Teleconsultation at a public ophthalmic teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic / Teleconsulta em um hospital público de ensino oftalmológico durante a pandemia do COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze teleconsultation at a public ophthalmic teaching hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Methods: Medical records of patients who requested ophthalmological teleconsultation between June 2020 and March 2021 were reviewed. The main outcomes included demographic data, eye disease symptoms, hypothesized diagnosis, and management. Moreover, the results of a satisfaction survey administered after the consultation were analyzed. Results: Medical records of a total of 161 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 45.98 ± 17.57 (8-90) years, and most were women (113, 70.20%). Only 57 (35.60%) of the patients had made previous follow-up visits to the hospital. The most frequent reason for consultation was the need for a new eyeglass prescription (73, 45.34%), followed by dry eye symptoms (16, 9.93%) and pterygium (13, 8.07%). Other reasons were the monitoring of previously diagnosed eye diseases, such as glaucoma, retinopathies, strabismus, and keratoconus. Regarding the satisfaction survey, 151 (93.78%) patients answered the online questionnaire. Most reported that they were satisfied with the teleconsultation (94.03%) and would participate in a future teleconsultation (90.06%). Conclusion: Teleconsultation could be widely used to assist patients in public ophthalmology healthcare and teaching hospitals. Even though new eyeglass prescriptions are a frequent reason for ophthalmological appointments, patients tend to be satisfied with teleconsultation, as it also provides guidance.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a teleconsulta em um hospital público de ensino oftalmológico, durante o período da pandemia do COVID-19. Métodos: Foram revisados os registros médicos dos pacientes que solicitaram teleconsulta oftalmológica, no período de Junho de 2020 a Março de 2021. Os resultados incluem dados demográficos, sintomas de queixas oculares e hipóteses diagnósticas. Além disso, foram analisados dados da pesquisa de satisfação aplicada após cada teleconsulta. Resultados: Um total de 161 prontuários foram revisados. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 45.98 ± 17.57 (8 a 90) anos, a maioria mulheres, 113 (70,20%). Apenas 57 (35,60%) eram pacientes acompanhados no hospital previamente. A principal razão pela busca pela teleconsulta foi o erro refracional, 73 (45.43%), seguido de olho seco, 16 (9.93%), pterígio, 13 (8.07%). Outros motivos foram o acompanhamento de doenças prévias como glaucoma, retinopatias, miopia, estrabismo e ceratocone. Quanto a pesquisa de satisfação, 151(93,87%) pacientes responderam a pesquisa on-line. A maioria deles mostrou-se satisfeito com a teleconsulta (94.03%) e fariam uma nova teleconsulta (90.06%). Conclusão: A teleconsulta pode auxiliar a saúde pública em oftalmologia podendo ser utilizada em hospitais universitários. Embora o erro refracional tenha sido o motivo mais frequente nas consultas, os pacientes mostraram-se satisfeitos com essa modalidade de atendimento que serve como um serviço de orientação.

Long-term evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous foaters / Avaliação de longo prazo da eficácia e segurança da vitreólise com Nd:YAG laser para moscas volantes sintomáticas

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) vitreolysis for symptomatic vitreous floaters as it remains a controversial procedure due to insufficient robust evidence in the literature for the maintenance of the results and absence of adverse effects. Methods: This is an observational extension to the previously presented prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Eight of thirteen subjects who underwent vitreolysis with YAG laser returned for a late reevaluation, 18 months after the procedure, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the procedure. Results: All patients maintained the improvement in symptomatology noted after the procedure, with 25% showing complete improvement and a similar proportion (37.5%) reporting significant or partial improvement. Objective improvement in opacity was similar to that found at 6 months follow-up. The NEI-VFQ 25 quality of life questionnaire showed no statistically significant difference in responses between the 6th and 18th month. No adverse effects were noted on clinical examination or reported by patients. Conclusion: Vitreolysis efficacy observed at 6 months of follow-up was maintained until the eighteenth month, with all patients reporting improvement from the pre-procedure state. No late adverse effects were noted. A larger randomized clinical trial is needed to confirm the safety of the procedure.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a segurança e eficácia a longo prazo da vitreólise com Nd:YAG laser para moscas volantes sintomáticas, uma vez que permanece como um procedimento controverso devido a falta de evidência científica robusta sobre a manutenção dos resultados e ocorrência de efeitos adversos. Métodos: Este estudo é uma extensão observacional de um ensaio clínico prospectivo, randomizado, duplo cego, previamente publicado. Oito de treze pacientes que foram submetidos a vitreólise com YAG laser foram acompanhados para uma reavaliação tardia, dezoito meses após o procedimento, para avaliar a eficácia e segurança do procedimento. Resultados: Todos os pacientes mantiveram a melhora na sintomatologia notada ao final do procedimento original, com 25% dos casos apresentando melhora completa, e uma proporção semelhante (37,5%) demonstrando melhora significativa ou parcial. A melhora objetiva na opacidade foi similar ao achado no seguimento original de 6 meses. O questionário de qualidade de vida NEI-VFQ 25 não demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significativa nas respostas entre o sexto e o décimo oitavo mês de acompanhamento. Nenhum efeito adverso foi notado no exame clínico ou reportado pelos pacientes. Conclusão: A eficácia da vitreólise observada ao sexto mês do acompanhamento foi mantida até o décimo oitavo mês, com todos os pacientes notando algum grau de melhora quando comparado ao estado pré procedimento. Nenhum efeito adverso tardio foi notado. Um ensaio clínico randomizado maior é necessário para confirmar a segurança do procedimento.

Performance analysis of pretrained convolutional neural network models for ophthalmological disease classification / Análise de desempenho de modelos de rede neural convolucional pré-treinados para classificação de doenças oftalmológicas

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the classification performance of pretrained convolutional neural network models or architectures using fundus image dataset containing eight disease labels. Methods: A publicly available ocular disease intelligent recognition database has been used for the diagnosis of eight diseases. This ocular disease intelligent recognition database has a total of 10,000 fundus images from both eyes of 5,000 patients for the following eight diseases: healthy, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, hypertension, myopia, and others. Ocular disease classification performances were investigated by constructing three pretrained convolutional neural network architectures including VGG16, Inceptionv3, and ResNet50 models with adaptive moment optimizer. These models were implemented in Google Colab, which made the task straight-forward without spending hours installing the environment and supporting libraries. To evaluate the effectiveness of the models, the dataset was divided into 70%, 10%, and 20% for training, validation, and testing, respectively. For each classification, the training images were augmented to 10,000 fundus images. Results: ResNet50 achieved an accuracy of 97.1%; sensitivity, 78.5%; specificity, 98.5%; and precision, 79.7%, and had the best area under the curve and final score to classify cataract (area under the curve = 0.964, final score = 0.903). By contrast, VGG16 achieved an accuracy of 96.2%; sensitivity, 56.9%; specificity, 99.2%; precision, 84.1%; area under the curve, 0.949; and final score, 0.857. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the ability of the pretrained convolutional neural network architectures to identify ophthalmological diseases from fundus images. ResNet50 can be a good architecture to solve problems in disease detection and classification of glaucoma, cataract, hypertension, and myopia; Inceptionv3 for age-related macular degeneration, and other disease; and VGG16 for normal and diabetic retinopathy.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho de classificação de modelos ou arquiteturas de rede neural convolucional pré--treinadas usando um conjunto de dados de imagem de fundo de olho contendo oito rótulos de doenças diferentes. Métodos: Neste artigo, o conjunto de dados de reconhecimento inteligente de doenças oculares publicamente disponível foi usado para o diagnóstico de oito rótulos de doenças diferentes. O banco de dados de reconhecimento inteligente de doenças oculares tem um total de 10.000 imagens de fundo de olho de ambos os olhos de 5.000 pacientes para oito categorias que contêm rótulos saudáveis, retinopatia diabética, glaucoma, catarata, degeneração macular relacionada à idade, hipertensão, miopia, outros. Investigamos o desempenho da classificação de doenças oculares construindo três arquiteturas de rede neural convolucional pré-treinadas diferentes, incluindo os modelos VGG16, Inceptionv3 e ResNet50 com otimizador de Momento Adaptativo. Esses modelos foram implementados no Google Colab o que facilitou a tarefa sem gastar horas instalando o ambiente e suportando bibliotecas. Para avaliar a eficácia dos modelos, o conjunto de dados é dividido em 70% para treinamento, 10% para validação e os 20% restantes utilizados para teste. As imagens de treinamento foram expandidas para 10.000 imagens de fundo de olho para cada tal. Resultados: Observou-se que o modelo ResNet50 alcançou acurácia de 97,1%, sensibilidade de 78,5%, especificidade de 98,5% e precisão de 79,7% e teve a melhor área sob a curva e pontuação final para classificar a categoria da catarata (área sob a curva=0,964, final=0,903). Em contraste, o modelo VGG16 alcançou uma precisão de 96,2%, sensibilidade de 56,9%, especificidade de 99,2% e precisão de 84,1%, área sob a curva 0,949 e pontuação final de 0,857. Conclusão: Esses resultados demonstram a capacidade das arquiteturas de rede neural convolucional pré-treinadas em identificar doenças oftalmológicas a partir de imagens de fundo de olho. ResNet50 pode ser uma boa solução para resolver problemas na detecção e classificação de doenças como glaucoma, catarata, hipertensão e miopia; Inceptionv3 para degeneração macular relacionada à idade e outras doenças; e VGG16 para retinopatia normal e diabética.

Eye diseases associated with developmental abnormality of neural crest / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The neural crest represents a dynamic population of embryonic stem cells, playing a pivotal role in the development of the eye. Through interactions with the surrounding neuroectoderm, superficial ectoderm and mesoderm, the neural crest contributes to the formation of numerous ocular structures, encompassing the corneal stroma and endothelium, trabecular meshwork, iris stroma, ciliary muscle, vitreous and choroidal vessels, and Müller cells. Aberrant migration and development of neural crest cells within the eye can instigate a complex series of ocular diseases. Such diseases include anterior segment like Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, Peters anomaly, aniridia, primary congenital glaucoma, and Nail-Patella syndrome. Defects that impact the posterior segment may lead to CHARGE syndrome and Branchio-oculo-facial syndrome. Further, rare neurocristopathies such as Waardenburg syndrome, Treacher-Collins syndrome, and Char syndrome can also present with ocular abnormalities. In this review, we explore the ocular diseases that arise from abnormal neural crest cell development, and delve into the related genes involved in neural crest migration and development. We further discuss how mutations and defects in these genes can precipitate ocular diseases.

Methods for a population-based Comprehensive Eye care Workload Assessment (CEWA) study in Southern India

Eye care programs, in developing countries, are often planned using the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment, often estimated from Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) surveys. A limitation of this planning approach is that it ignores the annual overall eye care requirements for a given population. Moreover, targets set are arbitrary, often influenced by capacity rather than need. To address this lacunae, we implemented a novel study design to estimate the annual need for comprehensive eye care in a 1.2 million populations. We conducted a population-based longitudinal study in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India. All permanent residents of all ages were included. We conducted the study in three phases, (i) household-level enumeration and enrollment, (ii) basic eye examination (BEE) at household one-year post-enrollment, and (iii) assessment of eye care utilization and full eye examination (FEE) at central locations. All people aged 40 years and above were invited to the FEE. Those aged <40 years were invited to the FEE if indicated. In the main study, we enrolled 24,327 subjects (58% aged below 40 years and 42% aged 40 years and above). Of those less than 40 years, 72% completed the BEE, of whom 20% were referred for FEE at central location. Of the people aged ?40 years, 70% underwent FEE. Our study design provides insights for appropriate long-term public health intervention planning, resource allocation, effective service delivery, and designing of eye care services for resource-limited settings.

Central retinal artery occlusion with cilioretinal artery sparing secondary to COVID-19: Additional ocular complication

We describe a 68-year-old female patient with unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with cilioretinal artery sparing post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The patient presented with acute vision loss in the left eye 11 days after discharge from a severe COVID-19 infection, with altered D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen levels. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the left eye was 20/400; fundoscopic examination revealed diffuse pallor retina with a patent arterial branch from the optic disk to the fovea, confirmed by fluorescein angiography. CRAO with a cilioretinal artery sparing post-COVID-19 may be considered an additional ocular manifestation of the post-acute COVID-19 syndrome spectrum.

Primary eye care in pediatric population-I study (PREPP-I study): Demographic and clinical profile of pediatric patients treated in six major vision centers of a tertiary eye care facility in South India

Purpose: The study intends to evaluate the demographic and clinical profile of pediatric patients (0–18 years) attending six vision centers (VCs) of a tertiary eye care facility in south India. Methods: This is a cross?sectional observation study conducted at six major peripheral VCs of a tertiary eye care facility in South India from June 20 to Dec 20. All children presenting at the VCs under a base hospital (BH) in Pondicherry, whose parents gave consent were included. Data were entered by the ophthalmic assistants in the VC and cross checked by the principal investigator at the BH. Results: A total of 250 pediatric patients were brought to the VCs during the study period, predominantly males (60.8%), with a mean age of 8.2 ± 4.5 years (0– 18 years). Half of them were staying within 5 km from the VCs. Most children were escorted by their parents (88%), and the expenditure of travel to the VC was affordable for most of the parents (75%). Also, 53.6% of patients were in their primary school, while schooling had not started for 28% of children. Visual acuity (VA) could be assessed only for school?going children and older children due to lack of age?matched VA assessment tools. Most children (91.3%) had uncorrected VA better than or equal to 6/18 in the better eye, and approximately 3% had VA worse than 6/60. All patients had best corrected VA of 6/6–6/18 after cycloplegic refraction. Most children reported to the VC for allergic conjunctivitis (25%), followed by refractive error (13%) and squint (10.4%). Urgent referral to the BH was made for 47 children. Conclusion: Primary eye care in pediatric population?I (PREPP?I) showed that most children can be treated at the VCs and only one?fifth of the children require active intervention at higher referral centers. Further study on satisfaction of services provided for pediatric patients in these VCs and barriers of not reporting to the BH when referred are considered for the PREPP?II study

Prevalence and Determinants of HIV Related Eye in Patients Attending Anti-retroviral Therapy Clinic in Katsina State, Nigeria

Background: HIV and its complication AIDS was a source of serious public health concern that greeted the end of the 20th century. Being a multi-systemic disease, it was also associated with different forms of ocular morbidities of interest. Purpose: To determine the prevalence, patterns and determinants of HIV related eye diseases in patients attending anti-retroviral clinics in Katsina state, Nigeria.Methods: Two hundred and twenty subjects met the inclusion criteria over a six month period. A questionnaire was administered for socio-demographic data, patients’ history, record review and a detailed ophthalmic examination. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Parametric and non-parametric assessments were used to assess the relationship of various factors with manifestation of HIV associated eye diseases.Results: Out of 220 respondents, 164 were females. The Male: Female was 1:2.9. The mean age was 28.5 years ± 14.83 SD. About 65.5% of respondents had eye diseases while 46.4% had HIV associated eye diseases. Prevalence of HIV associated eye diseases was found to be 46.4%. The most common types of eye diseases found were Kerato-conjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) 25.5%, conjunctivitis 5.5%, herpes zoster ophthalmicus 3.2%, anterior uveitis 2.7% and molluscum contagiosum 2.3%. Factors found to affect the manifestation of these eye diseases were CD4 cell count, WHO Clinical Stage of the disease and the Presence of eye symptoms.Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of HIV associated eye disease. The Patient’s clinical/WHO stage, CD4 cell count and presence of ocular symptoms were shown to have significant association with the ocular manifestation.

Ophthalmology emergency department visits in a Brazilian tertiary hospital over the last 11 years: data analysis / Análise dos dados de atendimentos de um serviço de emergência oftalmológica em um hospital terciário brasileiro nos últimos 11 anos

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to describe the visits profile to Hospital São Paulo's ophthalmology emergency department, a 24-hour public open-access tertiary-care service in São Paulo, Brazil, that belongs to Federal University of São Paulo, over the last 11 years. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted, including all patients (n=634,726) admitted to the ophthalmology emergency department of Hospital São Paulo between January 2009 and December 2019. Results: From 2009 to 2019, the number of patients' presentations increased to 39.2%, with considerable visits variation across the period. The median age was 38 ± 20.4 years. Males represented 53.3%, and single-visit patients represented 53.1%. A total of 79.5% of patients' presentations occurred from 7 am to 5 pm, and 80.8% of patients' presentations occurred during regular weekdays. The most frequent diagnoses were conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, hordeolum/chalazion, and corneal foreign body. Conclusions: Over the study period, presentations significantly increased in number, with nonurgent visits predominance, and a low number of single-visit patients. Our results demonstrate the ophthalmic visits profile and can lead to changes in the public health system to improve the quality of care and ophthalmology emergency access in São Paulo city.

RESUMO Objetivos: O objetivo do estudo é avaliar o perfil das visitas ao Pronto-Socorro de Oftalmologia (PS) do Hospital São Paulo, serviço público de atendimento terciário aberto 24 horas em São Paulo - Brasil, pertencente à Universidade Federal de São Paulo, nos últimos 11 anos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal retrospectivo, com base em todos os pacientes (n=634.726) admitidos no pronto-socorro de oftalmologia do Hospital São Paulo entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2019. Resultados: De 2009 a 2019, houve um aumento no influxo de 39,2% com importante variação nos atendimentos ao longo dos anos, a mediana de idade foi de 38 ± 20,4 anos, o sexo masculino representou 53,3% e os pacientes únicos representaram 53,1%. Verificou-se que 79,5% das visitas ocorreram das 7h às 17h e 80,8% nos dias da semana. Os diagnósticos mais frequentes foram conjuntivite aguda seguida de blefarite, ceratite, hordéolo / calázio e corpo estranho corneano. Conclusão: Ao longo do período de análise do estudo, houve importante aumento nas apresentações, com predominância de atendimentos não urgentes e baixa proporção de pacientes com uma única visita. Nossos resultados evidenciam o perfil das consultas oftalmológicas, podendo gerar mudanças no sistema público de saúde visando a melhoria da qualidade do atendimento e acesso às emergências oftalmológicas na cidade de São Paulo.

Mejoramiento estético en paciente con tisis bulbi

Introducción: El ojo es un órgano esencial para la relación con el entorno y para el desarrollo del ser humano, es fundamental poseer una adecuada salud visual. Objetivo: Describir la confección de una prótesis ocular para el mejoramiento estético en un paciente con tisis bulbi en ojo derecho. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino, de raza blanca, de 59 años de edad que llega a la consulta de Prótesis del Policlínico Universitario Julio Antonio Mella de la provincia Camagüey remitido de Servicios de Oftalmología con diagnóstico de tisis bulbi del ojo derecho. Al interrogatorio plantea que cuando niño, jugando con su hermano recibió un golpe en el ojo, por el cual fue tratado en el servicio de Oftalmología del Hospital Pediátrico Eduardo Agramonte Piña de la ciudad de Camagüey. Tuvo una pérdida visual progresiva que finalizó en ceguera y cambio de coloración del ojo. Refiere que nunca ha tenido dolor, pero le preocupa su estética. Conclusiones: El tratamiento protésico de la tisis del globo ocular, es una situación desafiante para el equipo rehabilitador, dada las características de este defecto. Con la utilización de este tipo de prótesis oculares en la rehabilitación del paciente, se logró mejorar su estética, lo que condujo a la recuperación física, psíquica y social.

Introduction: The eye is an essential organ for the relationship with the environment, and for the development of the human being it is essential to have adequate visual health. Objective: To describe the preparation of an ocular prosthesis for aesthetic improvement in a patient with phthisis bulbi in the right eye. Clinical case: A 59-year-old white male patient who arrived at the prosthesis clinic of the Julio Antonio Mella University Polyclinic in the province of Camagüey, referred from Ophthalmology Services with a diagnosis of phthisis bulbi of the right eye. Upon interrogation, he states that when he was a child, playing with his brother, he received a blow to the eye, for which he was treated at the ophthalmology service of the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital in the city of Camagüey. He had progressive visual loss that ended in blindness and eye color change. He says that he has never had pain, but he is concerned about his aesthetics. Conclusions: The prosthetic treatment of ocular globe phthisis is a challenging situation for the rehabilitation team, given the characteristics of this ocular defect. With the use of this type of ocular prosthesis in the patient's rehabilitation, it was possible to improve their aesthetics, which led to physical, mental and social recovery.

Percepção dos cuidados e atenção com a saúde ocular da população brasileira / Perception of care and attention with the eye health of the Brazilian population

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a percepção e as atitudes da população brasileira a respeito dos cuidados e da atenção com a saúde ocular. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo transversal. A amostra foi aleatória e calculada para ser representativa da população brasileira. A coleta dos dados foi feita por empresa especializada em levantamentos populacionais, por meio de contato telefônico, por equipe treinada. O questionário foi estruturado com perguntas objetivas sobre os hábitos com a saúde ocular dos entrevistados. Todas as entrevistas foram gravadas e revisadas. Resultados A população de estudo foi de 2.132 pessoas. O perfil da amostra foi semelhante ao da população brasileira. Entre os entrevistados, 11,4% nunca tinham ido ao oftalmologista, 35% só o procuravam quando havia algum sintoma ocular ou visual, e 29,5% foram ao oftalmologista há mais de 2 anos. Pouco mais da metade dos entrevistados (55,8%) declarou ter algum problema de visão, e a miopia foi autodeclarada por quase metade dos entrevistados (43,2%), com proporção ainda maior nos jovens e naqueles com maior escolaridade. Dos entrevistados, 11,0% relataram já ter comprado óculos de grau sem prescrição médica, e 9,8% faziam ou já tinham feito uso de colírios sem prescrição médica, com proporção mais elevada nos autodeclarados indígenas e naqueles com menor escolaridade. Catarata e glaucoma apareceram como os problemas visuais mais frequentes na população acima de 50 anos. O tabagismo foi o principal fator de risco para o autodeclarado problema visual. Conclusão Obteve-se, nesta pesquisa, um retrato dos hábitos com relação à saúde ocular da população brasileira, que aponta para uma realidade em que parte dos brasileiros nunca foi ao oftalmologista e fazia uso de óculos e colírios sem a devida prescrição médica. Identificaram-se, ainda, os grupos populacionais mais propensos para problemas visuais e as populações mais vulneráveis e com maior dificuldade de acesso ao oftalmologista.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the perception and attitudes of the Brazilian population regarding eye health care. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample was random and calculated to be representative of the Brazilian population. Data collection was carried out by a specialized company, through telephone calls, by trained staff. The questionnaire was structured with objective questions about the eye health habits of the interviewees. All interviews were recorded and reviewed. Results The study population was 2132 people. The sample profile was similar to that of the Brazilian population. Among those interviewed, 11.4% had never been to an ophthalmologist, 35% only went to see one when facing an eye or visual symptom, and 29.5% had been to an ophthalmologist for more than 2 years. Just over half of the interviewees (55.8%) declared that they had a vision problem and myopia was self-declared by almost half of the interviewees (43.2%), with an even higher proportion among young people and those with higher education. Of those interviewed, 11.0% reported having already purchased prescription glasses without a medical prescription and 9.8% use or have used eye drops without a medical prescription, with a higher proportion among self-declared indigenous people and those with less education. Cataracts and glaucoma appeared as the most frequent visual problems in the population over 50 years old. Smoking was the main risk factor for self-declared visual problems. Conclusion In this research, we obtained a portrait of the eye health habits and attitudes of the Brazilian population, which points to a reality in which a great number of Brazilians have never been to the ophthalmologist and used glasses and eye drops without a proper medical prescription. The population groups most prone to visual problems and the most vulnerable populations with greater difficulty in accessing the ophthalmologist were also identified.

Research progress of YKL-40 protein in ocular diseases / 中国医师杂志

YKL-40 protein, also called chitinase 3 like 1 (CHI3L1), is a highly conserved secreted glycoprotein in racial evolution, belonging to the " 18-glycosyl hydrolase" family. A large number of studies have shown that YKL-40 is involved in the pathological process of many diseases. There is little research information about YKL-40 in ocular diseases yet. This article mainly summarizes the research progress of YKL-40 in ocular diseases in the domestic and foreign literatures to provide reference for further clinical research.

Analysis of clinical treatment outcomes of ocular lesions in 28 cases of severe ocular rosacea / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate clinical treatment regimens for ocular lesions in patients with severe ocular rosacea.Methods:A total of 28 patients (34 eyes) with severe rosacea complicated by blepharokeratoconjunctivitis were collected from outpatient department of the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 1, 2019 to May 30, 2021. They were randomly divided into two groups: group A (13 cases, 16 eyes) topically treated with sodium hyaluronate 0.3% eye drops and levofloxacin 0.5% eye drops, and group B (15 cases, 18 eyes) topically treated with sodium hyaluronate 0.3% eye drops alone. Patients in both groups also received oral minocycline hydrochloride 100 mg every day for the first 2 weeks, and then 50 mg every day for the next 6 weeks. Meanwhile, all patients received same physical therapies such as meibomian gland massage, eyelid hot compresses and eyelid margin cleaning. LogMAR visual acuity, tear break-up time (BUT) , ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, and meibomian gland function grading examination results in the two groups were recorded before and 8 weeks after treatment. Paired t test was used to compare within-group differences in the parameters before and after treatment, and two-independent-sample t test to compare intergroup differences after treatment. Results:After 8-week treatment, both group A and group B showed significantly increased LogMAR visual acuity ( t = 3.10, 2.15, P = 0.007, 0.046, respectively) , improved BUT ( t = 3.44, 2.85, P = 0.003, 0.011, respectively) , but significantly decreased OSDI scores ( t = 7.12, 9.33, respectively, both P < 0.001) and meibomian gland function scores ( t = 13.73, 16.82, respectively, both P < 0.001) compared with those before treatment. After treatment, no significant differences were observed in the LogMAR visual acuity ( P = 0.721) , BUT ( P = 0.189) , OSDI scores ( P = 0.808) and meibomian gland function scores ( P = 0.191) between the two groups. No adverse drug reactions occurred during the treatment. During the follow-up period (8 months or shorter) , no recurrence of ocular lesions was observed. Conclusion:Without topical antibiotics, oral minocycline hydrochloride combined with topical sodium hyaluronate eye drops is still effective for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of ocular lesions in patients with severe ocular rosacea.

PANoptosis： Molecular Mechanism of Action and Effects on Blinding Eye Diseases / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

Previous studies focused on the unique regulatory mechanisms of different cell death pathways. However， recent studies highlight crosstalk and co-ordination between these pathways and initiate a new cell death process called PANoptosis （pyroptosis， apoptosis， necroptosis）. PANoptosis is an inflammatory programmed cell death pathway regulated by the PANoptosome complex with critical features of pyroptosis， and/or necroptosis but cannot be characterized by any of the death modes of pyroptosis， apoptosis or necroptosis alone. By activating the PANoptosis pathway， some triggers like bacterial， viral， and fungal infections can cause death of the host. This review explains the PANoptosis-related routes， regulators and their potential effects on blinding eye diseases.

Research progress on the application of metformin in age-related eye diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Age-related eye diseases are a series of ophthalmic diseases caused by degenerative disease of ocular tissues, and age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), age-related cataract(ARC), diabetic retinopathy(DR)and glaucoma are the four most common age-related eye diseases. With the increasing aging of the global social population, the incidence of these eye diseases is also increasing year by year. Metformin is currently one of the most commonly used hypoglycemic agents in clinical practice. It has become the drug of choice for treating type 2 diabetes after more than 60 years of clinical practice. In recent years, metformin has shown great potential in the prevention and treatment of tumors, systemic diseases and age-related diseases, and the mechanisms of action involved in anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, and induction of autophagy are also closely related to the pathological changes of age-related eye diseases. The paper aims to review the current research status and potential application value of metformin in age-related eye diseases.

Research progress of S1P signaling pathway in eye diseases / 中华实验眼科杂志

Sphingolipid metabolism is widely involved in the functional regulation of different cells, and also plays an important role in ocular tissues.Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is the end product of sphingolipid metabolism and has been shown to play an important role in the onset and development of eye diseases.S1P signaling pathway is widely expressed in various ocular cells and is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis.S1P activates a variety of signaling pathways by binding to corresponding receptors and thus plays a wide range of physiological and pathological effects in the eye.Recent studies have found that the S1P signaling pathway can not only mediate the normal development of blood vessels and nerves in the eye, maintain the normal structure of the ocular tissues, and participate in the metabolism of lipids in the eye, but also has a close relationship with immune-related inflammatory response, pathological fibrosis, destruction of cell functional barrier and other related pathological changes.This paper mainly reviewed the basic overview of the S1P signaling pathway, its physiological role in the eye, and its role in the pathological changes of anterior and posterior segment diseases, so as to provide new directions and targets for the treatment of eye diseases.

Genotypes and phenotypes of hereditary eye diseases associated with early-onset high myopia / 中华实验眼科杂志

Objective:To analyze the genotype of hereditary eye diseases with early-onset high myopia (eoHM) and its relationship with phenotype.Methods:The families with eoHM were collected in Ningxia Eye Hospital from January 2019 to June 2020.The medical records of the probands and their family members were inquired and recorded in detail, and the relevant ocular examinations were performed.Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from patients and their family members, and whole-genome DNA was extracted.Sequence capture sequencing technology was applied to screen for disease-causing gene mutations in probands.The detected suspected pathogenic variants were verified by Sanger sequencing and were analyzed by family cosegregation analysis.According to ACMG guidelines, the pathogenicity of novel variants was evaluated.The original literature about hereditary eye diseases with eoHM was searched to analyze the relationship between mutated genes and clinical phenotype.This study protocol adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.All subjects or their guardians were informed of the purpose and procedure of the study and signed the informed consent form.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (No.2016018).Results:A total of 20 eoHM families were collected, among which pathogenic variants associated with inherited eye diseases were detected in 8 families.Of the 8 probands, two were diagnosed with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, one with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, one with congenital stationary nightblindness, one with Stickler syndrome, one with achromatopsia, one with Leber congenital amaurosis, and one with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina.The first diagnosis age of the 8 probands was 4-7 years old, and they were all diagnosed as high myopia, with a refractive status ≤-6.00 DS.Genetic tests showed that the 8 probands carried a heterozygous variant c. 313A>G (p.M105Val) in FZD4 gene, a heterozygous variant c. 14_15insAAGA (p.Asp5fs *) in TSPAN12 gene, a heterozygous frameshift variant c. 2234_2237del (p.Arg745fs) in RPGR gene, a compound heterozygous variant of c. 481C>T (p.Gln161Ter *) and c. 355>T (p.Arg119Cys *) in GPR179 gene, a frameshift variant c. 1659_1660insACGGTGACCCTGGCCGTCCTGG (p.Pro554fs *) in COL2A1 gene, a compound heterozygous variant of c. 1811C>T (p.Thr604Ile *) and c. 967G>A (p.Gly323Ser) in PDE6B gene, a compound heterozygous variant of c. 604_619delTCCACGGCACTCAGGG (p.Ser202fs *) and c. 995G>C (p.Arg332Pro) in GUCY2D gene, a homozygous variant c. 772C>T (p.Pro241Leu) in OAT gene.Seven of them were novel variants.Compared with the previous literature, the clinical and gene phenotypes of the 8 families were analyzed in detail in this study, which provided the basis for the diagnosis of hereditary eye diseases with eoHM. Conclusions:EoHM is closely related to some hereditary eye diseases, which may be the reason for the early diagnosis of children and an important clue for clinicians to detect potential hereditary eye diseases.Further clinical evaluations of ocular structure and function as well as genetic screening in children with eoHM are recommended.

Connexin 43: A new therapeutic target against blinding eye diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The major blinding eye diseases, such as keratitis, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, seriously threaten human health and affect the quality of patients' life. Connexin 43(Cx43), as the most common connexin in vertebrates, is widely distributed in eye tissues and is involved in physiological processes such as embryonic development, metabolic regulation, tissue homeostasis, as well as pathological processes such as inflammation, oxidative stress, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, vascular leakage, and angiogenesis. Cx43 plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various blinding eye diseases. This article will review its role in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned blinding eye diseases and the advances in targeting Cx43 therapy.

Principais achados em um paciente com diagnóstico de Amaurose Congênita de Leber / Main findings in a patient diagnosed with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis

RESUMO A amaurose congênita de Leber, também conhecida como neuropatia óptica hereditária de Leber, é caracterizada por uma das formas mais graves de distrofia da retina com início na infância. Os achados clássicos são deficiência visual grave e precoce, nistagmo e eletrorretinograma (ERG) anormal ou não detectável. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar um caso de um paciente com amaurose congênita de Leber com comprometimento visual desde os 6 meses de vida e acentuado declínio visual a partir dos 15 anos de idade. A realização de exames específicos para confirmar o diagnóstico é importante para o manejo e o seguimento adequado do paciente e para proporcionar melhor qualidade de vida para o mesmo.

ABSTRACT Leber Congenital Amaurosis, also known as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, is characterized by one of the most severe forms of childhood-onset retinal dystrophy. Classic findings are severe and early visual impairment, nystagmus, and abnormal or undetectable electroretinogram. The aim of this study is to report a case of a patient with Leber Congenital Amaurosis with visual impairment since the first six months of age and marked visual decline from fifteen years of age. Performing specific tests to confirm the diagnosis is important for the proper management and follow-up of the patient and to provide them with a better quality of life.

Cross-sectional observational analysis of the genetic referral practices across pediatric ophthalmology outpatient departments in an urban setting

Purpose: To analyze the genetic referral practices of pediatric ophthalmologists in an urban setting. Methods: (1) The first limb of the study: cross?sectional, observational study among children visiting the outpatient department of pediatric ophthalmology across five centers in Mumbai. All pediatric patients were screened separately by pediatric ophthalmologists and a clinical geneticist for their ophthalmic and systemic complaints. Children were marked for referral to genetics (RTG) by both the specialists based on identification of distinctive features (red flag) and were requested to meet a local geneticist. (2a) Twenty?three months later, patients who had been marked for RTG were contacted telephonically to follow?up if they had met the geneticist. (2b) Additionally, the last 20 proformas from each center were checked retrospectively to note the RTG marked by the ophthalmologist alone. Results: (1) In the first aspect of the study, 126 patients (male: female = 1.2:1) were included. Forty?nine (38.3%) patients were referred for genetic evaluation, of which three (6.1%), 31 (63.26%), and 15 (30.6%) cases were referred by the ophthalmologist alone, geneticist alone, and by both the specialists, respectively. Glaucoma (100%), nystagmus (86%), and leukocoria (83%) were the most prominent ocular diagnoses in cases referred for genetic evaluation. Facial dysmorphism (55.1%) and neurodevelopmental delays (51%) were among the most common systemic red flags found in patients referred to genetics. (2a) Twenty?three months later, on contacting the 49 patients marked for RTG, only one family had met the geneticist. (2b) Retrospective evaluation of 100 proformas: only three patients were marked for RTG by ophthalmologist alone. Conclusion: This study found that the genetic referrals by pediatric ophthalmologist were far lesser than those by geneticist. The study highlights an area of knowledge gap among pediatric ophthalmologists, prompting a need for heightened awareness in this area.