VEGF-Aa and angiopoietin-2 differently affect the barrier formed by retinal endothelial cells.

Exposure to VEGF-Aa over several days leads to a persistent dysfunction of the very tight barrier formed by immortalized endothelial cells of the bovine retina (iBREC). Elevated permeability of the barrier is indicated by low cell index values determined by electric cell-substrate impedance measurements, by lower amounts of claudin-1, and by disruption of the homogenous and continuous staining of vascular endothelial cadherin at the plasma membrane. Because of findings that suggest modulation of VEGF-A's detrimental effects on the inner blood-retina barrier by the angiogenic growth factor angiopoietin-2, we investigated in more detail in vitro whether this growth factor indeed changes the stability of the barrier formed by retinal endothelial cells or modulates effects of VEGF-A.

The rising tide of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Germany: a nationwide analysis of the incidence, from 2005 to 2021.

Purpose: This nationwide study aims to delineate the incidence and trends of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (rRD) in Germany across 17 years (2005-2021).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the German Federal Statistics Office and the Institute for the Hospital Remuneration System (InEK). The dataset includes approximately 19 million annual inpatient admissions annually.

Postoperative RNFL-Changes after Successful Trabeculectomy: 2-Year Outcomes.

Background: The most important tool in glaucoma therapy is to lower the intraocular pressure to slow down the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells. Trabeculectomy (TE) is considered the gold standard in glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study was to analyse the postoperative changes in retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) after TE.

Different responses of the MIO‑M1 Mueller cell line to angiotensin II under hyperglycemic or hypoxic conditions.

Members of the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) are expressed by various retinal tissues including Mueller glial cells. As the RAAS is hypothesized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases that threaten vision, such as diabetic macular edema or retinal vein occlusion, the possible changes induced by exposure of the human cell line MIO-M1, an established model of Mueller cells, to angiotensin II or aldosterone for 6 h under hypoxic and/or hyperglycemic conditions were investigated. The mRNA expression levels of the members of the RAAS were assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and the secretion of cytokines was assessed by ELISA.

Macular hole Delphi consensus statement (MHOST).

Purpose: To derive a Delphi method-based consensus for the surgical management of Full Thickness Macular Hole (FTMH) and Lamellar Macular Hole (LMH).

Methods: 37 expert VR surgeons from 21 mainly European countries participated in Delphi method-based questionnaire for diagnosis and treatment of FTMHs and LMHs.

Results: A total of 36 items were rated in round 1 by 37 participants, of which 10 items achieved consensus: intraoperative verification of PVD; clinical superiority of OCT-based FTMH classification; practical ineffectiveness of ocriplasmin; circular 360° ILM peeling for small macular holes; use of regular surgical technique for the size of the hole in concomitant retinal detachment; performing complete vitrectomy; SF6 gas as preferred tamponade; cataract surgery if crystalline lens is mildly/moderately opaque; removal of both ILM and LHEP in LMH surgery.

[Epidemiological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on enucleation cases in Germany].

Purpose: To determine the rate of enucleation in Germany and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on its characteristics.

Methods: The rates of enucleation in Germany during 2019 and 2020 were extracted from the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) registry using the operation and procedure classification system codes 5‑163.0 through 5‑163.

Current Practice in the Treatment of Epithelial and Melanocytic Tumours with Interferon-α2b: A Survey of Tertiary Eye Centres in Germany.

Purpose: To evaluate the standard of care, in particular the use of topical or subconjunctival interferon-2b, in treating ocular surface squamous neoplasia or melanocytic tumours in tertiary eye centres in Germany.

Methods: A survey containing 14 questions was sent to 43 tertiary eye centres in Germany. The questions addressed the surgical and medical management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia and melanocytic tumours (primary acquired melanosis and malignant melanoma), as well as the clinical experiences and difficulties in prescribing off-label interferon-2b eye drops and subconjunctival injections.

Refractive Changes after Glaucoma Surgery-A Comparison between Trabeculectomy and XEN Microstent Implantation.

Best-corrected visual acuity often decreases temporarily or permanently after trabeculectomy (TE). The purpose of this study was to compare visual acuity and refractive changes after TE or XEN microstent implantation (XEN) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) cases naïve to prior glaucoma surgery over a 24-month follow-up period. We analyzed 149 consecutive glaucoma patients who received either TE or XEN because of medically uncontrollable POAG or PEX.

[Ischemia and laser photocoagulation in retinal vein occlusion].

Background: Retinal vein occlusions (RVO) are associated with retinal ischemia to a highly variable extent. An ischemic retina may lead to the development of neovascularization and further to secondary complications such as neovascular glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage or tractional retinal detachment. Numerous factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other cytokines are produced in the ischemic area, which cause macular edema.

The epidemiology of adults' eyelid malignancies in Germany between 2009 and 2015; An analysis of 42,710 patients' data.

Purpose: We report the incidence of malignant tumors of the eyelid in Germany between 2009 and 2015.

Methods: Data pertaining to the period between 2009 and 2015 were extracted from the German Cancer Registry. The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology-3 codes for tumors of the eyelid or canthus were used to identify incidence rates and survival probabilities.

Two Year Functional and Structural Changes-A Comparison between Trabeculectomy and XEN Microstent Implantation Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

The aim of this study was to analyze retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after trabeculectomy (TE) versus XEN microstent implantation (XEN) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases naïve to prior incisional glaucoma surgery. We examined 119 consecutive glaucoma patients retrospectively, who received a TE or XEN for medically uncontrolled POAG. Intraocular pressure (IOP), amount of IOP-lowering medication, mean deviation of standard automated perimetry and peripapillary RNFL thickness were evaluated during the first 24 months after surgery.

Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy Based on Non-ICGA Criteria in White Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To determine prevalence of probable polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) among White patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) using non-indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) criteria DESIGN: Multicenter, multinational, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 208 treatment-naive eyes from Hispanic and non-Hispanic White individuals diagnosed with nAMD were included. All underwent color fundus photography (CFP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (FFA).

Beovu, but not Lucentis impairs the function of the barrier formed by retinal endothelial cells in vitro.

Because rare, but severe adverse effects, i.e. retinal vasculitis or retinal vein occlusion, have been observed after repetitive intravitreal injections of VEGF-A-binding single-chain variable fragment brolucizumab (Beovu), we investigated its possible impact on the barrier formed by immortalized bovine retinal endothelial cells (iBREC) in comparison to that of the VEGF-A-binding Fab fragment ranibizumab (Lucentis).

Uveal melanoma and marital status: a relationship that affects survival.

Background: Marital status influences the presentation and outcome of various cancers. We explored the relationship between marital status and survival of uveal melanoma (UM) and factors influencing this relationship.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients diagnosed with UM and registered in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program between 1973 and 2017.

Impairment of the Retinal Endothelial Cell Barrier Induced by Long-Term Treatment with VEGF-A No Longer Depends on the Growth Factor's Presence.

As responses of immortalized endothelial cells of the bovine retina (iBREC) to VEGF-A depend on exposure time to the growth factor, we investigated changes evident after long-term treatment for nine days. The cell index of iBREC cultivated on gold electrodes-determined as a measure of permeability-was persistently reduced by exposure to the growth factor. Late after addition of VEGF-A protein levels of claudin-1 and CD49e were significantly lower, those of CD29 significantly higher, and the plasmalemma vesicle associated protein was no longer detected.

Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) improves vision-related quality of life.

Purpose: To evaluate vision-related quality of life (VRQL) before and after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods: The study was conducted in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy undergoing DMEK alone or in combination with cataract surgery (triple-DMEK) between August 2019 and March 2020 at the University of Leipzig Medical Center. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured.

Intraocular Pressure Changes After Intravitreal Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant: Results from Four European Countries.

Introduction: The 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant delivers a continuous intravitreal corticosteroid dose for the treatment of refractory diabetic macular oedema (DMO). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an FAc intravitreal implant on intraocular pressure (IOP).

Retinometer predicts visual outcome in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To analyze the preoperative predictive value of retinometer visual acuity (VA) in eyes following Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods: Patients undergoing DMEK between August 2011 and July 2020 were included. Preoperative interference visual acuity was assessed using Heine Lambda 100 Retinometer.

Blocking of VEGF-A is not sufficient to completely revert its long-term effects on the barrier formed by retinal endothelial cells.

The VEGF-A-induced functional impairment of the barrier formed by retinal endothelial cells (REC) can be prevented and even - at least temporarily - reverted by trapping the growth factor in a complex with a VEGF-binding protein or by inhibiting the activity of the VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). In an approach to emulate the clinically relevant situation of constant exposure to effectors, we investigated (1) whether prolonged exposure to VEGF-A for up to six days results in a different type of disturbance of the barrier formed by immortalized bovine REC (iBREC) and (2) whether alterations of the barrier induced by VEGF-A can indeed be sustainably reverted by subsequent treatment with the VEGF-A-binding proteins ranibizumab or brolucizumab. As a measure of barrier integrity, the cell index (CI) of iBREC cultivated on gold electrodes was monitored continuously.

Retinal Vascular Events after mRNA and Adenoviral-Vectored COVID-19 Vaccines-A Case Series.

Background: To describe cases of retinal vascular events shortly after administration of mRNA or adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccines.

Design: Retrospective, multicenter case series.

Methods: Six cases of retinal vascular events shortly after receiving COVID-19 vaccines.

The epidemiology of uveal melanoma in Germany: a nationwide report of incidence and survival between 2009 and 2015.

Purpose: To calculate the overall incidence of uveal melanoma in Germany and to compare incidences in different German states. In addition, we computed the overall and cancer-specific survival rates nationwide.

Methods: Incidence data for the period between 2009 and 2015, covering the entire German population, was collected through the German Center for Cancer Registry.

Implantation of XEN After Failed Trabeculectomy: an Efficient Therapy?

Background: Trabeculectomy (TE) has been the standard procedure in glaucoma surgery for a long time. This study examined the efficacy and safety profile of XEN45 Gel Stent (XEN) after failed and/or scarred trabeculectomy.

Material And Methods: We analysed all files of patients, who received a XEN after insufficient TE and examined changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), IOP-lowering medication, best corrected visual acuity, visual field tests as well as the intra- and postoperative complications recorded within a 12-month follow-up period.

Foveal regeneration after resolution of cystoid macular edema without and with internal limiting membrane detachment: presumed role of glial cells for foveal structure stabilization.

Aim: To document with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography the morphological regeneration of the fovea after resolution of cystoid macular edema (CME) without and with internal limiting membrane (ILM) detachment and to discuss the presumed role of the glial scaffold for foveal structure stabilization.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 38 eyes of 35 patients is described. Of these, 17 eyes of 16 patients displayed foveal regeneration after resolution of CME, and 6 eyes of 6 patients displayed CME with ILM detachment.