165 research outputs found

    The association between visual display terminal use and dry eye:a review

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    Background: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the tear film and ocular surface. It causes ocular symptoms, reduced quality of life and a considerable economic burden on society. Prolonged use of visual display terminals (VDTs) has been suggested as an important risk factor for DED. Purpose: This review aims to study the association between DED and VDT use with an emphasis on the prevalence of DED among VDT users and harmful daily duration of VDT use. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted and yielded 57 relevant articles based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies were subclassified according to study design. Results: The far majority of the studies showed an association between VDT use and DED or DED-related signs and symptoms. The prevalence of definite or probable DED in VDT and office workers ranged from 26% to 70%, with as few as 1–2 hr of VDT exposure per day being associated with DED. Conclusion: VDT use is strongly associated with DED. VDT-associated DED is prevalent, but the exact prevalence needs to be further elucidated using standardized DED diagnosis criteria. Furthermore, a safe lower limit of daily VDT use has yet to be established. More research is needed on the effect of digitalization and digital transformation, which are particularly high during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic

    In-office thermal systems for the treatment of dry eye disease

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    Dry eye disease affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain, vision disturbance, and reduced productivity. Meibomian gland dysfunction, a major cause of dry eye, is characterized by chronic glandular inflammation, thickening of the meibum, obstruction of terminal ducts, and glandular atrophy. Treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction can utilize heat and pressure applied to the meibomian glands, increasing meibum expression. With self-treatments, however, not all patients achieve lasting improvement, and compliance is often low. In-office thermal systems offer a second line of treatment and could be a much-needed addition for patients who do not respond to conventional treatment. We critically evaluated the efficacy and safety of LipiFlow, iLux, and TearCare based on existing literature. While the studies found a single in-office thermal treatment to be safe and effective in improving short-term signs and symptoms in patients with dry eye, long-term efficacy needs to be further evaluated. Thus, well-controlled, long-term efficacy studies are warranted to draw clear conclusions. The treatment seemed to provide rapid relief of symptoms that may last up to 1 year, but at a considerably higher cost than the at-home treatments. The choice of treatment depends on cost, compliance with at-home treatment, and personal preference.publishedVersio

    Development of Conjunctival Goblet Cells and Their Neuroreceptor Subtype Expression

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    PURPOSE. To investigate expression of muscarinic, cholinergic, and adrenergic receptors on developing conjunctival goblet cells. METHODS. Eyes were removed from rats 9 to 60 days old, fixed, and used for microscopy. For glycoconjugate expression, sections were stained with Alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff's reagent (AB/PAS) and with the lectins Ulex europeus agglutinin I (UEA-I) and Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA). Goblet cell bodies were identified using anti-cytokeratin 7 (CK7). Nerve fibers were localized using anti-protein gene product 9.5. Location of muscarinic and adrenergic receptors was investigated using anti-muscarinic and ␤-adrenergic receptors. RESULTS. At days 9 and 13, single apical cells in conjunctival epithelium stained with AB/PAS, UEA-I, and CK7. At days 17 and 60, increasing numbers of goblet cells were identified by AB/PAS, UEA-I, HPA, and CK7. Nerve fibers were localized around stratified squamous cells and at the epithelial base at days 9 and 13, and around goblet cells and at the epithelial base at days 17 and 60. At days 9 and 13, M 2 -and M 3 -muscarinic and ␤ 2 -adrenergic receptors were found in stratified squamous cells, but M 1 -muscarinic and ␤ 1 -adrenergic receptors were not detected. At days 17 and 60, M 2 -and M 3 -muscarinic receptors were found in goblet cells, whereas M 1 -muscarinic receptors were in stratified squamous cells. ␤ 1 -and ␤ 2 -Adrenergic receptors were found on both cell types. ␤ 3 -Adrenergic receptors were not detected. CONCLUSIONS. In conjunctiva, nerves, M 2 -and M 3 -muscarinic, and ␤ 1 -and ␤ 2 -adrenergic receptors are present on developing goblet cells and could regulate secretion as eyelids open. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41:2127-2137 T he tear film mucus layer consists of high molecular weight glycoconjugates including mucins, which are secreted mainly by conjunctival goblet cells. This layer plays an important role in protecting the ocular surface from exogenous agents (bacterial or chemical) and provides lubrication during all types of eye movements. 1 Goblet cells can release their secretory granules in a reflex response mediated by the activation of either parasympathetic or sympathetic nerves that surround them. 2,3 Previous reports from this laboratory showed the localization of nerve fibers adjacent to goblet cells in rat conjunctiva. 5 Use of immunofluorescence techniques demonstrated that M 2 -and M 3 -, but not M 1 -muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (MAchRs), are present on goblet cells and are located on membranes subjacent to secretory granules. VIP type 2 receptors (VIPR2s) are located in the basolateral membranes of goblet cells. 3 Although the role of the sympathetic agonists in stimulating goblet cell secretion is unknown, ␤ 1 -and ␤ 2 -adrenergic receptor (␤AR) subtypes appear to be present in goblet cells as well as in stratified squamous cells. Morphologic studies in developing conjunctiva suggest that based on changes in the acidity of glycoproteins in the secretory granules, goblet cells may differentiate from basal epithelial cells in the forniceal zone. 7 Watanabe et al

    Effect of Storage Temperature on Structure and Function of Cultured Human Oral Keratinocytes

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    Purpose/Aims To assess the effect of storage temperature on the viability, phenotype, metabolism, and morphology of cultured human oral keratinocytes (HOK). Materials and Methods Cultured HOK cells were stored in HEPES- and sodium bicarbonate-buffered Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) at nine temperatures in approximately 4°C increments from 4°C to 37°C for seven days. Cells were characterized for viability by calcein fluorescence, phenotype retention by immunocytochemistry, metabolic parameters (pH, glucose, lactate, and O2) within the storage medium by blood gas analysis, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Results: Relative to the cultured, but non-stored control cells, a high percentage of viable cells were retained only in the 12°C and 16°C storage groups (85%±13% and 68%±10%, respectively). Expression of ABCG2, Bmi1, C/EBPδ, PCNA, cytokeratin 18, and caspase-3 were preserved after storage in the 5 groups between 4°C and 20°C, compared to the non-stored control. Glucose, pH and pO2 in the storage medium declined, whereas lactate increased with increasing storage temperature. Morphology was best preserved following storage of the three groups between 12°C, 16°C, and 20°C. Conclusion: We conclude that storage temperatures of 12°C and 16°C were optimal for maintenance of cell viability, phenotype, and morphology of cultured HOK. The storage method described in the present study may be applicable for other cell types and tissues; thus its significance may extend beyond HOK and the field of ophthalmology
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