Development of oculomics artificial intelligence for cardiovascular risk factors: A case study in fundus oculomics for HbA1c assessment and clinically relevant considerations for clinicians.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare, notably in ophthalmology, where its ability to interpret images and data can significantly enhance disease diagnosis and patient care. Recent developments in oculomics, the integration of ophthalmic features to develop biomarkers for systemic diseases, have demonstrated the potential for providing rapid, non-invasive methods of screening leading to enhance in early detection and improve healthcare quality, particularly in underserved areas. However, the widespread adoption of such AI-based technologies faces challenges primarily related to the trustworthiness of the system.

Incidence rates of retinal vascular occlusive diseases from 2011 to 2020 in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Retinal vascular occlusions, including retinal vein occlusion and retinal artery occlusion, are common causes of visual impairment. In order to evaluate the national medical burden and help improve ophthalmic health care policy planning, we investigated the incidence of retinal vascular occlusive diseases from 2011 to 2020 in Korea.

Methods: This study is a nationwide population-based retrospective study using data from the Korea national health claim database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) service.

Translation of paired fundus photographs to fluorescein angiographs with energy-based cycle-consistent adversarial networks.

Fluorescein angiography is a crucial examination in ophthalmology to identify retinal and choroidal pathologies. However, this examination modality is invasive and inconvenient, requiring intravenous injection of a fluorescent dye. In order to provide a more convenient option for high-risk patients, we propose a deep-learning-based method to translate fundus photography into fluorescein angiography using Energy-based Cycle-consistent Adversarial Networks (CycleEBGAN) We propose a deep-learning-based method to translate fundus photography into fluorescein angiography using CycleEBGAN.

Estimation of best corrected visual acuity based on deep neural network.

In this study, we investigated a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework for the estimation of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from fundus images. First, we collected 53,318 fundus photographs from the Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, where each fundus photograph is categorized into 11 levels by retrospective medical chart review. Then, we designed 4 BCVA estimation schemes using transfer learning with pre-trained ResNet-18 and EfficientNet-B0 models where both regression and classification-based prediction are taken into account.

Asymmetry between right and left optical coherence tomography images identified using convolutional neural networks.

In a previous study, we identified biocular asymmetries in fundus photographs, and macula was discriminative area to distinguish left and right fundus images with > 99.9% accuracy. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the left and right eyes could be discriminated by convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and to support the previous result.

Machine learning-based optimization of pre-symptomatic COVID-19 detection through smartwatch.

Patients with weak or no symptoms accelerate the spread of COVID-19 through various mutations and require more aggressive and active means of validating the COVID-19 infection. More than 30% of patients are reported as asymptomatic infection after the delta mutation spread in Korea. It means that there is a need for a means to more actively and accurately validate the infection of the epidemic via pre-symptomatic detection, besides confirming the infection via the symptoms.

Asymmetry between right and left fundus images identified using convolutional neural networks.

We analyzed fundus images to identify whether convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can discriminate between right and left fundus images. We gathered 98,038 fundus photographs from the Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, South Korea, and augmented these with the Ocular Disease Intelligent Recognition dataset. We created eight combinations of image sets to train CNNs.

Comparison of Telemedicine Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy by Mydriatic Smartphone-Based vs Nonmydriatic Tabletop Camera-Based Fundus Imaging.

Purpose: To compare dilated smartphone-based imaging with a nonmydriatic, tabletop fundus camera as a teleophthalmology screening tool for diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: This was a single-institutional, cross-sectional, comparative-instrument study. Fifty-six patients at a safety-net hospital underwent teleophthalmology screening for DR using standard, nonmydriatic fundus photography with a tabletop camera (Nidek NM-1000) and dilated fundus photography using a smartphone camera with lens adapter (Paxos Scope, Verana Health).

Bilateral retinal pigment epithelial tears in acute central serous chorioretinopathy without bullous retinal detachment: A case report.

Rationale: Several reports have described retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tears in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). However, there have been no reports of spontaneously large RPE tears in acute CSC without bullous retinal detachment (RD). Herein, we report and provide sequential images of a case of bilateral spontaneous large RPE tears in patient with acute CSC without bullous RD.

Repeatability of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Measurements of Bruch's Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width in Epiretinal Membrane Patients with Peripapillary Involvement.

The Bruch's membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) is a recently introduced parameter of the neuroretinal rim. We analyzed the repeatability of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements of BMO-MRW in epiretinal membrane (ERM) patients with peripapillary involvement, since the surface around the optic disc is distorted in such patients. BMO-MRW and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements were performed using SD-OCT in prospectively enrolled ERM patients and age-matched healthy control individuals.

Development of fully automated anterior chamber cell analysis based on image software.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive method that can quickly and accurately examine the eye at the cellular level. Several studies have used OCT for analysis of anterior chamber cells. However, these studies have several limitations.

Enhanced inhibition of tumor growth using TRAIL-overexpressing adipose-derived stem cells in combination with the chemotherapeutic agent CPT-11 in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Background: This study investigated the inhibition of tumor growth in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)-bearing mice by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-overexpressing adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) (hTERT-ADSC.sTRAIL), which was enhanced by combined treatment with CPT-11.

Materials And Methods: An hTERT-ADSC.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hypertensive anterior uveitis diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction.

Aim of the study is to report the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in hypertensive anterior uveitis (AU) diagnosed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty-eight eyes of 88 patients with hypertensive AU were enrolled from 2015 to 2019 in a tertiary center in South Korea. All patients underwent multiplex PCR that was performed using aqueous humor samples collected at first visit to detect the DNA of six herpesviruses.

The effect of initial intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator and gas injection on vision improvement in patients with submacular haemorrhage associated with age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To compare visual improvements between initial intravitreal t-PA with gas injection before anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and anti-VEGF injection monotherapy for submacular haemorrhage (SMH) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of naive patients treated with intravitreal t-PA with gas injection before anti-VEGF (Group 1) or only with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection (Group 2) for SMH [disc area (DA) ≥ 2] associated with AMD from two institutions. Both groups received 3 monthly loads of anti-VEGF injections followed by injections as needed for AMD treatment.

Risk factors for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage after intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator and gas injection for submacular hemorrhage associated with age related macular degeneration.

Purpose: We investigated risk factors for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage (VH) after an intravitreal tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and gas injection in patients with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed with SMH associated with AMD who received an intravitreal tPA (50 μg/0.05 mL) and perfluoropropane gas (0.

Phosphorylation of STAT3 and ERBB2 mediates hypoxia‑induced VEGF release in ARPE‑19 cells.

Neovascularization in the retina can cause loss of vision. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serves an important role in the pathogenesis of retinal vascular diseases. Hypoxia is a notable cause of VEGF release and both STAT3 and ERBB2 are known to be associated with VEGF.

Full thickness macular hole formation and spontaneous closure associated with branch retinal vein occlusion in a vitrectomized eye: A case report.

Rationale: Macular hole (MH) formation after vitrectomy is rare and it may be due to several mechanisms associated with change of foveolar anatomy by vitrectomy. If a MH develops after vitrectomy, surgical treatments including internal limiting membrane peeling and intravitreal gas injection are usually needed for repair of hole. Spontaneous closure of MH is much rarer.

Emerging isolates in postoperative endophthalmitis by selection pressure of fluoroquinolones: an 11-year multicenter and experimental study.

Postoperative endophthalmitis (PE) is the devastating complication that frequently results in vision loss. Recently, have emerged as a major cause of PE in several countries and resulted in poor visual outcome. However, the reason remains elusive.

Expression of Cytokines in Porcine Iris, Retina and Choroidal Tissues Stimulated by Microbe-associated Molecular Patterns.

Purpose: The innate immune system is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of uveitis. This study was designed to clarify the responses of the innate immune system in uveal tissues.

Materials And Methods: We utilized quantitative, real-time RT-PCR to measure mRNA of innate immune system receptors from porcine iris, choroid, and retina tissues.

Photo-Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Nanocarrier of Photodynamic Anticancer Agent for Biomedical Theragnostics.

Various theragnostic agents have been devised and developed as cancer treatments; however, existing agents are often limited by their specific functions and complexities. Here, we report multifunctional magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles functionalized with chlorin e6 (Ce6) and folic acid (FA) using a simple fabrication process to be used as theragnostic agents in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The effectiveness of cellular uptake of Fe3O4-Ce6-FA nanoparticles (FCF NPs) and its visualization as well as the photodynamic anticancer activities were evaluated.

Corneal topography and angle parameters after laser iridotomy combined with iridoplasty assessed by dual Scheimpflug analyzer.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in corneal topography including parameters such as corneal curvature and corneal aberrations, along with anterior chamber angle (ACA) after laser iridotomy (LI) combined with peripheral iridoplasty (PI) using dual Scheimpflug analyzer.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, dual Scheimpflug analyzer images were acquired before and 1 week after LI plus PI. Corneal curvature of both axial and instantaneous maps from anterior and posterior surface, respectively, and total corneal power (TCP) were acquired.

Ocular complications of Garcinia cambogia extract diet pills: Case report.

Background: contains hydroxycitric acid. Hydroxycitric acid is a potent competitive inhibitor of adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase which is a key enzyme in the synthesis of fatty acids. Hydroxycitric acid also regulates the level of serotonin.

A case report: Co-occurrence of Wilson disease and oculocutaneous albinism in a Chinese patient.

Rationale: Both Wilson disease (WD) and Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA) are rare autosomal recessive disorders that are caused by mutations on chromosome 13 and chromosome 11, respectively. Here, we report on a patient with coexisting WD and OCA, initially presenting episodes of tremors.

Patient Concerns: WD is a disorder of copper metabolism.