The autoimmune response induced by α-synuclein peptides drives neuronal cell death and glial cell activation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons and neuroinflammation. Recent studies have identified a role of T cells in the pathogenesis of PD. Additionally, these studies suggested that α-synuclein (α-Syn) is related to abnormal T-cell responses and may act as an epitope and trigger autoimmune T-cell responses. However, it is unclear whether the α-Syn-mediated autoimmune response occurs and whether it is related to neuronal cell death and glial cell activation. In this study, we investigated the autoimmune T-cell response induced by α-Syn peptides and evaluated the neurotoxic effect of the α-Syn peptide-mediated autoimmune response. The immunization of mice with α-Syn peptides resulted in enhanced autoimmune responses, such as the peptide recall response, polarization toward Th1/Th17 cells, and regulatory T cell imbalance. Furthermore, the α-Syn autoimmune response led to the death of primary neurons cocultured with splenocytes. Treatment with conditioned media from α-Syn peptide-immunized splenocytes induced microglia and toxic A1-type astrocyte activation. Taken together, our results provide evidence of the potential role of the α-Syn-initiated autoimmune response and its contribution to neuronal cell death and glial cell activation.

Recent advances in uveitis therapy: focus on selected phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Uveitis is a heterogeneous group of ocular conditions characterized by inflammation of the uveal tract. It is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries and exerts significant psychological, social, and economic impact on both patients and the larger society. While there are numerous pharmacotherapy options, posterior segment noninfectious uveitis remains a significant challenge to treat due to its severity, chronicity, and high recurrence rates. AREAS COVERED: The index review highlights the unmet needs of uveitis pharmacotherapy and its research and the shortcomings of existing ocular and systemic therapeutic options for noninfectious uveitis. The more promising novel ocular drug delivery methods and therapeutic targets/drugs are discussed, and evidence from the clinical trials is evaluated. EXPERT OPINION: There has been incredible growth in the number of treatment options available to uveitis patients today, especially with the new generation of biologic drugs. Available evidence suggests that these newer options may be superior to conventional immunosuppressive therapies in terms of efficacy and side effect profiles. Further high-quality research and additional clinical trials will be needed to clarify their roles in the stepladder treatment approach of noninfectious uveitis.

New Surgical Approach for Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation Using an Artificial Bag with Optic Capture in Patients with Intraocular Lens Dislocation.

PURPOSE: We present a newly developed approach to secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, which uses an artificial bag with optic capture (i.e., ABC technique) in patients with IOL dislocation. METHODS: This is a retrospective, noncomparative, and interventional case series that reveals the results of secondary IOL implantation using an artificial bag with optic capture in four cases of IOL dislocation. All patients underwent the abovementioned surgery and were followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity of patients ranged from 20/30 to 20/20. The IOL of all patients showed no tilting or decentration with normal intraocular pressure. CONCLUSION: We believe that this method produces satisfactory results and will be especially beneficial to retinal surgeons for the management of patients with IOL dislocation.

Bilateral posterior scleritis after sequential bilateral cataract surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Posterior scleritis is a rare, inflammatory ophthalmic disease, leading to severe visual impairment if untreated. Posterior scleritis occurring after surgery, unrelated to systemic inflammatory diseases, is even rarer. This report discusses a case of bilateral posterior scleritis, after cataract surgery in both the eyes, treated with high-dose steroids. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old man, who had undergone bilateral sequential cataract surgery one week before, presented with sudden loss of vision and ocular pain in both eyes. The patient had no systemic diseases or neurological symptoms. Serous retinal detachment of the macula with optic disc swelling was observed on fundus examination in both the eyes, and bilateral thickening of choroid and sclera was seen in ultrasonography. Under diagnosis of bilateral posterior scleritis due to the increased signal of sclera in both the eyes on magnetic resonance imaging, high-dose steroid therapy was performed. After treatment, improvement in visual acuity and retinal detachment were observed, and thereafter, it has been maintained without relapse. CONCLUSIONS: With high-dose steroid therapy, we successfully treated a rare case of bilateral posterior scleritis following cataract surgery in both eyes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on posterior scleritis occurring after surgery, unrelated to systemic inflammatory diseases.

The Role of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells 5 in Hyperosmotic Stress-Exposed Human Lens Epithelial Cells.

We investigated the role of nuclear factor of activated T cells 5 (NFAT5) under hyperosmotic conditions in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). Hyperosmotic stress decreased the viability of human lens epithelial B-3 cells and significantly increased NFAT5 expression. Hyperosmotic stress-induced cell death occurred to a greater extent in NFAT5-knockout (KO) cells than in NFAT5 wild-type (NFAT5 WT) cells. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression was down-regulated in NFAT5 WT cells and NFAT5 KO cells under hyperosmotic stress. Pre-treatment with a necroptosis inhibitor (necrostatin-1) significantly blocked hyperosmotic stress-induced death of NFAT5 KO cells, but not of NFAT5 WT cells. The phosphorylation levels of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIP1) and RIP3, which indicate the occurrence of necroptosis, were up-regulated in NFAT5 KO cells, suggesting that death of these cells is predominantly related to the necroptosis pathway. This finding is the first to report that necroptosis occurs when lens epithelial cells are exposed to hyperosmolar conditions, and that NFAT5 is involved in this process.

Aqueous humor and serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with cataracts.

BACKGROUND: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) levels are associated with various pathologic ocular conditions. Few studies have assessed 25 (OH) D concentrations in non-serum specimens, and none to date has assessed 25 (OH) D concentrations in human aqueous humor and their association with ocular diseases. This study investigated the possible correlations between 25 (OH) D concentrations in aqueous humor and serum and whether vitamin D concentrations in aqueous humor were associated with cataract. METHODS: This study prospectively enrolled 136 patients, including 87 with senile cataract and 49 with diabetic cataract, who underwent cataract surgery from January to November 2017. 25 (OH) D was measured in aqueous humor and serum specimens collected from all patients, and their correlation was analyzed statistically. Clinical and laboratory data, including the results of ophthalmologic examinations, were compared in the two groups of cataract patients. RESULTS: No correlation was observed between 25 (OH) D concentrations in aqueous humor and serum (P = 0.381). 25 (OH) D concentrations in aqueous humor were significantly higher in patients with diabetic than senile cataract (P = 0.006). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratio for diabetic cataract for the highest compared with the lowest quartile of 25 (OH) D concentration in aqueous humor was 4.36 ng/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-14.34 ng/ml; P = 0.015). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that 25(OH) D concentration in aqueous humor was 2.68 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.34-5.01 ng/ml; P = 0.025) higher in patients with diabetic than senile cataract. CONCLUSIONS: 25(OH) D concentrations in aqueous humor and serum did not correlate with each other. Higher 25(OH) D level in aqueous humor was associated with diabetic cataract. These findings suggest that studies of vitamin D levels in patients with ocular conditions should include measurements of vitamin D levels in aqueous humor.

Factors associated with myopia in Korean children: Korea National Health and nutrition examination survey 2016-2017 (KNHANES VII).

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with myopia and high myopia in children in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 983 children 5-18 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2017 (KNHANES VII), a nationwide population-based cross-sectional study, were evaluated. Myopia and high myopia were defined as a spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ - 0.5 diopters (D) and SE ≤ --6.0 D. The association between refractive errors and potential risk factors for myopia was analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia was 65.4 and 6.9%, respectively. Older age and parental myopia were significantly associated with both myopia and high myopia, while higher body mass index (BMI) was associated with high myopia only. Although the proportion of subjects who spent more time on near work activities (≥4 h/day) was sequentially increased with increased refractive error, this tendency was not statistically significant by multivariable logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS: Korean children had a high prevalence of myopia and high myopia. In this age group, the risk of myopia increased with aging and parental myopia. Higher BMI may be associated with high myopia.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Ameliorates Radiation-Induced Lacrimal Gland Injury through NFAT5-Dependent Signaling.

Dry eye syndrome related to radiation therapy is relatively common and can severely impair a patient's daily life. The nuclear factor of activated T cells 5(NFAT5) is well known for its osmoprotective effect under hyperosmolar conditions, and it also has immune-modulating functions. We investigated the role of NFAT5 and the protective effect of α-lipoic acid(ALA) on radiation-induced lacrimal gland (LG) injuries. Rats were assigned to control, ALA only, radiation only, and ALA administered prior to irradiation groups. The head and neck area, including the LG, was evenly irradiated with 2 Gy/minute using a photon 6-MV linear accelerator. NFAT5 expression was enhanced and localized in the LG tissue after irradiation and was related to cellular apoptosis. ALA had a protective effect on radiation-induced LG injury through the inhibition of NFAT5 expression and NFAT5-dependent signaling pathways. Functional radiation-induced damage of the LG and cornea was also restored with ALA treatment. NFAT5 expression and its dependent signaling pathways were deeply related to radiation-induced dry eye, and the condition was improved by ALA treatment. Our results suggest a potential role of NFAT5 and NF-κB in the proinflammatory effect in LGs and cornea, which offers a target for new therapies to treat dry eye syndrome.

Aralia elata prevents neuronal death by downregulating tonicity response element binding protein in diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The present study addresses the role of tonicity response element binding protein (TonEBP) in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in diabetic retinopathy and the impact of Aralia elata extract on the TonEBP/RGC interaction. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Control mice received phosphate-buffered saline. After five injections of STZ or saline buffer, A. elata extract was administered by daily oral tube feeding for 7 weeks. All mice were killed at 2 months after the last injection of STZ or saline and the extent of cell death together with the protein expression levels of TonEBP, aldose reductase (AR) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were examined. RESULTS: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive signals were colocalized with TonEBP-immunoreactive RGCs. The apoptotic cell death of RGCs and the expression levels of TonEBP, AR and NF-κB were significantly increased in the retinas of diabetic mice compared with controls at 2 months after the induction of diabetes. However, these changes were effectively blocked by the administration of A. elata extract. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that A. elata prevents diabetes-induced RGC apoptosis and downregulates TonEBP expression. Therefore, A. elata extract may have therapeutic potential to prevent diabetes-induced retinal neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy.

A case of phacolytic glaucoma with anterior lens capsule disruption identified by scanning electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND: Phacolytic glaucoma is induced by lens protein or macrophages that have leaked through a macroscopically intact anterior lens capsule. Here, we report a case of phacolytic glaucoma with anterior lens capsule disruptions visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old man was referred to our institute for increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye. Slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination revealed corneal edema, the presence of inflammatory cells and iridescent crystalline in the anterior chamber, and a hypermature cataract in the right eye. Despite treatment with topical glaucoma medication (0.15% brimonidine, 1% brinzolamide/0.5% timolol, and 0.03% bimatoprost) and systemic mannitol, his IOP remained uncontrolled. Light microscopy was used to examine the aqueous humor obtained via anterior chamber paracentesis and the anterior lens capsule obtained via intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), which revealed that the anterior lens capsule was intact. However, SEM revealed full-thickness disruptions in the anterior lens. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of phacolytic glaucoma with disruptions of the anterior lens capsule confirmed by SEM.

Cytomegalovirus Corneal Endotheliitis: A Comprehensive Review.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis and corneal endotheliitis are the most common ocular diseases caused by CMV infections in immunocompetent patients. The incidence of CMV corneal endotheliitis is relatively high in middle-aged men. CMV corneal endotheliitis presents with mild anterior chamber inflammation, corneal edema, keratic precipitates, and elevated intraocular pressure. It resembles Posner-Schlossman syndrome and Fuchs uveitis because of the elevated intraocular pressure. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, it may progress to bullous keratopathy or glaucoma, necessitating keratoplasty or glaucoma surgery. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are important for a good prognosis. Aqueous humor analysis can facilitate the diagnosis of CMV corneal endotheliitis, and early antiviral treatment can decrease the risk of corneal compensation or glaucomatous optic atrophy. In this article, we review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of CMV corneal endotheliitis along with the evidence for early clinical diagnosis and active antiviral treatment.

Role of Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 5 in Steroid-Induced Cataract.

Steroid-induced cataracts (SIC) are defined as cataracts associated with the administration of corticosteroids. Long-term glucocorticoid treatment for inflammatory diseases reportedly increases the risk of SIC, and steroids can induce cataracts by disrupting ocular growth factor balance or homeostasis. In this study, we verified the effect of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 5 (CSPG5) using dexamethasone (dexa)-treated human lens epithelial (HLE-B3) cells and the lens epithelium from the anterior capsule of SIC patients obtained during cataract surgery. CSPG5 expression increased in the lens epithelium of SIC patients. The downregulation of CSPG5 suppressed the dexa-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression and motility in HLE-B3 cells. The disruption of the transcription factors EZH2 and B-Myb downregulated CSPG5, dexa-induced fibronectin expression, and cell migration in HLE-B3 cells, reaffirming that CSPG5 expression regulates EMT in lens epithelial cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the steroid-induced effects on lens epithelial cells are mediated via alterations in CSPG5 expression. Therefore, our study emphasizes the potential of CSPG5 as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of SIC.

Primary and additional treatment preference in aggressive retinopathy of prematurity and type 1 retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the preference for antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) versus laser ablation therapy as primary and additional treatment in aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and type 1 ROP. METHODS: This multicentre retrospective study was conducted at nine medical centres across South Korea. A total of 94 preterm infants with ROP who underwent primary treatment between January 2020 and December 2021 were enrolled. All eyes were classified as having type 1 ROP or aggressive ROP. Data on the zone, primary treatment chosen, injection dose, presence of reactivation and additional treatment were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Seventy infants (131 eyes) with type 1 ROP and 24 infants (45 eyes) with aggressive ROP were included. Anti-VEGF injection was selected as the primary treatment in 74.05% of the infants with type 1 ROP and 88.89% with aggressive ROP. Anti-VEGF injection was selected as the ROP was located in zone I or posterior zone II, and laser ablation was selected when it was located in zone II. The anti-VEGF injection doses varied and tended to be higher in the aggressive ROP group. Infants with aggressive ROP were 2.08 times more likely to require additional treatment than those with type 1 ROP. When ROP reactivation occurred, laser therapy was preferred as an additional treatment. CONCLUSION: In Korea, the preference for anti-VEGF therapy or laser therapy differed according to ROP subtype, zone and primary or secondary treatment. These findings suggest that ROP treatment are considered according to ROP subtype, location and reactivation.

Structural and Functional Changes in Non-Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To describe longitudinal changes in patients with non-paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy (npAIR) by utilizing different diagnostic modalities/tests. METHODS: The index study is a retrospective longitudinal review of sixteen eyes of eight patients from a tertiary care eye hospital diagnosed with npAIR. Multiple diagnostic modalities such as wide-angle fundus photography (WAFP), WA fundus autofluorescence (WAFAF), spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), Goldmann visual field (GVF) perimetry, microperimetry (MP), electrophysiologic testing, and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: At the baseline visits, anomalies were detected by multimodal diagnostic tests on all patients. Subjects were followed up for a median duration of 11.5 [3.0-18.7] months. Structural changes at the baseline were detected in 14 of 16 (87.5%) eyes on WAFP and WAFAF and 13 of 16 (81.2%) eyes on SD-OCT. Eight of the ten (80%) eyes that underwent AOSLO imaging depicted structural changes. Functional changes were detected in 14 of 16 (87.5%) eyes on GVF, 15 of 16 (93.7%) eyes on MP, and 11 of 16 (68.7%) eyes on full-field electroretinogram (ff-ERG). Multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) and visual evoked potential (VEP) tests were performed in 14 eyes, of which 12 (85.7%) and 14 (100%) of the eyes demonstrated functional abnormalities, respectively, at baseline. Compared to all the other structural diagnostic tools, AOSLO had a better ability to demonstrate deterioration in retinal microstructures occurring at follow-ups. Functional deterioration at follow-up was detected on GVF in 8 of 10 (80%) eyes, mf-ERG in 4 of 8 (50%) eyes, and MP in 7 of 16 (43.7%) eyes. The ff-ERG and VEP were stable in the majority of cases at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of multimodal imaging/tests in the diagnosing and monitoring of npAIR patients can aid in identifying anomalous changes over time. Analysis of both the anatomical and functional aspects by these devices can be supportive of detecting the changes early in such patients. AOSLO shows promise as it enables the capture of high-resolution images demonstrating quantifiable changes to retinal microstructure.

Reduced 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in the aqueous humor of cataract patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Previous epidemiological studies have demonstrated that the lower serum concentration of vitamin D was associated with elevated risk of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, few studies have examined the association between aqueous humor vitamin D concentrations and OAG. Hence, we investigated the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in aqueous humor and OAG. We measured 25(OH)D concentrations in aqueous humor and serum of 126 patients who underwent cataract surgery. 36 were patients with OAG and 90 were control patients. The 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using Elecsys Vitamin D Total Kits with the Cobas e602 module (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany), an electrochemiluminescence assay. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with serum and aqueous humor 25(OH)D concentrations. Patients with OAG had significantly lower 25(OH)D concentrations in aqueous humor than control patients. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in patients with OAG than in the control, but this was not statistically significant. 25(OH)D concentrations in aqueous humor of patients with OAG were significantly associated with axial length but not with glaucoma severity, which was determined by the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness or mean deviation. Vitamin D concentrations in aqueous humor of patients with OAG were significantly lower than those in patients without OAG.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hypertensive anterior uveitis diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction.

Aim of the study is to report the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hypertensive anterior uveitis (AU) diagnosed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-eight eyes of 88 patients with hypertensive AU were enrolled from 2015 to 2019 in a tertiary center in South Korea. All patients underwent multiplex PCR that was performed using aqueous humor samples collected at first visit to detect the DNA of six herpesviruses. Twenty-eight (31.8%) eyes were PCR positive. Herpes simplex virus was found in 6 (6.8%) eyes, varicella-zoster virus in 7 (8.0%) eyes, cytomegalovirus in 14 (15.9%) eyes, and Epstein-Barr virus in 1 (1.1%) eye. On multivariate regression analysis, PCR positivity was significantly associated with coin-shaped keratic precipitates (odds ratio (OR) = 6.01, P = 0.044). Recurrence and final visual acuity were significantly associated with a presumed diagnosis of viral endotheliitis (OR = 21.69, P = 0.04 and OR = 6.3, P = 0.004, respectively). This study showed the importance of PCR positivity, suggesting that identification of the virus through active PCR testing could affect the course, treatment, and prognosis of hypertensive AU.

Reduced NGF Level Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Lens Epithelial Cells Exposed to High Dexamethasone Concentrations.

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) against steroid-induced cataract formation in dexamethasone (Dex)-treated human lens epithelial B-3 (HLE-B3) cells and the possible molecular mechanisms underlying this protection.Materials and Methods: HLE-B3 cells were treated with Dex, and cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The levels of expression of NGF, fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and E-cadherin mRNAs were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the levels of NGF, fibronectin, α-SMA, E-cadherin, tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), and Akt proteins were measured by Western blot analysis. Gene expression profiles of growth factors in Dex-treated HLE-B3 cells were determined by PCR arrays. In addition, anterior capsule tissue was obtained during cataract surgery, and the specimens were also examined expressions of NGF.Results: NGF was expressed in HLE-B3 cells and also in lens epithelial cells of anterior lens capsules. Dex treatment of HLE-B3 cells increased their expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and migration activity, while markedly downregulating the expression of NGF. NGF treatment significantly reduced the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin, as well as cell proliferation. The decreased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Akt induced by Dex treatment was significantly reversed by treatment with NGF.Conclusion: NGF/TrkA may repress EMT by targeting the p38 MAPK and pAkt pathways in Dex-treated HLE-B3 cells. NGF may be a novel therapeutic target for patients with steroid-induced cataract.

A case report of infectious scleritis with corneal ulcer caused by Scedosporium aurantiacum.

RATIONALE: Scedosporium species is rare pathogen of ocular infection. The accurate diagnosis is delaying in many cases and the clinical prognosis is poor due to its resistance to antifungal agents. This report describes a patient with infectious scleritis and corneal ulcer caused by Scedosporium auranticum infection who required enucleation to control the infection. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 70-year-old woman visited our clinic after experiencing ocular discomfort in her right eye for 4 days after minor ocular trauma, with soil exposure. DIAGNOSES: Scedosporium species was isolated from a culture of corneal tissue, Scedosporium aurantiacum was identified in a culture of necrotic tissue. INTERVENTIONS: She was started on treatment with antifungal agents, including topical amphotericin B and systemic fluconazole, but her ocular condition did not improve. Although the lesion showed temporary improvement, ocular pain and corneal ulcer recurred 3 months later. Evisceration was performed due to corneal perforation, and enucleation was also performed for dehiscence of the conjunctiva and scleral necrosis. OUTCOMES: After enucleation, postoperative systemic voriconazole treatment controlled the infection without recurrence. LESSONS: S aurantiacum keratitis is difficult to eradicate, even with several months of treatment with systemic and topical antifungal agents, and tends to progress to scleritis. The infection can be terminated by the orbital enucleation. Infection with this rare organism should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with severe infectious keratitis.

Clinical Results and Utility of Herpesviruses Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction: Assessment of Aqueous Humor Samples From Patients With Corneal Endotheliitis and High Intraocular Pressure.

PURPOSE: The main purpose of this study was to evaluate herpesvirus infection in patients with corneal endotheliitis and high intraocular pressure (IOP) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in aqueous humor samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study of immunocompetent patients living in South Korea. Eligible subjects had typical corneal endotheliitis with an IOP≥21 mm Hg or required antiglaucoma medication. Multiplex PCR was performed using aqueous humor samples obtained at first visit to detect the DNA of 6 herpesviruses. RESULTS: Forty-two eyes from 42 patients with >6 months' follow-up were analyzed. Of these, 16 were herpesvirus-positive: 3 herpes simplex virus 1, 3 varicella-zoster virus, 9 cytomegalovirus, and 1 Epstein-Barr virus. Eyes with coin-shaped or fine keratic precipitates (kps), high IOP, and a low baseline endothelial cell count were more likely to show a positive result on multiplex PCR. Univariate analysis showed that male sex (P=0.014), a previous history of uveitic glaucoma (P=0.048), and the presence of fine kps (P=0.031) were significantly associated with a positive PCR result. On multivariate analysis, male sex (P=0.010) and a previous history of uveitic glaucoma (P=0.031) showed a significant positive association. CONCLUSIONS: Cytomegalovirus was the most commonly detected herpesvirus in patients with corneal endotheliitis and high IOP. A positive PCR result was seen more frequently in male individuals and patients with fine kps or a history of uveitic glaucoma.

Clinical Features of Herpes Simplex Keratitis in a Korean Tertiary Referral Center: Efficacy of Oral Antiviral and Ascorbic Acid on Recurrence.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical manifestations of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in a tertiary referral center in South Korea and to determine whether ascorbic acid treatment prevents recurrence of herpetic epithelial keratitis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients with herpetic keratitis referred to our center from January 2010 to January 2015. Clinical features, ocular complications, and recurrences were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 149 eyes of the 133 patients (72 male and 61 female) were followed for an average of 24.6 ± 13.2 months. Sixteen (12.0%) patients had bilateral HSK. The most frequent HSK subtype was epithelial keratitis (49.7%), which was followed by stromal keratitis (23.5%). Epithelial keratitis was the most likely subtype to recur. Complications occurred in 122 (81.9%) eyes. The most common complication was corneal opacity. Recurrences were observed in 48 (32.2%) eyes. The recurrence rates were lower in the prophylactic oral antiviral agent group (16 / 48 eyes, 33.3% vs. 49 / 101 eyes, 48.5%) and the ascorbic acid treatment group (13 / 48 eyes, 27.1% vs. 81 / 101 eyes, 70.3%) compared with the groups without medications. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both factors significantly reduced the risk of recurrence (acyclovir: odds ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence intervals, 0.12 to 0.51; ascorbic acid: odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence intervals, 0.20 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study described the clinical findings of HSK in a tertiary referral center in South Korea. Prophylactic oral antiviral agent treatment and oral ascorbic acid administration may lower the risk of recurrence.