cDC2 and plasmacytoid dendritic cells diminish from tissues of patients with non-Hodgkin orbital lymphoma and idiopathic orbital inflammation.

Non-Hodgkin orbital lymphoma (NHOL) and idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI) are common orbital conditions with largely unknown pathophysiology. To investigate the immune cell composition of these diseases, we performed standardized 29 parameter flow cytometry phenotyping in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 18 NHOL patients, 21 IOI patients, and 41 unaffected controls. Automatic gating by FlowSOM revealed decreased abundance of meta-clusters containing dendritic cells in patients, which we confirmed by manual gating.

A pan-inflammatory microRNA-cluster is associated with orbital non-Hodgkin lymphoma and idiopathic orbital inflammation.

Non-Hodgkin orbital lymphoma (NHOL) and idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI) are common orbital conditions with largely unknown pathophysiology that can be difficult to diagnose. In this study we aim to identify serum miRNAs associated with NHOL and IOI. We performed OpenArray miRNA profiling in 33 patients and controls.

Lutein supplementation leads to decreased soluble complement membrane attack complex sC5b-9 plasma levels.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lutein on systemic complement activation in elderly individuals.

Methods: Seventy patients with signs of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were included in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive a 10 mg daily dose of lutein or a placebo for a time period of 1 year.

The effect of lutein supplementation on blood plasma levels of complement factor D, C5a and C3d.

Lutein is selectively taken up by the primate retina and plays an important role as a filter for harmful blue light and as an antioxidant. Recent studies have shown that lutein has systemic anti-inflammatory properties. Dietary lutein has been associated with reduced circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP and sICAM.

Lutein supplementation over a one-year period in early AMD might have a mild beneficial effect on visual acuity: the CLEAR study.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of daily supplementation with lutein (L) capsules on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual acuity (VA) in patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-center investigation of the effects of L supplementation in early AMD was conducted. The duration of the trial was 12 months.

Patients with Sjögren-Larsson syndrome lack macular pigment.

Purpose: Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS), an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder with congenital ichthyosis, spastic diplegia or tetraplegia, and mental retardation, reveals a characteristic macular dystrophy with intraretinal crystals and foveal pseudocysts. Ophthalmic symptoms in SLS are reduced visual acuity and photophobia. This article reports the deficiency of macular pigment as a novel finding in this peculiar, congenital maculopathy.

Correspondence between retinal reflectometry and a flicker-based technique in the measurement of macular pigment spatial profiles.

A comparison of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) spatial profiles determined by an optical and a psychophysical technique is presented. We measured the right eyes of 19 healthy individuals, using fundus reflectometry at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 deg eccentricity; and heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 deg, and a reference point at 8 deg eccentricity.

Macular pigment optical density relates to foveal thickness.

Purpose: Macular pigment is composed of 2 dietary carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and is mainly present at the nerve fiber layers and ganglion cell layers of the retina, with peak concentrations in the fovea. It is thought to function as a blue-light filter and antioxidant, and therefore protect the retina from damaging influences that are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration. This study was performed to investigate the suggested positive relationship between foveal macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and foveal retinal thickness.

A new desktop instrument for measuring macular pigment optical density based on a novel technique for setting flicker thresholds.

A rapid portable technique for estimating macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in large populations is described. The new instrument utilises a novel method for setting flicker thresholds which is undemanding for naïve and elderly observers and easily operated by a non-technical person. The method has good repeatability (r = 0.

Quantification of reduced macular pigment optical density in the central retina in macular telangiectasia type 2.

Recently, a unique distribution, namely a reduction of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) within the central retina with a surrounding ring-like structure of preserved MPOD at about 6 degrees eccentricity was suggested to be a common finding in macular telangiectasia (MacTel) type 2. In order to quantify this reduced MPOD, 28 eyes of 14 patients with MacTel type 2 were investigated by fundus reflectometry and two wavelengths fundus autofluorescence (FAF; at 488 nm and 514 nm). Fundus reflectometry showed a reduced MPOD within the central 4 degrees eccentricity that was most absent temporal to the foveola.

Abnormal macular pigment distribution in type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia.

Purpose: To determine the distribution of macular pigment in type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (IMT).

Methods: Twenty-two eyes of 12 patients with type 2 IMT were examined by means of best-corrected visual acuity testing, fundus biomicroscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was assessed using a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope whereby MPOD was calculated from fundus autofluorescence images acquired at two different excitation wavelengths (488 and 514 nm).