A lower birth weight percentile is associated with central corneal thickness thinning: Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES).

Purpose: Prematurity, prenatal growth restriction, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are associated with altered ocular geometry, such as a steeper corneal shape in childhood, but it is unclear whether perinatal history affects corneal thickness development, so this study investigated whether corneal thickness in adulthood is affected by perinatal history.

Marterials And Methods: The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a retrospective cohort study with a prospective ophthalmologic examination in Germany. The corneal thickness was measured by Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), and the relationship between perinatal parameters respective birth weight percentile and corneal thickness at different locations was assessed using uni- and multivariable linear regression models.

The role of preterm birth, retinopathy of prematurity and perinatal factors on corneal aberrations in adulthood: Results from the Gutenberg prematurity eye study.

Introduction: Prematurity and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are associated with altered corneal shape and reduced visual acuity in childhood, but their long-term effects on corneal shape in later life are still unclear. This study evaluated whether prematurity and related perinatal factors are associated with corneal aberrations in adulthood.

Methods: The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a cohort study using Scheimpflug imaging of the cornea.

Dry Eye Parameters and Lid Geometry in Adults Born Extremely, Very, and Moderately Preterm with and without ROP: Results from the Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to analyze the effects of perinatal history on tear film properties and lid geometry in adults born preterm. Methods: The Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES) is a German prospective examination of adults born preterm and term aged 18 to 52 years with Keratograph® 5M and Schirmer test I. Main outcome measures were first non-invasive tear film break-up time (F-NITBUT), bulbar redness (BR), Schirmer test, and nasal palpebral angle measurement.

On the Current Care Situation and Treatment of Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid in Germany.

Background: Ocular involvement in mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is relatively rare, with a prevalence of 25 cases per million population, equating to approx. 2,100 patients throughout Germany. Diagnosis can be difficult - especially in cases of isolated ocular involvement - and treatment can be complex and lengthy.

[Alterations of the anterior segment of the eye caused by exposure to UV radiation].

Background: By identifying diseases of the anterior segment of the eye associated with exposure to UV light, recommendations for action can be derived.

Aim: After reading this review, the reader should be familiar with UV light-associated diseases of the anterior segment of the eye.

Method: Using a selective literature search, UV light-associated diseases of the anterior segment of the eye were identified and protective mechanisms are described.

Prevalence of corneal arcus and associated factors in a German population-Results from the Gutenberg Health Study.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the prevalence of corneal arcus and to identify associated factors in the general population of Germany.

Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) is a population-based cohort study in Germany, which includes an ophthalmological assessment. Refraction, distance-corrected visual acuity, non-contact tonometry and anterior segment imaging were performed for the five-year follow-up examination.

Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps occlude Meibomian glands during ocular surface inflammation.

Purpose: Obstructive Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the leading causes of evaporative dry eye disease. Meibomian glands at the eyelid secrete lipids that prevent evaporation of the aqueous tear film. The pathogenesis of obstructive MGD is incompletely understood to date.

Ocular Phenotype of Relaxin Gene Knockout (Rln) Mice.

: To test if relaxin deficiency affects ocular structure and function we investigated expression of relaxin () and RXFP receptors (), and compared ocular phenotypes in relaxin gene knockout ( ) and wild type ( ) mice. : and mRNA expression was detected in ocular tissues of Rln+/+ mice using RT-PCR. The eyes of 11 and 5 male mice were investigated.

Schirmer test results: are they associated with topical or systemic medication?

Purpose: To test whether Schirmer test (ST) results are associated with topical or systemic medication and to evaluate the distribution of tear fluid quantity in a 3-min and 5-min ST.

Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, prospective, observational cohort study in Germany. ST was assessed in a sub-cohort of 1,999 participants.

Ophthalmological Findings in Mucopolysaccharidoses.

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a heterogenous group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The accrual of these compounds results in phenotypically varied syndromes that produce multi-organ impairment with widespread systemic effects. The low incidence of MPS (approximately 1/25,000 live births) in conjunction with the high childhood mortality rate had limited the availability of research into certain clinical features, especially ocular manifestations.

In vitro effects of benzalkonium chloride and prostaglandins on human meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Purpose: Benzalkonium chloride is the most widely used preservative in ophthalmic topical solutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of BAC as a single substance or as a component of several commercially available ophthalmic solutions on meibomian gland epithelial cells in vitro.

Materials And Methods: An immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC) was used and cells were cultured in the absence or presence of fetal bovine serum to assess cell morphology, cell proliferation, cell viability (MTS assay) and impedance sensing (ECIS) after stimulation with BAC.

Effect of intermittent shear stress on corneal epithelial cells using an in vitro flow culture model.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish and to evaluate an in vitro model for culturing human telomerase-immortalized corneal epithelial (hTCEpi) cells under adjustable medium flow mimicking the movements of the tear film on the ocular surface.

Methods: Using an IBIDI pump system, cells were cultured under unidirectional, continuous or oscillating, discontinuous medium flow. Cell surface and cytoskeletal architecture were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence.

Relaxin 2 fails to lower intraocular pressure and to dilate retinal vessels in rats.

Purpose: Recently, the vasodilator relaxin 2 has been introduced as a treatment for acute heart failure. However, its role on vessels of the eye and intraocular pressure (IOP) remains unclear though it has been hypothesized to induce a decrease IOP after intramuscular injection in humans. We aimed to test whether the hormone relaxin 2 lowers IOP and dilates retinal vessels in animals.

TFOS DEWS II Sex, Gender, and Hormones Report.

One of the most compelling features of dry eye disease (DED) is that it occurs more frequently in women than men. In fact, the female sex is a significant risk factor for the development of DED. This sex-related difference in DED prevalence is attributed in large part to the effects of sex steroids (e.

The human meibomian gland epithelial cell line as a model to study meibomian gland dysfunction.

The meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is the leading cause of dry eye disease (DED) throughout the world. The investigation of MGD lacks suitable in vivo and in vitro models. In 2010 a human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC) was established, so far the only available meibomian gland cell line.

The effects of transdermal testosterone and oestrogen therapy on dry eye in postmenopausal women: a randomised, placebo-controlled, pilot study.

Aims: Sex hormones could provide a future treatment avenue for dry eye post menopause. However, there are few well-controlled studies. This study investigates the impact of testosterone and oestrogen on dry eye symptoms and signs in postmenopausal women.

In vitro effects of sex hormones in human meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is considered the most common cause of dry eye disease (DED). Sex hormones seem to play a role in the pathogenesis of MGD although their involvement is not completely understood. Therefore, in the present study we evaluated the effect of dihydrotestosteron (DHT) and estradiol (β-Est) on an immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC).

Does endogenous serum oestrogen play a role in meibomian gland dysfunction in postmenopausal women with dry eye?

Aim: To explore the relationship between serum concentration of sex hormones and dry eye symptoms and signs in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was undertaken. Subjects were 46 postmenopausal women with dry eye (mean age 64.

Somatostatin supports corneal wound healing in vivo.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of somatostatin (SST) and its analog octreotid (Oct) on corneal wound healing processes.

Methods: The wound healing rate in C57BL/6 mice eyes under SST and Oct treatment was analyzed using an alkali-induced corneal wounding model. Effects of SST and Oct on cell proliferation, migration and quantified protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on human corneal epithelial cells (HCE, cell line) were evaluated by means of electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, scratch migration assays and ELISA.

In vitro effects of docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acid on human meibomian gland epithelial cells.

To investigate the effect of ω-3 fatty acids on human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs, cell line) in vitro. HMGECs were stimulated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or combinations with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and acetyl sialic acid (ASA). Sudan III fat staining, viability and proliferation assays, electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, real-time PCR for gene expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and 15-lipoxygenase and ELISAs for resolvin D1 (RvD1), IFNγ, TNFα and IL-6 were applied.

Serum-induced keratinization processes in an immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cell line.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate a human meibomian gland epithelial cell line (HMGEC) as a model for meibomian gland (patho)physiology in vitro.

Methods: HMGEC were cultured in the absence or presence of serum. Sudan III lipid staining, ultrastructural analysis and lipidomic analyses were performed.

Trefoil factor family peptide 3 (TFF3) is upregulated under experimental conditions similar to dry eye disease and supports corneal wound healing effects in vitro.

Purpose: To elucidate the role of trefoil family peptide (TFF) 3 at the ocular surface under conditions similar to dry eye disease (DED) and in tears of patients suffering from DED.

Methods: Trefoil family peptide 3 levels in tear samples from non-Sjögren's DED patients with moderate dry eye were analyzed by ELISA and compared with tears from healthy volunteers. A human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was treated with proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, hyperosmolar medium, or scratching for up to 24 hours.

Morphological features of the porcine lacrimal gland and its compatibility for human lacrimal gland xenografting.

In this study, we present first data concerning the anatomical structure, blood supply and location of the lacrimal gland of the pig. Our data indicate that the porcine lacrimal gland may serve as a potential xenograft candidate in humans or as an animal model for engineering of a bioartificial lacrimal gland tissue construct for clinical application. For this purpose, we used different macroscopic preparation techniques and digital reconstruction of the histological gland morphology to gain new insights and important information concerning the feasibility of a lacrimal gland transplantation from pig to humans in general.