Artificial Intelligence and new language models in Ophthalmology: Complications of the use of silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that facilitates everyday tasks and automates tasks in various fields such as medicine. However, the emergence of a language model in academia has generated a lot of interest. This paper evaluates the potential of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, and DALL-E 2, an image generator, in the writing of scientific articles in ophthalmology. The selected topic is the complications of the use of silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery. ChatGPT was used to generate an abstract and a structured article, suggestions for a title and bibliographical references. In conclusion, despite the knowledge demonstrated by this tool, the scientific accuracy and reliability on specific topics is insufficient for the automatic generation of scientifically rigorous articles. In addition, scientists should be aware of the possible ethical and legal implications of these tools.

Hair cortisol level as a molecular biomarker in retinitis pigmentosa patients.

PURPOSE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients commonly experience negative psychological states due to their progressive and unpredictable loss of vision and visual variations related to stress. The aim of this study was to examine hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs), which is usually associated with chronic stress, pretending to unveil possible associations between underlying psychological factors and disease severity in RP patients. METHODS: Seventy-eight RP patients and 148 healthy controls were included in this study. A complete ophthalmological exam was performed in all patients to grade into severity disease groups. Perceived stress and trait-anxiety were measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire. RESULTS: Fifty-two (67%) patients had severe RP and 26 (33%) mild-moderate RP. Fifty-eight (58,9%) patients reported severely levels of stress and 18 (23.,1%) highly levels assessed by STAI questionnaire. RP patients exhibited higher HCCs (500.04 ± 120.99 pg/mg) than in controls (136.17 ± 60.51 pg/mg; p < 0.001). Severe RP patients had significant higher HCCs than mild-moderate patients differing in 274.27 pg/mg (p < 0.001). RP severity grade and perceived anxiety levels in the questionaries were not associated. Group differences were not affected by relevant covariates (age, grade of severity, stress status, and gender). CONCLUSIONS: HCC seems an effective biomarker associated with chronic stress in RP patients. This study shows that HCC in patients with RP are elevated compared to population-based controls, and association between HCC and RP severity was found. Future research is needed to characterize the effect of untreated negative psychological states on progression of the disease if any.

Efficacy of immunomodulatory therapy with interferon-ß or glatiramer acetate on multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis. / Eficacia del tratamiento inmunomodulador con interferón-ß o acetato de glatirámero en las uveítis asociadas a esclerosis múltiple.

AIM: To analyse the role of interferon-ß or glatiramer acetate in reducing the inflammatory episodes of intra-ocular inflammation in multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis. METHOD: A study was conducted on a non-randomised, retrospective case series of 13 patients with proven multiple sclerosis and uveitis (minimum follow-up, 12 months). All patients were given immunomodulatory treatment (interferon-ß or glatiramer acetate) to control the course of the multiple sclerosis. Patients were compared to themselves before initiating the treatment, in order to assess the difference in uveitis episodes. The main outcome measurements were the number of uveitis episodes with/without immunomodulatory treatment. RESULTS: Uveitis was bilateral in 10 (77%) out of 13 patients. Intermediate uveitis was observed in 11 patients, retinal vasculitis in 3 patients, and one patient was classified as a posterior uveitis. The patients had a mean of 4.15±3.1 episodes of uveitis (range 1-10) during the follow-up period (148.6±84.3 months). When compared to their pre-treatment status, patients on treatment with interferon-ß or glatiramer acetate showed a significant decrease of 0.36 episodes of ocular inflammation per year (P=.02). Mild side effects related to immunomodulatory treatment were observed in 6 (46%) patients, 3 (23%) patients with a flu-like syndrome, and 3 (23%) patients with a skin rash. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon ß or glatiramer acetate could be effective in reducing the uveitis episodes in patients with multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis, and was well tolerated in most patients.

Advanced ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma presenting as temporary exudative retinal detachment.

We describe the case of a 70-year-old male patient with ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma who developed an exudative retinal detachment (ERD) in the right eye as the first manifestation. Two weeks after presentation, total regression of the ERD was noted. Extensive investigations for local causes of ERD were unrewarding. Finally, we performed a computed tomography scanning of the head that revealed an ethmoidal mass extending to the orbit. The diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was confirmed by biopsy. Neoplastic phenomena should be considered in patients presenting with temporary ERD.

Adrenocortical adenoma and central serous chorioretinopathy: a rare association?

A 28-year-old man with bilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and body weight gain was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome secondary to an adrenocortical adenoma. The patient had high levels of free cortisol and the tumor was confirmed by histopathology. After surgery, cortisol levels decreased and the CSCR spontaneously resolved. This case highlights the role of cortisol in the pathogenesis of CSCR. A diagnosis of endogenous Cushing's syndrome should be considered in patients with CSCR as an initial symptom.