Impaired retinal oxygen metabolism and perfusion are accompanied by plasma protein and lipid alterations in recovered COVID-19 patients.

The aim of the present study was to investigate retinal microcirculatory and functional metabolic changes in patients after they had recovered from a moderate to severe acute COVID-19 infection. Retinal perfusion was quantified using laser speckle flowgraphy. Oxygen saturation and retinal calibers were assessed with a dynamic vessel analyzer. Arterio-venous ratio (AVR) was calculated based on retinal vessel diameter data. Blood plasma samples underwent mass spectrometry-based multi-omics profiling, including proteomics, metabolomics and eicosadomics. A total of 40 subjects were included in the present study, of which 29 had recovered from moderate to severe COVID-19 within 2 to 23 weeks before inclusion and 11 had never had COVID-19, as confirmed by antibody testing. Perfusion in retinal vessels was significantly lower in patients (60.6 ± 16.0 a.u.) than in control subjects (76.2 ± 12.1 a.u., p = 0.006). Arterio-venous (AV) difference in oxygen saturation and AVR was significantly lower in patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.021 for AVR and p = 0.023 for AV difference in oxygen saturation). Molecular profiles demonstrated down-regulation of cell adhesion molecules, NOTCH3 and fatty acids, and suggested a bisphasic dysregulation of nitric oxide synthesis after COVID-19 infection. The results of this study imply that retinal perfusion and oxygen metabolism is still significantly altered in patients well beyond the acute phase of COVID-19. This is also reflected in the molecular profiling analysis of blood plasma, indicating a down-regulation of nitric oxide-related endothelial and immunological cell functions.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov ) NCT05650905.

Quality assurance via telephone interviews after cataract surgery: An explorative study.

INTRODUCTION: Cataract surgery is a relatively safe procedure with satisfactory postoperative results in most patients. However, in rare cases severe complications can occur shortly after the intervention. Therefore, patients are advised to undergo an ophthalmological examination postoperatively, which should be performed as soon as possible in case of emergencies. However, exactly when these follow-up visits should take place is still discussed. A time- and cost-saving alternative to this could be short-term postoperative telemedical approaches. The aim of this study was to analyze patient complaints as well as satisfaction with and the best timepoint to perform telephone calls after cataract surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for cataract surgery received a telephone call on the surgery day or the day after (study group) during which they were asked about complaints or additional examination visits. Patients without telephone calls served as control group. All patients had a follow-up visit one week after the intervention during which a questionnaire was filled out and the study group was asked about their satisfaction with the telephone calls. RESULTS: 181 patients were recruited in this study. Ocular surface problems were the most common postoperative symptom. More than 80% of the patients were very satisfied with the telephone calls, with patients being contacted on the day of surgery being more calmed than those called on the next day. No difference in additional and planned follow-up visits was found between the study and the control group (P > .40). Postoperative patient complaints (Phi 0.372, P < .001) and additional prescribed therapy (Phi 0.480, P < .001) were moderately associated with additional visits. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with telephone reviews shortly after cataract surgery was very high and contacting patients on the evening of the day of the procedure could be a time- and cost-saving alternative to short-term in-house follow-up visits.

Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. To date, intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only modifiable risk factor in glaucoma treatment, but even in treated patients, the disease can progress. Cannabinoids, which have been known to lower IOP since the 1970s, have been shown to have beneficial effects in glaucoma patients beyond their IOP-lowering properties. In addition to the classical cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, knowledge of non-classical cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system has increased in recent years. In particular, the CB2 receptor has been shown to mediate anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective properties, which may represent a promising therapeutic target for neuroprotection in glaucoma patients. Due to their vasodilatory effects, cannabinoids improve blood flow to the optic nerve head, which may suggest a vasoprotective potential and counteract the altered blood flow observed in glaucoma patients. The aim of this review was to assess the available evidence on the effects and therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in glaucoma patients. The pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of cannabinoids on IOP, neuroprotection, and ocular hemodynamics have been discussed.

Through-Focus Response of Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lenses.

PURPOSE: To investigate extended depth of focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs), intended to extend the depth of field after cataract surgery in a comparative study at the optical bench. METHODS: An optical bench with either green or white light was used for this study. The artificial cornea used exhibited a spherical aberration of 0.2 µm. Examinations of the following lenses with a pupil opening of 3 and 4.5 mm were carried out: AcrySof IQ Vivity (Alcon Laboratories, Inc), Isopure (PhysIOL), Tecnis Eyhance (Johnson & Johnson), Vivinex Impress (Hoya Surgical Optics), and xact (Santen). RESULTS: Using green light and a pupil aperture of 3 mm, the AcrySof IQ Vivity showed the highest light energy for the intermediate area, whereas the Isopure and Vivinex Impress provided the highest energy for distance vision. Under the same examination conditions with a pupil opening of 4.5 mm, all lenses showed a low light distribution for the intermediate range. Regarding light distribution for distance, the Tecnis Eyhance had the highest light intensity. Using white light, the curves became much wider and more similar to each other. CONCLUSIONS: The five EDOF lenses investigated differ mainly by their different weighting of energy between the far and intermediate ranges. [J Refract Surg. 2022;38(8):497-501.].