[Major advancement in Ophthalmology in 2021]. / Ophtalmologie.

This year, we are seeing a major boost in the advancement of new targeted gene therapies in the fight against certain orphan ocular genetic diseases that cause blindness. The progressive introduction of computer tools with algorithms for the recognition of diabetic retinopathy should be noted. Progress has been made in other areas of ophthalmology, with particular interest in the fight against myopia, given the worrying and rapidly increasing incidence of this disease, in varying proportions throughout the world. There has also been a major effort to develop new ways of delivering specific ocular treatments without having to rely on patient compliance. Finally, we are discovering new diagnostic and clinical entities related to the side effects of systemic immunotherapy generally used in oncology.

Cette année, nous constatons un élan important dans l'avènement de nouvelles thérapies géniques ciblées dans la lutte contre certaines maladies génétiques orphelines oculaires, responsables de cécité. Relevons l'introduction progressive d'outils infor matiques dotés d'algorithme permettant une reconnaissance automatisée de la rétinopathie diabétique. Des avancées sont à relever dans la lutte contre la myopie, véritable problème de santé publique vu l'incidence inquiétante et en forte augmentation dans le monde. Ajoutons aussi un effort important dans le développement de nouveaux moyens de délivrer des traitements oculaires spécifiques sans faire appel à la compliance du patient. Finalement, nous découvrons de nouvelles entités diagnostiques et cliniques liées aux effets secondaires d'immunothérapie systémique utilisée en oncologie.

Decoding the Capability of Lactobacillus plantarum W1 Isolated from Soybean Whey in Producing an Exopolysaccharide.

This study aims at producing exopolysaccharides (EPS) from a lactic acid bacterial strain. The soybean whey-isolated Lactobacillus plantarum W1 (EPS-W1), which belongs to genus Lactobacillus, is identified using the phenylalanyl-tRNA sequencing method. Of all the examined strains, R-49778 (as numbered by BCCM/LMG Bacteria Collection, Ghent University, Belgium) showed the highest capability of producing exopolysaccharides. Structural characterization revealed a novel exopolysaccharide consisting of repeating units of →6)-d-Glcp-(1→; →3)-d-Manp-(1→; →3)-d-Glcp-(1→ and a branch of →6)-d-Manp-(1→; →2)-d-Glcp-(1→. This discovery opens up avenues for the production of EPS for food industries, functional foods, and biomedical applications.

Role of vitreoretinal surgery in maximizing treatment outcome following complications after proton therapy for uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of vitreoretinal surgery in maximizing treatment outcome following complications after proton therapy for uveal melanoma and to evaluate its safety. METHODS: Retrospective chart study on 21 patients (2% of a total of 1,005 treated by proton therapy between January 2003 and August 2007) who had developed a complication requiring vitreoretinal surgery. Mean/median total follow-up after irradiation was 43/43 months (range, 12-70 months). RESULTS: Indications for surgery included vitreous hemorrhage (n = 13), epimacular membrane (n = 5), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n = 1), combined vitreous hemorrhage with total serous retinal detachment (n = 1), and vitritis (n = 1). Mean/median interval for vitreoretinal surgery after irradiation was 21/20 months (range, 4-45 months), and mean/median follow-up after pars plana vitrectomy was 22/23 months (range, 2-56 months). Pars plana vitrectomy was combined with retinal photocoagulation (n = 5), air/gas (n = 5), or silicone oil tamponade (n = 1). Mean Snellen visual acuity was 20/200 (0-20/40) before and 20/100 (0-20/25) after pars plana vitrectomy. A transient postoperative rise in intraocular pressure was measured in seven patients. Four patients developed phthisis bulbi. CONCLUSION: Vitreoretinal surgery was efficient in maximizing treatment outcome after proton therapy, as it allowed a better oncologic follow-up. Pars plana vitrectomy permitted panretinal photocoagulation to avoid neovascular glaucoma or retinal detachment repair. Macular surgery improved visual acuity, especially in anterior melanoma, whereas repeated surgery may increase the risk of enucleation.