Association of smoking cessation patterns and untreated smoking with glaucoma, cataract, and macular degeneration: a population-based retrospective study.

This study aims to assess the association between nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, and untreated smoking with the risk of developing eye disorders. We employed a new-user design to investigate the association between NRT use and the incidence of eye disorders by the Taiwan National Health Insurance program. This study included 8416 smokers who received NRT and 8416 smokers who did not receive NRT (control group) matched using propensity scores between 2007 and 2018. After adjustment for relevant factors, a multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that compared with untreated smokers, NRT use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of macular degeneration (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.87, P = 0.024). When stratified by dose, short-term NRT use (8-28 defined daily doses) was associated with significantly lower risk of glaucoma (HR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16-0.80, P = 0.012) and a trend toward reduced risk of cataract (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.36-1.01, P = 0.053) compared to no treatment. However, these associations were not observed with long-term NRT use. The results of this real-world observational study indicate that NRT use, particularly short-term use, was associated with a lower risk of certain eye disorders compared to no treatment for smoking cessation. Long-term NRT use did not demonstrate the same benefits. Thus, short-term NRT may be a beneficial treatment strategy for reducing the risk of eye disorders in smokers attempting to quit. However, further evidence is required to verify these findings and determine the optimal duration of NRT use.

CYTOR-NFAT1 feedback loop regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition of retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurring in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) is a crucial mechanism that contributes to the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a pivotal factor leading to permanent vision impairment. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators orchestrating EMT in RPE cells. In this study, we explored the function of the lncRNA CYTOR (cytoskeleton regulator RNA) in EMT of RPE cells and its underlying mechanisms. Through weighted correlation network analysis, we identified CYTOR as an EMT-related lncRNA associated with AMD. Experimental validation revealed that CYTOR orchestrates TGF-ß1-induced EMT, as well as proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells. Further investigation demonstrated the involvement of CYTOR in regulating the WNT5A/NFAT1 pathway and NFAT1 intranuclear translocation in the ARPE-19 cell EMT model. Mechanistically, CHIP, EMSA and dual luciferase reporter assays confirmed NFAT1's direct binding to CYTOR's promoter, promoting transcription. Reciprocally, CYTOR overexpression promoted NFAT1 expression, while NFAT1 overexpression increased CYTOR transcription. These findings highlight a mutual promotion between CYTOR and NFAT1, forming a positive feedback loop that triggers the EMT phenotype in ARPE-19 cells. These discoveries provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of EMT and its association with AMD, offering potential avenues for targeted therapies in EMT-related conditions, including AMD.

Association of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and warm-season ozone air pollution with incident age-related macular degeneration: A nationwide cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: As the leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) performs an adverse impact on human health and disability. AMD have been reported to be associated with environmental factors; however, the association between ultraviolet (UV) radiation, warm-season ambient ozone pollution, and incident AMD remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, 19,707 participants without AMD at baseline were included from a nationwide longitudinal cohort in China. UV radiation and warm-season ozone exposure were evaluated through satellite-based models. Incident AMD was diagnosed via ophthalmological fundus images. Cox proportional hazard regression models were employed to explore the association of UV radiation and warm-season ozone with incident AMD, and the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. RESULTS: During 312,935 person-month of follow-up, 3774 participants developed to AMD. High exposure to both UV radiation and warm-season ozone was associated with increasing risk of incident AMD, with HRs and 95 % CIs of 1.32 (1.23, 1.41) and 1.20 (1.11, 1.29) in two-exposure models, respectively. Moreover, negative interaction between UV radiation and warm-season ozone was identified, and it was found that exposure to high UV radiation and low ozone presented the highest hazard for AMD. Subgroup analyses showed that the UV-AMD association was stronger in southern China, while the ozone-AMD association was greater in northern China and rural areas. CONCLUSION: Our study provides the first epidemiological evidence that both UV radiation and warm-season ozone would elevate the risk of incident AMD, and the hazard of higher UV radiation may be attenuated by exposure to ozone. Strategies for decreasing AMD burden should jointly consider environmental exposures and geographic locations.

[Blue light and intraocular lenses (IOLs): Beliefs and realities]. / Lumière bleue et implants intraoculaires : croyances et réalités.

The first intraocular lenses (IOLs) used for cataract surgery transmitted both ultraviolet (UV) radiation and visible light to the retina. Colorless UV-blocking IOLs were introduced and rapidly adopted in the 1980s. Yellow-tinted blue-blocking (also known as blue-filtering) IOLs were marketed in the early 1990s. Blue-blocking IOLs were intended to simulate age-related crystalline lens yellowing to reduce the cyanopsia that some patients experienced after cataract surgery. When blue-filtering IOLs were introduced in North America, however, blue-blocking chromophores were advocated as a way to protect patients from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) despite the lack of evidence that normal environmental light exposure causes AMD. The "blue light hazard" is a term that describes the experimental finding that acute, abnormally intense light exposures are potentially more phototoxic to the retina when short rather than long wavelengths are used. Thus, in brief exposures to intense light sources such as welding arcs, ultraviolet radiation is more hazardous than blue light, which is more hazardous than longer wavelength green or red light. International commissions have cautioned that the blue light hazard does not apply to normal indoor or outdoor light exposures. Nonetheless, the hazard is used for commercial purposes to suggest misleadingly that ambient environmental light can cause acute retinal phototoxicity and increase the risk of AMD. Very large epidemiological studies show that blue-blocking IOLs do not reduce the risk or progression of AMD. Additionally, blue-filtering IOLs or spectacles cannot decrease glare disability, because they decrease image and glare illuminance in the same proportion. Blue light is essential for older adults' scotopic photoreception needed to reduce the risk of nighttime falling and related injuries. It is also critical for circadian photoreception that is essential for good health, sleep and cognitive performance. Unfortunately, age-related pupillary miosis, retinal rod and ganglion cell photoreceptor degeneration and decreased outdoor activity all reduce the amount of healthful blue light available to older adults. Blue-restricting IOLs further reduce the available blue light at a time when older adults need it most. Patients and ophthalmologists are exposed to hypothesis-based advertisements for blue-filtering optical devices that suppress short wavelength light critical for vision in dim lighting and for good physical and mental health. Spectacle and intraocular lens selections should be based on scientific fact, not conjecture. Ideal IOLs should improve photoreception rather than limit it permanently. Practice efficiency, surgical convenience and physician-manufacturer relationships may eliminate a patient's opportunity to choose between colorless blue-transmitting IOLs and yellow-tinted, blue-restricting IOLs. Cataract surgeons ultimately determine whether their patients have the opportunity to make an informed choice about their future photoreception.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review.

Importance: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately 20 million people in the US and 196 million people worldwide. AMD is a leading cause of severe vision impairment in older people and is expected to affect approximately 288 million people worldwide by 2040. Observations: Older age, genetic factors, and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking, are associated with development of AMD. AMD occurs when extracellular deposits accumulate in the outer retina, ultimately leading to photoreceptor degeneration and loss of central vision. The late stages of AMD are characterized by outer retinal atrophy, termed geographic atrophy, or neovascularization associated with subretinal and/or intraretinal exudation, termed exudative neovascular AMD. The annual incidence of AMD ranges from 0.3 per 1000 in people who are aged 55 to 59 years to 36.7 per 1000 in people aged 90 years or older. The estimated heritability of late-stage AMD is approximately 71% (95% CI, 18%-88%). Long-term prospective cohort studies show a significantly higher AMD incidence in people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day compared with people who never smoked. AMD is diagnosed primarily with clinical examination that includes a special lens that focuses light of the slit lamp through the pupil. Exudative neovascular AMD is best identified using angiography and by optical coherence tomography. Individuals with AMD who take nutritional supplements consisting of high-dose vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and zinc have a 20% probability to progress to late-stage AMD at 5 years vs a 28% probability for those taking a placebo. In exudative neovascular AMD, 94.6% of patients receiving monthly intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections experience less than a 15-letter visual acuity loss after 12 months compared with 62.2% receiving sham treatment. Conclusions and Relevance: The prevalence of AMD is anticipated to increase worldwide to 288 million individuals by 2040. Intravitreally administered anti-VEGF treatment is first-line therapy for exudative neovascular AMD.

Associations of drusen location with risk factors and incidence of late age-related macular degeneration in the Alienor study.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that central drusen location is strongly linked with known Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) risk factors and risk of incident late AMD. METHODS: The Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort study of residents of Bordeaux, France, followed from 2009 to 2017. On retinal photographs, we defined central drusen as at least one soft drusen (>63 µm) within 500 µm from fovea and pericentral drusen as at least one drusen 500-3000 µm from fovea, in the absence of any central drusen. Late AMD (atrophic and/or neovascular) was diagnosed using multimodal imaging. In total, 481 eyes were included in the analysis: 160 central and 321 pericentral. We investigated associations with systemic (age, sex, smoking, medical prescriptions, plasma concentrations of lipids and nutrients, UV exposure, blood pressure), ocular (retinal thickness, cataract extraction) and genetic risk scores (GRS). RESULTS: In multivariate logistic regression central drusen were associated with smoking (OR, 2.95 for smoking more than 20 pack-years, p = 0.02), HDL-cholesterol (OR, 1.57 for 1 standard deviation (SD) increase, p = 0.0048), pulse pressure (OR, 0.77 for 1 SD increase, p = 0.04), Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2) GRS (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.11-1.83) and complement GRS (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.15-2.10). In Cox modelling, the central location of drusen (at baseline or during the follow-up) was associated with a 4.41-fold increased risk (95% CI,1.98-9.81) for an incident late AMD. CONCLUSION: Central drusen were strongly associated with AMD risk factors and incident late AMD, suggesting that it represents a key marker for AMD progression.

LIFETIME AMBIENT ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION EXPOSURE AND INCIDENCE OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PURPOSE: To investigate the link between lifelong exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: The Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort involving 963 residents of Bordeaux, France, older than 73 years. A subset of 614 participants for advanced AMD and 422 participants for early AMD were included in the analysis. The participants' residential history combined with UVR estimates from the EuroSun satellite were used to estimate the amount of ambient UVR they have been exposed to over their lifetime. Age-related macular degeneration was classified from retinal fundus photographs and spectral domain optical coherence tomography at 2 to 3 years intervals over the 2006 to 2017 period. Associations between cumulative exposure to ultraviolet A, ultraviolet B, and total (total UV) and the incidence of early and advanced AMD were estimated using multivariate Cox models. RESULTS: Intermediate quartiles of total UV, ultraviolet A, and ultraviolet B exposures were associated with a higher risk for incident early AMD (Hazard Ratio [HR] =2.01 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27-3.13], HR = 2.20 [95% CI = 1.38-3.50], HR = 1.79 [95% CI = 1.13-2.80], respectively) as compared with the lower quartile. However, this risk did not further increase in the highest quartiles of exposure. None of the three types of UVR exposure was significantly associated with incident advanced AMD. CONCLUSION: Despite an increased risk with intermediate compared with low UVR exposure, our study cannot confirm a dose-response relationship of UVR exposure with early AMD onset.

Associations Between Autoimmune Disease and the Development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) likely implicates the dysregulation of immune response pathways. Several studies demonstrate that the pathogenic elements of AMD resemble those of autoimmune diseases, yet the association between AMD development and most autoimmune diseases remain unexplored. Methods: We conducted a case-control analysis of patients ages 55 and older with new-onset International Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding of dry, wet, or unspecified AMD between 2005 and 2019 in the Merative MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Databases. The diagnosis of an autoimmune disease was defined by an outpatient or inpatient claim with a relevant ICD code in the 12 months before the index visit. Conditional multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for AMD risk factors, was used to calculate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: We identified 415,027 cases with new-onset ICD coding for AMD matched with propensity scores to 414,853 controls. In total, 16.1% of cases and 15.9% of controls were diagnosed with any autoimmune disease. The diagnosis of any autoimmune disease did not affect the odds of new-onset ICD coding for AMD in multivariable regression (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.999-1.02). Discoid lupus erythematosus (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.48), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.15-1.27), giant cell arteritis (OR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.09-1.30), Sjogren's syndrome (OR = 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09-1.26), and Crohn's disease (OR = 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.22) increased the odds of a new-onset ICD coding for AMD. Conclusions: Most autoimmune diseases do not affect the odds of developing AMD but several common autoimmune disorders such as SLE and Crohn's disease were associated with modestly increased odds of AMD. Further studies are needed to validate and investigate the underlying mechanisms of these associations.

PREVALENCE OF AGE-MACULAR DEGENERATION IN PERSONS OF WORKING AGE WHO APPLIED TO PARTICIPATE IN WORK IN ACTION CONDITIONS IONIZING RADIATION: PRELIMINARY RESULTS. / ПОПЕРЕДНІ РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ПОШИРЕНОСТІ ВІКОВОЇ МАКУЛЯРНОЇ ДЕГЕНЕРАЦІЇ У ОСІБ ПРАЦЕЗДАТНОГО ВІКУ, ЯКІ ПРЕТЕНДУВАЛИ НА УЧАСТЬ В РОБОТАХ В УМОВАХ ДІЇ ІОНІЗУЮЧОГО ВИПРОМІНЮВАННЯ.

In recent decades, several large-scale epidemiological surveys of the eyes have been conducted to determine the global prevalence of retinal degenerative diseases (for example, the Blue Mountains Eye Study). The results of such studies were evaluated several decades, and the studies themselves required significant material resources. Such large-scale projects have not been carried out in Ukraine.Objective of the work is to study the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in a pilot group of non-irradiated persons of working age to determine the suitability of using the results for further epidemiological studies in Ukraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective-prospective analysis of the prevalence of degenerative diseases of the retina in a pilot group of persons who underwent an in-depth examination, as they claimed to participate in works in harmful conditions (with ionizing radiation) was carried out. The results of primary ophthalmological examinations of 1,064 people, conducted between January 18, 2007 and October 29, 2009, were randomly selected. The age of the examinees at the time of examination ranged from 18.94 to 67.49 years, the number of persons aged 18 to 30, 30 to 40, and 40 to 50 years was approximately the same. The results of a standardized ophthalmological examination were used. RESULTS: In the pilot group of people in working age, the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration was 196.4 per 1,000 people. Hazard analysis showed that the relative risk of age-related macular degeneration increased with age and was 1.14 (95% CI 1.07-1.21) for individuals aged 30-39 years; in comparison with persons under the age of 30; 1.3 (95% CI 1.21-1.41) - for persons aged 40-49; 1.3 (95% CI 1.18-1.52) - for persons aged 50-59; 1.86 (95% CI 1.0-3.47) - for persons over 60 years of age. The odds ratio (OR) of having age-related macular degeneration for those aged 30-39 years compared with those younger than 30 years was 3.04 (95% CI 1.79-5.15); for persons aged 40-49 years - 5.49 (95% CI 3.31-9.09); for persons aged 50-59 years - 6.04 (95% CI 3.36-10.88); for persons aged 50-59 years - 6.04 (95% CI 3.36-10.88) and for persons older than 60 years - 13.71 (95% CI 3.68-51.15), p in all cases < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: It was established that the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in non-irradiated individuals determined in the pilot group was high and statistically significantly increased with age. It is shown that the results of primary ophthalmological examinations of a pilot group of persons who applied for participation in works in harmful conditions (with ionizing radiation) are suitable for epidemiological studies of the frequency and course of degenerative retinal diseases in persons of working age in Ukraine. The obtained results are important for practical medicine, as they will allow us to assess the prospects needs for medical care in the secondary and tertiary care.

Desprendimiento de la capa bacilar de la retina asociado a enfermedad inflamatoria ocular / Detachment of the Bacillary Layer of the Retina Associated with Ocular Inflammatory Disease

El desprendimiento de la capa bacilar de la retina es la separación de los segmentos internos de los fotorreceptores del resto de la retina neurosensorial, o separación entre la zona miode y elipsoide de la retina, que en un hallazgo reciente se puede identificar mediante la tomografía de coherencia óptica de dominio espectral. El objetivo es actualizar los conocimientos sobre el desprendimiento de la capa bacilar de la retina y el uso de la tomografía de coherencia óptica de dominio espectral en las enfermedades oculares que están asociadas con este signo. Se consultaron las fuentes bibliográficas como Google académico, SciELO LAC, Medline y MEDICARIBE. Se limitaron los resultados al idioma español e inglés y a los últimos cinco años. Se recuperaron 54 documentos, de ellos 18 resultaron relevantes a esta investigación. Los autores más mencionados fueron Ramtohul, Metha y Cicinelli. Ellos trabajaron el signo clínico en cuestión y reportaron la experiencia en la atención a los pacientes aquejados con esta enfermedad ocular. El desprendimiento de la capa bacilar de la retina es un signo presente en varias enfermedades asociadas a inflamación del segmento posterior ocular. La tomografía de coherencia óptica de dominio espectral es una técnica efectiva para determinarlo, aunque estos planteamientos aún son escasos en la literatura, lo cual reafirma la importancia científica de continuar los estudios a partir de hipótesis iniciales desde el punto de vista histológico y tomográfico(AU)

Retinal bacillary layer detachment is the separation of the inner segments of the photoreceptors from the rest of the neurosensory retina, or separation between the myode and ellipsoid zone of the retina, which in a recent finding can be identified by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The objective is to update the knowledge about the detachment of the bacillary layer of the retina and the use of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in ocular diseases that are associated with this sign. Bibliographic sources such as academic Google, SciELO LAC, MEDLINE and MEDICARIBE were consulted. Fifty-four documents were retrieved, of which 18 were relevant to this research. The results were limited to the Spanish and English language and to the last five years. The most mentioned authors were Ramtohul, Metha and Cicinelli. They worked on the clinical sign in question and reported the experience in caring for patients afflicted with this ocular disease. Detachment of the bacillary layer of the retina is a sign present in several diseases associated with ocular posterior segment inflammation. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography is an effective technique to determine it, although it is still scarce in the literature, which reaffirms the scientific validity of continuing studies from initial hypotheses from the histological and tomographic point of view(AU)

Calidad de vida según función visual en degeneración macular húmeda asociada a la edad tratada con Bevacizumab / Quality of Life According to Visual Function in Age-related Wet Macular Degeneration Treated with Bevacizumab

Introducción: La degeneración macular asociada a la edad, es causa frecuente de ceguera o baja visión en el adulto mayor. La valoración de la calidad de vida relativa a la función visual, es fundamental en estos pacientes tratados con Bevacizumab. Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida en relación con la función visual en pacientes con degeneración macular tratada con Bevacizumab asociada a la edad. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo longitudinal prospectivo realizado en el ICO "Ramón Pando Ferrer", desde enero de 2019 hasta mayo de 2021. La muestra fue de 52 pacientes. El cuestionario NEI VFQ-25 fue aplicado antes y después de la administración de las tres dosis del medicamento intravítreo. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino, el grupo etario de mayor representación fue el de 60 a 79 años, la enfermedad sistémica más frecuente fue la hipertensión y ocular, la catarata. Casi todos los pacientes ganaron más de dos líneas en la cartilla de Snellen, el 42,3 por ciento presentó una ganancia de 3 líneas o más. El resultado de la mayoría de los elementos que explora el test, así como la función visual total es significativo desde el punto de vista estadístico. Conclusiones: Hubo una mejoría en la calidad de vida relativa a la función visual en los pacientes después de ser tratados con Bevacizumab. No existió una relación directamente proporcional entre la mejor agudeza visual post tratamiento y la mejora de la función visual total(AU)

Introduction: Age-related macular degeneration constitutes a frequent cause of blindness or low vision in the older adult. The assessment of quality of life related to visual function is essential in these patients treated with Bevacizumab. Objective: To assess the quality of life in relation to visual function in patients with age-related macular degeneration treated with Bevacizumab, at the ICO "Ramón Pando Ferrer", from January 2019 to May 2021. Methods: Prospective longitudinal descriptive study. The sample was 52 patients and the NEI VFQ-25 questionnaire was applied before and after three doses of the intravitreal drug. Results: Female gender predominated, the most represented age group was 60 to 79 years, the most frequent systemic disease was hypertension and the most frequent ocular disease was cataract. Almost all patients gained more than two lines in the Snellen chart, 42.3 percent presented a gain of 3 lines or more. The result of most of the items explored by the test, as well as the total visual function is statistically significant. Conclusions: There was an improvement in quality of life relative to visual function in patients after being treated with Bevacizumab. There was no directly proportional relationship between improved post-treatment visual acuity and improvement in total visual function(AU)

Influencia del tratamiento intravítreo en la presión intraocular en pacientes con glaucoma y degeneración macular / Influence of Intravitreal Treatment on Intraocular Pressure in Patients with Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration

En los últimos años, la aparición de los fármacos antiangiogénicos ha revolucionado el tratamiento de numerosas enfermedades de la retina, su asociación con la hipertensión ocular tras las inyecciones ha sido objeto de estudio en numerosas ocasiones. Se presenta un caso clínico de una paciente con glaucoma y degeneración macular asociada a la edad con la que se estudió la relación entre la administración de antiangiogénicos intravítreos y la elevación de la presión intraocular, a corto y largo plazo. La administración de fármacos antiangiogénicos es en la actualidad el procedimiento oftalmológico más empleado en las consultas de todo el mundo. La administración de intravítreas se ha asociado a la producción de un pico hipertensivo transitorio en el momento agudo y a la elevación de la presión intraocular a largo plazo. Un estrecho intervalo entre inyecciones ( 7 al año), pacientes con cámara estrecha, fáquicos y con diagnóstico previo de glaucoma son los principales factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de una elevación sostenida de presión intraocular tras el tratamiento intravítreo con antiangiogénicos. Identificar a los pacientes con alto riesgo de desarrollar hipertensión ocular tras el uso de inyecciones intravítreas y adoptar medidas que reduzcan dicho riesgo, como la administración de hipotensores tópicos antes de la inyección, es fundamental para mejorar su salud visual. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 78 años de edad con diagnóstico de glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto de cinco años de evolución en ambos ojos(AU)

In recent years, the emergence of antiangiogenic drugs has revolutionized the treatment of numerous retinal diseases, their association with ocular hypertension after injections has been the subject of study on numerous occasions. We present a clinical case of a patient with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration in which the relationship between the administration of intravitreal antiangiogenic drugs and the elevation of intraocular pressure, in the short and long term, was studied. The prescribing of antiangiogenic drugs is currently the most widely used ophthalmologic procedure in practices worldwide. Intravitreal administration has been associated with the production of a transitory hypertensive peak in the acute setting and long-term elevation of intraocular pressure. A narrow interval between injections ( 7 per year), patients with narrow chamber, phakic and with a previous diagnosis of glaucoma are the main risk factors for the development of sustained intraocular pressure elevation after intravitreal treatment with antiangiogenics. Identifying patients at high risk of developing ocular hypertension after intravitreal injections and adopting measures to reduce this risk, such as the administration of topical hypotensives before the injection, is essential to improve their eyesight health. The case of a 78-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma of five years of evolution in both eyes is presented(AU)

Pseudodrusen reticulares y degeneración macular asociada a la edad / Pseudodrusen reticularis and age-related macular degeneration

Objetivo: Identificar la relación de los pseudodrusen reticulares con la degeneración macular asociada a la edad mediante imágenes tomográficas. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en pacientes con pseudodrusen reticulares atendidos en consulta de retina a los que se les realizó tomografía de coherencia óptica espectral desde enero de 2009 hasta diciembre de 2014 en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología "Ramón Pando Ferrer". La población estuvo constituida por 69 pacientes de 55 años y más con pseudodrusen reticulares en dichas imágenes. Resultados: Los pseudodrusen predominaron en pacientes con edades comprendidas entre los 70 y 79 años para un 49,3 por ciento. El sexo femenino fue el más numeroso con un 76,8 por ciento. De los 122 ojos con pseudodrusen, 86 presentaron algún signo de degeneración macular asociada a la edad representado por el 70,5 por ciento. El 58,1 por ciento de estos últimos tuvo la forma avanzada. La membrana neovascular tipo II fue la más frecuente con un 58,0 por ciento. El grosor coroideo se estimó disminuido en el 77,9 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: Los pseudodrusen reticulares mantienen una relación directa con la degeneración macular asociada a la edad e influyen en la progresión de esta(AU)

Objective: To identify the relationship of reticular pseudodrusen with age-related macular degeneration using tomographic imaging. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with reticular pseudodrusen seen in retina consultation who underwent spectral optical coherence tomography from January 2009 to December 2014 at the Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer". The population consisted of 69 patients aged 55 years and older with reticular pseudodrusen in these images. Results: Pseudodrusen predominated in patients between 70 and 79 years of age (49.3 percent). The female gender was the most numerous with 76.8 percent. Out of the 122 eyes with pseudodrusen, 86 showed some sign of age-related macular degeneration (70.5 percent). Out of the latter, 58.1 percent had the advanced form. Type II neovascular membrane was the most frequent with 58.0 percent. Choroidal thickness was estimated decreased in 77.9 percent of cases. Conclusions: Reticular pseudodrusen maintain a direct relationship with age-related macular degeneration and influence its progression(AU)

Association between the L55M and Q192R polymorphisms of the paraoxonase-1 gene and age-related macular degeneration: a meta-analysis / Associação entre os polimorfismos L55M e Q192R do gene da paraoxonase1 e a degeneração macular relacionada à idade: uma meta-análise

ABSTRACT Purpose: Paraoxonase-1 activity is associated with age-related macular degeneration. Two polymorphisms (L55M and Q192R) were shown to increase paraoxonase-1 activity and have been implicated in the development of age-related macular degeneration. The results of studies that have examined these polymorphisms are conflicting, showing no effect, as well as increased or decreased risk. Therefore, this meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of these polymorphisms on age-related macular degeneration. Methods: PubMed, EBSCO, LILACS, and Scopus databases, as well as and the retrieved bibliographies of publications were searched for case-control studies that examined for paraoxonase-1 polymorphisms and age-related macular degeneration. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2.2 and the NCSS Statistical Version 2020 software. Genotype distributions were extracted and, depending on the level of heterogeneity, fixed effects or random effects models were used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, recessive, and allelic genetic models. Results: Overall, for the L55M polymorphism, none of the genetic models demonstrated a significant association. However, for non-Asian populations, a significant association was determined for the heterozygous and dominant genetic models (ORrange=1.24-1.27, p<0.05). For the Asian population, the heterozygous, dominant, and allelic genetic models demonstrated a benefit/protective factor (ORrange=0.29-0.35, p<0.05). For the Q192R polymorphism, none of the genetic models demonstrated a significant association. However, when the cohort was grouped by ethnicity, a significant association was determined in the Asian population for the recessive and allelic genetic models (ORrange=1.63-2.08, p<0.05). However, for the non-Asian population, there was no association observed. Also, there was no identifiable risk when the cohort was stratified into exudative and non-exudative cases. Conclusions: The paraoxonase-1L55M polymorphism increases the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration in non-Asian populations, whereas in Asian populations, the polymorphism exerts a protective effect. However, for the paraoxonase-1 Q192R polymorphism, only the Asian population demonstrated a risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo: A atividade da paraoxonase1 está associada à degeneração macular relacionada à idade. Dois polimorfismos (L55M e Q192R) mostraram aumentar a atividade da paraoxonase1 e foram implicados no desenvolvimento da degeneração macular relacionada à idade. Os estudos que examinaram esses polimorfismos apresentaram resultados conflitantes: nenhum efeito, risco aumentado ou diminuído. Assim, esta meta-análise foi realizada para determinar o efeito desses polimorfismos na degeneração macular relacionada à idade. Métodos: Foi feita uma busca nos bancos de dados PubMed, EBSCO, LILACS e SCOPUS, bem como nas bibliografias compiladas das publicações, buscando-se estudos caso-controle que tivessem analisado os polimorfismos da paraoxonase1 e a degeneração macular relacionada à idade. Os dados foram analisados com software Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, versão 2.2, e NCSS Statistical, versão 2020. As distribuições de genótipos foram extraídas e, dependendo do nível de heterogeneidade, modelos de efeitos fixos ou aleatórios foram utilizados para calcular razões de probabilidade (RPs) combinadas, com intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) para os modelos genéticos heterozigoto, homozigoto, dominante, recessivo e alélico. Resultados: Em geral, nenhum dos modelos genéticos demonstrou associação significativa para o polimorfismo L55M. Entretanto, em populações não asiáticas, foi determinada uma associação significativa para os modelos genéticos heterozigoto e dominante (RPfaixa=1,24-1,27, p<0,05). Para a população asiática, os modelos heterozigoto, dominante e alélico mostraram um fator benéfico ou protetor (RPfaixa=0,29-0,35, p<0,05). Para o polimorfismo Q192R, nenhum dos modelos genéticos demonstrou qualquer associação significativa. Porém, quando a coorte foi agrupada por etnia, determinou-se uma associação significativa na população asiática para os modelos genéticos recessivo e alélico (RPfaixa=1,63-2,08, p<0,05). Contudo, nenhuma associação foi observada para a população não asiática. Não houve risco identificável quando a coorte foi estratificada em exsudativa e não exsudativa. Conclusões: Determinamos que o polimorfismo L55M da paraoxonase1 de fato aumenta o risco de desenvolvimento de degeneração macular relacionada à idade em populações não asiáticas, enquanto que em populações asiáticas, esse polimorfismo tem um efeito protetor. Porém, para o polimorfismo Q192R da paraoxonase1, apenas a população asiática demonstrou risco de desenvolver degeneração macular relacionada à idade.(AU)

Maculopatia solar após o uso de LSD: relato de caso / Solar maculopathy after LSD use: a case report

Introdução: A maculopatia ou retinopatia solar é uma lesão foto-traumática da mácula causada pela observação direta ou indireta de fontes luminosas intensas, que ocorre comumente na presença de distúrbios psíquicos ou após o uso de drogas recreativas. O prognóstico visual varia e a conduta é expectante. Descrição do caso: Paciente V.V.A.M., sexo masculino, 20 anos, estudante, com queixa de escotoma central em ambos os olhos. Nega antecedentes patológicos e oculares. Solicitaram-se tomografia de coerência óptica (OCT) e retinografia, que revelaram uma lesão central, bilateral e simétrica na retina externa. Paciente relatou ter feito uso de Dietilamida de ácido lisérgico (LSD) e, sob influência da droga, ter olhado de forma direta para o sol por aproximadamente 40 minutos. Discussão: O prognóstico da retinopatia solar é variável e relaciona-se com o tempo de exposição e com o comprimento da onda da fonte de luz. A etiopatogênese é explicada pelo dano causado ao epitélio pigmentar da retina (EPR) pela radiação. Conclusões: Deve haver maior orientação ao público sobre os possíveis efeitos danosos de exposição a fontes de luz de origens diversas. Além disso, destaca-se a importância do OCT para a identificação da maculopatia solar. (AU)

Introduction: Solar maculopathy or retinopathy is photo-traumatic damage created on the macula, caused by direct or indirect observation of intense light sources, commonly occurring in the presence of psychic disorders or after the use of recreational drugs. The visual prognosis varies. There is currently no known treatment. Case report: A 20-year-old male with no previous complaints reported central scotoma in both eyes despite 20/20 uncorrected vision. Bilateral, symmetric, central changes could be seen in the macula in fundoscopy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed loss of the external retina suggestive of Solar Maculopathy. The patient later claimed to have spent 40 minutes looking directly into the sun after use of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). Discussion: The prognosis of solar retinopathy is related to the exposure time and to the wavelength of the light source, with those between 300-350 nm being the most harmful. Its etiopathogenesis is explained by damage caused to the retinal pigment epithelium (EPR) caused by radiation, interrupting the interdigitations between this layer and the external segment of the photoreceptors. Ophthalmoscopically, solar maculopathy is characterized by a small foveolar lesion that might become yellowish in the days following exposure, in the form of exudate or edema, followed by loss of foveal reflex and thinning of the fovea. The initial yellowed lesions are subsequently replaced by a spotted EPR or even by a lamellar orifice. Conclusions: There should be public guidance on the possible harmful effects of exposure to sources of light from diverse origins, as it usually occurs during solar eclipses, after exposure to certain types of lasers or observation of fires since this habit can cause severe and sometimes irreversible visual loss. (AU)

Risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in Argentina / Fatores de risco para degeneração macular relacionada à idade na Argentina

PURPOSES: To assess the risk factors of age-related macular degeneration in Argentina using a case-control study. METHODS: Surveys were used for subjects' antioxidant intake, age/gender, race, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes (and type of treatment), smoking, sunlight exposure, red meat consumption, fish consumption, presence of age-related macular degeneration and family history of age-related macular degeneration. Main effects models for logistic regression and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: There were 175 cases and 175 controls with a mean age of 75.4 years and 75.5 years, respectively, of whom 236 (67.4%) were female. Of the cases with age-related macular degeneration, 159 (45.4%) had age-related macular degeneration in their left eyes, 154 (44.0%) in their right eyes, and 138 (39.4%) in both eyes. Of the cases with age-related macular degeneration in their left eyes, 47.8% had the dry type, 40.3% had the wet type, and the type was unknown for 11.9%. The comparable figures for right eyes were: 51.9%, 34.4%, and 13.7%, respectively. The main effects model was dominated by higher sunlight exposure (OR [odds ratio]: 3.3) and a family history of age-related macular degeneration (OR: 4.3). Other factors included hypertension (OR: 2.1), smoking (OR: 2.2), and being of the Mestizo race, which lowered the risk of age-related macular degeneration (OR: 0.40). Red meat/fish consumption, body mass index, and iris color did not have an effect. Higher age was associated with progression to more severe age-related macular degeneration. CONCLUSION: Sunlight exposure, family history of age-related macular degeneration, and an older age were the significant risk factors. There may be other variables, as the risk was not explained very well by the existing factors. A larger sample may produce different and better results.

OBJETIVO: Determinar os fatores de risco para degeneração macular relacionada à idade na Argentina utilizando um estudo caso-controle. MÉTODOS: Questionários foram usados para a obtenção de informações dos participantes em relação à ingesta de antioxidantes, idade/sexo, raça, índice de massa corporal, hipertensão, diabetes (e tipo de tratamento), tabagismo, exposição à luz solar, consumo de carne vermelha/peixe, presença de degeneração macular relacionada à idade e história familiar de degeneração macular relacionada à idade. Modelos de efeito principal para regressão logística e regressão logística ordinal foram usados para analisar os resultados. RESULTADOS: Foram recrutados 175 casos e 175 controles com uma média de idade de 75,4 anos e 75,5, respectivamente, dos quais 236 (67,4%) eram mulheres. Cento e cinquenta e nove (45,4%) tinham degeneração macular relacionada à idade em seus olhos esquerdos, 154 (44,0%) em seus olhos direitos, e 138 (39,4%) em ambos os olhos. Entre os casos de degeneração macular relacionada à idade no olho esquerdo, 47,8% apresentavam o tipo seca, 40,3% o tipo úmida, e o tipo era desconhecido em 11,9%. Os achados para os olhos direitos foram: 51,9%, 34,4% e 13,7%, respectivamente. O modelo de efeito principal foi dominado por maior exposição à luz solar (OR [odds ratio]: 3,3) e história familiar de degeneração macular relacionada à idade (OR: 4,3). Outros fatores incluindo hipertensão (OR: 2,1), tabagismo (OR: 2,2), e pertencente à raça mestiça, que diminuiram o risco de degeneração macular relacionada à idade (OR: 0,40). Consumo de carne vermelha e de peixe, índice de massa corporal e coloração da íris não foram fatores de risco. Idade avançada foi associada com progressão para degeneração macular relacionada à idade mais grave. CONCLUSÃO: Exposição à luz solar, história familiar de degeneração macular relacionada à idade, e idade avançada foram os fatores de risco significativos. Podem existir outras variáveis, já que os riscos não foram bem explicados pelos fatores existentes. Um maior tamanho amostral poderia produzir resultados diferentes e melhores.

Síndrome Sjögren - Larsson / Sjögren - Larsson syndrome

Relatam-se os casos de dois irmãos consanguíneos com síndrome de Sjögren- Larsson, enfatizando a importância clínica do exame oftalmológico. BPLS, masculino, 11 anos e MBLS, feminino, 10 anos, irmãos de pais não-consanguíneos, apresentando ictiose congênita, diplegia espástica e retardo mental. Ao exame oftalmológico, apresentavam miopia, fotofobia, baixa acuidade visual. A fundoscopia, presença de cristais branco-amarelados em área foveal e parafoveal em ambos os olhos. Aconselhamento genético foi realizado. O manejo foi de suporte. A Síndrome de Sjögren-Larsson é uma rara doença autossômica recessiva em que há 100 por cento de penetrância. Síndrome de Sjögren-Larsson é classicamente caracterizada por ictiose, espasticidade e deficiência mental. A doença é causada por mutações no gene aldeído desidrogenase. As alterações oculares observadas são geralmente bilaterais, cristais branco-amarelados em área retiniana, que aparecem nos dois primeiros anos de vida e que vão aumentando em número com a idade. As anormalidades oculares não têm relação com a severidade da ictiose ou com as anormalidades neurológicas. Acredita-se que as lesões oftalmológicas sejam um sinal patognomônico da síndrome. É necessário enfatizar a importância do diagnóstico precoce e possibilidades de tratamento dietético.

Sjogren - Larsson syndrome is a rare autosomal recessively inherited neurocutaneous disorder which occurs with 100 percent penetrance and is classically characterized by ichthyosis, spasticity and mental handicap. The disease is caused by mutations in the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene. The ocular manifestations are highly characteristic bilateral, glistening yellow-white retinal dots from the age of 1 to 2 years onward. The number of dots increases whit age. The extent of the macular abnormality does not correlate with the severity of the ichthyosis or with the severity of the neurological abnormalities. We report the clinical characteristics and ocular manifestations associated with the Sjögren-Larsson syndrome in two siblings, emphasizing the clinical importance of the ophthalmological examination of the Sjögren-Larsson syndrome. BPLS, a eleven year old boy and MPLS, a ten year old girl from non-consanguinous parents, presenting congenital ichthyosis, spastic diplegia and mental retardation. Miopia, fotofobia, subnormal visual acuity and glistening yellow-white crystalline deposits that were located in the foveal and parafoveal area were found in the ophthalmologic examination.

The role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of oxidant/antioxidant status and protein oxidation in the development of age-related macular degeneration. METHOD: The activities of serum superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and the levels of serum malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products, glutathione and vitamin C were measured in 25 patients with age-related macular degeneration and 25 control subjects without age-related macular degeneration. RESULT: The malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation protein product levels in the serum were significantly higher in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity in the serum was significantly lower in the age-related macular degeneration patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The levels of vitamin C and glutathione and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in the serum were unchanged between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that decreased effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system and increased oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration.

Degeneración macular relacionada a la edad / Age-related macular degeneration

La degeneración macular relacionada a la edad es la causa más frecuente de pérdida de visión irreversible en personas mayores de 60 años. Son factores de riesgo la edad, la genética, el tabaquismo y la obesidad abdominal. Su primera manifestación visible son las drusas, acumulación de productos provenientes de la degradación incompleta de la digestión de segmentos de fotoreceptores por el epitelio pigmentario. La administración de antioxidantes y zinc disminuye el riesgo de pérdida severa de visión en un 25 por ciento en pacientes con drusas. El proceso puede evolucionar a la atrofia de fotoreceptores y epitelio pigmentario (forma seca) o a la aparición de vasos de neoformación que invaden el espacio subretinal, son sangre y líquido subretinal (forma húmeda). La primera es de comienzo insidioso y lentamente progresiva. La segunda produce pérdida brusca de visión central. No existe hoy día un tratamiento eficaz para la forma seca. La forma neovascular no tratada tiene un pobre pronóstico conduciendo a ceguera legal. Sin embargo, la terapia antiangiogénica con inyecciones intravitreas repetidas de bloqueadores del factor de crecimiento endotelial (VEGF) permite la estabilización o mejoría de visión en la mayoría de los pacientes

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in persons over 60 years of age. Risk factors are age, genetics, smoking and abdominal obesity. Drusen are the first visible sign of the disease, as yellow deposits lying deep in the retina. Drusen are accumulation of residual bodies due to incomplete digestion of the outer segments of the photoreceptors by the retinal pigment epithelium. In patients with drusen, the administration of antioxidants and zinc, reduces the risk of severe loss of vision by 25 percent. The disease may progress to atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium ("dry AMD") or to a neovascular form, with invasion of the subretinal space by sprouts of coroidal neovascularization, with blood and subretinal fluid ("wet AMD"). The dry form is a slowly progressive disease, with patches of retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor atrophy. Patients with the wet form experience sudden loss of vision. There is no proven effective treatment for the dry form today. Neovascular AMD has a poor prognosis if left untreated, resulting in legal blindness. However, antiangiogenic therapy with anti-vascular endotelial growth factor modalities, administered in repeated intravitreal injections, allows stabilization or improvement of visual acuity in most cases.

Complicações oculares da terapêutica com a cloroquina e derivados / Ocular complications of chloroquine and derivatives therapy

INTRODUÇÃO: Os derivados das 4-aminoquinolonas vêm sendo utilizados desde sua industrialização na terapêutica da malária, das doenças reumatológicas e dermatológicas. Essas drogas apresentam reações adversas sistêmicas e oculares. As reações adversas sistêmicas afetam o sistema gastrointestinal, sistema nervoso, sistema muscular esquelético e a pele, e as oculares são: fotofobia, córnea verticilata, poliose, catarata, paralisia dos músculos extraoculares, uveíte anterior, maculopatia tóxica, neurite óptica. OBJETIVO: Revisão bibliográfica das complicações do uso de cloroquina e derivados. Analisar evolução e estágio atual da propedêutica. Sugerir conduta prática no mapeamento precoce dos sinais de toxicidade. MÉTODOS: Revisão bibliográfica através da pesquisa no banco de dados MEDLINE, PUBMED, LILACS e SciELO. DISCUSSÃO: São descritos todos os exames que podem ser utilizados para mapeamento das reações adversas oculares, tais quais: exame oftalmológico completo, com ênfase na biomicroscopia e oftalmoscopia binocular indireta, campo visual computadorizado, tela de Amsler, visão de cores, exames eletrofisiológicos, polarimetria e tomografia de coerência óptica. É feita a descrição do quadro de maculopatia enfocando epidemiologia, fatores de risco, histopatologia e propedêutica. É descrita a estrutura química e as diferenças entre os derivados das 4-aminoquinolonas. CONCLUSÃO: Todo paciente em uso de cloroquina e seus derivados devem ser acompanhados e documentados desde seu início e até atingir a dose cumulativa acima de 100 gramas. Quanto maior a dose cumulativa, maior deve ser a nossa preocupação com o seguimento desse paciente.

INTRODUCTION: Byproducts of 4-aminoquinolones are being used since its industrialization in the treatment of malaria, rheumatic and dermatologic diseases. These drugs present systemic and ocular adverse events. Systemic adverse reactions affect the gastrointestinal, nervous and skeletal muscular systems and the skin. Ocular adverse reactions are: photophobia, cornea verticillata, poliosis, cataract, extraocular muscle palsy, anterior uveitis, toxic maculopathy and optical neuritis. PURPOSE: Bibliography review of complications due to the use of chloroquine and its derivatives. To analyze the current practice and propedeutics' evolution. To suggest practical managements for early toxicity signs. METHODS: Bibliographic review through research on MEDLINE, PUBMED, LILACS and SciELO database. DISCUSSION: All exams that can be used to screen ocular adverse reactions are described, such as: complete ophthalmologic exam, with emphasis on biomicroscopy and indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy, computerized visual field, Amsler grid testing and color vision testing, electrophysiological exams, polarimetry and optical coherence tomography. A description of maculopathy is presented, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, histopathology and propedeutics. Chemical structure and the differences between 4-aminoquinolone derivatives are described. CONCLUSION: All patients using chloroquine and its derivatives must be followed-up and documented since the beginning of the therapy until they reach a cumulative dose above 100 grams. The higher the cumulative dose, the more we must be concerned with patient follow-up.