Parafoveal Microperimetric Retinal Sensitivity as a Key Parameter Associated with Vision Loss in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Although optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful in determining outer retinal architecture, it may be suboptimal when monitoring subtle changes in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate precise microperimetric parameters for disease severity identification in RP patients. A cross-sectional and retrospective study.

Using a Smartphone-Based Chatbot for Postoperative Care After Intravitreal Injection During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic period, it was difficult to carry out regular and scheduled follow-up of patients in the outpatient department, especially during lockdown periods. However, early detection of initial infection or other serious conditions is vital for patients after ocular surgery, such as intravitreal injection (IVI) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Objective: We evaluated the use of a smartphone-based postoperative care chatbot system (PCCS) with an instant bidirectional feedback system for patients to self-report postoperative symptoms and signs.

Sutured scleral fixation of existing subluxated/dislocated acrylic one-piece intraocular lenses.

Aim: To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes in cases after sutured scleral fixation of existing subluxated or dislocated acrylic one-piece intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled a consecutive series of patients who underwent a surgery of sutured existing subluxated or dislocated IOLs from October 2018 to June 2020. All patients underwent comprehensive preoperative and postoperative ophthalmologic examination, and data were collected including age, sex, surgical indications, best-corrected visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure.

Blockage of Autophagy Increases Timosaponin AIII-Induced Apoptosis of Glioma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Timosaponin AIII (TSAIII), a saponin isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides and used in traditional Chinese medicine, exerts antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, and pro-apoptotic activity on a variety of tumor cells. This study investigated the antitumor effects of TSAIII and the underlying mechanisms in human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo. TSAIII significantly inhibited glioma cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner but did not affect the growth of normal astrocytes.

Outcomes and eye care knowledge in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients with a history of laser refractive surgery for myopia.

Purpose: To investigate the surgical outcomes and eye care knowledge of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who had previously undergone laser refractive surgery (LRS) for myopia in a myopia epidemic area.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with primary RRD who underwent surgery and had a history of LRS for myopia at a tertiary medical center. Data were reviewed from medical charts to analyse the surgical outcomes.

County-Wide Mortality Assessments Attributable to PM Emissions from Coal Consumption in Taiwan.

Over one-third of energy is generated from coal consumption in Taiwan. In order to estimate the health impact assessment attributable to PM concentrations emitted from coal consumption in Taiwan. We applied a Gaussian trajectory transfer-coefficient model to obtain county-wide PM exposures from coal consumption, which includes coal-fired power plants and combined heat and power plants.

Patchy Scotoma Observed in Chorioretinal Patchy Atrophy of Myopic Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: To investigate the retinal sensitivity of highly myopic eyes with chorioretinal patchy atrophy (PA) using microperimetry.

Methods: Fifty-two eyes of 32 patients with high myopia were prospectively included. Twenty-two eyes of 16 patients had PA lesions; eyes without PA were analyzed as controls.

Health impact assessment of PM from a planned coal-fired power plant in Taiwan.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of a planned coal-fired power plant (CFPPT) in Shenao on air quality and health at subnational levels in Taiwan.

Methods: We applied the Gaussian trajectory transfer-coefficient (GTx) model to estimate annual average PM (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) increments in 19 Taiwanese cities and counties caused by CFPPT operation.

Fixation behavior in macular dystrophy assessed by microperimetry.

Purpose: To investigate the fixation behavior in macular dystrophy using microperimetry.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with macular dystrophy and unilateral macular pucker. Macular dystrophic eyes were compared based on fixation within or outside of the atrophic region.

Retinal Detachment Associated With Basketball-Related Eye Trauma.

Purpose: Basketball is a popular sport involving significant body contact, which may frequently result in ocular trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and visual outcomes of retinal detachment associated with basketball-related injury.

Design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

GORE-TEX VASCULAR GRAFT FOR MACULAR BUCKLING IN HIGH MYOPIA EYES.

Purpose: To evaluate a new application of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) vascular graft for use in macular buckling surgery for treatment of highly myopic eyes.

Methods: The Gore-Tex vascular graft was used as a macular buckling material in eight consecutive cases of myopic macular diseases which included fovea detachment, foveoschisis, or macular hole retinal detachment.

Results: Retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases except one which had partial resolution (88%).

Isolates and antibiotic susceptibilities of endophthalmitis in postcataract surgery: a 12-year review of culture-proven cases.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the spectrum of organisms causing endophthalmitis after cataract surgery in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan and the antibiotic susceptibilities. This was a retrospective case series study. Patients with endophthalmitis after cataract surgery from January 2004 to July 2015 were reviewed.

Serum uric acid concentration is associated with worsening in severity of diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic patients in Taiwan--a 3-year prospective study.

Aims: To explore the role of serum uric acid (SUA) concentration in diabetic retinopathy (DR) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A 3-year prospective study in 749 patients with T2DM and without proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was conducted at a medical center. Baseline SUA concentration and parameters of glycemic control, blood pressure, kidney disease, and lipid profiles were analyzed to determine their contribution to DR.

The regulation of DNA adsorption and release through chitosan multilayers.

To sustain transgene expression, chitosan was studied to immobilize DNA using layer-by-layer assembly to form polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs). Higher DNA concentrations and longer deposition periods demonstrated more DNA adsorptions to PEMs. By adjusting pH and the molecular weight of chitosan, PEM structures were manipulated.

Delivery of nucleic acids, proteins, and nanoparticles by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides in rotifers.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of short, membrane-permeable cationic peptides that represent a nonviral technology for delivering nanomaterials and macromolecules into live cells. In this study, two arginine-rich CPPs, HR9 and IR9, were found to be capable of entering rotifers. CPPs were able to efficiently deliver noncovalently associated with cargoes, including plasmid DNAs, red fluorescent proteins (RFPs), and semiconductor quantum dots, into rotifers.

Clinical implications of serous retinal detachment in branch retinal vein occlusion and response after primary intravitreal bevacizumab injection.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of macular serous retinal detachment (SRD) and its relationship to treatment outcome after primary intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and macular edema (ME).

Methods: Seventy-three patients with ME secondary to BRVO who received primary IVB (2.5 mg/0.

A gene delivery system for insect cells mediated by arginine-rich cell-penetrating peptides.

Most bioactive macromolecules, such as protein, DNA and RNA, basically cannot permeate into cells freely from outside the plasma membrane. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a group of short peptides that possess the ability to traverse the cell membrane and have been considered as candidates for mediating gene and drug delivery into living cells. In this study, we demonstrate that three arginine-rich CPPs (SR9, HR9 and PR9) are able to form stable complexes with plasmid DNA and deliver DNA into insect Sf9 cells in a noncovalent manner.

Secondary in-the-bag implantation of intraocular lenses in aphakic eyes after vitreoretinal surgeries.

Background/aims: To report the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculations and refractive outcomes in aphakic eyes after secondary in-the-bag IOL implantation.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive case series of secondary in-the-bag IOL implantations in aphakic patients with intact capsular bag without severe capsular fibrosis between October 2006 and October 2010. Single-piece foldable lenses were secondarily implanted in 21 eyes of 20 patients.

Intravitreal injection of 2.5 mg bevacizumab for treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization in treatment-naive cases: a 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab in treatment-naive patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia over a 2-year interval.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with myopic CNV who had not received previous treatment were given intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.

Retinal pigment epithelial tear after intravitreous triamcinolone acetonide injection for fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment.

A 78-year-old woman was diagnosed with fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affecting both eyes. Due to decreased vision in her left eye (20/2000) and disease progression, the patient received 4 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) by intravitreal injection into her left eye. There were no immediate post-injection complications in the left eye.

Vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling of a traumatic macular hole with retinal folds.

An 8-year-old active boy suffered a penetrating injury to his right eye. A temporal retinal perforation with an adherent blood clot about 4-disc diameter from the fovea was noted. Six weeks after the initial primary repair, a macular hole (MH) and retinal folds radiating from the penetrating site of the retina were found.