Corneal Biomechanics - an Emerging Ocular Property with a Significant Impact.

Corneal biomechanical properties reflect the capacity of the cornea to respond to applied mechanical forces. They are an increasingly important domain in ocular pathology, correlated to the diagnosis and evolution of eye diseases such as refractive errors, glaucoma or corneal ectasias. Refractive errors constitute a significant etiology of decreased vision worldwide, with a particular impact in children.

Comparative antioxidant activity of various ophthalmic product types for artificial tears under different experimental conditions.

Artificial tears or lubricants is a developing category in pharmaceutical research, due to the permanent increasing incidence of dry eye syndrome caused by the extensive use of personal computers and other gadget screens, associated with global warming and pollution. Considering the role of inflammation in dry eye syndrome, characterized by the production of free radicals, it is imperative to determine which elements are more significant in forming an artificial tear more effectively and more comfortably for the eye state and for the quality of life. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the evolution of the total antioxidant capacity of some frequently commercialized artificial tears via the photochemiluminescence method, using an antioxidant capacity of lipid soluble substances procedure, prior and subsequent to the exposure of these therapy agents to some physical agents.

Morphometric study regarding ophthalmic and internal carotid arteries utilizing computed tomography angiography.

The aim of the present study was to accurately measure the diameter of the ophthalmic artery (OA) and investigate whether bilateral variations in diameter can be recorded in relation to patient age and sex. A retrospective study including 80 computed tomography angiographic (CTA) examinations and a total of 160 arteries was conducted to demonstrate the morphometric aspects of the OAs analyzed bilaterally by CTA examinations, while considering the references of the internal carotid artery (ICA) caliber. Precise measurements performed on the OA and the ICA below and above the ophthalmic emergence revealed an OA diameter of 1.

Correlation between metabolic status and diabetic retinopathy evolution in type 1 diabetes.

Out of the multiple vascular complications of diabetes, retinopathy is the easiest to diagnose and monitor as the examination of the eye fundus is an easy investigation to perform, does not require expensive medical equipment and can be repeated without any risk to the patient. The appearance of the retinal vessels, the optic nerve and the retina can provide useful information on the coronary and cerebral circulation, plasma lipid levels, renal function, and the quality of the arteries of the lower limbs. It is known that visual acuity changes variably depending on the macular alteration and may decrease when edema is installed in the macular region or is altered by the appearance of hemorrhages or the presence of foveolar neovascular tissues resulting from traction retinal detachment.

NAD metabolism and retinal degeneration (Review).

The recent years has revealed an intense interest in the study of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), particularly in regards to its intermediates, such as nicotinamide and nicotinic acid known as niacin, and also nicotinamide riboside. Besides its participation as a coenzyme in the redox transformations of nutrients during catabolism, NAD is also involved in DNA repair and epigenetic modification of gene expression and also plays an essential role in calcium homeostasis. Clinical and experimental data emphasize the age-dependent decline in NAD levels and its relation with the onset and progression of various age-related diseases.

Urban allergy review: Allergic rhinitis and asthma with plane tree sensitization (Review).

Respiratory allergies represent a major public health issue in the modern world. Pollens are among the most significant causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, with pollens of wind-pollinated trees representing an important cause. Members of the Platanaceae family (, ) are well-recognized sources of allergenic pollens worldwide, due to their high capacity of sensitization and widespread usage as ornamental urban trees.

Ultrasonography of the larynx: Novel use during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Review).

Few articles have been published on the subject of laryngeal ultrasonography. However, considering the increased power and accuracy of ultrasound technology, this imaging modality should be reevaluated. The present review aimed to increase the awareness of fellow specialists regarding the use of this imaging tool in healthcare units that do not benefit from onsite ear, nose and throat (ENT) service.

Relationship between chemokines and T lymphocytes in the context of respiratory allergies (Review).

Allergic diseases have been classified in the last decades using various theories. The main classes of the newest classification in allergic respiratory diseases focus on the characterization of the endotype (which takes into account biomarkers related to determinant pathophysiological mechanisms) and of the phenotype (based on the description of the disease). Th2, Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes and the type of inflammatory response mediated by them represent the basis for Th2 and non-Th2 endotype classification.

Congenital cataract - clinical and morphological aspects.

Congenital cataract is one of the main causes of blindness in newborns and children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 14 million children suffering from congenital cataract. Our study is based on 82 children, males - 46 (56.

The role of Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) in monitoring the progression and in guiding the treatment of glaucoma patients with poor compliance.

The objectives of the present study were to analyze the possibility of using pattern VEPs (VEP of pattern type) in glaucoma patients and their role in the follow-up and coordination/ management of anti-glaucoma treatment. This is a prospective study on 54 eyes of 30 consecutive glaucoma patients, whose compliance capacity did not allow automatic perimetry and OCT scan to be carried out. The patients were divided into two groups: group A - the study group and group B - the control group.

Visual evoked potential in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. Literature review.

Visual evoked potentials (VEP) are a significant visual electrophysiological diagnostic exam, which can be used as a suitable objective measure of optic nerve function. The topic was greatly debated and many correlations between the magnitude of the VEP latency parameters and parameters of Humphrey static perimetry suggested that the abnormal cortex responses in patients with glaucomatous changes could be tested by both electrophysiological and physical methods. Moreover, the optic nerve glaucomatous damage observed by reduction in ganglion cell layer and retinal fibre layer thickness through SD-OCT tests, which are known to precede Humphrey visual field defects, correlates with VEP latency parameters, thus consolidating the position of the VEP testing in glaucoma progression.

Foveal avascular zone area measurements using OCT angiography in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with essential hypertension.

This study followed the variability in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. This prospective, non-randomized, cohort study evaluated 46 eyes in 26 patients with high blood pressure associated with diabetic non-proliferative retinopathy (mild, medium, and severe forms) and diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Our results showed early macular alterations (microaneurysms, leakage, neovascularizations, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities), a higher class of severity despite a relatively normal clinical aspect and higher values of FAZ associated with neovascularization undetected by SD-OCT (spectral domain-OCT).

Variability of diabetic macular edema in correlation with hypertension retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension.

This study aimed to determine the possible relationship between variability of diabetic macular edema associated with hypertension retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and essential high blood pressure, in correlation with contrast sensitivity. In order to accomplish the objective, this retrospective study evaluated the progression of diabetic macular edema in patients with high blood pressure during day time through measurements of the total macular volume and central macular thickness using optical coherence tomography and contrast sensitivity variations measured through Pelli Robson test, four times a day, along with glycemia and blood pressure measurements. Our results showed a statistically significant correlation between the values of glycemia and central macular thickness, and between contrast sensitivity and macular thickness at every tested hour.

The neuroprotective role of citicoline treatment in glaucoma - 6 months results of a prospective therapeutic trial.

Neuroprotective treatment, including citicoline, is a new perspective in glaucoma management, having the role of progression delay. The purpose of the present study was to observe the evolution of the different parameters in patients with glaucoma treated with citicoline. 22 patients with GPUD were enrolled in the study, and they received oral citicoline in addition to the ocular hypotensive therapy.

Rare ophthalmology diseases.

Rare ocular pathology has an important impact on the quality of life of patients because often the damage is bilateral and, although asymmetric, causes a significant decrease in visual acuity. Because it may be asymptomatic until a relatively late stage, diagnosis is frequently delayed. A general understanding of the disease pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment may assist primary care physicians in referring high-risk patients for comprehensive ophthalmological examination and for a more active involvement in their care.

Macular pigment density changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.

To present a series of 2 cases of central serous chorioretinopathy and the changes in the macular pigment optical density during the evolution of the disease. A 32-year-old patient presented himself for blurred vision on his LE. The SD OCT imaging revealed serous macular detachment of the neurosensory retina on the LE.

Macular serpiginous choroiditis - case report.

Serpiginous choroiditis represents an inflammation, often asymmetric, situated at the level of the inner choroid, which is related to the retinal pigment epithelium and the choriocapillaris. It is known as a primarily idiopathic, but there are authors who consider it an autoimmune process. Many times, fundus autofluorescence is the investigation which is guiding the diagnosis, the management, also the follow-up together with the determination of the progressive visual prognosis.

Investigation of importance of the structural parameters of the eyeball and of the technical parameters of cataract surgery on corneal endothelial changes.

was to look into the importance of the structural parameters of the eyeball, in relationship with the technical parameters of cataract surgery regarding the corneal endothelial changes made by it. The paper refers at a prospective study in which we included eighty-eight consecutive eyes from eighty-six different patients having age-related cataract and a visual acuity of a values less than 0.8 considering best possible correction with it.

An overview of the influence and design of biomaterial of the intraocular implant of the posterior capsule opacification.

Posterior capsule opacification remains till nowadays one of the most hypothetical problems concerning the cataract surgery. When it comes in preventing PCO, this complication is made in multiple ways that concern, along with the surgery steps, the choice for the biomaterial of the intraocular implant lens. The concern of influence of the type of the used material (hydro-phob/ hydro-philic), of the design of the implant (1-piece IOL = monobloc vs.

Similarities and differences between three different types of white dot syndrome and the therapeutic possibilities.

White dot syndromes consists a group of inflammatory eye diseases with an unknown etiology involving the external retina, retinal pigment epithelium, choroid or combinations of them. They affect one or both eyes, at the same time or not. White dot syndromes are often self-limited, with a variable prognosis, depending on the type of the disease.

Overexpression of Tear Inflammatory Cytokines as Additional Finding in Keratoconus Patients and Their First Degree Family Members.

Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectasia that may lead to severe visual impairment due to the irregular astigmatism caused by corneal thinning. In addition to its association with atopy, eye rubbing, or genetic component, late reports suggest the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease. Our aim was to determine the concentration of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, RANTES, IFN gamma, and TNF alpha in the tear film of patients with keratoconus and their first degree family members.

A referable clinical pattern of spondyloarthritis-associated uveitis.

The aim of the study was to identify a clinical pattern of spondyloarthritis (SpA)-associated uveitis in order to facilitate proper rheumatologic referral by ophthalmologists. Demographic data were recorded and acute phase reactants were measured using standard methods between May and August 2017, for all adult patients (age > 18 years) presenting with acute uveitis (standardization of uveitis nomenclature). Afterwards, they were referred to a rheumatology clinic to be screened for the 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) classification criteria of SpA.

The importance of corneal biomechanics in assessing first degree family members of keratoconus patients.

to determine the values of biomechanical parameters (corneal hysteresis - CH, corneal resistance factor - CRF and keratoconus match index - KMI) in patients with keratoconus and their first degree family members. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the importance of assessing corneal biomechanics in subjects at risk of developing the primary ectasia. 48 participants divided into three groups were analyzed in an observational study after a complete ophthalmological exam with the primary focus on Ocular Response Analyzer.

The use of biologic therapies in uveitis.

Purpose: Non-infectious uveitis has been long controlled with the use of corticosteroids with many side effects and poor control in some cases. The purpose of this paper was to assess the different biologic agents (in this case infliximab and adalimumab) and to compare their efficacy in the treatment of uveitis.

Results: Adalimumab has been proven very successful in replacing or aiding corticosteroid therapy in different autoimmune mediated uveitis (Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis) whereas infliximab has been used intravenously and recently intravitreally with very promising results in controlling Behcet's related uveitis.