Experimental Limits on Solar Reflected Dark Matter with a New Approach on Accelerated-Dark-Matter-Electron Analysis in Semiconductors.

Recently a dark matter-electron (DM-electron) paradigm has drawn much attention. Models beyond the standard halo model describing DM accelerated by high energy celestial bodies are under intense examination as well. In this Letter, a velocity components analysis (VCA) method dedicated to swift analysis of accelerated DM-electron interactions via semiconductor detectors is proposed and the first HPGe detector-based accelerated DM-electron analysis is realized. Utilizing the method, the first germanium based constraint on sub-GeV solar reflected DM-electron interaction is presented with the 205.4 kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. In the heavy mediator scenario, our result excels in the mass range of 5-15 keV/c^{2}, achieving a 3 orders of magnitude improvement comparing with previous semiconductor experiments. In the light mediator scenario, the strongest laboratory constraint for DM lighter than 0.1 MeV/c^{2} is presented. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of the VCA technique in future accelerated DM-electron analyses with semiconductor detectors.

Association between Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists Exposure and Intraocular Pressure Change.

Objective: This study aims to provide data on the effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists on intraocular pressure (IOP). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Subjects Participants and/or Controls: 1247 glaucoma surgery and treatment naïve eyes of 626 patients who were initiated on GLP-1R agonists compared to 1083 glaucoma surgery and treatment naïve eyes of 547 patients who were initiated on other oral antidiabetics. Methods Intervention or Testing: The University of California Health Data Warehouse was queried for patients exposed to GLP-1R agonists or other oral antidiabetics. Index date was defined as the date of first exposure to the medication. Eyes with at least one pre-exposure and one post-exposure tonometry record within 365 days of the index date were included in the analysis. Clinical and laboratory data elements were extracted from the database. Eyes were censored from the analysis upon exposure to glaucoma hypotensive medication or glaucoma surgery. ΔIOP was analyzed using a paired t-test. Regression analysis was conducted using generalized estimating equations (GEE) accounting for inter-eye correlation. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome measure was ΔIOP after exposure to the medication. Results: The median age of all included subjects was 66.2 years [IQR=18.3]; 607 (51.7%) were female, and 667 (56.9%) were Caucasian. Median pre-exposure IOP, HbA1c, and BMI were 15.2 mmHg [IQR=3.8], 7.5 [IQR=2.4], and 29.8 [IQR=9.4], respectively. 776 individuals (66.1%) had diabetes, with the median number of active oral antidiabetics being 1.0 [IQR=1.0], and 441 (37.5%) being insulin users. Several pre-exposure characteristics significantly differed between the GLP-1R agonist and the control group. The mean ΔIOP was -0.4±2.8 mmHg (paired t-test p<0.001) and -0.2±3.3 mmHg (paired t-test p = 0.297) in the GLP-1R agonist and other antidiabetics groups, respectively. Pre-exposure IOP was the only independent predictor of ΔIOP in multivariable GEE. Sensitivity analyses yielded similar results. Conclusions: Although GLP-1R agonists were significantly associated with a decrease in IOP in the paired analysis, they were not associated with ΔIOP in multivariable GEE. Moreover, the difference between the ΔIOP in the two groups was small. Future prospective studies following a standardized dose and delivery method may provide further insights.

A multi-cohort genome-wide association study in African ancestry individuals reveals risk loci for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for POAG in 11,275 individuals of African ancestry (6,003 cases; 5,272 controls). We detected 46 risk loci associated with POAG at genome-wide significance. Replication and post-GWAS analyses, including functionally informed fine-mapping, multiple trait co-localization, and in silico validation, implicated two previously undescribed variants (rs1666698 mapping to DBF4P2; rs34957764 mapping to ROCK1P1) and one previously associated variant (rs11824032 mapping to ARHGEF12) as likely causal. For individuals of African ancestry, a polygenic risk score (PRS) for POAG from our mega-analysis (African ancestry individuals) outperformed a PRS from summary statistics of a much larger GWAS derived from European ancestry individuals. This study quantifies the genetic architecture similarities and differences between African and non-African ancestry populations for this blinding disease.

New Devices in Glaucoma.

Glaucoma remains a leading cause of blindness globally. Minimally invasive treatment techniques are rapidly expanding the availability of therapeutic options for glaucoma. These include devices aimed at enhancing outflow through the subconjunctival space, Schlemm's canal, and suprachoroidal space, sustained-release drug delivery devices, and extraocular devices aiming to reduce glaucomatous progression through other novel means. In this review, we provide an overview of several novel devices either newly available or in development for the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. Further studies are required to determine the long-term efficacy of these devices and how they will integrate into the current landscape of glaucoma management.

Risk factors for structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the rates of structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort and identify risk factors for progression. METHODS: This retrospective study included 1424 eyes from glaucoma cases in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics cohort, with ≥2 visits for retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and mean deviation (MD) measurements over ≥6-month follow-up. The rates of structural progression (change in RNFL thickness/year) and functional progression (change in MD/year) were calculated from linear mixed effects models, accounting for intereye correlation and longitudinal correlation. Eyes were categorised as slow, moderate or fast progressors. Risk factors for progression rates were assessed using univariable and multivariable regression models. RESULTS: The median (interquartile) rates of progression were -1.60 (-2.05 to -1.15) µm/year for RNFL thickness and -0.40 (-0.44 to -0.34) decibels/year for MD. Eyes were categorised as slow (structural: 19%, functional: 88%), moderate (structural: 54%, functional: 11%) and fast (structural: 27%, functional: 1%) progressors. In multivariable analysis, faster RNFL progression was independently associated with thicker baseline RNFL (p<0.0001), lower baseline MD (p=0.003) and beta peripapillary atrophy (p=0.03). Faster MD progression was independently associated with higher baseline MD (p<0.0001), larger cup-to-disc ratios (p=0.02) and lower body mass index (p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: The median rates of structural and functional progression in this African ancestry cohort were faster than the rates reported from previously published studies in other ethnic groups. Higher baseline RNFL thickness and MD values were associated with faster progression rates. Results highlight the importance of monitoring structural and functional glaucoma progression to provide timely treatment in early disease.

Topical and systemic GLP-1R agonist administration both rescue retinal ganglion cells in hypertensive glaucoma.

Glaucomatous neurodegeneration, a blinding disease affecting millions worldwide, has a need for the exploration of new and effective therapies. Previously, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist NLY01 was shown to reduce microglia/macrophage activation, rescuing retinal ganglion cells after IOP elevation in an animal model of glaucoma. GLP-1R agonist use is also associated with a reduced risk for glaucoma in patients with diabetes. In this study, we demonstrate that several commercially available GLP-1R agonists, administered either systemically or topically, hold protective potential in a mouse model of hypertensive glaucoma. Further, the resulting neuroprotection likely occurs through the same pathways previously shown for NLY01. This work contributes to a growing body of evidence suggesting that GLP-1R agonists represent a viable therapeutic option for glaucoma.

Orbital magnetic resonance imaging of giant cell arteritis with ocular manifestations: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of publications reporting the ophthalmologic presentation, clinical exam, and orbital MRI findings in patients with giant cell arteritis and ocular manifestations. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched up to January 16, 2022. Publications reporting patient-level data on patients with ophthalmologic symptoms, imaged with orbital MRI, and diagnosed with biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis were included. Demographics, clinical symptoms, exam, lab, imaging, and outcomes data were extracted. The methodological quality and completeness of reporting of case reports were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-two studies were included comprising 51 patients (females = 24; median age, 76 years). Vision loss (78%) and headache (45%) were commonly reported visual and cranial symptoms. Ophthalmologic presentation was unilateral (41%) or bilateral (59%). Fundus examination most commonly showed disc edema (64%) and pallor (49%). Average visual acuity was very poor (2.28 logMAR ± 2.18). Diagnoses included anterior (61%) and posterior (16%) ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery occlusion (8%), and orbital infarction syndrome (2%). On MRI, enhancement of the optic nerve sheath (53%), intraconal fat (25%), and optic nerve/chiasm (14%) was most prevalent. Among patients with monocular visual symptoms, 38% showed pathologic enhancement in the asymptomatic orbit. Six of seven cases reported imaging resolution after treatment on follow-up MRIs. CONCLUSIONS: Vision loss, pallid disc edema, and optic nerve sheath enhancement are the most common clinical, fundoscopic, and imaging findings reported in patients diagnosed with giant cell arteritis with ocular manifestations, respectively. MRI may detect subclinical inflammation and ischemia in the asymptomatic eye and may be an adjunct diagnostic tool. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Brain and orbital MRIs may have diagnostic and prognostic roles in patients with suspected giant cell arteritis who present with ophthalmic symptoms.

Cell-Specific Expression of Human SIRT1 by Gene Therapy Reduces Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss Induced by Elevated Intraocular Pressure.

SIRT1 prevents retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss in several acute and subacute optic neuropathy models following pharmacologic activation or genetic overexpression. We hypothesized that adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated overexpression of SIRT1 in RGCs in a chronic ocular hypertension model can reduce RGC loss, thereby preserving visual function by sustained therapeutic effect. A control vector AAV-eGFP and therapeutic vector AAV-SIRT1 were constructed and optimized for transduction efficiency. A magnetic microbead mouse model of ocular hypertension was optimized to induce a time-dependent and chronic loss of visual function and RGC degeneration. Mice received intravitreal injection of control or therapeutic AAV in which a codon-optimized human SIRT1 expression is driven by a RGC selective promoter. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured, and visual function was examined by optokinetic response (OKR) weekly for 49 days following microbead injection. Visual function, RGC survival, and axon numbers were compared among control and therapeutic AAV-treated animals. AAV-eGFP and AAV-SIRT1 showed transduction efficiency of ~ 40%. AAV-SIRT1 maintains the transduction of SIRT1 over time and is selectively expressed in RGCs. Intravitreal injections of AAV-SIRT1 in a glaucoma model preserved visual function, increased RGC survival, and reduced axonal degeneration compared with the control construct. Over-expression of SIRT1 through AAV-mediated gene transduction indicates a RGC-selective component of neuroprotection in multiple models of acute optic nerve degeneration. Results here show a neuroprotective effect of RGC-selective gene therapy in a chronic glaucoma model characterized by sustained elevation of IOP and subsequent RGC loss. Results suggest that this strategy may be an effective therapeutic approach for treating glaucoma, and warrants evaluation for the treatment of other chronic neurodegenerative diseases.

Elevated IOP following a bladder filling protocol: A case report.

Purpose: We describe a patient with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) secondary to an oral water bolus and examine the utility of the water-drinking test. Observations: A 66-year-old male with a history of hypertension presented with headache, bilateral retro-orbital ache, and blurry vision. Symptoms began shortly after his radiation treatment for prostate cancer, for which he consumed a water bolus to fill his bladder 30 minutes prior to treatment initiation. On exam, he had bilateral elevated IOP that responded to topical IOP-lowering medications. Gonioscopy demonstrated open angles and fundus exam showed non-glaucomatous optic nerves with pronounced retinal venous tortuosity. The water-drinking test showed a peak intraocular pressure of 20 mmHg in the right eye (5 mmHg increase from baseline) and 23 mmHg in the left eye (8 mmHg increase from baseline), suggesting impairment of the outflow system in the left compared to the right eye. He was started on topical IOP-lowering therapy and followed in our clinic as a glaucoma suspect. Conclusions: Consumption of a water bolus can be associated with IOP elevation and may be a risk factor in patients with otherwise normal IOPs at risk for glaucoma. The water-drinking test was historically used as provocative testing for open-angle glaucoma and may have an updated role in evaluating at-risk patients without ocular hypertension.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist use is associated with reduced risk for glaucoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists regulate blood glucose and are commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent work showed that treatment with the GLP-1R agonist NLY01 decreased retinal neuroinflammation and glial activation to rescue retinal ganglion cells in a mouse model of glaucoma. In this study, we used an insurance claims database (Clinformatics Data Mart) to examine whether GLP-1R agonist exposure impacts glaucoma risk. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients who initiated a new GLP-1R agonist was 1:3 age, gender, race, classes of active diabetes medications and year of index date matched to patients who initiated a different class of oral diabetic medication. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used within a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model to test the association between GLP-1R agonist exposure and a new diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma, glaucoma suspect or low-tension glaucoma. RESULTS: Cohorts were comprised of 1961 new users of GLP-1R agonists matched to 4371 unexposed controls. After IPTW, all variables were balanced (standard mean deviation <|0.1|) between cohorts. Ten (0.51%) new diagnoses of glaucoma were present in the GLP-1R agonist cohort compared with 58 (1.33%) in the unexposed controls. After adjustment, GLP-1R exposure conferred a reduced hazard of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.89, p=0.01), suggesting that GLP-1R agonists decrease the risk for glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1R agonist use was associated with a statistically significant hazard reduction for a new diagnosis of glaucoma. Our findings support further investigations into the use of GLP-1R agonists in glaucoma prevention.

Constraints on Sub-GeV Dark Matter-Electron Scattering from the CDEX-10 Experiment.

We present improved germanium-based constraints on sub-GeV dark matter via dark matter-electron (χ-e) scattering using the 205.4 kg·day dataset from the CDEX-10 experiment. Using a novel calculation technique, we attain predicted χ-e scattering spectra observable in high-purity germanium detectors. In the heavy mediator scenario, our results achieve 3 orders of magnitude of improvement for m_{χ} larger than 80 MeV/c^{2} compared to previous germanium-based χ-e results. We also present the most stringent χ-e cross-section limit to date among experiments using solid-state detectors for m_{χ} larger than 90 MeV/c^{2} with heavy mediators and m_{χ} larger than 100 MeV/c^{2} with electric dipole coupling. The result proves the feasibility and demonstrates the vast potential of a new χ-e detection method with high-purity germanium detectors in ultralow radioactive background.

Exotic Dark Matter Search with the CDEX-10 Experiment at China's Jinping Underground Laboratory.

A search for exotic dark matter (DM) in the sub-GeV mass range has been conducted using 205 kg day data taken from a p-type point contact germanium detector of the CDEX-10 experiment at China's Jinping underground laboratory. New low-mass dark matter searching channels, neutral current fermionic DM absorption (χ+A→ν+A) and DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering (χ+χ+A→ϕ+A), have been analyzed with an energy threshold of 160 eVee. No significant signal was found; thus new limits on the DM-nucleon interaction cross section are set for both models at the sub-GeV DM mass region. A cross section limit for the fermionic DM absorption is set to be 2.5×10^{-46} cm^{2} (90% C.L.) at DM mass of 10 MeV/c^{2}. For the DM-nucleus 3→2 scattering scenario, limits are extended to DM mass of 5 and 14 MeV/c^{2} for the massless dark photon and bound DM final state, respectively.

Self-identified Black Race as a Risk Factor for Intraocular Pressure Elevation and Iritis Following Prophylactic Laser Peripheral Iridotomy.

PRCIS: In primary angle closure suspects (PACS), self-identified Black race was a risk factor for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and iritis following laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). Laser type was not associated with either immediate post-LPI IOP elevation or iritis in multivariate analysis. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the impact of laser type and patient characteristics on the incidence of IOP elevation and iritis after LPI in PACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of 1485 PACS (2407 eyes) who underwent either neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet or sequential argon and neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet LPI at the University of Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Average IOP within 30 days before LPI (baseline IOP), post-LPI IOP within 1 hour, laser type, laser energy, and the incidence of new iritis within 30 days following the procedure were collected. Multivariate logistic regression accounting for intereye correlation was used to assess factors associated with incidence of post-LPI IOP elevation and iritis, adjusted by age, sex, surgeon, and histories of autoimmune disease, diabetes, and hypertension. RESULTS: The incidence of post-LPI IOP elevation and iritis were 9.3% (95% confidence interval: 8.1%-10.5%) and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.9%-3.2%), respectively. In multivariate analysis, self-identified Black race was a risk factor for both IOP elevation [odds ratio (OR): 2.08 compared with White; P=0.002] and iritis (OR: 5.07; P<0.001). Higher baseline IOP was associated with increased risk for post-LPI IOP elevation (OR: 1.19; P<0.001). Laser type and energy were not associated with either post-LPI IOP elevation or iritis (P>0.11 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of immediate IOP elevation and iritis following prophylactic LPI was higher in Black patients independent of laser type and energy. Heightened vigilance and increased medication management before and after the procedure are suggested to help mitigate these risks.

Learning from Black/African American Participants: Applying the Integrated Behavioral Model to Assess Recruitment Strategies for a Glaucoma Genetic Study.

The underrepresentation of African American (AA) participants in medical research perpetuates racial health disparities in the United States. Open-ended phone interviews were conducted with 50 AA adults from Philadelphia who had previously participated in a genetic study of glaucoma that included complimentary ophthalmic screenings. Recruitment for the genetic study was done in partnership with a Black-owned radio station. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts, guided by the integrated behavior model (IBM), identified self-reported motivations for participating in this care-focused and community-promoted research program. Findings revealed that decisions to enroll were influenced by strong instrumental attitudes regarding learning more about personal health and contributing to future care options for others. Notable normative influences that factored into participants' decisions to enroll in the study included hearing about the study from a respected community media outlet, friends, and family. About one-third of respondents discussed past and current racial discrimination in medical research as an important sociocultural frame within which they thought about participation, suggesting that experiential attitudes play a continuing role in AA's decisions to enroll in medical research studies. Medical researchers seeking to recruit AA participants should collaborate with community partners, combine enrollment opportunities with access to health services, and emphasize the potential for new research to mitigate racial inequalities.

Evaluation of the Cirrus High-Definition OCT Normative Database Probability Codes in a Black American Population.

PURPOSE: Race-adjusted interpretation of data from Cirrus high-definition OCT (HD-OCT) devices is not standard practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate differences in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between healthy Black Americans and the Cirrus HD-OCT normative database. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional observational study using control patients recruited from the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 466 eyes were included in this study. Subjects were retrospectively identified from the control cohort of the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. METHODS: Using an age-stratified or linear regression method, we reclassified white-green-yellow-red color probability codes for RNFL thicknesses by quadrant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The distribution of reclassified color codes was compared with the expected 5%-90%-4%-1% percentiles and to the original color codes by the Cirrus machine. RESULTS: Average RNFL thickness in the POAAGG control cohort was thinner than in the Cirrus normative database in all except the nasal quadrant. The original color codes of the POAAGG cohort did not fall into the expected distributions, with more RNFL measurements assigned as white and red codes than expected (9.5% and 1.7%) and fewer measurements assigned as green and yellow codes than expected (85.3% and 3.5%) (P < 0.001). Compared with the original Cirrus machine, reclassification using linear regression produced color codes closest to the expected distributions (P = 0.09). The proportion of abnormal results shifted closer to the expected 5% in the nasal (1.3%, P < 0.001 vs. 3.0%, P = 0.048) and temporal (8.2%, P = 0.002 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.18) quadrants. CONCLUSIONS: Results further establish the presence of structural differences in the RNFL of Black American patients. Color code reclassification suggests that the existing Cirrus database may not be accurately evaluating glaucomatous nerves in patients of African descent. This study addresses an unmet need to assess Cirrus HD-OCT color probability codes in a Black American population.

The role of glia in the physiology and pharmacology of glucagon-like peptide-1: implications for obesity, diabetes, neurodegeneration and glaucoma.

The medical applications of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists is evergrowing in scope, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms through which GLP-1R activation impacts physiology and behaviour. A new area of research aims to elucidate the role GLP-1R signalling in glia, which play a role in regulating energy balance, glycemic control, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Once controversial, existing evidence now suggests that subsets of glia (e.g. microglia, tanycytes and astrocytes) and infiltrating macrophages express GLP-1Rs. In this review, we discuss the implications of these findings, with particular focus on the effectiveness of both clinically available and novel GLP-1R agonists for treating metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, enhancing cognition and combating substance abuse. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on GLP1 receptor ligands (BJP 75th Anniversary). To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.4/issuetoc.

Myeloid cells in retinal and brain degeneration.

Retinal inflammation underlies multiple prevalent ocular and neurological diseases. Similar inflammatory processes are observed in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, posterior uveitis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In particular, human and animal studies have demonstrated the important role microglia/macrophages play in initiating and maintaining a pro-inflammatory environment in degenerative processes impacting vision. On the other hand, microglia have also been shown to have a protective role in multiple central nervous system diseases. Identifying the mechanisms underlying cell dysfunction and death is the first step toward developing novel therapeutics for these diseases impacting the central nervous system. In addition to reviewing recent key studies defining important mediators of retinal inflammation, with an emphasis on translational studies that bridge this research from bench to bedside, we also highlight a promising therapeutic class of medications, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. Finally, we propose areas where additional research is necessary to identify mechanisms that can be modulated to shift the balance from a neurotoxic to a neuroprotective retinal environment.

Recruitment strategies and lessons learned from a large genetic study of African Americans.

Genetic studies must enroll large numbers of participants to obtain adequate statistical power. Data are needed on how researchers can best use limited financial and practical resources to achieve these targets, especially in under-represented populations. This paper provides a retrospective analysis of the recruitment strategies for a large glaucoma genetics study in African Americans. The Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics study enrolled 10,192 African American subjects from the Philadelphia region. Major recruitment approaches included clinic enrollment from University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) sites, clinic enrollment from external sites, sampling of Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB), and community outreach. We calculated the enrollment yield, cost per subject, and seasonal trends of these approaches. The majority (65%) of subject were enrolled from UPenn sites with an average cost of $133/subject. Over time, monthly case enrollment declined as the pool of eligible subjects was depleted. Expanding to external sites boosted case numbers ($129/subject) and the biobank provided additional controls at low cost ($5/subject), in large part due to the generosity of PMBB providing samples free of cost. Community outreach was costly with low return on enrollment ($978/subject for 220 subjects). Summer months (Jun-Aug) produced the highest recruitment yields (p<0.001). Genetic studies will benefit from a multi-pronged and culturally sensitive recruitment approach. In our experience, the biobank was most cost-effective for control enrollment, while recruitment from clinics (including expansion to new sites) was necessary to recruit fully phenotyped cases.

A Precise Method to Evaluate 360 Degree Measures of Optic Cup and Disc Morphology in an African American Cohort and Its Genetic Applications.

(1) Background: Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) is an important measure for evaluating damage to the optic nerve head (ONH) in glaucoma patients. However, this measure often does not fully capture the irregular cupping observed in glaucomatous nerves. We developed and evaluated a method to measure cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) at all 360 degrees of the ONH. (2) Methods: Non-physician graders from the Scheie Reading Center outlined the cup and disc on digital stereo color disc images from African American patients enrolled in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. After converting the resultant coordinates into polar representation, the CDR at each 360-degree location of the ONH was obtained. We compared grader VCDR values with clinical VCDR values, using Spearman correlation analysis, and validated significant genetic associations with clinical VCDR, using grader VCDR values. (3) Results: Graders delineated outlines of the cup contour and disc boundaries twice in each of 1815 stereo disc images. For both cases and controls, the mean CDR was highest at the horizontal bisector, particularly in the temporal region, as compared to other degree locations. There was a good correlation between grader CDR at the vertical bisector and clinical VCDR (Spearman Correlation OD: r = 0.78 [95% CI: 0.76-0.79]). An SNP in the MPDZ gene, associated with clinical VCDR in a prior genome-wide association study, showed a significant association with grader VCDR (p = 0.01) and grader CDR area ratio (p = 0.02). (4) Conclusions: The CDR of both glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous eyes varies by degree location, with the highest measurements in the temporal region of the eye. This method can be useful for capturing innate eccentric ONH morphology, tracking disease progression, and identifying genetic associations.