Dexamethasone Intravitreal Injection in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Cataract Surgery: an updated literature review.

Purpose: This literature review synthetizes current evidence on the timing and efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal injections for diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients undergoing cataract surgery, particularly phacoemulsification, to determine the optimal timing for improved outcome.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted across key databases to identify peer-reviewed studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses addressing dexamethasone injections administered pre-, intra-, and post-operatively for DME in the context of cataract surgery. Studies were selected based on relevance to timing, visual outcomes, and inflammation control, with a focus on comparative efficacy.

Topical insulin used alone or in combination with drug-depository contact lens for refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes achieved in refractory cases of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) through the utilization of insulin eye drops alone or in conjunction with a drug-depository contact lens (DDCL).

Observations: This multicentric prospective open-label uncontrolled case series included consecutive patients with NK refractory to conventional treatment. Insulin eye drops (1 unit/mL) were prescribed 4 times/day in all cases, and a Therapeutic Hyper-CL™ soft contact lens (EyeYon Medical, Ness Ziona, Israel), designed to act as a drug reservoir, was applied in selected patients.

The efficacy of a netilmicin/dexamethasone gel combination in the treatment of posterior blepharitis in moderate-severe dry eye patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of netilmicin/dexamethasone combination in the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)-associated posterior blepharitis.

Methods: In this prospective and controlled study were enrolled 40 patients with MGD and symptoms of dry eye disease. Two groups were established: 20 patients (group 1) received netilmicin 3 mg/ml and dexamethasone 1 mg/ml eye gel, whereas in group 2 (20 patients) received vehicle for 15 days.

Utilising Narrative Medicine to Identify Key Factors Affecting Quality of Life in Dry Eye Disease: An Italian Multicentre Study.

Introduction: Despite an improved understanding of its pathogenesis, dry eye disease (DED) remains relatively underestimated and its treatment challenging. A better alignment between the clinical evaluation and the patient self-assessment also requires capturing the whole patient experience of DED. This project aimed to unveil this experience through narrative medicine (NM).

High-Tech Parameters for the Evaluation of Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease: Identification of Clinical Cut-Offs and Agreement with Low-Tech Tests.

Introduction: High-tech devices for the assessment of dry eye disease (DED) are increasingly available. However, the agreement between high- and low-tech parameters has been poorly explored to date. Trying to fill these gaps, we conducted a post hoc analysis on a recently published retrospective study on patients with DED receiving both low- and high-tech (Keratograph) assessments, and treatment with different lubricating eyedrops.

Anterior chamber retained lens fragments: A novel approach with Nd:Yag laser.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective case series of nd:Yag laser fragmentation of LF in twenty eyes at different clinics discovered after cataract surgery performed through phacoemulsification and implant of intraocular lens (IOL).

Conclusion: Early nd:Yag laser procedure is a good option to use for retained lenticular fragments in the anterior chamber after cataract extraction, to reduce damages to the endothelium caused by the LF, to lower patient discomfort to re-enter surgery, to minimize costs of surgical re-intervention and to avoid possible inflammatory complications given by the retained fragments that may not be reabsorbed properly and may even present several years after primary surgery leading to damages to endothelium caused by the lenticular fragments and visual disturbances.

Estimation of pupil size at iris plane and its magnification after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To estimate the pupil size (at the iris plane) under photopic (P PH ) and scotopic (P S ) conditions after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Methods This Retrospective Observational Cohort Study Included: 190 virgin eyes from 190 patients who underwent cataract surgery with IOL implantation. Data collected with Aladdin (Topcon), AS-OCT MS-39 (CSO), and iTrace (Tracey) were SimK, mean pupillary power at 6 mm (MPP), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), axial length (AL), lens rise (LR), P PH and P S before and after surgery at 30 days, dysfunctional lens index, and opacity grade.

Observational Clinical Investigation Evaluating an Ophthalmic Solution Containing Xanthan Gum and Low Concentration Desonide Phosphate in Dry Eye Disease Treatment.

Introduction: Patients with dry eye disease (DED) complain of a multitude of symptoms that affect their visual function and quality of life (QoL). This clinical investigation assessed the performance, tolerance, and safety of a novel preservative-free ophthalmic solution containing xanthan gum 0.2% and desonide sodium phosphate 0.

Use of allogeneic platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of autoimmune ocular surface disorders: case series.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of topical allogeneic platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops for the treatment of symptoms and clinical signs in patients with severe dry eye disease as a secondary condition caused by Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Design: Case series and literature review.

Methods: Six eyes from three consecutive patients with severe dry eye from SS were evaluated.

Extensive Contact Lens Wear Modulates Expression of miRNA-320 and miRNA-423-5p in the Human Corneal Epithelium: Possible Biomarkers of Corneal Health and Environmental Impact.

The identification of new biomarkers of ocular diseases is nowadays of outmost importance both for early diagnosis and treatment. Epigenetics is a rapidly growing emerging area of research and its involvement in the pathophysiology of ocular disease and regulatory mechanisms is of undisputable importance for diagnostic purposes. Environmental changes may impact the ocular surface, and the knowledge of induced epigenetic changes might help to elucidate the mechanisms of ocular surface disorders.

The Use of Venous Catheter and Irrigation with Povidone-Iodine 0.6% in Patients with Punctal and Proximal Canalicular Stenosis: Preliminary Report.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of povidone-iodine 0.6% (PVI) irrigation for preventing recurrence of stenosis after punctoplasty in patients with punctal and proximal canalicular stenosis treated using a venous catheter as a stent. Twenty patients were enrolled and divided into two groups.

One Soul and Several Faces of Evaporative Dry Eye Disease.

The ocular surface system interacts with, reacts with, and adapts to the daily continuous insults, trauma, and stimuli caused by direct exposure to the atmosphere and environment. Several tissue and para-inflammatory mechanisms interact to guarantee such an ultimate function, hence maintaining its healthy homeostatic equilibrium. Evaporation seriously affects the homeostasis of the system, thereby becoming a critical trigger in the pathogenesis of the vicious cycle of dry eye disease (DED).

Real-world experience with fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Objectives: to evaluate long-term effectiveness and safety of fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant used as second-line treatment in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: retrospective data chart review of 241 pseudophakic eyes of 178 patients treated with FAc from July 2017 to December 2021 in 10 medical retinal units in Italy. The primary endpoint was the change of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at 2 years.

Clinical and optical coherence tomography biomarkers as prognostic factors in dexamethasone intravitreal implant for diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexamethasone (DEX) 0.7 mg intravitreal implant in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and serous retinal detachment (SRD), and to study the prognostic factors on a follow up of 12 months.

Methods: Forty eyes of twenty- six patients with centre involving DME and SRD, who underwent DEX implant, were enrolled.

Review of clinical outcomes of a cationic emulsion tear substitute in patients with dry eye disease.

First-line options for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) rely on artificial tears (ATs), among which cationic emulsion (CE)-based ATs have been developed in order to mimic the healthy tear film for an improved restoration of the ocular surface homeostasis. In this review, we describe the outcomes reported in several studies, assessing the mode of action, ocular tolerance and clinical performance of a CE-based AT. Pilot studies have revealed that CE-based ATs can increase the volume and stability of the tear film while limiting its evaporation rate.

Dry eye in mind: Exploring the relationship between sleep and ocular surface diseases.

Purpose: Dry Eye Disease (DED) is regarded as the most common ocular surface disease worldwide, entailing symptoms that have a major impact on the physical and psychological well-being of DED patients. In this context, the impact of sleep quality on DED has recently attracted attention. Indeed, although little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between sleep and ocular surface diseases, recent evidence suggests that a reciprocal relationship exists between sleep quality and DED.

Effectiveness of a New Active Tear Substitute Containing 0.2% Hyaluronic Acid and 0.001% Hydrocortisone on Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease by Means of Low- and High-Tech Assessments.

Introduction: An innovative eye drops formulation containing 0.2% hyaluronic acid and a low concentration of hydrocortisone (0.001%; hereafter HALH) has been recently placed on the market (Idroflog, Alfa Intes, Italy) to manage the dysregulated parainflammation in patients with dry eye disease (DED).

Comparison between IOL MASTER 500 and MYAH with vector analysis in low and mild anterior corneal astigmatism.

Purpose: Evaluate the agreement between IOL Master 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany and MYAH (Topcon EU, Visia Imaging, Japan) in measuring axial length, keratometry, and anterior corneal astigmatism.

Setting: Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

Methods: In this prospective study, 40 eyes (right eye 25, left eye 15) of 40 patients were included.

Expert consensus on the management of patients undergoing cataract surgery: A Delphi study.

Purpose: To define the management of patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Setting: Panel of experts on cataract surgery and members of the Italian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (AICCER) participated in the Delphi study.

Design: A restricted panel of experts defined the statements concerning the topic and identified a larger panel of experts who voted the statements.

One-Year Results of Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia and Compound Myopic Astigmatism with 210 nm Wavelength All Solid-State Laser for Refractive Surgery.

Background: To examine the 12-month clinical and refractive outcomes of PRK performed with a UV all-solid-state laser.

Methods: The study included healthy patients with myopia and/or compound myopic astigmatism enrolled for refractive surgery and treated with PRK using a 210 nm wavelength, 2 kHz repetition rate, UV all-solid-state laser (LaserSoft, Katana Technologies GmbH, Kleinmachnow, Germany). All subjects were examined at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment with a slit lamp, refraction, visual acuity assessment (logMAR chart), tonometry, ophthalmoscopy, and corneal tomography with a Scheimpflug camera.

Antimicrobials and antiseptics: Lowering effect on ocular surface bacterial flora - A systematic review.

Topical antimicrobials and antiseptics are used perioperatively to reduce the ocular surface bacteria flora (OSBF) that are involved in the development of post-operative infectious complications. However, their effectiveness is still a controversial topic. This systematic review, performed according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO, aims to provide an overview of the efficacy of the agents currently used in peri-cataract surgery and -intravitreal injections (IVI) in lowering the OSBF.

Five-year results of iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial corneal cross-linking for keratoconus.

Purpose: To assess long-term efficacy and safety of iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial corneal cross-linking (I-CXL) for keratoconus.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-seven eyes of 21 patients (15 M, 6F) affected by progressive keratoconus were evaluated. All subjects were treated with iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial CXL.