AXIAL EYE LENGTH AND KERATOMETRIC CHANGES AFTER SCLERAL BUCKLING SURGERY

Background. The objectivization of keratometric and axial length changes in patients with retinal detachment undergoing standard scleral buckling surgery procedure.Patients and methods. Prospective evaluation of 40 patients with rhegmathogenus retinal detachment. We used STORZ Compuscan V2.00 to measure the axial length of the bulbus 1 week before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. We repeated the same time schedule for keratometric measurement; here we used ALCON keratometer.Results and discussion. In most patients we found a lengthening of the globe and an increase of corneal astigmatism. Axial eye length was significantly increased 1 week after surgery (0,91 mm 1 week after surgery) but 3 months later there was no statistically significant difference (0.48 mm). Corneal astigmatism was also significantly increased 1 week after surgery (0.41 D), but 3 months later only minimal change remain (0.05 D).Conclusions. In all cases of scleral buckling procedures axial length and keratometric changes are to be expected but at least 3 month after surgery they are not statistically significant any more.</p

OCULAR TOXOPLASMOSIS

Background. Ocular toxoplasmosis is one of the important causes of severe visual loss in young otherwise healthy people. Diagnosis is clinical, supported by laboratory tests. Current evidence about the timing of toxoplasma infection leading to ocular disease suggests, that recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is the result of prenatal (congenital) or remote, postnatal (acquired) infection. The timing of infection is rarely exactly known, and retinitis is not only a late manifestation of congenital disease as previously believed. The purpose is to review recent observations regarding ocular toxoplasmosis, and to review our experiences in the treatment of our patients with this illness.Methods. A review of the medical literature about ocular toxoplasmosis, especially regarding pathogenesis, therapy and prevention of the disease.Results. Epidemiological data for toxoplasmosis are various in different parts of the world. The highest rate is in Brasil. In Slovenia the rate is similar like in France or in the Netherlands (at age 40 there is 60% population seropositive). Toxoplasmosis screening in pregnant women is partly performed since 1991 and systematically since 1995 in Slovenia. No retinochorioditis was found in newborns so far. In the pathogenesis there are some several potential sources and routes of infections, that were previously unrecognized. Ocular involvement in cases of acquired infection appears to be more common than believed before. Classical therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis is still most commonly used. In prevention the education of pregnant women, and correct treatment of infected patients is recommended.Conclusions. The time of infection with Toxoplasma gondii and consequential retinochoroiditis is rarely confirmed. Patients with acquired infection after birth are probably more numerous than with congenital disease. As potentially treatable and preventable cause of visual loss these facts must be considered in primary and secondary prevention of the disease.</p

Guidance on noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory therapy in noninfectious uveitis: fundamentals of care for uveitis (focus) initiative

Topic: An international, expert-led consensus initiative to develop systematic, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis in the era of biologics. Clinical Relevance: The availability of biologic agents for the treatment of human eye disease has altered practice patterns for the management of noninfectious uveitis. Current guidelines are insufficient to assure optimal use of noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory agents. Methods: An international expert steering committee comprising 9 uveitis specialists (including both ophthalmologists and rheumatologists) identified clinical questions and, together with 6 bibliographic fellows trained in uveitis, conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol systematic reviewof the literature (English language studies from January 1996 through June 2016; Medline [OVID], the Central Cochrane library, EMBASE,CINAHL,SCOPUS,BIOSIS, andWeb of Science). Publications included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies with sufficient follow-up, case series with 15 cases or more, peer-reviewed articles, and hand-searched conference abstracts from key conferences. The proposed statements were circulated among 130 international uveitis experts for review.Atotal of 44 globally representativegroupmembersmet in late 2016 to refine these guidelines using a modified Delphi technique and assigned Oxford levels of evidence. Results: In total, 10 questions were addressed resulting in 21 evidence-based guidance statements covering the following topics: when to start noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory therapy, including both biologic and nonbiologic agents; what data to collect before treatment; when to modify or withdraw treatment; how to select agents based on individual efficacy and safety profiles; and evidence in specific uveitic conditions. Shared decision-making, communication among providers and safety monitoring also were addressed as part of the recommendations. Pharmacoeconomic considerations were not addressed. Conclusions: Consensus guidelines were developed based on published literature, expert opinion, and practical experience to bridge the gap between clinical needs and medical evidence to support the treatment of patients with noninfectious uveitis with noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory agents

PHYSIOTHERAPY OF BLIND AND LOW VISION INDIVIDUALS

Background. The authors present a preventive physiotherapy programme intended to improve the well-being of persons who have been blind or visually impaired since birth or experience partial or complete loss of vision later in life as a result of injury or disease.Methods. Different methods and techniques of physiotherapy, kinesitherapy and relaxation used in the rehabilitation of visually impaired persons are described.Results. The goals of timely physical treatment are to avoid unnecessary problems, such as improper posture, tension of the entire body, face and eyes, and deterioration of facial expression, that often accompany partial or complete loss of vision. Regular training improves functional skills, restores the skills that have been lost, and prevents the development of defects and consequent disorders of the locomotor apparatus.Conclusions. It is very difficult to change the life style and habits of blind and visually imapired persons. Especially elderly people who experience complete or partial loss of vision later in their lives are often left to their fate. Therefore blind and visually impaired persons of all age groups should be enrolled in a suitable rehabilitation programme that will improve the quality of their life.</p

CATARACT SURGERY IN UVEITIS PATIENTS

Background. To present techniques and results of cataract surgery in uveitis patients.Patients and methods. In this retrospective study, 10 patients (11 eyes) are presented with uveitic cataract of different etiology. The operations were performed between y. 1998 and 2000. All our patients had posterior synechiae of the iris, 4 of them secclusion of the pupil. Visual acuity and inflammation was noted before, 1 week and again 6 month after operation.Results. Phacoemulsification and synechiolisis were performed in all our patients as well as foldable IOL inserted in all of them. Iris retractors were used in 3 patients and intracapsular tension ring in 2 patients. Mean visual acuity before the operation was 0.05, and 0.63 six months after the operation. In none, postoperative inflammation was greater than 1+. In one patient, reversible reactivation of the disease ensued later and one developed reversible cystoid macular edema. Both had subsided by 6 months.Conclusions. The results of the cataract surgery with phacoemulsificaton in uveitis patients are good. Preoperative management, especially in the sense of controlling the inflammation, special surgical techniques, avoiding the excessive manipulation of the iris and postoperative care are very important.</p

The Comparison of Retinal Microvascular Findings in Acute COVID-19 and 1-Year after Hospital Discharge Assessed with Multimodal Imaging—A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study

This study aimed to quantify possible long-term impairment of the retinal microcirculation and microvasculature by reassessing a cohort of patients with acute COVID-19 without other known comorbidities one year after their discharge from the hospital. Thirty patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 without known systemic comorbidities were enrolled in this prospective longitudinal cohort study. Fundus photography, SS-OCT, and SS-OCTA using swept-source OCT (SS-OCT, Topcon DRI OCT Triton; Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) were performed in the COVID-19 unit and 1-year after hospital discharge. The cohort’s median age was 60 years (range 28–65) and 18 (60%) were male. Mean vein diameter (MVD) significantly decreased over time, from 134.8 μm in the acute phase to 112.4 μm at a 1-year follow-up (p p = 0.047) and inferior (mean diff. 1.56 95% CI 0.50–2.61, p p p < 0.001) quadrants of the outer ring. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding vessel density of the superior and deep capillary plexuses. The transient dilatation of the retinal vessels in the acute phase of COVID-19, as well as RNFL thickness changes, could become a biomarker of angiopathy in patients with severe COVID-19

The Role of ACE, ACE2, and AGTR2 Polymorphisms in COVID-19 Severity and the Presence of COVID-19-Related Retinopathy

The proposed SARS-CoV-2-induced dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system results in endothelial dysfunction and microvascular thrombosis. The retinal plexuses contain terminal vessels without anastomotic connections, making the retina especially susceptible to ischemia. This study aimed to determine the role of selected polymorphisms of genes in the RAAS pathway in COVID-19 severity and their association with the presence of COVID-19 retinopathy. 69 hospitalized patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 without known systemic comorbidities and 96 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. The retina was assessed with fundus photography using a Topcon DRI OCT Triton (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan) in the COVID-19 unit. Genotyping of selected polymorphisms in the genes for ACE (rs4646994), ACE2 (rs2285666), and AGTR2 (rs1403543) was performed. The COVID-19 group was divided into mild (n = 12) and severe (n = 57), and then further divided according to the presence of COVID-19 retinopathy (Yes, n = 50; No, n = 19). The presence of the AGTR2 rs1403543-AA genotype was associated with a 3.8-fold increased risk of COVID-19 retinopathy (p = 0.05). The genotype frequencies of selected gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with either the presence of COVID-19 or its severity. This is the first study demonstrating a borderline association of the AGTR2 rs1403543-AA genotype with COVID-19 retinopathy in males; hence, the AGTR2 rs 1403543 A allele might represent a genetic risk factor for COVID-19 retinopathy in males

EULAR study group on 'MHC-I-opathy':identifying disease-overarching mechanisms across disciplines and borders

The 'MHC-I (major histocompatibility complex class I)-opathy' concept describes a family of inflammatory conditions with overlapping clinical manifestations and a strong genetic link to the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway. Classical MHC-I-opathies such as spondyloarthritis, Behçet's disease, psoriasis and birdshot uveitis are widely recognised for their strong association with certain MHC-I alleles and gene variants of the antigen processing aminopeptidases ERAP1 and ERAP2 that implicates altered MHC-I peptide presentation to CD8+T cells in the pathogenesis. Progress in understanding the cause and treatment of these disorders is hampered by patient phenotypic heterogeneity and lack of systematic investigation of the MHC-I pathway.Here, we discuss new insights into the biology of MHC-I-opathies that strongly advocate for disease-overarching and integrated molecular and clinical investigation to decipher underlying disease mechanisms. Because this requires transformative multidisciplinary collaboration, we introduce the EULAR study group on MHC-I-opathies to unite clinical expertise in rheumatology, dermatology and ophthalmology, with fundamental and translational researchers from multiple disciplines such as immunology, genomics and proteomics, alongside patient partners. We prioritise standardisation of disease phenotypes and scientific nomenclature and propose interdisciplinary genetic and translational studies to exploit emerging therapeutic strategies to understand MHC-I-mediated disease mechanisms. These collaborative efforts are required to address outstanding questions in the etiopathogenesis of MHC-I-opathies towards improving patient treatment and prognostication.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe