Microbiological screening of corneas stored in organ culture medium at Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia from 2011 to 2022.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the contamination rate of corneal samples stored in OCM at Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia over a 12-year period.

Methods: All OCM samples used to preserve corneas from 2011 to 2022 (inclusive) underwent microbiological testing. Samples were collected into aerobic and anaerobic culture bottles on day 3-5 of corneal preservation and 24 h after transfer to thinning medium.

Cross-Linking Improves the Quality of Life of People With Keratoconus: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study From the Save Sight Keratoconus Registry.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the patient-reported quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after corneal cross-linking for keratoconus.

Methods: This Save Sight Keratoconus Registry study used cross-sectional and longitudinal designs. For the cross-sectional study, 532 patients with keratoconus (mean age 30.

Anti-retinal IgG antibodies in patients with early and advanced type 2 macular telangiectasia.

Type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (MacTel-2) is a progressive adult-onset macular disease associated with bilateral perifoveal vascular changes, Muller cell degeneration and increased blood-retinal barrier permeability. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MacTel-2 remain unclear, however it was previously reported that anti-retinal antibodies in MacTel-2 patients are a significant feature of the disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the prevalence of anti-retinal antibodies in patients MacTel-2, healthy controls and patients with other retinal diseases.

Keeping an 'eye' on ocular GVHD.

Ocular graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a common manifestation in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Ocular GVHD affects approximately 10% of patients with acute GVHD and more than 50% of patients with chronic GVHD. Symptoms of dry eye disease are one of the clinical hallmarks of ocular GVHD, and inflammatory changes to the ocular surface, cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids and lacrimal glands have been observed.

Differential gene expression analysis of corneal endothelium indicates involvement of phagocytic activity in Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive vision impairing disease caused by thickening of Descemet's membrane and gradual degeneration and loss of corneal endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes between FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease. Microarray gene expression analysis was performed on total RNA from FECD-affected and unaffected corneal endothelium-Descemet's membrane (CE-DM) specimens using the Illumina HumanHT-12 v4.

Determining the willingness of Australians to export their corneas on death.

Background: 12.7 million people await a corneal transplant, but 53% are without access to corneal tissue. Sharing corneal tissue across nations can provide some access, however the willingness of export populations, like Australians, to export their donation on death, has never been evaluated.

Reduced expression of apolipoprotein E and immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 proteins in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy.

Background: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a progressive and potentially a sight threatening disease, and a common indication for corneal grafting in the elderly. Aberrant thickening of Descemet's membrane, formation of microscopic excrescences (guttae) and gradual loss of corneal endothelial cells are the hallmarks of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify differentially abundant proteins between FECD-affected and unaffected Descemet's membrane.

Corneal graft rejection precipitated by uveitis secondary to alendronate sodium therapy.

Purpose: To report a case of corneal graft rejection precipitated by severe uveitis secondary to alendronate therapy and to review the literature of relevance to this case.

Methods: A 77-year-old woman with a hypopyon and corneal graft rejection was studied for possible precipitants, including herpes viral and bacterial infection. Results were negative.

Limbal stem cells: the search for a marker.

The corneal epithelium is a self-renewing tissue and must, by definition, have a resident basal cell population necessary for homeostasis and wound healing. There is a substantial body of evidence, both experimental and clinical, pointing to the basal cells of the limbus as the location of corneal epithelial stem cells. However, in the absence of a definitive marker of limbal stem cells, the evidence remains largely circumstantial.

Post-traumatic Scedosporium inflatum endophthalmitis.

This is the first documented case of post-traumatic Scedosporium inflatum endophthalmitis and only the second of S. inflatum endophthalmitis occurring in a non-immunocompromised individual, to the authors' knowledge. A case is reported of a 57-year-old woman who, while chopping wood, had a wood chip hit her in the right eye.