The bidirectional links between coronavirus disease 2019 and Alzheimer's disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be a critical disease, particularly in the elderly and those with comorbidities. Patients with Alzheimer's disease are more vulnerable to COVID-19 consequences. The latest results have indicated some common risk factors for both diseases. An understanding of the pathological link between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease will help develop timely strategies to treat both diseases. This review explores the bidirectional links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease.

Analysis of ocular biometric parameters among candidates for cataract surgery / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To analyze ocular biometric parameters among candidates for cataract surgery.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4 607 cataract patients(4 607 eyes)in Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran from January 2017 to September 2021. Axial length(AL), keratometry(Kf, Ks and Km), and anterior chamber depth(ACD)were assessed using IOLMaster 700. All eyes were categorized into three groups based on AL: short eyes(22 mm<AL), normal eyes(22 mm≤AL≤25 mm), and long eyes(AL>25 mm)and ACD as follows: low(3.00 mm<ACD), normal(3.00 mm≤ACD ≤3.60 mm)high(ACD>3.60 mm).RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 60.3±14.1(range 8-95)years [2 243(48.69%)female and 2 364(51.31%)male]. The AL, ACD and mean keratometry ranges were 23.1 to 23.4 mm, 3.1 to 3.2 mm and 44.50 to 45.00 diopter(D), respectively. The mean amount of ACD in the long eyes group was significantly higher than the normal and short eyes group(P<0.001). The mean AL in the high ACD group was significantly higher than low and normal ACD patients(P<0.001). But the mean of Kf, Ks and Km in the low ACD and long eyes group was significantly higher than in high ACD and short AL groups(P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Those candidates with long eyes had deeper ACD with flatter cornea; while short eyes had shallower ACD with steeper cornea. Also, patients with high ACD had longer AL with flatter cornea, and patients with low ACD had lower AL with steeper cornea.

Postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia.

BACKGROUND: Postural control is a complex skill based on the collaboration of dynamic sensory mechanisms, namely the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. METHODS: A literature survey regarding postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia was conducted using databases in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports and available literature. RESULTS: The results of the literature survey were analyzed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of postural stability in strabismus and amblyopia. The results revealed that although postural control depends on the fundamental integration of three essential components (the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems), the role of vision is critical in postural stability. Once normal binocular vision is undesirably disrupted in childhood by some reason, especially in strabismus and/or amblyopia, balance is also affected. Abnormal balance affects coordination in gross and fine motor controls in school-age children and results in weakened academic performance and delayed social progress. It also impacts a child's general health, self-esteem, and safety. CONCLUSIONS: Binocular vision is imperative for the maturation and preservation of balance control in children, as balance performance is reduced in strabismus and/or amblyopia.

The Implication of Alu cDNA in the Pathogenesis of ARMD.

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a progressive, sight-threatening disease. The pathogenesis of ARMD is complex, involving many factors, such as metabolic, functional, genetic, and environmental factors. Recently, long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1)- mediated reverse transcription (RT) of Alu RNA into cytoplasmic Alu complementary DNA (cDNA) has been associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) destruction. These findings provide a strong input for a new direction in the management of ARMD, as certain human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), were found to suppress inflammation and protect cells of the retina.

The functional and structural changes in the hippocampus of COVID-19 patients.

Since the hippocampus is predominantly susceptible to injuries caused by COVID-19, there are increasing data indicating the likelihood of post-infection memory loss and quickening neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. This is due to the fact that the hippocampus has imperative functions in spatial and episodic memory as well as learning. COVID-19 activates microglia in the hippocampus and induces a CNS cytokine storm, leading to loss of hippocampal neurogenesis. The functional and structural changes in the hippocampus of COVID-19 patients can explain neuronal degeneration and reduced neurogenesis in the human hippocampus. This will open a window to explain memory and cognitive dysfunctions in "long COVID" through the resultant loss of hippocampal neurogenesis.

Neurological pathologies in acute acquired comitant esotropia.

BACKGROUND: Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is an uncommon subtype of esotropia characterized by sudden and usually late onset of a relatively large angle of comitant esotropia with diplopia in older children and adults. METHODS: A literature survey regarding neurological pathologies in AACE was conducted using databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BioMed Central, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports and available literature. RESULTS: The results of the literature survey were analyzed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of neurological pathologies in AACE. The results revealed that AACE with unclear etiologies can occur in many cases in both children and adults. Functional etiological factors for AACE were found to be due to many reasons, such as functional accommodative spasm, the excessive near work use of mobile phones/smartphones, and other digital screens. In addition, AACE was found to be associated with neurological disorders, such as astrocytoma of the corpus callosum, medulloblastoma, tumors of the brain stem or cerebellum, Arnold-Chiari malformation, cerebellar astrocytoma, Chiari 1 malformation, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pontine glioma, cerebellar ataxia, thalamic lesions, myasthenia gravis, certain types of seizures, and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: Previously reported cases of AACE with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of nystagmus or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g., headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

To prioritize treatment options for acute acquired comitant esotropia.

The management of acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is controversial, and no clear guidelines exist to guide its treatment options. Therefore, the author proposes his idea that treatment options for AACE should be prioritized to achieve optimal outcomes with fewer potential complications for this type of esotropia. In this manner, treatment should be started with less invasive, muscle-sparing procedures while the patient is regularly checked for improvement in esotropia and diplopia. This is also a good scheme because the patient can go through vital neurological and ophthalmological assessments while he/she is spared from invasive interventions in the beginning.

Factors of noncompliance with prescribed eye drops in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

In the face of enormous evidence supporting the significance of using prescribed eye drops before and after cataract surgery, noncompliance is still a common issue. Improvements in cataract surgical procedures with no dedication to support patients throughout their pre-operative management and post-operative recovery deliver low-quality healthcare and may lead to substantial harm to the patient and the public. Therefore, it is vital for clinicians to carefully address the factors of noncompliance with prescribed eye drops and then educate their patients regarding this. This article provides full details of the factors affecting noncompliance with prescribed eye drops in patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Neurological pathologies associated with acute acquired comitant esotropia.

Previously reported cases of acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of A or V pattern esotropia, nystagmus, or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g. headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

Brain fog as a Long-term Sequela of COVID-19.

Increasing data indicate that people infected with COVID-19 are at high risk for developing long-term neurological complications, such as "brain fog" or cognitive impairment. However, little is known about the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 survivors. This also applies to the prevalence, risk factors, and pathobiological findings associated with these consequences. Although cognitive complications are anticipated in patients who require a long-lasting hospital stay or intubation, milder cases of COVID-19 with no record of hospitalization have also been shown to experience assessable cognitive challenges. Cognitive impairment can have a devastating impact on daily functioning. Understanding the long-term effect of COVID-19 on cognitive function is vital for applying specific schemes to those who wish to return to their jobs productively.