Real-world use of integrated intraoperative OCT in pediatric cataract.

Purpose: To study the utility of integrated intraoperative OCT (i2OCT) in pediatric patients with cataracts in the real world.

Methods: It was a retrospective case series. We included patients aged 0-12 years with unilateral or bilateral cataracts who underwent cataract surgery or membranectomy for visual axis opacification between July 2022 and December 2023, where intraoperative OCT was used.

The Efficacy of Topical Cefiderocol Treatment of Experimental Extensively Drug-Resistant Keratitis Is Dependent upon the State of the Corneal Epithelium.

An overlooked factor in the efficacy of topical antibiotics to treat bacterial keratitis is the state of the corneal epithelium. Recently, we evaluated topical cefiderocol for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) (PA) keratitis in eyes with the corneal epithelium abraded. The goal of this study was to use the same model with the corneal epithelium left intact to evaluate the efficacy of cefiderocol and other antibiotics and compare the results to those of the previous study.

Curcumin alleviates arsenic trioxide-induced neural damage in the murine striatal region.

Rationale: Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity, with dose-dependent effects, is well-documented in rodents. Curcumin (CUR), a cost-effective plant polyphenol, shows neuroprotective effects by modulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurochemistry. This study evaluates curcumin's neuroprotective potential against arsenic trioxide (AsO) in the mouse striatal region.

Generating ESC-Derived RGCs for Cell Replacement Therapy.

In several ocular diseases, degeneration of retinal neurons can lead to permanent blindness. Transplantation of stem cell (SC)-derived RGCs has been proposed as a potential therapy for RGC loss. Although there are reports of successful cases of SC-derived RGC transplantation, achieving long-distance regeneration and functional connectivity remains a challenge.

Follow-up in a point-of-care diabetic retinopathy program in Pittsburgh: a non-concurrent retrospective cohort study.

Background: The Point-of-Care Diabetic Retinopathy Examination Program (POCDREP) was initiated in 2015 at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC in response to low diabetic retinopathy (DR) examination rates, a condition affecting a quarter of people with diabetes mellitus (PwDM) and leading to blindness. Early detection and treatment are critical with DR prevalence projected to triple by 2050. Approximately, half of PwDM in the U.

Genetic counselors' awareness and attitudes regarding gene therapies.

There are 10 gene therapies (GTs) for hereditary conditions that are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While prior research demonstrates that the majority of healthcare providers lack knowledge regarding GTs, this has not been explored within the genetic counseling profession. The authors hypothesize that the availability of GTs impacts the genetic counseling profession and that there is variable awareness on this topic among genetic counselors (GCs).

Comprehensive insights into a decade-long journey: The evolution, impact, and human factors of an asynchronous telemedicine program for diabetic retinopathy screening in Pennsylvania, United States.

Diabetic Retinopathy stands as a leading cause of irreversible blindness, necessitating frequent examinations, especially in the early stages where effective treatments are available. However, current examination rates vary widely, ranging from 25-60%. This study scrutinizes the Point-of-Care Diabetic Retinopathy Examination Program at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC, delving into its composition, evolution, challenges, solutions, and improvement opportunities.

JP4-039, a Mitochondria-Targeted Nitroxide, Mitigates the Effect of Apoptosis and Inflammatory Cell Migration in the Irradiated Mouse Retina.

We hypothesize that the injection of JP4-039, a mitochondria-targeted nitroxide, prior to irradiation of the mouse retina may decrease apoptosis and reduce neutrophil and macrophage migration into the retina. In our study, we aimed to examine the effects of JP4-039 in the mouse retina using fluorescent microscopy, a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and flow cytometry. Forty-five mice and one eye per mouse were used.

Recurrent Retinal Detachment in Stickler Syndrome.

Objective: To assess clinical factors leading to recurrent retinal detachment (RD) and characteristics of recurrence in patients with Stickler Syndrome.

Methods: Retrospective case series study of patients with clinical diagnosis of Stickler Syndrome who underwent rhegmatogenous RD repair. Recurrent RD after initial surgery was categorized as "early" if the recurrence was within 1 year or "late" if greater than 1 year.

Retinal Disorders.

Retinal disorders caused by genetic or environmental factors cause severe visual impairment and often result in blindness. The past ten years have seen rapid progress in our understanding of the biological basis of these conditions, as well as significant advances towards gene and cell-based therapies. Regulatory challenges remain, but there is reason to hope that creative approaches will lead to safe and effective breakthrough treatments for these conditions in the near future.

Compensation of inner retina to early-stage photoreceptor degeneration in a Rho mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disorder characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptors. Rho mice, which carry a Pro23His mutation in the RHODOPSIN (Rho) gene, are one of the most studied animal models for RP. However, except for the photoreceptors, other retinal neural cells have not been fully investigated in this model.

An Optical Coherence Tomography-Based Measure as an Independent Estimate of Retinal Function in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Background: With the clinical advances in the field of gene therapy, the development of objective measures of visual function of patients with inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) is of utmost importance. Here, we propose one such measure.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from a cohort of 194 eyes of 97 genetically diagnosed patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common IRD, followed at the UPMC Vision Institute.

Volumetrically tracking retinal and choroidal structural changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) leads to the accumulation of subretinal fluid and retinal thickness change, which can be readily detected in clinics using optical coherence tomography (OCT). However, current quantification methods usually require sophisticated processing such as retinal layer segmentations, and volumetric visualization of structural changes is generally challenging, which can hinder fast and accurate assessment of disease progression and/or treatment efficacy. In this study, we developed an algorithm that can register the OCT scans acquired from different visits without requiring prior layer segmentation and calculated the three-dimensional (3-D) structural change maps for patients with CSCR.

Optogenetic Vision Restoration.

Optogenetics has emerged over the past 20 years as a powerful tool to investigate the various circuits underlying numerous functions, especially in neuroscience. The ability to control by light the activity of neurons has enabled the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring some level of vision in blinding retinal conditions. Promising preclinical and initial clinical data support such expectations.

Current Status of Clinical Trials Design and Outcomes in Retinal Gene Therapy.

With the rapid expansion of methods encompassed by the term gene therapy, new trials exploring the safety and efficacy of these methods are initiated more frequently. As a result, important questions arise pertaining the design of these trials and patient participation. One of the most important aspects of any clinical trial is the ability to measure the trial's outcome in a manner that will reflect the effect of the treatment and allow its quantification, whether the trial is aimed at preservation or restoration of retinal cells (photoreceptors and others), vision, or both.

Cyclopentenylcytosine (CPE-C): In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation as an Antiviral against Adenoviral Ocular Infections.

Adenoviruses are the major cause of ocular viral infections worldwide. Currently, there is no approved antiviral treatment for these eye infections. Cyclopentenylcytosine (CPE-C) is an antiviral that has demonstrated activity against more than 20 viruses.