Spaceflight Effects and Molecular Responses in the Mouse Eye: Observations After Shuttle Mission STS-133

Microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shift and radiation exposure are some of the stressors seen in space exploration. Ocular changes leading to visual impairment in astronauts are of occupational health relevance. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of space flight in the eyes of mice. Six mice were assigned to Flight (FLT), Animal enclosure Module (AEM), or vivarium (VIV) group, respectively. Mice were sacrificed at 1, 5 or 7 days after landing from space. One eye was used for histological and immunohistoche-mistry analysis and the other eye for gene expression profiling. 8-OHdG and caspase-3 immunoreactivity were increased in the retina in FLT samples at return(R+1) compared to AEM/VIV groups, and decreased at day 7 (R+7). beta-amyloid was seen in the nerve fibers at the post-laminar region of the optic nerve in the flight samples (R+7). In addition, oxidative and cellular stress response genes were upregulated in the retina of FLT samples upon landing, and decreased by R+7. According to the results, a reversible molecular damage may occur in the retina of mice exposed to spaceflight followed by protective cellular response

Spaceflight and the Mouse Eye: Results from Experiments on Shuttle Missions STS-133 and STS-135

Vision alterations associated with globe flattening, chorodial folds and papilledema, shown in some crew members returning from long duration missions. Hypothesis: Ocular neuroanatomical changes observed in the VIIP syndrome are accompanied by retinal changes at the molecular and cellular level that may affect retinal health and physiology. Objective: Investigate evidence of ocular (retinal) changes associated with spaceflight: (1) histological markers of cellular death and damage (2) molecular markers of oxidative stress (3) gene expression markers of stres

The Vitreomacular Interface in Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading health concern and a major cause of blindness. DR can be complicated by scar tissue formation, macular edema, and tractional retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography has found that patients with DR often have diffuse retinal thickening, cystoid macular edema, posterior hyaloid traction, and tractional retinal detachment. Newer imaging techniques can even detect fine tangential folds and serous macular detachment. The interplay of the vitreous and the retina in the progression of DR involves multiple chemokine and other regulatory factors including VEGF. Understanding the cells infiltrating pathologic membranes at the vitreomacular interface has opened up the possibility of new targets for pharmacotherapy. Vitrectomies for DR remain a vital tool to help relieve tension on the macula by removing membranes, improving edema absorption, and eliminating the scaffold for new membrane formation. Newer treatments such as triamcinolone acetonide and VEGF inhibitors have become essential as a rapid way to control DR at the vitreomacular interface, improve macular edema, and reduce retinal neovascularization. These treatments alone, and in conjunction with PRP, help to prevent worsening of the VMI in patients with DR

Anti-MOG and Psychiatric Manifestations In Pediatric Patients: 2 Cases

Autoimmunity against Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) may affect brain development, and be associated with pediatric Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder. Brain development in younger humans is rapid but incomplete, rendering a state of vulnerability to profound neuronal damage in inflammation

Retrobulbar Optic Nerve ischemia: Imaging Considerations

Uncommon and unexpected etiologies of unilateral posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION) can be unmasked by specific radiological tests and interventions. We present three cases were imaging was essential to unravel theculprit of unilateral PION secondary to ophthalmic artery(OA) dissection, cavernous ICA dissection and asymptomatic active TA

A Case Report of Epstein-Barr Virus Ocular and Orbital infection

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can cause follicular conjunctivitis, keratitis, oculoglandular syndrome, meningitis, and encephalitis. We present a case of corneal-orbital and extraorbital manifestation secondary to suspected EBV infection

Homonymous Hemianopsia as the Presenting Sign of Migrainous Infarction

Migraine is a clinical diagnosis. Occasionally, unusual presentations make migraine a diagnosis of exclusion, where imaging is required to rule out structural pathologies before the diagnosis of a migraine can be made. This condition presents a great diagnostic challenge for clinicians because the pathophysiology is not entirely clear, and evaluation of a migrainous infarction upon initial presentation lacks nuance. In typical migraine headaches, visual field phenomena are temporary, unlike the case presented here where persistent visual field loss should prompt neuroimaging

Triple Hit Ophthalmoplegia

Complete bilateral ophthalmoplegia is an uncommon presentation of lymphoma metastasis but to carry a "triple hit "lymphoma (THL) is even more. We present a very unique case of complete ophthalmoplegia secondary to bilateral cavernous sinus (CVS) infiltration of diffuse B cell lymphoma with three different mutations: c-MYC (cell proliferation), BCL2 (anti-apoptotic), and BCL6 (oncogene). The patient was treated with several innovative chemotherapies and survived for almost a year. Local radiation therapy significantly improved ophthalmoplegia

Retinal Damage Induced by Internal Limiting Membrane Removal

The internal limiting membrane (ILM), the basement membrane of the Müller cells, serves as the interface between the vitreous body and the retinal nerve fiber layer. It has a fundamental role in the development, structure, and function of the retina, although it also is a pathologic component in the various vitreoretinal disorders, most notably in macular holes. It was not until understanding of the evolution of idiopathic macular holes and the advent of idiopathic macular hole surgery that the idea of adjuvant ILM peeling in the treatment of tractional maculopathies was explored. Today intentional ILM peeling is a commonly applied surgical technique among vitreoretinal surgeons as it has been found to increase the rate of successful macular hole closure and improve surgical outcomes in other vitreoretinal diseases. Though ILM peeling has refined surgery for tractional maculopathies, like all surgical procedures it is not immune to perioperative risk. The essential role of the ILM to the integrity of the retina and risk of trauma to retinal tissue spurs suspicion with regard to its routine removal. Several authors have investigated the retinal damage induced by ILM peeling and these complications have been manifested across many different diagnostic studies