Stem cell-based therapies for retinal diseases: focus on clinical trials and future prospects.

Stem cell-based therapy has gained importance over the past decades due to huge advances in science and technology behind the generation and directed differentiation of pluripotent cells from embryos and adult cells. Preclinical proof-of-concept studies have been followed by clinical trials showing efficacy and safety of transplantation of stem cell-based therapy, which are beginning to establish this as a modality of treatment. Disease candidates of interest are primarily conditions that may benefit from replacing dead or dying cells, including advanced inherited retinal dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration, and predominantly seek to transplant either RPE or photoreceptors, although neurotrophic approaches have also been trialed.

Agreement and Reliability of Transpalpebral Tonometers with Goldmann Applanation Tonometer - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Topic: The systematic review and meta-analysis consolidates the extant body of evidence comparing reliability and agreement between Transpalpebral Tonometers (TT) and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer (GAT).

Clinical Relevance: With a global prevalence of 3.54 percent, glaucoma stands as the second leading cause of preventable blindness.

Investigating Microperimetric Features in Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy Patients: A Cross-Sectional Longitudinal Study in a Large Cohort.

Purpose: To assess the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) with a focus on potential of microperimetry in monitoring macular function.

Methods: A total of 208 genetically-confirmed BCD patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were categorized into subgroups based on their fundus characteristics (fovea sparing and fovea involved), optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings (presence/absence of retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] or ellipsoid zone [EZ] line at the fovea/parafovea), and genetic profiles (Mis/Mis, Tru/Mis, Tru/Tru).

'Iterative Bleaching Extends Multiplexity' facilitates simultaneous identification of all major retinal cell types.

To understand the multicellular composition of tissues, and how it is altered during development, ageing and/or disease, we must visualise the complete cellular landscape. Currently, this is hindered by our limited ability to combine multiple cellular markers. To overcome this, we adapted a highly multiplexed immunofluorescence (IF) technique called 'Iterative Bleaching Extends Multiplexity' (IBEX) to the zebrafish retina.

Anatomic and Visual Outcomes of Scleral Buckle in Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in the Era of Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

To determine the presenting clinical characteristics of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who underwent scleral buckling and the impact on final visual outcomes and to determine the postoperative primary attachment rate, complications, and subsequent management. This retrospective observational study comprised patients with RRD who had scleral buckling surgery from January 2016 to December 2021 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The study comprised 307 eyes of 290 patients; 97% of eyes were phakic.

Combined Surgical Approach for Repair of Refractory Macular Hole in Myopic Traction Maculopathy.

To present a combined surgical approach for repair of a persistent full-thickness macular hole (MH) in patients with myopic traction maculopathy. Two cases were evaluated. Combining a macular buckle and pars plana vitrectomy with a controlled subretinal injection of a balanced salt solution resulted in MH closure and vision improvement in both cases.

Ten-year evaluation on efficacy, safety, and predictability of femtosecond laser corneal small incision lenticule extraction for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism: a case series.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the 10-year long-term outcomes of patients undergoing small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Methods: In this continuous case series, the authors enrolled a total of 113 patients (208 eyes) who underwent SMILE 10 years prior. Measured parameters included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and cycloplegia spherical equivalent error (SER).

The experiences of visually impaired military veterans with Charles Bonnet syndrome.

Background: Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) refers to the experience of visual hallucinations occurring secondary to sight loss. Although there is an increasing amount of research on this phenomenon, CBS remains a lesser-known outcome of visual impairment, with limited research into the impact on the patient.

Objectives: To explore the experiences and opinions of visually impaired military veterans with CBS regarding the impact of visual hallucinations.

Tert-butyl hydroperoxide induces trabecular meshwork cells injury through ferroptotic cell death.

Trabecular meshwork (TM) tissue has a crucial role in regulating aqueous humor circulation in the eye, thus maintaining normal intraocular pressure (IOP). TM dysfunction causes IOP elevation, which leads to glaucoma. To investigate biological changes in TM tissue in patients with glaucoma, we analyzed the mRNA expression microarray dataset, GSE27276.

Four-Year Longitudinal Investigation of the Relationship Between Myopia and Retinal Shape in Chinese Children: The Anyang Childhood Eye Study.

Purpose: To investigate the longitudinal relationship between myopia and retinal shape in Chinese children.

Methods: A total of 2471 seven-year-old Chinese children were measured for axial length, anterior corneal radius of curvature, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, central spherical equivalent, and peripheral refractions along the horizontal meridian (±15°, ±30°) under cycloplegia. Retinal shape was fitted using vertex radius of curvature, asphericity, and an offset.

The Electroretinogram I-Wave, a Component Originating in the Retinal OFF-Pathway, Associates With a Myopia Genetic Risk Polymorphism.

Purpose: One of the strongest genetic associations with myopia is near the GJD2 gene. Recently, this locus was associated with cone-driven electroretinograms (ERGs), with findings highlighting OFF pathway signals specifically. The ERG i-wave is thought to originate in retinal OFF pathways.

assessment of topically applied silver nanoparticles on entire cornea: comprehensive FTIR study.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained attention in medicine for their potent antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of silver nanoparticles in ophthalmic solutions raises concerns regarding potential toxicity of nanoparticles to ocular tissues, such as the cornea, conjunctiva, and retina, which necessitates further toxicity assessments aiding in the development of safer ophthalmic solutions. This study investigates the impact of AgNPs on corneal tissue using ophthalmic investigations, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and chemometric analyses.

Global trend analysis, mechanistic insights and future directions of autoimmune ear diseases: Based on comprehensive findings over the past 20 years.

Background: In recent years, Autoimmune diseases (ADs) and hearing loss are both significant public health burdens worldwide. An increasing number of studies are focusing on the potential link between these two diseases and exploring how hearing loss can be prevented and treated in the context of autoimmune diseases. In response to this focus, it is very necessary to conduct bibliometric analysis and molecular mechanism exploration to provide guidance for the exploration of basic mechanisms and clinical management.

Corneal Artificial Endothelial Layer (EndoArt): Literature Review and Our Experience.

: The objective of this study was to examine the morphological corneal changes and outcomes following the implantation of an artificial endothelial layer (EndoArt) in patients with chronic corneal oedema. : A systematic review of the literature was conducted alongside a detailed analysis of two clinical cases with chronic corneal oedema that were treated using EndoArt. Our experience with these two cases is included to provide practical insights and real-world outcomes.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease Presenting as Papillitis vs. Classic Serous Retinal Detachment: A Comparative Analysis of Outcomes.

Background: To compare the treatment outcome and visual prognosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease presenting as papillitis vs. serous retinal detachment (SRD).

Methods: Retrospective comparative cohort study of 35 patients with previously unknown VKH diagnosis, followed-up for ≥6 months.

Role of traditional healers in the management of microbial keratitis in eastern Nepal.

Background: Microbial Keratitis (MK) is a leading cause of corneal blindness due to infection and its consequences, with a higher incidence in resource-limited nations. Hospital-based patient records from different parts of Nepal suggest patients often use traditional eye medicine to treat MK. Traditional healers (TH) within the community are often the first point of care for MK management.

Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacokinetics of a New Preservative-Free Bimatoprost 0.01% Ophthalmic Gel to Treat Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ocular penetration and systemic accumulation of preservative-free bimatoprost 0.01% ophthalmic gel (PFB 0.01% gel).

Thyroid gland dysfunction and keratoconus.

Background: The association between keratoconus and thyroid gland dysfunction (TGD) remains controversial. We aimed to determine the frequency of keratoconus among patients with laboratory-confirmed, treatment-naive TGD compared with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Moreover, we investigated the potential relationship between TGD and corneal topographic and tomographic parameters.

Identification of novel 3D-genome altering and complex structural variants underlying retinitis pigmentosa type 17 through a multistep and high-throughput approach.

Introduction: Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa type 17 (adRP, type RP17) is caused by complex structural variants (SVs) affecting a locus on chromosome 17 (chr17q22). The SVs disrupt the 3D regulatory landscape by altering the topologically associating domain (TAD) structure of the locus, creating novel TAD structures (neo-TADs) and ectopic enhancer-gene contacts. Currently, screening for RP17-associated SVs is not included in routine diagnostics given the complexity of the variants and a lack of cost-effective detection methods.