Morphological alterations in corneal nerves of patients with dry eye and associated biomarkers.

The purposes of the present study were to (1) identify the relationship between dry eye symptoms and morphological changes in corneal subbasal nerves/ocular surfaces, and (2) discover tear film biomarkers indicating morphological changes in the subbasal nerves. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted between October and November 2017. Adults with dry eye disease (DED, n = 43) and healthy eyes (n = 16) were evaluated based on their subjective symptoms and ophthalmological findings.

Investigating the Prediction Accuracy of Recently Updated Intraocular Lens Power Formulas with Artificial Intelligence for High Myopia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prediction accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power formulas with artificial intelligence (AI) for high myopia. Cases of highly myopic patients (axial length [AL], >26.0 mm) undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery with at least 1-month follow-up were included.

Efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine for prevention of childhood myopia in a 2-year randomized placebo-controlled study.

Purpose: Atropine eye drops prevent the progression of myopia, but their use has not been tested in the Japanese schoolchildren population. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine eye drops for myopia control in Japanese children.

Effect of axial length and age on the visual outcome of patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane after pars plana vitrectomy.

We evaluated predictive factors for visual outcomes in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Clinical records for 114 eyes (114 patients, mean age: 70.6 years) with iERM treated by PPV between March 2012 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed.

QD laser eyewear as a visual field aid in a visual field defect model.

Visual field defects interfere with free actions and influence the quality of life of patients with retinitis pigmentosa; the prevalence of this disease is increasing in aging societies. Patients with progressive disease may require visual aids; however, no such devices are currently available. We utilized a retinal projection eyewear system, QD laser eyewear, which includes a projector inside the spectacle frame, to draw the image taken by a connected portable camera with a wide field lens.

Randomized Controlled Study to Investigate the Effect of Topical Diquafosol Tetrasodium on Corneal Sensitivity in Short Tear Break-Up Time Dry Eye.

Introduction: Complex mechanisms underlie dry eye (DE) symptom provocation. In particular, corneal hypersensitivity may provoke symptoms in short tear break-up time (BUT) DE characterized by tear film instability. We hypothesized that improved tear film stability may alleviate corneal sensitivity in patients with short tear BUT DE.

Relation of accommodative microfluctuation with dry eye symptoms in short tear break-up time dry eye.

Purpose: To investigate accommodative microfluctuations (AMFs) and visual function in short tear break-up time (BUT)-type dry eye (DE) and non-DE subjects.

Methods: This prospective comparative study included 48 volunteers with DE symptoms (mean age 34.8 ± 5.

Absolute and estimated values of macular pigment optical density in young and aged Asian participants with or without age-related macular degeneration.

Background: Lutein and zeaxanthin are suggested micronutrient supplements to prevent the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness worldwide. To monitor the levels of lutein/zeaxanthin in the macula, macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is measured. A commercially available device (MPSII®, Elektron Technology, Switzerland), using technology based on heterochromatic flicker photometry, can measure both absolute and estimated values of MPOD.

Involvement of ribosomal protein L6 in assembly of functional 50S ribosomal subunit in Escherichia coli cells.

Ribosomal protein L6, an essential component of the large (50S) subunit, primarily binds to helix 97 of 23S rRNA and locates near the sarcin/ricin loop of helix 95 that directly interacts with GTPase translation factors. Although L6 is believed to play important roles in factor-dependent ribosomal function, crucial biochemical evidence for this hypothesis has not been obtained. We constructed and characterized an Escherichia coli mutant bearing a chromosomal L6 gene (rplF) disruption and carrying a plasmid with an arabinose-inducible L6 gene.

Functional Visual Acuity of Early Presbyopia.

Purpose: To evaluate visual function in patients with early presbyopia using the functional visual acuity (FVA) test.

Methods: This study included 27 eyes of 27 healthy older volunteers (mean age, 44.1 ± 2.

Characterization of silk gland ribosomes from a bivoltine caddisfly, Stenopsyche marmorata: translational suppression of a silk protein in cold conditions.

Larval Stenopsyche marmorata constructs food capture nets and fixed retreats underwater using self-produced proteinaceous silk fibers. In the Chikuma River (Nagano Prefecture, Japan) S. marmorata has a bivoltine life cycle; overwintering larvae grow slowly with reduced net spinning activity in winter.

Corneal fluorescein staining correlates with visual function in dry eye patients.

Purpose: To investigate the changes in functional visual acuity (VA) and higher order aberrations in dry eye patients.

Methods: In this prospective comparative case series, 22 right eyes were classified into those with or without superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) in the central cornea of 22 patients with Sjögren syndrome; 10 right eyes of 10 normal subjects served as the control. Serial measurements of VAs using a functional VA measurement system and higher order aberrations using a wavefront sensor were performed under blink-free conditions without topical anesthesia over a 10-second period.

The evaluation of the treatment response in obstructive meibomian gland disease by in vivo laser confocal microscopy.

Purpose: To evaluate the status of periglandular inflammation, ocular surface and tear function alterations in patients with obstructive meibomian gland disease (OMGD) by in vivo confocal microscopy before and after anti-inflammatory treatment, and to compare the results with patients receiving only topical non-preserved artificial tears and sodium hyaluronate eye drops without anti-inflammatory agents.

Methods: Thirty-two eyes of 16 OMGD patients receiving anti-inflammatory treatment (treatment group) and 22 eyes of 11 OMGD patients receiving only topical non-preserved artificial tears and sodium hyaluronate eye drops (control group) were recruited in this prospective study. All subjects underwent slit-lamp examinations, tear film break-up time (BUT) measurements, fluorescein and Rose-Bengal stainings, Schirmer test capital I, Ukrainian without anesthesia, transillumination of the lids (meibography), and in vivo laser confocal microscopy of the lids (HRTII-RCM).