Association of the CYP39A1 G204E Genetic Variant with Increased Risk of Glaucoma and Blindness in Patients with Exfoliation Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Carriers of functionally deficient mutations in the CYP39A1 gene have been recently reported to have a 2-fold increased risk of exfoliation syndrome (XFS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of blindness and related clinical phenotypes of XFS patients carrying the loss-of-function CYP39A1 G204E mutation in comparison with XFS patients without any CYP39A1 mutation. DESIGN: Retrospective case study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 35 patients diagnosed with XFS carrying the CYP39A1 G204E mutation and 150 XFS patients without any CYP39A1 mutation who were randomly selected from the Japanese XFS cohort. METHODS: Two-sided Fisher exact test with an alpha level < 0.05 was used to estimate the significance of the calculated odds ratio (OR) for all categorical measures. Comparisons between groups of subjects were performed using linear mixed effect models with group as random effect and taking possible dependence between eyes within a subject into account. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary analysis compared the incidence of blindness (defined as visual acuity [VA] < 0.05 decimal), prevalence of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), history of glaucoma surgery, and indices of glaucoma severity such as visual field (VF) mean deviation (MD), intraocular pressure (IOP), and vertical cup-disc ratio (CDR) between CYP39A1 G204E carriers and those without any CYP39A1 mutation. RESULTS: The overall risk for blindness was significantly higher in XFS patients carrying the CYP39A1 G204E variant (10/35 [28.6%]) compared with XFS patients without any CYP39A1 mutations (8/150 [5.4%]; odds ratio [OR], 7.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.7-20.2]; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of XFS patients with the CYP39A1 G204E mutation (23/35 [65.7%]) had evidence of XFG in at least 1 eye compared with the comparison group (41/150 [27.3%]; OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 2.4-11.4]; P < 0.0001). Significantly higher peak IOP, larger vertical CDR, and worse VF MD were also found in CYP39A1 G204E variant carriers (P < 0.001). Additionally, patients with the CYP39A1 G204E mutation (18/35 [51.4%]) required more laser or glaucoma surgical interventions compared with those without any CYP39A1 mutation (32/150 [21.3%], P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with XFS carrying the CYP39A1 G204E mutation had significantly increased risk of blindness, higher occurrence of XFG, and more severe glaucoma compared with patients with XFS without any CYP39A1 mutation.

Multiplex Solid-Phase Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction without DNA Extraction: A Rapid Intraoperative Diagnosis Using Microvolumes.

PURPOSE: Current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for the diagnosis of infections are time consuming and require large sample volume and skilled technicians. We developed a novel, easy-to-use, and rapid (processing time, 1 minute; total time, 33 minutes) multiplex real-time PCR test (Direct Strip PCR) that did not require DNA extraction to detect 9 pathogens that could cause uveitis in 20-µl samples. DESIGN: Multicenter prospective evaluation of a diagnostic PCR test. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 511 participants (patients with infectious uveitis and controls) were examined at 18 institutes worldwide. METHODS: After validation, intraocular fluid samples were subjected to etiologic or exclusive diagnosis, including intraoperative rapid diagnosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The concordance and correlations between Direct Strip PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR) results. RESULTS: Direct Strip PCR exhibited rapid detection, good repeatability and specificity, long storage stability, and detection ability equal to that of qPCR. It also showed low interinstitutional variability compared with qPCR, even when PCR beginners used various real-time PCR machines. The Direct Strip PCR for 9 pathogens exhibited high concordance against the qPCR (positive concordance rate, 98.8%-100%; negative concordance rate, 99.8%-100%; κ coefficient, 0.969-1.000; P < 0.001-0.031). Additionally, results obtained using Direct Strip PCR and qPCR were highly correlated (ρ = 0.748; P < 0.001). This assay was used for rapid intraoperative diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The Direct Strip PCR test may improve the prognosis of various infectious diseases because it facilitates rapid etiologic evaluation at the first hospital visit and can be used for intraoperative diagnosis.

Exosc2 deficiency leads to developmental disorders by causing a nucleotide pool imbalance in zebrafish.

Exosc2 is one of the components of the exosome complex involved in RNA 3' end processing and degradation of various RNAs. Recently, EXOSC2 mutation has been reported in German families presenting short stature, hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa, and premature aging. However, the in vivo function of EXOSC2 has been elusive. Herein, we generated Exosc2 knockout (exosc2-/-) zebrafish that showed larval lethality 13 days post fertilization, with microcephaly, loss of spinal motor neurons, myelin deficiency, and retinitis pigmentosa. Mechanistically, Exosc2 deficiency caused impaired mRNA turnover, resulting in a nucleotide pool imbalance. Rapamycin, which modulated mRNA turnover by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, improved nucleotide pool imbalance in exosc2-/- zebrafish, resulting in prolonged survival and partial rescue of neuronal defects. Taken together, our findings offer new insights into the disease pathogenesis caused by Exosc2 deficiency, and might help explain fundamental molecular mechanisms in neuronal diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal muscular atrophy.

Genetic variants and cellular stressors associated with exfoliation syndrome modulate promoter activity of a lncRNA within the LOXL1 locus.

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is a common, age-related, systemic fibrillinopathy. It greatly increases risk of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG), a major worldwide cause of irreversible blindness. Coding variants in the lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) gene are strongly associated with XFS in all studied populations, but a functional role for these variants has not been established. To identify additional candidate functional variants, we sequenced the entire LOXL1 genomic locus (∼40 kb) in 50 indigenous, black South African XFS cases and 50 matched controls. The variants with the strongest evidence of association were located in a well-defined 7-kb region bounded by the 3'-end of exon 1 and the adjacent region of intron 1 of LOXL1. We replicated this finding in US Caucasian (91 cases/1031 controls), German (771 cases/1365 controls) and Japanese (1484 cases/1188 controls) populations. The region of peak association lies upstream of LOXL1-AS1, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) encoded on the opposite strand of LOXL1. We show that this region contains a promoter and, importantly, that the strongly associated XFS risk alleles in the South African population are functional variants that significantly modulate the activity of this promoter. LOXL1-AS1 expression is also significantly altered in response to oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells and in response to cyclic mechanical stress in human Schlemm's canal endothelial cells. Taken together, these findings support a functional role for the LOXL1-AS1 lncRNA in cellular stress response and suggest that dysregulation of its expression by genetic risk variants plays a key role in XFS pathogenesis.

Foveal Hypoplasia in Patients with Stickler Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To determine the microstructure of the fovea in patients with Stickler syndrome using imaging by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) and swept-source OCT. DESIGN: Retrospective case series study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 39 eyes of 25 patients with genetically confirmed Stickler syndrome were studied. METHODS: All of the patients had mutations in the COL2A1 gene and were diagnosed with Stickler syndrome. Cross-sectional OCT images, OCT angiography (OCTA), and en face OCT images were assessed. The ratio of the foveal inner retinal layer (fIRL) thickness to the parafoveal inner retinal layer (pIRL) thickness, the ratio of the foveal outer retinal layer (fORL) thickness to the parafoveal outer retinal layer (pORL) thickness, and the size of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were determined. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degree of foveal hypoplasia and the best-corrected visual acuity in patients with Stickler syndrome. RESULTS: A persistence of the inner retinal layers in the fovea with an fIRL/pIRL ratio >0.2 was present in 32 of the 39 eyes (82%). Optical coherence tomography angiography showed that the FAZ was smaller, 0 to 0.19 mm2, than that of normal eyes, in 25 eyes of 17 patients who underwent OCTA. There was no significant correlation between the visual acuities and the fIRL/pIRL ratios. CONCLUSIONS: A mild foveal hypoplasia with a persistence of the IRL is characteristic of eyes with Stickler syndrome. The visual acuities were not correlated with the fIRL/pIRL ratios.

One-Year Outcomes following Intravitreal Aflibercept for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in Japanese Patients: The APOLLO Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 1-year outcomes of intravitreal injections of aflibercept (IVA) in Japanese polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients. METHODS: In this prospective, open-label, single-arm multicenter clinical trial, treatment-naïve PCV patients received IVA (2.0 mg) every 2 months, after 3 initial monthly doses. The primary endpoint assessed was the proportion of patients maintaining baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 year. RESULTS: Fifty eyes with PCV were included in the study. BCVA was maintained or improved in 97.6% of the patients. Mean logMAR BCVA at baseline was 0.33, and had improved to 0.12 logMAR 1 year after the initiation of aflibercept treatment (p < 0.001). Mean central foveal thickness decreased from 356 to 239 µm (p < 0.001). Complete regression of polypoidal lesions was seen in 72.5% after 1 year of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: One year of IVA resulted in stabilization of BCVA and anatomical improvement in Japanese PCV patients.

[Efficacy and Safety of A0001 (Brilliant Blue G250) for Internal Limiting Membrane Staining and Peeling: Phase III Investigator-initiated Multicenter Clinical Trial].

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of A0001 (brilliant blue G250) for visualization of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during and after vitrectomy. METHODS: Patients (n = 31) requiring ILM peeling during vitrectomy were enrolled in this clinical trial. After injection of A0001 (range: 0.0625 to 0. 125 mg), the staining grade and the peeling ease of the ILM were evaluated in five steps (levels 0 to 4). The safety of A0001 was investigated for 7 days after surgery. RESULTS: From the evaluation of a primary endpoint by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) and a secondary endpoint by each surgeon, A0001 was effective in all cases at three or more levels ( ≥ level 2 was defined as effective) for evaluation of the grade of visualization and operating ease. Adverse events occurring in two or more cases included elevated intraocular pressure, eye pain, eye discharges, and retinal bleeding. One serious adverse event was a case of unclosed macular hole after vitrectomy, but the patient recovered after reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: A0001 was effective and safe for visualization of the ILM during vitrectomy, and there was an improvement in ease of operation.

Mitomycin C modulates the circadian oscillation of clock gene period 2 expression through attenuating the glucocorticoid signaling in mouse fibroblasts.

Clock gene regulates the circadian rhythm of various physiological functions. The expression of clock gene has been shown to be attenuated by certain drugs, resulting in a rhythm disorder. Mitomycin C (MMC) is often used in combination with ophthalmic surgery, especially in trabeculectomy, a glaucoma surgical procedure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of MMC on clock gene expression in fibroblasts, the target cells of MMC. Following MMC treatment, Bmal1 mRNA levels was significantly decreased, whereas Dbp, Per1, and Rev-erbα mRNA levels were significantly increased in the mouse fibroblast cell line NIH3T3 cells. Microarray analysis was performed to explore of the gene(s) responsible for MMC-induced alteration of clock gene expression, and identified Nr3c1 gene encoding glucocorticoid receptor (GR) as a candidate. MMC suppressed the induction of Per1 mRNA by dexamethasone (DEX), ligand of GR, in NIH3T3 cells. MMC also modulated the DEX-driven circadian oscillations of Per2::Luciferase bioluminescence in mouse-derived ocular fibroblasts. Our results demonstrate a previously unknown effect of MMC in GR signaling and the circadian clock system. The present findings suggest that MMC combined with trabeculectomy could increase the risk for a local circadian rhythm-disorder at the ocular surface.

Central retinal vein occlusion in a pediatric patient with SLE and antiphospholipid antibodies without anti-cardiolipin or anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is characterized by venous and/or arterial thrombosis, and is found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Its diagnosis requires the presence of both clinical and laboratory findings, such as positive anti-cardiolipin and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies and lupus anticoagulant. However, cardiolipin is a minor component of the vascular endothelial cells in human, and phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are major components. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old female suddenly developed massive left intraretinal hemorrhaging due to central retinal vein occlusion. She also had a butterfly rash, and her laboratory findings revealed positive serum anti-nuclear antibodies and decreased serum complement. During this episode, she was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Although she was negative for serum anti-cardiolipin IgG and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies as well as lupus anticoagulant, her serum anti-phosphatidylcholine, anti-phosphatidylethanolamine, anti-phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine IgG antibodies levels were increased. CONCLUSION: Pediatric cases of central retinal vein occlusion are rare. Even in patients without anti-cardiolipin or anti-ß2 glycoprotein I antibodies and lupus anticoagulant, there is the potential for the development of antiphospholipid antibody-related thrombosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of high myopic strabismus with sagging eye-like symptoms, heavy eye syndrome, and non-highly myopic eyes with sagging eye syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Progressive esotropia accompanied by restricted abduction and supraduction due to high myopia is known as esotropia fixus with high myopia or heavy eye syndrome (HES). Some conditions, such as sagging eye syndrome (SES), show esotropia for distance or cyclovertical strabismus with no abduction limitations despite highly myopic eyes. We evaluated the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical features of HES, high myopia with SES-like symptoms (highly myopic SES), and SES. METHODS: We reviewed all patients diagnosed with HES, highly myopic SES, and SES who underwent MRI of the orbits and brain over 6 years. To quantitatively assess the orbital anatomy, we compared the conditions of the superior rectus muscle (SR), lateral rectus muscle (LR), and inferior rectus muscle (IR) using orbital MRI among the three groups. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients (27 eyes) with high myopia, 5 (9 eyes) had HES, and 9 (18 eyes) had highly myopic SES. Eleven patients (22 eyes) with SES were also compared with these 14 patients. The mean axial length was 29.6 ± 1.0 mm in participants with HES, 29.0 ± 1.5 mm in those with HES-SES, and 23.7 ± 0.9 mm in those with SES. The average distance esotropia was 48.0 ± 19.9Δprism, 4.6 ± 1.5Δprism, and 6.1 ± 4.6Δprism for participants with HES, highly myopic SES and SES, respectively. The average distance hypertropia was 5.3 ± 5.9Δprism in participants with highly myopic SES and 4.8 ± 2.7Δprism in those with SES. The mean vertical angle of the LR was 32.6 ± 10.8°, 18.1 ± 5.4°, and 14.6 ± 6.8°; the mean tilting angle of the LR was 31.6 ± 9.2°, 15.9 ± 6.0°, and 13.8 ± 5.9°; and the mean displacement angle between the LR and SR was 152.3 ± 16.7°, 125.0 ± 7.1°, and 112.5 ± 7.5° for participants with HES, highly myopic SES and SES, respectively. The LR-SR displacement angle in HES-SES was significantly larger than in SES (p < .001) but the vertical and tilting angles were not. Also, the IR shift showed no significant difference with HES-SES and HES (5.8 ± 1.4 mm and 5.3 ± 1.2 mm) but not with SES (4.0 ± 0.8 mm) (p < .0001). DISCUSSION: SES-like symptoms can develop in highly myopic eyes; however, MRI showed that the state of the LR muscle in highly myopic SES deviated almost similarly to that in SES; however, the eyeball was more dislocated than in SES. This may be useful in deciding the appropriate operative procedure.

Successful Treatment of Hemi-Retinal Vein Occlusion with Macular Edema following Spinal Surgery Using Intravitreal Aflibercept and Retinal Photocoagulation: A Case Report.

Introduction: Perioperative visual loss (POVL) owing to hemi-retinal vein occlusion (HRVO) following prone positioning during spinal surgery is rare. Here, we report a case of HRVO with macular edema (ME) after spinal surgery that was successfully treated with intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injections and retinal photocoagulation (RP). Case Presentation: A 63-year-old Japanese man underwent spinal surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Surgery was performed with the patient in the prone position under general anesthesia; the operation time was 305 min. No complications were associated with intraoperative anesthesia. On postoperative day 4, the patient noticed decreased visual acuity in his left eye and visited the Department of Ophthalmology on postoperative day 9. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the left eye was 0.1. Fundus and optical coherence tomography revealed HRVO and ME in the left eye. IVA injections and RP were performed in the eye, which substantially decreased the ME and improved the patient's BCVA to 0.8. Conclusions: HRVO can cause POVL after prone positioning during spinal surgery. This is the first case of HRVO with ME after spinal surgery, which was successfully treated with IVA injections and RP.

Association between corneal hysteresis and glaucoma in a Japanese population: the Hisayama Study.

AIMS: To investigate the association between corneal hysteresis and the presence of glaucoma and its subtypes in a general Japanese population. METHODS: We analysed the data of 2338 Japanese community-dwellers aged ≥40 years (1059 men, 1279 women) who underwent an eye examination in 2018 as part of the population-based, cross-sectional Hisayama Study. Participants were divided into quartile levels of corneal hysteresis, which had been measured with an ocular response analyzer. Glaucoma was defined based on the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. We conducted a logistic regression analysis to determine the ORs and their 95% CIs for the presence of outcomes according to the corneal hysteresis quartiles. RESULTS: Glaucoma was diagnosed in 154 participants: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), n=115; primary angle-closure glaucoma, n=17; exfoliation glaucoma, n=21 and secondary glaucoma without exfoliation glaucoma, n=1. After adjustment for confounders, the OR for prevalent glaucoma was significantly increased in the participants in the first corneal-hysteresis quartile compared with those in the fourth quartile (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.17). Regarding glaucoma subtypes, the first-quartile participants had significantly greater likelihoods of the presence of POAG (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.61) and exfoliation glaucoma (OR: 6.49; 95% CI: 1.44 to 29.30) compared with those in the third and fourth quartiles after adjustment for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated a significant inverse association between corneal hysteresis and the likelihood of glaucoma, suggesting that the measurement of corneal hysteresis would provide useful information for elucidating the aetiology of glaucoma.

Associations of Diabetic Retinopathy Severity With High Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Suppressed Serum Renin Levels.

CONTEXT: The relationships between serum renin levels, severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and 24-hour blood pressure (BP) have not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: To explore causes for DR and the relationships of 24-hour ambulatory BP, and hormone levels with the severity of DR. METHODS: The diabetic patients were classified as having no DR, simple DR, or severe DR (preproliferative DR plus proliferative DR) based on funduscopic examination, and we measured 24-hour BP, serum active renin (ARC), aldosterone (SAC), adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol levels in each group. RESULTS: Compared to those with no DR or simple DR, patients with severe DR showed significantly higher 24-hour BPs, including daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP levels, independent of diabetic duration and HbA1c levels. The variability of nighttime systolic BP was greater in patients with severe DR than in those with nonsevere DR, although nocturnal BP reduction was similar between the groups. The ambulatory BPs were significantly inversely associated with ARC. The ARC was significantly lower in severe DR patients than in those with no DR or simple DR (3.2 [1.5-13.6] vs 9.8 [4.6-18.0] pg/mL, P < .05), but there were no differences in SAC in patients taking calcium channel blockers and/or α-blockers. No associations were found between DR severity and other hormone levels. CONCLUSION: Severe DR was associated with higher 24-hour BPs and suppressed ARC. These findings suggest that mineralocorticoid receptor overactivation may play a role in higher BP levels and severe DR in diabetic patients.

The PI3K/Akt pathway mediates the expression of type I collagen induced by TGF-ß2 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß is a key mediator of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, but the cellular mechanisms by which TGF-ß induces extracellular matrix protein (ECM) synthesis are not fully understood. This study examined whether the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in TGF-ß2-induced collagen expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. METHODS: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells ARPE-19 were cultured and stimulated with TGF-ß2. The role of the PI3K/Akt pathway was evaluated using the biochemical inhibitor, wortmannin. The effect of wortmannin on the expression of type I collagen mRNA (COL1A1, COL1A2) induced by TGF-ß2 was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. The effect of wortmannin on the synthesis of type I collagen induced by TGF-ß2 was assessed by an immunocytochemical analysis with anti-type I collagen antibody. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to examine the effect of wortmannin on the transcriptional activities of COL1A2. A luciferase assay using a mutation construct of the Smad binding site in COL1A2 promoter (Smad-mut/Luc) was also performed to examine the crosstalk between the Smad pathway and the PI3K/Akt pathway. The effects of wortmannin on the transcriptional activity of Smad3 were also examined using CAGA12-Luc. Moreover, the effect of wortmannin on TGF-ß2-induced Smad7 mRNA expression was evaluated. RESULTS: The biochemical blockade of PI3K/Akt activation inhibited TGF-ß2-induced type I collagen mRNA expression and type I collagen synthesis. The blockade of PI3K/Akt pathway inhibited the increase in COL1A2 promoter activities when induced by TGF-ß2 and reduced TGF-ß2 induction of Smad-mut/Luc promoter activity and CAGA12-Luc activity. Moreover, wortmannin increased the TGF-ß2-induced Smad7 mRNA expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: The PI3K/Akt pathway plays a role in relaying the TGF-ß2 signal to induce type I collagen synthesis in the retinal pigment epithelium through Smad-dependent and Smad-independent pathways.

Macular neovascularisation in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta exhibiting a novel COL1A1 mutation.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a congenital disease that presents with varying degrees of connective tissue symptoms, including susceptibility to fracture, growth disorders and hearing loss. Here, we discuss a case in which macular neovascularisation (MNV) resulted in metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta exhibiting a novel COL1A1 gene mutation (p.Tyr165*). The patient was a woman in her 30s who reported experiencing distorted vision and diminished visual acuity in her right eye for 1 month as well as a history of hearing loss. Rapid improvements in exudative changes and suppression of relapse were achieved after only two intravitreal injections of ranibizumab. Furthermore, since MNV occurred slightly inferior to the fovea centralis, improvements in visual acuity were better than previously reported. As fragility of Bruch's membrane represents the basis of onset, recurrence and relapse are likely in patients exhibiting MNV, highlighting the need for regular follow-up.

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty and Peripheral Lamellar Keratoplasty for a Case of Severe Peripheral Ulcerative Keratitis.

We experienced a rare case of severe peripheral ulcerative keratitis in a patient undergoing surgery combined with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and peripheral lamellar keratoplasty (LK). A 63-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital for the treatment of visual disturbance caused by peripheral ulcerative keratitis in the left eye. Although the inflammation subsided with topical and oral administration of steroids, peripheral ulcerative keratitis worsened 4 weeks after the medical treatment. Surgery combining DALK and peripheral LK, including the corneal limbus, was performed as treatment. Two weeks after the surgery, a double anterior chamber appeared, but it disappeared spontaneously. There was no postoperative rejection or intraocular pressure elevation. One year and 6 months after the surgery, the inflammation did not recur, the cornea remained transparent, and the thickness of the cornea was maintained. In conclusion, combined DALK and peripheral LK may be a surgical option for treating severe peripheral ulcerative keratitis.

Branch Retinal Artery Occlusions, Paracentral Acute Middle Maculopathy and Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy After COVID-19 Vaccinations.

Purpose: Potential retinal adverse events after COVID-19 vaccinations reported previously include paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM), acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN), and central serous chorioretinopathy. We report four cases of branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), one case of PAMM, and one case of AMN that occurred after administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of six patients who presented to Yame General Hospital or Oita University Hospital from July through October 2021. Results: Four patients (2 males) presented with visual field defects associated with BRAO, one male patient with PAMM, and one female patient with AMN after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The mean age was 59.3 years; the mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/21. The mean time from the last vaccination to the onset of visual field defect was 22.8 days. Five patients had received two doses of the vaccine and one patient one dose. Patients' medical history included diabetes mellitus in case 2, hypertension in cases 2, 3 and 6, and Alport syndrome and end-stage renal disease in case 6 for which the patient was undergoing regular hemodialysis. Conclusion: Although rare, retinal adverse events may occur after COVID-19 vaccinations. Further studies with a larger sample size should determine whether these retinal abnormalities are causally associated with COVID-19 vaccinations or just coincidental. Potential risks of BRAO/PAMM/AMN after COVID-19 vaccinations must be carefully weighed against the substantial benefit of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Severe foveal hypoplasia and macular degeneration in Stickler syndrome caused by missense mutation in COL2A1 gene.

BACKGROUND: The aim is to determine the retinal changes in patients with Stickler syndrome caused by a p.R565C missense mutation of the COL2A1 gene. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 10 eyes of six patients from two families with the Stickler syndrome. The members of both families were heterozygous for the p.R565C mutation. The clinical features including the visual acuity, fundus appearances, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images, and electroretinograms were examined. RESULTS: Myopia of -12 diopters (D) to -24 D with an average of -16.8 D was observed in 9 eyes of the 5 patients. The FAF images showed different degrees of hyper and hypoautofluorescent patterns in the macula in all but the two youngest patients (7 of 9 eyes, 78%). The OCT images showed the absence of a foveal pit and destruction of the outer retinal layers in the macular area in all patients. The ellipsoid zone (EZ) in the macular region was disrupted in eight eyes (80%) of which seven were fovea sparing. CONCLUSION: Two families with Stickler syndrome with the p.R565C mutation showed more severe foveal hypoplasia, macular degeneration, and extensive retinal degeneration. A correlation of the OCT and FAF images with the genotype is helpful in determining the prognosis of Stickler syndrome.

Prevalence of Glaucoma and Its Systemic Risk Factors in a General Japanese Population: The Hisayama Study.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of glaucoma and its risk factors in a Japanese community. Methods: This study included 3405 Japanese community dwellers who were ≥40 years of age and enrolled in the Hisayama Study. This population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2018. A glaucoma screening test was performed using stereo fundus images and swept-source optical coherence tomography. Glaucoma was defined based on the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria. Results: The prevalence of glaucoma was 7.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7-8.6) overall. The prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) was 5.8% (95% CI, 5.0-6.6); that of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.5-1.1); and that of exfoliation glaucoma was 1.1% (95% CI, 0.7-1.4). In addition to aging, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33), higher intraocular pressure (OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12), longer axial length (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.31-1.59), and thinner central corneal thickness (CCT) (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04-1.15) were significant risk factors for POAG. Diabetes (OR = 2.81; 95% CI, 1.19-6.62) was a significant risk factor for PACG, and diabetes (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03-4.47) and thinner CCT (OR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.28) were significant risk factors for exfoliation glaucoma. Conclusions: The prevalence of glaucoma was approximately 8%, probably due to the increase in the Japanese aging population. Not only ocular factors but also lower eGFR for POAG and diabetes for PACG and exfoliation glaucoma were risk factors in a general Japanese population. Translational Relevance: Systemic factors such as eGFR and diabetes must also be considered when implementing preventive measures against glaucoma.