Occurrence and outcome of firework-related ocular injuries in Switzerland: A descriptive retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Firework-related ocular injuries (FWROI) are a major cause of preventable visual impairment. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence and outcome of FWROI in Switzerland. METHODS This retrospective multicenter study included patients with FWROI from seven centers in Switzerland from January 2009 to August 2020. Demographic information, type of injuries, medical and surgical treatments, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and end of follow-up, occurrence and type of secondary complications, and duration of hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 105 patients (119 eyes) with a mean age of 27.1 ± 15.9 years were included in the study (71.4% male patients; 29.5% underage). Most injuries occurred around New Year's Eve (32.4%) and the Swiss national holiday on 1 August (60.9%). The most common anterior segment findings were conjunctival or corneal foreign bodies (58%), whereas Berlin's edema was the most common posterior segment finding (11.4%). Globe ruptures were found in four patients. The mean BCVA in all patients at first presentation was 0.4 ± 0.8 logMAR and improved to 0.3 ± 0.8 logMAR at last follow-up. A primary surgical intervention was performed in 48 eyes (40.3%). Hospitalization directly after the trauma was necessary for 18 patients for a mean of 5.8 ± 4.1 days, and a total of 4.9 ± 7.6 follow-up visits were needed. CONCLUSION This study provides the first data on FWROI in Switzerland, which are helpful for further preventive and educational programs and comparisons with other countries

Biochemical changes and treatment in glaucoma

Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness worldwide. This disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by high intraocular pressure, loss of retinal ganglion cells (apoptosis). Even though there is much research done in this field, the results have not yet managed to stop the progression of glaucoma or to heal this pathology. Free oxygen radicals play a major role; they are formed in the aqueous humor and in the vitreous and they produce apoptosis of the neurons in the optic nerve head, degradation of the trabecular meshwork cells. The purpose of the article is to help in trying to understand the physiopathology of glaucoma and the efficacy of its treatments