Is it the right time to promote competency-based European Training Requirements in Ophthalmology? A European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Purpose: To report national practices and recent progress in competency-based medical education (CBME) implementation in ophthalmology across European countries.

Methods: A 30-question online survey was emailed to European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) ophthalmology section delegates, European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examiners and presidents of ophthalmology societies affiliated with UEMS/EBO.

Results: A total of 230 ophthalmologists with an average age of 54.

Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Eye: Insights from a New Model of Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis.

Autoimmune uveitis is a relapsing blind-causing ocular condition with complex pathogenesis that is not completely understood. There is a high demand for accurate animal models of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) suitable for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the disease and testing new therapeutic approaches. Here, we demonstrated that photoreceptor Ca/Zn-sensor protein recoverin is a uveoretinal antigen in albino rabbits provoking typical autoimmune chorioretinitis 2-4 weeks after immunization.

[Early changes in choroidal thickness and axial length in the use glasses of monofocal lenses and highly aspherical lenslets in children with newly diagnosed myopia].

Unlabelled: Current strategies for treating progressive myopia are closely linked to optical methods based on the theory of peripheral defocus. Myopic defocus causes an increase in choroidal thickness (CT) and a decrease in axial length (AL) of the eye. No comparative studies on the effects of spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) and monofocal lenses (MFL) on CT and AL in children with newly diagnosed myopia have been conducted.

[The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in the stabilization of the glaucomatous process].

Unlabelled: Many key aspects of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) neurodegeneration in glaucoma are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Understanding the mechanisms and relationships between structural and functional changes in mitochondria would be beneficial for developing mitochondria-targeted therapeutic strategies to protect RGCs from glaucomatous neurodegeneration.

Purpose: This study determines the extent of mitochondrial dysfunction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and evaluates the potential for stabilizing the glaucomatous process by improving mitochondrial functional activity and energy production by therapy with Mexidol and Mexidol FORTE 250.

TACSTD2 in gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy: variant functional analysis and expression in the cornea after limbal stem cell transplantation.

Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD) is a rare autosomal recessive eye disease. GDLD is characterized by the loss of barrier function in corneal epithelial cells (CECs) and amyloid deposition due to pathogenic variants in the TACSTD2 gene. Limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) has been suggested as an effective therapeutic alternative for patients with GDLD.

Abnormal function of /p.R957P mutant in congenital cataract.

Aim: To identify genetic defects in a Chinese family with congenital posterior polar cataracts and assess the pathogenicity.

Methods: A four-generation Chinese family affected with autosomal dominant congenital cataract was recruited. Nineteen individuals took part in this study including 5 affected and 14 unaffected individuals.

[Comparative analysis of clinical and functional parameters in patients with stable stage II-III keratoconus after implantation of corneal segments and fitting of scleral rigid contact lenses].

Unlabelled: The modern treatment strategy for keratoconus (KC) involves sequential application of medical technologies aimed at stabilizing pathological changes in the cornea and restoring visual acuity.

Purpose: This study compares the effect of implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) and fitting of individual scleral rigid contact lenses (RCLs) on visual functions in patients with stage II-III KC after previously performed corneal collagen cross-linking.

Material And Methods: The Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases examined and treated 34 patients (69 eyes) aged 18 to 33 years with stage II-III KC.

[Wavefront characteristics in amblyopia of different etiologies in children].

Unlabelled: Purpose. The study investigates corneal and higher-order internal aberrations in patients with amblyopia of different etiologies and their relationship with visual acuity, refraction, axial length, and fixation parameters.

Material And Methods: Forty-five patients (90 eyes) were examined.

[Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma and non-pigmented choroidal melanoma: clinical, instrumental and molecular genetic features].

Unlabelled: Circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) and early non-pigmented choroidal melanoma (CM) have similar clinical, ultrasound and morphometric features, which in some cases makes their differential diagnosis difficult. There are few studies in the literature devoted to a comparative analysis of the molecular genetic features of CCH and non-pigmented CM, and the results of those studies are contradictory.

Purpose: This study attempts to develop a method of non-invasive molecular genetic differential diagnostics of CCH and non-pigmented CM.

Inhibiting the SARM1-NAD axis reduces oxidative stress-induced damage to retinal and nerve cells.

Retinal neurodegenerative diseases are a category of refractory blinding eye conditions closely associated with oxidative stress induced by mitochondrial dysfunction in retinal cells. SARM1, a core driver molecule leading to axonal degeneration, possesses NAD enzyme (NADase) activity. However, the role of the SARM1-NAD axis in oxidative stress-induced retinal cell death remains unclear.

An improved diagnostic method for taurodontism and a comparative study on its effectiveness evaluation.

Objective: The two commonly used diagnostic methods for taurodontism are susceptible to aging changes, mastication wear and other factors. Therefore, this study proposed an improved diagnostic method for taurodontism, and compared it with the previous two methods as a supplement for taurodontism diagnosis.

Methods: The included patients were aged 10-89 years and admitted to the Department of Stomatology of Hebei Eye Hospital from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

Extended depth of focus IOL in eyes with different axial myopia and targeted refraction.

Aim: To evaluate the objective visual outcomes following implantation of extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF IOL) in individuals with varying axial lengths (AL) and targeted refraction.

Methods: This retrospective study comprised age-matched eyes that underwent implantation of the EDOF IOL. Eyes were categorized based on AL into groups: control group with AL < 26 mm; high myopia group with AL ≥ 26 mm.

The Role and Mechanism of Nicotinamide Riboside in Oxidative Damage and a Fibrosis Model of Trabecular Meshwork Cells.

Purpose: To investigate the potential effects and mechanism of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on the oxidative stress and fibrosis model of human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cell line cells.

Methods: HTM cells were pretreated with NR, followed by the induction of oxidative injury and fibrosis by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and TGF-β2, respectively. Cell viability was tested using Hoechst staining and MTT assays, cell proliferation was assessed by EdU assay, and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and western blotting.

Melatonin and its bioisosteres as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.

We conducted a study on the impact of intraperitoneal injections of melatonin and its three bioisosteres (compounds 1-3) on the development of oxygen-induced retinopathy in newborn rats during a 21-day experiment. It was demonstrated that melatonin and its analogues 1-3 effectively reduce the total protein concentration in the vitreous body of rat pups, decrease concentration of VEGF-A, and lower the level of oxidative stress (as indicated by normalization of antioxidant activity in the vitreous body). Melatonin and its analogues 1-3 equally normalize the level of VEGF-A.

Fractal Phototherapy in Maximizing Retina and Brain Plasticity.

The neuroplasticity potential is reduced with aging and impairs during neurodegenerative diseases and brain and visual system injuries. This limits the brain's capacity to repair the structure and dynamics of its activity after lesions. Maximization of neuroplasticity is necessary to provide the maximal CNS response to therapeutic intervention and adaptive reorganization of neuronal networks in patients with degenerative pathology and traumatic injury to restore the functional activity of the brain and retina.

[Intracorneal selective stromal transplantation].

Unlabelled: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty are currently considered the optimal methods of surgical treatment of stromal dystrophies and corneal degeneration. Despite certain advantages and benefits of these methods, they also have significant limitations: involvement of superficial corneal layers in the surgery, need for suturing, development of post-keratoplasty astigmatism etc.

Purpose: This study aimed to test and describe the new method of closed sutureless keratoplasty (intracorneal selective stromal transplantation), which was indicated in isolated dystrophic and degenerative pathology of the stroma.

[Pathogenetic role of multifunctional protein alpha-2-macroglobulin and its activity in tears and serum in age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

Unlabelled: Alpha-2-macroglobulin (-MG) is a multifunctional protein involved in neurodegeneration, inflammation and neovascularization, which are key processes in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). AMD and PDR are two of the main causes of vision loss and blindness, are difficult to treat, and are generally diagnosed at the stage of irreversible changes.

Purpose: This study estimates the activity of -MG in the blood serum and tears of patients with AMD and PDR in order to reveal the relation of its levels with the intensity of the pathological process in the retina.

A Direct Comparison of Peptide Drug Delivery Systems Based on the Use of Hybrid Calcium Phosphate/Chitosan Nanoparticles versus Unmixed Calcium Phosphate or Chitosan Nanoparticles In Vitro and In Vivo.

Nanocarriers provide a number of undeniable advantages that could improve the bioavailability of active agents for human, animal, and plant cells. In this study, we compared hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) consisting of a calcium phosphate core coated with chitosan with unmixed calcium phosphate (CaP) and chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) as carriers of a model substrate, enalaprilat. This tripeptide analog is an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme and was chosen by its ability to lower intraocular pressure (IOP).

[The role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy].

Unlabelled: Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a rare hereditary disease characterized by pathological retinal vascularization with a progressive and variable course. The mechanisms of disease progression remain unclear. One substance that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of retinal vascular diseases is endothelin (ET).

Cataract surgical training in Europe: European Board of Ophthalmology survey.

Purpose: To survey recently graduated European ophthalmologists concerning cataract surgery (CS) training opportunities.

Setting: Countries affiliated to the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO).

Design: Cross-sectional study of anonymous survey results.