Neurotrophic keratitis: inflammatory pathogenesis and novel therapies.

Purpose Of Review: Neurotrophic keratitis is a rare degenerative disease characterized by decrease or absence of corneal sensation. Neurotrophic keratitis varies from mild forms with mild epitheliopathy to severe manifestations such as corneal ulceration, melting and perforation that can lead to irreversible visual loss. The cause of neurotrophic keratitis comprises a long list of diseases, medications, congenital or genetic conditions as well as trauma.

Alternatives to endokeratoplasty: an attempt towards reducing global demand of human donor corneas.

The cornea is an anterior transparent tissue of the eye that enables the transmission of surrounding light to the back of the eye, which is essential for maintaining clear vision. Corneal endothelial diseases can lead to partial or total blindness; hence, surgical replacement of the diseased corneal tissue with a healthy cadaveric donor graft becomes necessary when the endothelium is damaged. Keratoplasties face a huge challenge due to a worldwide shortage in the supply of human donor corneas.

Dual inhibition of complement component 5 and leukotriene B4 by topical rVA576 in atopic keratoconjunctivis: TRACKER phase 1 clinical trial results.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of topical rVA576, a dual inhibitor of complement component 5 (C5) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), in patients with recalcitrant atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) in the open label phase 1 TRACKER clinical trial.

Methods: Three patients diagnosed with moderate or severe AKC who had been on maximal topical treatment (antihistamines and ciclosporin) for at least three months prior to entry, and showed persistent symptoms and signs of inflammation, were recruited into the trial. Patients received rVA576 eye drops twice a day for 8 weeks.

Management and Systemic Implications of Diabetic Neovascular Glaucoma.

Objectives: To study the efficacy and safety of different treatments for diabetic neovascular glaucoma (NVG). We additionally attempt to determine if the presence of NVG could be a predictor of cardiovascular disease or death.

Method: This is a retrospective, observational cohort study including patients diagnosed with diabetic NVG from 2006 to 2016 at the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid (Spain).

Black and white box: Take good gross pathology photographs.

Macroscopic study of surgical samples sent to the histopathology lab provides the first diagnostic approach. Obtaining quality photographs of these pieces facilitates proper case documentation for publication, sharing, teaching and research.This device has been originally designed for enucleated eyes but it could be used for a wide diversity of human or animal samples including thyroids, pituitary glands, prostates… It can be coupled to any smartphone camera.

Glue and glide: a novel technique for pterygium conjunctival autograft.

Conjunctival autograft adhesion with fibrin glue has gained rapid popularity in pterygium excision surgery and is now the technique of choice in many centers worldwide. It has enabled a suture-free technique, reducing surgical time and postoperative pain. However, the adhesive's components form a fibrin clot 10 seconds after mixing, and in this time, the surgeon must complete glue application, grabbing of the instruments and adequate placement of the conjunctival patch.

Impact of herpetic stromal immune keratitis in corneal biomechanics and innervation.

Purpose: To study corneal innervation in eyes with history of herpetic keratitis and its correlation with corneal sensitivity and biomechanical properties.

Methods: A total of 56 eyes were included, of which 16 had a history of unilateral immune stromal herpetic keratitis, 16 were their contralateral eyes, and 20 were healthy controls. Structural analysis of corneal nerve plexus was performed by confocal microscopy.

Pattern of Local Recurrence After I-125 Episcleral Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanoma in a Spanish Referral Ocular Oncology Unit.

Purpose: To describe the time, frequency, and clinical characteristics of treatment failure after I-125 brachytherapy in patients with uveal melanoma treated and followed in a Spanish referral ocular oncology unit.

Design: Prospective, consecutive, interventional case series.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma from 1995 to 2016 and treated with episcleral brachytherapy were included.