Current eye research
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Current eye research · May 2021
SARS-CoV-2: Impact on, Risk Assessment and Countermeasures in German Eye Banks.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been some debate regarding the risk of transmission through tissue transplantation and tissue banking processes. ⋯ Conjunctival and/or nasopharyngeal swabs of donors have been implemented by a minority. Reasons for not performing additional tests may be moderate sensitivity and lack of validation for postmortem use of RT-PCR testing. Also, the hazard of SARS-CoV-2 entering the corneal donor pool with subsequent transmission might be perceived as theoretical. Face shields provide a sufficient barrier against splash and splatter contamination but may be insufficient against aerosols. Additional face masks would provide support against aerosols, but it remains debatable if corneal harvesting can be considered an aerosol-producing procedure. In the future we expect to see changes in current guidelines because of a surge in scientific activities to improve our understanding of the risks involved with cornea donation in the COVID-19 pandemic, and because current practice may reduce the availability of donor corneas due to new exclusion criteria while the demand remains unchanged.
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Current eye research · Apr 2021
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia following keratoplasty in xeroderma pigmentosa: A series of 7 cases.
To describe the clinical features and management of post-keratoplasty ocular surface squamous neoplasia (pk-OSSN) in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). ⋯ XP patients undergoing keratoplasty can develop OSSN several months to years after keratoplasty and require close follow-up for the same. Wide excisional biopsy with/without plaque radiotherapy is effective in the management of pk-OSSN.
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Current eye research · Dec 2020
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Inflammatory Choroidal Neovascularization Early Response after Anti-VEGF Treatment.
Purpose: To describe the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) features of active inflammatory choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and characterize the early responses of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment for inflammatory CNV. Methods: OCT angiography images of inflammatory CNV were acquired and analyzed using the RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue at baseline as well as fluorescein angiography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). OCTA scans were sequentially obtained 1 day before treatment, 1 day, 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days after anti-VEGF injection. ⋯ Conclusions: OCTA not only allows for noninvasive detection of inflammatory CNV with a high sensitivity but also facilitates its sequential observation after anti-VEGF treatment. The treatment outcomes are observable at day 1 post treatment. OCTA may be a useful tool for diagnosing inflammatory CNV and evaluating the early response to anti-VEGF treatment.
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Current eye research · Sep 2020
Cytokine and Chemokine Concentration in the Tear of Patients with Age-Related Cataract.
The present study measured 41 soluble mediators in the tear of 19 patients with age-related cataract and 32 healthy adults as controls. ⋯ AMD: Age-Related Macular Degeneration; EGF: Epidermal growth factor; Eotaxin: Eosinophil chemotactic proteins; FasL: Fas ligand; FGF-2: Basic fibroblast growth factor 2; Flt-3L: Fms related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand; G-CSF: Granulocyte colony stimulating factor; GM-CSF: Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; GRO: Growth regulated protein; HGF: Human growth factor; ICAM-1: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1; IFNα2: Interferon alpha 2; IFNγ: Interferon gamma; IL: Interleukin; IL-1ra: Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist; IL-12p40: Interleukin-12 subunit p40; IL-12p70: Interleukin-12 subunit p70; IP-10: Interferon gamma-induced protein 10; MCP-1: Monocyte chemotactic protein 1; MCP-3: Monocyte chemotactic protein 3; MDC: Macrophage derived chemokine; MIG: Monokine induced by gamma interferon; MIP-1α: Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 alpha; MIP-1β: Macrophage inflammatory proteins 1 beta; MMPs: Matrix metalloproteinases; MMP-9: Matrix metalloproteinase 9; PAI1: Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1; PDGF-AA: Platelet-derived growth factor subunit AA; PDGF-AB/BB: Platelet-derived growth factor subunit AB and BB; PIGF: Placenta growth factor; RANTES: Regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted; SAA: Serum amyloid A; sCD40L: Soluble CD40 ligand; sTNF-RII: Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor; TBUT Tear breakup time; TGF-α: Transforming growth factor alpha; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor beta; TNFα: Tumor necrosis factor alpha; TNFβ: Tumor necrosis factor beta; VCAM: Vascular cell adhesion molecule; VEGF: Vascular endothelium growth factor.
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Purpose: To provide useful guidelines, targeted at ophthalmology professionals, to minimize COVID-19 infection of both health-care workers and patients. Methods: In this review we present updated literature merged with our experience from hospitals in Bergamo, the epicenter of the COVID-19 European outbreak. ⋯ A triage for ophthalmic outpatient clinic is mandatory. Conclusion: Ophthalmology practice should be reorganized in order to face COVID-19.