Dry Eye Following Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

This study investigates the dry eye effect after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and also compares the risk of postoperative dry eye between FLACS and manual cataract surgery (MCS). We searched various databases between 1 January 2000 and 15 October 2022 and included peer-reviewed clinical studies in our review. Dry eye parameters were extracted at baseline and postoperative day one, week one, one month, and three months. Parameters included were the ocular surface discomfort index (OSDI), tear secretion (tear meniscus height, Schirmer's test), microscopic ocular surface damage (fluorescein staining), and tear stability (first and average tear breakup time). Additionally, the differences of each parameter at each time point were compared between FLACS and MCS. In total, six studies of 611 eyes were included. On postoperative day one, increased, pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) were noted in the OSDI, tear secretion, tear film instability, and microscopic damage. During postoperative week one, dry eye worsened. Fortunately, dry eye achieved resolution afterwards and nearly returned to the baseline level at postoperative three months. When the parameters were compared between FLACS and MCS, those of FLACS had higher severities, but most were not statistically significant. Dry eye impact was approximately the same in FLACS and MCS at postoperative three months.

Association between retinitis pigmentosa and an increased risk of primary angle closure glaucoma: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most frequent retinal hereditary dystrophy and result in blindness if progresses. Several case reports have revealed the possible association between RP and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). We conducted a population-based study to explore whether RP significantly increased the risk of PACG development. METHODS: Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we enrolled patients with RP into the RP group from 2001 to 2013 and included a comparison group of 1:4 age- and sex-matched individuals without RP. We performed a Cox regression analysis to estimate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of RP for PACG after adjustment for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, chronic kidney disease, and lens subluxation. RESULTS: We enrolled 6223 subjects with RP and 24892 subjects for comparison. The mean age of the cohort was 49.0 ± 18.1 years. The RP group had significantly higher percentages of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia. The cumulative incidence of PACG in patients with RP was 1.61%, which was significantly higher than that in the comparison group (0.81%, p < 0.0001). According to the univariate Cox regression analysis, the hazard of PACG development was significantly greater in the RP group, with an unadjusted HR of 2.09 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-2.65). The increased risk persisted after adjusting for confounders (adjusted HR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.76-2.72). CONCLUSION: This nationwide population-based cohort study showed that people with RP are at a significantly greater risk of developing PACG than individuals without RP.

Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa May Have a Higher Risk of Developing Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common retinal hereditary dystrophy, which can lead to blindness if it progresses. Similarly, open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a genetic disorder. The similarities in genetic variants and pathophysiology between RP and OAG have been reported. We sought to explore whether patients with RP have a significantly higher risk of OAG development. Methods: We enrolled patients with RP into the RP group through Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database from 2001 to 2013; we included a comparison group of 1 : 4 age- and gender-matched individuals without RP. We performed a Cox regression analysis to estimate the crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for OAG. We adjusted the following confounders in the Cox regression model: age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Results: We enrolled 6,223 subjects with RP and 24,892 subjects for comparison. The mean age of the cohort was 49.0 ± 18.1 years. The RP group had significantly higher percentages of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia. The cumulative incidence of OAG in patients with RP was 1.57%; this was significantly higher than that in the comparison group (0.58%, p < 0.0001). On univariate Cox regression analysis, the hazard of OAG development was significantly greater in the RP group than in the comparison group with an unadjusted HR of 2.86 (95% confidence interval, 2.21-3.70). The increased risk persisted after adjusting for confounders (adjusted HR = 2.86; 95% CI, 2.21-3.70). Conclusions: This nationwide population-based cohort study showed that people with RP are at a significantly greater risk of developing OAG than individuals without it.

Latanoprostene Bunod 0.024% in the Treatment of Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis.

Latanoprostene bunod (LBN) 0.024%, a newly approved glaucoma eye drop, is metabolized into latanoprost acid and a nitric oxide (NO)-donating moiety, thus increasing the outflow of aqueous humor through the uveoscleral and trabecular routes, respectively. This study aimed to evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of LBN among patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). The effectiveness of LBN was also compared with timolol maleate 0.5% and latanoprost 0.005%. We searched PubMed and Embase between 1 January 2010, and 31 March 2022 and adopted only peer-reviewed clinical studies in our meta-analysis. A total of nine studies (2389 patients with OAG or OHT) assessing the IOP-reduction effect of LBN were included. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) of IOP between post-treatment time points (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months) and baseline were calculated. The pooled analysis according to each time point revealed a significant IOP drop after LBN treatment (all p values for SMD < 0.05). In addition, LBN revealed a significantly stronger efficacy in decreasing IOP than timolol maleate 0.5% and latanoprost 0.005% during the follow-up period of three months. No serious side effects of LBN 0.024% were reported. Our study concluded that LBN could achieve good performance for IOP reduction in patients with OAG and OHT. The safety was favorable with no severe side effects.

Relationship Between Gallstone Disease and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Elderly People with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD) increases with age, and the elderly have a much higher mortality risk and incidence of surgical comorbidities. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between GSD and cardiometabolic risk factors in elderly people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data of elderly people who underwent annual health check-ups at a Northern Taiwan health examination center. These data were collected from physical examination, blood tests, abdominal ultrasonography, and medical histories. We excluded those with hepatitis B or C infections, heavy alcohol consumption, or cholecystectomy. RESULTS: The analysis included 3,037 participants with a mean age of 73.6±6.0 years. Over 70% were overweight or obese, and the overall prevalence of GSD was 17.7%. In our univariate analysis, GSD was positively correlated with age, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and various metabolic factors (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], triglyceride, uric acid, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] levels). After adjustment for age, gender, and body mass index, metabolic syndrome showed a positive association with GSD (odds ratio [OR] 1.31 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.64]; P=0.020). Specific components of metabolic syndrome that increased the risk for GSD in NAFLD elderly include lower levels of HDL-C (OR 1.35 [95% CI, 1.10-1.66]; P<0.001) and elevated FPG (OR 1.36 [95% CI, 1.10-1.69]; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that GSD is significantly associated with metabolic syndrome in elderly people with NAFLD. Reduced HDL-C and elevated FPG both heighten the risk of developing GSD. Therefore, to lower the risk of GSD in NAFLD patients, their FPG levels and HDL-C levels must be regularly followed-up, and these patients should be educated about the symptoms of GSD if they meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome.