A deep learning approach to investigate the filtration bleb functionality after glaucoma surgery: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To distinguish functioning from failed filtration blebs (FBs) implementing a deep learning (DL) model on slit-lamp images. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study for development and validation of an artificial intelligence classification algorithm. The dataset consisted of 119 post-trabeculectomy FB images of whom we were aware of the surgical outcome. The ground truth labels were annotated and images splitted into three outcome classes: complete (C) or qualified success (Q), and failure (F). Images were prepared implementing various data cleaning and data transformations techniques. A set of DL models were trained using different ResNet architectures as the backbone. Transfer and ensemble learning were then applied to obtain a final combined model. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, area under the ROC curve, and area under the precision-recall curve were calculated to evaluate the final model. Kappa coefficient and P value on the accuracy measure were used to prove the statistical significance level. RESULTS: The DL approach reached good results in unraveling FB functionality. Overall, the model accuracy reached a score of 74%, with a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 87%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.8, whereas the area under the precision-recall curve was 0.74. The P value was equal to 0.00307, and the Kappa coefficient was 0.58. CONCLUSIONS: All considered metrics supported that the final DL model was able to discriminate functioning from failed FBs, with good accuracy. This approach could support clinicians in the patients' management after glaucoma surgery in absence of adjunctive clinical data.

A machine learning approach to predict the glaucoma filtration surgery outcome.

This study aimed at predicting the filtration surgery (FS) outcome using a machine learning (ML) approach. 102 glaucomatous patients undergoing FS were enrolled and underwent ocular surface clinical tests (OSCTs), determination of surgical site-related biometric parameters (SSPs) and conjunctival vascularization. Break-up-time, Schirmer test I, corneal fluorescein staining, Meibomian gland expressibility; conjunctival hyperemia, upper bulbar conjunctiva area of exposure, limbus to superior eyelid distance; and conjunctival epithelial and stromal (CET, CST) thickness and reflectivity (ECR, SCR) at AS-OCT were considered. Successful FS required a 30% baseline intraocular pressure reduction, with values ≤ 18 mmHg with or without medications. The classification tree (CT) was the ML algorithm used to analyze data. At the twelfth month, FS was successful in 60.8% of cases, whereas failed in 39.2%. At the variable importance ranking, CST and SCR were the predictors with the greater relative importance to the CART tree construction, followed by age. CET and ECR showed less relative importance, whereas OSCTs and SSPs were not important features. Within the CT, CST turned out the most important variable for discriminating success from failure, followed by SCR and age, with cut-off values of 75 µm, 169 on gray scale, and 62 years, respectively. The ROC curve for the classifier showed an AUC of 0.784 (0.692-0.860). In this ML approach, CT analysis found that conjunctival stroma thickness and reflectivity, along with age, can predict the FS outcome with good accuracy. A pre-operative thick and hyper-reflective stroma, and a younger age increase the risk of FS failure.

Topical Steroids and Glaucoma Filtration Surgery Outcomes: An In Vivo Confocal Study of the Conjunctiva.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of topical steroids on conjunctiva in patients undergoing filtration surgery (FS) for glaucoma by using confocal microscopy (CM); (2) Methods: One hundred and four glaucomatous patients were randomized to fluorometholone or lubricants four weeks before FS. CM was performed before treatments and pre-operatively. Dendritic and goblet cell densities (DCD, GCD), stromal meshwork reflectivity (SMR), vascular tortuosity (VT), and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) were the main outcomes. By evaluating treatments and outcomes (12-month success/failure) as categorical variables, patients were grouped into Group 1, 2, 3, or 4 (success/failure with fluorometholone, or lubricants); (3) Results: Twelve-month IOP was reduced in Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). After treatments, DCD and SMR were reduced in Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.01), and 1 and 3 (p < 0.05), respectively. Pre-operative DCD was lower in the steroid compared to lubricant group (p < 0.001), whereas SMR was lower in successful (1 and 3) compared to failed groups (2 and 4) (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between the fluorometholone and lubricant groups for success percentages. The number of bleb management procedures and IOP lowering medications were lower in Group 1 compared to Groups 2−4 (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Topical steroids mitigate conjunctival inflammation and lower the stromal density in patients undergoing FS. These modifications lead to less intensive post-operative management.

Citicoline/Coenzyme Q10/Vitamin B3 Fixed Combination Exerts Synergistic Protective Effects on Neuronal Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to investigate the rationale and efficacy of using a citicoline, coenzyme Q10 (CAVAQ10) and vitamin B3 fixed combination in combating inflammation and oxidation in neuronal cells exposed to oxidative stress. METHODS: HypoE22 cells and isolated hypothalamic specimens were selected as in vitro models to conduct the experiments. The efficacy of citicoline, CAVAQ10, and vitamin B3, with their fixed combination, were assayed after the exposure of hypothalamic cells to hydrogen peroxide (concentration range 1 nM-10 µM), in order to evaluate the biocompatibility of treatments. The activity of neuroprotective and pro-inflammatory factors, namely, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), involved in the neuronal cell damage in neurodegenerative diseases, were assayed in isolated hypothalamus. RESULTS: Neither citicoline, CAVAQ10, nor vitamin B3 significantly altered hypothalamic cell viability, thus suggesting the biocompatibility of single ingredients and fixed combination in the concentration range considered for the study. In the same condition, citicoline and CAVAQ10 were also effective in reducing the gene expression of monoaminoxidase-B, involved in dopamine degradation. However, only citicoline demonstrated an ability to reduce dopamine levels. Conversely, all compounds were effective in reducing the gene expression of IL-6, and TNFα, and in inducing the gene expression of BDNF, with the co-administration of citicoline/CAVAQ10/vitamin B3 being generally more effective than single ingredients. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings support the beneficial and synergistic effects of citicoline, CAVAQ10, and vitamin B3 in fixed combination in reducing inflammation and oxidation, and in stimulating neurotrophin production in neuronal cells.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of the Corneal Sub-Basal Nerve plexus in Medically Controlled Glaucoma.

The present study investigated the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SNP) modifications in glaucoma. Ninety-five glaucomatous patients were enrolled and divided into Group 1 and 2, preserved and preservative-free mono-therapy (30 and 28 patients), and Group 3, multi-therapy (37). Thirty patients with dry eye disease (DED) and 32 healthy subjects (HC) served as controls. In vivo confocal microscopy evaluated the nerve fibers density (CNFD), length (CNFL), thickness (CNFT), branching density (CNBD), and dendritic cell density (DCD). CNFD, CNFL, and CNBD were reduced in Group 3 and DED compared to HC (p < 0.05). CNFL was reduced in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p < 0.05), and in Group 1 compared to HC (p < 0.001). CNFD, CNBD, and CNFT did not differ between glaucomatous groups. DCD was higher in Group 3 and DED compared to HC and Group 2 (p < 0.01). Group 3 showed worse ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores compared to Group 1, 2, and HC (p < 0.05). CNFL and DCD correlated with OSDI score in Group 3 (r = −0.658, p < 0.001; r = 0.699, p = 0.002). Medical therapy for glaucoma harms the corneal nerves, especially in multi-therapy regimens. Given the relations with the OSDI score, SNP changes seem features of glaucoma therapy-related OSD and negatively affects the patient's quality of life.

Virtual learning solutions in COVID-19 era: University Italian Ophthalmology department perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Few months after the COVID-19 pandemic burst, many aspects of the human life, including education, dramatically changed. Because of the lockdown measures taken to limit the virus spread in Italy, in-person teaching and learning have been interrupted in all health care disciplines and readapted in virtual formulae. METHODS: As academic ophthalmology departments, we had to maintain the educational needs of medical and orthoptic students, internships, surgical training of residents, as well as to cover the scientific update of health care personnel (HCPs), and the continuation of research and academic activities. To assure these needs we ideated an educational strategy and a team, which was then translated on a multichannel virtual platform created with Microsoft Teams. RESULTS: In this platform there were 21 channels organized in a public view mode, open to all Team members, or in private view mode to separate non-permanent HCPs, internships, residents, and students' tasks, from permanent HCPs tasks. Virtual channels were dedicated to provide theoretical lessons, clinical cases, surgical video, internal meetings and webinar, to offer news from scientific societies, requests of appointments from biomedical companies, links with ophthalmological websites, to move forward research projects, to participate at institutional academic duties, and to obtain feedbacks from users. Residents continued their training on surgery using a surgical simulator, after consulting an agenda uploaded into the dedicated virtual channel. CONCLUSION: These positive initial results should represent a boost to rapidly proceed with the development of even more versatile virtual learning solutions, given that the forecasts for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic are not encouraging.

Face Mask-Related Ocular Surface Modifications During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Clinical, In Vivo Confocal Microscopy, and Immune-Cytology Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the face mask (FM)-related ocular surface changes using clinical tests, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology (IC), and to investigate the Dry Eye-related Quality of life Score (DEQS). Methods: Sixty-six patients with dry eye disease (DED) and 62 healthy subjects (group 2) using FM were enrolled. Groups were divided into: groups 1A and 2A: < 3 hours of FM wear; groups 1B and 2B: 3 to 6 hours; and groups 1C and 2C: > 6 hours. Patients underwent DEQS questionnaire, break-up time (BUT), Schirmer test I (STI), fluorescein and lissamine staining (FS and LS), IVCM to determine corneal dendritic cell density (DCD) and goblet cell density (GCD), and IC to measure HLA-DR, at baseline and after 3 months. Results: FM use duration before enrollment was 27 ± 2.3 and 30 ± 4.1 (days ± SD) for groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). After 3 months, DEQS worsened in groups 1B and 1C, STI in groups 1A to 1C, FS and LS in group 1C (P < 0.05); in controls, BUT and FS worsened only in group 2C (P < 0.05). DCD significantly increased in groups 1A to 1C and HLA-DR in groups 1B and 1C (P < 0.05), whereas GCD did not significantly change. DCD and HLA-DR increased only in group 2C (P < 0.05). DEQS significantly correlated with DCD (P = 0.05, r = 0.698; P < 0.001, r = 0.832) and HLA-DR (P = 0.043, r = -0.687; P < 0.001, r = 0.861) at baseline and 3 months. Conclusions: Use of FM increases ocular surface inflammation and negatively impacts the quality of life in patients with DED. Translational Relevance: The study of the prolonged use of FM effects may be relevant to managing DED.

Endothelial Cell Density After XEN Implant Surgery: Short-term Data From the Italian XEN Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR).

PRECIS: XEN implant was associated with low endothelial cell density (ECD) reduction. In fact, when combined with phacoemulsification, the reduction in ECD was similar to that expected after phacoemulsification alone. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of XEN implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, on ECD. METHODS: Multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted on consecutive open-angle glaucoma patients, who were enrolled in the Italian XEN Glaucoma Treatment Registry and have complete endothelial cell count data at baseline and at 6 months after implantation. The primary endpoint was the mean percentage change in ECD between baseline and month 6. RESULTS: The study included 108 open-angle glaucoma eyes (68 in the XEN-solo and 40 eyes in the XEN+phaco groups) and 60 control eyes (phaco-solo group). As compared with baseline, mean (95% confidence interval, CI) ECD reduction was -5.6% (-7.0% to -4.9%), -11.3% (-13.8% to -10.9%), and -13.0% (14.8% to -11.8%) in the XEN-solo, XEN+phaco, and phaco-solo groups, respectively (P=0.0004, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively). As compared with the XEN-solo group, the ECD reduction was significantly greater in the XEN+phaco group (mean difference=5.7%; 95% CI: 4.1%-7.3%, P<0.0001) and in the phaco-solo group (mean difference=7.4%; 95% CI: 5.7%-9.1%, P<0.0001). ECD reduction was similar in XEN+phaco and phaco-solo groups (P=0.9). In absolute terms, ECD reduction was significantly greater in the XEN+phaco (mean difference=169±306, P=0.021) and in the phaco-solo (mean difference=192±302, P=0.0022) groups than in the XEN-solo group. CONCLUSIONS: The mean ECD reduction 6 months after XEN implantation was low. The ECD reduction in the XEN+phaco group was larger than in the XEN-solo group but was similar to that observed in the phaco-solo group.

Topical preservative-free ophthalmic treatments: an unmet clinical need.

Introduction: The main role of preservatives in eyedrops is to ensure sterility and microbiological integrity of the drug, and to facilitate the penetration of active compounds into the eye. However, several studies documented significant toxic effects induced by preservatives, especially on the ocular surface. Consequently, most of the ophthalmic medications became progressively available in preservative-free (PF) formulations.Areas covered: We analyzed pre-clinical and clinical studies on PF eyedrops with particular attention to common chronic diseases such as dry eye and glaucoma. We discussed about the pros and cons of using PF eyedrops, in terms of efficacy, safety, and social-economic aspects.Expert opinion: There are still unresolved issues that make hard for PF medications to definitively conquer the drug market. Despite robust pre-clinical evidences of less toxicity, the low number of randomized clinical trials does not permit to state that PF eyedrops have, in clinical practice, a similar efficacy or a higher safety compared to preserved forms. These aspects limit their use to chronic diseases requiring long-term therapies with multiple daily instillations, especially in the presence of concomitant ophthalmic diseases that expose to a risk of ocular surface worsening.

Conjunctival thickness as a predictive imaging biomarker for the glaucoma filtration surgery outcome: An optical coherence tomography study.

IMPORTANCE: To analyse the preoperative conjunctival thickness in glaucomatous patients undergoing filtration surgery (FS), using optical coherence tomography (OCT). BACKGROUND: The conjunctival status represents one of the most critical determinants of the FS outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-seven patients candidate to FS for uncontrolled glaucoma were enrolled. METHODS: OCT was performed at the superior bulbar conjunctiva before FS, and at bleb site at the last follow-up (LF-up) after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative full, epithelial, and stromal conjunctival thickness (FCT, CET, CST) and reflectivity (CR), and LF-up bleb-wall thickness (BT), reflectivity (BR) and intraocular pressure (IOP), were the major outcomes. The relations between preoperative parameters and LF-up-IOP, BT and BR were calculated. RESULTS: FS was completely successful in 23 patients (group 1), successful with medications in 22 (group 2), and failed in 22 (group 3). FCT, CET and CST were lower, whereas CR higher, in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < .05); BT was lower (P < .001), whereas BR higher (P < .05) in group 3 compared to group 1. FCT and CST were predictors of FS outcome with lower thickness associated with increased odds of failure (odds ratio 0.922, P = .08; 0.941, P = .025). LF-up-IOP inversely correlated with FCT and CST (r = -0.447, P = .003; r = -0.408, P = .007), whereas positively correlated with CR (r = 0.789, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Preoperative conjunctival thickness and reflectivity show significant correlations with the FS outcome, both in terms of IOP and bleb-wall features. Therefore, they may be proposed as predictive imaging biomarkers to estimate the risk of filtration failure.

Structural imaging of conjunctival filtering blebs in XEN gel implantation and trabeculectomy: a confocal and anterior segment optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare the conjunctival filtering bleb features after XEN gel implantation and trabeculectomy using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). METHODS: Fifty-two patients who underwent completely successful trabeculectomy (24 eyes) or completely successful XEN gel implantation (28 eyes) were consecutively enrolled. At the sixth-month follow-up, filtering blebs were analyzed with AS-OCT and IVCM. The main outcomes were the following: (i) bleb-wall epithelium cyst-like structure density and area (BECSD, BSCSA), (ii) bleb-wall sub-epithelium cyst-like structure density and area (BSCSD, BSCSA,), (iii) bleb-wall thickness (BT), (iv) bleb-wall epithelial thickness (BET), (v) bleb-wall reflectivity (BR), and (vi) bleb height (BH), for AS-OCT. Mean microcyst density (MMD) and area (MMA) and stromal meshwork reflectivity (SMR) were the IVCM outcomes. RESULTS: Six-month intraocular pressure was 11.46 ± 3.09 and 10.06 ± 3.39 mmHg in the XEN gel implantation and trabeculectomy, respectively (p > 0.05). At AS-OCT, XEN gel blebs showed lower BH, BT, BET, BR, (p < 0.001), and BECSA values (p < 0.005), and a higher BECSD (p < 0.05) compared with trabeculectomy blebs. At IVCM, MMA and SMR values were lower in the XEN gel implantation, compared with trabeculectomy (p < 0.05). BECSD and BSCSD negatively correlated with BR (p < 0.01; r = - 0.110; p < 0.01; r = - 0.249), whereas BR strongly correlated with SMR (p < 0.001; r = 0.819). CONCLUSION: Successful filtering blebs after XEN gel implantation appeared flatter and thinner, with a higher number of epithelial cysts and a hypo-reflective bleb wall compared with trabeculectomy. These aspects may depend on the different intra-operative tissue manipulation and/or on different aqueous humor dynamics in the sub-conjunctiva between surgeries.

Tear Meniscus Imaging by Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography in Medically Controlled Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the tear meniscus in medically controlled glaucoma patients (MCGP) using anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six MCGP, 24 patients with evaporative dry eye (EDE), and 30 healthy subjects (controls), were enrolled. MCGP were divided into group 1 (14 eyes): ß-blockers; group 2 (14 eyes): prostaglandin analogs; group 3 (28 eyes) ≥2 drugs. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear film break-up time, corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer Test I, and tear meniscus height (lower and upper: L-TMH, U-TMH) and area (L-TMA, U-TMA) using AS-OCT, were performed. RESULTS: OSDI score was higher (P<0.05) in patients with EDE and in group 3 compared with groups 1, 2, and controls. No significant differences were found between group 3 and patients with EDE for all clinical parameters. L-TMA was significantly lower in groups 1 to 3 (P<0.05) and in EDE patients (P<0.001) compared with controls, and it was lower in group 3 and in EDE patients compared with groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). L-TMH was lower in groups 1 to 3 and in EDE patients compared with controls (P<0.001), and in EDE patients and in group 3 compared with groups 1 and 2 (P<0.05). U-TMA was lower in EDE and MCGP groups compared with controls (P<0.05). L-TMA and L-TMH negatively correlated with OSDI score (P<0.01, r=-0.379 and P<0.01, r=-0.352, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: AS-OCT permits a noninvasive and reliable tear meniscus imaging in medically controlled glaucoma, depicting the glaucoma-related ocular surface disease as a dry eye disease-like condition. Thus, reduced values of TMH and TMA can be proposed as structural indicators of glaucoma therapy-related ocular surface disease.

Angiographic biomarkers of filtering bleb function after XEN gel implantation for glaucoma: an optical coherence tomography-angiography study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, using optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A), the vascular features of good bleb function after XEN gel implantation (XGI) for uncontrolled glaucoma. METHODS: Forty-three patients (43 eyes), who underwent XGI, were enrolled. According to the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, patients were classified into Group 1 (21 eyes; success) and Group 2 (22 eyes; failure). Optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) was performed to image the vascularization of the conjunctival bleb-wall. The main outcomes were as follows: vessel displacement areas (VDAs), major vessel displacement area (MVDA; mm2 ), non-flow whole area (NFWA; mm2 ) and bleb-wall vessel density (BVD; %). Co-registered B-scans were also considered to evaluate the bleb-wall cyst-like structure density and area (BCSD, cysts/mm2 ; BCSA, mm2 ), and the bleb-wall thickness (BT, µm). RESULTS: Mean postoperative follow-up was 7.5 ± 0.14 months; Group 1 and 2 IOP were 14.0 ± 2.5 and 25.3 ± 2.1 mmHg, respectively (p < 0.001). Greater VDA (p < 0.001), MVDA (p = 0.046) and NFWA (p = 0.001) values, and lower BVD (p < 0.001) was found in Group 1 compared to Group 2. Group 1 showed higher BSCD, BSCA and BT values compared to Group 2 (p < 0.001). Postoperative IOP positively correlated with BVD (r = 0.567; p = 0.003), but negatively with VDAs, MVDA (r = -0.581, p = 0.002; r = -0.619, p = 0.001, respectively), BCSD, BCSA (r = -0.580; p = 0.002; r = -0.664; p < 0.001) and BT (r = -0.627, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Successful filtration blebs after XGI present numerous and large areas of vessel displacement within the bleb-wall, along with a rarefied vascular network. These OCT-A features can be considered angiographic biomarkers of a good aqueous humour percolation through the bleb-wall layers.

Functional and Structural Reliability of Optic Nerve Head Measurements in Healthy Eyes by Means of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Background and Objectives: the aim of the study was to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of optical microangiography (OMAG)-based optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in the optic nerve head (ONH) and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) perfusion assessment of healthy eyes. Materials and Methods: in this observational study, a total of 40 healthy subjects underwent ONH evaluation, using an OMAG-based OCTA system at baseline (T0), after 30 min (T1), and after 7 days (T2). The main outcome measures were the vessel density (VD) and flux index (FI) of the RPCs, as well as peri-papillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness. The analysis was performed by two observers independently. The coefficient of repeatability (CR), within the subject coefficient of variation (CVw) and intrasession correlation coefficient (ICC), to evaluate intrasession repeatability of measurements was calculated for each observer. Results: the high intrasession and intersession repeatability and reproducibility were assessed in the two observers for all three outcome measures. Of note, the CRs for the first and the second observer were 0.011 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.009-0.014) and 0.016 (95% CI 0.013-0.020) for FI, 0.016 (95% CI 0.013-0.021) and 0.017 (95% CI 0.014-0.021) for VD, and 2.400 (95% CI 1.948-3.092) and 3.732 (95% CI 3.064-4.775) for pRNFL thickness, respectively. The agreement between them was excellent for pRNFL assessment and very good for FI and VD. Conclusion: OCTA has a great potential in the accurate assessment of ONH and peri-papillary microcirculation. It allows for repeated and reproducible measurements without multiple scans-related bias, thus guaranteeing an independent operator analysis with good reproducibility and repeatability.

The ocular surface after successful glaucoma filtration surgery: a clinical, in vivo confocal microscopy, and immune-cytology study.

We investigated the ocular surface (OS) system modifications after completely successful glaucoma surgery in thirty-eight patients undergoing trabeculectomy (surgical group), using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and impression cytology (IC). Twenty-six medically controlled glaucomatous patients served as controls (medical group). LSCM, IC, and the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) questionnaires, were performed at baseline and after six months. The main outcomes were: goblet cell density (GCD), limbal dendritic cell density (LDCD), subbasal corneal nerve inhomogeneity (SCNI), Meibomian gland density and inhomogeneity (MGD, MGI), and HLA-DR positivity. There were no significant baseline differences between groups. At the sixth month, the surgical group showed a GCD increase (p < 0.001), and a LDCD, SCNI, MGI, HLA-DR (p < 0.001), OSDI and NEI VFQ-25 scores decrease (p < 0.05). The medical group did not show significant OS modifications, showing LSCM and IC parameters significantly worse compared to the surgical group (p < 0.001). The OSDI score correlated with GCD, MGI, SCNI, LDCD, and HLA-DR (p < 0.001; p < 0.05; p < 0.01). The present study found that the whole OS system objectively improved after completely successful glaucoma filtration surgery. These changes positively affected the OSDI score, but not the NEI VFQ-25 score.

Retinal vascular changes and aqueous humor cytokines changes after aflibercept intravitreal injection in treatment-naïve myopic choroidal neovascularization.

The aim of the study was to assess retinal vascular changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and aqueous humour changes of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PIGF) levels in treatment-naïve myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) after aflibercept intravitreal injection. To explore the correlation between clinical and laboratory parameters. Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with treatment-naïve mCNV underwent 2 intravitreal injections of aflibercept. Main outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and external limiting membrane (ELM) visualization at OCT, lesion area and leakage at fluorescein angiography (FA), OCTA flow area and selected area at baseline and after the injections. Analysis of VEGF and PlGF in the aqueous humor was performed before each injection in cases and prior to cataract surgery on 10 patients as included as controls. Median BCVA increased from 0.6 to 0.3 logMAR (p < 0.001); CRT decreased from 387.5 to 267 micron (p < 0.001); FA area from 0.8 to 0.5 mm2 and OCTA area from 0.9 to 0.5 mm2 (p = 0.005). PIGF values changed from 1.8 to 1.4 pg/ml (p = 0.019) and VEGF values from 3.4 to 0.5 pg/ml (p = 0.008). A significant correlation was found after treatment between PIGF levels and BCVA (rho = 0.006) and VEGF levels and BCVA (rho = 0.018); between PlGF and CRT (rho = 0.020), PlGF and ELM visualization (rho = 0.002) and PlGF and FA leakage (rho < 0.001). Our results showed a significant reduction of mCNV area after aflibercept in both FA and OCTA measurements; an improvement of BCVA, and a reduction of VEGF and PIGF levels related to inactivity of the disease.

Meibomian Gland Features and Conjunctival Goblet Cell Density in Glaucomatous Patients Controlled With Prostaglandin/Timolol Fixed Combinations: A Case Control, Cross-sectional Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate, using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), the Meibomian gland (MG) features and conjunctival goblet cell density (GCD) in glaucomatous patients controlled with prostaglandin/timolol fixed combinations (PTFCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 60 white patients were treated with PTFCs, 15 with latanoprost+timolol (L+T) unfixed combination, and 15 controls were enrolled. Patients underwent the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, tear film breakup time, corneal staining, Schirmer test I, and IVCM of MGs and goblet cells. The main outcome measures were: mean Meibomian acinar density (MMAD) and area (MMAA), inhomogeneity of glandular interstice (InI) and acinar wall (InAW), and GCD. RESULTS: PTFCs were: latanoprost/timolol (LTFC, 15 eyes), travoprost/timolol (TTFC, 15), bimatoprost/timolol (BTFC, 15), and preservative-free bimatoprost/timolol (PF-BTFC, 15) fixed combinations. Mean time on therapy did not differ among treatments. IVCM documented lower GCD, MMAD, and MMAA (P<0.001), and greater InI and InAW (P<0.05) in glaucoma patients compared with controls. L+T showed worse values compared with PTFCs and PF-BTFC (P<0.05). Preserved PTFCs showed lower MMAD, MMAA, GCD, and greater InI and InAW compared with PF-BTFC (P<0.05) and controls (P<0.001). Differences were not found among PTFCs. InI and InAW significantly correlated with Ocular Surface Disease Index and breakup time (P<0.001), corneal staining (P<0.05), and GCD (P<0.001); GCD correlated with MMAD (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PTFCs were less toxic towards MGs and goblet cells compared with the L+T unfixed combination, with PF-BTFC presenting the most tolerated profile. These findings should be carefully considered given the role of these structures in the induction of the glaucoma-related ocular surface disease.