Adaptation of the MAUQ and usability evaluation of a mobile phone-based system to promote eye donation.

Introduction: Mobile Applications (apps) are commonly used in the health care settings to improve the quality of care, however prior to the release of the app it is vital to evaluate its usability. Therefore, the aim of this study is to adapt the mobile Health App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ) and measure the usability of the Eye donor Aust App using the modified instrument (m-MAUQ).

Methods: The study was undertaken using a convenience sample of 94 patients and their carers attending three eye clinics and one outpatient department in a large hospital in Sydney Australia.

Donation of discarded ocular tissue in patients undergoing SMILE laser refractive surgery: developing appropriate guidelines.

Tissue Biobanks represent an invaluable resource. Despite the majority of people supporting tissue donation, the actual rate remains low overall. Tissue discarded from surgical procedures represents a further avenue for collection for use in research.

Randomized, Controlled, Double-Masked, Multicenter, Pilot Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Intranasal Neurostimulation for Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: We assess the safety and effectiveness of intranasal neurostimulation to promote tear production via the nasolacrimal pathway in subjects with dry eye disease.

Methods: A multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-masked pilot study was conducted in adults with dry eye diagnosis and at least one eye with corneal fluorescein staining ≥2 in at least one region or a sum of all regions ≥5 (National Eye Institute grading), basal Schirmer test score ≤10 mm, a cotton-swab stimulated Schirmer score ≥7 mm higher, and an Ocular Surface Disease Index score ≥23. Subjects were randomized to receive active intranasal neurostimulation or sham control intranasal stimulation 4 to 8 times per day.

Methods for assessing forward and backward light scatter in patients with cataract.

Purpose: To compare objective methods for assessing backward and forward light scatter and psychophysical tests in patients with cataracts.

Setting: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Design: Prospective case series.

The use of donor scleral patch in ophthalmic surgery.

Scleral tissue has been in use in ophthalmology for many years although indications for use have varied. We retrospectively reviewed scleral transplant tissue requests over a 12 month period at a local eye bank and confirmed a small but significant demand for the use of scleral tissue. Iatrogenic surgical complications are the primary indication for use.

Implementation of Organ Culture storage of donor corneas: a 3 year study of its impact on the corneal transplant wait list at the Lions New South Wales Eye Bank.

Organ Culture corneal storage offers an extended storage time and increased donor pool and tissue assessment opportunities. In September 2011, the Lions New South Wales Eye Bank (LNSWEB) moved from hypothermic storage to Organ Culture corneal storage. This study evaluates the impact of implementation of Organ Culture on donor eye retrieval and the corneal transplant waiting list over a 3 year period in NSW, Australia.

Immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated human corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: To investigate the modulatory effect of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-T) stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in an in vitro co-cultured model.

Methods: HCE-T alone and co-cultured with MSC were stimulated with IFN-γ/TNF for 24 and 48 hours or left untreated. The expression of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, human leukocyte antigen ABC, DR and G (HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, HLA-G) were investigated by flow cytometry.

New agents for treating dry eye syndrome.

Dry eye syndrome (DES) is characterized by an inadequate volume and/or quality of tears resulting in chronic ocular surface irritation and inflammation. Affecting up to 30 % of adults, DES has a considerable impact on visual function and quality of life. DES may complicate allergic ocular disease and allergy medication may exacerbate DES.

Regulation of connexin43 gap junction protein triggers vascular recovery and healing in human ocular persistent epithelial defect wounds.

Transiently blocking the expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or blocking hemichannels with connexin mimetic peptides has been shown to significantly improve outcomes in a range of acute wound models. Less is known about their likely effects in nonhealing wounds. In the eye, prolonged inflammation and lack of epithelial recovery in nonhealing corneal epithelial wounds may lead to corneal opacity, blindness or enucleation.

Contact lens-related acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but severe disease, with more than 95% of cases occurring in contact lens wearers. With a worldwide resurgence of contact lens-related disease, this report illustrates the clinical characteristics and treatment challenges representative of this disease. This report describes Acanthamoeba keratitis in a 47-year-old female using extended wear silicone hydrogel contact lenses, with a history of swimming in a home pool and failure to subsequently disinfect the contact lenses.

Repair of isolated abortive cryptophthalmos with lower eyelid switch flap and amniotic membrane graft.

The surgical correction of a case of bilateral isolated abortive cryptophthalmos is described. An upper eyelid and superior fornix were successfully created in a 2-stage procedure using a switch flap from the patient's normal lower eyelid and an amniotic membrane graft. Exposure keratopathy was significantly reduced with resultant visual improvement.

Nocardia transvalensis resistant to amikacin: an unusual cause of microbial keratitis.

Purpose: To report a case of microbial keratitis caused by Nocardia transvalensis with resistance to amikacin.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 51-year-old man was referred with a 10-week history of ocular pain, photophobia, redness, and blurred vision.

Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in allergic conjunctivitis: meta-analysis of randomized trial data.

Purpose: To assess the effect of topical Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory drugs in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

Method: Systematic Review.

Data Sources And Study Selection: Reports of comparative randomized trials of topical NSAIDs and placebo identified by searches of Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials.

Perimetric homonymous visual field loss post-stroke.

Post-stroke homonymous visual field (PSHVF) loss has functional and driving implications for patients. Automated, as opposed to confrontational, assessment of PSHVF loss has the potential to provide a more reliable indicator for field loss and thus ability to drive. Sixty-one consecutive stroke admissions were assessed at 9 months post-stroke.