Soluble endoglin as a biomarker of successful rheopheresis treatment in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive chronic disease causing visual impairment or central vision loss in the elderly. We hypothesized that successful rheopheresis would be associated with positive changes in soluble endoglin (sENG), PSCK9, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and hs-CRP levels. 31 elderly patients with the dry form of AMD, treated with rheopheresis with a follow-up period of at least 5 years and an average age of 68 ± 4 years, were evaluated.

Comparison of Full-Field Stimulus Threshold Measurements in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa and Healthy Subjects With Dilated and Nondilated Pupil.

Purpose: The common protocol of full-field stimulus threshold (FST) testing recommends pupil dilation. The aim of this study is to investigate the difference between FST measurements with dilated and nondilated pupils in healthy subjects and patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Twenty healthy subjects and 20 RP patients were selected.

Clinical and Genetic Study of X-Linked Juvenile Retinoschisis in the Czech Population.

The aim of this study was to identify pathogenic variants in Czech patients with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) and to describe the associated phenotypes, including natural history, in some cases. Twenty-one affected males from 17 families were included. The coding region of was directly sequenced and segregation of the identified mutations was performed in available family members.

Clinical Protocols for the Evaluation of Rod Function.

This work presents a quick clinical protocol for dark-adapted chromatic (DAC) perimetry as well as a novel clinical tool, scotopic chromatic pupil campimetry (CPC). The goal of the study was to explore the applicability of these methods in a clinical setting, their test-retest repeatability, and the congruence of the results. Local rod sensitivity was assessed at 36 locations within 30° eccentricity of the visual field in 15 healthy subjects (mean age 43 ± 16 years; 7 females and 8 males) with DAC perimetry (red and cyan stimuli) and CPC 2 times in repeated measurements.

The perception threshold of the panda illusion, a particular form of 2D pulse-width-modulated halftone, correlates with visual acuity.

To call attention to the danger of extinction of the panda bear, the Lithuanian artist Ilja Klemencov created the artwork "They can disappear". The illustration is composed of black-and-white zigzagged lines, which form the famous panda logo of the World Wild Fund For Nature (WWF) when seen from a distance. If one is too close to the artwork, it is difficult to spot the bear, however, if one steps back or takes off one's glasses the panda suddenly appears.

Pigmentary retinopathy can indicate the presence of pathogenic LAMP2 variants even in somatic mosaic carriers with no additional signs of Danon disease.

Purpose: Danon disease (DD) is a rare X-linked disorder caused by pathogenic variants in LAMP2. DD primarily manifests as a severe cardiomyopathy. An early diagnosis is crucial for patient survival.

Objective assessment of visual acuity: a refined model for analyzing the sweep VEP.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a simple and reliable method for the objective assessment of visual acuity by optimizing the stimulus used in commercially available systems and by improving the methods of evaluation using a nonlinear function, the modified Ricker model.

Methods: Subjective visual acuity in the normal subjects was measured with Snellen targets, best-corrected, and in some cases also uncorrected and with plus lenses (+ 1 D, + 2 D, + 3 D). In patients, subjective visual acuity was measured best-corrected using the Freiburg Visual Acuity Test.

The Tuebingen Scotopic Threshold Test (TSTT).

Measurement of the dark-adaptation threshold plays a key role in the diagnosis and estimation of disease progression of many retinal disorders. Determining the threshold is, however, difficult to perform in young children. We present here a prototype for a dark adaptometer, the Tuebingen Scotopic Threshold Test aimed to ease measurement of photoreceptor thresholds in young subjects.

Preservation of the Photoreceptor Inner/Outer Segment Junction in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated by Rheohemapheresis.

Aim. To evaluate the long-term effect of rheohemapheresis (RHF) treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on photoreceptor IS/OS junction status. Methods.

Long-term outcomes of rheohaemapheresis in the treatment of dry form of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose. Determining long-term effects of rheohaemapheresis on the dry form of age-related macular degeneration. Methods.

Dynamics of blood count after rheohemapheresis in age-related macular degeneration: possible association with clinical changes.

Background: Rheohemapheresis (RHF) is a method that can stop the activity of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The pathophysiologic mechanisms are not well understood, and the effects of the RHF procedures extend beyond the time of the individual procedures.

Patients And Methods: We present the data for 46 patients with AMD treated with a series of 8 rheohemapheretic procedures.

A comparison of the performance of three visual evoked potential-based methods to estimate visual acuity.

Purpose: To compare visual acuities estimated by three methods of visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings to those obtained by two subjective measures [ETDRS and FrACT (Freiburg acuity test)].

Methods: Ten healthy subjects, aged between 26 and 67 years (mean 43.5), were examined.

The importance of rheological parameters in the therapy of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration with rheohaemapheresis.

To date, rheological treatment is the only chance to control the advanced dry form of age-related macular degeneration and arrest its progression to legal blindness. Rheohaemapheresis can change the main rheological parameters, blood and plasma viscosity, as well as change erythrocyte aggregability, improve erythrocyte flexibility and lead to substantial improvement when other methods of therapy fail. In this study, we describe changes in the levels of rheological efficacy indicators after rheohaemapheresis and their clinical significance in the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Experience with extracorporeal elimination therapy in myasthenia gravis.

We describe our experience with plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption in patients with myasthenia gravis. The group of 27 patients consists of 21 patients treated with PE and 6 patients who received immunoadsorption. PE therapy led to stabilization in 20 patients.

Visual functions after laser photocoagulation in central serous chorioretinopathy.

The authors evalute the visual functions of patients with unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and compare them with their non-affected eye and with a control group. Fourteen patients with CSC treated with direct laser-photocoagulation were examined preoperatively and followed-up, up to 2 years postoperatively. Baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) of both eyes of patients was significantly lower in comparison with the controls.

Haemorheopheresis could block the progression of the dry form of age-related macular degeneration with soft drusen to the neovascular form.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of haemorheopheresis on anatomical and functional findings in patients with soft-drusen maculopathy.

Methods: We investigated 29 eyes (16 patients) and randomized 25 eyes (16 controls) with soft-drusen maculopathy [soft, confluent and reticular drusen, drusenoid retinal pigment epithelium detachment (RPED)]. Each patient received a series of eight haemorheophereses (cascade filtration of 1.

Topographical alterations of inner retinal activity during systemic hyperoxia-hypercapnia in normal subjects and patients with type 1 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an increase in the circulating oxygen supply can alter inner retinal function, assessed by recordings of multifocal oscillatory potentials. We studied 9 subjects with type 1 diabetes (8 without overt retinopathy, one with 2 microaneurysms) and 10 similar-aged normal subjects. The central 60 degrees of the retina was stimulated by an array of 61 hexagonal elements, and mfOP recordings were obtained while breathing room air or carbogen.

Age-related changes in retinal functional topography.

Purpose: To perform a detailed topographical analysis of functional age-related changes over the retina.

Methods: Fifty-nine normal phakic subjects aged 10 to 69 years were divided into six groups, according to decade of age. mfERG traces were recorded from the central 60 degrees of the retina, with a resolution of 61 and 103 scaled hexagons.

The multifocal pattern electroretinogram (mfPERG) and cone-isolating stimuli.

The number of L cones in the retina normally exceeds that of the M cones. Because normal color vision does not depend on the ratio of L- and M-photoreceptors, their signals must undergo an alteration in gain before being analyzed in the cortex. Previous studies have shown that this gain must take place before the cortex, but after the bipolar/amacrine cell layer of the retina.

Changes of visual function and visual ability in daily life following cataract surgery.

Purpose: To examine best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS) and functional visual complaints in early cataract and after the cataract surgery.

Patients And Methods: 53 eyes with early cataract (BCVA 20/30: Snellen charts) were examined before the surgery as well as 12 months after the surgery. BCVA was tested using logMAR chart.

Effect of photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis in high myopia on logMAR visual acuity and contrast sensitivity.

Purpose: To compare effect of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on contrast sensitivity (CS) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in high myopia.

Methods: 38 myopes (PRK) and 31 patients (LASIK) were examined before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -8.

Phenotypic expression of the complete type of X-linked congenital stationary night blindness in patients with different mutations in the NYX gene.

Purpose: To describe the clinical phenotype of the complete type of X-linked congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB1) with different types of mutations in the NYX gene.

Methods: The clinical and genetic data from 18 male patients with eight different mutations from two ophthalmological institutes were reviewed. The variability in refractive error, reduced visual acuity and full-field electroretinogram (ERG) recordings was examined.