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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the composition of meibum extracted from human meibomian glands displaying different morphological characteristics. Methods: Adult participants with evidence of meibomian gland shortening were enrolled. Glands were observed using infrared meibography, and meibum was collected from one short and one long gland from the lower eyelid of the same eye. Total protein concentration was evaluated using the detergent compatible (DC) protein assay and lipid analysis was performed using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Results: Fifteen participants (8 women and 7 men) completed the study (mean age = 34.7 ± 7.7 years). The average volume of meibum collected from the short and long glands was 0.02 ± 0.01 and 0.05 ± 0.03 µL, respectively (P = 0.01). Average protein concentration in the short glands was significantly higher compared to the long glands (0.10 ± 0.03 vs. 0.08 ± 0.02 mg/mL, P = 0.01). Among the non-polar lipids, the mole percent of cholesterol esters (CEs; P = 0.02), triacylglycerols (TAGs; P = 0.04), and ceramide (Cer; P = 0.03) was significantly lower in short glands compared with long glands. Among the polar lipids, the mole percent of (O-acyl)-ω-hydroxy fatty acid (OAHFA; P = 0.01) was significantly lower in short glands, whereas phosphatidylcholine (PC; P = 0.02) and sphingomyelin (SM; P = 0.01) were significantly higher in short glands than long glands. Conclusions: Meibum composition differed between short and long glands. The lower mole percent of CE, TAG, OAHFA, and Cer and a higher mole percent of PC and SM among short glands may indicate disease activity. This information may clarify the natural history of meibomian gland dysfunction and future targets for therapy.
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Glândulas Tarsais , Humanos , Glândulas Tarsais/metabolismo , Glândulas Tarsais/diagnóstico por imagem , Feminino , Masculino , Adulto , Lágrimas/química , Lágrimas/metabolismo , Lipídeos/análise , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Espectrometria de Massas , Disfunção da Glândula Tarsal/metabolismo , Cromatografia LíquidaRESUMO
Objectives: If questionnaires contributing to the diagnosis of dry eye disease are to be recommended as alternatives to existing questionnaires, they must be comparable, with similar repeatability and treatment sensitivity. Comparability was thus examined for three common dry eye questionnaires along with identifying the individual questions that most strongly predicted overall scores. Methods: Anonymised data (n = 329) collected via the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), 5-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5) and Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaires (including responses to individual questions) from consenting patients were drawn from real-world dry eye clinics/registries in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand; at follow-up, normalised changes were evaluated in 54 of these patients. Treatment data were also analysed from a 6-month, randomised controlled trial assessing artificial tear supplement treatments with 43 responders and 13 non-responders to treatment identified. The questions extracted from the OSDI which form the abbreviated 6-item OSDI were also analysed. Results: The agreement between the questionnaires ranged from r = 0.577 to 0.754 (all p < 0.001). For the OSDI, three questions accounted for 89.1% of the variability in the total score. The correlation between the OSDI and OSDI-6 was r = 0.939, p < 0.001. For the DEQ-5, two questions accounted for 88.5% of the variance in the total score. Normalised treatment changes were also only moderately correlated between the questionnaires (r = 0.441 to 0.595, p < 0.01). For non-responders, variability was 7.4% with both OSDI and OSDI-6, 9.7% with DEQ-5, 12.1% with SANDE-frequency and 11.9% with SANDE-severity scale. For responders, improvement with drops was detected with a 19.1% change in OSDI, 20.2% in OSDI-6, 20.9% in DEQ-5, and 27.5%/23.6% in SANDE-frequency/severity scales. Conclusions: Existing commonly used dry eye questionnaire scores do not show high levels of correlation. The OSDI was the least variable of the questionnaires and while displaying a slightly lower treatment effect than either the DEQ or SANDE, it was more sensitive to detection of a treatment effect. The quicker-to-complete OSDI-6 exhibited essentially the same outcome as the OSDI, with similar variability and treatment sensitivity.
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PURPOSE: Myopia (short-sightedness) is a growing vision problem worldwide. Currently atropine eye drops are used to control the progression of myopia but these suffer from potential lack of bioavailability and low ocular residence time. Commercially available myopia control contact lenses are also used to limit myopia progression, but neither atropine nor contact lenses individually completely stop progression. Development of myopia control contact lenses which could deliver therapeutic doses of atropine is thus desirable and may provide increased efficacy. This study was designed to explore the feasibility of attaching atropine to etafilcon A contact lenses through an esterification reaction. METHODS: Carboxylic acid groups on etafilcon A contact lenses were quantified using Toluidine Blue O. The carboxylic acid groups in etafilcon A contact lenses were activated using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC-HCl) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) crosslinkers after which atropine was added to undergo potential binding via esterification. Atropine was released from lenses by alkaline hydrolysis. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect and quantify the released atropine and its degradation products in solution. Contact lenses that had not been activated by EDC-NHS (controls) were also examined to determine the amount of atropine that could be absorbed rather than chemically bound to lenses. RESULTS: Each etafilcon A contact lens contained 741.1 ± 5.5 µg carboxylic acid groups which may be available for esterification. HPLC had a limit of detection for atropine of 0.38 µg/mL and for tropic acid, an atropine degradation product, of 0.80 µg/mL. The limits of quantification were 1.16 µg/mL for atropine and 2.41 µg/mL for tropic acid in NH4HCO3. The etafilcon A lenses adsorbed up to 7.69 µg atropine when incubated in a 5 mg/mL atropine solution for 24 h. However, there was no evidence that atropine could be chemically linked to the lenses, as washing in a high concentration of NaCl removed all the atropine from the contact lenses with no atropine being subsequently released from the lenses after incubating in 0.01 N NH4HCO3. CONCLUSIONS: Etafilcon A contact lenses contain free carboxylic acids which may be an appropriate option for attaching drugs such as atropine. Etafilcon A lenses adsorbed up to 7.69 µg atropine, which would be more than enough to deliver atropine to eyes to control myopia. However, atropine could not be chemically bound to the carboxylic acids of the etafilcon A lenses using this methodology.
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SIGNIFICANCE: Dry eye sufferers have a highly irregular corneal epithelial surface compared with those without dry eye. This study demonstrated that corneal epithelial thickness irregularity can be significantly reduced after as little as 48 hours following treatment with regular use of topical ocular lubricants. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare changes in corneal epithelial thickness irregularity factor (EIF) and ocular symptoms in a population with symptoms of dry eye before and up to 4 weeks after treatment with two commercially available lubricating eye drops versus saline. METHODS: We conducted a prospective single-center, investigator-masked, randomized, parallel-group dispensing study. Participants with moderate to severe symptoms of dry eye (Ocular Surface Disease Index score >23 at baseline) were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either 0.15% hyaluronic acid + hydroxypropyl guar, 0.2% hyaluronic acid, or saline (16 in each group). Corneal epithelial thickness measurements were obtained along vertical and horizontal CASIA SS-1000 Optical Coherence Tomography scans at baseline and after 48 hours, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. The Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire was administered at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants (male-to-female ratio, 17:31) completed the study. Horizontal EIF was significantly lower at all follow-up visits compared with baseline (p=0.001), but there were no significant differences between study eye drops (p=0.34). No significant difference in vertical EIF was observed over time (p=0.32) or between eye drops (p=0.08). Ocular symptoms significantly improved after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment compared with baseline (p<0.001), but no differences were observed between eye drops (p=0.46). CONCLUSIONS: All treatments were effective for reducing EIF along the horizontal meridian 48 hours after initiation of treatment, and improvements were maintained for 4 weeks. Improvements in ocular symptoms were observed with all study treatments.
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Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, rare protozoal infection of the cornea. Acanthamoeba can survive in diverse habitats and at extreme temperatures. AK is mostly seen in contact lens wearers whose lenses have become contaminated or who have a history of water exposure, and in those without contact lens wear who have experienced recent eye trauma involving contaminated soil or water. Infection usually results in severe eye pain, photophobia, inflammation, and corneal epithelial defects. The pathophysiology of this infection is multifactorial, including the production of cytotoxic proteases by Acanthamoeba that degrades the corneal epithelial basement membrane and induces the death of ocular surface cells, resulting in degradation of the collagen-rich corneal stroma. AK can be prevented by avoiding risk factors, which includes avoiding water contact, such as swimming or showering in contact lenses, and wearing protective goggles when working on the land. AK is mostly treated with an antimicrobial therapy of biguanides alone or in combination with diaminidines, although the commercial availability of these medicines is variable. Other than anti-amoeba therapies, targeting host immune pathways in Acanthamoeba disease may lead to the development of vaccines or antibody therapeutics which could transform the management of AK.
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CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Traditionally, refraction is performed, and spectacles are manufactured in in 0.25D-steps. Trial and spectacle lenses manufactured in smaller increments may allow for a more accurate refraction and prescribed spectacles. BACKGROUND: To determine whether refraction in 0.05D-steps improves the proportion of eyes achieving achieve duochrome equality, and whether spectacles prescribed in 0.05D-steps offer any vision benefits, compared to 0.25D-steps. METHODS: Myopic young adults were enrolled into two prospective studies conducted at different sites. Study 1 comprised 66 participants (refracted under cycloplegia) while Study 2 comprised 51 participants (not cyclopleged). A standard refraction was performed in both studies and a trial frame and trial lenses were used to determine the spherical endpoint of duochrome equality (0.25D-steps first then 0.05D-steps). In Study 2, the cylindrical component was refined in 0.05D-steps before the spherical endpoint in 0.05D-steps. Monocular high-contrast-visual-acuity (HCVA) was measured while wearing the final refractions. Participants in Study 2 wore spectacles manufactured in 0.25D and 0.05D-steps for 7 days each in a randomized, double-masked study. Both spectacles appeared identical. Outcome measures assessed on dispensing and after 7 days of wear comprised monocular acuity-based measurements (HCVA, low-contrast-visual-acuity, vanishing-optotype-acuity, contrast-sensitivity) and subjective ratings. The Quality-of-Vision questionnaire and subjective preference were assessed after 7 days. RESULTS: Both studies showed a higher proportion of eyes achieved duochrome equality (P < 0.001) and better average monocular HCVA (P ≤ 0.006) in 0.05D-steps. Study 2 showed 0.05D-step spectacles provided better average results for all monocular acuity-based measurements (P < 0.006) and were preferred by 65% (P = 0.04) of participants after 7 days (P = 0.04). There were no differences between spectacles for any other measures (P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Refraction performed, and spectacles manufactured in 0.05D-steps for this study improved average acuity-based outcomes and were preferred by most participants to spectacles in traditional 0.25D-steps.
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Erros de Refração , Humanos , Adulto Jovem , Óculos , Estudos Prospectivos , Refração Ocular , Erros de Refração/terapia , Transtornos da Visão , Acuidade Visual , Ensaios Clínicos Controlados Aleatórios como AssuntoRESUMO
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Realistic benchmarks can serve as comparators for optometrists wishing to engage in clinical practice audits of their glaucoma care. BACKGROUND: The iCareTrack study established the appropriateness of glaucoma care delivery through clinical record audits of Australian optometry practices. Benchmarks required for monitoring and improving glaucoma care delivery do not exist. This study developed realistic benchmarks for glaucoma care and then benchmarked the performance of practices from the iCareTrack study to establish aspects of care that warrant attention from quality improvement initiatives. METHODS: Benchmarks were developed from the pre-existing iCareTrack dataset using the Achievable Benchmarks of Care (ABC) method. The iCareTrack study had audited the appropriateness of glaucoma care delivery against 37 clinical indicators for 420 randomly sampled glaucoma patient records from 42 Australian optometry practices. The four-step ABC method calculates benchmarks based on the top 10% of best-performing practices adjusted for low patient encounter numbers. iCareTrack results were compared to the benchmarks to explore the distribution of practices that were at, above or below benchmark. RESULTS: Benchmarks were developed for 34 of 37 iCareTrack indicators. For 26 (of 34) indicators, the benchmarks were at or above 90% appropriateness. The benchmarks for 14 (of 34) iCareTrack indicators were met by more than 80% of eligible practices, indicating excellent performance. Some aspects of glaucoma care such as peripheral anterior angle assessment, applanation tonometry, and visual field assessment appeared to be delivered sub-optimally by optometrists when compared to the benchmarks. CONCLUSION: This study established benchmarks for glaucoma care delivery in optometry practices that reflect realistic and top achievable performance. The large number of indicators with benchmarks above 90% confirmed that glaucoma care can and should be delivered by optometrists at very high levels of appropriateness. Benchmarking identified pockets of sub-optimal performance that can now be targeted by quality improvement initiatives.
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Glaucoma , Optometria , Humanos , Benchmarking/métodos , Austrália , Glaucoma/terapia , Atenção à Saúde , Optometria/métodosRESUMO
Dry eye disease (DED), a multifactorial ocular disease that significantly impacts quality of life, is most commonly reported in adults. This review describes the prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis and management of DED in children. A literature search, conducted from January 2000-December 2022, identified 54 relevant publications. Using similar diagnostic criteria to those reported in adults, namely standardized questionnaires and evaluation of tear film homeostatic signs, the prevalence of DED in children ranged from 5.5% to 23.1 %. There was limited evidence for the influence of ethnicity in children, however some studies reported an effect of sex in older children. Factors independently associated with DED included digital device use, duration of digital device use, outdoor time and urban living, Rates of DED were higher in children with ocular allergy and underlying systemic diseases. Compared with similar studies in adults, the prevalence of a prior DED diagnosis or a diagnosis based on signs and symptoms was lower in children, but symptoms were commonly reported. Treatment options were similar to those in adults, including lifestyle modifications, blinking, management of lid disease and unpreserved lubricants in mild disease with escalating treatment with severity. Management requires careful exploration of symptoms, medical history and the diagnosis and management of ocular comorbidities such as allergy and anterior blepharitis. Appropriately powered population-based studies are required to understand the prevalence of and risk factors for DED in children. Development of age-appropriate thresholds for signs and symptoms of DED would support better diagnosis of disease and understanding of natural history.
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Síndromes do Olho Seco , Hipersensibilidade , Adulto , Criança , Humanos , Qualidade de Vida , Síndromes do Olho Seco/diagnóstico , Síndromes do Olho Seco/epidemiologia , Lágrimas , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the immediate ocular immune response to soft contact lens (CL) wear by examining presumed epithelial immune cell (EIC) density and morphology at the central, peripheral, limbal cornea, and conjunctiva. Methods: Fifty-four participants naïve to CL wear (mean age = 24.8 ± 9.8 years, 44% female participants), were examined using in vivo confocal microscopy at baseline and after 2 hours of CL wear (1-Day ACUVUE MOIST). Images were captured at the central, temporal far peripheral and limbal cornea, and bulbar conjunctiva. EIC density was counted manually and morphology was graded. Differences in EIC parameters pre- and post-CL wear were examined using a generalized estimating equation model with appropriate post hoc analyses. Results: After 2 hours of soft CL wear, there was a significant increase in EIC density in all regions other than the central cornea (all P < 0.001). Cell body size was significantly larger, and a higher proportion of participants exhibited EIC with long dendrites after lens wear at the central and peripheral cornea (both P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the number of participants displaying EIC with thick dendrites at the peripheral (P = 0.04) and limbal cornea (P < 0.001) after lens wear. Conclusions: EICs were primarily recruited to the peripheral regions, whereas the central cornea shows no significant recruitment after short-term CL wear. Both central and peripheral corneas exhibited an enhanced antigen capture capacity, whereas migratory capacity was increased in the peripheral corneal regions suggesting EIC activation following a short period of CL wear.
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Lentes de Contato Hidrofílicas , Células Epiteliais , Humanos , Feminino , Adolescente , Adulto Jovem , Adulto , Masculino , Epitélio , Córnea , Apresentação de AntígenoRESUMO
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Valid and updated clinical indicators can serve as important tools in assessing and improving eyecare delivery. BACKGROUND: Indicators for diabetic eyecare in Australia were previously developed from guidelines published before 2013 and then used to assess the appropriateness of care delivery through a nationwide patient record card audit (the iCareTrack study). To reflect emerging evidence and contemporary practice, this study aimed to update clinical indicators for optometric care for people with type 2 diabetes in Australia. METHODS: Forty-five candidate indicators, including existing iCareTrack and new indicators derived from nine high-quality evidence-based guidelines, were generated. A two-round modified Delphi process where expert panel members rated the impact, acceptability, and feasibility of the indicators on a 9-point scale and voted for inclusion or exclusion of the candidate indicators was used. Consensus on inclusion was reached when the median scores for impact, acceptability, and feasibility were ≥7 and >75% of experts voted for inclusion. RESULTS: Thirty-two clinical indicators with high acceptability, impact and feasibility ratings (all median scores: 9) were developed. The final indicators were related to history taking (n = 12), physical examination (n = 8), recall period (n = 5), referral (n = 5), and patient education/communication (n = 2). Most (14 of 15) iCareTrack indicators were retained either in the original format or with modifications. New indicators included documenting the type of diabetes, serum lipid level, pregnancy, systemic medications, nephropathy, Indigenous status, general practitioner details, pupil examination, intraocular pressure, optical coherence tomography, diabetic retinopathy grading, recall period for high-risk diabetic patients without retinopathy, referral of high-risk proliferative retinopathy, communication with the general practitioner, and patient education. CONCLUSION: A set of 32 updated diabetic eyecare clinical indicators was developed based on contemporary evidence and expert consensus. These updated indicators inform the development of programs to assess and enhance the eyecare delivery for people with diabetes in Australia.
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The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of corneal and conjunctival epithelial dendritic cells (DCs) in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), and non-allergic controls to examine if the allergy type causes differences in immune cell activation. The prospective study included 60 participants: 20 with VKC, 20 with AC, and 20 non-allergic controls. In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on the right eye. The locations scanned included the corneal centre, inferior whorl, corneal periphery, corneal limbus, and bulbar conjunctiva. The DCs were counted manually, and their morphology was assessed for the largest cell body size, the presence of dendrites, and the presence of long and thick dendrites. The DC density was higher in VKC and AC compared to non-allergic group at all locations (p ≤ 0.01) except at the inferior whorl. The DC density in VKC participants was significantly higher than in AC at the limbus (p < 0.001) but not at other locations. Both the AC and the VKC group had larger DC bodies at the corneal periphery and limbus compared to the non-allergic group (p ≤ 0.03). The study found a higher proportion of participants with DCs exhibiting long dendrites at both the corneal periphery in AC (p = 0.01) and at the corneal centre, periphery, and limbus in VKC, compared to the non-allergic group (p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, a higher DC density at the limbus may be a marker of more severe VKC. DCs with larger cell bodies and a greater proportion of participants with DCs displaying long dendrites can be potential markers to differentiate allergy from non-allergy, and more severe forms of allergy from milder forms.
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Conjuntivite Alérgica , Humanos , Conjuntivite Alérgica/diagnóstico , Conjuntivite Alérgica/metabolismo , Estudos Prospectivos , Túnica Conjuntiva/metabolismo , Córnea/metabolismo , Células Dendríticas/metabolismoRESUMO
The Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Workshop entitled 'A Lifestyle Epidemic: Ocular Surface Disease' was a global initiative undertaken to establish the direct and indirect impacts of everyday lifestyle choices and challenges on ocular surface health. This article presents an executive summary of the evidence-based conclusions and recommendations of the 10-part TFOS Lifestyle Workshop report. Lifestyle factors described within the report include contact lenses, cosmetics, digital environment, elective medications and procedures, environmental conditions, lifestyle challenges, nutrition, and societal challenges. For each topic area, the current literature was summarized and appraised in a narrative-style review and the answer to a key topic-specific question was sought using systematic review methodology. The TFOS Lifestyle Workshop report was published in its entirety in the April 2023 and July 2023 issues of The Ocular Surface journal. Links to downloadable versions of the document and supplementary material, including report translations, are available on the TFOS website: http://www.TearFilm.org.
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Síndromes do Olho Seco , Humanos , Síndromes do Olho Seco/epidemiologia , Olho , LágrimasRESUMO
Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the most common ocular diseases, with therapeutic treatment being primarily palliative due to our incomplete understanding of meibomian gland (MG) pathophysiology. To progress in vitro studies of human MG, this study describes a comprehensive protocol, with detailed troubleshooting, for the successful isolation, cultivation and cryopreservation of primary MG cells using biopsy-size segments of human eyelid tissue that would otherwise be discarded during surgery. MG acini were isolated and used to establish and propagate lipid-producing primary human MG cells. The primary cell viability during culture procedure was maintained through the application of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase inhibitor (Y-27632, 10 µM) and collagen I from rat tails. Transcriptomic analysis of differentiated primary human MG cells confirmed cell origin and revealed high-level expression of many lipogenesis-related genes such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), ELOVL Fatty Acid Elongase 1 (ELOVL1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN). Primary tarsal plate fibroblasts were also successfully isolated, cultured and cryopreserved. Established primary human MG cells and tarsal plate fibroblasts presented in this study have potential for applications in 3D models and bioengineered tissue that facilitate research in understanding of MG biology and pathophysiology.
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Colágeno Tipo I , Glândulas Tarsais , Humanos , Animais , Ratos , Diferenciação Celular , Sobrevivência Celular , Criopreservação , Inibidores de Proteínas QuinasesRESUMO
PURPOSE: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a chronic progressive disease with downstream effects on ocular signs and symptoms. AZR-MD-001 is a selenium sulfide ophthalmic ointment that was investigated as a potential treatment option for patients with MGD. METHODS: A Phase 2, multi-center, double-masked, parallel group study was conducted across 29 sites, with 245 patients randomized 1:1:1 to AZR-MD-001 0.5%, AZR-MD-001 1.0% or vehicle applied to the lower eyelid, twice weekly. Patients were eligible for the trial if they presented with signs and symptoms of MGD. Co-primary efficacy endpoints were the changes from baseline in number of open glands (Meibomian Glands Yielding Liquid Secretion [MGYLS] score) and patient-reported ocular surface symptoms (Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI] total score) at Month 3. Efficacy outcomes were captured at Day 14, Month 1.5 and Month 3. Safety and tolerability were assessed for treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). RESULTS: AZR-MD-001 0.5% (n = 82 patients) treatment resulted in significant improvements in MGYLS score, with patients experiencing an average increase from baseline of 4.2 and 2.4 open glands secreting meibum for the drug and vehicle, respectively (p < 0.001) and from baseline a mean OSDI total score improvement of 7.3 and 3.8 for the drug and vehicle, respectively (p < 0.05). Most TEAEs were mild and transient, with 3 serious adverse events (SAEs) reported with AZR-MD-001 (none related to study drug). CONCLUSIONS: Co-primary endpoints were met for AZR-MD-001 0.5% at Month 3, with a statistically significant improvement in the signs and symptoms of MGD. AZR-MD-001 was safe and well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03652051, ANZCTR Registration Number: AZ201801.
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PURPOSE: Sex hormones impact inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. During IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment, circulating estrogen levels increase dramatically (10-50x) alongside changes in other hormones. This study examined changes in dry eye with IVF and its relationship with sex hormones. METHODS: A two visit study was conducted on first day of menstruation when estrogen levels are lowest (baseline visit), and on day 9-11 (peak estrogen visit (PO)) of IVF. Symptoms of dry eye and ocular pain and signs of dry eye were examined. Serum hormone levels were assessed using mass spectrometry and immunoassay. Changes in signs and symptoms and associations were explored. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed factors contributing to signs and symptoms. RESULTS: 40 women (36.2 ± 4.0 years) completed the study. Baseline and PO oestradiol (E2) levels were 28.9 pg/ml (20) (median (IQR)); 1360 pg/ml (1276) respectively. Ocular pain and dry eye symptoms worsened (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01) and tear break up and tear secretion values decreased (p = 0.005 and 0.01) at PO. Higher E2 and lower luteinizing hormone (LH) were associated with worsening of dry eye symptoms (ρ = 0.34 p = 0.03, ρ = -0.49 p = 0.001). Reduction in LH and increase in progesterone (P4) were associated with increased ocular pain (ρ = 0.45, p = 0.004 and ρ = 0.39, p = 0.01). Dry eye symptoms were predicted by LH and tear break up (p = 0.02; R2 = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: IVF treatment resulted in significantly increased ocular symptoms and tear film alterations although these changes were not clinically significant. Dry eye signs and symptoms were poorly predicted by hormone levels.
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Síndromes do Olho Seco , Humanos , Feminino , Síndromes do Olho Seco/diagnóstico , Estrogênios , Hormônios Esteroides Gonadais/análise , Dor , Lágrimas/química , Dor Ocular , Fertilização in vitroRESUMO
Environmental risk factors that have an impact on the ocular surface were reviewed and associations with age and sex, race/ethnicity, geographical area, seasonality, prevalence and possible interactions between risk factors are reviewed. Environmental factors can be (a) climate-related: temperature, humidity, wind speed, altitude, dew point, ultraviolet light, and allergen or (b) outdoor and indoor pollution: gases, particulate matter, and other sources of airborne pollutants. Temperature affects ocular surface homeostasis directly and indirectly, precipitating ocular surface diseases and/or symptoms, including trachoma. Humidity is negatively associated with dry eye disease. There is little data on wind speed and dewpoint. High altitude and ultraviolet light exposure are associated with pterygium, ocular surface degenerations and neoplastic disease. Pollution is associated with dry eye disease and conjunctivitis. Primary Sjögren syndrome is associated with exposure to chemical solvents. Living within a potential zone of active volcanic eruption is associated with eye irritation. Indoor pollution, "sick" building or house can also be associated with eye irritation. Most ocular surface conditions are multifactorial, and several environmental factors may contribute to specific diseases. A systematic review was conducted to answer the following research question: "What are the associations between outdoor environment pollution and signs or symptoms of dry eye disease in humans?" Dry eye disease is associated with air pollution (from NO2) and soil pollution (from chromium), but not from air pollution from CO or PM10. Future research should adequately account for confounders, follow up over time, and report results separately for ocular surface findings, including signs and symptoms.
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Poluição do Ar , Síndromes do Olho Seco , Humanos , Poluição do Ar/efeitos adversos , Material Particulado , Síndromes do Olho Seco/epidemiologia , Síndromes do Olho Seco/etiologia , Túnica Conjuntiva , Estilo de VidaRESUMO
Societal factors associated with ocular surface diseases were mapped using a framework to characterize the relationship between the individual, their health and environment. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigating factors on ocular surface diseases were considered in a systematic review. Age and sex effects were generally well-characterized for inflammatory, infectious, autoimmune and trauma-related conditions. Sex and gender, through biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors impact the prevalence and severity of disease, access to, and use of, care. Genetic factors, race, smoking and co-morbidities are generally well characterized, with interdependencies with geographical, employment and socioeconomic factors. Living and working conditions include employment, education, water and sanitation, poverty and socioeconomic class. Employment type and hobbies are associated with eye trauma and burns. Regional, global socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, include remoteness, geography, seasonality, availability of and access to services. Violence associated with war, acid attacks and domestic violence are associated with traumatic injuries. The impacts of conflict, pandemic and climate are exacerbated by decreased food security, access to health services and workers. Digital technology can impact diseases through physical and mental health effects and access to health information and services. The COVID-19 pandemic and related mitigating strategies are mostly associated with an increased risk of developing new or worsening existing ocular surface diseases. Societal factors impact the type and severity of ocular surface diseases, although there is considerable interdependence between factors. The overlay of the digital environment, natural disasters, conflict and the pandemic have modified access to services in some regions.