Developing a bioink for single-step deposition and maturation of human epidermis.

Patients with severe burns, which cause extensive damage to their skin, require rapid intervention to prevent life-threatening hypothermia, infection, and fluid loss. Current treatments typically involve surgical excision of the burned skin and reconstruction of the wound with the aid of skin autografts. However, there is a lack of donor site in the most severe cases.

Scalable Geometrically Designed Protein Cages Assembled via Genetically Encoded Split Inteins.

Engineering proteins to assemble into user-defined structures is key in their development for biotechnological applications. However, designing generic rather than bespoke solutions is challenging. Here we describe an expandable recombinant assembly system that produces scalable protein cages via split intein-mediated native chemical ligation.

Quantitative assessment of changes in anterior segment morphology after argon laser peripheral iridoplasty: findings from the EARL study group.

Importance: Argon laser peripheral iridoplasty (ALPI) could be effective in widening residual angle closure following laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).

Background: We investigated changes in angle parameters following ALPI and its safety profile in this study.

Design: Retrospective, observational case series.

Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Numerous population-based studies of age-related macular degeneration have been reported around the world, with the results of some studies suggesting racial or ethnic differences in disease prevalence. Integrating these resources to provide summarised data to establish worldwide prevalence and to project the number of people with age-related macular degeneration from 2020 to 2040 would be a useful guide for global strategies.

Methods: We did a systematic literature review to identify all population-based studies of age-related macular degeneration published before May, 2013.

Accounting for standard errors of vision-specific latent trait in regression models.

Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of Hierarchical Bayesian (HB) approach in a modeling framework for association effects that accounts for SEs of vision-specific latent traits assessed using Rasch analysis.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in four major ophthalmic journals to evaluate Rasch analysis performed on vision-specific instruments. The HB approach was used to synthesize the Rasch model and multiple linear regression model for the assessment of the association effects related to vision-specific latent traits.

Discordance of two interferon-γ release assays and tuberculin skin test in patients with uveitis.

Aims: To describe interferon-γ release assay (IGRA) and IGRA/tuberculin skin test (TST) discordance and their associated factors in patients with uveitis.

Methods: Prospective study of 102 consecutive new patients presenting with uveitis to a tertiary referral centre. All patients underwent a complete ocular and systemic examination at presentation, with QuantiFERON-Gold in-tube (QFT), T-SPOT.

Can an inexperienced observer accurately plot disc contours using Heidelberg retinal Tomograph?

Objective: To examine the reliability of inexperienced observers in plotting optic disc contours on Heidelberg retinal tomography images before and after training.

Design: Observational study.

Participants: One hundred eyes that were randomly selected from the Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Prospective head-to-head study comparing 2 commercial interferon gamma release assays for the diagnosis of tuberculous uveitis.

Purpose: To perform a head-to-head comparison of 2 commercially available interferon-gamma release assays, QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (Cellestis, Chadstone, Victoria, Australia) and T-SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotech, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK), in the diagnosis of tuberculous uveitis.

Design: Prospective cohort to study diagnostic accuracy.

Trends and factors related to outcomes for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery in a large asian tertiary eye center.

Purpose: To describe trends and outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in a large Asian tertiary eye center.

Methods: Retrospective review of 1,530 eyes with primary retinal detachment between 2005 and 2011 managed at the Singapore National Eye Center by one of the following: scleral buckling (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and combined SB and PPV (SB + PPV). Anatomical and functional outcomes were assessed.

Randomized controlled trial of intravitreal ranibizumab versus standard grid laser for macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal 0.5 mg ranibizumab for the treatment of center-involving macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) over 1 year compared with standard-of-care grid laser.

Design: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

The prevalence and types of glaucoma in an urban Indian population: the Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and types of glaucoma in an urban Singaporean Indian population.

Methods: The Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI) was a population-based, cross-sectional survey that examined 3400 (75.6% response) persons aged 40 to 80 years.

Interferon γ release assay for the diagnosis of uveitis associated with tuberculosis: a Bayesian evaluation in the absence of a gold standard.

Aim: To evaluate an interferon γ release assay in the diagnosis of uveitis associated with tuberculosis (TB), in the absence of a gold standard.

Methods: We conducted a prospective 1-year study on consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of uveitis presenting with ocular signs suggestive of TB-associated uveitis (TAU). All subjects underwent ocular and systemic review with investigations, including T-SPOT.

Racial differences in retinal vessel geometric characteristics: a multiethnic study in healthy Asians.

Purpose: To investigate potential racial/ethnic differences in retinal vascular geometric parameters in a multiethnic Asian population (Chinese, Malay, and Indian) free of clinical diseases.

Methods: A series of retinal vascular parameters were measured from retinal photographs using a computer-assisted program following a standardized protocol. Healthy participants were defined as nonsmokers, the absence of diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension, obesity, stroke, heart disease, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

A prospective comparison of chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma versus primary open-angle glaucoma in Singapore.

Introduction: To describe the optic disc, visual field and ocular characteristics of a consecutive cohort of Asian patients with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG), and compare them with those having primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: In a prospective comparative case series of new patients with POAG or CPACG in Singapore, all patients underwent visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp examination, tonometry, gonioscopy, refraction, Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) and Humphrey visual field (HVF) assessment.

Results: 98 patients were enrolled (POAG n = 48; CPACG n = 50).

Cataract conversion assessment using lens opacity classification system III and Wisconsin cataract grading system.

Purpose: To propose a general conversion approximation algorithm and illustrate its application to two cataract classification systems, the Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCS III) and Wisconsin Cataract Grading System (Wisconsin system).

Methods: Lens opacity of 3265 participants (78.7% response rate) aged 40 to 80 years from the Singapore Malay Eye study were assessed both clinically during slit-lamp examination using LOCS III, and via slit-lamp and retro-illumination photographic grading using the Wisconsin system.

Determinants of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness measured by high-definition optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To determine the distribution, variation, and determinants of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness in nonglaucomatous eyes measured by high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT).

Methods: Six hundred twenty-three Chinese adults aged 40 to 80 years were consecutively recruited from a population-based study. All subjects underwent a standardized interview, ophthalmic examination, and automated perimetry.

Prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane in Asian Indians.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) and its risk factors in an Indian population and compare the findings with other populations.

Methods: The Singapore Indian Eye Study is a population-based survey of 3400 Asian Indians aged between 40 and 80 years. A comprehensive ophthalmic examination, standardized interviews, and laboratory blood tests were performed.

Prevalence and risk factors of meibomian gland dysfunction: the Singapore Malay eye study.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and associations of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in an urban Malay population in Singapore.

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study of 3280 (78.7% response rate) Malay persons aged 40 to 80 years, living in Singapore.

Atropine for the treatment of childhood myopia: safety and efficacy of 0.5%, 0.1%, and 0.01% doses (Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 2).

Purpose: Our previous study, Atropine for the Treatment of Myopia 1 (ATOM1), showed that atropine 1% eyedrops were effective in controlling myopic progression but with visual side effects resulting from cycloplegia and mydriasis. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy and visual side effects of 3 lower doses of atropine: 0.5%, 0.

Comparing stereometric parameters between Heidelberg Retinal Tomography 2 and 3 in Asian eyes: the Singapore Malay Eye Study.

Purpose: To examine the correlation and agreement of stereometric parameters between Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph version 2 (HRT-2) and HRT-3 in a normal Asian population.

Methods: This was a population-based study using data from the Singapore Malay Eye Study. Participants underwent a standardized and complete ophthalmic examination.

Prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in an urban Indian population: the Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and causes of visual impairment and blindness in an urban Indian population.

Design: Population-based study.

Participants: Ethnic Indians aged more than 40 years living in Singapore.

Determinants of corneal biomechanical properties in an adult Chinese population.

Purpose: To investigate variations in corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) and their ocular and systemic associations in Chinese adults.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: We included 1136 subjects of Chinese origin from an ongoing population-based study.

Blowout fractures: surgical outcome in relation to age, time of intervention, and other preoperative risk factors.

We sought to describe outcome of surgical repair in patients presenting with orbital blowout fractures. This noncomparative, retrospective, consecutive case series reviewed the case notes of 63 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a blowout fracture between November 1992 and March 2005. Risk factors for motility outcome as well as presence of enophthalmos after surgery were analyzed.

The incidence of neuro-ophthalmic diseases in Singapore: a prospective study in public hospitals.

Purpose: To describe the incidence of neuro-ophthalmic diseases in a multi-ethnic Asian population in Singapore.

Methods: Prospective study in public hospitals in Singapore. All neuro-ophthalmic cases seen in four public sector hospitals over a 22-month period (September 2002 to June 2004) were identified using a standardized protocol.

Determinants of the optic cup to disc ratio in an Asian population: the Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES).

Objective: To describe the distribution and determinants of the optic cup to disc ratio (CDR) in Malay adults in Singapore.

Methods: This population-based, age-stratified study examined 3280 Malay people aged 40 to 80 years in Singapore. Participants underwent a standardized interview and an ocular examination.