Optimization of prescription process of lifitegrast eye drops and evaluation of its efficacy for dry eye disease / 中国药科大学学报

@#In order to develop a more effective drug for dry eye disease, the preparation of lifitegrast eye drops was carried out, and the safety and efficacy of lifitegrast eye drops in vitro and in vivo were investigated. First the method for the determination of lifitegrast content was established, and then the composition and preparation process of the preparation were determined by literature review and single factor experiment. Finally, the safety of lifitegrast eye drops was evaluated by Draize eye irritation test and HE staining, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by Schirmer test and ELISA test. The results showed that the final prescription of lifitegrast eye drops consisted of 5% lifitegrast, 0.4% sodium chloride, 0.3%−0.4% anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate, 0.3% sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate and 0.3% sodium hydroxide. The appearance of lifitegrast eye drops was transparent and slightly brownish yellow solution, the pH was7.75±0.05, the osmotic pressure was in the range of 200−330 mOsmol/kg and it had good stability at 60℃ for 3 months. There was no significant difference in irritation study compared with normal saline. Schirmer test showed that tear secretion was increased and the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in tears were significantly decreased after treatment with lifitegrast eye drops and compared to the commercially available emulsion cyclosporine eye drops, it takes effect faster. The above results indicate that lifitegrast eye drops are simple to prepare and stable, which is a better choice for the rapid treatment of dry eye disease.

Epidemiological survey of eye diseases in the predisease stage / 眼科新进展

Epidemiologic study is an essential scientific basis for disease prevention,intervention and health policy making.Predisease often refers to the abnormal state found in epidemiologic study/screening,which has not yet reached the diagnostic criteria for the disease.It is the"in-between"state from a healthy state to a diseased state;if not intervened properly,it will develop into a disease.Predisease includes precancerous lesions,prediabetes,prehypertension,as well as eye diseases in the predisease stage,such as premyopia,preglaucoma and ocular complications of prediabetes.Proper in-tervention in predisease,when no clinical manifestations were found,or the very early stage can prevent the occurrence of diseases.However,ophthalmologists have not paid enough attention to the epidemiologic study of eye diseases in the pre-disease stage and have known little about how to conduct the epidemiologic study.Herein,this paper discussed the epide-miologic study of several common eye diseases with high prevalence and significant visual impairment in the predisease sta-ges based on experience in the relevant field.

Mechanism of differential involvement of muscle groups in the retrobulbar tissue of thyroid eye disease / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective:The degree of involvement of extraocular muscles varies across different regions of retrobulbar tissue in patients with thyroid eye disease, but the mechanism is unclear. This study aims to explore the relationship between differential expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR) in different parts of the extraocular muscles and the varying degrees of muscle involvement.Methods:The medial, lateral, superior, and inferior rectus muscle were separated from the retrobulbar tissue of rats, and the expression level of TSHR in four extraocular muscles was detected by immunofluorescence and qPCR. Extraocular muscle tissue of patients with strabismus was collected to detect the expression of TSHR and the cell types expressed by fluorescence.Results:The results of qPCR showed that the expression of TSHR in the medial rectus muscle was significantly higher than that in the lateral, superior, and inferior rectus muscle(medial rectus vs lateral rectus, P=0.012; medial rectus vs superior rectus, P=0.015; medial rectus vs inferior rectus, P=0.013), but there was no difference in insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1R) expression. Immunofluorescence showed that TSHR was co-expressed with PAX7, a molecular marker of muscle satellite cells, and the expression level in the medial rectus muscle of rats and humans was significantly higher than those in the other three extraocular muscles. Conclusion:The high specific expression of TSHR in the satellite cells of the medial rectus muscle may be the reason why the medial rectus muscle is most susceptible to involvement in thyroid eye disease.

Application of proteomics technology in dry eye disease and acupuncture treatment / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Dry eye disease(DED)refers to a condition characterized by reduced stability of the tear film or an imbalance in the microenvironment of the ocular surface, resulting from abnormalities in quality, quantity and kinetics of tear. This condition leads to various ocular discomforts and even visual impairment. The pathogenesis of DED is multifactorial and current treatment mainly focuses on symptom relief and preservation of visual function. Acupuncture has shown effectiveness in treating dry eye, although its underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. Proteomics technology offers a comprehensive and systematic approach to studying the functions, structures and interactions of proteins. Its application in DED research can provide valuable insights into the dynamic changes in protein levels associated with different etiology or the course of DED and facilitate the identification of potential biomarkers. Furthermore, proteomics can systematically explore the regulatory mechanisms underlying acupuncture treatment for DED, providing a theoretical basis for acupuncture treatment research and contributing to the understanding of its effects at a fundamental level. This paper aims to explore the potential application of proteomics in both clinical and basic research on DED. Ultimately, it strives to offer scientific and effective strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of DED and advance our knowledge of the mechanisms underlying acupuncture therapy.

Risk factors and treatment of dry eye disease after minimally invasive vitrectomy / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

The introduction of vitrectomy has solved a difficult and intractable problem in the ophthalmology community for the treatment of fundus oculi diseases. To date, minimally invasive vitrectomy(MIV)is the main surgery for the treatment of fundus oculi diseases. Clinically, patients develop dry eye symptoms after MIV, including lacrimation, foreign body sensation, and visual disturbances. We speculates that MIV may damage the conjunctival and corneal epithelium as well as related sensory nerves, disrupting the tear film and causing a local inflammation response, thereby further affecting the ocular surface microenvironment and inducing or aggravating dry eye symptoms. At present, there are few studies on the changes of ocular surface after MIV. This article aims to analyze the effects of different factors on the microenvironment of the ocular surface before, during and after MIV, and to provide preventive and curative measures that can be taken to guide the clinic to make good preparations for the operation, to choose the appropriate surgical procedure, and to reduce the risk of dry eye in the postoperative period.

Relationship between dry eye disease and physical and mental health in primary and secondary school teachers / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To evaluate the relationship between dry eye disease(DED)and physical and mental health in teachers, and to explore its mechanism and propose intervention measures.METHODS:Cross-sectional study. A total of 183 teachers from three primary and secondary schools in the urban area of Linyi City, Shandong Province were enrolled in the study. DED symptoms were quantified using the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire. A compact version of the depression, anxiety, and stress scale(DASS-21)was used to evaluate psychological state. The relationship between potential influencing factors and DED was evaluated by independent sample t-test of quantitative variables and χ2test of classified variables. Logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis to determine the influencing factors of DED. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between OSDI score and depression, anxiety and stress.RESULTS: There were 183 teachers, including 44 males(24.0%)and 139 females(76.0%), aged from 22 to 57 years, with an average age of(34.2±8.6)years. The prevalence of DED was 60.0%(109/183; 95%CI 52.4%-66.7%). The prevalence of depression was 26.2%(48/183; 95%CI 19.8%-32.7%); anxiety prevalence was 39.3%(72/183; 95%CI 32.2%-46.5%); and stress prevalence was 23.0%(42/183; 95%CI 16.8%-29.1%). The univariate analysis showed that increased age, increased working years, increased visual display terminal(VDT)application time, longer written working hours, reduced sleep hours, less alcohol consumption, and high scores of depression, anxiety and stress were all factors affecting DED(all P<0.05). Using depression scores as the psychological index, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that years of work, VDT application time, written working hours, sleep time, alcohol consumption and depression score were the influencing factors of DED(all P<0.05); Using anxiety scores as the psychological index, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that years of work, VDT application time, written working hours and stress scores were the influencing factors of DED(all P<0.05); Using stress scores as the psychological index, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that years of work, VDT application time, written working hours and stress scores were the influencing factors of DED(all P<0.05). OSDI scores were positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress scores in the DED group(P<0.05)and across all participants(P<0.05). In the severe DED group, OSDI scores were positively related to depression, anxiety, and stress scores(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DED is high among the teachers. Alcohol consumption, reduced sleep, longer working years, longer VDT usage and longer written working hours are the influencing factors of DED. In severe DED group, DED is highly correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress. We should pay attention to teachers' DED and related physical and mental health problems, and actively prevent and make early diagnosis and treatment.

Research progress of corneal lymphangiogenesis in ocular diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Corneal lymphangiogenesis plays a crucial role in ocular diseases. Normally, the cornea lacks blood vessels and lymph vessels, which are essential for maintaining transparency and function of cornea. However, certain diseases or injuries will prompt angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in cornea, thus disrupting the structure and function of cornea. Although various drugs targeting corneal angiogenesis have been applied in clinical practice, there is still a gap in medications targeting corneal lymphangiogenesis. Therefore, this review will introduce the factors related to corneal lymphangiogenesis, introduce related ocular diseases, and analyze the current treatment status, which will provide more options and possibilities for the treatment of lymphangiogenesis in ocular diseases and provide guidance for future research and drug development.

Value of AI-assisted diagnostic platform combined with OCT in the diagnosis of blinding eye diseases / 中国医学装备

Objective:To explore the value of artificial intelligence(AI)-assisted diagnosis platform combined with optical coherence tomography(OCT)in diagnosing blinding eye diseases,so as to provide effectively scientific basis for favorable prognosis of patients with blinding eye diseases.Methods:A total of 72 patients with visual impairment who admitted to the outpatient of hospital were selected.All patients received the detection of AI-assisted diagnosis platform combined with OCT diagnosis.The final diagnosis result of the detection of doctor combined with the relevant ophthalmic examination was used as the"gold standard"to assess respectively the consistence among single AI-assisted diagnosis platform,single OCT,the combination of them and the"gold standard",as well as the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of them in diagnosing the blinding eye diseases.Results:For the 72 patients,the detection rate of the detection result of doctor combined with the relevant ophthalmic examination was 27.78%(20/72)for blinding eye diseases,and the detection rate of that was 72.22%(52/72)for non-blinding eye diseases.The consistency between AI-aided platform diagnosis and the"gold standard"was general in diagnosing the blinding eye diseases(kappa=0.530).The consistency between OCT and the"gold standard"was favorable in diagnosing that(kappa=0.611).The consistency between AI-assisted platform combined with OCT and the"gold standard"was better(kappa=0.799).The specificity,sensitivity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,diagnostic accuracy of AI-assisted platform combined with OCT diagnosis were respectively 92.31%,90.00%,81.82%,96.00%and 91.67,and the diagnostic value of the combination was higher than that of single AI-assisted platform and that of single OCT for all of above these indicators.Conclusion:Both the AI-assisted diagnosis platform and OCT can detect blinding eye diseases,and the combined detection of them has higher diagnostic value.

Analysis of efficacy of 0.3% sodium hyaluronate combined with carbomer on dry eye patients / 中国现代医生

Objective To investigate the efficacy of 0.3%sodium hyaluronate combined with carbomer in the treatment of patients with dry eye.Methods A total of 80 patients with dry eye treated in Zhoushan Hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected and divided into study group and control group according to random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.Patients in control group were treated with 0.3%sodium hyaluronate,and patients in study group were treated with carbomer on this basis.Ocular surface disease index(OSDI),visual function score,Schirmer test,inflammatory factors,and adverse reactions were compared between two groups.Results The total effective rate in study group was significantly higher than that in control group(χ2=4.804,P=0.028).After treatment,OSDI,visual function score,interleukin(IL)-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and IL-1β of the patients in both groups were significantly lower than before treatment,and volume of tear secretion was significantly higher than before treatment(P<0.05).OSDI,visual function score,IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β of study group were significantly lower than those of control group,and volume of tear secretion was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between two groups(χ2=0.180,P=0.671).Conclusion 0.3%sodium hyaluronate combined with carbomer has good efficacy in the treatment of dry eye disease,can improve the stability of tear film,enhance visual function,reduce the expression of inflammatory factors in tear,and has good safety.

Compromiso oftálmico en enfermedad relacionada con IgG4 / Ophthalmic involvement in IgG4-related disease

Resumen Introducción: la enfermedad oftálmica relacionada con IgG4 (EOR-IgG4) presenta una frecuencia del 11-59%. Pocos estudios describen las disparidades con los pacientes con ER-IgG4 extraoftálmica (NO EOR-IgG4). Objetivos: describir las características clínicas, imagenológicas, anatomopatológicas, resultados de laboratorio y tratamiento de la EOR-IgG4, y compararlas con las de los pacientes NO EOR-IgG4. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre una cohorte de 54 pacientes con ER-IgG4. Se reclutaron 16 pacientes con EOR-IgG4 y 38 con NO EOR-IgG4. Se compararon ambos grupos. Resultados: la EOR-IgG4 predominó en mujeres. El 75% presentó afectación oftálmica bilateral. El antecedente de asma se asoció al grupo NO EOR-IgG4 (p=0,018). Los pacientes con EOR-IgG4 presentaron niveles séricos menores de IgE e IgG total, y la glándula lagrimal fue la estructura más afectada. Predominó el infiltrado linfoplasmocitario y eosinofílico, siendo la fibrosis estoriforme más frecuente que la no estoriforme en el grupo EOR-IgG4. Conclusiones: si bien los resultados fueron similares a lo reportado previamente, en discordancia con otras series, encontramos asociación negativa entre el asma y los niveles de IgG total sérica en los pacientes EOR-IgG4.

Abstract Introduction: IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) presents a frequency of 11-58.8%. Few studies describe the disparities with patients with extraophthalmic IgG4-related disease (NOT IgG4-ROD). Objectives: describe the clinical, imaging, pathological characteristics, laboratory results, and treatment of IgG4-ROD characteristics; and compare them with those of the NOT IgG4-ROD patients. Materials and methods: a descriptive study was carried out on a cohort of 54 patients with ER-IgG4. 16 patients with IgG4-ROD and 38 with NOT IgG4-ROD were recruited. The data was analyzed with the SPSS Statistics 19 software. Results: IgG4-ROD predominated in women. 75% presented bilateral ophthalmic involvement. A history of asthma was associated with the NOT IgG4-ROD group (p=0,018). Patients with IgG4-ROD presented lower serum levels of IgE and total IgG, and the lacrimal gland was the most affected structure. Lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltrates predominated, with storiform fibrosis being more frequent than non-storiform in the IgG4-ROD group. Conclusions: although the results were similar to those previously reported, in disagreement with other series, we found a negative association between asthma and serum total IgG levels with EOR-IgG4 patients.

Management of corneal perforations in dry eye disease: Preferred practice pattern guidelines

Corneal perforations in eyes with dry eye disease (DED) are difficult to manage due to the interplay of several factors such as the unstable tear film, surface inflammation, and the underlying systemic disease affecting the wound healing process, and the eventual outcome. A careful preoperative examination is required to identify the underlying pathology, and status of ocular surface and adnexa, rule out microbial keratitis, and order appropriate systemic workup in addition to assessing the perforation itself. Several surgical options are available, which include tissue adhesives, multilayered amniotic membrane grafting (AMT), tenon patch graft (TPG), corneal patch graft (CPG), and penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The choice of procedure depends upon the size, location, and configuration of the perforation. In eyes with smaller perforations, tissue adhesives are effective treatment modalities, whereas AMT, TPG, and CPG are viable options in moderate-sized perforations. AMT and TPG are also preferable in cases where the placement of a bandage contact lens may be a challenge. Large perforations require a PK, with additional procedures such as tarsorrhaphy to protect the eyes from the associated epithelial healing issues. Conjunctival flaps are considered in eyes with poor visual potential. The management of the acute condition is carried out in conjunction with measures to improve the tear volume bearing in mind the chances of delayed epithelialization and re-perforation in these cases. Administration of topical and systemic immunosuppression, when indicated, helps improve the outcome. This review aims to facilitate clinicians in instituting a synchronized multifaceted therapy for the successful management of corneal perforations in the setting of DED.

Management of cataract in dry eye disease: Preferred practice pattern guidelines

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed ophthalmic surgeries in the world. Dry eye disease (DED) is found to coexist in most patients with cataracts due to the overlapping age groups of both these conditions. Preoperative evaluation for DED is important to improve outcomes. A pre-existing DED affecting the tear film is likely to affect biometry. Moreover, special intraoperative considerations are needed in eyes with DED to reduce complications and improve postoperative outcomes. Dry eye disease (DED) is known to occur following an uneventful cataract surgery or a pre-existing DED is likely to worsen following cataract surgery as well. In these situations, despite a good visual outcome, patient dissatisfaction is common owing to the distressing DED symptoms. This review aims to summarize the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations when performing cataract surgery in the presence of a coexisting DED.

Evaporative dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction: Preferred practice pattern guidelines for diagnosis and treatment

Evaporative dry eye (EDE) due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the common clinical problems encountered in ophthalmology. It is a major cause of dry eye disease (DED) and of ocular morbidity. In EDE, inadequate quantity or quality of lipids produced by the meibomian glands leads to faster evaporation of the preocular tear film and symptoms and signs of DED. Although the diagnosis is made using a combination of clinical features and special diagnostic test results, the management of the disease might be challenging as it is often difficult to distinguish EDE from other subtypes of DED. This is critical because the approach to the treatment of DED is guided by identifying the underlying subtype and cause. The traditional treatment of MGD consists of warm compresses, lid massage, and improving lid hygiene, all measures aimed at relieving glandular obstruction and facilitating meibum outflow. In recent years, newer diagnostic imaging modalities and therapies for EDE like vectored thermal pulsation and intense pulsed light therapy have emerged. However, the multitude of management options may confuse the treating ophthalmologist, and a customized rather than a generalized approach is necessary for these patients. This review aims to provide a simplified approach to diagnose EDE due to MGD and to individualize treatment for each patient. The review also emphasizes the role of lifestyle modifications and appropriate counseling so that patients can have realistic expectations and enjoy a better quality of life.

Effect of maqui-berry extract in dry eye disease – A clinical and molecular analysis

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of maqui?berry extract (MBE) in improving signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) along with ocular surface inflammation in patients with DED. Methods: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to a MBE or a placebo group (PLC). DED parameters including Schirmer’s test 1 (ST1), tear film break?up time (TBUT), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), and corneal staining were assessed before treatment and 2 months post?treatment. Tear fluid samples before and after treatment from a subset of these patients were collected from the study subjects using sterile Schirmer’s strips, and the levels of interleukin (IL)?1?, IL?10, IL?6, IL?17A, tumor necrosis factor?? (TNF?), matrix metalloproteinase?9 (MMP9), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule?1 (sICAM1), and vascular endothelial growth factor?A (VEGF?A) were measured using a microfluidic cartridge?based multiplex ELISA. Results: The MBE group demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in OSDI scores along with a significant increase in Schirmer’s test 1 compared to the PLC group. No significant change in TBUT and corneal staining was observed between the study groups. Levels of proinflammatory factors such as IL?1?, IL?6, IL?17A, TNF?, and MMP9 were observed to be significantly reduced, along with a significant increase in IL?10 levels following treatment in the MBE group compared with the PLC group. Conclusion: Consumption of MBE resulted in the resolution of DED signs and symptoms, along with a reduction in ocular surface inflammation.

Comparing the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate eye drops and carboxymethylcellulose eye drops in treating mild to moderate dry eye disease

Purpose: Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (SH) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) eye drops in treating mild to moderate dry eye disease in terms of relief of symptoms, mean change in tear film breakup time, Schirmer’s test, and impression cytology of conjunctiva from baseline. Methods: An observational study was carried out during a 2?year period in our tertiary referral hospital. The study consisted of 60 patients randomly allotted to two groups to receive SH and CMC eye drops for an 8?week period. Ocular surface disease index, tear film breakup time, and Schirmer’s test were performed at baseline visit and 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, and impression cytology of conjunctiva was performed at baseline and 8 weeks. Results: Significant improvement in patient symptoms, tear film breakup time, and Schirmer’s test from baseline was seen in both SH and CMC groups at 8 weeks posttreatment, whereas impression cytology of conjunctiva in both groups did not show significant improvement at 8 weeks of treatment. Data analysis using unpaired t?test showed comparable results. Conclusion: Both CMC and SH demonstrated equal efficacy in treating mild to moderate dry eye disease.

Modulation of mucin secretion using combined polyethylene glycol–propylene glycol topical formulation in a hyperosmotic stress-based explant model

Purpose: Ocular surface discomfort and dry eye disease are caused by a dysfunctional tear film. The efficacy of lubricating eye drops on the human eye is known, but the compositions may show differential effects on rescuing the tear film. Mucins form a critical layer of the tear film, a reduction of which may be causative for ocular surface conditions. Therefore, it is essential to develop relevant human?derived models to test mucin production. Methods: Human corneoscleral rims were obtained from a healthy donor (n = 8) post?corneal keratoplasty and cultured in DMEM/F12 media. Hyperosmolar stress mimicking dry eye disease was induced by exposing the corneoscleral rim tissues to +200 mOsml NaCl?containing media. The corneoscleral rims were treated with polyethylene glycol–propylene glycol (PEG–PG)?based topical formulation. Gene expression analysis was performed for NFAT5, MUC5AC, and MUC16. Secreted mucins were measured by enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Elabscience, Houston, TX, USA) for MUC5AC and MUC16. Results: The corneoscleral rims responded to hyperosmolar stress by upregulating NFAT5, a marker for increased osmolarity, as observed in the case of dry eye disease. The expression of MUC5AC and MUC16 was reduced upon an increase in hyperosmotic stress. The corneoscleral rim tissues showed induction of MUC5AC and MUC16 expression upon treatment with PEG–PG topical formulation but did not show significant changes in the presence of hyperosmolar treatments. Conclusion: Our findings showed that PEG–PG?based topical formulation slightly alleviated hyperosmolar stress?induced decrease in MUC5AC and MUC16 gene expression that is encountered in DED

Ocular conjunctival microbiome profiling in dry eye disease: A case control pilot study

Purpose: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease that results in discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. A pilot study was undertaken to determine if there were any major substantial differences in the ocular microbiome in DED patients versus healthy controls. Methods: The bacterial communities residing in the conjunctiva of patients with DED (n = 4) and healthy controls (n = 4) were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the V4–V5 region. Results: The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were most dominant and accounted for 97% and 94.5% of all bacterial sequences in patients and controls, respectively. At the genus level, 27 bacterial genera were found with more than two?fold difference between patients and controls. Four of these – Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, and Pseudomonas spp. – dominated the ocular microbiome of all subjects, but were proportionately lower in DED (16.5%) compared to controls (37.7%). Several bacterial genera were found to be unique in DED (34) and controls (24). Conclusion: This pilot study is an attempt to profile the ocular microbiome in patients with DED that demonstrated a higher concentration of microbial DNA compared to controls, with Firmicutes phyla dominating the bacterial population in patients with DED.

Tear film microbiome in Sjogren’s and non-Sjogren’s aqueous deficiency dry eye

Purpose: To understand the bacterial microbiome changes associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and non?Sjogren’s syndrome (NSS) aqueous?deficient dry eyes compared to healthy eyes. Methods: Bacterial microbiome was generated from the deoxyribonucleic acid of tear film samples in healthy (n = 33), SS (n = 17), and NSS (n = 28) individuals. Sequencing of the V3?V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline was used to assign taxa to sequences. Statistical analysis was performed in R to assess the alpha diversity and beta diversity indices. Significant changes between the healthy, SS, and NSS cohorts were depicted by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), differential abundance, and network analysis. Results: Tear microbiome was generated in healthy, SS, and NSS samples. Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes showed significant changes in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus were predominantly present in all samples. PCoA and heat map analysis showed distinct clusters for SS and NSS from the healthy cohort. Genera Prevotella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG?003, Enterococcus, Streptomyces, Rhodobacter, Ezakiella, and Microbacterium significantly increased in abundance in SS and NSS compared to a healthy cohort. Bacteria–bacteria interaction in SS, NSS, and healthy cohorts was predicted by CoNet network analysis. This analysis predicted a major hub of interaction for the pro?inflammatory bacterium Prevotella in the SS and NSS cohorts. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate significant changes in the phyla and genera in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Both discriminative analysis and network analysis indicated a possible association of predominant pro?inflammatory bacteria with SS and NSS.

Evaluation of post-operative dry eye in upper and lower eyelid reconstruction: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: In cases of eyelid malignancies requiring full thickness excisional biopsy followed by reconstruction of the created defect, the Meibomian glands are lost. Post?operative varying degrees of dry eye disease (DED) are expected in such patients. The aim was to evaluate the objective and subjective statuses of DED in cases of full thickness eyelid reconstruction following excisional biopsy because of malignancies. Methods: This was a cross?sectional pilot study. Objective and subjective dry eye parameters are assessed in cases of full thickness eyelid reconstruction following excisional biopsy because of malignancies in 37 eyes at 6 months post?operative follow?up. Analysis of variance and Chi square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: When compared with fellow eye, all the parameters were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0). Subjective assessment of dry eye by ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scoring did not corroborate with the objective data (p 0.00). Lower eyelid reconstruction showed a minimum number of dry eye cases (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of post?operative dry eye is more with increasing percentage of full thickness upper eyelid reconstruction. Disparity was found between objective and subjective parameters of dry eye in patients requiring varying percentages of upper eyelid reconstruction because of malignancies.

Aqueous-deficient dry eye disease: Preferred practice pattern guidelines on clinical approach, diagnosis, and management

Dry eye disease (DED) is a broad term that includes a diverse group of clinical disorders. Aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE), a subtype of DED, is characterized by decreased tear production by the lacrimal gland. It can be seen in up to one-third of individuals with DED and can be comorbid with a systemic autoimmune process or occur secondary to an environmental insult. Since ADDE can be a source of long-term suffering and severe visual impairment, early identification and adequate treatment are imperative. Multiple etiologies can underlie ADDE, and it is critical to identify the underlying cause to not only improve the ocular health but also to improve the overall quality of life and well-being of affected individuals. This review discusses the various etiologies of ADDE, highlights a pathophysiology-based approach for evaluating underlying contributors, outlines various diagnostic tests, and reviews treatment options. We present the current standards and discuss ongoing research in this field. Through this review, we propose a treatment algorithm that would be useful for an ophthalmologist in diagnosing and managing individuals with ADDE.