Search

Background: To analyze the concentration of aqueous humor (AH) cytokines in eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and to investigate their potential correlation with disease severity. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional case-control institutional study. A total of 16 eyes of 16 iERM patients and 14 eyes of 14 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. AH samples were analyzed for various biomarkers using a glass-chip protein array. Cytokines associated with inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and glial signal transduction were quantified. Results: Significant differences in cytokine concentration were observed between the iERM group and controls, with 19 cytokines elevated in the iERM group (among them IL-6, IL-8, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, TGFB-1, TGFB-2, TGFB-3, VEGF A, VEGF C, VEGF D, p < 0,05, 95% confidence interval). Correlation analysis revealed associations between cytokine levels and iERM severity. Notably, stages 2, 3, and 4 of iERM demonstrated increased levels of various biomarkers. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the complex molecular interactions underlying iERM pathogenesis, describing a correlation between neuroinflammation and iERM severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyse morpho‐functional foveal changes in eyes with lamellar macular hole (LMH) by an integrated assessment of short‐wavelength fundus autofluorescence (SW‐FAF) and microperimetry (SW‐FAF/microperimetry integrated assessment) before and after treatment with a technique of double‐inverted flaps of epiretinal proliferation (EP) and internal limiting membrane (ILM). Methods: Clinical and tomographic parameters were best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), LMH size, central retinal thickness (CRT) and outer retinal layer integrity. SW‐FAF/microperimetry integrated assessment allowed to analyse retinal sensitivity (RS) and FAF status of the fovea by an overlay of RS map on SW‐FAF image. Follow‐up was at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 postoperative months. Results: Forty pseudophakic eyes. Hyper‐FAF area was associated with larger LMH size (p = 0.0073) and inversely correlated with CRT (p = 0.021). Lower preoperative RS was observed in hyper‐FAF than normo‐FAF areas (p = 0.0117). External limiting membrane (ELM) defect was associated with worse BCVA (p = 0.0004). After surgery, BCVA improved (p = 0.001) and it was related to ELM recovery (p = 0.00483), hyper‐FAF area decreased (p = 0.001), and RS increased (p = 0.440). Hyper‐FAF points that normalized their FAF were associated with higher RS improvement compared to unchanged points. Conclusion: Short‐wavelength fundus autofluorescence/microperimetry integrated assessment provides important information on the entity of damage of LMH and on postoperative recovery. Double‐inverted EP and ILM flap technique is safe and effective for LMH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a reply to an article discussing the state of the art in artificial iris devices. The authors argue that the available literature is insufficient to determine whether these devices contribute to glaucoma incidence or severity in eyes with congenital or traumatic aniridia. They also criticize the article for not including information on several devices that are no longer available worldwide and for neglecting important studies on iris prosthesis. However, the authors conclude that artificial iris devices greatly improve vision and quality of life for patients with aniridia and that surgeons should not be discouraged from offering these devices. [Extracted from the article]