Anisomyopia and orthokeratology for myopia control - Axial elongation and relative peripheral refraction.

PURPOSE: To investigate axial elongation (AE) and changes in relative peripheral refraction (RPR) in anisomyopic children undergoing orthokeratology (ortho-k). METHODS: Bilateral anisomyopic children, 7-12 years of age, were treated with ortho-k. Axial length (AL) and RPR, from 30° nasal (N30°) to 30° temporal (T30°), were measured at baseline and every 6 months over the study period. AE, changes in RPR and changes in the interocular AL difference were determined over time. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 33 subjects completed the 2-year study. The AE of the higher myopic (HM) eyes (at least 1.50 D more myopia than the other eye) (0.26 ± 0.29 mm) was significantly smaller than for the less myopic (LM) eyes (0.50 ± 0.27 mm; p = 0.003), leading to a reduction in the interocular difference in AL (p = 0.001). Baseline RPR measurements in the HM eyes were relatively more hyperopic at T30°, N20° and N30° (p ≤ 0.02) and greater myopic shifts were observed at T20° (p < 0.001), T30° (p < 0.001), N20° (p = 0.02) and N30° (p = 0.01) after lens wear. After 2 years of ortho-k lens wear, temporal-nasal asymmetry increased significantly, being more myopic at the temporal locations in both eyes (p < 0.001), while AE was associated with the change in RPR at N20° (ß = 0.134, p = 0.01). The interocular difference in AE was also positively associated with the interocular difference in RPR change at N30° (ß = 0.111, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Ortho-k slowed AE in bilateral anisomyopia, with slower growth in the HM eyes leading to a reduction in interocular AL differences. After ortho-k, RPR changed from hyperopia to myopia, with greater changes induced in the HM eyes, and slower AE was associated with a more myopic shift in RPR, especially in the nasal field of both eyes.

The effect of individualized ocular refraction customized spectacle lenses on myopia control in schoolchildren: A 1-year randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of individualized ocular refraction customized (IORC) spectacle lenses with different actual amounts of peripheral myopic defocus (MD) on myopia control over 1 year. These lenses compensate for the original peripheral refraction via the free-form surface on the back of the lens. METHODS: This 1-year, double-masked randomised clinical trial included 184 myopic schoolchildren aged 8-12 years. Participants were randomised to receive IORC lenses with high (IORC-H group, +4.50 D), medium (IORC-M group, +3.50 D) or low (IORC-L group, +2.50 D) MD or single-vision (SV) lenses. The spherical equivalent refractive error (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline and 6-monthly intervals. RESULTS: After 1 year, the mean (SD) changes in SER were -0.18 (0.37), -0.36 (0.37), -0.52 (0.39) and -0.60 (0.42) D for the IORC-H, IORC-M, IORC-L and SV groups, respectively. Compared with the SV group, the effects of slowing myopia progression were 70%, 40% and 13% for the IORC-H (difference of 0.47 D, p < 0.001), IORC-M (difference of 0.32 D, p = 0.001) and IORC-L (difference of 0.15 D, p > 0.05) groups, respectively. The mean (SD) changes in AL were 0.12 (0.16), 0.23 (0.17), 0.29 (0.17) and 0.36 (0.17) mm for the IORC-H, IORC-M, IORC-L and SV groups, respectively. The axial elongation was 67%, 36% and 19% lower in the IORC-H (difference of 0.25 mm, p < 0.001), IORC-M (difference of 0.15 mm, p < 0.001) and IORC-L (difference of 0.10 mm, p = 0.04) groups, respectively, compared with the SV group. The IORC-H group exhibited significantly less axial elongation than the IORC-M and IORC-L groups (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Compared with the IORC-M and IORC-L lenses, the IORC-H lens was found to have superior efficacy in inhibiting myopic progression and slowing eye growth in schoolchildren, with better myopia control efficacy in younger children.

Effect of Individualized Ocular Refraction Customization Spectacle Lens Wear on Visual Performance in Myopic Chinese Children.

Purpose: Individualized ocular refraction customization (IORC) lenses can be individually adjusted depending on the initial relative peripheral refraction to determine the myopic defocus (MD). We aimed to compare visual performance of children wearing IORC lenses with different amounts of MD to determine whether higher MD resulted in greater visual compromise. Methods: This study included 184 myopic children aged eight to 12 years, and 172 completed the trial. The participants were randomly assigned to wear IORC lenses with low (IORC-L, 2.50 D), medium (IORC-M, 3.50 D), or high (IORC-H, 4.50 D) MD or single-vision spectacle lenses (SVL). Distance and near best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity function (CSF) and questionnaires were evaluated at baseline and after six and 12 months. Results: CSF over all frequencies and distance and near BCVA were not affected by lens design (all P > 0.05). The SVL group outperformed the three IORC lens groups in terms of ghosting images at baseline, and IORC-H and IORC-M groups outperformed IORC-L group (all P < 0.001); however, no differences were observed at the six- or 12-month visit. There were no significant differences among the four groups for any other subjective variables at any of the follow-up visits regarding vision clarity, vision stability, eyestrain, dizziness, headache, or overall vision satisfaction (all P > 0.05). Conclusions: The IORC lenses with an actual MD of 4.50 D provided acceptable objective and subjective visual performance and were well tolerated by children. Translational Relevance: IORC lenses with an actual MD of 4.50 D provided acceptable visual performance.

The role of adiponectin and its receptor signaling in ocular inflammation-associated diseases.

Ocular inflammation-associated diseases are leading causes of global visual impairment, with limited treatment options. Adiponectin, a hormone primarily secreted by adipose tissue, binds to its receptors, which are widely distributed throughout the body, exerting powerful physiological regulatory effects. The protective role of adiponectin in various inflammatory diseases has gained increasing attention in recent years. Previous studies have confirmed the presence of adiponectin and its receptors in the eyes. Furthermore, adiponectin and its analogs have shown potential as novel drugs for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. This article summarizes the evidence for the interplay between adiponectin and inflammatory eye diseases and provides new perspectives on the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of adiponectin.

Effectiveness of orthokeratology and myopia control spectacles in a real-world setting in China.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of myopia control in Chinese children, who had been wearing either orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses or myopia control spectacles (MCS) for one year. METHODS: Relevant data were retrieved from 212 patients, with baseline myopia of -5.00 to -0.75 D, astigmatism ≤ 1.50 D, who had been undergoing myopia control treatment with either ortho-k (Euclid (OK1) or CRT (OK2)) or MCS (Stellest (MCS1) or DIMS (MCS2)) for at least one year. Myopia control effectiveness among the four groups was compared based on the change in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) (for the spectacle groups) and axial length (AL) (for all groups). Data retrieved, from the right eye only, included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), SER, and AL at both the initial clinic visit (baseline) and the one-year visit was analysed. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in gender, cylindrical power, or BCVA were observed at the baseline visit (P > 0.05), there were significant differences in baseline age, myopia, and AL among the four groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference in axial elongation (AE) was found among the four groups after one year of treatment (P = 0.49). AE, adjusted for baseline age and spherical power, were 0.19 ± 0.15, 0.18 ± 0.14, 0.19 ± 0.19, 0.20 ± 0.18 mm for OK1, OK2, MCS1, MCS2, respectively. Only age was a significantly factor associated with AE and SER increase (P < 0.05), with negative associations between AE and age in all groups and positive association between SER increase and baseline age in the spectacle groups observed. CONCLUSION: Both brands of ortho-k lenses and MCS had similar myopia control effectiveness for mild to moderate myopic children treated in a real-world setting in China. Average AE in one year ranged from 0.18 to 0.20 mm, comparable to previous reports on myopia control using ortho-k.

The relationship between accommodative and binocular function with myopia progression in myopic children undergoing orthokeratology.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between changes in accommodative and binocular function with myopia progression in myopic children over a two-year follow-up period, and to determine when changes in visual functions stabilized after switching from spectacles to orthokeratology (Ortho-K). METHODS: This prospective, self-controlled study followed thirty-six participants (aged 8-14 years) for two years after they switched from spectacles to Ortho-K. Accommodative and binocular function were assessed prior to and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after commencing Ortho-K. Measurements included accommodative amplitude, accommodative response, accommodative facility, accommodative convergence/accommodation (AC/A), ocular alignment, positive relative accommodation (PRA), negative relative accommodation (NRA), horizontal vergence range, reading ability and stereoacuity. Myopia progression was quantified by the change in axial length. RESULTS: Ocular alignment, monocular and binocular accommodative facility, and PRA stabilized after 1 month. The distance blur point in the convergence range, the distance break and recovery point in the divergence range, accommodative amplitude, calculated AC/A, stereoacuity and reading ability stabilized within 6 months. After two years of Ortho-K, NRA significantly increased (p = 0.044), while it showed no significant difference after one-year of lens wear (p = 0.49). The distance break point in the convergence range showed no significant difference (p = 0.20), but significantly decreased after one-year (p = 0.005). There were no significant correlations between the change in axial length with changes in accommodative or binocular function (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Accommodative and binocular function changed significantly after switching from spectacles to Ortho-K and most of the parameters stabilized within the first 6 months. There was no association between the change in accommodative or binocular function and myopia progression.

Corrective mechanisms of motion extrapolation.

Transmission and processing of sensory information in the visual system takes time. For motion perception, our brain can overcome this intrinsic neural delay through extrapolation mechanisms and accurately predict the current position of a continuously moving object. But how does the system behave when the motion abruptly changes and the prediction becomes wrong? Here we address this question by studying the perceived position of a moving object with various abrupt motion changes by human observers. We developed a task in which a bar is monotonously moving horizontally, and then motion suddenly stops, reverses, or disappears-then-reverses around two vertical stationary reference lines. Our results showed that participants overestimated the position of the stopping bar but did not perceive an overshoot in the motion reversal condition. When a temporal gap was added at the reverse point, the perceptual overshoot of the end point scaled with the gap durations. Our model suggests that the overestimation of the object position when it disappears is not linear as a function of its speeds but gradually fades out. These results can thus be reconciled in a single process where there is an interplay of the cortical motion prediction mechanisms and the late sensory transient visual inputs.

Binocular function in the aging visual system: fusion, suppression, and stereoacuity.

Introduction: Changes in vision that occur in normal healthy aging can be seen in fundamental measures of monocular vision. However, the nature of the changes in binocular vision with age remain unclear. Methods: A total of 28 older (53-66 years) and 28 younger adults (20-31 years) were enrolled in this study. We performed a battery of tests to assess differences in monocular contrast thresholds and various binocular visual functions including dichoptic masking weight and strength, the binocular balance point for fused stimuli, and stereoacuity in the aging and control groups. Results: Aging significantly increased monocular contrast thresholds (p < 0.001). Although this suggests that aging reduces the effective "input gain" to vision, we also found a significantly elevated contribution of those weaker signals to interocular suppression (p < 0.001). Consequently, there was no significant net difference in the strength of interocular suppression (p = 0.065). We did not find a significant difference of absolute balance point between the two groups (p = 0.090). Lastly, the mean stereoacuity was worse in the older group compared to the younger group (p = 0.002). Discussion: Our findings confirm previous results showing differences in contrast sensitivity and stereoacuity with aging. Furthermore, we find a change in interocular suppression that is a possible consequence of the change in contrast sensitivity. It is suggestive of a cortical system that maintains a homeostatic balance in interocular suppression across the lifespan.

The alterations in ocular biometric parameters following short-term discontinuation of long-term orthokeratology and prior to subsequent lens fitting: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the alterations in biometric parameters among Chinese adolescents over an extended period of wearing orthokeratology lenses, as well as the subsequent changes after a one-month cessation of lens usage prior to the secondary lens fitting. METHODS: Twenty-four myopic patients aged 7-14 were enrolled in this 37-month prospective observational study. Ocular biometric parameters were measured in the study. Ocular biometric parameters were assessed, and the utilization of Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was employed in the analysis to address the correlation between the two eyes of each participant. RESULTS: The axial length (AL) increased by 0.55 mm after 36 months of lens wearing and further increased to 0.62 mm at the 37-month follow-up compared to the initial measurement. The differences in AL elongation per month between the 37-month time point and the 12-, 24-, and 36-month marks of lens wearing were found to be statistically significant (p12-month = 0.001; p24-month = 0.003; p36-month = 0.001). Following the cessation of lens wear for 1 month, there was no significant complete recovery observed in the flat and steep keratometry values. However, the intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth returned to their baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS: The AL elongation undergoes alterations during temporary discontinuation of lenses, with the flat and steep keratometry measurements remaining significantly flatter compared to the baseline. However, the intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth return to their initial levels after one month of lens cessation.

[Application of Deep Learning Algorithm in the Grading Assessment of Corneal Fluorescein Staining].

Objective: To explore the application value of applying deep learning (DL) algorithm in the grading assessment of corneal fluorescein staining. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, covering 600 corneal fluorescein staining photos acquired in the Contact Lens Clinic, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between 2020 and 2022. Out of the 600 photos, 500 were used to construct the algorithm and the remaining 100 were used for the validation of the algorithm and a comparative analysis of the difference in grading accuracy (ACC) and the length of diagnostic time between artificial intelligence (AI) and optometry students. One month after finishing the first grading analysis, assessment by AI and optometry students was conducted for a second time and results from the two rounds of assessment were compared to examine the intrarater agreement ( kappa value) of the two analyses. The grading analysis results of 3 experienced optometrists were used as the gold standard in the study. Results: Findings of the cross validation with the complete dataset, the training dataset, and the test dataset showed that ResNet34 had the highest predictive accuracy among four DL models. ResNet34 DL model achieved an accuracy of 93.0%, sensitivity of 89.5%, and specificity of 89.6% in the grading of corneal staining. In the comparison of the grading accuracy of AI and two optometry students, AI showed better accuracy, with the respective grading accuracy being 87.0%, 78.0%, and 52.0% for AI, student 1, and student 2 ( P ACC=0.001). In addition, the average diagnostic time of AI was shorter than that of optometry students ( t AI=1.00 s, t S1=11.86 s, t S2=13.25 s, P t =0.001). In the comparative analysis of the intrarater agreement between the two assessments, AI ( kappa AI=0.658, P AI=0.001) achieved better consistency than the two optometry students did （ kappa S1=0.575, P S1=0.001; kappa S2=0.609, P S2=0.001). Conclusion: Applying deep learning algorithms in the grading assessment of corneal fluorescein staining has considerable feasibility and clinical value. In the performance comparison between AI and optometry students, AI achieved higher accuracy and better consistency, which indicates that AI has potential application value for assisting optometrists to make clinical decisions with speed and accuracy.

Effects of inflammation on myopia: evidence and potential mechanisms.

As the most common type of refractive error, myopia has become one of the leading causes of visual impairment. With the increasing prevalence of myopia, there is a growing need to better understand the factors involved in its development. Inflammation, one of the most fundamental pathophysiological processes in humans, is a rapid response triggered by harmful stimuli and conditions. Although controlled inflammatory responses are necessary, over-activated inflammation is the common soil for many diseases. The impact of inflammation on myopia has received rising attention in recent years. Elevated inflammation may contribute to myopia progression either directly or indirectly by inducing scleral remodeling, and myopia development may also increase ocular inflammation. This article provides a comprehensive review of the interplay between inflammation and myopia and the potential biological mechanisms, which may present new targets for understanding the pathology of myopia and developing myopia therapies.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of different doses of atropine for myopic control in children: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: To comprehensively reassess the efficacy and safety of different concentrations of atropine for retarding myopia progression and seek the most appropriate therapeutic concentration for clinical practice. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals (VIP) and China National Knowledege Infrastructure (CNKI) from their inception to 23 March 2023, to obtain eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that had atropine in at least one treatment arm and placebo/no intervention in another arm. We evaluated the risk of bias of the RCTs according to the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration for RCTs and quality of cohort studies by the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale. Weighted mean difference (WMD), 95% confidence interval were calculated for meta-analysis. All data analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3, STATA 12.0 and SPSS 26.0 software. Results: A total of 44 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference (WMD) were 0.73 diopters (D), 0.65 D, 0.35 D per year in refraction progression (χ 2 = 14.63, I 2 = 86.3%; p < 0.001) and -0.26 mm, -0.37 mm, -0.11 mm per year in axial length progression (χ 2 = 5.80, I 2 = 65.5%; p = 0.06) for high (0.5%-1%), moderate (0.1%-0.25%), and low (0.005%-0.05%) dose atropine groups, respectively. Logarithmic dose‒response correlations were found between atropine and their effect on change of refraction, axial length, accommodation and photopic pupil diameter. Through these curves, we found that atropine with concentrations ≤0.05% atropine resulted in a residual value of accommodation of more than 5 D and an increase in pupil diameter no more than 3 mm. Higher doses of atropine resulted in a higher incidence of adverse effects, of which the incidence of photophobia was dose-dependent (r = 0.477, p = 0.029). Conclusion: Both the efficacy and risk of adverse events for atropine treatment of myopia were mostly dose dependent. Comprehensively considered the myopia control effect and safety of each dose, 0.05% may be the best concentration of atropine to control myopia progression at present, at which myopia is better controlled and the side effects are tolerable. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, CRD42022377705.

Activation of p38 MAPK hinders the reactivation of visual cortical plasticity in adult amblyopic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling on reactivating visual cortical plasticity in adult amblyopic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reverse suture (RS), environment enrichment (EE), and combined with left intracerebroventricular injection of p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580, SB) or p38 MAPK agonist (dehydrocorydaline hydrochloride, DHC) were utilized to treat adult amblyopic mice with monocular deprivation (MD). The visual water task, visual cliff test, and Flash visual-evoked potential were used to measure the visual function. Then, Golgi staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess the reactivation of structural plasticity in adult amblyopic mice. Western blot and immunohistochemistry detected the expression of ATF2, PSD-95, p38 MAPK, and phospho-p38 MAPK in the left visual cortex. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in the visual function in each pre-intervention group. Compared to pre-intervention, the visual acuity of deprived eyes was improved significantly, the impairment of visual depth perception was alleviated, and the P wave amplitude and C/I ratio were increased in the EE + RS, the EE + RS + SB, and the EE + RS + DMSO groups, but no significant difference was detected in the EE + RS + DHC group. Compared to EE + RS + DHC group, the density of dendritic spines was significantly higher, the synaptic density of the left visual cortex increased significantly, the length of the active synaptic zone increased, and the thickness of post-synaptic density (PSD) thickened in the left visual cortex of EE + RS, EE + RS + SB, and EE + RS + DMSO groups. And that, the protein expression of p-p38 MAPK increased while that of PSD-95 and ATF2 decreased significantly in the left visual cortex of the EE + RS + DHC group mice. CONCLUSION: RS and EE intervention improved the visual function and synaptic plasticity of the visual cortex in adult amblyopic mice. However, activating p38 MAPK hinders the recovery of visual function by upregulating the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and decreasing the ATF2 protein expression.

One-year results for myopia control with aspheric base curve orthokeratology lenses: A prospective randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of orthokeratology (ortho-k) using aspheric or spherical base curve (BCA vs. BCS) contact lenses on axial elongation and the relative peripheral refraction change (RPRC) in Chinese children. METHODS: Children aged 8-12 years with myopia between -0.75 and -4.00 D and astigmatism ≤1.00 D were randomly assigned to the BCA or BCS group. Peripheral refraction was assessed at 10°, 20° and 30° along the temporal and nasal retina at baseline and at the 12-month visit. Axial length (AL) was measured under cycloplegia at baseline and at the 6- and 12-month visits. Only right eye data were analysed. Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was performed to examine the differences in axial elongation and the RPRC between the BCA and BCS groups. RESULTS: The 1-year results from 31 BCA and 32 BCS subjects were analysed. No significant between-group differences were found at baseline (p ≥ 0.28). At the 12-month visit, the BCA lens produced a greater absolute RPRC along the horizontal meridian than the BCS lens (p < 0.001). Axial elongation was slower in the BCA group (0.19 ± 0.20 mm) than in the BCS group (0.29 ± 0.14 mm; p = 0.03). Axial elongation was correlated with the RPRC at 10° (r = 0.43, p = 0.02) and 20° (r = 0.39, p = 0.03) along the temporal retina in the BCA group; however, these correlations were not observed in the BCS group. CONCLUSION: The BCA ortho-k lens could improve the efficacy of slowing axial elongation in children. The improved myopia control observed in the BCA group may be the result of a larger myopic shift in relative peripheral refraction within 20° along the temporal retina.

Regulatory role of the p38 MAPK/ATF2 signaling pathway in visual function and visual cortical plasticity in mice with monocular deprivation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the role of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) signaling in visual function impairment and visual cortical plasticity in mice with monocular deprivation (MD). METHODS: Visual behavioral tests, including visual water task, visual cliff test, and flash visual evoked potential, were performed on each group. We studied the density of dendritic spines and the synaptic ultrastructure by Golgi staining and transmission electron microscope. We performed Western blot and immunohistochemistry and detected the expression of ATF2, PSD-95, p38 MAPK, and phosphor-p38 MAPK in the left visual cortex. RESULTS: In the MD + SB group, the visual acuity in deprived eyes substantially improved, the impairment of visual depth perception was alleviated, and the P wave amplitude and C/I ratio increased. The density of dendritic spines and the numerical density of synapses increased significantly, the width of the synaptic cleft decreased significantly, and the length of the active synaptic zone and the thickness of post-synaptic density (PSD) increased substantially. The protein expression of phosphor-p38 MAPK decreased, whereas that of PSD-95 and ATF2 increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and negative feedback upregulated ATF2 expression, alleviated damage to visual function, and protected against synaptic plasticity in mice with MD.

An atypical case of myopic strabismus fixus.

We present an atypical case of progressive fixed hypertropia in a patient with extreme myopia. Myopic strabismus fixus is typically characterized by progressive esotropia and hypotropia, which is caused by the protrusion of the posterior eyeball from the superotemporal quadrant of the extraocular muscle cone. In this case, the patient's right eye was fixed in a superomedial position, and the left eye was fixed and deviated upward. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed protrusion of a posterior scleral staphyloma inferotemporally in each eye. This case illustrates how the pattern of strabismus fixus caused by high myopia depends on the direction of the protrusion of the posterior pole and the resulting displacement of extraocular muscle paths.

Distribution and Characteristics of Ocular Biometric Parameters among a Chinese Population: A Hospital-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe the distribution and characteristics of ocular biometric parameters among a large Chinese population. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 146,748 subjects whose ocular biometric parameters were measured at the ophthalmology clinic of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, and recorded in the hospital database. Ocular biometric parameters, including axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal keratometry, and keratometric astigmatism, were recorded. Only monocular data for each subject were analyzed to avoid bias. RESULTS: Valid data from 85,770 subjects (43,552 females and 42,218 males) aged 3-114 years were included in this study. The mean axial length, mean anterior chamber depth, average corneal keratometry, and mean keratometric astigmatism were 24.61 mm, 3.30 mm, 43.76 D, and 1.19 D, respectively. The stratification of the ocular parameters by age and gender showed significant inter-gender and inter-age differences. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of a large population of subjects in western China aged 3-114 years showed that the distribution and characteristics of ocular biometric parameters, including axial length, anterior chamber depth, corneal keratometry, and keratometric astigmatism, differed by age and gender. This study is the first to describe ocular biometric parameters in subjects aged > 100 years.

Orthokeratology in adults and effect on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in various ocular parameters of adults wearing orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses and their levels of satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) after commencing treatment. METHODS: Adults aged 18-38 years, with mild to moderate myopia and astigmatism < 1.50D, were wearing ortho-k lenses for one year. Data collection, which included history taking, refraction, axial length (AL), corneal topography, corneal biomechanics, and biomicroscopy examination, was performed at baseline and every 6 months during the study period. The level of satisfaction with the treatment and QoL was determined via questionnaires. RESULTS: Forty-four subjects completed the study. AL was shortened significantly at the 12-month visit: AL -0.03 (-0.45 to 0.13) mm compared to baseline (p < 0.05). A significant number of subjects in both groups presented with overall and central corneal staining, but the majority were mild (Grade 1). Central endothelial cell density was reduced by 40/mm2 (loss rate 1.4 %) (p < 0.05). High scores were obtained in the satisfaction questionnaire, with no significant differences between visits. At the 12-month visit, NEI-RQL-42 total score, dependence on correction, activity limitation, appearance, and satisfaction with the treatment all significantly increased compared to baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that ortho-k can be an effective and safe myopia correction technique for adults with low to moderate myopia, improving daytime vision without serious adverse events. Satisfaction with ortho-k lens wear was high, particularly those who were dependent on vision correction and found spectacles or contact lenses limiting specific activities or cosmetically undesirable.

Integrated aqueous humor ceRNA and miRNA-TF-mRNA network analysis reveals potential molecular mechanisms governing primary open-angle glaucoma pathogenesis.

Purpose: To conduct an integrated bioinformatics analysis of extant aqueous humor (AH) gene expression datasets in order to identify key genes and the regulatory mechanism governing primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) progression. Methods: Two datasets (GSE101727 and GSE105269) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and the messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified between controls and POAG patients. Differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs and DElncRNAs were then subjected to pathway enrichment analyses, after which a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was generated. This network was then expanded to establish lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and miRNA-transcription factor (TF)-mRNA networks. Results: The GSE101727 dataset was used to identify 2746 DElncRNAs and 2208 DEmRNAs, while the GSE105269 dataset was used to identify 45 DEmiRNAs. We ultimately constructed a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network incorporating 47 lncRNAs, six miRNAs, and 17 mRNAs. The proteins encoded by these 17 hub mRNAs were found to be significantly enriched for activities that may be linked to POAG pathogenesis. In addition, we generated a miRNA-TF-mRNA regulatory network containing two miRNAs (miR-135a-5p and miR-139-5p), five TFs (TGIF2, TCF3, FOS, and so on), and five mRNAs (SHISA7, ST6GAL2, TXNIP, and so on). Conclusion: The SHISA7, ST6GAL2, TXNIP, FOS, and DCBLD2 genes may be viable therapeutic targets for the prevention or treatment of POAG and are regulated by the TFs (TGIF2, HNF1A, TCF3, and FOS).

Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation promotes plasticity of the visual cortex in adult amblyopic rats.

The decline of visual plasticity restricts the recovery of visual functions in adult amblyopia. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to be effective in treating adult amblyopia. However, the underlying mechanisms of rTMS on visual cortex plasticity remain unclear. In this study, we found that low-frequency rTMS reinstated the amplitude of visual evoked potentials, but did not influence the impaired depth perception of amblyopic rats. Furthermore, the expression of synaptic plasticity genes and the number of dendritic spines were significantly higher in amblyopic rats which received rTMS when compared with amblyopic rats which received sham stimulation, with reduced level of inhibition and perineuronal nets in visual cortex, as observed via molecular and histological investigations. The results provide further evidence that rTMS enhances functional recovery and visual plasticity in an adult amblyopic animal model.