Ocular Syphilis: Experience over 11 Years at a German Ophthalmology Reference Centre.

BACKGROUND: In accordance with worldwide data, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has reported a constant increase of syphilis cases in Germany over the past decade. METHODS: We analysed the data of all patients, referred to a Department of Ophthalmology in a tertiary referral centre in Düsseldorf, Germany between 2008 and 2019, who were tested for syphilis. The epidemiologic, demographic, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic data were retrieved from the records and evaluated in a retrospective, descriptive, non-comparative study. RESULTS: Syphilis serology was positive in 32/1840 (1.7%) patients, and was evenly distributed over this period. 26 (81.3%) were male, 19 (59.4%) belonged to a risk group. Ocular syphilis was the primary diagnosis for 29 patients (90.6%). The most frequent manifestation was uveitis (n = 20, 62.5%). By the end of therapy, 19 patients (59.4%) had an improved visual acuity. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ocular syphilis cases has remained stable over the last decade.

[Beyond esthetics-Regenerative medicine for severe diseases of the adnexa oculi]. / Jenseits von Ästhetik ­ Regenerative Medizin bei schweren Erkrankungen der okulären Adnexe.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of eyelid and lacrimal functions are important steps on the way to an intact ocular surface. Clinically available substitute tissues or therapeutic options for eyelid reconstruction and lacrimal gland regeneration often reach their limits in patients with severe diseases of the adnexa oculi. Several approaches in regenerative medicine have been intensively researched and clinically tested in recent years. These range from reconstructive approaches with novel tissue matrices in the field of eyelid surgery to stem cell therapies to regenerate lacrimal gland function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The state of the art in the current literature is presented and an overview of clinically applied or currently researched tissues for eyelid reconstruction is given. Furthermore, approaches in stem cell therapy of the lacrimal gland as well as own results are presented. RESULTS: Acellular dermis has been successfully used for eyelid reconstruction and represents a viable option in cases of limited availability of autologous tissue. In vitro grown cellular constructs or tissues with genetically modified cells have already been successfully applied in dermatology for the treatment of burns or severe genodermatoses. First studies on stem cell therapy for severe dry eye in Sjögren syndrome showed a safe and effective application of mesenchymal stem cells by injection into the lacrimal gland. CONCLUSION: Due to the limitations of currently available replacement tissues, there is a clinical need for the development of new materials for adnexa oculi reconstruction. Constructs grown in vitro with allogeneic and/or genetically engineered cells are slowly making their way into clinical practice. The efficacy and mode of action of stem cells in severe dry eye are subject matters of current clinical trials.

[Assessment of subjective risk of infection and willingness to vaccinate against SARS-CoV-2 among German ophthalmologists : Results of a survey by DOG and BVA]. / Einschätzung des subjektiven Infektionsrisikos und Impfbereitschaft gegen SARS-CoV-2 unter deutschen Augenärzten : Ergebnisse einer Umfrage von DOG und BVA.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: After approval of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Germany, vaccination prioritization and vaccination preparedness are central topics in the discussion on strategies to end the pandemic. How ophthalmologists evaluate their risk of infection and whether they are willing to be vaccinated has not been investigated so far. The aim of this project was to assess the subjective rating of the risk of infection and the willingness to be vaccinated among German ophthalmologists. METHODS: Data were collected by an anonymous online survey conducted by the Professional Association of Ophthalmologists in Germany (BVA) and the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) under the auspices of the University Eye Hospital Düsseldorf. The questionnaire was open for participation from 22 January to 12 February 2021. The survey was addressed to all colleagues in ophthalmology. RESULTS: A total of 1162 completed questionnaires were analyzed. On average, survey respondents rated their risk of infection as 7.5 ± 1.9 (scale of 1-10; 1 = very low risk, 10 = very high risk). Of the respondents 971 (83.6%) rated their risk of infection as higher compared to other disciplines and 92.9% (n = 1079) indicated they would be willing to be vaccinated. CONCLUSION: The ophthalmologists interviewed consider their professional group to be exposed to an above-average risk of SARS-COV­2 infection compared to other disciplines. They frequently criticized the prioritization ranking of the German Ministry of Health (BMG), which deviated from the suggestions of the Standing Vaccination Committee of Germany (STIKO). The willingness to be vaccinated was very high among the surveyed German ophthalmologists.

[Cooperation between the department of ophthalmology at the University of Düsseldorf (Germany) and the Fundación Visión in Asunción (Paraguay) as an example of the German hospital partnerships programm]. / Das deutsche Klinikpartnerschaftsprogramm am Beispiel der Kooperation der Klinik für Augenheilkunde des Universitätsklinikums Düsseldorf mit der Fundación Visión in Asunción (Paraguay).

BACKGROUND: A hospital partnership between the University Eye Hospital Düsseldorf (UAK Düsseldorf) and Fundación Visión in Asunción has existed since 2014 based on a memorandum of understanding. Fundación Visión plays a leading role in ophthalmological treatment and prevention of blindness in Paraguay. Since 2016 a program for the promotion of international hospital partnerships of the German government has been in place. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following a written application in 2016 the hospital partnership Düsseldorf-Asunción is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation in Germany. The aim of the project was to establish modern minimally invasive corneal transplantation techniques with faster postoperative rehabilitation and less follow-up in Paraguay with the help of several activities within a defined schedule. Secondary aims were to obtain first data on the prevalence of eye diseases in a typical patient cohort of the Fundación Visión and to establish an infrastructure for modern eye banking techniques in Paraguay. RESULTS: First a Paraguayan surgeon was trained to carry out Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) transplantations in Germany. At the same time, the surgical instruments required for the DMEK technique were purchased and delivered to the Fundación Visión. In September 2018 the first lamellar corneal transplantations were successfully performed in Paraguay by the team from the Fundación Visión under the supervision of an experienced surgical team from Düsseldorf. Subsequently, the split cornea approach using a donor cornea for a posterior and an anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DMEK and DALK) was also implemented in Asunción. In November 2019 epidemiological data on eye diseases were collected during a field campaign of the Fundación Visión in a rural region of Paraguay. In the course of data collection an employee of the University Eye Hospital Düsseldorf learned small incision cataract surgery. In March 2019, a technician from the Fundación Visión was trained in Düsseldorf in corneal tissue culture techniques and preparation of amniotic membrane transplants in the Lions eye bank North-Rhine/Westfalia. CONCLUSION: With the aid of a supported hospital partnership modern minimally invasive corneal transplantation techniques can be successfully transferred to the eye hospital of a developing country and in return surgical skills can be taught to surgeons from Germany who are in training. Therefore, an efficient hospital partnership is the basis for a mutual exchange and is not purely one-way traffic.

[Results of the Dry Eye Research Grant Award 2016]. / Ergebnisse der Sicca-Forschungsförderung 2016.

The Sicca-Förderpreis (Dry Eye Award) supports the development of scientific research on the pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment of dry eye and ocular surface diseases. It is awarded after a limited call for proposals in German-speaking countries, written application and selection of the award winner after evaluation by a jury of ophthalmologists working in basic and clinical science. In this article examples of the results of funded projects of the Sicca-Förderpreis 2016 are cursorily described, which were presented at the Ophthalmological Academy of Germany 2019 (Augenärztliche Akademie Deutschland 2019) and therefore provide an insight into current scientific developments. The role of muscarinic receptors and those of urea in the pathogenesis of dry eye as well as the (missing) correlation of tear film stability, viscosity and surface tension are highlighted. A project on the early detection of ocular involvement in graft versus host disease and the idea of treating meibomian gland dysfunction with eyelid surgery techniques are also groundbreaking. The outlined projects represent the potential for further substantial developments in the understanding, diagnostics and treatment of dry eye; however, their long-term clinical relevance still needs to be established.

[Status and perspectives of registry-based studies in German ophthalmology]. / Stand und Perspektiven registerbasierter Studien in der deutschen Augenheilkunde.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Registry studies provide insights into real-life diagnostic and treatment data outside of clinical trials. Registry studies are interesting for quality management and explorative analyses can lead to the identification of possible risk or prognostically relevant factors and generate hypotheses. There are currently relatively few active registry studies in German ophthalmology. The aim of this survey was to collate the different infrastructure and in particular the potential hurdles in the establishment and performance of registry studies in German ophthalmology departments. METHODS: An online questionnaire collected data on participation in registry studies in German ophthalmology departments between September and December 2018. The survey was addressed to all hospital management and medical staff involved in registry studies in German ophthalmology. RESULTS: Out of 45 participants 18 were head of the department, the remaining 27 were consultants (15), medical specialists (2) and residents (10). According to the department head an average of 2.5 (2.0-3.5) employees per clinic participate in 2.0 (1.7-3.0) registry studies. The amount of reimbursement recommended by the hospital management differed significantly from the amount suggested by the staff (0.0 (0; 75) € (0-100) vs. 100.0 (50.0; 150.0) €; p = 0.0012). The most frequent hurdles to conducting a registry study were bureaucracy and limited human resources. Half of the surveyed centers profited from a separate study center and good clinical practice (GCP) courses for employees involved in studies were mandatory. A quarter of these centers received support from an IT department and/or a statistician. CONCLUSION: Registry studies are an important instrument in ophthalmology research and their importance is increasing in Germany. An agreement on national standards would make the establishment of further registry studies easier.

[Corneal neurotization]. / Korneale Neurotisation.

The previous treatment options for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) were limited. Frequently performed surgical procedures for severe NK include amnionic membrane transplantation and tarsorrhaphy. Corneal neurotization describes the transposition of a healthy donor nerve along the limbal circumference to re-establish corneal sensation and trophic function. The nerve transfer can be performed either by directly transpositioning the supraorbital nerve as described here or by using a sural nerve interponate.

[Peri-ocular Necrotising Fasciitis - Case Report and Overview]. / Periokuläre nekrotisierende Fasziitis ­ Fallbericht und Überblick.

Peri-ocular necrotising fasciitis is a very rare ophthalmological clinical picture and is potentially fatal. This disease is caused by bacterial infection of the fasciae, which rapidly spreads. The present article reports a typical case of the disease and gives an overview of the typical clinical signs and symptoms of peri-ocular necrotising fasciitis.

[New approaches to ocular surface reconstruction beyond the cornea]. / Neue Ansätze zur Rekonstruktion der Augenoberfläche jenseits der Hornhaut.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the conjunctiva is an essential part of ocular surface reconstruction. Clinically applied and experimentally tested tissue- and stem-cell-based approaches are presented and evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Current literature and our own results will be presented. RESULTS: Autologous conjunctiva, mucous membrane of the mouth or nose, and amniotic membrane are routinely used for conjunctival reconstruction. Limitations are limited availability, involvement in autoimmune diseases, donor heterogeneity, and degradation in an inflamed environment. Experimentally tested matrices as tissues made from extracellular matrix proteins, synthetic polymers, temperature-sensitive culture dishes, and decellularized conjunctiva have been tested in vitro and partly in vivo. To replace conjunctival cells, cells of conjunctiva and mucous membrane of mouth and nose have been evaluated and show progenitor cell properties as well as secretory capacity (goblet cell differentiation). CONCLUSIONS: Although different matrices are available for conjunctival reconstruction there is-due to specific limitations of existing tissues-a need for the development of new therapies for conjunctival replacement. Matrices produced in the laboratory have already been partly investigated in vivo and may thus be clinically applicable in the near future. Adult mucous membrane cells show many properties of conjunctival epithelium after expansion in vitro and thus are a promising cell source for conjunctival tissue engineering. Other stem cells sources require further evaluation.

[Dacryolith in a lacrimal duct]. / Dakryolith der zuführenden Tränenwege.

A 31-year-old woman presented with a prominent, yellowish conjunctival mass in the left temporal canthus that had persisted for 3 months despite previous puncture. Repeat incision and curettage produced an 8 mm long concretion. A histopathological examination revealed a dacryolith in the lacrimal duct. This pathology is very rare in this location but has to be considered as a differential diagnosis when patients present with prominence and discomfort in the area of the temporal canthus. The treatment of choice is resection of the dacryolith and irrigation of the lacrimal ducts with penicillin.

[Complications of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty]. / Komplikationen der Descemetmembran-Endothel-Keratoplastik.

Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is a relatively new, but now established surgical procedure to cure corneal endothelial disorders. However, there are donor- and recipient-associated sources of potential complications, some of which can be identified and addressed prior to the procedure and others that may lead to intra- or postoperative problems. Preoperatively, risk factors for a limited visual outcome (ocular comorbidities, previous ocular surgery, subepithelial/stromal scars) and the specific indication for DMEK should be discussed with the patient. Intraoperatively, young donor age can be associated with a particularly elastic graft, which may be difficult to unfold. Such transplants are not appropriate for particularly difficult recipient situations (very opaque cornea, history of vitreoretinal surgery). Postoperatively, transplant dehiscence is the most common complication, which in many cases can be managed by reinjection of air (or a 20 % SF6 gas/air mix) into the anterior chamber. An elevation of the intraocular pressure after DMEK is often caused by a reaction to topical steroid therapy. Although immune rejections after DMEK are less likely than after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and perforating keratoplasty, adequate treatment with topical steroidal drugs is recommended. These common and several rare complications are discussed in this review.

[Mobile computing systems in preclinical care of stroke. Results of the Stroke Angel initiative within the BMBF project PerCoMed]. / Einsatz mobiler Computing-Systeme in der präklinischen Schlaganfallversorgung. Ergebnisse aus der Stroke-Angel-Initiative im Rahmen des BMBF-Projekts PerCoMed.

BACKGROUND: Telemedical networks that apply innovative mobile information technologies (IT) are an innovative approach to improve stroke care in community settings. Within the German Stroke Angel initiative and the research project PerCoMed (Pervasive Computing in Medical Care, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, http://www.percomed.de) the effects of such a solution were assessed by an interdisciplinary research approach. The main goal of the team of researchers and practitioners was to provide clear evidence of improvements in intersectional processes of the stroke chain survival, namely in the acute stroke processes between prehospital rescue services and hospital stroke units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between October 2005 and October 2007 the paramedical staff of five rescue service transporters in a rural area of northern Bavaria was included in a network with the stroke unit of the Neurological Clinic Bad Neustadt. Telemedical support by the Stroke Angel computing system - a software running on a personal digital assistant (PDA) to transmit patient data from the rescue team to the hospital during patient transporting time - was established. As procedural guidance, the Stroke Angel system suggests a predefined path through the necessary emergency procedures according to the structure of the mandatory protocol and the implemented Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen (LAPSS). RESULTS: In the empirical study the authors obtained a complete data set of 226 consecutively admitted patients for analysis in Bad Neustadt and LAPSS data of 217 patients from a second scenario in Düsseldorf. Medical, economic and technical analyses were applied. The technological robustness of the Stroke Angel system could be proven and information entered was transmitted fully and correctly. Concerning medical research questions, for both scenario locations LAPSS with a sensitivity of 68.3% and a specificity of 85.1% has to be deemed insufficient. Hence, alternative algorithms will have to be used in the next steps of evaluation. The system significantly influenced the clinical process of acute stroke management more than the preclinical ones (door-to-CT: 32 min. before and 16 min. at the end of the project). Lysis treatment rose from 6.12% (2005) to 11.17% (2007) of patients with acute stroke. CONCLUSIONS: From the set of perspectives taken, the study illustrates that mobile computing technologies offer new and innovative approaches to improve intersectional acute stroke care. It also teaches the participants that interdisciplinary research can significantly deepen the understanding of such technologies and projects, which can lead to better decision making concerning solution implementation, management and improvements. The approach will be brought into daily practice in Bad Neustadt/Saale within the next months.

[Follicular drug reaction from cetuximab: a common side effect in the treatment of metastatic colon carcinoma]. / Follikuläre Arzneimittelreaktion auf Cetuximab: Eine häufige Nebenwirkung bei der Therapie metastasierter kolorektaler Karzinome.

Cetuximab belongs to a newly developed group of anti-cancer drugs, which have an inhibitory effect on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). EGF-R plays a major role in the homeostasis of the epidermis and epidermal appendages. In addition, EGF-R is expressed on a variety of carcinomas of different origin and is thought to be partly associated with tumor progression. For this reason, inhibition of EGF-R seems a promising anti-cancer therapy, as shown in a few clinical trials. As a side effect of the therapy, a follicular rash often develops in the seborrheic areas; this cutaneous reaction is associated with longer survival. We present a typical case and discuss the important features of the follicular rash occurring after EGF-R inhibition.