Corneal cross-linking.

First introduced over 20 years ago as a treatment for progressive keratoconus, the original "Dresden" corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol involved riboflavin saturation of the stroma, followed by 30 min of 3 mW/cm-intensity ultraviolet-A (UV-A) irradiation. This procedure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cross-link stromal molecules, thereby stiffening the cornea and counteracting the ectasia-induced weakening. Due to their large size, riboflavin molecules cannot readily pass through the corneal epithelial cell tight junctions; thus, epithelial debridement was performed.

Refining Flash Visual Evoked Potential Analysis in Rats: A Novel Approach Using Bilateral Epidural Electrodes.

Purpose: Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are electrical signals generated at the visual cortex following visual stimulation. Flash VEPs (fVEPs) are produced by global retinal stimulation and are considered an objective measure of the integrity of the entire visual pathway. However, fVEP measurements are highly sensitive to external variables, making relative comparisons of the fVEP waveforms between the two eyes in the same individual challenging.

High-Throughput Quantification of miRNA-3'-Untranslated-Region Regulatory Effects.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, primarily through binding sites in 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs). While computational and biochemical approaches have been developed to predict miRNA binding sites on target messenger RNAs, reliable and high-throughput assessment of the regulatory effects of miRNAs on full-length 3' UTRs can still be challenging. Utilizing a miniaturized and high-throughput reporter assay, we present a 'pilot miRNA-targeting map', containing 4,994 successfully measured miRNA:3' UTR regulatory outputs by pairwise assays between 461 miRNAs and eleven 3' UTRs.

Using a mixed-reality headset to elicit and track clinically relevant movement in the clinic.

Background: 21st century neurology will require scalable and quantitative tools that can improve neurologic evaluations over telehealth and expand access to care. Commercially available mixed-reality headsets allow for simultaneous presentation of stimuli via holograms projected into the real world and objective and quantitative measurement of hand movement, eye movement, and phonation.

New Method: We created 6 tasks designed to mimic standard neurologic assessments and administered them to a single participant via the Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed-reality headset.

Utilization of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in oculoplastic surgery: A case series.

Objective: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has emerged as a versatile tool in the management of an array of medical conditions, including tissue ischemia and delayed wound healing. Despite the incorporation of HBOT in other medical fields, HBOT is not routinely utilized in the field of ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive periorbital surgery.

Design: Case series.

Safety of repeated low-level red-light therapy for myopia: A systematic review.

Purpose: Establishing the safety profile of repeated low-level red-light (RLRL) therapy is necessary prior to its widespread clinical implementation.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, CRD42024516676) of articles across seven databases from inception through February 10, 2024, with keywords related to myopia and RLRL therapy. Pooled safety outcomes and risk-to-benefit ratios were reported, and incidence of side effects was compared with other antimyopia interventions.

A Pattern-Based OCT Metric for Glaucoma Detection.

Purpose: To develop and test a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT) metric for the detection of glaucoma based on a logistic regression model (LRM) and known patterns of glaucomatous damage.

Methods: The six variables of the LRM were based on characteristic patterns of damage seen on the OCT thickness maps of the ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (GCL+) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Two cohorts were used to develop the LRM.

ChatGPT and frequently asked patient questions for upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery.

Purpose: Online health information seekers may access information produced by artificial intelligence language models such as ChatGPT (OpenAI). The medical field may pose a significant challenge for incorporating these applications given the training and experience needed to master clinical reasoning. The objective was to evaluate the performance of ChatGPT responses compared to human oculofacial plastic surgeon (OPS) responses to FAQs about an upper eyelid blepharoplasty procedure.

Association Between Alcohol Use and Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Prcis: In a diverse database (All of Us), we report significant dose-response associations between alcohol use frequency and glaucoma, with alcohol use of 4 or more drinks per week associated with significantly increased odds of glaucoma.

Purpose: Current evidence on the association between alcohol use and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is mixed. We utilize the diverse All of Us Research Program to further examine this relationship.

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Report on Artificial Intelligence.

This report synthesizes the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Task Force's guidance on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS). A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on the applications, benefits, and challenges of AI in OHNS, alongside ethical, legal, and social implications. The Task Force, formulated by otolaryngologist experts in AI, used an iterative approach, adapted from the Delphi method, to prioritize topics for inclusion and to reach a consensus on guiding principles.

Archetypal Analysis Reveals Consistent Visual Field Patterns for Stimulus Sizes III and V in Glaucoma and NAION.

Purpose: Disorders of the anterior optic nerve cause quantifiable patterns, or archetypes (AT), in visual fields (VFs) obtained using standardized automated perimetry using stimulus size III (size III). VFs with stimulus size V (size V) can reduce retest variability in eyes with moderate to severe loss. We postulated that VF testing using both stimuli would show similar ATs in eyes with glaucoma and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

A Primer on Abdominoplasty Safety.

Abdominoplasty continues to be a frequently performed plastic surgery procedure. Futhermore, an increase in both surgical and medical weight loss is contributing to the procedure's increasing popularity. Technical refinements have improved surgical outcomes and safety.

Self-improving generative foundation model for synthetic medical image generation and clinical applications.

In many clinical and research settings, the scarcity of high-quality medical imaging datasets has hampered the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) clinical applications. This issue is particularly pronounced in less common conditions, underrepresented populations and emerging imaging modalities, where the availability of diverse and comprehensive datasets is often inadequate. To address this challenge, we introduce a unified medical image-text generative model called MINIM that is capable of synthesizing medical images of various organs across various imaging modalities based on textual instructions.

Number of macula optical coherence tomography scans needed to detect glaucoma progression.

Background: To evaluate the impact of testing frequency on the time required to detect statistically significant glaucoma progression for ganglion cell complex (GCC) with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Materials And Methods: From multicentre glaucoma registries, 332 eyes of 201 glaucoma patients were enrolled over an average of 4.4 years.

RENEWED: A follow-up study of the opicinumab phase 2 RENEW study in participants with acute optic neuritis.

Background: The randomized, phase 2 RENEW trial (NCT01721161) evaluated efficacy/safety of opicinumab (anti-LINGO-1) versus placebo in patients with first-episode unilateral acute optic neuritis (AON). Although no significant differences in the latency recovery of visual evoked potential (VEP) were observed between opicinumab and placebo groups in the intention to treat (ITT) population, the prespecified per-protocol (PP) population showed better recovery with opicinumab than with placebo. RENEWED (NCT02657915) was a one-visit, follow-up study 2 years after the last RENEW study visit (Week 32) designed to assess the long-term electrophysiological and clinical outcomes for participants previously enrolled and having received study treatment in RENEW.

Dual task iTUG to investigate increased fall risk among older adults with bilateral hearing loss.

Objectives: To investigate fall risk among older adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (BHL) by comparing single task (ST) and dual task (DT) performance on the instrumented "Timed Up & Go" test (iTUG). The TUG is a well-validated clinical tool for fall risk; addition of wireless sensors increases the test's sensitivity and allows for subcomponent analysis.

Methods: Adults with audiometrically confirmed normal hearing or BHL were prospectively recruited and screened for visual, musculoskeletal, neurologic, or vestibular pathology and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) < 10.

Vitreous Cytokine Profile in an Eye with a Vasoproliferative Tumor.

Purpose: We present a patient with a primary vasoproliferative tumor (VPT) accompanied by vitreous haze and an epiretinal membrane (ERM). We report for the first time the vitreous cytokine profile from an eye with a primary VPT to explore the relationship between intraocular inflammation and these tumors.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of a single patient case.

Bio-Interventional Cyclodialysis and Allograft Scleral Reinforcement for Uveoscleral Outflow Enhancement in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients: One-Year Clinical Outcomes.

Background: To evaluate the one-year safety and effectiveness of bio-interventional cyclodialysis and scleral reinforcement in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients undergoing cataract surgery.

Methods: An ab-interno approach was used to create a sectoral cyclodialysis in OAG patients who were prospectively followed in a consecutive case series. Subsequent visco-cycloplasty with scleral reinforcement using homologous minimally modified allograft scaffold was completed to maintain patency of the cyclodialysis reservoir and increase uveoscleral outflow.

Household income and county income inequality are associated with financial hardship among cancer survivors in New Jersey.

Purpose: To examine how household income and county income inequality are linked to financial hardship among cancer survivors.

Methods: Cancer survivors (n = 864) identified through the New Jersey State Cancer Registry were surveyed from August 2018 to January 2022. Local area income inequality was reflected by the Gini index a measure of income inequality at the county level.

Chalazia: A Scoping Review to Identify the Evidence Behind Treatments.

Purpose: Current treatment approaches aimed at resolving a chalazion vary greatly among practice settings and practitioners. Our objective is to provide a review of existing literature on treatment modalities aimed at resolving a chalazion.

Methods: We conducted a review of existing peer-reviewed publications that described treatment methods aimed at resolving chalazia in patients of any age.

Taurine stimulation of planarian motility: a role for the dopamine receptor pathway.

Taurine, a normal dietary component that is found in many tissues, is considered important for a number of physiological processes. It is thought to play a particular role in eye development and in the maturation of both the muscular and nervous systems, leading to its suggested use as a therapeutic for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Taurine increases metabolism and has also been touted as a weight loss aid.

Clinical Use of Home OCT Data to Manage Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

To investigate how home optical coherence tomography (OCT) influences the clinical decision-making of retina specialists for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). In this retrospective imaging review, 15 retina specialists each evaluated 10 home OCT data segments from 29 eyes being treated for nAMD. Based on OCT data, indications were identified for when eyes should be treated, which antivascular endothelial growth factor should be used, and the specific retinal fluid and time thresholds for notification.

The Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Pediatric Preseptal and Orbital Infectious Cellulitis.

Purpose: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an important biomarker in a variety of systemic conditions, though its role in orbital disease remains unclear. We sought to investigate the utility of the NLR in distinguishing orbital cellulitis (OC) from preseptal cellulitis (PC) in a pediatric population.

Methods: The earliest available NLRs of immunocompetent pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department with OC and PC were calculated from a single institution's database.