Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Aqueous Humor from Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to pinpoint potential molecular pathways that may have contributed to the onset of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), a systemic illness associated with aging that has no known cause and is brought on by the deposition of fibrillary white flaky debris in ocular tissues. Materials and methods: Protein pools representing each group were created using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) in conjunction with a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight/time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometer. Aqueous humor (AH) from patients with PEX and cataracts was also collected for a comprehensive study of the data; ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used for the discovered proteins. Results: In comparison to controls, 2DE showed that 10 sites in PEX patients had differently altered gene expression. Two of these proteins, transthyretin (TTR) and apolipoprotein A4 (ApoA4) were significantly overexpressed in PEX patients, but the remaining proteins were only mildly altered. The liver X receptor (LXR) and the retinoid X receptors (RXR) may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of PEX according to IPA employing these 10 proteins. Conclusion: The altered proteins, particularly ApoA4 and TTR, may be important in revealing the molecular process behind PEX, as anticipated by IPA. How to cite this article: Toprak M, Yuksel N, Akpinar G, et al. Comparative Proteomic Analysis of the Aqueous Humor from Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2023;17(3):118-125.

In vivo confocal microscopy of corneal nerve fiber damage in early course of multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal nerve fiber morphology in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). METHODS: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), central macular thickness (CMT), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFT) were measured. Correlation of corneal nerve findings with duration and clinical severity of MS was calculated. RESULTS: CNFL (9.50 ± 0.60 vs. 11.20 ± 0.57 mm/mm2, P = 0.046) and CNBD (57.46 ± 5.04 vs. 77.65 ± 3.41 no/mm2, P = 0.001) were significantly lower with no significant difference in CNFD (21.24 ± 1.20 vs. 23.62 ± 0.95 no/mm2, P = 0.125), CNFT (2.00 ± 0.15 vs. 1.73 ± 0.12, P = 0.180), CMT (269.57 ± 12.53 vs. 271.10 ± 18.84 µm, P = 0.716) or RNFLT (102.82 ± 6.98 vs. 105.33 ± 12.70 µm, P = 0.351) between patients with RRMS compared to controls. There was no significant correlation between CCM parameters with EDSS and duration of disease in MS patients. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that a decrease in CNFL, CNFD and CNBD in CCM analysis in the early course of MS.

Digital eye strain and its associated factors in children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of symptoms related to the use of display devices and contributing factors in children engaged in distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online electronic survey form was prepared using Google Forms (Alphabet Co., Mountain View, CA) and sent to parents of children under the age of 18 years engaged in distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of display devices children use, how often such devices are used, the symptoms of digital eye strain, and the severity and frequency of the symptoms were recorded, and the associations between the factors were analyzed. Results: A total of 692 participants were included. The mean age of the children was 9.72±3.02 years. The most common display devices used were personal computers (n=435, 61.7%) for online classes and smartphones (n=400, 57.8%) for nonacademic purposes. The mean duration of display device use was 71.1±36.02 min without a break and 7.02±4.55 h per day. The most common reported symptom was headache (n=361, 52.2%). Of the participants, 48.2% (n=332) reported experiencing 3 or more symptoms. The multivariate analysis detected that being male (P=0.005) and older age (P=0.001) were independent risk factors for experiencing 3 or more symptoms. Conclusion: The increasing use of digital devices by children is exacerbating the problem of digital eye strain in children as a side effect of online learning. Public awareness should be improved.

Evaluation of nutritional status in children with amblyopia / Avaliação do estado nutricional de crianças com ambliopia

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to compare the body mass index and vitamin and mineral status of children with and without amblyopia. Methods: Amblyopic children aged between 5 and 18 years (n=46) and age-matched control children (n=32) were evaluated in terms of anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, body mass index and demographic features. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were measured using an Advia Centaur XP (Siemens, Ireland) biochemistry analyzer. We evaluated the inorganic mineral elements from hair samples with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using a Thermo XSeries 2 analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of height, weight, and body mass index or serum B12 and folate concentrations (p>0.05). Children with severe amblyopia had lower vitamin B12 and folate and higher body mass index. The levels of phosphorus (p=0.012), selenium (p=0.002), molybdenum (p<0.001), iodine (p=0.002), chromium (p=0.022), boron (p<0.001), and beryllium (p=0.005) were all significantly lower in the amblyopia group compared to the control group. All of these minerals, except phosphorus, were also significantly lower in those with severe amblyopia compared to those with milder amblyopia and controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Amblyopic children are significantly deficient in some inorganic elements. Inorganic elements, vitamin B12, and folate may play an important role in the visual development of amblyopic children.

RESUMO Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi comparar o índice de massa corporal e o nível de vitaminas e minerais de crianças com e sem ambliopia. Métodos: Crianças amblióticas com idades entre 5 e 18 anos (n=46) e crianças controle pareadas por idade (n=32) foram avaliadas quanto a parâmetros antropométricos, incluindo altura, peso, índice de massa corporal e características demográficas. A vitamina B12 e o folato séricos foram medidos utilizando um analisador bioquímico Advia Centaur XP (Siemens, Irlanda). Avaliamos os elementos minerais inorgânicos de amostras de cabelo com espectrometria de massa de plasma indutivamente acoplado usando um analisador Thermo XSeries 2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Alemanha). Resultados: Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos em relação à altura, peso e índice de massa corporal ou concentrações séricas de B12 e folato (p>0,05). Crianças com ambliopia severa tinham menor vitamina B12 e folato e maior índice de massa corporal. Os níveis de fósforo (p=0,012), selênio (p=0,002), molibdênio (p<0,001), iodo (p=0,002), cromo (p=0,022), boro (p<0,001) e berílio (p=0,005) foram todos significativamente menores no grupo com ambliopia em comparação com o grupo controle. Todos esses minerais, exceto o fósforo, também foram significativamente menores naqueles com ambliopia em comparação com aqueles com ambliopia leve e grupo controle (p<0,05). Conclusão: As crianças amblíopes são significativamente deficientes em alguns elementos inorgânicos. Elementos inorgânicos, vitamina B12 e folato podem desempenhar um papel importante no desenvolvimento visual de crianças com ambliopia.

Evaluation of nutritional status in children with amblyopia.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the body mass index and vitamin and mineral status of children with and without amblyopia. METHODS: Amblyopic children aged between 5 and 18 years (n=46) and age-matched control children (n=32) were evaluated in terms of anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, body mass index and demographic features. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were measured using an Advia Centaur XP (Siemens, Ireland) biochemistry analyzer. We evaluated the inorganic mineral elements from hair samples with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using a Thermo XSeries 2 analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of height, weight, and body mass index or serum B12 and folate concentrations (p>0.05). Children with severe amblyopia had lower vitamin B12 and folate and higher body mass index. The levels of phosphorus (p=0.012), selenium (p=0.002), molybdenum (p<0.001), iodine (p=0.002), chromium (p=0.022), boron (p<0.001), and beryllium (p=0.005) were all significantly lower in the amblyopia group compared to the control group. All of these minerals, except phosphorus, were also significantly lower in those with severe amblyopia compared to those with milder amblyopia and controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Amblyopic children are significantly deficient in some inorganic elements. Inorganic elements, vitamin B12, and folate may play an important role in the visual development of amblyopic children.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Analysis of the Corneal Layers in Adenoviral Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis

Objectives: To describe the clinical features and microstructural characteristics assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). Materials and Methods: The study included 20 eyes of 12 patients who presented to the Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Department of Ophthalmology with complaints of watering, crusting, and stinging, were clinically diagnosed EKC, and were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and IVCM during the prodromal phase and the punctate keratitis, deep epithelial keratitis, and subepithelial infiltration stages of EKC. Results: While biomicroscopic examination findings were normal during the prodromal period of EKC, IVCM showed an increase in Langerhans cell numbers in the subbasal plexus. After onset of clinical EKC, the punctate epithelial keratitis stage was characterized by findings of hyperreflective cell clusters in the basal epithelium layer, increased accumulation of Langerhans cells in Bowman's layer, and hyperreflectivity in the anterior stromal layers. In the deep epithelial keratitis stage, the basal epithelial cells displayed peripheral hyperreflectivity and the hyperreflectivity of the anterior stromal surface increased and became more rounded. In the subepithelial keratitis stage, these findings persisted in addition to increased anterior stromal surface hyperreflectivity and focal round plaques. Conclusion: This study shows that the inflammatory process in the cornea starts in the prodromal period of EKC. Massive inflammation of the epithelium and stroma was observed in the active phase and focal changes were observed on the anterior stromal surface starting in the subepithelial infiltration period.