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Objectives: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the existing evidence and estimate the impact of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of subjects with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) or exfoliative glaucoma (XFG). Methods: In July 2024, an in-depth literature review across three databases was undertaken. This study focused only on adult patients with exfoliation who had not undergone previous ocular surgery. The primary outcome of interest was the mean IOP reduction at 6 and 12 months after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. Results: This meta-analysis included one randomized controlled trial and eight observational studies, comprising 220 patients at 6 months and 430 patients at the 12-month time point, respectively. The mean IOP reduction after surgery was 3.43 mmHg (95% CI: −4.77 to −2.09) after 6 months and 2.75 mmHg (95% CI: −4.24 to −1.26) after 12 months. In both time points, there was no heterogeneity (I2 = 0), but the certainty of evidence following the GRADE evaluation was very low. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis demonstrates that phacoemulsification can significantly reduce IOP in exfoliation subjects 6 and 12 months after surgery. Nevertheless, significant limitations in included studies do not allow a precise and certain estimate of the magnitude of postoperative IOP lowering in exfoliation patients. Additional research is needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the level of peripheral blood systemic immune indexes in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) patients and to compare the results with healthy controls. Methods: This study included 143 healthy controls (group 1) and 100 patients (group 2). Peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune inflammation index (SIII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic inflammation modulation index (SIMI) and aggregate systemic inflammation index (AISI) were calculated. Results: According to complete blood count, leukocyte, monocyte and platelet counts showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001 for all). Systemic immune indexes (NLR, PLR, SIII, SIRI, SIMI and AISI) in group 2 were statistically significantly higher compared to group 1 (PLR for p = 0.011, others p < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, systemic immune indexes (NLR, MLR, PLR, SIII, SIRI, AISI and SIMI) were elevated in PXS patients compared to healthy controls. These indexes may serve as an easy, simple and cost-effective tool to assess the degree of systemic inflammation in patients, playing an important role in recognizing the underlying mechanisms of diseases and thus potentially guiding treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess associations between atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF) and ocular parameters and diseases. Methods: The population‐based Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS) and the Ural Very Old Study (UVOS) included 4894 individuals (age: 40+ years) and 835 individuals (age: 85+ years), respectively. Results: In the UEMS, AF prevalence (80/4894; 1.6%; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.0) increased from 1/1029 (0.1%) in the age group of 40 to <50 years to 29/619 (4.7%) and 12/159 (7.5%) in the age groups of 70 to <80 years and 80+ years, respectively. Higher AF prevalence correlated with older age (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.12; p < 0.001), urban region of habitation (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.12; p < 0.001), higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease/stroke (OR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.32, 4.72; p < 0.001) and lower prevalence of neck pain (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.85; p = 0.02), higher serum concentration of bilirubin (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.05; p < 0.001) and lower prothrombin index (OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99; p = 0.003), higher stage of arterial hypertension (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.28; p = 0.04) and higher ankle‐brachial index (OR: 22.1; 95% CI: 4.45, 1.10; p < 0.001). In that model, AF prevalence was not associated with ocular parameters such as intraocular pressure (p = 0.52), retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (p = 0.70), refractive error (p = 0.13), axial length (p = 0.14), nuclear cataract degree (p = 0.50) and prevalence (p = 0.40), cortical cataract degree (p = 0.43) and presence (p = 0.17), lens pseudoexfoliation (p = 0.58), status after cataract surgery (p = 0.38), age‐related macular degeneration prevalence (p = 0.63), open‐angle glaucoma presence (p = 0.90) and stage (p = 0.55), angle‐closure glaucoma prevalence (p = 0.99) and stage (p = 0.99), diabetic retinopathy prevalence presence (p = 0.37) and stage (p = 0.32), and myopic macular degeneration (p = 0.98). In the UVOS, similar results were obtained. Conclusions: In these multi‐ethnic populations from Russia, AF prevalence was not associated with any major ocular disease and may not play a major role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a common age-related ocular condition characterized by the accumulation of a fibrillar, pseudoexfoliative material on the anterior segment of the eye. This study aims to investigate the histopathological characteristics of pseudoexfoliative material within different ocular structures, including the eyelid, conjunctiva, and anterior lens capsule. Methods: A total of 32 anterior lens capsules, 3 eyelid fragments, and 12 conjunctival specimens were obtained from patients clinically diagnosed with PEX during ocular surgeries at the Onioptic Hospital of Ophthalmology. The tissue specimens were subsequently processed using the classical histological technique of paraffin embedding. This process enabled the production of serial sections with a thickness of 4 microns, facilitating the microscopic examination of fine details. The sections were stained with the hematoxylin-eosin (HE) method for the observation of microscopic structures. Results: This study's findings reveal that PEX material, characterized by its fibrillar and amorphous components, is consistently present across multiple ocular structures, including the anterior lens capsule, eyelid, and conjunctiva. When stained with H&E, the PEX material typically appears as amorphous, eosinophilic deposits. Under higher magnification, these deposits exhibit a fibrillar structure, often appearing as irregular, granular, or filamentous aggregates. Conclusions: The deposit of fibrillar material in the eyelid and conjunctiva, though less commonly emphasized compared to other structures, is a significant finding that sheds light on the systemic nature of the syndrome. The consistent identification of fibrillar eosinophilic deposits across these structures highlights the systemic distribution of PEX material, reinforcing the notion that PEX syndrome is not confined to the anterior segment of the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in an Iranian elderly population. Methods: This study, a population-based cross-sectional study conducted on individuals ≥60 years in Tehran, the capital of Iran in 2019 using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling. All study participants underwent complete ocular examination (including measurement of uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, slit-lamp biomicroscopy). The PEX was diagnosed based on the presence of white fluffy dandruff-like pseudoexfoliative material on the pupillary margin, on the anterior lens capsule, and/or the trabecular meshwork. Results: Of the 3791 invitees, 3310 participated in the TGES (response rate: 87.3%). After applying exclusion criteria, the data of 3274 individuals were analyzed for this report. The overall prevalence of PEX was 3.63% (95% CI:2.67–4.58) in this study. 81.1% of PEX cases were bilateral. The prevalence of PEX increased significantly with advancing age in a linear trend from 2.38% (95%: 1.27–3.48) in the age group 60–64 years to 6.48% (95%: 2.02–10.95) in the age group ≥80 years (OR = 1.05, p = 0.008). According to the multiple logistic regression model, advancing age (OR: 1.06, p = 0.002) and the presence of cataract (OR: 5.02, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased odds of PEX. Conclusion: The results showed a lower prevalence of PEX in the Iranian elderly compared to previous studies on the elderly population. Advancing age and cataracts were the only associated factors of PEX in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the macular and optic disc vascular parameters in the unaffected fellow eyes of subjects with unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and controls using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: The medical records of 61 eyes of 61 patients were analyzed in a retrospective study. Of these, 30 eyes were unaffected fellow eyes and 31 eyes were control eyes. The vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ)-related parameters of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) in the circumpapillary and macular area and the VD and PD of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) in the macular area were measured using OCTA after dilatation and were compared between two groups after adjustment for age, sex and axial length. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in sex ratio or mean age, central corneal thickness measurements, refractive errors, intraocular pressures and axial length between both groups (all P > 0.05). In the circumpapillary area, inferior VD and PD in the inner zone, as well as average, temporal, inferior, and nasal VD and PD in the outer zone were significantly reduced in the unaffected fellow eyes with unilateral PXS, while the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses were similar between groups. In the macular SCP, VDs were significantly lower in all sectors in the inner area and in the outer zones (p < 0.05 for all), PDs were significantly lower in all sectors (p < 0.05 for all) except the nasal sector of the outer zone (p = 0.003 for average, p = 0.029 for superior sector, p = 0.004 for temporal sector, p < 0.001 for inferior sector), and the FAZ circularity (p = 0.037) were significantly lower in the unaffected fellow eyes with unilateral PXS, whereas macular ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness was similar between the two groups. Conclusions: Although circumpapillary RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses were similar between the two groups, VDs and PDs in the circumpapillary and macular SCP and FAZ circularity were significantly lower in the fellow eye of subjects with unilateral PXS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to determine the appropriate target intraocular pressure (IOP) for patients newly diagnosed with exfoliation glaucoma. Research design and methods: The study followed a prospective cohort of newly diagnosed exfoliation patients for three years. The target IOP was defined using three methods to measure visual field deterioration, mean deviation (MD), visual field index (VFI), and guided progression analysis (GPA). Results: Over the three years, the mean deviation (MD) values declined by an average of −3.84 (±2.61) dB, while the visual field index (VFI) values dropped by an average of 9.66 (±6.25) %. The untreated IOP at inclusion was 32.52 ± 5.54 mmHg. At the end of the study (due to treatment), it was 17.94 ± 1.82 mmHg, resulting in a reduction of 14.58 mmHg (45% reduction). Based on the MD and VFI methods, the target IOP for the whole cohort was around 14–15 mmHg, while the target IOP based on GPA was around 15 mmHg. For advanced glaucoma cases, the target IOP was around 13 mmHg. Conclusions: The study concludes that the traditional reported IOP reduction of 20% and/or IOP 18–20 mmHg may not be sufficient for patients newly diagnosed with exfoliation glaucoma. Instead, the study recommends a target IOP of 14–15 mmHg for these patients. Clinical Trial Registration: The study was registered in the website with the number NCT06237764. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) represent a complex matrix of ocular age-related neurodegenerative changes. Numerous decades of research on this disease entity have highlighted the unique clinical features of ocular protein-complex aggregates, which lead to tissue dysfunction of the ocular outflow channels, leading to irreversible optic nerve damage and glaucoma. While genetic studies have reported several genes associated with XFS and XFG, numerous studies have shown their association with common systemic diseases such as ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accidents, and hypertension. Environmental factors are also reported to play a role in the disease pathogenesis by epigenetic control of gene expression and partly explain the difference in the prevalence rates of the disease process. Despite the identification of possible triggers for the disease onset or for the development of glaucoma, the exact mechanisms or the role of several reported risk factors in disease pathogenesis remain a mystery. This review comprehensively evaluated the several risk factors in XFS and XFG while discussing the interactive interplay between the risk factors that determine the disease onset or phenotype in XFS and XFG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma comprise a unique age‑related ocular aggregopathy characterized by the accumulation of protein complex aggregates in different ocular structures. Recent literature and studies have expanded our knowledge of the clinical characteristic features, phenotypical variations, and molecular pathophysiology associated with disease onset or development of glaucoma. Despite years of studies on the various epidemiological, clinical, and molecular facets of the disease, the exact mechanism of disease onset, formation of aggregates, and the events that trigger the development of glaucoma marking irreversibility in the disease remains elusive. This review elaborates on the existing and new insights that we have gained over the years and highlights gaps in the knowledge about the disease that need future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exfoliation syndrome and exfoliation glaucoma comprise a unique age-related ocular aggregopathy characterized by the accumulation of protein complex aggregates in different ocular structures. Recent literature and studies have expanded our knowledge of the clinical characteristic features, phenotypical variations, and molecular pathophysiology associated with disease onset or development of glaucoma. Despite years of studies on the various epidemiological, clinical, and molecular facets of the disease, the exact mechanism of disease onset, formation of aggregates, and the events that trigger the development of glaucoma marking irreversibility in the disease remains elusive. This review elaborates on the existing and new insights that we have gained over the years and highlights gaps in the knowledge about the disease that need future exploration.

Surgery in the treatment of uveitis can be classified according to the indication: therapeutic, diagnostic, or for the management of complications. Surgery for cataract removal, band keratopathy, corneal scarring, pupillary membrane removal, and removal of thick vitreous membranes are all examples of visual rehabilitation; Aqueous tap, vitreous biopsy, and tissue biopsy (of the iris or choroid) are used for diagnostic purposes. Complication care includes anti-glaucoma surgery, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and persistent hypotonia. This review discusses the surgical approach for visual rehabilitation and the management of complications, including uveitis-related cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, vitreo-retinal surgery, Pediatric uveitis surgery, Fuchs uveitis syndrome surgery, and uveitis caused by juvenile idiopathic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to determine whether including genetics as a risk factor for progression will improve the accuracy of the models used in newly diagnosed exfoliation glaucoma patients. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. This study included only patients who were newly diagnosed with exfoliation glaucoma and received treatment upon inclusion. Blood samples were taken from all patients at inclusion to test for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) LOXL-1 rs2165241 and rs1048661. Results: This study found that the frequency of SNPs, as well as intraocular pressure (IOP), mean deviation (MD), and visual field index (VFI) values at diagnosis, were significant predictors of visual field deterioration (p ≤ 0.001). This study showed that interaction terms, including SNPs, were highly significant (p ≤ 0.001). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis also showed highly significant results for interaction terms when SNPs were included (p ≤ 0.001). Finally, the area under the curve (AUC) analysis showed an increased value of around 10–20% when SNPs were included. Conclusions: Adding genetic factors to the well-known clinical risk factors can increase the accuracy of models for predicting visual field deterioration in exfoliation glaucoma patients. However, further studies are needed to investigate the role of other genes in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Our study aimed to evaluate the indications and outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) explantation surgeries in a tertiary eyecare center in Hungary. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study included all IOL explantation surgeries performed between 2006 and 2020 at the Department of Ophthalmology of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. There were no exclusion criteria for this study. For each patient, the demographics, clinical history, preoperative status, indications for IOL explantation, and operative and postoperative details were reviewed. Primary outcomes included explantation indications and the type of secondary implanted IOL. Results. A total of 161 eyes from 153 patients were included (96 males; 62.7%); age at the time of the IOL explantation was 65.0 ± 17.4 years. The mean time between primary cataract surgery and IOL explantation was 8.5 ± 7.7 years. In total, 139 (86.3%) PCIOLs and 22 (13.7%) ACIOLs were explanted. The main indications for IOL explantation were dislocation (n = 133; 95.7%) and refractive cause (n = 2; 1.4%) in the PCIOL group. Among ACIOL explantations, the main reasons were pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (n = 14; 63.6%), dislocation (n = 4; 18.2%), and refractive cause (n = 2; 9.1%). In the PCIOL group, 115 (82.7%) primary IOLs were implanted in the capsular bag, 16 (11.5%) were sulcus fixated, and 8 (5.8%) were scleral fixated. The most frequent ocular comorbidities were previous vitrectomy (n = 50, 31.1%), previous ocular trauma (n = 45, 28.0%), glaucoma (n = 16, 9.9%), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (n = 15, 9.3%), and high axial myopia (n = 14, 8.7%). The most commonly used secondary IOL implant was the prepupillary iris-claw IOL (n = 115, 73.7%), followed by the retropupillary iris-claw IOL (n = 32, 20.5%). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was significantly better following IOL exchange in the entire sample (1.57 ± 0.61 (range: 2.40–0.05) vs. 0.77 ± 0.56 (range: 2.40–0.00); p < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was maintained or improved in 80.7% of cases after IOL explantation. Conclusions. The most common indication for IOL explantation at a tertiary eyecare center in Hungary is IOL dislocation, followed by pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Prepupillary and retropupillary iris-claw IOL are the most frequently used secondary implants and their use resulted in a significant UCVA improvement following IOL exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document titled "Continuing Professional Development" is an article from the journal Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. It provides information on two articles included in the issue and presents multiple-choice questions related to each article. The first article is a systematic review of clinical guidelines for glaucoma suspects, highlighting the methodological quality and agreement among guidelines. The second article examines the association between choroidal signal hypertransmission and the development of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration. Another article in the document discusses ophthalmic sequelae of prematurity in late childhood and adulthood, focusing on corneal curvature and complications of cataract surgery. Lastly, the document includes a review of sarcoid uveitis, covering diagnosis, management, and treatment options. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the value of calprotectin and other inflammatory parameters in patients with glaucoma and systemic diseases accompanying pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX-S). Methods: This prospective study included 45 PEX-S patients and 45 non-PEX control patients. Patients were investigated for the presence of glaucoma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), ischemic brain disease (IBD), Alzheimer's disease, and neurosensory hearing loss (NSHL). After excluding diseases that may affect inflammatory parameters, a detailed biomicroscopic examination, and blood tests were performed for the patients. Results: Glaucoma, CVD, NVK, Alzheimer's disease, and NSHL were high in the PEX-S group (P = 0.01, P = 0.01, P = 0.04, P = 0.04, and P = 0.03, respectively). Calprotectin, ferritin, neutrophil-to-platelet ratio, and lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio were found to be high in the PEX-S group (P < 0.01, P = 0.04, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). On evaluating the relationship between PEX-S and glaucoma and systemic diseases, it was found that elevated calprotectin increased the risk of glaucoma by 4.36 times and elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) increased the risk of CVD by 3.23 times in PEX-S patients (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the value of calprotectin elevation in detecting concomitant glaucoma in PEX-S patients and, in addition, the value of NLR elevation in detecting concomitant CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a common age-related disorder, characterized by the secretion of fibrillar material from intraocular components, particularly along the anterior segment structures. This condition leads to obstruction of the trabecular meshwork impairing aqueous humor outflow and subsequently increasing intraocular pressure (IOP). These factors contribute to an increased risk of developing glaucoma, damage to the internal ocular structures, and irreversible vision loss. Therefore, screening and evaluating individuals with this syndrome may allow timely identification of glaucoma risk and implementation of appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures. Consequently, it is crucial to screen for PEX syndrome to assess glaucoma risk and take necessary actions to preserve vision and ocular health. This study aims to determine the prevalence of glaucoma in patients with PEX syndrome to accurately assess the risk of developing glaucoma. This assessment may include monitoring of intraocular pressure, preventive measures, and specific treatments. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients over 40 years old diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome referred to the ophthalmology department of Bu-Ali Sina Hospital in Sari from February 2019 to March 2020. Initially, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including autorefraction with a Topcon autorefractometer, visual acuity determination with Snellen E charts, slit lamp examination, and fundoscopy with a 90D lens, were performed for all patients. Subsequently, intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a Goldmann tonometer. In individuals suspected of glaucoma, an angle examination using a three-mirror goniolens to assess the trabecular meshwork, and cup/disc ratio using Cirrus HD-NFL OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.) was performed. Based on clinical findings, patients were categorized into glaucoma and non-glaucoma groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage, were used to describe the data. For comparing the means of quantitative variables, the t-test was utilized, while the chi-square test was used for comparing the means of qualitative variables between the glaucoma and non-glaucoma groups. A statistically significant level of P<0.05 was considered. Results: Among of the 100 patients (180 eyes), 27.77% were diagnosed with glaucoma, with bilateral involvement noted in 90% of glaucoma cases. 54% of glaucoma patients were male with a mean age of 73.88±7.03 years. Glaucoma patients exhibited higher intraocular pressure (IOP) and cup/disc ratio compared to non-glaucoma cases (P<0.001). Within the glaucoma group, the left eyes demonstrated higher IOP (29.12±4.75 versus 28.86±5.65, P<0.001) and a higher cup/disc ratio (0.53±0.12 versus 0.51±0.15; P<0.001) compared to the right eyes. Conclusion: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is associated with a significant prevalence of glaucoma, particularly with bilateral involvement in most cases. This syndrome may be an important risk factor for the development of glaucoma and the onset of elevated intraocular pressure, especially in elderly men. These findings provide valuable insights for future research and improve our understanding of the relationship between ocular PEX syndrome and glaucoma, which may have an impact on improving patient outcomes and clinical management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a well-known phenomenon in neurological diseases with anosmia and hyposmia serving as clinical or preclinical indicators of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Since glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the visual system, it may also entail alterations in olfactory function, warranting investigation into potential sensory interconnections. Methods: A review of the current literature of the last 15 years (from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2023) was conducted by two different authors searching for topics related to olfaction and glaucoma. Results: three papers met the selection criteria. According to these findings, patients with POAG appear to have worse olfaction than healthy subjects. Furthermore, certain predisposing conditions to glaucoma, such as pseudoexfoliation syndrome and primary vascular dysregulation, could possibly induce olfactory changes that can be measured with the Sniffin Stick test. Conclusions: the scientific literature on this topic is very limited, and the pathogenesis of olfactory changes in glaucoma is not clear. However, if the results of these studies are confirmed by further research, olfactory testing may be a non-invasive tool to assist clinicians in the early diagnosis of glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a case of a 5-month-old full-term infant with chronic conjunctival redness and elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging ruled out leptomeningeal angiomatosis. Despite lacking a typical port-wine mark, the diagnosis of Sturge-Weber syndrome was established based on specific observations in the right eye that involved unilateral vascular glaucoma. These findings included Haab striae, a larger axial length measurement, an increased number of episcleral vessels with blood in Schlemm canal, and a thicker choroid in the macular region. This is the first reported pediatric case with these specific ocular manifestations in the absence of facial angioma, highlighting the need for awareness among clinicians to avoid misdiagnosis and facilitate proper management. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(3):e19–e22.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endodontic therapy in pediatric dentistry is a challenging procedure, especially for special needs, uncooperative, and very young patients. A new conservative approach which is the non-instrumental endodontic treatment (NIET) has been developed to simplify the management of primary teeth requiring pulpectomy. This review aimed to compare the efficiency of NIET and conventional endodontic treatment in primary teeth. Methods: Electronic databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), and Scopus without restrictions on publication year or publication language were searched. Only randomized clinical trials reporting clinical and radiographical outcomes of NIET and conventional pulpectomy on primary teeth were considered eligible. Two reviewers extracted the data according to the PRISMA statement and assessed the bias risk using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed. Results: From 3322 screened articles, seven articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included. The selected studies included 283 primary molars, of 213 children aged between 3 and 9 years, treated by NIET and conventional pulpectomy, and had follow-up periods ranging from 1 month to tooth exfoliation. Two studies reported good success rates for both the NIET technique and endodontic therapy with no statistically significant difference while three studies showed radiographical significant differences with a low success rate for the NIET technique. Only one study reported better outcomes in the pulpectomy group with statistically significant differences. The quantitative grouping of the included studies showed no significant differences between NIET and conventional endodontic therapy regarding clinical and radiographical success (p value > 0.05). Conclusion: No difference between the NIET technique and the conventional endodontic therapy in primary molars requiring pulpectomy could be confirmed. Results of the present review need to be interpreted with caution since the quality of evidence according to the GRADE was considered as moderate to very low. Therefore, additional clinical trials on the NIET technique are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare the anterior segment parameters after cataract surgery in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and control eyes. We conducted a prospective comparative study of 36 eyes (PEX group), 16 eyes (PEXG group) and 46 eyes (control group) of 98 patients after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Before surgery, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively, anterior chamber parameters were evaluated by swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), angle opening distance (AOD500/750), trabecular-iris space area (TISA500/750), trabecular-iris angle (TIA500/750) and lens vault (LV) were assessed at each study visit. Preoperatively, ACD, AOD500/750 and TISA500/750 were significantly smaller, while LV was significantly greater in PEX and PEXG eyes than in controls. 3 months postoperatively all irido-corneal parameters and ACD were significantly greater in all study groups without intergroup differences. ACD and LV significantly increased in PEX group between 1 and 3 months after surgery while being stable in control group. Relative increases in ACD, AOD500, TISA750, TIA500/750 were significantly higher in PEX and PEXG groups than in controls. Our study finds that ACD and iridocorneal parameters in AS-OCT demonstrated significantly greater relative increases 3 months after phacoemulsification in PEX and PEXG groups than in control eyes. Significantly greater deepening of anterior chamber and opening of the irido-corneal angle may be a reason for different refractive outcomes and IOP control in patients with PEX and PEXG after routine cataract surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix materials in ocular tissues that predisposes individuals to the development of glaucoma and cataracts, complicating the process of cataract surgery. This pathophysiological condition not only exacerbates the complexity of cataract surgery but also demands a refined surgical acumen for its management. The objective of this review is to identify and evaluate management strategies that hold the potential to mitigate risks and enhance surgical outcomes, particularly for this patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to understand the vascular changes in the presence of the visible pseudoexfoliation material (XFM) and the fellow eye of the participants in the non-glaucomatous and glaucomatous processes. Methods: This is study included 72 eyes of 36 patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) and 68 eyes of 34 patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). Different indicators of the XFM positive and negative eyes in each group is evaluated using standard mean comparison t-tests. The XFM positive and negative eyes in both groups were also compared against each other using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: For retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (μm), in average, all quadrants, both superior and inferior hemifields, the comparison of the paired-eyes of the participants in unilateral XFS does not show any significant difference but in the unilateral XFG group all measurements were significantly different due to the glaucomatous degeneration. Similar results were obtained with radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density (vd) (%). When correlations are calculated to examine the relationship between RNFL thickness and RPC vd, significantly positive correlations were observed generally for most of the points. Conclusion: In glaucoma cases controlled with medical treatment, a decrease in the density of the RPC, correlated with RNFL thinning has been demonstrated. However, this vascular decrease could not be shown as an early sign in the presence of XFM, which is a major risk factor for glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the use of Carlevale IOL placement in patients with UGH, and to evaluate surgical outcomes. In this retrospective study, 28 patients with UGH syndrome that were subjected to IOL explantation and concomitant Carlevale IOL implantation were included in the study. Information about VA, IOP, number of glaucoma medication, need for glaucoma surgery, presence of hemorrhage and inflammation were recorded up to 6 months after the procedure. We found a statistically significant increase in mean visual acuity and complete resolution of uveitis in all patients. Mean IOP and the mean number of glaucoma medications were significantly decreased postoperatively, while 14% of patients required additional glaucoma surgery. IOL explantation and concomitant Carlevale IOL implantation may provide a viable solution for UGH syndrome resolution, increases visual acuity, and decreases the need for glaucoma medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To compare early postoperative effects of uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery on corneal endothelial cells and thickness in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). Methods: One eye each of 32 patients with PEX and 32 age-matched non-PEX subjects was evaluated preoperatively and on the 1st, 7th, and 30th days after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery in this retrospective case-control study. Nuclear firmness, corneal edema (CE), anterior chamber reaction (ACR) intensity were graded by a slit-lamp microscope. Endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation in cell area (CV), hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using a non-contact specular microscope. Results: There was no significant group-difference in age, sex, corneal edema (CE), anterior chamber reaction (ACR), coefficient of variation in cell area (CV), and hexagonal cell ratio (HEX). Mean effective phaco time (EPT) was significantly lower intraoperatively (p<0.001) and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) values of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were significantly higher on both 1st (p<0.001), 7th (p=0.011), and 30th (p=0.025) days postoperatively in the PEX group than in the non-PEX group. Mean ECD was significantly lower in the PEX group than in the non-PEX group on 7th (p=0.013), and 30th (p=0.037) days postoperatively. The mean CCT significantly differed only on the 1st (p<0.001) day postoperatively. Discussion and Conclusion: Eyes with PEX presented lower corneal ECD and decreased BCVA after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. Further, there was no association between CCT and PEX existence preoperatively and in the early postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Changes in the concentration of various mediators of inflammation in blood, aqueous humor, or eye tissues support the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Inflammatory biomarkers have a great potential for application in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to determine concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the plasma of patients with OAG and subjects without glaucoma and examine the correlation between the TNF-α concentration in plasma in glaucoma patients and specific clinical parameters. Methods. The study included 87 participants (87 eyes) divided into three groups: 35 subjects (35 eyes) with primary OAG (POAG) with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) – hypertension glaucoma (HTG) (POAG-HTG), 23 subjects (23 eyes) with pseudoexfoliative OAG (XFG), and 29 subjects in the control group (healthy subjects) matched with the patient groups in terms of age and gender. We performed a complete clinical examination, including standard automated perimetry and determination of changes in the participant’s repeated visual field, optical coherence tomography and determination of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The concentration of TNF-α in participants’ plasma was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay – ELISA. Results. The concentrations of TNF-α in the plasma of glaucoma patients (POAG-HTG 2.04 ± 1.98 pg/mL and XFG OAG 2.05 ± 1.48 pg/mL) were significantly higher than in healthy subjects (1.43 ± 2.00 pg/mL, p < 0.05). In none of the groups of subjects suffering from glaucoma was there a statistically significant correlation of TNF-α concentration in the plasma with any of the clinical parameters, including IOP, cup/disk ratio, mean deviation, average RNFL, and RNFL in the superior and inferior quadrant. Conclusion. The concentration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the plasma is significantly higher in glaucoma patients compared to non-glaucomatous subjects, and it confirms the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of glaucoma as one of the non-inflammatory ocular diseases. The concentrations of TNF-α in the plasma of glaucoma patients did not correlate with any of the examined clinical parameters; hence, it cannot be considered a measure of progression and damage in glaucoma.

The article "Epicapsular membrane - A surgical surprise" published in the Oman Journal of Ophthalmology discusses a case of a 25-year-old female with diminished vision in her left eye for 6 years. During cataract extraction surgery, a thin white membrane was found instead of the lens capsule, leading to the abandonment of the surgery. Postoperatively, the patient's vision improved, and histopathology showed an acellular membrane. The article highlights the importance of differentiating epilenticular membrane from anterior subcapsular cataract to improve visual acuity without unnecessary cataract surgery. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a rare condition called Bilateral Acute Iris Transillumination (BAIT) syndrome, which is characterized by depigmentation of the iris, photophobia, conjunctival hyperemia, and pain. The majority of patients with BAIT report a previous respiratory illness treated with systemic antibiotics, particularly moxifloxacin. This case report describes a middle-aged woman who developed BAIT after a COVID-19 infection and oral moxifloxacin intake. The exact cause of BAIT is unclear, but it has been associated with viral illnesses, antibiotic use, and autoimmune hypersensitivity. Treatment typically involves corticosteroids and cycloplegic agents, and patients should be monitored for increased intraocular pressure. [Extracted from the article]

This document is a collection of articles from the journal Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. The first article discusses the natural history and biomarkers of KCNV2-associated retinopathy, focusing on the location of the Kv8.2 protein and the supernormal rod response found in this condition. The second article explores the potential use of lipids from ocular meibum and tears as biomarkers for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, highlighting the correlation between sphingolipids and mental health disorders. Lastly, there is a systematic review of clinical guidelines for glaucoma suspects, which evaluates the methodological quality of the guidelines and examines the agreement on defining glaucoma suspects and recommending treatments. [Extracted from the article]

PrcisIn the Thessaloniki Eye Study (TES) incidence phase population, frequent dietary salt intake was potentially associated with increased risk of open angle glaucoma in antihypertensive users.PurposeThe aim was to examine the association between dietary salt intake and glaucoma by antihypertensive use in the TES population.Materials and methodsThe study population included TES incidence phase participants. Dietary salt intake frequency was assessed by self-report. Outcomes included prevalence of any open angle glaucoma (OAG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and pseudoexfoliation (PEX). Covariates included demographics, cardiovascular disease, migraines, diabetes, steroid use, smoking, history of cataract surgery, central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and antihypertensive use. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between frequency of salt intake and glaucoma, controlling for covariates and stratified by antihypertensive use.ResultsThe study included 1076 participants 80.5±4.4 years old, of whom 518 were female. There were 89/1076 (8.3%) participants with any OAG, 46/789 (5.8%) with POAG, and 287/1030 (27.9%) with PEX. In participants with antihypertensive use, frequent versus never salt intake was associated with increased risk of any OAG [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.65, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.12, 6.28; n=784] and POAG (aOR=3.59, 95% CI=1.16, 11.11; n=578) overall, and additionally in participants with diastolic blood pressure

(1) Background: The present review aims to identify risk factors with predictive value for differentiating between pseudoexfoliation patients at risk of developing intra- or postoperative complications and those without operative risk during cataract surgery. (2) Methods: The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, registration no. CRD42023417721. The following databases were searched for studies between 2000 and 2023: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Springer, Science Direct, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, TRIP database, LILACS, Clinical Trials, and reference lists of articles. We included analytical studies of any design examining cataract surgery complications in pseudoexfoliation patients across two population groups, one who underwent uneventful cataract surgery and the other who experienced intra- or postoperative complications. The paper will follow PRISMA 2020 criteria for reporting. Effect measure was assessed using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for qualitative variables and means with their respective standard deviation (SD) for quantitative variables. The risk of bias was assessed using the method presented in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews. The GRADE scale was used for quality of evidence and certainty. (3) Results: The initial search of published and gray literature databases retrieved 1435 articles, six of which were included in this report. A total of 156 intra- or postoperative incidents were reported in 999 eyes with pseudoexfoliation. The identified predictive factors were a shallow anterior chamber, cataract grade, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, preoperative intraocular pressure, and symmetry of the exfoliation material. Limitations include heterogeneity of data and limited number of studies identified in our search. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest the potential to refine risk stratification protocols in clinical settings and assist surgeons in personalized decision-making among individuals with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation and hearing loss (HL). Methods: A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane databases from 1995 up to 28 August 2023. Results: Thirty studies out of the 520 records screened met the inclusion criteria and were included. Most articles (n = 20) analysed the association between pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) and HL, showing XFS patients to have higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at both speech frequencies (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz), and higher frequencies (4 and 8 kHz) compared to controls in most cases. No significant differences in prevalence or level of HL between XFS and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (XFG) were detected in most studies. Eight articles analysed the relationship between primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and HL. Overall, a positive association between the two conditions was highlighted across all studies except for two cases. Similarly, articles focusing on NTG and HL (n = 4) showed a positive association in most cases. The role of autoimmunity and, in particular, the presence of antiphosphatidylserine antibodies (APSA) in patients with NTG and HL suggested an underlying autoimmune or vascular mechanism contributing to their pathogenesis. Only one study analysed the relationship between angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) and HL, showing higher incidence of ACG in patients with SNHL compared to normal hearing controls. Conclusions: Most studies detected an association between XFS and HL as well as POAG/NTG/ACG and HL, suggesting the presence of a similar pathophysiology of neurodegeneration. However, given the strength of the association of XFS with HL, it remains unclear whether the presence of XFG is further associated with SNHL. Further research specifically targeted to assess the correlation between glaucoma, XFS and HL is warranted to provide a more comprehensive understanding of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study aimed to analyze the surgical outcome of manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and compare them with those of controls. Settings and Design: This prospective, observational, and comparative study included 150 cases of PXF with cataracts, 150 cases of PXG with cataracts, and 200 cases of cataracts without PXF as controls. Methods: MSICS was performed in all cases under peribulbar anesthesia. Intraoperative complications, if any, were noted. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and postoperative complications were recorded at follow-up on day 1, day 7, and after 1 month. Statistical Analysis Used: IBM SPSS 24.0 statistics, SPSS South Asia Pvt Ltd. Results: Lines of improvement in BCVA were significantly better in the control group (8.7 ± 1.7) than that in the PXF (7.5 ± 2.1) and PXG groups (6.4 ± 2.7). IOP significantly decreased from baseline to 1 month postoperatively in the PXG group than in the PXF and control groups (mean difference: 3.8 ± 7.5 mm Hg). Intraoperative iridodialysis and zonular dialysis were significantly high in the PXG group with a proportion of 4 and 20%, respectively. Postoperative choroidal detachment and hyphema, six cases each, were found significantly high in the PXG group. Conclusion: Although the BCVA improvement was less and the complications were high in patients with pseudoexfoliation, especially those with PXG, the reduction in IOP was significant. MSICS can be considered favorably in patients with PXF and PXG, with adequate precautions to manage anticipated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal extracellular matrix material in ocular and non-ocular tissues, including blood vessel walls. Clot-forming dysfunction might be responsible for venous thrombosis in PEX. We investigated global coagulation, the proteome, and functions of platelets in PEX patients and aimed to determine prognostic biomarkers for thrombosis risk in PEX. Peripheral blood was collected from PEX and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients, and age–sex matched controls. Viscoelastic hemostasis was evaluated by rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). Platelet markers (CD41, CD42, CD61, and CD62p) and endothelial markers (P-selectin, E-selectin, and von Willebrand factor) were investigated by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. The platelet proteome was analyzed by 2D fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Clot formation time (CFT) is significantly reduced in PEX patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). P-selectin levels were higher in PEX patients than in controls (p < 0.05); E-selectin and von Willebrand factor remained unchanged. The monitorization of CFT by ROTEM, and soluble P-selectin, may help assess thrombotic risk in PEX patients. Proteomic analysis revealed differential expression of Profilin-1 in platelets. Profilin-1 regulates the stability of actin-cytoskeleton and may contribute to impaired platelet hemostatic functions. Increased P-selectin levels together with impaired coagulation dynamics might be responsible for the thrombotic events in PEX disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotypic similarities between exfoliation syndrome (XFS)/exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) and pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS)/pigmentary glaucoma (PG), particularly their association with material deposition in the eye's anterior segment, have prompted investigations into genetic commonalities. This study focuses on the LOXL1 gene, conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis of three candidate gene association studies. We analyzed three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LOXL1: rs1048661, rs3825942, and rs2165241. Our results reveal nominal significance for the exonic SNPs rs1048661 and rs3825942 (p ≤ 0.01), but show no significant association for the intronic SNP rs2165241 (p = 0.83) with PDS/PG. There was homogeneity across study cohorts (I2 = 0), and sensitivity analyses and funnel plots confirmed a lower likelihood of bias in our findings. The lack of a statistically significant association between LOXL1 variants and PDS/PG at p < 0.05 was attributable to the insufficient statistical power of the pooled data, which ranged from 5% to 37% for the three SNPs. This study suggests no association between LOXL1 variants and PDS/PG. Further validation and exploration of XFS/XFG-associated genes in larger and more diverse cohorts would be helpful to determine the genetic correlation or distinctiveness between these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]