The association between elevated blood estradiol level and corneal ectasia in women.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the association between blood estradiol level and two different etiologies of corneal ectasia in premenopausal women.

Methods: This is an observational case-control study with three groups of women. Group 1 included women with keratoconus.

Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with elevated intraocular pressure among apparently healthy adults.

Purpose: To evaluate the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy adults.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 17,990 asymptomatic self-referred adults free of diabetes or cardiovascular disease who were screened in a preventive healthcare setting. All subjects underwent measurement of IOP and completed a maximal exercise stress test according to the Bruce protocol.

Dry Eye Disease following LASIK, PRK, and LASEK: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Dry eye disease is the most frequent non-refractive postoperative complication following refractive surgery. This prospective study investigated the development of dry eye disease after three common refractive laser surgeries: laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK). Patients who underwent uneventful refractive surgery in a single private medical center between May 2017 and September 2020 were included.

The negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on age-related macular degeneration patients treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections.

Purpose: COVID-19 emerged in the end of 2019 and was declared a worldwide pandemic shortly after. Social distancing and lockdowns resulted in lower compliance in intravitreal injections and office visits. We aimed to assess clinical outcomes among patients who missed these visits compared to those who arrived as planned.

Long-term outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment in peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation due to age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: To report the long-term outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in eyes with peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation (PPCNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included patients with AMD-related PPCNV. Eyes were treated with anti-VEGF according to pro re nata regimen.

Donor and Recipient Sex Matching and Corneal Graft Failure in High-Risk and Non-High-Risk Patients.

Purpose: It is controversial whether donor-recipient sex mismatch is a risk factor associated with corneal graft failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sex mismatch on corneal graft failure in high-risk and non-high-risk patients.

Design: A retrospective study.

Rise of the Machines? Comparison of Cycloplegic Refraction Using Retinoscopy and the Retinomax K-Plus 5 in Children.

Purpose: To compare the ability to detect refractive anomalies in children using automated refraction versus retinoscopic cycloplegic refraction.

Methods: A pediatric population from a pediatric eye institute underwent complete ophthalmic examinations. Children were randomly assigned to one of two pediatric optometrists who performed manual cycloplegic refraction using retinoscopy and automated cycloplegic refraction using a handheld autorefractometer (Retinomax K-plus 5; Right Mfg.

When to start tacrolimus ointment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis? A proposed treatment protocol.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare treatment regimens of tacrolimus and of topical steroids for VKC and suggest a treatment protocol according to our clinical experience.

Methods: This retrospective, nonrandomized case series enrolled 85 patients with VKC. Patients were classified clinically according to severity (mild, moderate, severe) and were treated according to a suggested protocol.

Optical Coherence Tomography Prognostic Factors in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients with Peripapillary Choroidal Neovascularization.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and visual acuity outcomes after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients with peripapillary choroidal neovascularization (PPCNV).

Methods: The study involved a retrospective case series of consecutive patients diagnosed with PPCNV secondary to AMD. All patients were treated with IVB injections with a follow-up time of 1 year.

[Electron microscopic observations on the existence of "deflagellation tolerance" processes capable of explaining the selective isolation of vibrios in semisolid agar].

The authors identified a group of substances (flagellar depression factors--FDF) which suppress the mobility of enterobacteria (immobilization) but do not influence the Vibrio movements (tolerance). FDF do not affect the vital processes, multiplication and formation of colonies. Electron microscopic interpretation showed that, in the usual media, enterobacteria have characteristic peritrichous cilia, whereas in media with FDF they are denuded of their flagellation formation.