A new algorithm for the transconjunctival correction of moderate to severe upper eyelid ptosis in adults.

A posterior approach is recommended for the correction of mild to moderate upper eyelid ptosis in adults. The aim of this study is to propose a new algorithm that helps to predict outcomes in the transconjunctival correction of moderate to severe blepharoptosis. This study included adult patients with moderate to severe upper eyelid ptosis treated between 2019 and 2021. Patients meeting inclusion criteria underwent ptosis correction through a posterior approach using an algorithm: 4 mm Mueller's muscle transconjunctival resection to correct 1 mm ptosis (depending on a test with 10% phenylephrine: 3-12 mm) ± tarsal plate resection: 1 mm for every 1 mm of residual ptosis after phenylephrine test, but leaving a minimum of 4 mm upper tarsus intact. Outcomes were ovserved within at least 6-months. Outcomes were assessed based on pre- and postoperative MRD1 changes, inter-eyelid height symmetry, cosmetic effect, and complications. Outcomes of 118 procedures in 81 patients (average age 69, range: 47-87) were analyzed. MRD1 changes were statistically significant, from 0.2 ± 1.6 mm before to 4.1 ± 1 mm after surgery. The function of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle was 10.2 ± 3.4 (range 5-17) mm. Upper eyelid lifted by an average of 1.8 ± 0.7 (range 0-3) mm after the instillation of 10% phenylephrine eyedrops. An average of 8.5 ± 0.8 (range 8-10) mm of conjunctiva and Mueller's muscle and 2.2 ± 0.9 (range 1-5) mm of the tarsal plate were resected during the procedure. Inter-eyelid height symmetry within 1 mm was achieved in 95% of outcomes. The algorithm introduced in this study appears to be useful to achieve repeatable satisfactory outcomes in the transconjunctival correction of moderate to severe upper eyelid ptosis in adults with at least "fair" levator function.

Safety and Efficacy of Three Modifications of Canaloplasty to Treat Open-Angle Glaucoma: 3-Year Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This is a report of 3-year results of a prospective assessment of three modifications of canaloplasty (C): ab externo (ABeC), mini-canaloplasty (miniABeC), and ab interno (ABiC) performed concomitantly with cataract removal in subjects suffering from primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: Forty-eight individuals were randomized for one of the surgeries: ABeC, miniABeC, or ABiC and cataract removal-16 eyes for each group. Follow-up examinations were carried out on the day of the surgery, on days 1 and 7, after 1, 3, 6 months, and at 1, 2, and 3 years. Complete and qualified success was an IOP ≤ 15 mmHg without or with antiglaucoma eye drops, respectively. The IOP reduction of 20% or more was considered an additional success criterion. RESULTS: Within three years the probability of qualified success was ABiC and miniABeC-94%, ABeC-100%, and of complete success ABiC-75%, miniABeC-100%. At the 3-year follow-up, the median IOP decreased from 22 to 15 mmHg in the ABeC group (p = 0.001), from 22 to 15 mmHg in the miniABeC group 15 (p < 0.001), and from 21 to 15 mmHg in the ABiC group (p = 0.001) compared to the post-washout stage. The IOP dropped by 20% or more without medications in 56.2% of patients post ABiC, 68.8% post miniABeC and 75% post ABeC. The median number of antiglaucoma medications dropped in all three groups; at the 3-year follow-up, only one patient following ABeC and four subjects following miniABeC required treatment. One patient required reoperation and further intensification of topical treatment-post miniABeC. The levels of IOP, CDVA, and success probability at the 36-month follow-up showed no significant difference for individual groups. CONCLUSIONS: ABeC, miniABeC, and ABiC have significant IOP-lowering potential in individuals diagnosed with POAG at a mild to moderate stage and no history of IOP ≥ 30 mmHg with a good safety profile.

Alternative application of an iTrack microcatheter and canaloplasty: case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Schlemm's canal surgery using an iTrack flexible microcatheter has become popular because of its high quality-of-life issues and the growing demand for less invasive but effective procedures. The unique design of the microcatheter makes it a multimodal tool, which can be used not only in the field of antiglaucoma surgery but also as a drug delivery system to treat various conditions. AREAS COVERED: This review presents an update on the selected aspects of a drug delivery system using the iTrack microcatheter, including glaucoma gene therapy and posterior-segment diseases, both in animal models and human patients. The authors also report the case of a patient with branch retinal vein occlusion treated with suprachoroidal bevacizumab in the submacular region administered with the iTrack catheter. EXPERT OPINION: The findings presented in this study may indicate that the application of a microcatheter in open-angle glaucoma gene therapy is reasonable and can be combined with full or partial surgical canaloplasty procedures. Translation of this potential into a treatment modality would require overcoming multiple barriers.

Immunological and Metabolic Causes of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Infertility has been recognized as a civilizational disease. One of the most common causes of infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Closely interrelated immunometabolic mechanisms underlie the development of this complex syndrome and lead to infertility. The direct cause of infertility in PCOS is ovulation and implantation disorders caused by low-grade inflammation of ovarian tissue and endometrium which, in turn, result from immune and metabolic system disorders. The systemic immune response, in particular the inflammatory response, in conjunction with metabolic disorders, insulin resistance (IR), hyperadrenalism, insufficient secretion of progesterone, and oxidative stress lead not only to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, autoimmunity, and lipid metabolism disorders but also to infertility. Depending on the genetic and environmental conditions as well as certain cultural factors, some diseases may occur immediately, while others may become apparent years after an infertility diagnosis. Each of them alone can be a significant factor contributing to the development of PCOS and infertility. Further research will allow clinical management protocols to be established for PCOS patients experiencing infertility so that a targeted therapy approach can be applied to the factor underlying and driving the "vicious circle" alongside symptomatic treatment and ovulation stimulation. Hence, therapy of fertility for PCOS should be conducted by interdisciplinary teams of specialists as an in-depth understanding of the molecular relationships and clinical implications between the immunological and metabolic factors that trigger reproductive system disorders is necessary to restore the physiology and homeostasis of the body and, thus, fertility, among PCOS patients.

Successful Implementation of Menstrual Cycle Biomarkers in the Treatment of Infertility in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Case Report.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. Absent, impaired, or rare ovulation induces progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase, which is a critical problem in PCOS. A usual pattern of progesterone administration from a fixed and arbitrary pre-determined day of a menstrual cycle may preserve infertility but can easily be avoided. We present the case of a 29-year-old infertile woman who had been ineffectively treated for over two years. We introduced a line of therapy that was suited to her individual menstrual cycle by implementing biomarker recording. Supplementation based on a standardized observation of the basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus stopped the vicious circle of absent ovulation and hyperandrogenism, restoring regular bleeding, ovulation cycles, and fertility. The implementation of a reliable fertility awareness method (FAM), accompanied by a standardized teaching methodology and periodic review of the observations recorded by the patient, validated through an ultrasound examination and plasma gonadotropins, estrogens, and progesterone concentrations, is key to achieving therapeutic success. The presented case is an example of a clinical vignette for many patients who have successfully managed to improve their fertility and pregnancy outcomes by applying the principles of a personalized treatment approach together with gestagens by recording their fertility biomarkers.

Safety and Efficacy of Three Variants of Canaloplasty with Phacoemulsification to Treat Open-Angle Glaucoma and Cataract: 12-Month Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: A single-center prospective randomized observational study to compare three types of canaloplasty, i.e., ab externo (ABeC), minicanaloplasty (miniABeC) and ab interno, (ABiC) combined with cataract surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients over 12 months. METHODS: 48 POAG patients underwent one of three canaloplasty procedures: ABeC (16 eyes), miniABeC (16 eyes) or ABiC (16 eyes) or combined with phacoemulsification. Patients were assessed at baseline, at day 0-1-7 and at month 1-3-6-12. Successful treatment was defined as unmedicated IOP reduction ≥20%. Complete surgical success was defined as an IOP ≤ 15 mmHg without medications, and a qualified surgical success as IOP ≤ 15 mmHg with or without medications. RESULTS: Pre-washout IOP median values (mmHg) were 17 (ABeC), 18 (miniABeC) and 17 (AbiC) and decreased at 12-month follow up postoperatively to 13 (p = 0.005), 13 (p = 0.004) and 14 (p = 0.008), respectively-successful treatment was achieved in approximately 100% of patients for ABeC and in 93.8% for both miniABeC and AbiC groups. Preoperatively, the median number of medications was 2.0 (range 1-3) (ABeC), 2.0 (1-3) (miniABeC) and 2.0 (0-4) (ABiC); 12-month post-operatively, all medications were withdrawn except in two patients (followed miniABeC and AbiC). CONCLUSIONS: The three variants of canaloplasty significantly reduced IOP and the number of medications in patients with mild to moderate POAG and gave no significant complications.

Sutureless technique for repositioning and scleral fixation of the capsular bag-intraocular lens complex with permanent use of iris retractors.

A new sutureless technique used for repositioning and scleral fixation of the capsular bag-intraocular lens (IOL) complex in the surgical treatment of subluxated lenses is described. Iris retractors were used not only to induce a tent effect on the capsule but also to permanently fix the capsular bag to the sclera in this method, without the need to prepare scleral or conjunctival flaps. Surgery with the use of a capsular tension ring (CTR) and iris retractors, the ends of which were brought out through the sclera and cauterized, was performed in 7 eyes of 7 patients with moderate or severe subluxation of the crystalline lens. In all cases, simultaneous use of a CTR and iris retractors ensured good centration of the capsular bag-IOL complex. The method was safe and effective in fixing the capsule to the sclera in the case of significant damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the lens.

Using the entropy of the corneal pulse signal to distinguish healthy eyes from eyes affected by primary open-angle glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the complexity of the corneal pulse (CP) signal can be used to differentiate patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) from healthy subjects. APPROACH: The study sample consisted of 28 patients with POAG and a control, age-matched group of 30 subjects. After standard ophthalmic examination, the CP signal from a randomly selected eye of each participant was measured using non-contact ultrasonic micro-displacement measurement technology. After pre-processing, the complexity of the CP signal was estimated using refined composite multiscale fuzzy entropy (RCMFE) up to scale factor 50. The average RCMFE values were computed from three repeated measurements of the CP signals for each participant and each scale factor. MAIN RESULTS: The complexity of the CP signal in glaucomatous eyes was higher than that observed in healthy ones. Also, RCMFE of the CP signal was found to differentiate (statistically significantly) between the two groups for scales in the range from 26 to 43. For these scales, the one for which the lowest p-value (t-test, p = 0.017) was obtained when comparing RCMFE between the two groups was selected as the optimal scale. Next, a receiver operating characteristic analysis for the optimal scale showed that the proposed approach of calculating the multiscale entropy of the CP signal has some potential to discriminate between patients with POAG and healthy controls (sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.643, 0.700 and 0.672, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, RCMFE, as a complexity measure, may be considered an auxiliary indicator to support glaucoma diagnostics.

Changes in spectral parameters of corneal pulse following canaloplasty.

PURPOSE: To ascertain whether changes in the spectral content of the corneal pulse (CP) signal, measured in vivo in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients, indirectly reflect changes in corneal biomechanics after canaloplasty. METHODS: Fifteen eyes of 15 POAG patients who underwent canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification were enrolled. Standard ophthalmic examinations were conducted before washout, pre-operatively, at days 1, 7, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Non-contact measurements of the CP signal were performed at pre-washout, pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively. Then, amplitudes of the CP first five harmonics associated with the heart rate were estimated. Temporal changes of all considered parameters were tested at a Bonferroni-adjusted significance level set to 0.005. RESULTS: A decrease in the amplitude of the first harmonic and an increase in the normalized amplitude of the third harmonic (ACP3n) of the CP signal were noticed between the pre-washout and the pre-operative stages (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively). This corresponds to an increase in median intraocular pressure (IOP) values by 6.0 mmHg (p = 0.0045). After surgery, ACP3n reached the highest value at 3 months post-operatively, compared with pre-washout level (p = 0.0045). CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in corneoscleral stiffness caused by surgery are reflected in changes in the ACP3n value. Hence, post-operative corneal biomechanics could be monitored indirectly by this supporting indicator that can be used to estimate the time at which measures of IOP are no longer biased by the changed cornea boundary conditions caused by canaloplasty. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT02908633.

Canaloplasty in the Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: Patient Selection and Perspectives.

Canaloplasty is a surgical procedure that has undergone a number of developments since its introduction in 2005. Many thousands of canaloplasties have been performed around the world since then and is, by definition, a blebless procedure. It does not necessitate the use of any antifibrotic agents and results in safe and effective IOP reductions in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) with minimal complications and no bleb-related adverse events. When considering the surgical management of patients with early and medium stages of the disease, canaloplasty can be considered as a first line option. This paper will overview the theoretical effectiveness of canal surgery, the fundamental aspects of aqueous outflow resistance with particular emphasis on the role of the trabecular meshwork, Schlemm's canal, and the collector channels, and the methods available for the clinical evaluation of the outflow pathways in relation to the ocular anatomy. Further, the paper will detail the surgical technique itself and how this has developed over time together with the clinical aspects that should be accounted for when selecting patients for this surgery.

[Sensitivity for antibiotics among the E. coli strains isolated from patients with different clinical stage of infection]. / Antybiotykowrazliwosc szczepów E. coli wyizolowanych z lozyska krwionosnego pacjentów w róznym stopniu zaawansowania klinicznego zakazenia krwi.

Enteric rods are the microorganisms most commonly isolated from blood of hospitalized patients. Bloodstream infections caused by them are associated with significant patient mortality. The aim of the study was analysis of clinical course and evaluation of clinical response on bloodstream infection caused by Escherichia coli. Microorganisms were evaluated for sensibility for antibacterial drugs. For that reason MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) of antibiotics from different groups was determined for E. coli strains isolated from patients with different clinical stage of infection. No significant differences were shown in sensitivity for antibiotics and MIC among the E. coli strains in correlation with clinical condition of studied patients.

[Estimation of the frequency of occurrence of microorganisms isolated from blood cultures of hospitalized patients in the Hospital of Medical University in Gdansk in 2000-2002]. / Ocena czestosci wystepowania drobnoustrojów izolowanych z krwi pacjentów hospitalizowanych w Szpitalu Klinicznym Akademii Medycznej w Gdansku w latach 2000-2002.

The aim of present study was retrospective analysis of the frequencies of occurrence of the most common microorganisms isolated from blood cultures in the Medical University in Gdansk from 2000 to 2002. The blood patterns were taken from adult patients with symptoms suggesting bacteriemia. During the 3 year study period 31788 blood samples were obtained, of which 5520 (17.37%) were positive. The number of Gram-positive bacteria isolated from blood increased and the rate of Gram-negative bacteria decreased over the study period. In addition the increase of frequency of Candida, VRE and Escherichia coli was noted. The number of infections caused by MRSA and Gram-negative ESbetaL+ diminished during time of observation. Acquaintance on the most frequently isolated organisms from blood patterns and they antimicrobial susceptibility should guide the choice of empiric antimicrobial regimens for patients with bacteriemia.

[Severe visual impairment of children with hydrocephalus and concomitant diseases]. / Ciezkie zaburzenia widzenia u dzieci z wodoglowiem i chorobami towarzyszacymi.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the condition of the sight organ among small children suffering from hydrocephalus and accompanying diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of the examination done upon fifteen children (five girls and ten boys) suffering from hydrocephalus and accompanying diseases have been analysed. The accompanying diseases were as follows: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, retrolental fibroplasia, microphthalmia and congenital cataract. The average age of a child was 3,7 months. The examination concerned: visual acuity, the setting of the eyeballs, ocular fundus and flash visual evoked potentials (FVEP). Evans' Index was calculated from MRI or TK examinations. RESULTS: The following distortions have been noticed: bilateral optic atrophy (14), bilateral nystagmus (4), bilateral strabismus (5), bilateral loss of pupils' reaction (2). The latency of FVEP was like in control group, but the amplitude was markedly lowered. CONCLUSIONS: Optic atrophy is the main cause of low vision in children with hydrocephalus. Severe visual disorders might be a serious problem of rehabilitation of those children. Objective examination in patient, who do not co-operate, is FVEP. Evans' Index is not prognostic value about blindness in children with hydrocephalus.