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Background: Emerging evidence suggests that ocular and radiological parameters may serve as early indicators of neurological decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aims to compare specific eye-related measurements between individuals with PD and healthy controls and evaluate the correlation between ocular measurements and clinical as well as radiological parameters. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between February 2022 and September 2023. The study included 22 PD patients and 20 healthy controls. Neurological and ophthalmological evaluations were performed using optical coherence tomography to assess retinal structures. Additionally, magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging was used to measure white matter integrity. Results: The study enrolled 42 participants, with a predominance of males. Disease severity and cognitive functions were assessed and indicated considerable impairment among PD patients. Ocular and retinal parameters showed differences in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and choroidal thickness. MRI metrics showed significant reductions in fractional anisotropy and increases in mean diffusivity in several brain regions of PD patients, indicating white matter degeneration. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between ocular parameters as well as white matter integrity and cognitive impairment. Conclusion: Our study suggests that degenerative processes in PD extend beyond the central nervous system to involve the eye, with significant retinal neurodegeneration and increased axonal damage compared to healthy controls. Comprehensive assessments combining ocular, neurological, and radiological parameters could improve the understanding and management of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To compare the effectiveness of using Cyclosporine A (CsA) eye drops with a concentration of 0.05% alone versus using eye drops containing both CsA of 0.05% concentration combined with autologous serum (AS) of 20% used together for treating vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) which were moderate to severe. Methods A prospective comparative noninterventional case series was carried out at the Ophthalmology Department at Kafrelsheik University, involving 40 individual patients with moderate to severe VKC sorted into two groups; 20 patients using CsA 0.05% eye drops as group A and 20 patients in group B using eye drops of CsA 0.05% combined with AS eye drop of 20% concentration for treating VKC for 12 weeks, 4 times daily. Results According to the scores recorded for symptoms and signs, the difference detected statistically was of no significance among the two involved study groups as regards the baseline score (P=0.783, and 0.137, respectively). While the scores reported for the symptoms and signs were statistically lower significantly among group B other than observed among group A as determined at the 4th week (P=0.015, and 0.004, respectively), 8th week (P<0.001, for both), and 12th week (P=0.001, and 0.002, respectively). Regarding side effects of treatment, 12 patients had a burning sensation, eight of them in group A and four patients in group B, with not reach to significant level between the studied groups during the follow-up visits (P=0.382) Conclusions We concluded a higher efficacy of using combined eye drops of CsA 0.05% and AS 20% for treating VKC than CsA 0.05% eye drops alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Despite the application of aseptic protocols and the technical improvements of intraocular surgery, acute endophthalmitis is still noticed after cataract surgery. Presurgical prophylaxis was suggested to reduce the incidence of postcataract endophthalmitis. However, there is no clear protocol to follow. Aim The current study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative topical antibiotics on anterior segment contamination in patients with cataract after phacoemulsification or phacotrabeculectomy. Patients, methods, and analysis The study enrolled 55 patients who underwent phacoemulsification or phacotrabeculectomy and intraocular lens implantation; 28 patients have used preoperative antibiotic drops (moxifloxacin 0.3%), and 27 patients did not use antibiotics. Anterior chamber (AC) aspirates were collected to determine the anterior segment microbial profile using microscopic examination and microbial cultures. Results All AC aspirates (100%) of the first group did not show any microbial growth on any culture media. However, bacterial growth was noted in three (11.1%) aspirates of the second group when cultured on blood, chocolate agar, and thioglycolate broth. Microscopic examination revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. All aspirates did not show any growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar. All patients were followed up after 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Their ophthalmologic examinations were free of any abnormities. Conclusion Despite taking all the precautionary measures dictated by best practice guidelines for cataract surgery, there is minimal risk of AC bacterial contamination. Thus, the application of preoperative topical antibiotic drops is recommended for all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the changes in the anterior chamber parameters using Pentacam following four different lines of treatment of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG)., Methods: A retrospective comparative study included 126 patients (126 eye) presented within 24-48h after acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG). Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (68 eyes) with controlled intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤21 mm Hg, which included subgroup A1 (34 eyes) with clear lens underwent Nd:YAG laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) and subgroup A2 (34 eyes) with cataract underwent standard phacoemulsification; and group B (58 eyes) with uncontrolled IOP, which included subgroup B1 (30 eyes) with clear lens underwent trabeculectomy and subgroup B2 (28 eyes) with cataract underwent combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy. Patients were followed up for at least 3mo. Primary outcomes were Pentacam anterior segment measurements [anterior chamber angle (ACA) and depth (ACD)]. Secondary outcomes were changes in IOP, visual acuity (VA) and recorded complications., Results: At the 3 rd month, there was significant increase in the ACA values in all studied groups compared to preoperative values ( P <0.001). The highest percent of increase in ACA was recorded in phacotrabeculectomy group B2 (128.40%). There was significant increase in ACD values at 3 rd month compared with baseline values ( P <0.001) for groups A1, A2, and B2; without change in B1 trabeculectomy group. The maximum deepening of ACD was noticed in group B2 with 94.27% increase. Significant decrease in postoperative IOP in groups A2, B1 and B2 ( P <0.001, P =0.014, and P <0.001 respectively). In group A1 there was significant increase in 3 rd month postoperative IOP from baseline values ( P <0.001). The maximum decrease in IOP was noticed in group B2 with 59.54% decrease. VA improvement in 3 rd month postoperative was recorded in all studied groups, maximum VA improvement was observed in group B2 up to 0.2 logMAR., Conclusion: Pentacam can be a helpful tool in studying and comparing the effect of the different lines of management of PACG on the anterior chamber measures. Phacotrabeculectomy was proved to be an effective line for managing PACG with resultant significant increase in the anterior chamber parameters, IOP reduction as well as maximum VA improvement. LPI has only temporary effect on IOP with significant changes in ACA and ACD. Phacoemuslification alone can be an option in treating PACG. Trabeculectomy resulted in temporary increase in the anterior chamber parameter which subsequently returned to baseline values., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)