Systemic Risk Factors in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: a Comprehensive Review.

Background: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a major cause of vision impairment globally. Obstruction in the retinal venous system is often due to thrombus formation at arteriovenous crossing points, leading to symptoms localized to the affected retinal area. Systemic conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and heart disease are recognized risk factors for RVO, influencing the components of Virchow's triad.

Impact of Cataract Surgery on IOP and Ocular Structures in Normotensive Patients and Primary and Exfoliation Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the changes in Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and other ocular parameters: the Anterior Chamber Angle (ACA), Anterior Chamber Volume (ACV), and Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD) during phacoemulsification surgery in Greek patients with normotensive eyes and those with well-controlled Open-Angle Glaucoma (OAG). Additionally, parameters such as the Corneal Thickness (CCT), Axial Length (AL), Central Macular Thickness (CMT), and Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (RNFL) were also examined.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective observational case-control study that included 50 phakic eyes, 25 normotensive (Group 1), and 25 with OAG: 15 Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and 10 Exfoliation Glaucoma (EXG) (Group 2).

Antioxidant Defense and Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: An Updated Review.

Oxidative stress (OS) affects the anterior ocular tissues, rendering them susceptible to several eye diseases. On the other hand, protection of the eye from harmful factors is achieved by unique defense mechanisms, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants could be the cause of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS), a condition of defective extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF-2) Expression in Pterygia Using Cell Spot Arrays.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a main regulator of cell differentiation, cell migration and angiogenesis in normal and abnormal conjunctiva epithelia, but specific mechanisms of its aberrant expression are yet to be investigated. In the present study, we investigated FGF-2 protein expression within several pterygia. Using a liquid-based cytology assay, we obtained cell specimens from pterygia and healthy tissues directly from patients.

c-FOS Expression Analysis in Pterygia Cell Spot Arrays.

Background/aim: Mechanisms of c-FOS activation in the onset and progression of pterygia remain under investigation. This study aimed to comparatively analyze c-FOS proto-oncogene expression levels in neoplastic pterygia and normal epithelia.

Materials And Methods: We used a liquid-based cytology assay on thirty (n=30) pterygia cell populations and normal epithelia (n=10) extracted by a smooth scraping of conjunctiva epithelia.

Aqueous Humour Ofloxacin Concentration after Topical Instillation in Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Background and Objectives: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the concentration of ofloxacin in the aqueous humour (AqH) of patients suffering from dry eye disease (DED) after topical instillation. Materials and Methods: Ninety-one (91) cataract patients scheduled for phacoemulsification were categorized into three groups according to DED severity. Group I (n = 17) was comprised of subjects without DED, patients in group II (n = 37) were evaluated as having non-severe DED, while group III (n = 37) consisted of patients suffering from severe DED.

Emerging roles of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (Review).

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) is a systemic disease caused by defects in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling process leading to the chronic deposition of extracellular, fibrillary, white flaky pseudoexfoliation material (PEXM) throughout the body. Specifically, PEXM deposits on the lens capsule cause open-angle glaucoma, cataracts and blindness in patients with PEXS. Several gene single nucleotide polymorphisms are linked to the development of PEXS in humans, including lysyl oxidase-like 1 gene, clusterin and fibulin-5.

Nanotechnology-based formulations to amplify intraocular bioavailability.

Conventional drug delivery formulations, such as eye drops and ointments, are mainly administered by topical instillation. The topical delivery of ophthalmic drugs is a challenging endeavor despite the eye is easily accessible. Unique and complex barriers, serving as protection against extrinsic harmful factors, hamper therapeutic intraocular drug concentrations.

Kyrieleis Arteriolitis Associated with Acute Retinal Necrosis due to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Secondary to Herpetic Encephalitis.

We report the case of a 52-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with acute retinal necrosis in her left eye secondary to herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis for which she had been hospitalized four months before. Treatment with intravitreal foscarnet and intravenous acyclovir was promptly commenced followed by the addition of oral prednisolone. PCR analysis of aqueous humor detected HSV type 1 DNA.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression Patterns in non- Human Papillomavirus - Related Pterygia: An Experimental Study on Cell Spot Arrays Digital Analysis.

Purpose: The role of angiogenic factors -such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) - in the development and progression of pterygia lesions remains under investigation. In the current study, we analyzed VEGF protein expression in a series of pterygia and normal conjunctiva epithelia.

Methods: Using a liquid-based cytology assay, thirty ( = 30) cell specimens were obtained by applying a smooth scraping on conjunctiva epithelia and fixed accordingly.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome: The critical role of the extracellular matrix in pathogenesis and treatment.

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) is an age-related condition manifesting mainly in ocular tissues. PEXS is manifested through excess aggregation of fibrillary extracellular material at the anterior part of the eye that consists of a plethora of biomolecules, such as different proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans. PEXS is often linked to increased intraocular pressure, and can also lead to pseudoexfoliation glaucoma with very poor prognosis.

Mutational landscape in Uveal Melanoma.

Gross chromosomal and specific gene alterations are genetic aspects that are involved in rise, progression, and metastatic expansion of malignances. Concerning Uveal melanoma (UM), a variety of chromosome and gene functional and numerical imbalances in crucial molecular pathways such as cell cycle regulation, signaling transduction, apoptosis or angiogenesis have been identified and explained. UM is the most common primary ocular malignancy demonstrating increased rates, especially in middle-aged white (Caucasian) populations.

Short-term effect of non-preserved cationic oil-in-water ophthalmic emulsion on tear meniscus parameters of healthy individuals in a prospective, controlled pilot study.

Background: This study investigated the effect of instilling a single drop of non-preserved cationic oil-in- water ophthalmic emulsion (Cationorm®) on the lower (LTM) and upper tear meniscus (UTM) parameters of normal eyes.

Methods: In this prospective, single-center, non-randomized, controlled pilot study, optical coherence tomography was used to estimate the UTM and LTM height, depth, and cross-sectional area in participants without a history of dry eye disease. In the right eye (study eye), we instilled one drop of Cationorm® in the lower conjunctival sac.

Late-Onset Bilateral Choroidal Metastases from Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Aim: To present a case of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with late-onset bilateral choroidal metastases. . A 57-year-old male patient in the Oncology Clinic complained of reduced vision in the right eye (OD) for 7 days.

Choroidal Thickness Evaluation in a Transfusion-Dependent Beta-Thalassemia Greek Population.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal thickness in a group of beta-thalassemia patients as assessed by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

Patients And Methods: This single-center, observational study involved transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TD-β-thal) patients and healthy controls. One eye of each participant was included in the study.

Protective antioxidant effects of saffron extract on retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Crocus sativus L. styles (saffron) extract on oxidative stress indices of retina in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Effect of Intravitreal Injection of Aflibercept on Cardiovascular Risk Parameters in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Objective: Systemic administration of anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (anti- VEGFs) has been associated with severe cardiovascular adverse events in oncologic patients. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the short-term effect of a single intravitreal injection of aflibercept on biomarkers related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Patients And Methods: Forty-seven treatment naïve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration in one eye were enrolled in the study.

TWO-YEAR RESULTS OF INTRAVITREAL INJECTIONS OF AFLIBERCEPT IN COATS DISEASE: A CASE REPORT.

Purpose: To report long-term results of treatment with intravitreal injections of aflibercept in a newly diagnosed case of Coats disease.

Methods: An 18-year-old man presented to the retina clinic of our hospital complaining of blurred vision in the right eye for the past 3 months. His past medical and ocular history were unremarkable.

Effect of intravitreal injection of aflibercept on blood coagulation parameters in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Treatment with intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents has been associated with an increased risk of arterial thromboembolic events. The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the effect of a single intravitreal injection of aflibercept on coagulation.

Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with age-related macular degeneration ( = 47), who were scheduled to undergo treatment with intravitreal injections of aflibercept, were enrolled.

Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Childhood Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Western Greece.

Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a common, highly contagious infection in children and is usually treated empirically with broad spectrum topical antibiotics. In the current study we investigated bacteriology and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in childhood acute bacterial conjunctivitis in Western Greece. We conducted a retrospective analysis of presumed acute bacterial conjunctivitis cases in ''Karamandaneio'' Pediatric General Hospital of Patras, Western Greece, between February 1, 2013 and January 31, 2018.

Effect of a single session of micropulse laser trabeculoplasty on corneal endothelial parameters.

Background: To evaluate the effect of a single session of micropulse laser trabeculoplasty on the cornea in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

Methods: This single-centre, prospective, case series enrolled patients with primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma under treatment with glaucoma agents that required additional intraocular pressure reduction. Eyes underwent 360 degrees treatment with 532 nm micropulse laser trabeculoplasty.

Expression and Localization of Glycosaminoglycans/Proteoglycan in Pterygium: An Immunohistochemical Study.

Pterygium is a triangle-shaped fibrovascular hyperplasia of the bulbar conjunctiva on the cornea. The purpose of this study was to analyze Proteoglycans (PGs) by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in pterygium tissues and to compare the results with normal conjunctiva. Twenty-four patients (14 males) undergoing primary pterygium excision and 17 healthy individuals (10 males), undergoing extracapsular cataract surgery, were included.

Comparison of intraocular pressure using Goldmann applanation tonometry versus non-contact tonometry in eyes with high-viscosity silicone oil.

Background: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and air tonometer (non-contact tonometry [NT]) in vitrectomized eyes with high-viscosity silicone oil tamponade, as well as in normal eyes.

Patients And Methods: In this prospective comparative study, 32 eyes with silicone oil tamponade of high viscosity (5700 CS) and 32 normal fellow eyes were included. IOP was measured by GAT and air tonometer 30 ± 12 days after vitrectomy, while measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) were also obtained.

Age-related aqueous humor (AH) and lens epithelial cell/capsule protein carbonylation and AH protein concentration in cataract patients who have pseudoexfoliative diseases.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the age-correlation of oxidative stress (OS, assessed by the accumulative OS damage marker protein carbonyls) in aqueous humour (AH; together with protein concentration) and lens epithelial cells plus capsule (LECs/capsule) in patients with cataract (CAT), and also suffering from pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG).

Methods: AH samples from 78 male/female patients (21, 20, 19 and 18 with CAT, PEX, PXG, and POAG, respectively), and LECs/capsule samples from 104 male/female patients (34, 32, 18, and 20 with CAT, PEX, PXG and POAG, respectively) were collected during phacoemulsification CAT surgery. Average protein carbonyl concentrations were measured in patients grouped in 5-year age intervals (ranging from 56-60 to 86-90).