Eye Washing Downregulated Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in Conjunctival Tissue Samples from Smokers.

This study aimed to (1) determine whether the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine 2 is increased in tobacco smokers, which potentially increases their susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and (2) assess whether eye rinsing can reduce susceptibility. This prospective study included 20 eyes of 10 smokers and 18 eyes of nine healthy non-smokers (control) for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. This study also included 28 eyes of 14 smokers and 16 eyes of eight healthy non-smokers (control) for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Noninvasive Visualization of the Tear Film Microaerosol During Noncontact Tonometry Measurements.

Purpose: To investigate the aerosol generation by a noninvasive real-time observation device and assess the conditions relating to aerosolization during intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using a commercial noncontact tonometer (NCT).

Study Design: Prospective experimental and healthy eye studies.

Methods: In an initial experimental study, we devised a model mannequin eye to investigate how air puff pressure and IOP of the eye affected aerosol generation.

Smart Eye Camera: A Validation Study for Evaluating the Tear Film Breakup Time in Human Subjects.

Purpose: This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of a "Smart Eye Camera (SEC)" in comparison with the efficacy of the conventional slit-lamp microscope by evaluating their diagnostic functionality for dry eye disease (DED) in clinical cases.

Methods: This retrospective study included 106 eyes from 53 adult Japanese patients who visited the Ophthalmology outpatient clinics in Keio University Hospital from June 2019 to March 2020. Tear film breakup time (TFBUT) and corneal fluorescence score (CFS) measurements for the diagnosis of DED were compared between the conventional slit-lamp microscope and SEC.

Atypical Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Presenting with Meibomitis, Scleritis, Uveitis and Papillary Bladder Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) presents with a variety of systemic findings, sometimes with ocular findings initially, but is often difficult to diagnose at an early stage. An 85-year-old male had complaints of ocular dryness and redness and was diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction with meibomitis. Despite an initial treatment with topical steroid and antibiotics, the meibomitis did not improve and the left eye developed scleritis and iridocyclitis.

Positive Effects of Oral Antibiotic Administration in Murine Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is one of the most frequent complications experienced after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Reportedly, dysbiosis and severe damage to the microbiome are also closely associated with GVHD. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the positive and negative effects of the administration of various antibiotics in a murine model of cGVHD.

Clinical Observation of Allergic Conjunctival Diseases with Portable and Recordable Slit-Lamp Device.

Background: The incidence of allergic conjunctival diseases (ACDs) is gradually increasing worldwide. Both ophthalmologists and non-ophthalmologists prescribe eye drops to treat ACDs; however, there are many cases which are treated without sufficient examination and diagnosis of the eyes. We have invented a portable, recordable, and smartphone-attachable slit-lamp device-Smart Eye Camera (SEC).

A Study Validating the Estimation of Anterior Chamber Depth and Iridocorneal Angle with Portable and Non-Portable Slit-Lamp Microscopy.

This study assessed the anterior chamber depth (ACD) and iridocorneal angle using a portable smart eye camera (SEC) compared to the conventional slit-lamp microscope and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). This retrospective case-control study included 170 eyes from 85 Japanese patients. The correlation between the ACD evaluations conducted with the SEC and conventional slit-lamp was high (r = 0.

Long-term outcomes of 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops in eyes with severe allergic conjunctival diseases.

Background: Because atopic dermatitis does not heal completely, associated severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) often require long-term treatment. This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of using 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops to treat these severe allergic conjunctival diseases.

The Overlap Syndrome: A Case Report of Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease After the Development of a Pseudomembrane.

Background: Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the most severe complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It manifests as an impairment of the ocular surface, such as severe dry eye disease, and deteriorates the recipient's visual function and quality of life. We encountered an "overlap syndrome" of ocular GVHD, which is characterized by the presence of both acute and chronic GVHD symptoms.

Evaluation of Nuclear Cataract with Smartphone-Attachable Slit-Lamp Device.

Visual impairments and age-related eye diseases need to be detected and treated in a timely manner. However, this is often hampered by lack of appropriate medical equipment. We have invented a portable, recordable, and smartphone-attachable slit-lamp device, called the Smart Eye Camera (SEC).

Experience With 0.1% Tacrolimus Eye Drop for Noninfectious, Non-necrotizing Anterior Scleritis.

Objectives: To report experience with 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops in the treatment of noninfectious, non-necrotizing anterior scleritis.

Methods: This prospective, single-arm study included nine patients (4 men and 5 women; mean age=59.

Eosinophilic Angiocentric Fibrosis in Bilateral Upper Eyelid Conjunctivas: A First Case Report.

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis (EAF) is an extremely rare disease with characteristic histopathological findings of fibrotic onion-skin appearance and eosinophils. The lesion primarily affects the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, and orbit. Although there have been approximately 78 cases of EAF reported in the literature to date, no cases of EAF in the eyelid conjunctiva have ever been reported.

Combination of Two Rapid Ophthalmic Test Kits for Improved Diagnosis in Cases of Severe Binocular Conjunctivitis.

Introduction: Diagnosis of conjunctivitis can be sometimes difficult, especially in cases of severe conjunctivitis and those involving both eyes. In this study, we performed commercial tests for adenovirus (Capilia Adeno Eye) and total tear IgE (Allerwatch) in a single visit in patients with bilateral conjunctivitis to examine if, and by how much, the combination of these two tests would improve the diagnostic accuracy of conjunctivitis.

Methods: The study included sixty patients with relatively severe conjunctivitis in both eyes within a week of consulting our clinic and who had no previous treatment.

The Effect of Long-Term Use of an Eyewash Solution on the Ocular Surface Mucin Layer.

The use of eyewash solutions in Japan, especially in patients with allergic conjunctivitis and contact lens wearers, has been increasing. Our aim was to investigate how the use of preservative-free eyewash solution in healthy eyes for one month affects corneal safety and ocular surface mucin. We analyzed 42 eyes of 21 individuals (17 males, four females; mean age: 36.

Corneal higher-order aberrations in eyes with chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease.

Purpose: Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a long-term complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and leads to irreversible visual morbidity due to severe ocular surface impairments including visual disfunction. However, knowledge about the optical function in chronic ocular GVHD is limited because it is difficult to assess quantitative optical function objectively. The development of anterior segment optical coherence tomography has allowed objective quantification of optical function by evaluating corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs).

Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Chemokine Expression in Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts.

: We assessed the production of chemokines by human conjunctival fibroblasts in response to inflammation and the effects of omega (ω)-3 fatty acids on chemokine expression.: Primary cultures of human conjunctival fibroblasts were incubated with interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The expression of eotaxin-1 and RANTES in response to pretreatment with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was investigated.

The Effect of Cytokine-Stimulation and Pharmacologic Intervention on PGE2 Production in Primary Human Conjunctival and Corneal Cells.

We studied the production of PGE2 by human conjunctival and corneal cells in response to inflammation, and reduction of inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Primary cultures of human conjunctival epithelial cells, fibroblasts, corneal epithelial cells, and keratocytes were incubated with IL-4 and TNF-α. PGE2 and COX-2 levels were analyzed.

"Smart Eye Camera": An innovative technique to evaluate tear film breakup time in a murine dry eye disease model.

Tear film breakup time (TFBUT) is an essential parameter used to diagnose dry eye disease (DED). However, a robust method for examining TFBUT in murine models has yet to be established. We invented an innovative device, namely, the "Smart Eye Camera", which addresses several problems associated with existing methods and is capable of evaluating TFBUT in a murine DED model.

The efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ophthalmic suspension in the treatment of severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: Severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a relatively rare disease, and some cases are refractory to conventional steroid treatment.

Objective: To examine the efficacy of 0.1% tacrolimus ophthalmic suspension in treating severe AKC during a 1-year follow-up.

Preoperative Aqueous Cytokine Levels are Associated With Endothelial Cell Loss After Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the association between endothelial cell density (ECD) after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and preoperative cytokine levels in the aqueous humor (AqH).

Methods: This prospective consecutive case series included 97 consecutive patients who underwent DSAEK (64 eyes) or cataract surgery (33 eyes). AqH samples were collected at the beginning of each surgery.

Preoperative Aqueous Cytokine Levels Are Associated With a Rapid Reduction in Endothelial Cells After Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of preoperative inflammatory cytokine levels in the aqueous humor (AqH) on the endothelial cell density (ECD) after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Design: Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series.

Methods: This study includes 70 consecutive patients (mean age 73.

Decreased Visual Acuity by an Irregular Corneal Posterior Surface After Repeat Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of higher-order aberrations (HOAs) on visual acuity after repeat Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in the same eyes.

Methods: This retrospective comparative case series includes 23 patients who underwent DSAEK twice in the same eyes (46 DSAEK in total). We evaluated the HOAs of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces, and total cornea using the Fourier analysis data from anterior segment optical coherence tomography.