Comparing the stromal demarcation line depth in standard versus high-intensity corneal CXL using anterior segment OCT

Paper no. 10466PURPOSE: To compare the depth of the corneal stromal demarcation line at center and periphery in standard versus high intensity collagen cross-linking (CXL) using Visante (Carl-Zeiss Meditec) anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: Cases with keratoconus or post-LASIK ectasia with CXL performed by a single surgeon in a private setting tertiary hospital during a 24 month period (November 2011 to November 2013) were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were divided into Group 1: standard 30 minutes CXL with average intensity 3.0 mW/cm² and Group 2: high intensity 10 minutes ...postprin

Predisposing factors, microbial characteristics and clinical outcome of microbial keratitis in Hong Kong: a 10-year experience

The World Cornea Congress (WCC-7) will be held immediately preceding the ASCRS•ASOA Symposium and Congresspostprin

Genomic and epigenomic EBF1 alterations modulate TERT expression in gastric cancer

Transcriptional reactivation of telomerase catalytic subunit (TERT) is a frequent hallmark of cancer, occurring in 90% of human malignancies. However, specific mechanisms driving TERT reactivation remain obscure for many tumor types and in particular gastric cancer (GC), a leading cause of global cancer mortality. Here, through comprehensive genomic and epigenomic analysis of primary GCs and GC cell lines, we identified the transcription factor early B cell factor 1 (EBF1) as a TERT transcriptional repressor and inactivation of EBF1 function as a major cause of TERT upregulation. Abolishment of EBF1 function occurs through 3 distinct (epi)genomic mechanisms. First, EBF1 is epigenetically silenced via DNA methyltransferase, polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and histone deacetylase activity in GCs. Second, recurrent, somatic, and heterozygous EBF1 DNA–binding domain mutations result in the production of dominant-negative EBF1 isoforms. Third, more rarely, genomic deletions and rearrangements proximal to the TERT promoter remobilize or abolish EBF1-binding sites, derepressing TERT and leading to high TERT expression. EBF1 is also functionally required for various malignant phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its importance for GC development. These results indicate that multimodal genomic and epigenomic alterations underpin TERT reactivation in GC, converging on transcriptional repressors such as EBF1

Clinical application of corneal collagen cross-linking - Keratoconus and beyond

Synopsis: This course will discuss the clinical use of corneal collagen crosslinking in the treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases including corneal ectasia, infective keratitis, bullous keratopathy and cystic bleb leakage. Various techniques of crosslinking will be discussed, including use of accelerated, pulsed and trans-epithelial crosslinking. Objective: At the conclusion of this course, the attendee will be more confident in selecting the most suitable technique of crosslinking in the treatment of keratoconus. They will also have a better understanding on the use of crosslinking in other anterior segment disorders including leaking cystic bleb, bullous keratopathy and infectious keratitis

Initial experience and early outcome of using intravitreal aflibercept in non-AMD cases in Hong Kong

Poster - Physiology/Pharmacology: no. 143-P34-

Establishing research in ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Hong Kong: an institution profile

Established in 2006, the Department of Ophthalmology of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong became the territory’s second clinical academic unit in ophthalmology and visual science. Under the leadership of Professor David Sai Hung Wong (recently succeeded by Professor Jimmy Shiu Ming Lai), the department has focused on clinical excellence and research in vitreoretinal disease, glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and cornea and external eye disease. Through collaboration with leading ophthalmic institutions locally and abroad, the department aims to become one of the top academic institutions in Southeast Asia.link_to_OA_fulltex

A Case Report: Anti-Psychotic Agents Related Ocular Toxicity

Chlorpromazine is known to cause ocular pigmentary deposits. However, delayed presentation after cessation of chlorpromazine has not been reported. There are also no reports on whether newer generation of anti-psychotic agents contribute to ocular toxicity. We describe a case of ocular toxicity related to anti-psychotic agents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anterior segment pigmentary deposits associated with olanzapine use, 2 years after the cessation of chlorpromazine.We report a case of ocular toxicity in a patient with history of chlorpromazine usage of 100 mg per day for 13 years and subsequently switched to olanzapine 5 mg for 2 years. There were no signs of ocular toxicity while the patient was on chlorpromazine. However, when the patient switched to olanzapine, she developed the ocular side effect as described for chlorpromazine-induced ocular toxicity, with pigmentary depositions on both corneas and the anterior lens surface and decrease in vision.Olanzapine, a newer anti-psychotic agent, may play a role in the ocular pigmentary deposition, either directly causing pigmentary deposition itself or accentuating the effect of chlorpromazine as the 2 drugs act on the same receptors, although further studies are required to support this hypothesis. As patients with psychiatric conditions may not voluntarily complain of visual symptoms, ocular screening could be considered in these patients receiving chronic anti-psychotic treatment, so that any ocular toxicity could be diagnosed in a timely manner.link_to_OA_fulltex

Prevalence of ocular abnormalities in adults with Down syndrome in Hong Kong

Background/Aims: This was a cross-sectional survey to find the prevalence of visual impairment and eye diseases among adults with Down syndrome (DS) in Hong Kong. Methods: 91 DS patients over the age of 30 were recruited through the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association. Each patient was provided with a complete ophthalmological assessment including best corrected visual acuity, refraction, slit lamp and fundus examination. Results: In our sample, 56.6% had normal vision to mild vision impairment, 33.7% and 7.2% had moderate and severe vision impairment, respectively, and 2.4% were blind. The mean presenting distant LogMAR visual acuity was 0.66 (Snellen equivalent 20/90), and the best corrected LogMAR visual acuity was 0.48 (Snellen equivalent 20/60). Significant refractive errors were found in 86.3% of the eyes, with spherical equivalent corrections ranging from -23.25D to +3.00D. Myopia and astigmatism were prevalent and found in 59.3% and 72.7% of the eyes, respectively. Blepharitis and chalazion were found in 44% of the eyes, while corneal problems were present in 27.5%. There were low incidences of infective keratitis (0.5%), keratoconus (0.5%) and Brushfield spots (1.1%). Cataracts were found in 72.2% of the eyes; 26.1% were congenital and 44.9% were age-related. Fundal abnormalities were present in 49.5% of the eyes. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of vision impairment among Chinese DS adults. Uncorrected refractive errors, high myopia and cataracts are the main visually debilitating ophthalmological abnormalities. Vision may be improved through the simple use of glasses and early treatment of age-related cataracts.link_to_subscribed_fulltex