Abnormal intra-network architecture in extra-striate cortices in amblyopia: a resting state fMRI study.

Background: Amblyopia (lazy eye) is one of the most common causes of monocular visual impairment. Intensive investigation has shown that amblyopes suffer from a range of deficits not only in the primary visual cortex but also the extra-striate visual cortex. However, amblyopic brain processing deficits in large-scale information networks especially in the visual network remain unclear.

Changes in symmetry of anterior chamber following routine cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes.

Background: To assess minimum and maximum changes in anterior chamber dimensions following routine cataract surgery in non-glaucomatous eyes.

Methods: Forty-two eyes (42 participants) underwent routine cataract surgery with same surgeon and were assessed preoperatively, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Primary outcome measure: Angle-to-angle diameter (AAD) (at 0-180, 45-225, 90-270, 135-315), Anterior-chamber-angle (ACA) (at 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270 and 315) and central anterior chamber depth (ACD) at all visits.

Update on Diagnosis and Management of Conjunctival Papilloma.

Conjunctival papilloma is an acquired benign squamous cell tumor that can present at any age, but most frequently in the third and fourth decades of life. Papillomas have been associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, usually types 6 and 11. Although histopathological diagnosis remains the gold standard, the advent of newer non-invasive imaging modalities such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) is transforming the way we diagnose and treat ocular surface tumors, including conjunctival papilloma.

The use of high resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography for the characterization of conjunctival lymphoma, conjunctival amyloidosis and benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia.

Background: Conjunctival lymphoma, conjunctival amyloidosis and benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (BRLH) are conditions that often have a similar appearance on the ocular surface. The use of high resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) enables clinicians to evaluate distinctive differences in tissue morphology and cellular patterns in various ocular surface conditions. In this study, we characterize the morphological differences seen in conjunctival lymphoma, conjunctival amyloidosis and BRLH on HR-OCT imaging.

Different accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking treatment modalities in progressive keratoconus.

Background: To compare the outcomes of two different protocols of accelerated corneal crosslinking (CXL) on visual, corneal high order aberrations (HOA) and topographic parameters in patients with progressive keratoconus.

Methods: In this prospective comparative study, sixty-six eyes of 66 patients with progressive keratoconus were divided into two groups; 37 eyes in Group 1 received 18 mW/cm for five minutes, and 29 eyes in Group 2 were treated with 9 mW/cm for 10 min. The uncorrected distant visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected distant visual acuity (BCVA), corneal HOAs and topography parameters were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at the end of 12 months.

A review of functional slit lamp biomicroscopy.

Functional slit lamp biomicroscopy (FSLB) is a novel device which consists of a traditional slit-lamp and a digital camera. It can quantitatively assess vessel diameter, blood flow velocity, and blood flow rate and can create noninvasive microvascular perfusion maps (nMPMs). At present, FSLB is mainly used in contact lens (CL) and dry eye disease (DED) studies to advance our understanding of ocular surface microcirculation.

Epidemiology of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in veterans: a retrospective case-control study.

Background: A number of risk factors have been evaluated in ocular surface squamous neoplasia, but few studies have assessed risk factors specific to the armed forces veteran population.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study on 55 patients and 55 age-matched controls with biopsy-proven ocular surface squamous neoplasia from the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital Eye Clinic to investigate potential risk factors encountered by veterans, including service-specific exposures. Veteran-specific risk factors included ionizing radiation exposure, Agent Orange exposure, deployment to Southwest Asia, and exposure to the series of biochemical warfare tests known as Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense.

Quantifying microstructural changes in retinitis pigmentosa using spectral domain - optical coherence tomography.

Background: Most patients of established retinitis pigmentosa (RP) have subnormal peripheral vision and heavily rely on central vision for their daily activities. Central visual acuity is dependent on photoreceptor survival at the macula. Identification of structural changes that precede visual loss is essential.

Dry eye disease immune responses and topical therapy.

There is accumulating evidence that inflammation is one of the key components of dry eye because chronic ocular surface inflammation can be both a result as well as an initiator of dry eye. The need for continuing anti-inflammatory therapy may be determined in part by the extent that non-modifiable factors such as gender and age-related aqueous or lipid or mucus production deficiencies contribute to its chronicity. This perspective examines how the need for increased dosage of a topical anti-inflammatory drug may be determined by the degree of difficulty that a topically administered drug has in accessing different sites of tear deficiency and associated inflammation.

Microcirculation in the conjunctiva and retina in healthy subjects.

Background: The aim was to determine the relationship between bulbar conjunctival microcirculation and retinal microcirculation in a healthy population.

Method: A functional slit-lamp biomicroscope (FSLB) was used to measure blood flow velocity (BFV) and blood flow rate (BFR) in the conjunctiva while a retinal function imager (RFI) was used to measure macular BFV and BFR in the retina. One eye of each subject of 58 self-reported healthy subjects was imaged in the same session on the same day.

Inter-visit measurement variability of conjunctival vasculature and circulation in habitual contact lens wearers and non-lens wearers.

Background: The inter-visit variation of measuring bulbar conjunctival microvasculature and microcirculation needs to be considered when the results from multiple visits are interpreted. This study examined the inter-visit variability of measuring conjunctival microvasculature and microcirculation in habitual contact lens (HCL) wearers and non-contact lens (NCL) wearers.

Methods: Twenty-eight subjects were recruited including 13 HCL wearers (10 females and 3 males; mean age ± standard deviation, 25.

Ab externo canaloplasty results and efficacy: a retrospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up.

Background: The aim of this study is to review the outcomes of canaloplasty versus canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification in a retrospective cohort study and to evaluate the efficacy of these methods in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect, postoperative complications and additional glaucoma surgery or reintroduction of medical therapy over a 12-month follow-up.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 602 eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) were treated with canaloplasty or canaloplasty combined with phacoemulsification. The results were evaluated separately in two main groups; group A canaloplasty (262 eyes) and group B canaloplasty combined with phaco (322 eyes).

Retinal structural-vascular-functional relationship using optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography - angiography in myopia.

Background: To examine the retinal structure-vascular-function relationship using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in myopia.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study comprising 86 eyes of 45 individuals with varying axial lengths and spherical equivalents and no posterior segment abnormalities. All eyes underwent optical coherence tomography with the Spectralis SD-OCT and OCTA with RTVue-XR Avanti; Optovue.

Impact of 0.1% sodium hyaluronate and 0.2% sodium hyaluronate artificial tears on postoperative discomfort following cataract extraction surgery: a comparative study.

Background: Recent artificial tear preparations have provided 0.2% concentration of sodium hyaluronate. However, no published data exist on their potential superiority against 0.

Correction to: Vessel density and En-face segmentation of optical coherence tomography angiography to analyse corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40662-018-0128-8.].

Optical coherence tomography angiography for the anterior segment.

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a rapid and non-invasive technique for imaging vasculature in the eye. As OCTA can produce high-resolution cross-sectional images and allow depth-resolved analysis for accurate localization of pathology of interest, it has become a promising method for anterior segment imaging. Furthermore, OCTA offers a more patient-friendly alternative to the conventional invasive dye-based fluorescent angiography.

Quantitative analysis of conjunctival microvasculature imaged using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Background: The goal was to quantitatively analyze the bulbar conjunctival microvascular density using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compare it to the vessel density using functional slit-lamp biomicroscopy (FSLB).

Methods: Temporal bulbar conjunctiva of 20 eyes (10 healthy subjects) was imaged using both OCTA and FSLB. Image processing was performed including equalization, de-noising, thresholding, and skeletonization.

Characterization of retinal microvasculature in acute non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy using the retinal functional imager: a prospective case series.

Background: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common cause of acute optic neuropathy in patients over 50 years of age, and many affected individuals are left with permanent visual deficits. Despite the frequency of NAION and its often devastating effects on vision, no effective treatment has been established. Further understanding of the acute vascular effects in NAION, using advanced ophthalmic imaging techniques like the retinal function imager, may shed light on potential treatment targets.

Vessel density and En-face segmentation of optical coherence tomography angiography to analyse corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

Background: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a novel non-invasive angiography technology that has recently been extensively studied for its utility in anterior segment imaging. In this study, we compared a split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation angiography (SSADA) OCTA and an Complex OCT signal difference angiography [corrected] (CODAA SD) [corrected] OCTA system to current angiographic technique, indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), to assess corneal vascularisation in an animal model.

Methods: We imaged 16 rabbits, (one eye per animal) with corneal vascularisation using SSADA OCTA (AngioVue; Optovue Inc.

Refractive outcome of keratoconus treated by big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in pediatric patients: two-year follow-up comparison between mechanical trephine and femtosecond laser assisted techniques.

Background: To evaluate refractive outcome 24 months after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) in pediatric patients by comparing results achieved using mechanical trephine and femtosecond laser.

Methods: Twenty eyes of 20 patients affected by keratoconus were evaluated. To perform big-bubble DALK, 10 eyes (Group 1; mean age 11.

The inter-visit variability of retinal blood flow velocity measurements using retinal function imager (RFI).

Background: To determine the inter-visit variability of retinal blood flow velocities (BFVs) using a retinal function imager (RFI) in healthy young subjects.

Methods: Twenty eyes of 20 healthy young subjects were enrolled. RFI imaging was performed to obtain the BFVs in retinal arterioles and venules in a field measuring 7.

The effect of sildenafil on retinal blood velocity in healthy subjects.

Purpose: It has been suggested that Sildenafil may have beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. The retinal circulation is of significant interest as a marker of cerebral vascular disease since the retinal and cerebral vasculatures share many morphological and physiological properties, yet only the retinal circulation can be directly visualized. Therefore, our aim was to assess the change induced by Sildenafil on retinal blood velocity.

Microvascular blood flow velocities measured with a retinal function imager: inter-eye correlations in healthy controls and an exploration in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The retinal microcirculation has been studied in various diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, inter-eye correlations and potential differences of the retinal blood flow velocity (BFV) remain largely unstudied but may be important in guiding eye selection as well as the design and interpretation of studies assessing or utilizing retinal BFV. The primary aim of this study was to determine inter-eye correlations in BFVs in healthy controls (HCs).

Cellular therapy of the corneal stroma: a new type of corneal surgery for keratoconus and corneal dystrophies.

Cellular therapy of the corneal stroma, with either ocular or extraocular stem cells, has been gaining a lot of interest over the last decade. Multiple publications from different research groups are showing its potential benefits in relation to its capacity to improve or alleviate corneal scars, improve corneal transparency in metabolic diseases by enhancing the catabolism of the accumulated molecules, generate new organized collagen within the host stroma, and its immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory properties. Autologous extraocular stem cells do not require a healthy contralateral eye and they do not involve any ophthalmic procedures for their isolation.

Evaluation of markers of outcome in real-world treatment of diabetic macular edema.

Objective: To evaluate short-term markers of outcome in diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods: Prospective interventional case series included 122 eyes of 122 patients with recently diagnosed DME. Eyes were treated with a 3-monthly loading dose of ranibizumab or aflibercept and pro re nata thereafter.