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Background: AMD (age-related macular degeneration) is the main cause of central vision loss in the population over 60 years old. AMD does not affect peripheral vision and complete blindness does not occur, instead, central vision is affected both for distance and for near. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neovascular form of AMD treatment and compare ocular and systemic effects after intravitreal injection of aflibercept, respectively after bevacizumab when administered in comparable dosages and regimens. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study from June 2021 to December 2022 and enrolled 20 patients with neovascular AMD who had not received any prior treatment for this condition. We randomly assigned them to two groups of 10: group one received aflibercept and group two received bevacizumab as intravitreal injections under aseptic conditions. We excluded 2 patients who did not meet the criteria and ended up with two groups of 9 patients who received monocular treatment. We gave the patients 3 monthly injections of anti-VEGF agent and followed them up at 1 month, 3 months, and 9 months after the treatment. We assessed their visual acuity, intraocular pressure and OCT appearance at each follow-up visit. The primary outcome was visual acuity. All 18 patients included in the study reported an improvement in visual acuity after the intervention. When comparing the two anti-VEGF agents, data revealed the effect of aflibercept was prompter and more long-lasting. Areas of retinal ischemia appeared in both cases. However, they were observed faster in the case of patients treated with aflibercept. Thus, neovascular AMD is a disease that occurs with age, it can be early detected by OCT and slowed the progression to central blindness with intravitreal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction. In necrotizing pancreatitis, international guidelines recommend waiting at least four weeks from the onset of acute pancreatitis (AP) to attempt the endoscopic and percutaneous drainage. However, when it comes to infected pancreatic necrosis, (IPN) the optimal time for drainage is not specific and was not evaluated since the surgical era. Aims. We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to compare early vs delayed endoscopic or percutaneous drainage in IPN. Methods. A systematic search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception until 31st March 2022, without restrictions. Eligible studies reported on differences in patients with IPN who underwent early drainage (intervention group: as defined in each study, less than 4 weeks) vs. patients who had late intervention (control group: as defined in each study, more than 4 weeks). We included both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Indication for drainage was infected necrosis and persistent organ failure. The random-effects model estimated pooled odds ratios (OR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval. The study protocol is registered on PROSPERO, CRD42022296711. Results. Out of 10141 records screened we included seven in the meta-analysis. Two studies are randomized controlled trials, and five are retrospective cohort studies. Our analysis revealed that mortality rates are similar between the two groups [OR 0.95; 95%CI 0.52-1.72]. Also, no significant differences were found for the incidences of new onset organ failure [OR 0.91; 95%CI 0.26-3.13] bleeding [OR 0.85; 95%CI 0.46-1.58], and the need for open surgery [OR 1.13; 95%CI 0.17-7.62] while the length of hospital stay (LOH) [MD 4.33; 95%CI -2.96-11,62] and number of days in intensive care unit (ICU) [MD 1.55; 95%CI -18.20-21.29] tended to be longer in the early drainage. Conclusion. Our results suggest that while early endoscopic and percutaneous intervention may not worsen the clinical outcomes it seems to be associated with prolonged LOH and ICU days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: AMD (age-related macular degeneration) is the main cause of central vision loss in the population over 60 years old. AMD does not affect peripheral vision and complete blindness does not occur, instead, central vision is affected both for distance and for near. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neovascular form of AMD treatment and compare ocular and systemic effects after intravitreal injection of aflibercept, respectively after bevacizumab when administered in comparable dosages and regimens. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study from June 2021 to December 2022 and enrolled 20 patients with neovascular AMD who had not received any prior treatment for this condition. We randomly assigned them to two groups of 10: group one received aflibercept and group two received bevacizumab as intravitreal injections under aseptic conditions. We excluded 2 patients who did not meet the criteria and ended up with two groups of 9 patients who received monocular treatment. We gave the patients 3 monthly injections of anti-VEGF agent and followed them up at 1 month, 3 months, and 9 months after the treatment. We assessed their visual acuity, intraocular pressure and OCT appearance at each follow-up visit. The primary outcome was visual acuity. All 18 patients included in the study reported an improvement in visual acuity after the intervention. When comparing the two anti-VEGF agents, data revealed the effect of aflibercept was prompter and more long-lasting. Areas of retinal ischemia appeared in both cases. However, they were observed faster in the case of patients treated with aflibercept. Thus, neovascular AMD is a disease that occurs with age, it can be early detected by OCT and slowed the progression to central blindness with intravitreal treatment., Competing Interests: None to declare., (Copyright © 2023, Medical University Publishing House Craiova.)

One of the fields of medicine in which artificial intelligence techniques have made progress is ophthalmology. Artificial intelligence (A.I.) applications for preventing vision loss in eye illnesses have developed quickly. Artificial intelligence uses computer programs to execute various activities while mimicking human thought. Machine learning techniques are frequently utilized in the field of ophthalmology. Ophthalmology holds great promise for advancing artificial intelligence, thanks to various digital methods like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field testing. Artificial intelligence has been used in ophthalmology to treat eye conditions impairing vision, including macular holes (M.H.), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts. The more common occurrence of these diseases has led to artificial intelligence development. It is important to get annual screenings to detect eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. These conditions can cause decreased visual acuity, and it is necessary to identify any changes or progression in the disease to receive appropriate treatment. Numerous studies have been conducted based on artificial intelligence using different algorithms to improve and simplify current medical practice and for early detection of eye diseases to prevent vision loss. Abbreviations: AI = artificial intelligence, AMD = age-related macular degeneration, ANN = artificial neural networks, AAO = American Academy of Ophthalmology, CNN = convolutional neural network, DL = deep learning, DVP = deep vascular plexus, FDA = Food and Drug Administration, GCL = ganglion cell layer, IDP = Iowa Detection Program, ML = Machine learning techniques, MH = macular holes, MTANN = massive training of the artificial neural network, NLP = natural language processing methods, OCT = optical coherence tomography, RBS = Radial Basis Function, RNFL = nerve fiber layer, ROP = Retinopathy of Prematurity, SAP = standard automated perimetry, SVP = Superficial vascular plexus, U.S. = United States, VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor., (#x00A9; The Authors.Romanian Society of Ophthalmology.)

Currently, surgical techniques, such as internal limiting membrane peeling, are used widely for macular holes, macular puckers, epiretinal membranes, diabetic macular edema, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusions, vitreomacular traction, optic pit maculopathy, and Terson syndrome. This study aimed to highlight any differences regarding visual acuity and ocular tomography coherence changes after staining the internal limiting membrane with dilutions of Brilliant Blue G vs. lutein/zeaxanthin-based dyes. This study involved 30 eyes of 30 patients who had undergone posterior pole vitrectomy for idiopathic stage 4 macular hole. The study lot was divided in two subgroups, 15 eyes colored with Brilliant Blue and the other 15 eyes colored with lutein and zeaxanthin dyes. The association between visual prognosis, ocular tomography coherence changes and intraocular pressure was analyzed. The surgical treatment with required endoillumination levels and a 2-min period of dye using the Alcon Constellation Vision System had no negative impact on cell viability and improved visual acuity by 30%. Staining makes it easier to remove, to be quick and precise while performing macular surgeries. In has been observed that lutein and zeaxanthin dyes offer an intraoperative protective screen that protects photoreceptors more than Brilliant Blue while performing pars plana vitrectomy. Both study groups had good results in time. Surgical visualization is an evolving technology., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Popescu et al.)