Tear levels of apoptotic, matrix-degrading and antioxidant biomarkers in patients with and without keratoconus: A cross sectional study.

Purpose: To assess the tear levels of a set of apoptotic, matrix-degrading and antioxidant biomarkers, including Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) and Superoxide Dismutase 3-Extracellular (SOD3).

Methods: Sandwich-ELISA commercial kits were used to test the expression of the three tear biomarkers in the lacrimal fluid of eligible participants. Linear logistic regression analysis was performed todetermine whether the set of tear biomarkers could be associated with clinically manifest keratoconus.

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.

Salzmann Nodular Degeneration in Ocular and Systemic Diseases.

This review aimed to evidence the predisposing conditions for Salzmann nodular degeneration (SND), where particular attention was paid to its association with ocular and systemic diseases. SND is a rare disease characterized by bluish-white nodules located in the mid-periphery of the cornea, which are otherwise completely clear. SND has been found in association with different systemic and ocular diseases, and it may have unilateral or bilateral presentation.

Assessment of the Predictive Ability of Theranostics for Corneal Cross-linking in Treating Keratoconus: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To validate the ability of theranostic imaging biomarkers in assessing corneal cross-linking (CXL) efficacy in flattening the maximum keratometry (K) index.

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicenter, masked clinical trial (ClinicalTrails.gov identifier, NCT05457647).