Serum miR-34a-5p, miR-103a-3p, and miR-376a-3p as possible biomarkers of conversion from relapsing-remitting to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Relapsing-remitting (RR) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common form of the disease; RRMS patients can maintain their clinical phenotype throughout life or can develop a secondary progressive (SP) course over time. We investigated whether circulating miRNAs can predict RR-to-SPMS conversion. A serum miRNAs profile was initially analyzed in a cross-sectional study by qPCR in 16 patients (8 RRMS and 8 SPMS) (Discovery cohort).

Blindness and visual impairment: quality of life and accessibility in the city of Turin.

Purpose: Despite the increase in socio-health conditions and, in general, the focus on health worldwide, many diseases still adversely affect the quality of life (QoL), including those causing vision loss. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the QoL of people with visual impairments through a questionnaire and identify issues concerning everyday life in the urban and extra-urban areas of Turin.

Patients And Methods: A personalized questionnaire including 25 questions was distributed to 100 enrolled patients.

Phenotypic and functional characterization of aqueous humor derived extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are double membrane vesicles, abundant in all biological fluids. However, the characterization of EVs in aqueous humor (AH) is still limited. The aim of the present work was to characterize EVs isolated from AH (AH-EVs) in terms of surface markers of cellular origin and functional properties.

Visual symptoms in a patient treated with MEK inhibitors.

Purpose: to report an uncommon presentation of Encorafenib-Binimetinib retinal side effects.

Case Report: A 56-year-old Caucasian woman, naïve to previous chemotherapies, was started on Encorafenib/Binimetinib for metastatic melanoma. After seven hours from the first 45 mg Binimetinib dose, the patient developed blurry vision with coloured halos.

Corrigendum: Ocular effects caused by viral infections and corresponding vaccines: An overview of varicella zoster virus, measles virus, influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus, and SARS-CoV-2.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.

Ocular effects caused by viral infections and corresponding vaccines: An overview of varicella zoster virus, measles virus, influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus, and SARS-CoV-2.

Many viral infections can affect vision and the visual system. Vaccination to prevent diseases is commonplace today, acting by stimulating an immune response without developing the pathology. It involves the production of persisting antibodies against the pathogen and the activation of T cells.

Evaluation of the Effects of Multifocal Intraocular Lens Oculentis LENTIS Mplus LS-313 MF30 on Visual Performance in Patients Affected by Bilateral Cataract and Treated with Phacoemulsification.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visual results and patients' satisfaction with surgical treatment of phacoemulsification and implantation of the innovative intraocular multifocal lens (MFIOL) Oculentis LENTIS Mplus MF30 in patients with bilateral cataracts.

Materials And Methods: A single-center prospective observational study was conducted on a total of 20 patients with bilateral cataracts. We evaluated the monocular UCVA and BCVA at 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months at different distances after phacoemulsification and MFIOL implantation and the binocular UCVA at the same distances.

The Prevalence of Teleophthalmology in the Piedmont Region of Italy: Current Situation and Future Perspectives.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the actual prevalence of telemedicine, with a particular attention to teleophthalmology programs, in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy and investigate the prospects of the discipline, comparing the situation with the rest of Italy. Information about the current teleophthalmological development is important to assess the state-of-the-art of innovation in medicine in different areas of the world so that there can be a healthy comparison and evaluation of progress and backlog.

Methods: We sent questionnaires to every Local Healthcare Authority and gathered the answers in five distinct categories.

Intravitreal dexamethasone: variation of surgical technique and prevention of ocular complications with ASOCT follow-up.

Purpose: To verify the correct decision-making procedure on performing an intravitreal injection by investigating the in vivo wound morphology and evolution of 22-gauge wounds after dexamethasone oblique injection with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: Prospective, observational consecutive case series.

Methods: Subjects underwent a dexamethasone injection at University Eye Clinic of Turin.

A Combined Procedure of Intrastromal Corneal Rings Explantation and Penetrating Keratoplasty in a Patient With Keratoconus: A Case Report.

Keratoconus is a non-inflammatory and degenerative corneal ectasia that determinate progressive steepening of paracentral cornea with development of irregular astigmatism and visual function deterioration. According to the stage of the pathology, different methods of correction can be used: rigid contact lenses may be used to alter corneal shape and partially correct astigmatism, corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) and intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation can reinforce corneal stroma to slow disease progression. Late-stage treatment comprehend anterior lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty.

Sex Hormones and Their Effects on Ocular Disorders and Pathophysiology: Current Aspects and Our Experience.

Sex hormones are molecules produced by the gonads and to a small extent by the adrenal gland, which not only determine the primary and secondary sexual characteristics of an individual, differentiating man from woman, but also participate in the functioning of the various systems of the body. The evidence that many eye diseases differ in terms of prevalence between men and women has allowed us, in recent years, to carry out several studies that have investigated the association between sex hormones and the pathophysiology of eye tissues. Specific receptors for sex hormones have been found on the lacrimal and meibomian glands, conjunctiva, cornea, lens, retina, and choroid.

Advantages of Double Running Sutures in Astigmatism After Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Background: The purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the effects of different suturing techniques in perforating keratoplasty surgery, in order to identify the most effective in reducing post-operative astigmatism.

Methods: We analysed data from patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty for different indications. All interventions were performed by the same surgeon.

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning in Eye Diseases: A Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a subset of computer science dealing with the development and training of algorithms that try to replicate human intelligence. We report a clinical overview of the basic principles of AI that are fundamental to appreciating its application to ophthalmology practice. Here, we review the most common eye diseases, focusing on some of the potential challenges and limitations emerging with the development and application of this new technology into ophthalmology.

Teleophthalmology Service: Organization, Management, Actual Current Applications, and Future Prospects.

Teleophthalmology (TO) consists of the clinical and therapeutic approach to the patient (e-Health) using informatic and telecommunication systems. Already widespread worldwide, it aims to improve patient care, expand the healthcare offer, and access to medical care by reducing overall costs. Despite the organizational, legal, and management difficulties, the substantial economic investments necessary for the start-up of equipped structures and efficient territorial services are amply rewarded by economic results and optimal services for professionals and patients.

Cerebral Modifications in Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration: Analysis of Current Evidence in Literature and Their Implications on Therapeutic Perspectives.

Glaucoma and macular degeneration are leading causes of irreversible blindness, significantly compromising the quality of life and having a high economic and social impact. Promising therapeutic approaches aimed at regenerating or bypassing the damaged anatomical-functional components are currently under development: these approaches have generated great expectations, but to be effective require a visual network that, despite the pathology, maintains its integrity up to the higher brain areas. In the light of this, the existing findings concerning how the central nervous system modifies its connections following the pathological damage caused by glaucoma and macular degeneration acquire great interest.

A Retrospective Comparison of Trabeculectomy, Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant, and Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgeries in a Three-Year Follow-Up.

: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MIGS (Xen® and Cypass®) compared to trabeculectomy and Baerveldt® implants. This single-center study included patients from the Ophthalmic Hospital of Turin between January 2015 and 2018.Efficacy was assessed based on the intraocular pressure and the number of medications necessary to control IOP at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months and the potential complications.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protect Human Corneal Endothelial Cells from Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Apoptosis.

Corneal endothelial dystrophy is a relevant cause of vision loss and corneal transplantation worldwide. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in an in vitro model of corneal dystrophy, characterized by endoplasmic reticulum stress. The effects of MSC-EVs were compared with those of serum-derived EVs, reported to display a pro-angiogenic activity.

Long-Term Effects of Iron Chelating Agents on Ocular Function in Patients with Thalassemia Major.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate eye structures and function in patients receiving iron chelating therapy and to assess whether a correlation exists between the onset of ocular alterations and the intake of iron chelating drugs.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed. Eighty-eight patients, composed of children and adults with thalassemia major (TM) who are taking or had taken iron chelating drugs (deferoxamine, deferiprone or deferasirox), have been initially enrolled in the study.

What Is New in Glaucoma: From Treatment to Biological Perspectives.

Glaucoma is a chronic silent disease and an irreversible cause of blindness worldwide. Research has made many efforts to improve disease control and especially to anticipate both early diagnosis and treatment of advanced stages of glaucoma. In terms of prevention, networking between professionals and nonprofessionals is an important goal to disseminate information and help diagnose the disease early.

Diagnostic imaging versus surgical procedure: intra- and postoperative OCT evaluation of sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation and possible related complications.

Because the popularity of corneal refractive surgery has been increasing throughout the last 25 years, many authors have thought to apply optical coherence tomography (OCT) to the anterior segment (AS-OCT); by revising the instrumentation needed and slightly improve the technique, it has become an element of vital importance in order to ensure a complete and exhaustive pre- and postsurgical evaluation. Many applications of OCT have been recently developed-mostly in cataract surgery due to the increasing numbers-such as chamber biometry, which is used in a preoperative stage to determine the details of IOL implantation, and lens evaluation. The aim of this review is to assess the applications of anterior segment OCT in dislocated IOL and/or capsular bag exchange surgery with scleral sutureless fixated intraocular lens and monitoring of possible postoperative complications.

Effect of Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Damaged Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

Purpose: Human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs) are essential to visual function; however, since they have limited proliferative capacity , they are prone to corneal endothelial dysfunction. At present, the only treatment is a corneal transplantation from donor cadavers. Also, due to a global shortage of donor corneas, it is important to find alternative strategies.

In vitro generation of primary cultures of human hyalocytes.

Purpose: A growing number of studies on animal models have demonstrated that some ocular diseases are the result of the interaction between hyalocytes and the ocular inflammatory setting. Endogenous and exogenous substances might alter the structure and behavior of hyalocytes that can contribute to the pathogenesis of some ocular diseases. Obtaining primary cultures of human hyalocytes could help understand the role of these cells in response to different treatments.

Pediatric Keratoplasty: The Success of a Tailor-Made Surgical Management.

A Romanian 5-month-old girl was referred to our hospital after being diagnosed with congenital corneal opacities. She was sent in order to undergo penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) surgery on her left eye. The patient presented a natural tendency to esotropia.

CMV retinitis in a stem cell transplant recipient treated with foscarnet intravitreal injection and CMV specific immunoglobulins.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (CMVR) has been reported rarely in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In addition, little is known about strategies for ophthalmic surveillance and adequate antiviral treatment of CMVR. A case of CMVR in an allogeneic HSCT recipient is described, including clinical signs and therapy.

Choroidal vascularization and adrenergic innervation qualitative findings obtained with induced fluorescence preparations and optical coherence tomography angiography: possible correlations and perspectives.

Background: Recent advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology allow a more accurate choroidal visualization. The aim of this study is to provide histochemical analysis with induced fluorescence images of the choroidal stromal, vascular and nerve network, highlighting possible correspondences with OCT and OCT angiography (OCT-A) analysis.

Methods: The material examined with a histochemical process of induced fluorescence through condensation of biologically active monoamines with glyoxylic acid was obtained from 6 eyes enucleated for malignant melanoma and ciliary body neoplasia.