Exploring the Benefits of Stroboscopic Technology and Guided Visualization in Teaching Suturing Techniques to Veterinary Medicine Students.

Suturing is widely regarded to be a core competency of veterinary education. With curricular requirements expanding, training interventions that improve students' suturing skills without added time would be valuable. This study evaluated the effects of stroboscopic visual resistance training, a technique using intermittent occlusion of vision, and guided visualization on suturing technique and speed.

Macular Pigment Optical Density as a Measurable Modifiable Clinical Biomarker.

Background: Carotenoids are present throughout retina and body its dense deposition leads to an identifiable yellow spot in the macula. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measured in the macula is vital to macular well-being and high-resolution visual acuity. MPOD has also been associated with various health and disease states.

Effect of Lipiflow (Thermal Pulsation) on Ocular Surface Disease Management After Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of Thermal pulsation treatment, completed one month prior to cataract surgery, as a means of eliminating or significantly mitigating the exacerbating effects of cataract surgery on dry eye patients.

Setting: Glendale, Arizona.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal, non-masked, randomized clinical investigation.

Ocular effects of exposure to low-humidity environment with contact lens wear: A pilot study.

Purpose: To compare the ocular effects of exposure to a low-humidity environment with and without contact lens (CL) wear using various non-invasive tests.

Methods: Fourteen habitual soft CL wearers were exposed to controlled low humidity (5% relative humidity [RH]) in an environmental chamber for 90 min on two separate occasions. First, when wearing their habitual spectacles and then, on a separate visit, when wearing silicone hydrogel CLs that were fitted specifically for this purpose.

Analysis of the Reliability and Repeatability of Distance Visual Acuity Measurement with EyeSpy 20/20.

Background: Visual acuity is a critical component of visual function assessment for all ages. Standardized vision testing protocols may help prevent testing inconsistencies resulting from variations in test administration and interpretation of different examiners. However, most vision assessments outside of research settings, including in doctor's offices, rarely employ standardized protocols.

Reading Eye Movements Performance on iPad vs Print Using a Visagraph.

This study investigated reading comprehension, reading speed, and the quality of eye movements while reading on an iPad, as compared to printed text. 31 visually-normal subjects were enrolled. Two of the passages were read from the Visagraph standardized text on iPad and Print.

The retinal and perceived locus of fixation in the human visual system.

Due to the dramatic difference in spatial resolution between the central fovea and the surrounding retinal regions, accurate fixation on important objects is critical for humans. It is known that the preferred retinal location (PRL) for fixation of healthy human observers rarely coincides with the retinal location with the highest cone density. It is not currently known, however, whether the PRL is consistent within an observer or is subject to fluctuations and, moreover, whether observers' subjective fixation location coincides with the PRL.

Case Report: Long-term Structural and Functional Effects of Ethambutol Optic Neuropathy.

Significance: This case report demonstrates reduction in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and an abnormal electroretinogram after toxic optic neuropathy from ethambutol, more than 1 year after improvements in visual acuity (VA) and visual fields (VFs) were seen. Although many studies have described complications of ethambutol, continuing reduction in RNFL thickness 2 years after discontinuation has not been described elsewhere.

Purpose: It is well known that ethambutol can cause optic nerve toxicity, visual impairment, and VF loss.

A novel, small peptide with activity against human pancreatic cancer.

KTH-222 is a novel, 8-amino acid length peptide. It is derived from a motif identified in a group of peptides that are related to atrial natriuretic peptide and that are able to inhibit cancer cell growth. We report here that KTH-222 inhibits the attachment, proliferation, and development of an invasive morphology in cultured human pancreatic tumor cells (MIA PaCa-2 and HPAC).

Precautions and Monitoring of Patients Taking Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors Who are at Risk of Increased Intraocular Pressure.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) may increase intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing blood flow to the ciliary body. Although clinical studies of changes in IOP after single and multiple doses of PDE5Is show variable results, most are limited by small sample sizes, absence of control groups and blinding, and use of normal patient volunteers who have no risk factors for glaucoma. However, multiple case reports of glaucoma have been published, and one epidemiologic analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database of US respondents suggested a significant association of prolonged sildenafil use and self-reported glaucoma.

Assessment of a practitioner's perception of scleral contact lens complications.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to better understand scleral lens (SL) practitioners' fitting preferences and minor SL complications and their subsequent treatments.

Method: Practitioners who attended the 2017 Global Specialty Lens Symposium were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire that was created by the investigators, a survey that asked practitioners about their SL fitting experience and preferences, their patients' experience with poor SL wetting, SL fogging, ocular symptoms (redness, pain/discomfort, dryness), and blurred central and side vision, and how the practitioners treated these conditions.

Results: This study analyzed data from 164 SL practitioners.

Foveal amplitudes of multifocal electroretinograms are larger following full-field electroretinograms.

Purpose: The clinical standards for multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) call for adaption to normal room lighting before the mfERG begins. They specify that any assessments where bright lights are used, should be done after the mfERG to prevent excess stimulation of retinal cells. However, full-field electroretinograms (FFERG) are performed prior to mfERGs in some clinical settings.

The corneal nerve density in the sub-basal plexus decreases with increasing myopia: a pilot study.

Purpose: Myopia can cause many changes in the health of the eye. As it becomes more prevalent worldwide, more patients seek correction in the form of glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery. In this study we explore the impact that high myopia has on central corneal nerve density by comparing sub basal nerve plexus density measured by confocal microscopy in a variety of refractive errors.

In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Use in Endotheliitis.

Purpose: The use of in vivo confocal microscopy has been valuable in detecting and managing corneal pathology. This case study documents endotheliitis using in vivo confocal microscopy where apparent resolution of endothelial edema on clinical examination resulted in the discovery of subclinical findings with confocal scanning. The purpose of this case study was to discuss a rare corneal pathology and the clinical value of confocal scanning.

Raeder paratrigeminal neuralgia evolving to hemicrania continua.

Purpose: Raeder paratrigeminal neuralgia is most commonly characterized as deep, boring, nonpulsatile, severe, unilateral facial and head pain in the distribution of the V1 area combined with ipsilateral oculosympathetic palsy and autonomic symptoms. Raeder paratrigeminal neuralgia evolving into hemicrania continua, a rare primary, chronic headache syndrome characterized by unilateral pain and response to indomethacin, has rarely been documented. The purpose of this case report is to contribute to the medical literature a single case of Raeder paratrigeminal neuralgia presenting as multiple cranial nerve palsies that evolved into hemicrania continua that was successfully treated with onabotulinumtoxinA.

Spectral Domain OCT Imaging Techniques in Tamoxifen Retinopathy.

Purpose: To highlight the use of high-density spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in the detection of tamoxifen retinopathy.

Case Report: An 82-year-old asymptomatic woman with a history of tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer was found to have bilateral refractile retinal deposits on fundus examination. Detection on SD-OCT was compared across imaging techniques.

Arteriole tortuosity associated with diabetic retinopathy and cholesterol.

Purpose: Earlier identification of diabetic eye disease is an important research effort. Retinopathy is widely acknowledged but retinal vessel changes are not evaluated as stringently. Here, we create a multivariate model for the association between retinal vessel tortuosity (RVT) and other health factors in patients with diabetes.

Senescent retinal pigment epithelial cells are more sensitive to vascular endothelial growth factor: implications for "wet" age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Senescence of the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell layer has been implicated in the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The present study examines whether the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to decrease the barrier function of RPE cells is enhanced in senescent RPE cells, which could contribute to the pathology of "wet" AMD.

Methods: Low or high population doubling level (PDL) range ARPE-19 human RPE cells were cultured in 6-well plates on membrane-containing inserts.

The ARPE-19 cell line: mortality status and utility in macular degeneration research.

Purpose: The present report examines several subcultures of a single sample of ARPE-19 cells to determine their status with respect to cell mortality. If a transformation from mortal to immortal has occurred in these cells, it may impact their characteristics and, thereby, their utility for modeling natural retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

Methods: Five separate subcultures of ARPE-19 cells were grown as recommended by the supplier.

Differences in neuroretinal function between adult males and females.

Purpose: To determine whether neuroretinal function differs in healthy adult males and females younger and older than 50 years.

Methods: This study included one eye from each of 50 normal subjects (29 females and 21 males). Neuroretinal function was assessed using first-order P1 implicit times (ITs) and N1-P1 amplitudes (AMPs) obtained from photopic multifocal electroretinograms.

Correlation of tear osmolarity and dry eye symptoms in convention attendees.

Purpose: To assess the correlation between tear osmolarity readings and symptoms of dry eye in a nonclinical convenience sample and to determine how well symptoms and osmolarity correlate with the self-assessment of dry eye.

Methods: Two hundred forty-nine attendees in the exhibit hall at an optometric educational meeting agreed to participate in a dry eye study. Contact lens wearers were excluded.

RPE cell senescence: a key contributor to age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries. Although much progress has been made recently in the management of later stages of the disease, no agents have yet been developed for the early stages or for prophylactic use. Furthermore, even the treatments for the later stages have limited effectiveness.

Intraocular pressure elevation from topical difluprednate use.

Introduction: Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Durezol™, Alcon, Fort Worth, Texas) is a topical difluorinated derivative of prednisolone with potent anti-inflammatory activity. Difluprednate 0.

Ocular perineuritis secondary to neurosyphilis.

Background: Syphilis is a condition caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum). Because of its ubiquitous nature, it has been coined as "the great masquerader.