Evaluation of the Algerbrush II rotating burr as a tool for inducing ocular surface failure in a mouse model.

Purpose: The Algerbrush II has been widely used to induce corneal and limbal injuries in animal models. The extent of injury varies with the duration of exposure, pressure from the placement of the burr, and the size of the burr. However, no study has explored the correlation between the duration of exposure and the severity of injury in mouse model with corneal and limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) induced using the Algerbrush II. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the variations in the severity of corneal and limbal injury with different durations of the Algerbrush II application. Methods: The entire cornea and limbus of C57BL/6 mice were injured for 30-45 s, 60-75 s, 90-120 s, and 3-4 min. Photography and slit-lamp examination was performed on days 0, 2, 4, and 7, followed by hematoxylin & eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, and immunohistochemical staining. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA analysis. Results: A duration of 30-45 s of injury was found to be sufficient to induce superficial corneal and limbal epithelial debridement and re-epithelialization was completed in all eyes by day 7; however, clinical signs of LSCD were not observed in all mice. Increasing the exposure time to 90-120 s resulted in central 2+ corneal opacity with limbal and paracentral corneal neovascularization. All eyes injured for 3-4 min displayed clinical signs of LSCD, such as persistent epithelial defects on day 7 after the injury, central corneal neovascularization, and 2.2+ diffuse corneal opacity. Histological signs of LSCD, including goblet cell metaplasia and K13 expression on the corneal surface, were observed in all injured eyes. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the duration of injury is an important factor influencing the severity of LSCD in a murine model of injury. A 1-mm rotating burr was found to be more effective for keratectomy and pigment release, whereas a 0.5-mm burr was more suitable for corneal epithelial debridement.

Is overactive bladder a nervous or bladder disorder? Autonomic imaging in patients with overactive bladder via dynamic pupillometry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in dynamic pupillometry in patients with idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: The study included 40 female patients with idiopathic OAB and 40 healthy female volunteers as a control group. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Dynamic pupillometric parameters were measured with a commercially available unit (MonPack One, Metrovision, France) at baseline and on the 30th day of treatment with an antimuscarinic treatment (drug-agent) (solifenacin 5 mg daily). Initial, minimum, maximum and mean pupil diameters, the latency and duration of contraction and dilatation of the pupil, the amplitude of contraction and dilatation velocity were automatically measured and compared between the groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to age and body mass index (p = 0.288, 0.755, respectively). The measurements of initial, minimum and mean pupil diameters were significantly lower in patients with OAB compared to healthy controls (p = 0.007, 0.002, 0.001, respectively). OAB patients had significantly longer latency of pupil dilatation, latency of pupil contraction and shorter duration of pupil contraction than control group (p = 0.028, 0.029, 0.021, respectively). After the antimuscarinic treatment, latency of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilatation and duration of pupil contraction shortened significantly (all p < 0.001). Pupil dilatation velocity increased significantly during the treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic pupillometric findings in this study imply impaired autonomic dysfunction, mostly the increased parasympathetic action, in OAB patients and the modulatory effects of antimuscarinic treatment.

Early Neurodegeneration of the Inner Retinal Layers in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: This study explores retinal structural changes in type 1 diabetes without clinically diagnosed diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness, and macular thickness (MT) were measured in 90 type 1 diabetic patients by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The values were compared with 100 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. The independent t test was used to assess differences in the mean age, mean diabetic and ocular parameters, and the thickness values between the diabetic and control groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between the thickness values and diabetic and ocular parameters. RESULTS: Whole-RNFL, the superior and inferior quadrants, and the superior half of the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were significantly thinner in diabetic patients compared with controls (p < 0.05). GCC thicknesses in the average macular, outer temporal superior and outer temporal inferior sectors were significantly thinner in diabetic patients (p < 0.05). Central and average MTs were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). There were significant negative correlations of the duration of type 1 diabetes with the inner nasal MT, inner temporal superior GCC thickness, inner nasal inferior GCC thickness, and outer nasal superior GCC thickness (p < 0.05). Similarly, there were significant negative correlations of the level of HbA1c with the whole-RNFL thickness, superior-half-RNFL thickness, and superior-quadrant-RNFL thickness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Type 1 diabetic patients without clinically diagnosed DR had neurodegeneration in the inner retinal layers compared with healthy controls.

Choroidal Thickness Changes in the Acute Attack Period in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate choroidal thickness changes during acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: Fifty patients with FMF and 50 healthy controls were included. Choroidal thickness of each participant was measured at the foveola and horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants at 500-µm intervals to 1,500 µm from the foveola using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. The clinical findings (peritonitis, arthritis and pleuritis) were noted. RESULTS: Choroidal thickness was significantly thicker at all measurement points in FMF patients compared to healthy controls during an acute attack (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the choroidal thickness and ESR, fibrinogen and, particularly, CRP levels. Clinical findings did not change the choroidal thickness significantly (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased choroidal thickness in the acute phase of FMF is possibly related to the inflammatory edematous changes in the choroid.

Acute and long-term ocular effects of acrolein vapor on the eyes and potential therapies.

Acrolein is an important agent in chemical ocular burns. With regard to the results of the study reported by Dachir et al.; we discuss the particular role of acrolein in chemical warfare and the beneficial effects of proanthocyanidins on the acrolein-induced ocular injuries.

Delayed visual loss due to radiation retinopathy.

Radiation retinopathy remains a devastating cause of visual morbidity in patients undergoing radiation for globe, orbit, and head and neck malignancies. A 65-year-old female was admitted with the complaint of low vision in the right eye for two months. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/32 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye. Slit lamp examination was normal in both eyes. Fundoscopic examination revealed perifoveolar hard exudates, paramacular microhemorrhages, telangiectasias, and macular degeneration in both eyes. Fundus florescein angiography showed enlargement of the foveal avascular zone, perifoveal capillary telangiectasia, and widespread venous beading bilaterally. Optical coherence tomography revealed bilateral cystoid macular edema. The prediagnosis of diabetic retinopathy was not confirmed because of the absence of diabetes mellitus after endocrinologic evaluation. Detailed medical history explored external beam radiotherapy to the head and neck region for nasopharyngeal cancer 10 years ago. The ultimate diagnosis was radiation retinopathy.

Diabetic Macular Edema.

Diabetic macular edema (DME), one the most prevalent causes of visual loss in industrialized countries, may be diagnosed at any stage of diabetic retinopathy. The diagnosis, treatment, and follow up of DME have become straightforward with recent developments in fundus imaging, such as optical coherence tomography. Laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injections, and pars plana vitrectomy surgery are the current treatment modalities; however, the positive effects of currently available intravitreally injected agents are temporary. At this point, further treatment choices are needed for a permanent effect. SOURCES OF DATA SELECTION: The articles published between 1985-2015 years on major databases were searched and most appropriate 40 papers were used to write this review article.

Renal Carcinoid Tumor Metastatic to the Uvea, Medial Rectus Muscle, and the Contralateral Lacrimal Gland.

Renal carcinoid tumor is an exceedingly rare malignancy. A 57-year-old man with a renal carcinoid tumor discovered after metastasizing to intraocular and bilateral orbital structures is described. The patient presented with a blind painful OS and a right superotemporal subconjunctival mass. Imaging studies revealed a large left intraocular tumor, a mass in the left medial rectus muscle, and right lacrimal gland enlargement. The OS was enucleated, and incisional biopsies were performed from the other 2 lesions. Histopathological studies demonstrated metastatic neuroendocrine tumor with chromogranin and synaptophysin positivity. Systemic work up revealed a right renal mass and multiple hepatic metastatic lesions. Radical nephrectomy was performed, and octreotide, capecitabine, and temozolomide were administered. Removal of the primary tumor and the eye that had no prospect for useful vision and further treatment with octreotide, capecitabine, and temozolomide provided a disease progression-free period of 24 months and allowed the patient to function normally.

Orbital richter syndrome.

We report two patients with previously diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed Richter syndrome in the orbit as the sole extranodal site. The medical history, clinical findings, orbital imaging and histopathological features of the patients were reviewed. Treatment protocols and the outcomes were also assessed. The first patient developed Richter syndrome at the age of 64 years, 3 years after the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The tumor was located at the inferotemporal quadrant of the orbit. The second patient was 59 years old when Richter syndrome arose in the lacrimal gland, 4 years after the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Incisional biopsy from the orbital tumors were performed. Histopathological findings included diffuse CD20, CD 23, CD5, bcl2, bcl6 positive lymphocytic infiltration. Both patients were treated with chemotherapy and rituximab. During 3 years of follow-up, there was no orbital or systemic recurrence of the disease. Richter syndrome may develop in the orbital soft tissue and the lacrimal gland, and the orbital disease appears to have a better prognosis compared to patients with systemic involvement.

Analysis of Microvasculature in Children Recovered from COVID-19 Using Swept-Source OCT/OCTA Technology.

The choroid is one of the most vascularized regions of the human body. Therefore, various local and systemic physiologic/pathologic conditions and environmental factors have effects on choroidal thickness.

Regenerated Corneal Epithelium Expresses More ßIII-Tubulin After Chemical Injuries Compared to Mechanical Injuries.

Purpose: Defining the regenerative response following various types of corneal chemical and mechanical injuries is important for understanding the pathophysiology of the injury and evaluating the effectiveness of the therapies. This study characterizes corneal epithelial healing in a murine chemical and mechanical injury model. Methods: Four groups of 10 mice each received complete corneolimbal injuries by AlgerBrush, AlgerBrush/thermal, NaOH (0.5 N), or ethanol. Slit-lamp and optical coherence tomography examinations were performed daily for 14 days. Corneal opacity (CO) and neovascularization (NV) were evaluated. The origin of the regenerated epithelium was illustrated by anti-cytokeratin 12 (K12) and anti-K13. The height of regenerated corneal epithelium and intraepithelial free nerve endings (FNEs) stained with anti-ßIII-tubulin were measured. The amount of fibrosis was measured by anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) monoclonal antibody in the different groups. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and t-test. Results: Corneal opacity and neovascularization were markedly higher in the NaOH and AlgerBrush/thermal groups. Molecular studies revealed the following: Regenerated corneal epithelium thickness was less than normal in all groups, the AlgerBrush group had the shortest height of the regenerated epithelium, ßIII-tubulin was expressed in the entire height of corneal epithelium in all groups except in the AlgerBrush group, and K12 was replaced by K13 in all groups. Conclusions: Corneal wound healing is more effective following chemical injuries in terms of epithelial thickness. Inflammation may play an important role in the outcome. Translational Relevance: Inflammation following different injuries may be redirected to be more effective in corneal regeneration and clarity.

Comments on: Choroidal thickness in eyes of migraine patients measured using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography: A meta-analysis.

The choroid is one of the most vascularized regions of the human body. Therefore, various local and systemic physiologic/pathologic conditions and environmental factors have effects on choroidal thickness.