Dry Eye Disease in the Middle East and Northern Africa: A Position Paper on the Current State and Unmet Needs.

In the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA), dry eye disease (DED) is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. This review summarizes a series of conversations with ophthalmologists in the region around a variety of climatic, lifestyle, and iatrogenic factors that contribute to specific features of DED in the MENA region. These considerations are further classified by patient lifestyle and surgical choices.

TFOS Lifestyle: Impact of cosmetics on the ocular surface.

In this report the use of eye cosmetic products and procedures and how this represents a lifestyle challenge that may exacerbate or promote the development of ocular surface and adnexal disease is discussed. Multiple aspects of eye cosmetics are addressed, including their history and market value, psychological and social impacts, possible problems associated with cosmetic ingredients, products, and procedures, and regulations for eye cosmetic use. In addition, a systematic review that critically appraises randomized controlled trial evidence concerning the ocular effects of eyelash growth products is included.

[Ocular surface disease in glaucoma patients: Expert opinion and management algorithm in Algeria].

Introduction: The main goal of treatment for any glaucoma patient is to reduce the intraocular pressure. Unfortunately, the long-term use of glaucoma medications causes deleterious effects on the ocular surface, leading to impaired quality of life and failed glaucoma surgery. In addition, adverse effects of medications are a barrier to adherence and compliance, and this directly affects efficacy.

Lacrimal gland injection of platelet rich plasma for treatment of severe dry eye: a comparative clinical study.

Background: We aimed to assess the efficacy of the injections of platelet rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of severe dry eye disease (DED).

Results: In this retrospecitve interventional clinincal study, we included 28 eyes of 14 patients with severe DED who were diagnosed with Sjogren syndrome. Each patient received unilateral lacrimal gland injection of PRP at days 0, 30, 60 and 90 days while the other eye served as control group who received preservative free eye drops.

Ocular Surface Changes in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease: An Observational Clinical Study.

Background: This study aimed to compare ocular surface parameter changes in active and inactive thyroid eye disease (TED) patients and controls.

Methods: This is an observational clinical study that included 60 eyes divided into three groups following clinical activity score (CAS) assessment. The first group (Group A) comprised 20 eyes with active TED (CAS score ≥3/7), while the second group (Group B) comprised 20 eyes with inactive TED (CAS score <3/7) and the third group (Group C) comprised 20 eyes of controls without dry eye manifestations.

Fast and sustained healing of resistant corneal ulcers using corneal scrubbing and matrix regenerating therapy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of corneal scrubbing associated with matrix regenerating agent on corneal wound healing in patients with persistent corneal ulcers.

Methods: This was a retrospective case study in patients with difficult-to-treat corneal ulcer. Corneal scrubbing was performed with a sterile dry cotton bud to eliminate damaged epithelial cells and corneal deposits, promoting epithelial renewal.

Efficacy and safety of preservative-free timolol 0.1% gel in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in treatment-naïve patients and patients intolerant to other hypotensive medications.

Goals: To assess the efficacy and safety of preservative-free timolol 0.1% gel in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, non-controlled clinical trial in Algeria, treatment-naïve patients with intraocular pressure (IOP)>20mmHg and<31mmHg (treatment-naïve patients, group 1) and patients with IOP controlled by current ocular monotherapy but presenting with local intolerance in at least one eye (intolerant patients; group 2) were eligible.

TFOS DEWS II Diagnostic Methodology report.

The role of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) II Diagnostic Methodology Subcommittee was 1) to identify tests used to diagnose and monitor dry eye disease (DED), 2) to identify those most appropriate to fulfil the definition of DED and its sub-classifications, 3) to propose the most appropriate order and technique to conduct these tests in a clinical setting, and 4) to provide a differential diagnosis for DED and distinguish conditions where DED is a comorbidity. Prior to diagnosis, it is important to exclude conditions that can mimic DED with the aid of triaging questions. Symptom screening with the DEQ-5 or OSDI confirms that a patient might have DED and triggers the conduct of diagnostic tests of (ideally non-invasive) breakup time, osmolarity and ocular surface staining with fluorescein and lissamine green (observing the cornea, conjunctiva and eyelid margin).

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Its Risk Factors in North Africans Living in Algeria and Italy.

Purpose: To determine the risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Algerians, and compare these data with those on North Africans living in Italy.

Methods: All patients over 55 years of age consulting one of the 23 involved Algerian ophthalmologists were invited to participate, and 1,183 patients were included. Data collection was standardized based on the Simplified Théa Risk Assessment Scale (STARS) questionnaire.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a standardised intracameral combination of mydriatics and anaesthetics for cataract surgery.

Background/aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of intracameral (IC) administration at the beginning of cataract surgery, of Mydrane, a standardised ophthalmic combination of tropicamide 0.02%, phenylephrine 0.31% and lidocaine 1%, to a standard topical regimen.

A 3-day regimen with azithromycin 1.5% eyedrops for the treatment of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis in children: efficacy on clinical signs and impact on the burden of illness.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of azithromycin 1.5% versus tobramycin 0.3% eyedrops on clinical ocular signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis in children and to assess the parents' satisfaction regarding the dosing regimen.

Efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in paediatric population with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops in a paediatric population with purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Patients And Methods: This was a multicentre, international, randomised, investigator-masked study in 286 children with purulent discharge and bulbar conjunctival injection.

Toward defining and measuring social accountability in graduate medical education: a stakeholder study.

Background: Since 1965, Medicare has publically financed graduate medical education (GME) in the United States. Given public financing, various advisory groups have argued that GME should be more socially accountable. Several efforts are underway to develop accountability measures for GME that could be tied to Medicare payments, but it is not clear how to measure or even define social accountability.

Comparison of corneal thickness and biomechanical properties between North African and French patients.

Purpose: To determine whether corneal thickness and rigidity vary between French and North African refractive surgery candidates.

Setting: Three clinics in North Africa and 1 hospital in France.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

[Intra-annual and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis treatment: comparison of two therapeutic protocols].

Introduction: Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common form of conjunctivitis encountered in daily ophthalmological practice. Its therapy can be problematic: it must be simple, free of complications, and adaptable to everyday life.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a randomized prospective single-center survey on 102 patients between 4 and 80 years of age who presented moderate allergic conjunctivitis.