From bench to clinic: Emerging therapies for corneal scarring.

Corneal diseases are one of the leading causes of moderate-to-severe visual impairment and blindness worldwide, after glaucoma, cataract, and retinal disease in overall importance. Given its tendency to affect people at a younger age than other blinding conditions such as cataract and glaucoma, corneal scarring poses a huge burden both on the individuals and society. Furthermore, corneal scarring and fibrosis disproportionately affects people in poorer and remote areas, making it a significant ophthalmic public health problem.

Prevalence of Orbscan II corneal abnormalities in relatives of patients with keratoconus.

Background: To determine the prevalence of Orbscan II-derived keratoconus traits in relations of individuals with keratoconus and a control group and to apply these to a pedigree analysis.

Methods: In a controlled, prospective, observational case series, four Orbscan II-derived corneal parameters were examined in relations of individuals with keratoconus and a control group of low myopes (<2.5 D).

Evaluation of iris recognition system for wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic astigmatism.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using an iris recognition system for the correction of myopic astigmatism.

Setting: Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne Excimer Laser Research Group, and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Methods: A comparative analysis of wavefront-guided LASIK was performed with an iris recognition system (iris recognition group) and without iris recognition (control group).

Vision-related quality of life comparison for emmetropes, myopes after refractive surgery, and myopes wearing spectacles or contact lenses.

Purpose: To compare the vision-related quality of life among emmetropes, myopes who had refractive surgery, and myopes who wore spectacles and/or contact lenses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed vision-related quality of life using the Vision Quality of Life Index. Participants were age 18 years or older with a presenting visual acuity of 20/40 or better and no other ocular pathology.

Evaluation of accuracy in proband-reported family history and its determinants: the Genes in Myopia family study.

Purpose: Proband-reported family histories are widely used in epidemiological and genetic studies. The accuracy of these reports may have significant effects on the intended outcome, particularly in genetic studies. This study aims to determine the accuracy of proband-reported family history of myopia and to assess whether demographic or clinical factors are predictive of an accurate history.

Methodology and recruitment of probands and their families for the Genes in Myopia (GEM) Study.

Purpose: Myopia is considered to be a complex disease involving both environmental and genetic factors. The Genes in Myopia (GEM) Study aims to recruit probands with myopia and their family members to allow genetic analysis of myopia to be undertaken. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology and recruitment of probands and families for the GEM Study.