Work-related eye injuries: A relevant health problem. main epidemiological data from a highly-industrialized area of northern Italy

The province of Modena is one of the most industrialized areas of Northern Italy. The medical records of the Ophthalmological Emergency Department (OED) of Modena University Hospital were studied: there were 13, 470 OED accesses in 2014 and in 754 cases that an occupational eye injury occurred. The frequency of work-related eye injuries (3â°) was lower compared to other published studies, but the absolute number is still relevant, showing the need for more adequate prevention, especially in metal work, construction work, and agriculture, where the worst prognoses were observed. Intervention programs must be implemented as early as possible in the working life, considering that the frequency in younger workers is about double that of the oldest age class (3.5â°vs. 1.8â°), and special attention should also be given to foreigners, who have a 50% higher injury risk. Furthermore, the planning of specific interventions for eye-injured workers may be useful, considering that a previous injury does not appear to encourage the adoption of preventive interventions, and a subgroup of eye-injured workers have a potential risk for new injuries. Finally, the data presented here indicates how OED records, integrated with specific occupational information, can be applied for studies on work-related eye injuries

Results and complications of surgeons-in-training learning bimanual microincision cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual outcomes and complications of bimanual microincision cataract surgery performed by surgeons in training. SETTING: Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), astigmatism, corneal pachymetry, and endothelial cell count were evaluated before and 7 and 30 days after bimanual MICS performed by surgeons in training. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Three surgeons in training performed bimanual MICS in 150 eyes of 131 patients. There were 18 intraoperative complications (12.0%) (10 iris traumas [6.6%]; 4 capsule ruptures without vitreous loss [2.7%]; 3 capsule ruptures with vitreous loss [2.0%]; 1 intraocular lens [IOL] implantation in the sulcus due to zonular laxity [0.7%]). There were 5 postoperative complications (3.3%) (2 iris prolapses [1.3%]; 1 IOL loop malposition [0.7%]; 1 narrowing of anterior chamber [0.7%]; 1 capsulorhexis phimosis [0.7%]). Thirty days postoperatively, the mean CDVA improvement was 0.53 ± 0.20 (Snellen decimal) (P < .05), the mean decrease in astigmatism was 0.09 ± 0.54 diopter (P = .29), and the mean increase in corneal pachymetry was 7.42 ± 22.01 μm (P = .12). There was statistically significant endothelial cell loss (mean 496.50 ± 469.66 cells/mm(2)) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Bimanual MICS performed by surgeons in training was safe and effective. Visual outcomes and complication rates were similar to those reported for coaxial cataract surgery performed by surgeons in training

Long-term follow-up for bimanual microincision cataract surgery: Comparison of results obtained by surgeons in training and experienced surgeons

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of bimanual microincision cataract surgery (B-MICS) performed by surgeons in training, evaluating clinical results, posterior capsule opacification (PCO) incidence, and clear corneal incision (CCI) architecture in a long-term follow-up and comparing results with those obtained by experienced surgeons. Patients and methods: Eighty eyes of 62 patients operated on by three surgeons in training who used B-MICS technique for the first time were included in the study (Group A). Eighty eyes of 59 patients who underwent B-MICS by three experienced surgeons were included as a control group (Group B). Best corrected visual acuity, astigmatism, corneal pachymetry, and endothelial cell count were evaluated before surgery and at 1 month and 18 months after surgery. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography images were obtained to study the morphology of CCIs. PCO incidence was evaluated using EPCO2000 software. Results: Out of 160 surgeries included in the study, mean best-corrected visual acuity improvement at 18 months was 0.343\ub10.246 logMAR for Group A, and 0.388\ub10.175 logMAR for Group B, respectively. We found no statistically significant induced astigmatism nor corneal pachymetry changes in either group, while we noticed a statistically significant endothelial cell loss postoperatively in both groups (P < 0.05). In Group A, mean PCO score was 0.163\ub10.196, while for Group B, it was 0.057\ub10.132 (P=0.0025). Mean length and inclination of the CCIs for Group A and Group B were, respectively, 1,358\ub1175 \ub5m and 1,437\ub1256 \ub5m and 141.8\ub0\ub16.4\ub0 and 148.7\ub0\ub15.1\ub0. As regards corneal architecture in the 320 CCIs considered, we found posterior wound retractions and endothelial gaps, respectively, 9.8% and 11.6% for Group A and 7.8% and 10.8% for Group B. Conclusion: B-MICS performed by surgeons in training is an effective surgical technique even when assessed after a long-term follow-up. PCO incidence resulted in being higher for less experienced surgeons. Corneal incisions were shorter and less angled in surgeons in training in comparison with results obtained by expert surgeons

Corneal incision width after lens implantation: Comparing delivery systems: Corneal incision width and injector systems

Abstract Purpose To compare corneal incision width after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (IOL) using different delivery systems. Methods One hundred and seventeen patients with cataract and no other anterior segment pathological features or previous eye surgery underwent cataract surgery with IOL implantation through a 2.2 mm incision. Three foldable IOL were implanted with their recommended delivery systems: Acrysof© SN60WF with Monarch© III/cartridge D (Group A, 38 patients); Tecnis© ZCB00 with Unfolder Platinum/cartridge easy load (Group B, 38 patients); Acrysof© SN60WF with Ultrasert™ preloaded system (Group C, 42 patients). Incision width was measured before and after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Results Before and after phacoemulsification incision width was, respectively, 2.21 ± 0.02 mm and 2.34 ± 0.08 mm in group A; 2.20 ± 0.02 mm and 2.31 ± 0.06 mm in group B; 2.20 ± 0.02 mm and 2.30 ± 0.07 mm in group C. Incision width was not significantly enlarged after phacoemulsification. Before and after IOL implantation incision width was, respectively, 2.34 ± 0.07 mm and 2.47 ± 0.07 mm in group A; 2.32 ± 0.06 mm and 2.45 ± 0.08 mm in group B; 2.30 ± 0.07 mm and 2.39 ± 0.07 mm in group C. Incision widths in group C were significantly different to groups A and B. No relationship was found between incision sizes and phacoemulsification time, ultrasound energy and IOL powers. Conclusion In cataract surgery Ultrasert™ enlarges the corneal incision less than other delivery systems

From discovery to approval of an advanced therapy medicinal product-containing stem cells, in the EU

In 1997, the human corneal epithelium was reconstructed in vitro and transplanted on patients. Later, it became a routine treatment, before regulations considered advanced therapy medicinal products and drugs on the same lines. Manufacturing, before and after good manufacturing practice setting, was established in different facilities and the clinical application in several hospitals. Advanced therapy medicinal products, including stem cells, are unique products with different challenges than other drugs: some uncertainties, in addition to benefit, cannot be avoided. This review will focus on all recent developments in the stem cell based corneal therapy

Mechanisms of Hydrogen Sulfide against the Progression of Severe Alzheimer’s Disease in Transgenic Mice at Different Ages

Abstract Backgroud: Alzheimer disease is an age-related severe neurodegenerative pathology. The level of the third endogenous gas, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is decreased in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients compared with the brain of the age-matched normal individuals; also, plasma H2S levels are negatively correlated with the severity of AD. Recently, we have demonstrated that systemic H2S injections are neuroprotective in an early phase of preclinical AD. Objectives: This study focuses on the possible neuroprotection of a chronic treatment with an H2S donor and sulfurous water (rich of H2S) in a severe transgenic 3×Tg-AD mice model. Method: 3×Tg-AD mice at 2 different ages (6 and 12 months) were daily treated intraperitoneally with an H2S donor and sulfurous water (rich of H2S) for 3 months consecutively. We investigated the cognitive ability, brain morphological alterations, amyloid/tau cascade, excitotoxic, inflammatory and apoptotic responses. Results: Three months of treatments with H2S significantly protected against impairment in learning and memory in a severe 3×Tg-AD mice model, at both ages studied, and reduced the size of Amyloid β plaques with preservation of the morphological picture. This neuroprotection appeared mainly in the cortex and hippocampus, associated with reduction in activity of c-jun N-terminal kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38, which have an established role not only in the phosphorylation of tau protein but also in the inflammatory and excitotoxic response. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that appropriate treatments with various sources of H2S, might represent an innovative approach to counteract early and severe AD progression in humans

Clinical evidence for key benefits of 1.8 mm MICS.

Valutation of clinical evidence for key benefits of 1.8 mm MICS

Ciclosporina A: Esperienze cliniche ed indicazioni sul trattamento sistemico e locale in Oftalmologia. Bollettino di Aggiornamento in farmacologia oculare.

Si descrive l'uso della ciclosporina A in oftalmologia, da un punto di vista sistemico e local