Adrenocorticotropic hormone gel for patients with non-infectious uveitis.

Purpose: To describe the potential role of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel treatment in patients with chronic non-infectious uveitis.

Observations: We report the clinical course of three patients with bilateral, non-infectious anterior and intermediate uveitis, treated with ACTH gel for ≥12 months. All three patients had chronic and steroid-dependent ocular inflammation with subsequent development of ocular complications.

Exploration of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and the anti-aging effects of resveratrol in zebrafish retina.

It is currently believed that aging is closely linked with mitochondrial dysfunction, and that resveratrol exhibits anti-aging and neuroprotective effects by improving mitochondrial function, even though the mechanisms are not well defined. This study explored mitochondrial quality (mitochondrial DNA integrity and copy number), mitochondrial function (fusion/fission, mitophagy/autophagy), antioxidant system and activity of the Akt/mTOR and Ampk/Sirt1/Pgc1α pathways, and inflammation in aging zebrafish retinas to identify the probable mechanisms of resveratrol's anti-aging and neuroprotective effects. mtDNA integrity, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial fusion regulators, mitophagy, and antioxidant-related genes were all decreased whereas Akt/mTOR activity and inflammation was increased upon aging in zebrafish retinas.

Systemic Safety in Ranibizumab-Treated Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Patient-Level Pooled Analysis.

Topic: This study evaluated the cardiovascular/cerebrovascular safety profile of ranibizumab 0.5 mg versus sham ± verteporfin in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). In addition, comparisons of ranibizumab 0.

Traumatic Macular Hole: Diagnosis, Natural History, and Management.

Traumatic macular hole occurs most often in young men and can present after various types of injuries. Traumatic macular holes result from anteroposterior and tangential vitreoretinal traction and may exhibit concurrent additional pathologies such as Berlin's edema and subretinal fluid. Optical coherence tomography can play an essential role in patient management both at presentation and during follow-up.

Real Life Outcomes vs. Clinical Trial Results.

Two questions that clinicians should answer as they attempt to apply the results of clinical trials to clinical practice are: (1) will statistically significant results be reproduced in their clinical practice; and (2) if nothing goes wrong in a clinical trial, is everything alright? Regarding the first question, when considering the results of a randomized, multicenter, prospective, controlled clinical trial, two questions that cannot be addressed by simply by reading the trial results and that only the practicing clinician can answer are: (1) is the study population representative of the patient about to be treated; and (2) is the totality of evidence outside the trial (including the clinician's own extensive experience) consistent with the trial result? Regarding the second question, clinicians are advised to recognize that most studies, even Phase 3 trials, are underpowered to accurately assess the risk of low frequency events.

Ganglion cell complex loss in patients with type 1 diabetes: A 36-month retrospective study.

Background: To analyze changes over a 3-year period in ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA).

Methods: Thirty-seven individuals from "Friends for Life Conference" with T1DM and a 3-year history of GCC thickness measurements were included in the study. Data analysis using SPSS 22 and Excel StatPlus was completed to note the subgroups that had a significant change.

Concise Review: Update on Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Retinal cell therapy can have the objectives of rescue (i.e., modulation of metabolic abnormalities primarily for sight preservation) as well as replacement (i.

Simulating an Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Switch in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A HARBOR Subanalysis.

Purpose: A simulated switching study assessed the effects of continuing the same anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment among patients who typically are considered for a therapy switch. Post hoc analysis of data from HARBOR was undertaken. Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who demonstrated a suboptimal response after 3 or 6 months of ranibizumab treatment were identified as switching candidates.

Outcomes of Resident-versus attending-performed Tube Shunt Surgeries in a United States Residency Program.

Introduction: Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy with increasing global prevalence, necessitating trainees in ophthalmology to be well-trained in the surgical modalities used to manage glaucoma. It is also important to not compromise patient safety and treatment efficacy for training and education. The purpose of our analysis is to compare postoperative outcomes of resident versus (vs.

RKI-1447, a Rho kinase inhibitor, causes ocular hypotension, actin stress fiber disruption, and increased phagocytosis.

Purpose: This study investigated the hypotensive effect of RKI-1447, a Rho kinase inhibitor, in a porcine ex vivo pigmentary glaucoma model.

Methods: Twenty-eight porcine anterior chambers were perfused with medium supplemented with 1.67 × 10 pigment particles/ml for 48 h before treatment with RKI-1447 (n = 16) or vehicle control (n = 12).

Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Disease: The New Frontier.

The availability of noninvasive high-resolution imaging technology, the immune-suppressive nature of the subretinal space, and the existence of surgical techniques that permit transplantation surgery to be a safe procedure all render the eye an ideal organ in which to begin cell-based therapy in the central nervous system. A number of early stage clinical trials are underway to assess the safety and feasibility of cell-based therapy for retinal blindness. Cell-based therapy using embryonic stem cell-derived differentiated cells (e.

Effect of Resveratrol on Sirtuins, OPA1, and Fis1 Expression in Adult Zebrafish Retina.

Purpose: We determined whether sirtuins (SIRT1-SIRT7) are expressed in the zebrafish retina, evaluated the modulatory effect of resveratrol in the normal retina, and examined N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-induced zebrafish retinal damage associated with mitochondrial sirtuins and mitochondrial fusion and fission mediators, OPA1 and Fis1.

Methods: Sirtuins, OPA1, and Fis1 mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) in adult zebrafish (AB type) retina and liver. qPCR showed an effect of resveratrol on SIRTs (SIRT1, 3, 4, 5) and OPA1 and Fis1 in low and high concentrations (5 and 50 mg/L) at different time points (0, 1, 24, and 48 hours) in the retina.

Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of Postfenestration Optic Nerve Sheath Pseudomeningoceles.

Purpose: The clinical significance of postoperative pseudomeningocele formation following optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) has not been fully characterized. A literature review identifies 9 previously published cases the authors believe demonstrate pseudomeningocele formation and approximately 19 other similar findings that were either transient or less defined blebs. This study was undertaken to more clearly define the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features associated with this entity.

Resveratrol Delays Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss and Attenuates Gliosis-Related Inflammation From Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Purpose: Resveratrol has been shown to enhance the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury for glaucoma. However, the precise mechanisms for resveratrol's protective effects are still unclear. The aim of this study is to determine whether resveratrol can inhibit RGC apoptosis, retinal gliosis, and inflammation, all of which are critical events in retinal degeneration following I/R injury.

Scleral Patch Graft Melt After Tube Shunt Surgery: Grading and Identification of Risk Factors.

Purpose: To identify scleral patch graft (SG) melting trends in patients after tube shunt surgery and validate a grading scale for SG health.

Methods: Patients with glaucoma who underwent tube shunt surgery with a SG were enrolled consecutively at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School from September, 2016 to June, 2017. SG images that were acquired through slit-lamp photography were graded independently by 3 researchers for surface area remaining, thickness and vascularity of the conjunctiva.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone analogue as novel treatment regimen in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcome of a patient with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone gel.

Observations: A 75-year-old female with a biopsy proven ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP) presented with bilateral conjunctival inflammation, fornix shortening, subepithelial fibrosis and corneal scarring. The patient was previously treated with topical steroids, topical cyclosporine and lubricating drops, and had undergone several amniotic membrane transplants due to recurrent corneal erosions.

The microbiologic profile of dacryocystitis.

Purpose: Recent studies suggest an increasing incidence of gram-negative bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dacryocystitis. Since patients are often treated empirically without culture data, a changing microbiologic profile will markedly affect the success of oral treatment. To provide current guidelines for the treatment of this common condition, we investigated the microbiology and antibiogram of dacryocystitis seen at our institution.

Outflow enhancement by three different ab interno trabeculectomy procedures in a porcine anterior segment model.

Purpose: To evaluate three different microincisional ab interno trabeculectomy procedures in a porcine eye perfusion model.

Methods: In perfused porcine anterior segments, 90° of trabecular meshwork (TM) was ablated using the Trabectome (T; n = 8), Goniotome (G; n = 8), or Kahook device (K; n = 8). After 24 h, additional 90° of TM was removed.

Stress resistance and lifespan enhanced by downregulation of antimicrobial peptide genes in the Imd pathway.

Biological behaviors and longevity of ectothermic animals are remarkably influenced by ambient temperature. Development at 18°C significantly enhances the stress resistance of adult flies with more accumulation of nutrients (especially fat) in the body than development at 25°C. Gene expression analysis between the flies developed at 18°C and 25°C revealed that the Immune deficiency (Imd) pathway, including the downstream antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), is downregulated in the flies developed at 18°C.

Orbital Hobnail Hemangioma.

A 64-year-old woman presented with a 1 year history of progressive left proptosis and "blurry vision." Imaging studies revealed a left superior orbital mass distorting the optic nerve and superior rectus muscle. Excisional biopsy established the diagnosis of hobnail hemangioma.