Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report.

On November 5-8, 2019, the "Mars Extant Life: What's Next?" conference was convened in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The conference gathered a community of actively publishing experts in disciplines related to habitability and astrobiology. Primary conclusions are as follows: A significant subset of conference attendees concluded that there is a realistic possibility that Mars hosts indigenous microbial life. A powerful theme that permeated the conference is that the key to the search for martian extant life lies in identifying and exploring refugia ("oases"), where conditions are either permanently or episodically significantly more hospitable than average. Based on our existing knowledge of Mars, conference participants highlighted four potential martian refugium (not listed in priority order): Caves, Deep Subsurface, Ices, and Salts. The conference group did not attempt to reach a consensus prioritization of these candidate environments, but instead felt that a defensible prioritization would require a future competitive process. Within the context of these candidate environments, we identified a variety of geological search strategies that could narrow the search space. Additionally, we summarized a number of measurement techniques that could be used to detect evidence of extant life (if present). Again, it was not within the scope of the conference to prioritize these measurement techniques-that is best left for the competitive process. We specifically note that the number and sensitivity of detection methods that could be implemented if samples were returned to Earth greatly exceed the methodologies that could be used at Mars. Finally, important lessons to guide extant life search processes can be derived both from experiments carried out in terrestrial laboratories and analog field sites and from theoretical modeling.

Pasteurella multocida endophthalmitis.

We have recently seen an unusual case of endophthalmitis secondary to Pasteurella multocida infection. Unlike previously reported cases this patient had no previous history of animal bites or scratch wounds. Treatment included subconjunctival, parenteral, and intravitreal administration of ampicillin. Although the eye was sterilised, the patient's vision remained poor owing to the extensive amount of retinal necrosis.

Management of giant retinal tears without scleral buckling.

Giant retinal tears have been repaired in six consecutive patients without the use of a scleral buckle. By using preoperative laser photocoagulation, pars plana vitrectomy with light choroidal cryopexy, pure C3F8 gas injection followed by postoperative positioning and supplemental laser, excellent anatomic and visual results have been achieved. The risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy may be minimized using this technique.

Risk factors of branch retinal vein occlusion.

A case-control study of 225 patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and 100 age-matched controls was conducted to assess potential clinical risk factors for BRVO. Male gender, hypertension, and hyperopia were significantly more prevalent in patients with BRVO. There was no significant association with race, diabetes, or chronic open-angle glaucoma.

Inheritance and the pigmentary dispersion syndrome.

The authors studied 33 patients in five families and have found that 14 of these patients fulfill criteria for the pigmentary dispersion syndrome. Affected patients had characteristics associated with the pigmentary dispersion syndrome, which are: peripheral slit-like iris transillumination defects, increased trabecular meshwork pigmentation, Krukenberg spindle, myopia, and elevated intraocular pressure. The authors observed this syndrome to be transmitted in a direct linear manner from parent to sibling in three of the four families. The transmission of this syndrome was found to be independent of refractive error, iris color, and sexual predilection, all of which are presented.

Subretinal choroidal neovascularization in birdshot retinochoroidopathy.

We studied four eyes of two patients with bilateral birdshot retinochoroidopathy which developed subretinal choroidal neovascular membranes involving the macula. The subretinal choroidal neovascular membranes in our patients developed six months to five years after the onset of the disease. Both patients described decreasing visual acuities at the time when the choroidal neovascular membranes were identified. Adjacent to the classic depigmented areas of birdshot retinochoroidopathy were increased pigmentation, hemorrhage, or fluid indicative of subretinal neovascularization. Fluorescein angiography confirmed the presence and demonstrated the location of these membranes.

Inheritance and the pigmentary dispersion syndrome.

We studied 23 patients in four families and have found that ten of these patients fulfill criteria for the pigmentary dispersion syndrome. Affected patients had characteristics associated with the pigmentary dispersion syndrome, which are: peripheral slit-like iris transillumination defects, increased trabecular meshwork pigmentation, Krukenberg spindle, myopia, and elevated intraocular pressure. We observed this syndrome to be transmitted in a direct linear manner from parent to sibling in three of the four families. The transmission of this syndrome was found to be independent of refractive error, iris color, and sexual predilection; all of which will be presented.

New instrumentation for fluid-air exchange.

To facilitate fluid-air exchange, we have recently adapted and modified an instrument that has been designed to maintain the anterior chamber of an eye with pressurized air at levels which are pre-set by the surgeon. We have now altered this instrument to provide us with a means of performing a fluid air exchange that obviates the need for changing or refilling the air syringe. The intraocular pressure can be maintained at a predetermined level throughout the procedure, with unlimited filtered air controlled by the surgeon via an uncomplicated automated foot pedal control system.