Childhood uveitis not associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a national survey of incidence, management and visual outcomes.

Aims: To estimate the incidence of childhood uveitis not associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the United Kingdom.

Methods: Children under 16 years who presented with a new diagnosis of uveitis from November 2014 to October 2015 were identified prospectively through the British and Scottish Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting card system. Incident questionnaires were sent to reporting ophthalmologists at presentation and 12 months.

Long-term visual and treatment outcomes of whole-population pre-school visual screening (PSVS) in children: a longitudinal, retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Background: This study reports the long-term visual and treatment outcomes in a whole-population, orthoptic-delivered pre-school visual screening (PSVS) programme in Scotland and further examines their associations with socioeconomic backgrounds and home circumstances.

Methods: Retrospective case review was conducted on 430 children who failed PSVS. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), severity of amblyopia (mild, moderate and severe), binocular vision (BV) (normal, poor and none), ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment modalities.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 3 (POTS3): clinical features and initial management of injuries.

Purpose: Worldwide, as many as 6 million children annually sustain ocular trauma, with up to a quarter of a million children requiring hospitalization. Management of pediatric ocular trauma differs from that in adults, both in terms of initial assessment and acute intervention, with significant variation in practice between different centers. Patterns of healing and long-term outcomes are also very different for children compared to adults.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 2 (POTS2): demographics and mechanisms of injuries.

Purpose: Pediatric ocular trauma is an important cause of visual morbidity worldwide, accounting for up to one-third of all ocular trauma admissions. It has long-term implications for those affected and significant economic consequences for healthcare providers. It has been estimated that 90% of all ocular trauma is preventable.

Socioeconomic deprivation and serious ocular trauma in Scotland: a national prospective study.

Objective: To identify the population at risk of serious ocular trauma by exploring relationships with socioeconomic factors.

Design: National, prospective, population-based, cross-sectional and follow-up study.

Participants: Patients with serious ocular trauma requiring hospital admission in Scotland.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 1 (POTS1): development of a global standardized protocol for prospective data collection in pediatric ocular trauma.

Background: Ocular trauma is an important cause of visual morbidity in children worldwide. Pediatric ocular trauma accounts for up to one third of all ocular trauma admissions, with significant economic implications for health care providers. It is estimated that 90% of all ocular trauma is preventable.

Endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Background: A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedure aims to restore drainage of tears by bypassing a blockage in the nasolacrimal duct, through the creation of a bony ostium that allows communication between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity. It can be performed using endonasal or external approaches. The comparative success rates of these two approaches have not yet been established and this review aims to evaluate the relevant up-to-date research.

Impact of socioeconomic deprivation on the development of diabetic retinopathy: a population-based, cross-sectional and longitudinal study over 12 years.

Objective: To study the association between socioeconomic deprivation and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional observational study and retrospective longitudinal analysis over 12 years.

Setting: Primary care, East of Scotland.

Management of patients with Graves' orbitopathy: initial assessment, management outside specialised centres and referral pathways.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is uncommon, but responsible for considerable morbidity. A coordinated approach between healthcare professionals is required in order to meet the needs of patients. Early diagnosis can be achieved by a simple clinical assessment.

Diagnosis of Graves' orbitopathy (DiaGO): results of a pilot study to assess the utility of an office tool for practicing endocrinologists.

Context: In active Graves' orbitopathy (GO), treatment can improve the final cosmetic and visual outcome. Diagnostic delay results in significant morbidity and increases patient dissatisfaction. However, it can be challenging for endocrinologists to recognize GO and decide who should be referred for ophthalmic care.

Recent trends in glaucoma surgery in Scotland, England and Wales.

Objective: To evaluate national trends of trabeculectomy, aqueous shunts and cycloablation performed in Scotland, England and Wales from 1993 to 2012.

Methods: The annual numbers of trabeculectomies and aqueous shunts carried out between 1993 and 2012 were obtained from national Scottish, English and Welsh National Health Service databases. The annual rates of trabeculectomy, aqueous shunts and cycloablation were calculated per 100,000 of the population and analysed in the following age groups: 0-14 years, 15-59 years, over 60 years.

siRNA silencing of the mutant keratin 12 allele in corneal limbal epithelial cells grown from patients with Meesmann's epithelial corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to further assess our previously reported keratin 12 (K12)-Leu132Pro specific siRNA in silencing the mutant allele in Meesmann's Epithelial Corneal Dystrophy (MECD) in experimental systems more akin to the in vivo situation through simultaneous expression of both wild-type and mutant alleles.

Methods: Using KRT12 exogenous expression constructs transfected into cells, mutant allele specific knockdown was quantified using pyrosequencing and infrared Western blot analysis, while the silencing mechanism was assessed by a modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'RACE) method. Corneal limbal biopsies taken from patients suffering from MECD were used to establish cultures of MECD corneal limbal epithelial stem cells and the ability of the siRNA to silence the endogenous mutant KRT12 allele was assessed by a combination of pyrosequencing, qPCR, ELISA, and quantitative-fluorescent immunohistochemistry (Q-FIHC).

Development of allele-specific gene-silencing siRNAs for TGFBI Arg124Cys in lattice corneal dystrophy type I.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potency and specificity of short-interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment for TGFBI-Arg124Cys lattice corneal dystrophy type I (LCDI) using exogenous expression constructs in model systems and endogenous gene targeting in an ex vivo model using corneal epithelial cell cultures.

Methods: A panel of 19 TGFBI-Arg124Cys-specific siRNAs were assessed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Further assessment using pyrosequencing and qPCR was used to identify the lead siRNA; suppression of mutant TGFBIp expression was confirmed by Western blot and Congo red aggregation assays.

Decrease in the rate of esotropia surgery in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2010.

Background/aims: A decrease in strabismus surgery in children has been previously documented in the UK. This study aims to examine whether the incidence of strabismus surgery in children is still decreasing and, if so, the possible reasons for this.

Methods: Data on strabismus surgery from 2000 to 2010 in children in Scotland, England and Wales were obtained.

Acute-onset diplopia.

Purpose:   To investigate the clinical features of all patients with acute-onset diplopia presenting to the ophthalmology department.

Methods:   The notes of every patient who presented with acute onset (<4-week duration) diplopia to the ophthalmology clinic over a 2-year period were reviewed. Data regarding clinical features, underlying aetiology, past medical history, investigations and outcomes were extracted.

Development of allele-specific therapeutic siRNA in Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy.

Background: Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy (MECD) is an inherited eye disorder caused by dominant-negative mutations in either keratins K3 or K12, leading to mechanical fragility of the anterior corneal epithelium, the outermost covering of the eye. Typically, patients suffer from lifelong irritation of the eye and/or photophobia but rarely lose visual acuity; however, some individuals are severely affected, with corneal scarring requiring transplant surgery. At present no treatment exists which addresses the underlying pathology of corneal dystrophy.