Macular outer plexiform layer and outer nuclear layer thickness on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in central serous chorioretinopathy — a case of two patients

Increased thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the fovea in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) has been previously reported. However, to our knowledge only one paper has given a concrete value of the thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the macula in a patient with unilateral CSC. Here we report the outer plexiform and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness as measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a patient with acute central serous chorioretinopathy in the left eye, and in a second patient with recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy in both eyes. Both patients received oral eplerenone treatment

Risk Factors and Symptoms of Meibomian Gland Loss in a Healthy Population

Purpose. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between MGL and ocular symptoms, several systemic conditions, and key markers of ocular surface health. Methods. We included into the study 91 healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 77 years. We analyzed meibomian gland morphology, function, and lid margin alterations. We correlated our findings with self-reported ocular symptoms, systemic medical history, lifestyle factors, and tear film abnormalities. Results. We observed that a high ocular surface disease index, a history of either chalazion or hordeolum, experience of puffy eyelids upon waking, and foreign body sensation all appeared to be predictors of an abnormal meiboscore after adjusting for age and sex (p=0.0007; p=0.001; p=0.02; p=0.001, resp.). Multivariate logistic regression model including age and sex showed that there were three independent predictors of abnormal meiboscore: older age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.04 per year, p=0.006), postmenopausal hormone therapy (OR = 4.98, 95% CI = 1.52–16.30, p=0.007), and the use of antiallergy drugs (OR = 5.85, 95% CI = 2.18–15.72, p=0.0004). Conclusion. Our findings extend current knowledge on the pathophysiology of MGL

Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Diseases

LBL

Association between Asymptomatic Unilateral Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis and Electrophysiological Function of the Retina and Optic Nerve

Purpose. This study was designed to assess retinal and optic nerve bioelectrical function in patients with unilateral asymptomatic but hemodynamically significant internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS). Methods. Forty-two subjects with a diagnosis of unilateral ICAS and 34 controls were analyzed. Full-field electroretinogram (ERG), pattern electroretinogram (PERG), and pattern visual-evoked potentials, as well as optical coherence tomography and ophthalmological examination, were performed. Data analysis included eyes ipsilateral to ICAS (EIS) and eyes contralateral to ICAS (ECS). Results. Intraocular pressure was significantly decreased in EIS and ECS compared to that in the controls. In the macula, both the cube average thickness and cube volume values were significantly reduced both in EIS and ECS compared to those in the controls. Similarly, PERG P50 and N95 wave amplitudes were significantly smaller in EIS and ECS compared to those in the controls. The ERG rod b-wave and rod-cone a-wave amplitudes were decreased, and implicit times were significantly prolonged, whereas the OP wave index was reduced in EIS compared to that in the controls. No differences in IOP, OCT, or ERG and PERG parameters were identified between EIS and ECS. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated that retinal bioelectrical function is negatively affected by ICAS despite the absence of objective clinical signs and symptoms of ocular ischemia

Sodium Iodate Selectively Injuries the Posterior Pole of the Retina in a Dose-Dependent Manner: Morphological and Electrophysiological Study

Sequential morphological and functional features of retinal damage in mice exposed to different doses (40 vs. 20 mg/kg) of sodium iodate (NaIO3) were analyzed. Retinal morphology, apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and function (electroretinography; ERG) were examined at several time points after NaIO3 administration. The higher dose of NaIO3 caused progressive degeneration of the whole retinal area and total suppression of scotopic and photopic ERG. In contrast, the lower dose induced much less severe degeneration in peripheral part of retina along with a moderate decline of b- and a-wave amplitudes in ERG, corroborating the presence of regions within retina that retain their function. The peak of photoreceptor apoptosis was found on the 3rd day, but the lower dose induced more intense reaction within the central retina than in its peripheral region. In conclusion, these results indicate that peripheral area of the retina reveals better resistance to NaIO3 injury than its central part

Cell therapy in degenerative retinal diseases: expectations and threats

Currently, for many retinal degenerative diseases there is no effective treatment based on disease etiology. Neurotrophic factors secreted by the applied cells are responsible for improved morphology and function of degenerative retina. Moreover, these cells present immunomodulatory effect and reduce the inflammatory response of the damaged tissue. The best effect is obtained at the initial stage of the disease. Despite promising preliminary results, cell therapy requires further investigation to evaluate its efficacy and long-term safety. It is worth to underline that cell therapy should be conducted only as part of free clinical trials in certified research centers after obtaining the patient's informed consent for treatmentObecnie brakuje skutecznego leczenia przyczynowego wielu chorób degeneracyjnych siatkówki. Za poprawę morfologii i funkcji degenerującej siatkówki odpowiadają czynniki neurotroficzne wydzielane przez aplikowane komórki, które wykazują dodatkowo wpływ immunomodulujący i redukują odpowiedź zapalną uszkodzonej tkanki. Najlepsze efekty uzyskuje się w początkowym stadium zaawansowania choroby. Pomimo obiecujących wstępnych wyników terapia komórkowa wymaga dalszych badań oceniających jej skuteczność i długoterminowe bezpieczeństwo. Ponadto powinna być prowadzona tylko w ramach bezpłatnych badań klinicznych w certyfikowanych ośrodkach naukowo-badawczych po uzyskaniu świadomej zgody pacjenta na leczenie

Evaluation of choroidal parameters in eyes at the first onset of acute anterior uveitis

Abstract Background Little is known about choroidal involvement in anterior uveitis. The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in choroidal thickness and volume in eyes with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) using enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) at baseline and after treatment, which were compared with healthy fellow eyes. Methods For the study, 35 individuals with unilateral acute AAU at the first onset were enrolled. Subfoveal thickness and choroidal volume were measured with EDI-OCT in nine Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields before and after the completion of treatment. Moreover, axial length measurements of both eye bulbs were determined by optical biometry. Results No statistically significant differences in choroidal thickness or choroidal volume were detected between AAU eyes at baseline and after treatment and fellow eyes. Positive correlations between the values of anterior chamber flare and absolute CT changes in both temporal and inferior ETDRS fields, as well as in superior outer ring were detected. Negative correlations between age and both choroidal thickness and choroidal volume were detected in AAU eyes at baseline and after treatment, as well as in fellow eyes. Conclusions Evaluation of the choroid with EDI-OCT does not appear to be a reliable tool for the treatment monitoring of eyes with anterior uveitis

Near-infrared fundus autoflorescence imaging in solar retinopathy

Solar retinopathy is a rare clinical entity caused by photochemical damage to the retinal pigment epithelium layer and photoreceptors of the fovea. Here we describe a case of a 33-year-old female patient diagnosed by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence imaging for signs of damage to the melanosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium of the fovea. The patient was advised to discontinue looking at the sun with the naked eye