conditions, and to avoid unwanted outcomes in the experimental animals. Then, we studied its effects on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and cell differentiation. Read More