A randomized, open-label, multicenter study of switching to brolucizumab with or without a loading dose for patients with suboptimal anatomically controlled neovascular age-related macular degeneration-the FALCON study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment initiation with brolucizumab, a new potent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, is typically performed with three monthly injections (loading dose) and has been well studied in treatment-naïve patients. However, no clinical data are available yet on whether or not anti-VEGF pretreated patients also benefit from a loading dose. In the clinical setting, different heterogeneous treatment patterns are used as no clinical trial has addressed this so far in a head-to-head comparison. Therefore, the FALCON study is investigating whether patients with unsatisfactory response to previous anti-VEGF treatments benefit from a loading dose at the switch to brolucizumab treatment. METHODS: FALCON is a 52-week, two-arm, randomized, open-label, multicenter, multinational study in patients with residually active neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who will be randomized 1:1 and started with brolucizumab 6 mg loading (three monthly loading doses) or brolucizumab 6 mg non-loading (one initial injection) and consecutive treatment every 12 weeks, respectively. The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority of the non-loading vs. loading arm in mean change of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to the mean value at week 40 to week 52. Secondary objectives include the assessment of anatomical outcomes, treatment intervals, safety and tolerability. RESULTS: FALCON will be the first study to assess treatment initiation with an anti-VEGF agent in a switch situation with or without loading dose in patients with nAMD. CONCLUSIONS: The results will support the optimization of treatment of patients with previous unsatisfactory anti-VEGF response. Therefore, we expect to see an impact on current clinical practice which has been established for more than a decade. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04679935, date of registration-22-Dec 2020; EUDRACT number: 2019-004763-53, date of registration-03 Dec 2019.

Frequently assessed and used prognostic factors for outcome after macular hole surgery: which is better?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate commonly used clinical and OCT-morphological parameters, including perifoveal pseudocysts, as prognostic factors for postoperative outcome after macular hole surgery in a retinal referral clinic in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgery because of idiopathic MH between 2011 and 2017 in Augenklinik Tausendfensterhaus, Duisburg, Germany. Statistical evaluation of clinical and OCT-based parameters, including the areas of intraretinal pseudocysts, was conducted. The main statistical outcomes were surgical success and visual acuity. Only parameters with a highly significant correlation to the outcome parameters (postoperative visual acuity (VA); surgical success) in univariate analysis were entered in linear and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 189 eyes of 178 patients (71.4% female; mean age 67.5 ± 8.2 a) who underwent surgery because of MH were included. The overall closure rate was 86.8%. The mean best corrected VA increased from 0.7 ± 0.3 logMAR before surgery to 0.5 ± 0.3 logMAR (p < 0.0001). While several clinical and OCT-based parameters as well as calculated indices showed a significant correlation with the outcome measures, the regression analysis showed that the minimum linear diameter was the only parameter that both predicted surgical success (p = 0.015) and was correlated with postoperative VA (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The minimum linear diameter serves as an easily assessed prognostic factor with the best predictive properties. This result is of great importance for clinical practice, as it simplifies the postsurgical prognosis.

Prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of primary open-angle glaucoma - a cohort study based on longitudinal data from a German public health insurance.

BACKGROUND: This study estimates the prevalence and incidence rates of primary open -angle glaucoma (POAG) as well as risk factors based on a dataset from the largest German health insurance company. METHODS: A random sample of 250,000 persons at age 50+ of the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK) from 2010 to 2013 was used. Selected risk factors of POAG incidence were analyzed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of POAG at age 50+ in 2010 was 2.79% (95%-CI: 2.72-2.85%). The age-standardized total incidence rate was 0.38 (0.36-0.39) per 100 person-years. Sex differences were significant for total prevalence and total incidence rates, with higher prevalence and incidence rates for women compared to men. The Cox model revealed a strong age effect, a significantly 19% higher incidence for women (p ≤ 0.001), injuries of the eye and orbit (175%, p ≤ 0.001), degeneration of iris and ciliary body (155%, p = 0.022), myopia (155%, p ≤ 0.001), retinal vascular occlusions (134%, p ≤ 0.001), hypertension (13%, p ≤ 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (23%, p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: Health claims data are an important data source for estimating POAG occurrence and help overcome the problems of small sample sizes. These results may help to understand the causal pathways of POAG and to develop intervention strategies to increase the awareness of patients and physicians with the aim of reducing POAG incidence.

Femtosecond laser cutting of human corneas for the subbasal nerve plexus evaluation.

Assessment of various morphological parameters of the corneal subbasal nerve plexus is a valuable method of documenting the structural and presumably functional integrity of the corneal innervation in health and disease. The aim of this work is to establish a rapid, reliable and reproducible method for visualization of the human corneal SBP using femtosecond laser cut corneal tissue sections. Trephined healthy corneal buttons were fixed and processed using TissueSurgeon-a femtosecond laser based microtome, to obtain thick tissue sections of the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma cut parallel to the ocular surface within approximately 15 min. A near infrared femtosecond laser was focused on to the cornea approximately 70-90 µm from the anterior surface to induce material separation using TissueSurgeon. The obtained corneal sections were stained following standard immunohistochemical procedures with anti-neuronal ß-III tubulin antibody for visualization of the corneal nerves. Sections that contained the epithelium and approximately 20-30 µm of anterior stroma yielded excellent visualisation of the SBP with minimal optical interference from underlying stromal nerves. In conclusion, the results of this study have demonstrated that femtosecond laser cutting of the human cornea offers greater speed, ease and reliability than standard tissue preparation methods for obtaining high quality thick sections of the anterior cornea cut parallel to the ocular surface.

Demographics of patients receiving Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in real-world practice: healthcare research data versus randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, non-interventional studies (NISs) might provide additional information to guide management in patients more representative to the real-world setting. The aim of this study was to compare baseline characteristics of patients receiving intravitreal treatment in the NIS OCEAN with those from published RCTs. METHODS: The ongoing OCEAN study enrolled patients treated with ranibizumab for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular oedema (DME) or branch/central retinal vein occlusion (B/CRVO). Baseline patient characteristics were compared by indication within the OCEAN cohort. Furthermore, the characteristics were set in reference to those of published RCTs in the same indications. Confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and assessed for statistically significant differences as indicated by non-overlapping CIs. RESULTS: Patient characteristics in the NIS OCEAN were evaluated for 3,614 patients with nAMD, 1,211 with DME, 204 with BRVO and 121 with CRVO. Between these groups, significant differences in mean age, gender distributions, and mean baseline VA were seen, reflecting known differences between the indications. Compared to the patient characteristics of published RCTs (trials selected by literature search: nAMD: 13 RCTs, DME: 9, RVO: 5), the OCEAN patients' mean age was significantly higher in every indication. The gender distributions across the trials were comparable, with only few differences between OCEAN and the RCTs. Regarding the mean baseline VA, notable differences were found in nAMD and in DME, with VA significantly higher in some RCTs and lower in others. CONCLUSIONS: The described differences underline the complementarity of NISs and RCTs. OCEAN covers a broader spectrum and more variability of patients than do RCTs. As baseline values may have impact on the treatment response (ceiling effect), there is an ongoing need for research in all patient subgroups. Country-specific assessments of patient populations can better reflect the real-world situation. NISs can deliver insights that RCTs may not, as NISs can include non-typical patients, patients with comorbidities, a broader age spectrum and patients of various disease stages. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The NIS OCEAN was registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT02194803 ).

[Finite Element Modelling of the Eye for the Investigation of Accommodation]. / Finite-Elemente-Modellierung des Auges zur Untersuchung der Akkommodation.

Background: Accommodation research increasingly uses engineering methods. This article presents the use of the finite element method in accommodation research. Material and Methods: Geometry, material data and boundary conditions are prerequisites for the application of the finite element method. Published data on geometry and materials are reviewed. It is shown how boundary conditions are important and how they influence the results. Results: Two dimensional and three dimensional models of the anterior chamber of the eye are presented. With simple two dimensional models, it is shown that realistic results for the accommodation amplitude can always be achieved. More complex three dimensional models of the accommodation mechanism - including the ciliary muscle - require further investigations of the material data and of the morphology of the ciliary muscle, if they are to achieve realistic results for accommodation. Discussion and Conclusion: The efficiency and the limitations of the finite element method are especially clear for accommodation. Application of the method requires extensive preparation, including acquisition of geometric and material data and experimental validation. However, a validated model can be used as a basis for parametric studies, by systematically varying material data and geometric dimensions. This allows systematic investigation of how essential input parameters influence the results.

[Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of the Accommodative Apparatus]. / Magnetresonanzmikroskopie des Akkommodationsapparats.

Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) at ultra-high magnetic fields allows acquisition of high resolution MR images in the micrometre range. The use of ultra-high magnetic fields opens the possibility of user-independent and artefact-free detailed characterisation of the anatomical tissue of the human eye, which is not achievable with classical imaging techniques. This article correlates MRM of the anterior eye segment and the accommodative apparatus at 9.4 Tesla with conventional histology.

[Coupled Analysis of Fluid-Structure Interaction of a Micro-Mechanical Valve for Glaucoma Drainage Devices]. / Gekoppelte Analyse der Fluid-Struktur-Interaktion eines mikromechanischen Ventils für Glaukomdrainageimplantate.

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In therapeutically refractory cases, alloplastic glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) are being increasingly used to decrease intraocular pressure. Current devices are mainly limited by fibrotic encapsulation and postoperative hypotension. Preliminary studies have described the development of a glaucoma microstent to control aqueous humour drainage from the anterior chamber into the suprachoroidal space. One focus of these studies was on the design of a micro-mechanical valve placed in the anterior chamber to inhibit postoperative hypotension. The present report describes the coupled analysis of fluid-structure interaction (FSI) as basis for future improvements in the design micro-mechanical valves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FSI analysis was carried out with ANSYS 14.5 software. Solid and fluid geometry were combined in a model, and the corresponding material properties of silicone (Silastic Rx-50) and water at room temperature were assigned. The meshing of the solid and fluid domains was carried out in accordance with the results of a convergence study with tetrahedron elements. Structural and fluid mechanical boundary conditions completed the model. The FSI analysis takes into account geometric non-linearity and adaptive remeshing to consider changing geometry. RESULTS: A valve opening pressure of 3.26 mmHg was derived from the FSI analysis and correlates well with the results of preliminary experimental fluid mechanical studies. Flow resistance was calculated from non-linear pressure-flow characteristics as 8.5 × 10(-3) mmHg/µl  · min(-1) and 2.7 × 10(-3) mmHg/µl  · min(-1), respectively before and after valve opening pressure is exceeded. FSI analysis indicated leakage flow before valve opening, which is due to the simplified model geometry. CONCLUSIONS: The presented bidirectional coupled FSI analysis is a powerful tool for the development of new designs of micro-mechanical valves for GDD and may help to minimise the time and cost expended on manufacturing and testing prototypes. Further optimisation of the FSI model is expected to ensure further convergence between the simulation and the results of experimental investigations.

[Implant Design by Means of Multiphoton Polymerization]. / Implantatdesign mittels Multiphotonen-Polymerisation.

BACKGROUND: Additive manufacturing and 3D printing create new paths for the design and manufacturing of implants. Technologies with high resolution are required for the development of microstructured eye implants. In the present study, we demonstrate how these technologies can be used during the design development and manufacturing of a multifocal diffractive aspheric intraocular lens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multiphoton polymerisation (MPP) is used to manufacture a diffractive relief with resolution in the sub-micrometer range. The relief is applied to the moulded body of a refractive lens, forming a trifocal lens. Propagation of light behind the lens is visualised in water with fluorescein. RESULTS: Multifocal lenses were successfully manufactured with this approach. The optical design with three foci is confirmed by the light propagation images. The images even clearly demonstrate the impact of the refractive and diffractive elements and may provide information on artefacts and aberrations. CONCLUSIONS: Multiphoton polymerisation is an interesting tool for the flexible manufacturing of complex multifocal lenses. With future technological progress in 3D printing with MPP, this is a promising method for on-demand manufacturing of patient individual intraocular lenses.

[Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging and its Application in Ophthalmology]. / Diffusionsgewichtete Magnetresonanztomografie und ihre potenziellen Anwendungsmöglichkeiten in der Ophthalmologie.

The value of diffusion-weighted magnet resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) has been demonstrated for an ever growing range of clinical indications. DWI is sensitive to the diffusion of water molecules and probes their random displacement within tissue. DWI provides both qualitative and quantitative information on tissue characteristics, e.g. tissue cellularity. This review provides an overview of diffusion-weighted imaging and its emerging applications in ophthalmology. The basic physics and technical foundations of DWI are introduced. The emerging applications of DWI are surveyed, particularly in diseases of the eye, orbit and optical nerve.

[Effect of pseudophacic mini-monovision as an option for independence of spectacles in everyday life]. / Der Effekt der pseudophaken Minimonovision als Option einer Brillenunabhängigkeit im Alltag.

BACKGROUND: Modern day patients who undergo bilateral cataract surgery expect to be spectacles-independent after surgery. The options that are available to attain this goal are pseudophakic monovision, implanting multifocal IOLs or alternatively accommodative IOLs. The aim of this study is to establish the suitability in daily life when attaining minor monovision, named hereafter mini-monovision. MATERIAL/METHODS: In this clinical retrospective study 30 patients were examined. These subjects where bilaterally pseudophake and received either AcrySof®-IOL or Acreos® Adapt-IOL with a slight anisometropia of between 0.5 and 1.75 D and with a maximal astigmatism up to 1.5 D. Visual acuity (VA) for distance (ETDRS), intermediate (Jaeger 80 cm) and near (Jaeger 40 cm) as well as defocus curves were assessed. Furthermore were examined: the reading speed using the font size of the Radner reading chart, anisoconia (FA Oculus according to Esser), stereopsis (Titmus), subjective patient satisfaction (adapted VF-14-questionnaire) and the subjective dependence on having to wear spectacles. RESULTS: The median anisometropia was at 0.75 D; the age was between 61 and 80 (median being at 73 years). 12 patients were male and 18 female. When examined with binocular vision 100 % could attain distance VA of at least decimal 1.0 (LogMAR 0) and an intermediate VA of at least decimal 0.8 (LogMAR 0.1), up to 86.57 % a near VA of at least Jaeger 5, (LogMAR 0.4); up to 63.33 % even managed at least Jaeger 3 (LogMAR 0.3). The median average reading speed for binocular uncorrected reading under photopic conditions was 145 words/minute and under mesopic conditions 117 words/minute. The critical font size was LogRAD 0.60 (Jaeger 5-6), the anisoconia at 2 % and stereopsis at 80 arc seconds. The general dependence on glasses was reduced from 100 % preoperatively to 13 %, postoperatively. Simultaneously a high patient satisfaction score of 93.18 in the VF-14 questionnaire was attained. The result is comparable to those quoted in the literature on full monovision and mulitifocal IOLs. CONCLUSION: To attain spectacles independency, pseudophake mini-monovision is a cost efficient alternative to multifocal lenses for well selected patients. A relative reduction in near VA must be taken into account. To establish the refractive target further examinations are required. Establishing the accurate depth of vision will be helpful in attaining this.

[Visual analysis for an early detection of diabetic neuropathy]. / Visuelle Analyse zur Früherkennung einer diabetischen Neuropathie.

Diabetic neuropathy is the most common long-term complication of diabetes mellitus. It comes along with significant nerve dysfunction, which is not reversible. Hence, it is essential to detect nerve fibre abnormalities as early as possible. In this paper, we investigate markers describing degradation of corneal nerves. We apply statistical computations and visual analysis to identify those variables of two clinical studies that separate DN patients from a control group. In this way, the diagnosis of DN patients is supported. The visual analysis is based on different representations visualizing both the statistical results and the gathered multi-variate data. The user can interactively manipulate the views, or select data that will be shown by further displays. In this way, the understanding of the data and its classification is supported. Ambiguous categorisations can be identified and grouped into a so-called "fuzzy group". For this group, further investigations are needed to decide about diabetic neuropathy.

[Current progress of the artificial accommodation system]. / Fortschritte des Künstlichen Akkommodationssystems.

In case of presbyopia or cataract the "artificial accommodation system" represents one future possibility to durably restore the ability to accommodate. The work presented describes recent progress in the development of the artificial accommodation system. Major advances were achieved in the fields of the actuator system for the active optics, the pupil near reflex sensor, the communication system, the power supply system as well as in system integration. Beside the technical advances, first trials were performed to implant the artificial accommodation system into animals. These trials showed that the new lens shaped design and the C-shaped haptics are beneficial for implantation and secure fixation of the implant inside the capsular bag.

[Optimisation of the visualisation technique for optical paths through intraocular lenses for characterisation of multifocal imaging properties of Fresnel-zone plates]. / Optimierung der Visualisierungstechnik für Strahlenverläufe durch Intraokularlinsen zur Charakterisierung multifokaler Abbildungseigenschaften von Fresnel-Zonenplatten.

The utilisation of the diffractive properties of Fresnel zone plates offers the possibility of intraocular lens designs with multiple foci. Such intraocular lenses can be manufactured by two-photon polymerisation (2PP). This paper explains the underlying concept and shows the principles for visualisation of the focus properties of such implants.

[ChatGPT and the German board examination for ophthalmology: an evaluation]. / ChatGPT und die deutsche Facharztprüfung für Augenheilkunde: eine Evaluierung.

PURPOSE: In recent years artificial intelligence (AI), as a new segment of computer science, has also become increasingly more important in medicine. The aim of this project was to investigate whether the current version of ChatGPT (ChatGPT 4.0) is able to answer open questions that could be asked in the context of a German board examination in ophthalmology. METHODS: After excluding image-based questions, 10 questions from 15 different chapters/topics were selected from the textbook 1000 questions in ophthalmology (1000 Fragen Augenheilkunde 2nd edition, 2014). ChatGPT was instructed by means of a so-called prompt to assume the role of a board certified ophthalmologist and to concentrate on the essentials when answering. A human expert with considerable expertise in the respective topic, evaluated the answers regarding their correctness, relevance and internal coherence. Additionally, the overall performance was rated by school grades and assessed whether the answers would have been sufficient to pass the ophthalmology board examination. RESULTS: The ChatGPT would have passed the board examination in 12 out of 15 topics. The overall performance, however, was limited with only 53.3% completely correct answers. While the correctness of the results in the different topics was highly variable (uveitis and lens/cataract 100%; optics and refraction 20%), the answers always had a high thematic fit (70%) and internal coherence (71%). CONCLUSION: The fact that ChatGPT 4.0 would have passed the specialist examination in 12 out of 15 topics is remarkable considering the fact that this AI was not specifically trained for medical questions; however, there is a considerable performance variability between the topics, with some serious shortcomings that currently rule out its safe use in clinical practice.

[Characterisation of tear film dynamics after application of trehalose for treatment of dry eye]. / Charakterisierung der Tränenfilmdynamik am Beispiel einer Trehaloseapplikation zur Behandlung des Trockenen Auges.

The implementation of additional modalities for tear film break-up time characterisation expands the application range of the Oculus® Keratograph 5M. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibilities for non-invasive break-up time analysis using this device. Furthermore we applied the Oculus® Keratograph 5M to characterise possible modifications of tear break-up time after application of Thealoz® eye drops (Théa Pharma). The device allowed for a precise and solid topographical analysis of tear film dynamics. We could show that at four weeks after treatment, trehalose solution was a better treatment for dry eye compared with saline. These results are in agreement with our previous in vitro findings concerning the protective role of trehalose on desiccation-caused cell death in a corneal epithelial model.

[Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic foot syndrome in patients of a sub-Saharan megacity (Kinshasa, DR Congo)]. / Diabetische Retinopathie und diabetisches Fußsyndrom bei Diabetikern in Kinshasa (Demokratische Republik Kongo).

PURPOSE: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide especially in developing countries. Foot ulcerations in patients with diabetic neuropathy have a high impact in the overall amputation rate. In the present study we looked for the severity of diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetic foot syndrome in a diabetic care unit in a sub-Sahara megacity (Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo). METHOD: Forty-one patients with diabetes-related foot ulcerations (26 male, 15 female, mean age 45.6 years) were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent visual acuity evaluation and slit lamp biomicroscopy. Incidence and stage of retinopathy were evaluated by retinal funduscopy and documented by fundus photography. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes showed no signs of diabetic retinopathy. Forty-seven eyes were diagnosed as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (16 mild, 16 moderate, 15 severe). Seven eyes showed proliferative diabetic retinopathy. One patient had a unilateral central venous occlusion. In this case the classification of diabetic retinopathy was not possible because of the massive retinal bleedings. CONCLUSION: It was evident that there is a considerable discrepancy between partly extensive foot ulcerations and only mild to moderate diabetic retinopathy in most of the patients. This indicates that neuropathy-induced foot problems and microangiopathy-induced diabetic retinopathy are diabetic complications whose formal pathogenesis is only loosely correlated. Additional risk factors in local African conditions compared to Europe may play a major role in this discrepancy.

[Comparison of dysphotopsia effects in phakic and pseudophakic eyes using Rostock glare perimeter]. / Vergleich von Dysphotopsieeffekten bei phaken und pseudophaken Augen mit dem neuen Rostock Glare Perimeter.

BACKGROUND: Pseudophakic dysphotopsia as unwanted side effect after cataract surgery are becoming increasingly important. The so-called glare perimetry allows a realistic quantification of these phenomena. The article presents the method on the example of healthy subjects and pseudophakic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using glare perimetry phakic and pseudophakic subjects were examined for differences in disability glare. For this, data from 60 phakic persons of different ages (45 ± 17.1 years) were used. As pseudophakic subjects 31 carriers of monofocal lenses (70 ± 6.7 years) and 25 carriers of multifocal lenses (71 ± 8.5 years) were tested. RESULTS: Disability glare was significantly smaller in the phakic group (1.00 ± 0.336°) than in the pseudophakic group (1.56 ± 0.622°). Among the pseudophakic eyes those with a multifocal lens (1.69 ± 0.367°) were significantly more sensitive to glare than those with a monofocal lens (1.43 ± 0.492°). CONCLUSION: Glare perimetry allows an objective quantification of effects of dysphotopsia under realistic conditions. Pseudophakic eyes show a higher sensitivity to glare than eyes with the natural clear lens. Here, eyes with multifocal lenses prove to be particularly sensitive to glare.

[Development of oculoplastic surgery in Kinshasa (capital of Democratic Republic of Congo)]. / Entwicklung der okuloplastischen Chirurgie in Kinshasa (Hauptstadt der Demokratischen Republik Kongo).

The partnership between Saint Joseph Hospital in Kinshasa (Capital city of DRC) and University Eye Clinic Rostock, Germany exists since 2000. The ophthalmologists from Rostock University performed 12 visits of St. Josef Hospital with the aim to perform oculoplastic surgery in complicated cases as well as to teach the local ophthalmologists. There they performed about 150 surgeries (entropion, ectropion, ptosis, repair of lid injuries, eye lid reconstruction and tumour management, lacrimal surgery) in joint teams. The programme of on-site training was established during this time. Meanwhile, the Kinshasa colleagues are able to perform the basic techniques by themselves. Two colleagues have obtained advanced training in oculoplastics in Rostock. The fruitful cooperation enabled the development of oculoplastic surgery in St. Josef Hospital in Kinshasa. The further education and training proccesses will support the continuous advancement in ophthalmological health care in DRC.

[Pathological conditions of the ocular surface -- a clinical and confocal laser-scanning microscopy study]. / Oberflächenerkrankungen des Auges unterschiedlicher Genese - klinische und konfokalmikroskopische Untersuchungen.

Confocal in vivo laser scanning microscopy is an established technique to visualise morphology of the cornea and conjunctiva, whereby the image interpretation needs experience. We report about changes of the ocular surface in the pathological conditions of infectious, metabolic and traumatic genesis and discuss their relevance. The micromorphology of the corneal epithelium and stroma in respect to pathogens (bacterial, fungal) is discussed. Metabolic disease induces multifaceted corneal alterations which can be visualised and used for assessment of the disease progression. Follow-up microscopic investigations allow for an assessment of the wound healing dynamics and enable a prognosis to be made for corneal recurrence. Taken together, confocal in vivo microscopy allows a non-invasive microscopy on the cellular level and thus complements clinical diagnostics.