Could Children's Myopization Have Been Avoided during the Pandemic Confinement? The Conjunctival Ultraviolet Autofluorescence (CUVAF) Biomarker as an Answer.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of the presence of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) with the level and progression of myopia and the impact of reduced sunlight exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic confinement (PC).

Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out using three cohorts, children (9-17 years old), young adults (18-25 years old), and adults (>40 years old) with myopia (≤0.75D) and at least three annual eye examinations (before and after PC).

Conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence as a biomarker of outdoor exposure in myopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Outdoor exposure is considered the primary modifiable risk factor in preventing the development of myopia. This effect is thought to be attributed to the light-induced synthesis and release of dopamine in the retina. However, until recent years, there was no objective quantifiable method available to measure the association between time spent outdoors and myopia.

Suitability of machine learning for atrophy and fibrosis development in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To assess the suitability of machine learning (ML) techniques in predicting the development of fibrosis and atrophy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), receiving anti-VEGF treatment over a 36-month period.

Methods: An extensive analysis was conducted on the use of ML to predict fibrosis and atrophy development on nAMD patients at 36 months from start of anti-VEGF treatment, using only data from the first 12 months. We use data collected according to real-world practice, which includes clinical and genetic factors.

Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 Is Associated with Age-Related Choroidal Neovascularization.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of severe vision loss in older individuals in developed countries. Despite advances in our understanding of AMD, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been proposed to play a role in AMD development.

A Cross-Sectional Observational Study of the Relationship between Outdoor Exposure and Myopia in University Students, Measured by Conjunctival Ultraviolet Autofluorescence (CUVAF).

Myopia is the most common refractive error worldwide. This cannot be explained by genetic factors alone, therefore, environmental factors may play an important role. Hence, the main objective of this study was to analyse whether outdoor exposure could exert a protective effect against the development of myopia in a cohort of young adults and to investigate ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF), as a biomarker of time spent outdoors.

Matrix Metalloproteinase 10 Contributes to Choroidal Neovascularisation.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is currently the main cause of severe visual loss among older adults in developed countries. The pathophysiology has not been clarified, but oxidative stress is believed to play a major role. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) may play a prominent role in several steps of the pathophysiology of AMD, especially in its neovascular form; therefore, there is of great interest in understanding their role in choroidal neovascularisation.

Evaluation of Macular Retinal Vessels and Histological Changes in Two Cases of COVID-19.

The purpose of this study was to assess vascular and histological alterations in two COVID-19 and three control post-mortem retinas. The macular areas of flat-mounted samples were processed for immunofluorescence. Lectin and collagen IV positive vessels were captured under confocal microscopy, and endothelium loss and tortuosity were analyzed.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Age Related Macular Degeneration, Role in Pathophysiology, and Possible New Therapeutic Strategies.

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the main cause of legal blindness in developed countries. It is a multifactorial disease in which a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to increased risk of developing this vision-incapacitating condition. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathophysiology of AMD and recent publications have highlighted the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress in this disease.

The role of retinal fluid location in atrophy and fibrosis evolution of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration long-term treated in real world.

Purpose: To assess the effect of clinical factors on the development and progression of atrophy and fibrosis in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) receiving long-term treatment in the real world.

Methods: An ambispective 36-month multicentre study, involving 359 nAMD patients from 17 Spanish hospitals treated according to the Spanish Vitreoretinal Society guidelines, was designed. The influence of demographic and clinical factors, including the presence and location of retinal fluid, on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and progression to atrophy and/or fibrosis were analysed.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidative Synergistic Effect of Vitamin D and Nutritional Complex on Retinal Pigment Epithelial and Endothelial Cell Lines against Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease of the retina featured by dysfunction of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) and loss of photoreceptor cells under oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions. Vitamin D and antioxidants have beneficial effects against retinal degenerative diseases, such as AMD. We investigated the impact of associating vitamin D (ND) with a nutritional antioxidant complex (Nutrof Total; N) on oxidative stress and inflammation-like induced conditions by HO and LPS, respectively, in human retinal epithelial (ARPE-19) and human retinal endothelial (HREC) cells.

A Randomized Study of Nutritional Supplementation in Patients with Unilateral Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

The purpose of this study is evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicinal products containing the original Age-Related Eye Disease group (AREDS) formulation at doses approved in Europe (EU, control group; = 59) with a product that adds DHA, lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol to the formula (intervention group; = 50). This was a multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded trial conducted in patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed with unilateral exudative Age related Macular Degeneration AMD. At month 12, the intervention did not have a significant differential effect on visual acuity compared with the control group, with an estimated treatment difference in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) of -1.

Role of intraretinal and subretinal fluid on clinical and anatomical outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with bimonthly, treat-and-extend and as-needed ranibizumab in the In-Eye study.

Purpose: To assess the effect of fluid status at baseline (BL) and at the end of the loading phase (LP) of three different ranibizumab regimens: treat-and-extend (T&E), fixed bimonthly (FBM) injections and pro re nata (PRN), in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Design: Post hoc analysis of the In-Eye study (phase IV clinical trial).

Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to the three study arms and were treated accordingly.

A Safe GDNF and GDNF/BDNF Controlled Delivery System Improves Migration in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells and Survival in Retinal Ganglion Cells: Potential Usefulness in Degenerative Retinal Pathologies.

We assessed the sustained delivery effect of poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)/vitamin E (VitE) microspheres (MSs) loaded with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) alone (GDNF-MSs) or combined with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF; GDNF/BDNF-MSs) on migration of the human adult retinal pigment epithelial cell-line-19 (ARPE-19) cells, primate choroidal endothelial (RF/6A) cells, and the survival of isolated mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The morphology of the MSs, particle size, and encapsulation efficiencies of the active substances were evaluated. In vitro release, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) apoptosis, functional wound healing migration (ARPE-19; migration), and (RF/6A; angiogenesis) assays were conducted.

Vitamin D Protects against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Human Retinal Cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is a vision-threatening microvascular complication of diabetes and is one of the leading causes of blindness. Oxidative stress and inflammation play a major role in its pathogenesis, and new therapies counteracting these contributors could be of great interest. In the current study, we investigated the role of vitamin D against oxidative stress and inflammation in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and human retinal endothelial cell lines.

A Higher Proportion of Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) When Combined with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in Omega-3 Dietary Supplements Provides Higher Antioxidant Effects in Human Retinal Cells.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a key regulator of retinal function and is directly related to the transport, delivery, and metabolism of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA), in the retina. Due to their functions and location, RPE cells are constantly exposed to oxidative stress. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown to have antioxidant effects by different mechanisms.

Genetic and environmental factors related to the development of myopic maculopathy in Spanish patients.

High myopia and the subsequent degenerative changes of the retina, choroid, and sclera, known as myopic maculopathy (MM), are a serious visual problem in many Asian countries, and are beginning to be so in the south of Europe, especially in the Mediterranean. It is therefore necessary to carry out genetic and environmental studies to determine the possible causes of this disease. This study aims to verify if the genetic factors that have been most related to Asian populations are also associated in two Spanish cohorts.

Preclinical Evaluation of a Cell-Based Gene Therapy Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System in Choroidal Neovascularization.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive retinal disorder characterized by imbalanced pro- and antiangiogenic signals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cell-based gene therapy with stable expression of human pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) release using the non-viral () transposon system delivered by miniplasmids free of antibiotic resistance markers (pFAR4). Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cells were co-transfected with pFAR4-inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) CMV-PEDF-BGH and pFAR4-CMV--SV40 plasmids.

In vivo effect of bevacizumab-loaded albumin nanoparticles in the treatment of corneal neovascularization.

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is associated with different ocular pathologies, including infectious keratitis, trachoma or corneal trauma. Pharmacological treatments based on the topical application of anti-VEGF therapies have been shown to be effective in the treatment and prevention of CNV. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of bevacizumab-loaded albumin nanoparticles in a rat model of CNV.

-rs12536657 and Ocular Biometric Parameters in Hyperopic Children, Emmetropic Adolescents, and Young Adults: A Multicenter Quantitative Trait Study.

Introduction: Even though ocular refractive state is highly heritable and under strong genetic control, the identification of susceptibility genes remains a challenge. Several (hepatocyte growth factor) gene variants have been associated with ocular refractive errors and corneal pathology.

Purpose: Here, we assess the association of an gene variant, previously reported as associated with hyperopia, and ocular biometric parameters in a multicenter Spanish cohort.

Novel Association of High C-Reactive Protein Levels and A69S at Risk Alleles in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration Women.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, the main gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and gender in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).

Methods: Our study included 131 patients with wetAMD [age-related eye disease study (AREDS) category 4] and 153 control participants (AREDS category 1) from two Spanish retinal units. CRP levels were determined on blood samples by high-sensitivity ELISA assay.

Long-Term PEDF Release in Rat Iris and Retinal Epithelial Cells after Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Mediated Gene Delivery.

Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) is a potent antiangiogenic, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective molecule that is the endogenous inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the retina. An ex vivo gene therapy approach based on transgenic overexpression of PEDF in the eye is assumed to rebalance the angiogenic-antiangiogenic milieu of the retina, resulting in growth regression of choroidal blood vessels, the hallmark of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Here, we show that rat pigment epithelial cells can be efficiently transfected with the PEDF-expressing non-viral hyperactive Sleeping Beauty transposon system delivered in a form free of antibiotic resistance marker miniplasmids.

Single- and repeated-dose toxicity study of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept in ARPE-19 cells under normal and oxidative stress conditions.

We assessed the effect of single and repeated doses of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept on cell viability, proliferation, permeability, and apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells. MTT and BrdU assays were used to determine viability and proliferation after single or repeated doses of anti-VEGF drugs under normal and oxidative stress conditions. Caspase-3 expression after single and repeated doses of the 3 drugs was assessed using immunofluorescence.