Italian XEN-Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR): Effectiveness and Safety at 36 Months of XEN45 Implant.

: We evaluated the 3-year effectiveness and safety of XEN45, combined or not with phacoemulsification, in patients from the Italian XEN-Glaucoma Treatment Registry. : Data from glaucoma patients who underwent XEN45 alone or combined with phacoemulsification were analyzed. Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of ocular hypotensive medications (OHMs) were tested with repeated measures ANOVA in last observation carried forward (LOCF) and per-protocol (PP) analyses.

Development and preliminary evaluation of a novel preoperative index for quantitative analysis of photoreceptor loss in full-thickness macular holes.

Purpose: To identify novel quantitative parameters for evaluating photoreceptor loss in full-thickness macular holes (FTMH), exploring their potential clinical impact on postoperative functional and anatomical recovery.

Methods: This pilot study enrolled 38 eyes from 38 patients diagnosed with FTMH. Preoperatively, eyes underwent analysis and were subsequently followed for six months post-surgery.

Is the Advent of New Surgical Procedures Changing the Baseline Features of Patients Undergoing First-Time Glaucoma Surgery?

: The aim of this study was to determine if the rise in new surgical procedures for glaucoma is changing the baseline features of patients. : In this retrospective study, we reviewed the baseline features of patients undergoing their first glaucoma surgery in 2011 and 2021, collecting data regarding intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF) parameters, stage of disease, and the type of surgery. : In the study, 455 patients were included in the analysis.

Managing the ocular surface after glaucoma filtration surgery: an orphan topic.

Background: Ocular surface (OS) disorders before glaucoma filtration surgery (GFS) have been considered to play a crucial role influencing the surgical outcome. Conversely, the impact of surgery itself on the OS is almost completely overlooked, though evidence suggest that ocular surface disease (OSD) may be induced in patients by GFS. This review analyzes the determinants involved in the OSD development after GFS, the clinical features and related consequences, the main diagnostic hallmarks, as well as the therapeutic strategies for its management.

Ubiquitin proteasome system and glaucoma: A survey of genetics and molecular biology studies supporting a link with pathogenic and therapeutic relevance.

Glaucoma represents a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons with subsequent visual field impairment. The disease develops through largely uncharacterized molecular mechanisms, that are likely to occur in different localized cell types, either in the anterior (e.g.

A machine learning approach to predict the glaucoma filtration surgery outcome.

This study aimed at predicting the filtration surgery (FS) outcome using a machine learning (ML) approach. 102 glaucomatous patients undergoing FS were enrolled and underwent ocular surface clinical tests (OSCTs), determination of surgical site-related biometric parameters (SSPs) and conjunctival vascularization. Break-up-time, Schirmer test I, corneal fluorescein staining, Meibomian gland expressibility; conjunctival hyperemia, upper bulbar conjunctiva area of exposure, limbus to superior eyelid distance; and conjunctival epithelial and stromal (CET, CST) thickness and reflectivity (ECR, SCR) at AS-OCT were considered.

A deep learning approach to investigate the filtration bleb functionality after glaucoma surgery: a preliminary study.

Purpose: To distinguish functioning from failed filtration blebs (FBs) implementing a deep learning (DL) model on slit-lamp images.

Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study for development and validation of an artificial intelligence classification algorithm. The dataset consisted of 119 post-trabeculectomy FB images of whom we were aware of the surgical outcome.

Effectiveness and safety of XEN45 implant over 12 months of follow-up: data from the XEN-Glaucoma Treatment Registry.

Objectives: To evaluate the 1-year effectiveness and safety of the XEN45, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, in glaucoma patients.

Methods: This multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive eyes of glaucoma patients from the Italian XEN-Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR) who underwent XEN45 alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, with at least 1 year of follow-up. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) < 18 mmHg and ≥20% reduction from preoperative IOP, over 1 year of follow-up.

Refractive surgery and dry eye.

Refractive surgery is one of the most common elective surgeries performed worldwide. The incidence of dry eye disease (DED) after corneal refractive surgery varies among different studies. Pre-existing untreated DED has been identified as a risk factor for postsurgical dry eye symptoms.

Innovation in the Development of Synthetic and Natural Ocular Drug Delivery Systems for Eye Diseases Treatment: Focusing on Drug-Loaded Ocular Inserts, Contacts, and Intraocular Lenses.

Nowadays, ocular drug delivery still remains a challenge, since the conventional dosage forms used for anterior and posterior ocular disease treatments, such as topical, systemic, and intraocular administration methods, present important limitations mainly related to the anatomical complexity of the eye. In particular, the blood-ocular barrier along with the corneal barrier, ocular surface, and lacrimal fluid secretion reduce the availability of the administered active compounds and their efficacy. These limitations have increased the need to develop safe and effective ocular delivery systems able to sustain the drug release in the interested ocular segment over time.

Ultrasound Cyclo Plasty in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma and High Myopia.

Prcis: Ultrasound cyclo plasty (UCP) using high-intensity focused ultrasound is an effective and safe procedure in lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma, even in those with high myopia.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of UCP in glaucoma patients with high myopia.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, we enrolled 36 eyes divided into 2 groups based on axial length: group A (≥26.

Italian Candidates for the XEN Implant: An Overview from the Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR).

The Italian XEN Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR) was created to acquire a comprehensive prospective dataset that includes the patient characteristics, intraoperative variables, and postoperative management of glaucoma patients undergoing the XEN gel stent implantation. This was a prospective observational, longitudinal clinical study involving 10 centres throughout Italy. The baseline examination included a comprehensive evaluation of demographic parameters (age, sex, ethnicity, and systemic condition), specific ophthalmological parameters, and quality of life questionnaire score collection.

Citicoline/Coenzyme Q10/Vitamin B3 Fixed Combination Exerts Synergistic Protective Effects on Neuronal Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the rationale and efficacy of using a citicoline, coenzyme Q10 (CAVAQ10) and vitamin B3 fixed combination in combating inflammation and oxidation in neuronal cells exposed to oxidative stress.

Methods: HypoE22 cells and isolated hypothalamic specimens were selected as in vitro models to conduct the experiments. The efficacy of citicoline, CAVAQ10, and vitamin B3, with their fixed combination, were assayed after the exposure of hypothalamic cells to hydrogen peroxide (concentration range 1 nM-10 µM), in order to evaluate the biocompatibility of treatments.

Topical Steroids and Glaucoma Filtration Surgery Outcomes: An In Vivo Confocal Study of the Conjunctiva.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of topical steroids on conjunctiva in patients undergoing filtration surgery (FS) for glaucoma by using confocal microscopy (CM); (2) Methods: One hundred and four glaucomatous patients were randomized to fluorometholone or lubricants four weeks before FS. CM was performed before treatments and pre-operatively. Dendritic and goblet cell densities (DCD, GCD), stromal meshwork reflectivity (SMR), vascular tortuosity (VT), and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) were the main outcomes.

Preparing the ocular surface for glaucoma filtration surgery: an unmet clinical need.

The mutual relationship among medical therapy, ocular surface (OS) and filtration surgery (FS) represents one of the most crucial issues in glaucoma management. As the long-term use of intraocular pressure-lowering medications significantly affect the OS health, patients with an uncontrolled disease frequently undergo glaucoma surgery in less-than-ideal conditions. As we known, OS changes strongly affect the post-operative bleb filtration capability.

Tear proteomics reveals the molecular basis of the efficacy of human recombinant nerve growth factor treatment for Neurotrophic Keratopathy.

Neurotrophic Keratopathy (NK), classified as an orphan disease (ORPHA137596), is a rare degenerative corneal disease characterized by epithelial instability and decreased corneal sensitivity caused by the damage to the corneal nerves. The administration of human recombinant nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops, as a licensed-in-Europe specific medication for treatment of moderate and severe NK, has added promising perspectives to the management of this disorder by providing a valid alternative to the neurotization surgery. However, few studies have been conducted to the molecular mechanism underlying the response to the treatment.

Confocal Microscopy of the Corneal Sub-Basal Nerve plexus in Medically Controlled Glaucoma.

The present study investigated the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus (SNP) modifications in glaucoma. Ninety-five glaucomatous patients were enrolled and divided into Group 1 and 2, preserved and preservative-free mono-therapy (30 and 28 patients), and Group 3, multi-therapy (37). Thirty patients with dry eye disease (DED) and 32 healthy subjects (HC) served as controls.

Long-term outcome of supraciliary gold micro shunt in refractory glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate the 10-year follow-up efficacy and safety of gold micro shunt (GMS) in patients with refractory glaucoma, and the potential risk factors for failure.

Methods: Retrospective data analyses based on medical records from 55 patients who underwent GMS implant for refractory glaucoma between March 2007 and April 2008. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative probability of success defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) below 21 mmHg together with a 33% lowering of the baseline IOP with (qualified) or without (complete) topical medications, no reoperation for glaucoma or loss of light perception.

Visual Performance and Quality of Life after Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery with Trifocal IOLs Implantation.

Purpose: To assess visual performance and quality of life after implantation of diffractive trifocal IOLs with enhanced depth of focus (Acriva Reviol Tri-ED) compared to monofocal IOLs.

Setting: Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

Confocal Microscopy and Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of the Ocular Surface and Bleb Morphology in Medically and Surgically Treated Glaucoma Patients: A Review.

Glaucoma patients often suffer from ocular surface disease (OSD) caused by the chronic administration of topical anti-glaucoma medications, especially in cases of long-term therapy with preserved or multiple drugs. Additionally, glaucoma surgery may determine ocular surface changes related to the formation and location of the filtering bleb, the application of anti-mitotic agents, and the post-operative wound-healing processes within the conjunctiva. Recently, several studies have evaluated the role of advanced diagnostic imaging technologies such as in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in detecting microscopic and macroscopic features of glaucoma therapy-related OSD.

Face Mask-Related Ocular Surface Modifications During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Clinical, In Vivo Confocal Microscopy, and Immune-Cytology Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the face mask (FM)-related ocular surface changes using clinical tests, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and impression cytology (IC), and to investigate the Dry Eye-related Quality of life Score (DEQS).

Methods: Sixty-six patients with dry eye disease (DED) and 62 healthy subjects (group 2) using FM were enrolled. Groups were divided into: groups 1A and 2A: < 3 hours of FM wear; groups 1B and 2B: 3 to 6 hours; and groups 1C and 2C: > 6 hours.

Virtual learning solutions in COVID-19 era: University Italian Ophthalmology department perspective.

Introduction: Few months after the COVID-19 pandemic burst, many aspects of the human life, including education, dramatically changed. Because of the lockdown measures taken to limit the virus spread in Italy, in-person teaching and learning have been interrupted in all health care disciplines and readapted in virtual formulae.

Methods: As academic ophthalmology departments, we had to maintain the educational needs of medical and orthoptic students, internships, surgical training of residents, as well as to cover the scientific update of health care personnel (HCPs), and the continuation of research and academic activities.

Endothelial Cell Density After XEN Implant Surgery: Short-term Data From the Italian XEN Glaucoma Treatment Registry (XEN-GTR).

Precis: XEN implant was associated with low endothelial cell density (ECD) reduction. In fact, when combined with phacoemulsification, the reduction in ECD was similar to that expected after phacoemulsification alone.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of XEN implant, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, on ECD.