Bioprinting of transparent and adhesive corneal patches: Integrating photo-crosslinkable dopamine-conjugated silk fibroin and decellularized cornea matrix for sutureless tissue integration and regeneration.

Corneal injuries, a leading cause of visual impairment, are traditionally addressed through tissue transplantation. However, challenges such as donor shortages, graft rejection, and complications from suturing often limit their effectiveness. Current corneal adhesives frequently fall short in both adhesion strength and biocompatibility.

Five- to Twelve-Year Outcomes of Autologous Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation: Long-Term Corneal Epithelial Imaging and Phenotypic Analysis.

Purpose: To objectively assess the long-term corneal epithelial recovery after autologous simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) for ocular chemical burn (OCB)-induced unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Design: Prospective, fellow-eye controlled, cross-sectional imaging and diagnostic study.

Subjects: The study included 47 patients, who were 5 to 12 years postautologous SLET done for OCB-induced unilateral LSCD.

Challenges and advances in ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP); from pathogenesis to treatment strategies.

Purpose: Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is a systemic autoimmune condition characterized by blistering and cicatrization, predominantly affecting mucous membranes, including those lining the esophagus, oropharynx, nasal cavity, trachea, conjunctiva, and genitalia. Ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP) is observed in approximately 70% of MMP cases. This study aims to review the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and complications of OMMP.

Extracellular vesicles in dry eye disease and Sjögren's syndrome: A systematic review on their diagnostic and therapeutic role.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), defined as membrane-bound vesicles released from all cells, are being explored for their diagnostic and therapeutic role in dry eye disease (DED). We systematically shortlisted 32 articles on the role of EVs in diagnosing and treating DED. We cover the progress in the last 2 decades on the classification and isolation of EVs and their role in DED.

Oral Cyclosporine in Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis: Indications, Outcomes, and Effect on Corticosteroid Use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the indications and outcomes of oral cyclosporine A (oCsA) use in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to assess its effect on corticosteroid use.

Methods: This retrospective review of VKC cases included patients who were prescribed oCsA. Data on clinical characteristics, demographic profile, and treatment were collected.

Acquired Ankyloblepharon Correction Using Ocular Surface and Tarsal Mucous Membrane Grafting in Cicatrizing Ocular Surface Diseases.

Purpose: To report the long-term surgical outcomes of acquired ankyloblepharon correction using mucous membrane graft.

Methods: Five eyes of 4 patients (median age, 19 years) with acquired ankyloblepharon were managed using eyelid splitting and mucous membrane graft anchored to the recti muscles on the bulbar surface in the respective quadrant and onto the bare tarsal surface. Outcome measures include a change in the palpebral fissure width, ability to fit scleral contact lenses, visual acuity, and cosmesis.

Effect of different artificial tears on tear film parameters in dry eye disease.

Significance: Artificial tears remain the cornerstone for managing dry eye disease. The current study's real-world efficacy test of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, or sodium hyaluronate (SH)-based lubricants highlights their similar effects on noninvasive tear film parameters over the short term. However, patients reported better relief with SH-based lubricants.

Longitudinal Study of Epibulbar Dermolipomas Over Five-Year Follow-Up: Growth Analysis, Refractive Errors, and Surgical Outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the growth, management, and outcomes of epibulbar dermolipomas over a 5-year follow-up period.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of epibulbar dermolipoma patients with a minimum follow-up of 5 years, which analyzed the changes in size, refractive errors (spherical equivalent), best-corrected visual acuity, histology, and surgical outcomes.

Results: A total of 61 eyes of 53 patients (32 females) with an average presenting age of 4.

Tear Film and Dry Eye Characteristics as Predictors of Photophobia in 374 Patients with Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: To assess the tear film parameters associated with photophobia in dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: Three hundred seventy-four patients with DED (mean age, 42.2 ± 12.

The Human Cornea: Unraveling Its Structural, Chemical, and Biochemical Complexities.

The cornea, the transparent part of the anterior eye, is vital for light refraction and vision. This review examines the intricate chemical and biochemical interactions essential for maintaining corneal transparency and highlights significant advancements in corneal biology. The cornea comprises five layers: the epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium, each contributing uniquely to its structure and function.

Bioprinting a resilient and transparent cornea stroma equivalent: harnessing dual crosslinking strategy with decellularized cornea matrix and silk fibroin hybrid.

Bioprinting a resilient yet optically transparent corneal tissue substitute remains a challenge. In this study we introduce an innovative methodology aimed at bolstering the mechanical and optical attributes of silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels, pivotal for the progression of cornea tissue engineering. We devised a unique eosin Y-based photoinitiator system to instigate di-tyrosine linkages within highly concentrated pristine SF solutions under green light exposure.

Experimental models for keratoconus: Insights and challenges.

Keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder characterized by the thinning and conical protrusion of the cornea because of collagen degradation, poses significant challenges to both clinicians and researchers. Most successful animal models of keratoconus are based on genetic mutations and knock-outs in mice and rats that hinder normal corneal stromal architecture, thickness, or strength. While mice and rat models are suitable to study the molecular mechanism and physiological changes to the cornea, they are not suitable for experimental research; especially for surgical interventions like: deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty, and other advanced therapies.

Paradigm Shift in Eye Banking: From Tissue Retrieval to Cellular Harvesting and Bioengineering.

An integrated cell, tissue, and eye bank is vital to meet the evolving needs of ocular transplant therapies. In addition to traditional corneal transplant tissues, it encompasses processing and delivery of transplant materials for newer treatments like cell-based therapies and gene-modified products, adhering to rigorous standards, optimizing tissue utilization with comprehensive services for surgeons.

Allergen Testing: A Review of the Indications, Procedures, and Limitations in Ocular Allergy.

Allergen-based diagnostics are essential in the management algorithm of allergic diseases. Unlike systemic allergy, where the indications and interpretation of these diagnostic modalities are well established, their utility in ocular allergy is not well-defined. With the rising prevalence of ocular allergies and the need for personalized treatment strategies, there is a growing demand for precision allergen diagnostics.

Bioprinting of anisotropic functional corneal stroma using mechanically robust multi-material bioink based on decellularized cornea matrix.

Corneal scarring is a common cause of blindness, affecting millions globally each year. A huge gap between the demand and supply of donor tissue currently limits corneal transplantation, the only definitive therapy for patients with corneal scarring. To overcome this challenge, researchers have harnessed the efficacy of 3D bioprinting to fabricate artificial corneal stromal constructs.

Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Presenting as Recurrent Pterygium.

Purpose: The aim of this series was to report recurrent pterygium as a presenting feature of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed, and patients with biopsy positive oMMP who presented with recurrent pterygia were included. Data on the demographic profile, clinical characteristics, and details of the surgical intervention were collected.

Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lifitegrast 5% eye drops: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial in Indian patients with dry eye disease.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of lifitegrast 5% versus carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 0.5% in adult patients with dry eye disease (DED).

Methods: A total of 370 eligible patients with DED were randomized equally to receive twice-daily doses of a single drop in each eye of either lifitegrast 5% or CMC 0.

Collagen imaging reveals synergistic effects of sutures and host-donor misalignment on topographical irregularities in penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: Mitigating unwanted refractive errors is crucial for surgeons to ensure quality vision after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The primary objective of the present study is to highlight the importance of microstructural matching of the host and the donor cornea during PK on the distribution of the corneal tissue while suturing.

Methods: For this purpose, the present study undertakes an in-vitro PK model to analyse the effect of suturing and host-donor misalignment on corneal birefringence.

Severe meibomian gland loss in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients on estrogen-progesterone therapy: A case series.

To report the ocular surface and meibomian gland changes in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women taking hormone supplementation. Case series. Three women (27 ± 11 years) already diagnosed with PCOS presented with dry eye symptoms (mean OSDI, 37.

Lid Margin Microbiome in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Patients With Lid Margin Keratinization and Severe Dry Eye Disease.

Purpose: The current study evaluated the lid margin microbiome of keratinized lid margins of patients with chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and compared it with healthy controls and historically reported lid margin microbiome of patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: Eyelid margin swabs of 20 asymptomatic adults (mean age = 29 ± 12 years) and 10 patients with chronic SJS (mean age = 31.2 ± 14 years) with lid margin keratinization were sequenced using next generation of 16S rDNA V3 to V4 variable region.

Developing a model for aqueous deficient dry eye secondary to periglandular cicatrizing conjunctivitis.

Purpose: The current study used various techniques to develop a rabbit animal model of lacrimal gland damage caused by scarring conjunctivitis in the periglandular area.

Methods: Left eyes of New Zealand white rabbits were injected with 0.1 ml of 1M NaOH subconjunctivally around superior and inferior lacrimal gland orifices (Group 1, n = 4), touched with 1M NaOH for 100 s to the superior and inferior fornices with conjunctival denuding (Group 2; n = 4), and electrocauterization to the ductal opening area (Group 3; n = 4).

Investigation of mechanical strength and structure of corneal graft-host junction.

Dehiscence is a common complication of corneal transplant surgery involving separating the graft from the host eye. The present article aims to investigate fundamental insights into the mechanical and structural aspects of the graft-host junction (GHJ) of a graft that survived in a patient for 13 years after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Additionally, it adopts the sutur retention strength (SRS) test procedure defined in ISO:7198-2016 and aims to provide a comprehensive test protocol to study the biomechanics of the GHJ in extracted PK buttons.