Experimental models for keratoconus: Insights and challenges.

Keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder characterized by the thinning and conical protrusion of the cornea because of collagen degradation, poses significant challenges to both clinicians and researchers. Most successful animal models of keratoconus are based on genetic mutations and knock-outs in mice and rats that hinder normal corneal stromal architecture, thickness, or strength. While mice and rat models are suitable to study the molecular mechanism and physiological changes to the cornea, they are not suitable for experimental research; especially for surgical interventions like: deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty, and other advanced therapies.

Allergen Testing: A Review of the Indications, Procedures, and Limitations in Ocular Allergy.

Allergen-based diagnostics are essential in the management algorithm of allergic diseases. Unlike systemic allergy, where the indications and interpretation of these diagnostic modalities are well established, their utility in ocular allergy is not well-defined. With the rising prevalence of ocular allergies and the need for personalized treatment strategies, there is a growing demand for precision allergen diagnostics.

Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid Presenting as Recurrent Pterygium.

Purpose: The aim of this series was to report recurrent pterygium as a presenting feature of ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (oMMP).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed, and patients with biopsy positive oMMP who presented with recurrent pterygia were included. Data on the demographic profile, clinical characteristics, and details of the surgical intervention were collected.

Developing a model for aqueous deficient dry eye secondary to periglandular cicatrizing conjunctivitis.

Purpose: The current study used various techniques to develop a rabbit animal model of lacrimal gland damage caused by scarring conjunctivitis in the periglandular area.

Methods: Left eyes of New Zealand white rabbits were injected with 0.1 ml of 1M NaOH subconjunctivally around superior and inferior lacrimal gland orifices (Group 1, n = 4), touched with 1M NaOH for 100 s to the superior and inferior fornices with conjunctival denuding (Group 2; n = 4), and electrocauterization to the ductal opening area (Group 3; n = 4).

Neutrophil-driven and interleukin-36γ-associated ocular surface inflammation in chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Purpose: This study aims to elucidate the tear proteome and understand the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the ocular complications following Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN).

Methods: Mass spectrometry (MS) was performed to quantify the tear fluid proteins from chronic SJS/TEN patients (n = 22 eyes) and age- and gender-matched controls (n = 22 eyes). The candidate proteins were validated using ELISA (n = 80 eyes) in tear samples and immunohistochemistry (IHC; n = 12) in eyelid margin specimens.

Corneal blindness in the developing world: The role of prevention strategies.

Corneal blindness is an important contributor to the burden of global blindness and has a greater prevalence in low-income countries of the developing world where resources and infrastructure are limited. The causes of corneal blindness too are different from high-income countries and include infectious keratitis, ocular trauma, and xerophthalmia. Persons with these indications tend to have unfavourable outcomes after corneal transplantation, limiting their chances of benefitting from this sight-saving procedure.

Clinical profile and management of ocular superglue injuries: Case series and review of literature.

Purpose: To describe the clinical profile and management of patients with ocular superglue injury (OSI).

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with OSI who presented at a tertiary eye care institute between 2016 and 2020. Data regarding demographics, clinical profile, and management were collected.

Ocular surface pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia secondary to allergic eye disease: clinical features and management.

Purpose: To study the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of ocular surface pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) associated with chronic vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: This retrospective study includes 39 eyes of 32 patients with VKC induced PEH who presented from 2016-2022. A database search was conducted for diagnosis of PEH, and data on clinical features, imaging characteristics, and treatment were analyzed.

Impact of Symblepharon Management With Ocular Surface Reconstruction on Scleral Lens Fitting in Eyes With Chronic Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis and Keratopathy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the importance of symblepharon release with ocular surface reconstruction (OSR) for optimal fitting of scleral contact lenses (SCLs) in eyes with chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis (CCC) and keratopathy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 32 eyes with CCC and keratopathy with symblepharon which underwent symblepharon release with OSR and were fitted with SCLs. The primary outcome measure was the improvement in best-corrected visual acuity with SCL wear.

Development and validation of a reliable rabbit model of limbal stem cell deficiency by mechanical debridement using an ophthalmic burr.

A simple and reproducible method is necessary to generate reliable animal models of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) for assessing the safety and efficacy of new therapeutic modalities. This study aimed to develop and validate a rabbit model of LSCD through mechanical injury. The corneal and limbal epithelium of New Zealand White rabbits (n = 18) were mechanically debrided using an ophthalmic burr (Algerbrush II) with a 1.

Direct Immunofluorescence Findings and Factors Affecting Conjunctival Biopsy Positivity in Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) findings and factors affecting conjunctival biopsy positivity in patients clinically diagnosed with ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (OMMP).

Methods: This retrospective observational case series included patients with clinical OMMP who underwent conjunctival biopsy for DIF in at least 1 eye between 2018 and 2021 in an institutional setting. The primary outcome measures were association of age and chronic ocular complications with biopsy positivity.

Tear film changes in symptomatic versus asymptomatic video display terminal users following computer challenge test.

Purpose: To assess the real-time changes in the tear film and ocular surface of symptomatic video display terminal (VDT) versus asymptomatic users.

Methods: A total of 35 symptomatic (29 ± 5.6 years; Group 1, mild dry eye disease) and 35 asymptomatic (24.

Newer approaches to dry eye therapy: Nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

Definitive treatment of dry eye disease (DED), one of the commonest ocular surface disorders, has remained elusive despite several recent advances in better diagnostics and the introduction of newer therapeutic molecules. The current treatment paradigms rely heavily on lubricating eye drops and anti-inflammatory agents that may need to be used long-term and are mainly palliative. Research is ongoing not only for a curative treatment option but also to improve the potency and efficacy of existing drug molecules through better formulations and delivery platforms.

Keratoprosthesis in dry eye disease.

Bilateral corneal blindness with severe dry eye disease (DED), total limbal stem cell deficiency with underlying corneal stromal scarring and vascularization, combined with adnexal complications secondary to chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis is a highly complex situation to treat. In such eyes, procedures such as penetrating keratoplasty alone or combined with limbal stem cell transplantation are doomed to fail. In these eyes, keratoprosthesis (Kpro) or an artificial cornea is the most viable option, eliminating corneal blindness even in eyes with autoimmune disorders such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid, Sjogren's syndrome, and nonautoimmune disorders such as chemical/thermal ocular burns, all of which are complex pathologies.

Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Human Limbus-Derived Stromal/Mesenchymal Stem Cells with and without Alginate Encapsulation for Future Clinical Applications.

Corneal opacification or scarring is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Human limbus-derived stromal/mesenchymal stem cells (hLMSCs) have the potential of clearing corneal scarring. In the current preclinical studies, we aimed to determine their ability to heal the scarred corneas, in a murine model of corneal scar, and examined their ocular and systemic toxicity after topical administration to rabbit eyes.

Presentation, aetiology and outcomes of corneal ulceration in Sjogren's Syndrome.

Purpose: To report the clinical course of corneal ulceration/perforation in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of patients diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome (primary and secondary) and corneal ulceration over past 8 years at tertiary eye care network. Assessed parameters were demographics, clinical details, microbiological profile, types of intervention and their outcomes.

Safety and Efficacy of Contact Lenses in Eyes After Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of contact lenses (CLs) in eyes after simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 61 eyes with partial or total LSCD which underwent SLET and were fitted with corneal or scleral rigid gas-permeable CLs. The primary outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with CLs.

Recent Advancements in Molecular Therapeutics for Corneal Scar Treatment.

The process of corneal wound healing is complex and induces scar formation. Corneal scarring is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The fibrotic healing of a major ocular wound disrupts the highly organized fibrillar collagen arrangement of the corneal stroma, rendering it opaque.

Ocular involvement in facial nerve paralysis: risk factors for severe visual impairment and ocular surface exposure in 1870 patients.

Purpose: To identify the risk factors associated with the development of ocular surface exposure and severe visual impairment (SVI) in patients with facial nerve palsy (FNP).

Methods: Ocular data of all consecutive FNP patients (N = 1870) presenting to an eye-care network over the past 10 years were reviewed. Risk factors associated with SVI (best-corrected visual acuity <20/200) and ocular surface exposure at presentation were evaluated using multivariate analysis and odds ratios (OR).

Cytokeratin profile and keratinocyte gene expression in keratinized lid margins of patients with chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Purpose: To study the cytokeratin profile and keratinization-related gene expression in keratinized lid margins of chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) patients.

Methods: Posterior eyelid margins from 24 chronic SJS patients undergoing mucous membrane grafting and six healthy margins (orbital exenteration, fresh body donors) were studied using immunofluorescence staining (CK10, CK1, filaggrin, transglutaminase 1 (TGM1), (CK19, MUC5AC)) and quantitative PCR (keratinization-related genes-HBEGF, KGF, EGF, TGFα, TGFβ, and TNFα). The staining and gene expression were studied separately in the lid margin epidermis (LME) and lid margin conjunctiva (LMC).

Effects of Needle Assisted Radiofrequency Ablation on Human Eyelashes and Eyelids: A Histopathological and Morphometric Study.

Purpose: To analyze the histopathological changes in eyelash following electroepilation using radiofrequency (RF) cautery.

Methods: RF current was applied to the eyelash root in human eyelids (from exenteration or eyelid shortening procedures) at a pre-determined depth of 3 mm excision a-priori, and processed for routine histology. Studied parameters were the extent of necrosis, involvement of the eyelash bulb, and type of bulb damage (partial or whole necrosis).