Photochemical Crosslinking of Tarsal Collagen as a Treatment for Eyelid Laxity: Evaluation in Ex Vivo Human Tissue.

PURPOSE: Experimental investigation in human eyelids to confirm that exposing excised tarsal plates to ultraviolet-A radiation can induce a stiffening effect through the riboflavin-photosensitized crosslinking of tarsal collagen. METHODS: Thirteen tarsal plates excised from nonfrozen human cadavers were irradiated with ultraviolet-A rays (365 nm wavelength) at an irradiance of 75 mW/cm2 for 3 minutes, equivalent to a radiation fluence of 13.5 J/cm2, in the presence of a riboflavin derivative as a photosensitizer. The tensile stress (strength) and Young's modulus (stiffness) of both nonirradiated and irradiated specimens were measured with the BioTester 5000 in the uniaxial mode at a strain of 10% and analyzed statistically. Individual specimens excised from 2 cadavers were also examined by routine histopathologic protocols to assess the effect of radiation on the Meibomian glands and collagen organization. RESULTS: The irradiation enhanced both stiffness and strength of the human tarsal specimens, the difference between the test samples and controls being statistically significant (p < 0.0002 for n = 13). Histology indicated no damage to tarsal connective tissue or to Meibomian glands, and revealed a more compact packing of the collagen network located around the glands, which may be beneficial. The existence of collagen compaction was also supported by the reduction of samples' thickness after irradiation (p = 0.0645). CONCLUSIONS: The irradiation of tarsal tissue with ultraviolet-A light of tarsus appears to be a safe and effective method for reducing eyelid laxity in human patients.

Retinal Structural and Vascular Changes in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Retinal microvascular anomalies have been identified in patients with cardiovascular conditions such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and carotid artery disease. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42024506589) to explore the potential of retinal vasculature as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) through optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: We systematically examined original articles in the Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception up to November 2023, comparing retinal microvascular features between patients with CAD and control groups. Studies were included if they reported sample mean with standard deviation or median with range and/or interquartile range (which were computed into mean and standard deviation). Review Manager 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) software was used to calculate the pooled effect size with weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI) by random-effects inverse variance method. RESULTS: Eleven studies meeting the inclusion criteria were incorporated into the meta-analysis. The findings indicated a significant decrease in the retinal nerve fiber layer (WMD -3.11 [-6.06, -0.16]), subfoveal choroid (WMD -58.79 [-64.65, -52.93]), and overall retinal thickness (WMD -4.61 [-7.05, -2.17]) among patients with CAD compared to controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, vascular macular density was notably lower in CAD patients, particularly in the superficial capillary plexus (foveal vessel density WMD -2.19 [-3.02, -1.135], p < 0.0001). Additionally, the foveal avascular zone area was statistically larger in CAD patients compared to the control group (WMD 52.73 [8.79, 96.67], p = 0.02). Heterogeneity was significant (I2 > 50%) for most features except for subfoveal choroid thickness, retina thickness, and superficial foveal vessel density. CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis suggests that retinal vascularization could function as a noninvasive biomarker, providing additional insights beyond standard routine examinations for assessing dysfunction in coronary arteries.

Fusarium spp. in Human Disease: Exploring the Boundaries between Commensalism and Pathogenesis.

Fusarium is a large fungal genus that is widely distributed in the environment, mostly known for its plant pathogenicity. Rarely, it is involved in human pathology, where the type of infection caused is highly dependent upon the portal of entry and the immune status of the host. The study at hand aims to summarize routine methods used in diagnosing such infections as well as more advanced molecular diagnostic methods, techniques that can play a huge role in differentiating between colonization and infection when trying to decide the therapeutic outcome. Consequently, to further support our findings, two different strains (one isolated from corneal scrapings and one isolated from purulent discharge) were analyzed in a clinical context and thoroughly tested using classical and modern diagnostic methods: identification by macroscopical and microscopical examinations of the culture and mass spectrometry, completed by molecular methods such as PCR for trichothecene and ERIC-PCR for genetic fingerprinting. Isolation of a clinically relevant Fusarium spp. from a sample still remains a diagnostic challenge for both the clinician and the microbiologist, because differentiating between colonization and infection is very strenuous, but can make a difference in the treatment that is administered to the patient.

Performances of Corneal Topography and Tomography in the Diagnosis of Subclinical and Clinical Keratoconus.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the efficacy of topographical and tomographical indices given by the Pentacam (pachymetric, tomopetric, and aberometric) in clinical and subclinical keratoconus (KCN) diagnosis. Material and Methods: In this observational analytic retrospective study, patients with abnormal findings in topography and tomography maps but with no signs on clinical examination (subclinical KCN group, sKCN), patients with clinical keratoconus (KCN group), and healthy subjects (Control group) were evaluated. Results: The KCN group proved significantly different (p < 0.001) values of the investigated parameters than the Control group. Eleven out of 28 investigated parameters proved significantly different in the sKCN group compared to controls (p < 0.001). Two topographic measurements, namely I-S (cut-off = 1.435, a large value indicates the presence of KCN) and CCT (cut-off = 537, a small value indicates the presence of KCN), showed AUCs equal to 1 [0.999 to 1]. Six other Pentacam measurements, including Back maximum keratometry (Back Kmax) proved to be excellent parameters for case-finding and screening. In distinguishing sKCN from normal eyes, Pentacam index of vertical asymmetry (IVA), inferior-superior difference (I-S) value, thinnest point (TP), Belin Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display (BAD_D) and root mean square total (RMS total) performed best. Conclusions: In distinguishing sKCN from normal eyes, Back Kmax, IVA, I-S, and RMS total values demonstrated higher accuracy and utility. Six indices, namely ISV, IVA, KISA, PRC, RMS-HOA, and Back Kmax demonstrate excellent utility in case-finding and screening for clinical KCN.

Survey of patient satisfaction after bilateral cataract surgery.

Objective: Postoperative assessment of patients diagnosed with binocular cataract, who underwent two phacoemulsification treatments at different times, in terms of subjective experience of the two procedures. Material and method: The investigation is a prospective study based on patients of Ophthalmology Clinic of Mária Street in Budapest and the Ophthalmology Department in Târgu Mures, between January 2020 and April 2021. After surgery, the patients were surveyed using questionnaires. A total of 53 responses from patients who had undergone cataract removal in both eyes were processed. Data was processed using Microsoft Office Excel and GraphPad Prism 8.0.1. Results: A statistically significant difference (p = 0.0008) in pain was found between the two interventions, with patients reporting greater pain after the second surgery compared to the first treatment. The subjective increase of visual acuity was significantly different (p=0.0156) between the two surgeries. After the first treatment, 37 patients affirmed that their visual acuity met their expectations, but, by the second operation, this had dropped to 31. There was also a statistically significant difference between the individually perceived duration of the two treatments (p=0.0013), with the most frequently reported duration of the first phacoemulsification treatment being 10 minutes (43.4%), and the second eye treatment being 20 minutes (37.7%). Assessing the asymptomaticity, a significant difference (p = 0.009) was registered between the two treatments, the asymptomatic reduction for the second operation being decreased by 28.1%. Conclusion: Patients treated for binocular cataract had significantly worse subjective symptoms during the second treatment.

Long term visual outcomes in cataract surgery with bilateral implantation of the Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens - Mini Well Ready type.

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive results, visual outcomes and patients' satisfaction of a new extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL). Setting: Oculens Clinic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Design: Retrospective, single-center, observational study. Methods: 104 eyes of 52 patients undergoing cataract surgery with implantation of the Mini Well Ready EDOF-IOL (SIFI, Catania, Italy) were included in the study. Visual acuity at distance, intermediate and near was evaluated at 1, 6 and 12 months. Refractive results, contrast sensitivity, defocus curve and photic phenomena were also assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 66.04±7.82. A significant reduction of the spherical equivalent and improvement of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was observed (p<0.0001) after the surgery. All eyes obtained a CDVA of 0.5 or better at one month. All eyes achieved a corrected intermediate visual acuity (CIVA) of 0.5 or better and a corrected near visual acuity (CNVA) of 0.5 or better. At 12 months the spherical equivalent was within -0.5- +0.5 diopters (D). Conclusions: The EDOF-IOL offers good visual outcomes at distance, intermediate and near vision, providing an adequate contrast sensitivity and low rate of visual disturbances.

Comparative Results Between "Epi-Off" Accelerated and "Epi-Off" Standard Corneal Collagen Crosslinking-UVA in Progressive Keratoconus - 7 Years of Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the long-term efficiency and safety of the "epi-off" accelerated CXL (9 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes) in comparison to the standard "epi-off" CXL (3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes) in terms of topographical and keratometric parameters, refractive data and visual outcomes at 7 years of follow-up, in progressive keratoconus. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective and comparative study was performed. A total of 183 eyes from 183 patients with documented progressive keratoconus were included in the study. The patients were divided in two groups: 93 eyes from 93 patients underwent "epi-off" standard cross-linking technique (3 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes) (S-CXL group) and 90 eyes from 90 patients underwent accelerated "epi-off" corneal CXL technique (9 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes) (A-CXL group). RESULTS: Improvements in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) were statistically significant compared to baseline values in both groups at each time-point visit (p=0.0421 at 1 year, p=0.0411 at 7 years for A-CXL and p=0.0375 at 1 year, p=0.0389 at 7 years for S-CXL). At 7 years there was a statistically significant increase in CDVA (p=0.039 in the A-CXL group and p=0.0343 in the S-CXL group at 7 years). Statistically significant reduction was noticed in Ksteep (p=0.0411 in A-CXL group and p=0.0224 in S-CXL group), Kflat (p=0.0198 in A-CXL group and p=0.008 in S-CXL group), K mean (p=0.0106 in A-CXL group and p=0.0193 in S-CXL group) and Kmax (p=0.0413 in A-CXL group and p=0.054 in S-CXL group) at 7 years, compared to baseline values, in both groups, but without any statistically difference between the two procedures, at all time-point visits (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The long-term outcomes of "epi-off" accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking-UVA (9 mW/cm2 for 10 minutes) are similar to standard "epi-off" corneal collagen crosslinking procedure in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.

Intraosseous venous malformation of the zygomatico-orbital complex. Case report and literature review with focus on confusions in vascular lesion terms.

Intraosseous vascular malformations (VascM) of the facial skeleton are rare entities, raising difficulties even today in their treatment. We present a case for zygomatic intraosseous venous malformation of traumatic etiology with growth dynamics presentation and a multidisciplinary treatment approach, with intravascular embolization surgical ablation and primary reconstructruction using a titanium patient-specific implant (PSI), and a review of the literature for intraosseous vascular lesions of the facial skeleton focusing on the diagnostic syntagms used by the involved medical personnel, to shed light on the confusions over these terms.

NONICHEMIC CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION ASSOCIATED WITH HEREDITARY THROMBOPHYLIA.

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vein disease with significant visual loss via thrombus or compression of vein wall. Thrombophilia is the predisposition to vascular thrombosis with the existence of genetic defect that leads to blood hypercoagulability. This report describes the case of a 55 year old male patient, with an active life who presented himself at the emergency room with acute visual lose, insidious and progressive visual field constriction, without any known history of neurological or vascular diseases. The examinations revealed unilateral optic nerve head edema, the fluorescein angiography was specific for nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion CRVO complicated with macular edema. Blood examinations has emphasized the presence of the heterozygous mutation A1298C in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), the only one presented from the thrombophilia screen panel and a slightly elevated cholesterol level. During the follow-up period, the patient received anti-VEGF treatment (Bevacizumab, 3x 0.1 ml intravitreal injections) with improved visual acuity and amendment of macular edema. The complex etiology calls for interdisciplinary approach to determine better the cause of this ophthalmological disease. Although studies have found a correlation between some thrombophilia mutations and retinal vein occlusion, more studies that contain a larger number of patients are necessary in order to determine the final role of these gene variants.

A study on the type of lesions achieved by three electrosurgical methods and their way of healing.

The technical progress in the medical sector in the past decades has continuously driven the development of electrosurgical techniques. The controversies surrounding the superiority of a certain technique relative to another - electrocautery, laser and radiofrequency - have determined us to carry out a histopathological design with the aim of comparing the healing sort of the shallow wounds generated by the three types of electrosurgical devices. The experimental study has investigated the healing process inflicted by the electrosurgical devices mentioned beforehand on 12 Wistar albino rats. The wounds were inflicted under intravenous general anesthesia with Xylazine and Ketamine and were performed lateral to the spine region, using laser, radiofrequency and electric cautery. The histological samples harvested at one, three, five, and seven days were sent to pathological examination. We followed by comparison the evolution of the first two phases of the wound healing produced by the three electrosurgical methods analyzed. We described the histopathological changes occurred in the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis and also the subcutaneous soft tissues in all of the three types of lesions. Electrocautery remains the most frequently used electrosurgical device, even if it has unquestionable disadvantages as compared to other modern instruments. Laser-assisted surgery and radiofrequency are refine energy-based instrumentation, being utilized at a multidisciplinary surgical level.

[The use of OVD' for enhancement of their use in cataract surgery and complications of surger]. / Utilizarea OVD-urilor pentru optimizarea folosirii acestora în chirurgia polului anterior si în re- zolvarea complicatiilor acestor interventii.

OVD's are pseudoplastic fluids used in anterior segment surgery, their correct use decrease the incidence of complications. Arshinoff classified OVD's according to their properties and described optimal techniques for their use. The three classes are represented by viscoadaptive, cohesinve and dispersive OVD's, used in different steps of the surgery and their behavior is influenced by operating parameters.

[Diagnostic difficulties in a case of constricted tubular visual field]. / Dificultati de diagnostic în cazul unui câmp vizual îngustat concentric--prezentare de caz.

In the paper below we present the clinical case of a 48 year old female with various symptoms associated with functional visual disturbance -constricted tubular visual fields, wich lasts from 6 years; the extensive clinical and paraclinical ophthalmological investigations ruled out the presence of an organic disorder. In the present, we suspect a diagnosis of hysteria, still uncertain, wich represented over time a big challenge in psychology and ophthalmology. The mechanisms and reasons for hysteria are still not clear and it could represent a fascinating research theme. The tunnel, spiral or star-shaped visual fields are specific findings in hysteria for patients who present visual disturbance. The question of whether or not a patient with hysterical visual impairment can or cannot "see" is still unresolved.

Correlation between urological alpha1-AR antagonist medication and changed intraoperative iris behavior.

The aim of our study was to report on the incidence, the etiology and the management of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) during phacoemulsification. A non-randomized, observational, prospective study was performed for 1 year, in which 439 eyes of 438 patients (320 men and 118 women) undergoing cataract surgery by the same surgeon were enrolled. The surgeon was blinded to the patients' drug history. The use or non-use of alpha blockers (especially tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia), duration of the treatment, presence or absence of IFIS, management of IFIS and intraoperative complications were recorded. A 3.2 mm incision was performed on 316 eyes and a 2.4 mm incision on 123 eyes. IFIS occurred in 2.96% of the patients who were taking an alpha1 antagonist. In 5.47% we identified an intraoperative iris behaviour which imitated an incipient IFIS stage called IFI-like syndrome. In cases of insufficiently dilated pupils, diluted intracameral epinephrine as well as irrigation fluid was used. Vertical chop, stability of the anterior chamber by decreasing the corneal wound size, and reducing turbulence into the anterior chamber, enhanced the surgery on eyes with IFIS. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The incidence of IFIS in our study was linked to alpha blocker medication. We postulate that IFIS may be caused by other medication, but this could not be demonstrated statistically. IFIS can be well controlled during surgery, intracameral epinephrine being the main stabilizing factor.

[The treatment of secondary Sjogren syndrome]. / Tratamentul sindromului Sjogren secundar.

Sjogren syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease witch affects mostly lachrymal and salivary glands. The exocrinopathy can be encountered alone (primary Sjogren syndrome) or in association with other autoimmune disorders (secondary Sjogren syndrome). Visual prognosis of the patients with secondary Sjogren syndrome depends on the early diagnosis, applied therapy follow-up controls along with an effective collaboration between ophthalmologist and rheumatologist. We present therapeutic options in secondary Sjogren syndrome: hygiene and protective measures, medical nonspecific substitution treatment, treatment to stimulate tear secretion, autoimmune disease-specific medical treatment and surgery.

The three-dimensional ultrasonography of the fetal face--history and progress.

Fetal face was the main concern of researchers who developed three-dimensional ultrasound. 3-D ultrasound beginnings date back to 1973. Parallel concerns of researchers from different parts of the world have led to a constantly changing the equipment and software. 3-D images of the fetal face were obtained since 1986, but those that are available on the ultrasound devices sold today dates from 1992, and the 4-D since 1996. Techniques such as volume rendering and multiplanar volume rendering, led to the development of 3-D ultrasound. Late 2000 revealed study fetal face by multiplane three-dimensional ultrasound, through the acquisition of volume and its processing. Study of fetal profile by this method provides new data on the jaw, naso-maxillo-mandibular angle, even a diagram of the fetal profile or of dimensions of the fetal face or nasal bone length. Fetal profile analyzed by 16 parameters measured by 3-D ultrasound, with the creation of a craniofacial index variable is useful in assessing normal and abnormal fetal face. Today, the bones of fetal face--nose, jaw, bone palace, those of the orbit, can be studied in dynamics, from 12-14 gestational weeks. The best ultrasound images can be obtained after 21 gestational weeks, when fetal size and its ratio with amniotic fluid are optimal for the acquisition of fetal volume.

[Endophthalmitis or TASS--case report]. / Endoftalmita sau TASS--caz clinic.

We present the case of a 65-years-old female with a history of endophthalmitis after residual cortex aspiration postextracapsular cataract extraction. The patient was admitted for cataract surgery on the other eye. After phacoemulsification she developed a series of signs and symptoms on the anterior eye segment which plead for the diagnosis of endophthalmitis or toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS). Under specific therapy the evolution has been favorable.

[Limbo-conjunctival autografting in pterygium surgery]. / Autotransplantul limbo-conjunctival în chirurgia pterigionului.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of the limbo-conjunctival autografting in pterygium surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study has been undertaken in two centers. The first one, which was a prospective observational one, went on for 20 months and included the patients operated with pterygium in the Ophthalmology Clinic in TgMures, RO. Two surgical techniques have been used: limbo-conjunctival autografting and the Arlt technique. The results of the two methods have been followed and compared, as well as the intra and post-surgery complications. The second study, a retrospective observational type of study, went on for 15 months and included the patients operated with pterygium in the Ophthalmology clinic in Debrecen, Hungary. We used 4 methods to treat the pterygium: the Arlt method, the McReynolds method, the sclero-corneal lamellar plasty and the limbo-conjunctival autografting. We analysed the obtained results using all these 4 methods. RESULTS: In the Ophthalmology Clinic in Targu-Mures we operated, during those 20 months, 106 patients with pterygium. Of these, 36 were operated using the limbo-conjunctival autografting, the rest using the Arlt technique. We noticed less relapse when the limbo-conjunctival autografting was used. In the Ophthalmology Clinic in Debrecen, during a 15 months period, there were 33 patients operated for pterygium. The largest number of relapses was noticed with the Arlt technique. CONCLUSIONS: When comparing the different methods used in the pterygium surgery in terms of relapse we noticed the increased efficiency of the limbo-conjunctival autografting. The encouraging results stimulate us in using and recommending this method.

Eyelash in the anterior chamber.

We present the case of a patient who had surgery for cataract extraction by phacoemulsification method and that the first day after surgery one lash was found in the anterior chamber of the eye. The lash was removed the same day, the postoperative refraction being 1.0. Starting from this case, therapeutic attitude is presented in different intracameral foreign bodies.

Corneal pathology and indications for corneal transplant at the Tg. Mures Ophthalmology Clinic.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of corneal pathology that presents indication for cornea/transplant, treatment and follow-up of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis has been undertaken at the Tg. Mures Ophthalmology Hospital. In the study we have included all patients who had corneal pathology with intact deeper ocular structures. We have examined the treatment of these cases and their admittance to corneal transplantation. RESULTS: In 2008 in 99 cases of the 3246 hospitalized patients such a corneal condition has been described that presented indication for corneal transplantation. Most common causes were corneal leucomas, corneal ulcers, bullous keratopathy and corneal dystrophies and degenerations. Fourteen patients tried to benefit from corneal transplant abroad financed by the National Health Insurance Office; others went on their own expense. All together four patients appeared for postoperative control at our Hospital. CONCLUSIONS: We have found 99 cases of corneal transplant indication at our Hospital's patients and only a fraction of them have undergone surgery. We can point out a very low level of admittance and a great need for a regional corneal transplantation centers.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic problems in a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with ocular involvement]. / Probleme de diagnostic si tratament într-un caz de LMNH cu extindere oftalmologica.

The majority of malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas are located in lymph nodes, but there are other localizations such as orbital, conjunctival, in the eyelids, or very rare intraocular. The aim of this case is to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic problems in a case of LMNH with ophthalmologic extension.