The large Hellenic Study of Uveitis: epidemiology, etiologic factors and classification.

Purpose: To analyse the demography, etiology, and classification of uveitis at a tertiary academic referral center.

Methods: An observational study was conducted on the archives of uveitic patients at the Ocular Inflammation Service of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Ioannina (Greece) from 1991 to 2020. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological profile of patients, including their demographics and the main etiologic factors of uveitis.

The Large Hellenic Study of Uveitis: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithms, Complications, and Final Outcome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, complications, and final outcome in the management of uveitic patients at a tertiary academic referral center.

Design: Observational study.

Methods: Analysis of the archives of 6191 uveitic patients at the Ocular Inflammation Service of the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Ioannina in Greece from 1991 to 2020.

Optical coherence tomography biomarkers for visual acuity in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between outer and inner retina optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers and visual acuity in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and identify which of them may be predictive of visual function.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional single-center study was conducted that included patients diagnosed with iERM. Spectral domain OCT images were obtained and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively.

A Critical Overview of the Biological Effects of Mitomycin C Application on the Cornea Following Refractive Surgery.

During the last 2 decades, modifying the shape of the cornea by means of laser photoablation has emerged as a successful and popular treatment option for refractive errors. Corneal surface ablation techniques such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) offer good refractive results while having a minimal impact on corneal biomechanical stability. Past limitations of these techniques included the long-term regression of refractive outcome and a vigorous healing response that reduced corneal clarity in some patients (giving rise to what is clinically described as "haze").

Retrobulbar hemodynamics and aqueous humor levels of endothelin-1 in exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma.

Background: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstrictor in the body. There are reports in the literature correlating plasma levels of ET-1 and its impact on retrobulbar hemodynamics. This study evaluates aqueous humor levels of ET-1 and retrobulbar hemodynamics in patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG).

A systematic review of teleophthalmological studies in Europe.

A systematic review of the recent literature regarding a series of ocular diseases involved in European telemedicine projects was performed based on the PubMed, Google Scholar and Springer databases in June 2017. Literature review returned 44 eligible studies; among them, emergency ophthalmology, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular disease, cataract and retinopathy of prematurity. The majority of studies indicate teleophthalmology as a valid, reliable and cost-efficient method for care-provision in ophthalmology patients which delivers comparable outcomes to the traditional examination methods.

A systematic review of pseudophakic monovision for presbyopia correction.

A systematic review of the recent literature regarding pseudophakic monovision as a reliable methods for presbyopia correction was performed based on the PubMed, MEDLINE, Nature and the American Academy of Ophthalmology databases in July 2015 and data from 18 descriptive and 12 comparative studies were included in this narrative review. Pseudophakic monosvision seems to be an effective method for presbyopia with high rates of spectacles independence and minimal dysphotopsia side-effects, that should be considered by the modern cataract surgeons.

Evaluation of activities of daily living following pseudophakic presbyopic correction.

Background: Pseudophakic presbyopic correction is among the prevalent methods for regaining near vision capacity. The purpose of this study is to compare the impact of pseudophakic monovision correction and multifocal lens implantation on the performance in a series of activities of daily living (ADL) of presbyopic patients.

Methods: An ADL research framework (10 ADLs) was constructed and validated in a sample of patients divided into three validation groups according to their near visual acuity.

Impact of corneal cross-linking combined with photorefractive keratectomy on blurring strength.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of corneal cross-linking combined with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on blurring strength.

Methods: A total of 63 patients with keratoconus were recruited for this study, and two study groups were formed according to the therapeutic intervention: corneal collagen cross-linking (CxL) group (33 patients) received corneal cross-linking according to the Dresden protocol, while the rest additionally received topography-guided photorefractive keratectomy (tCxL). The impact of surgical procedure on blurring strength was assessed by power vector analysis.

Liquefaction for cataract extraction.

A systematic review of the recent literature regarding the implementation of the liquefaction in cataract surgery and its short-term and long-term outcomes in various parameters that affect the quality of patients' life, including visual rehabilitation and possible complications was performed based on the PubMed, Medline, Nature and the American Academy of Ophthalmology databases in November 2013 and data from 14 comparative studies were included in this narrative review. Liquefaction is an innovative technology for cataract extraction that uses micropulses of balanced salt solution to liquefy the lens nucleus. Most studies reported that liquefaction is a reliable technology for mild to moderate cataracts, while fragmentation difficulties may be encountered with harder nuclei.

Variability of different reference bodies in normal, keratoconus, and collagen crosslinked corneas.

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of different Scheimpflug imaging-derived reference bodies in normal, keratoconus (KC), and crosslinked (CXL) eyes.

Methods: In this prospective, observational study, 40 participants populated the control group (CG), while 33 and 34 patients formed the KC group and the CXL group, respectively. One eye was randomly selected when both were eligible.

Lacrimal outflow mechanisms and the role of scintigraphy: current trends.

Lacrimal outflow can be compromised by anatomical obstructions or stenoses (nonfunctional epiphora) or by defective lacrimal "pump" function (functional epiphora). Although classic imaging modalities, such as X-ray dacryocystography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging can effectively evaluate the former, their success is much less in the evaluation of the latter. This is largely due to the fact that forced diagnostic injection of fluid into the canalicular system can overcome partial obstruction sites.

Mini-monovision versus multifocal intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose: To compare the effect of monovision correction and multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on patient satisfaction, spectacle dependence, visual acuity, and dysphotopsia in cataract patients.

Setting: University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Design: Prospective randomized trial.

Corneal collagen cross-linking in a late-onset graft infectious ulcer: a case report.

Introduction: Infectious keratitis following penetrating keratoplasty is a common postoperative complication. Intensive topical and systemic treatments do not always prevent the risk of graft failure. In this report we demonstrate the beneficial anti-microbial effect of corneal collagen cross-linking in a late-onset, sight-threatening, corneal graft ulcer.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 in aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and its role in proteolysis imbalance.

Background: To quantify the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4) and its ratios with free metalloproteinases (MMP) in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) and to evaluate a possible imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs in these samples.

Methods: Free MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, TIMP1, TIMP2, TIMP4 concentrations and active levels of MMP2 and MMP3 were determined with immunoassay ELISA and activity assay kits in 168 aqueous samples.

Results: TIMP4 was elevated in glaucoma patients(POAG: 0.

An overview of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL).

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) was first described over a decade ago and is now considered to be one of the most important surgical innovations of modern ophthalmology. Prior to its introduction, no interventions were available to arrest, or slow down ectatic disease progression, with corneal transplantation required in the majority of cases. Unlike earlier treatments of corneal ectasias that attempted to only improve the consequences of the disease, CXL aims to address the corneal biomechanical weakening itself.

Liquefaction versus torsional IP: a comparative study on endothelial cells, corneal edema and corneal sensitivity.

Background/aims: To compare the impact of liquefaction and torsional IP cataract extraction methods on endothelial cell count (ECC), central corneal edema, and central corneal sensitivity (CCS) in a sample of cataract patients.

Methods: The liquefaction (LG) and torsional IP (TG) group consisted of 47 and 48 grade 2 cataract eyes, respectively. Uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, ECC, central corneal thickness (CCT), and CCS were measured 1 day prior to surgery, 10 days, 1 and 3 months postoperatively.

Variability in Scheimpflug image-derived posterior elevation measurements in keratoconus and collagen-crosslinked corneas.

Purpose: To determine the variability in Scheimpflug image-derived posterior elevation measurements in eyes with keratoconus or corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL).

Setting: Eye Institute of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Tonography assessment using quantitative and qualitative analysis of the aqueous humor outflow mechanism.

Purpose: To perform qualitative evaluation of the aqueous humor (AH) outflow mechanism in glaucoma and nonglaucoma patients by means of tonography assessment and mathematical analysis.

Methods: Sixty-two primary open angle and 58 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients were recruited in a non-interventional, observational study between 2004 and 2007. Qualitative and quantitative outflow assessment was acquired by means of a digital tonographer and mathematical analysis.

A proposed methodology for the assessment of glaucoma awareness in Greece: introduction of the EIT-8G scale.

Purpose: To develop a reliable and practical questionnaire for glaucoma awareness and evaluate the impact of potential determinants.

Methods: Patients with primary open-angle, pigmentary, and exfoliation glaucoma, as well as healthy controls, were recruited. The instrument included questions about demographic characteristics, as well as 8 questions assessing the participant's familiarity with glaucoma.

Laser in situ keratomileusis flap-thickness predictability with a pendular microkeratome.

Purpose: To assess flap-thickness predictability with a pendular microkeratome (130 μm head).

Setting: Eye Institute of Thrace, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.

Design: Clinical trials.

Psychometric properties of the Greek NEI-RQL-42.

Purpose: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Greek National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life Questionnaire (NEI-RQL-42).

Methods: We developed the Greek version of the instrument using forward and backward translation. To examine reliability, Cronbach alpha for each subscale was used as an index of internal consistency.