Persistent Monkeypox-Associated Keratouveitis in a Post-LASIK Cornea: A Case Report With Flap Removal.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to report a case of persistent keratouveitis associated with mpox virus infection in an immunocompetent patient with a history of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), leading to the need for flap removal. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, and a detailed case report was presented. RESULTS: A 44-year-old immunocompetent male patient with a history of LASIK and HIV infection presented with conjunctival and corneal lesions indicative of mpox infection. Despite initial topical treatment, the condition worsened, leading to severe epithelial and stromal keratitis with anterior chamber inflammation. Polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed the presence of mpox virus in conjunctival, corneal, and aqueous humor samples. The patient underwent various treatments, including tecovirimat, oral and topical corticosteroids, and topical trifluridine, and eventually flap removal with amniotic membrane application. Subsequent polymerase chain reaction testing of the aqueous humor yielded negative results, and the cornea gradually reepithelialized without inflammation. After 8 months, the patient's eye remained stable, with a central stromal scar. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the rare occurrence of mpox-associated keratouveitis and emphasizes the challenges faced in its management. The successful outcome achieved through a combination of antiviral therapy, antiinflammatories, and surgical intervention underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing such cases.

Síndrome de Duane: a propósito de un caso / Duane syndrome: a case report

El síndrome de Duane es una enfermedad poco frecuente en la cual se observa retracción del globo ocular y limitación de los movimientos horizontales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 11 años que acudió a Urgencias debido a una desviación ocular supuestamente de reciente instauración. En la exploración se objetiva un déficit en la abducción y la aducción, así como cierre de la fisura palpebral en la aducción forzada. Se diagnostica de síndrome de Duane tipo III y se decide manejo conservador con observación y seguimiento (AU)

Duane syndrome is a rare condition, whose clinical presentation involves retraction of the eyeball upon attempted abduction, and limitation of horizontal movements. We present the case of an 11-year-old patient who presented to the Emergency Department with a recent-onset ocular deviation. Examination revealed a deficit in abduction and adduction, as well as closure of the palpebral fissure in forced adduction. The patient was diagnosed with Duane syndrome type III, and conservative management with observation and follow up was decided. (AU)

Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory, Angiogenic, and Apoptotic molecules in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema Patients.

The aim of this study is to evaluate molecules involved in oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis, and discern which of these are more likely to be implicated in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) by investigating the correlation between them in the plasma (PLS) and vitreous body (VIT), as well as examining data obtained from ophthalmological examinations. Type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with PDR/DME (PDRG/DMEG; n = 112) and non-DM subjects as the surrogate controls (SCG n = 48) were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and programming for vitrectomy, either due to having PDR/DME or macular hole (MH)/epiretinal membrane (ERM)/rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Blood samples were collected and processed to determine the glycemic profile, total cholesterol, and C reactive protein, as well as the malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, interleukin 6 (IL6), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and caspase 3 (CAS3) were assayed. The VITs were collected and processed to measure the expression levels of all the abovementioned molecules. Statistical analyses were conducted using the R Core Team (2022) program, including group comparisons and correlation analyses. Compared with the SCG, our findings support the presence of molecules involved in OS, inflammation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis in the PLS and VIT samples from T2DM. In PLS from PDRG, there was a decrease in the antioxidant load (p < 0.001) and an increase in pro-angiogenic molecules (p < 0.001), but an increase in pro-oxidants (p < 0.001) and a decline in antioxidants (p < 0.001) intravitreally. In PLS from DMEG, pro-oxidants and pro-inflammatory molecules were augmented (p < 0.001) and the antioxidant capacity diminished (p < 0.001), but the pro-oxidants increased (p < 0.001) and antioxidants decreased (p < 0.001) intravitreally. Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between the PLS-CAT and the VIT-SOD levels (rho = 0.5; p < 0.01) in PDRG, and a negative correlation between the PSD-4HNE and the VIT-TAC levels (rho = 0.5; p < 0.01) in DMEG. Integrative data of retinal imaging variables showed a positive correlation between the central subfield foveal thickness (CSFT) and the VIT-SOD levels (rho = 0.5; p < 0.01), and a negative correlation between the CSFT and the VIT-4HNE levels (rho = 0.4; p < 0.01) in PDRG. In DMEG, the CSFT displayed a negative correlation with the VIT-CAT (rho = 0.5; p < 0.01). Exploring the relationship of the abovementioned potential biomarkers between PLS and VIT may help detecting early molecular changes in PDR/DME, which can be used to identify patients at high risk of progression, as well as to monitor therapeutic outcomes in the diabetic retina.

Atypical herpes zoster ophthalmicus with madarosis of upper eyelid, recurrent iridocyclitis and atrophic multifocal chorioretinopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Ocular involvement due to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection includes conjunctivitis, scleritis, keratitis, uveitis, and necrotizing retinitis. Non-necrotizing chorioretinopathy as a late manifestation has been described. CASE REPORT: A 50-year-old immunocompetent man developed herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) in the right V1 dermatome with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) treated with oral valaciclovir and topical steroid and a chalazion in the upper eyelid with associated madarosis. Four months later, he presented recurrence of the AAU and multiple areas of chorioretinal atrophy on fundoscopy. Biopsy of the upper eyelid lesion revealed granulomatous inflammation of the eyelid margin and polymerase chain reaction study (PCR) tested positive for VZV-specific DNA. The iridocyclitis was resolved with oral valaciclovir at maximum doses with minimal choroidal pigmentary changes. DISCUSSION: VZV ophthalmic infection starts by reactivation from the trigeminal ganglion, and it spreads to the isthmus of the pilosebaceous follicles and the epidermis, which can cause involvement of follicle and sebaceous glands. Chorioretinopathy is a rare form of late-onset non-necrotizing herpetic uveitis characterized by atrophic-appearing hypopigmented lesions, the pathogenesis of which is unknown. A direct viral infection or secondary to occlusive choroidal vasculitis is postulated at the level of the choriocapillaris and more recently it has been referred to as "choroidal vitiligo" due to possible involvement of choroidal melanocytes, as occurs in cases of cutaneous vitiligo due to VZV infection.

Pierre Robin sequence and keratoconus, a rare association / Síndrome de Pierre Robin y quearotocono, una rara asociación

Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is an inherited disorder that affects one in between 8,500 and14,000 people and is characterized by a triad of clinical signs. These include micrognathia,glossoptosis and obstruction of the upper airway, typically associated with palatal cleft.PRS has also been associated with various ocular complications, including high congenitalmyopia, congenital glaucoma, and retinal detachment.Because of the clinical importance of PRS, it is critical to illustrate the features of the Robinsequence to clearly define its primary and secondary clinical signs. We describe a patientwith PRS who developed keratoconus as a rare manifestation of the disease and its management. (AU)

La secuencia de Pierre Robin (PRS) es una patología hereditaria que afecta a una de entre8.500 y 14.000 personas y está caracterizada por una triada de signos. Estos incluyenmicrognatia, glosoptosis y obstrucción de vías aéreas altas, típicamente asociados a labioleporino.PRS ha sido también relacionado con afectación oftalmológica, incluyendo miopía congénita,glaucoma congénito o desprendimiento de retina.Debida a la importancia clínica de la PRS, es fundamental describir las distintascaracterísticas de la secuencia Pierre Robin, para así definir los signos principales ysecundarios de la patología. Describimos el caso de una paciente con PRS que desarrollóqueratocono como una extraña manifestación de la enfermedad. (AU)

Oxidative Stress Mediates Epigenetic Modifications and the Expression of miRNAs and Genes Related to Apoptosis in Diabetic Retinopathy Patients.

Knowledge on the underlying mechanisms and molecular targets for managing the ocular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains incomplete. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of irreversible visual disability worldwide. By using ophthalmological and molecular-genetic approaches, we gathered specific information to build a data network for deciphering the crosslink of oxidative stress (OS) and apoptosis (AP) processes, as well as to identify potential epigenetic modifications related to noncoding RNAs in the eyes of patients with T2DM. A total of 120 participants were recruited, being classified into two groups: individuals with T2MD (T2MDG, n = 67), divided into a group of individuals with (+DR, n = 49) and without (-DR, n = 18) DR, and a control group (CG, n = 53). Analyses of compiled data reflected significantly higher plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and significantly lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the +DR patients compared with the -DR and the CG groups. Furthermore, the plasma caspase-3 (CAS3), highly involved in apoptosis (AP), showed significantly higher values in the +DR group than in the -DR patients. The microRNAs (miR) hsa-miR 10a-5p and hsa-miR 15b-5p, as well as the genes BCL2L2 and TP53 involved in these pathways, were identified in relation to DR clinical changes. Our data suggest an interaction between OS and the above players in DR pathogenesis. Furthermore, potential miRNA-regulated target genes were identified in relation to DR. In this concern, we may raise new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that hold the potential to significantly improve managing the diabetic eye.