Search

Interpreting and responding to environmental cues from different modalities has survival value. In fish, the role of multimodal perception has been studied in regard to both foraging and risk assessment, with modalities including vision, olfaction, and mechanoreception via lateral lines. We studied reef fish boldness by placing novel objects that obstructed vision, lateral line use, or both into a coral reef environment with native algal samples inside, and then quantifying exploration as a function of obstruction type and as a function of functional diet groups (herbivores, omnivores, carnivores). Fish were more neophobic with more sensory obstructions, displaying longer latencies to visitation across all novel objects. Fish were also less likely to pass by objects that blocked multiple perceptual modalities. Across diets, there is early evidence that different functional groups respond differently to novelty. However, this conclusion requires further study. Overall, our findings provide key insights into perceptual ecology. In turn, this knowledge can be applied to understanding the effects of novel anthropogenic modifications in the marine environment. Such modifications may include positive activities like the construction of substrates to restore coral reefs, coral transplantation to restore reefs, as well as the negative consequences of construction and pollution.

With an evolving understanding and new discoveries in extracellular vesicle (EV) biology and their implications in health and disease, the significant diagnostic and therapeutic potential of EVs for vision research has gained recognition. In 2021, the National Eye Institute (NEI) unveiled its Strategic Plan titled Vision for the Future (2021-2025), which listed EV research as a priority within the domain of Regenerative Medicine, a pivotal area outlined in the Plan. In alignment with this prioritization, NEI organized a workshop inviting twenty experts from within and beyond the visual system. The workshop aimed to review current knowledge in EV research and explore gaps, needs and opportunities for EV research in the eye, including EV biology and applications of EVs in diagnosis, therapy and prognosis within the visual system. This perspective encapsulates the workshops deliberations, highlighting the current landscape and potential implications of EV research in advancing eye health and addressing visual diseases.

Evidence from human studies of ocular accommodation and studies of animals reared in monochromatic conditions suggest that chromatic signals can guide ocular growth. We hypothesized that ocular biometric response in humans can be manipulated by simulating the chromatic contrast differences associated with imposition of optical defocus. The red, green, and blue (RGB) channels of an RGB movie of the natural world were individually incorporated with computational defocus to create two different movie stimuli. The magnitude of defocus incorporated in the red and blue layers was chosen such that, in one case, it simulated +3 D defocus, referred to as color-signed myopic (CSM) defocus, and in another case it simulated -3 D defocus, referred to as color-signed hyperopic (CSH) defocus. Seventeen subjects viewed the reference stimulus (unaltered movie) and at least one of the two color-signed defocus stimuli for ∼1 hour. Axial length (AL) and choroidal thickness (ChT) were measured immediately before and after each session. AL and subfoveal ChT showed no significant change under any of the three conditions. A significant increase in vitreous chamber depth (VCD) was observed following viewing of the CSH stimulus compared with the reference stimulus (0.034 ± 0.03 mm and 0 ± 0.02 mm, respectively; p = 0.018). A significant thinning of the crystalline lens was observed following viewing of the CSH stimulus relative to the CSM stimulus (-0.033 ± 0.03 mm and 0.001 ± 0.03 mm, respectively; p = 0.015). Differences in the effects of CSM and CSH conditions on VCD and lens thickness suggest a directional, modulatory influence of chromatic defocus. On the other hand, ChT responses showed large variability, rendering it an unreliable biomarker for chromatic defocus-driven responses, at least for the conditions of this study.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring in glaucoma management is evolving with novel devices. We investigated the reproducibility of 24 hour profiles on two consecutive days and after 30 days of self-measurements via telemetric IOP monitoring. METHODS: Seven primary patients with open-angle glaucoma previously implanted with a telemetric IOP sensor in one eye underwent automatic measurements throughout 24 hours on two consecutive days (day 1 and day 2). Patients wore an antenna adjacent to the study eye connected to a reader device to record IOP every 5 min. Also, self-measurements in six of seven patients were collected for a period of 30 days. Analysis included calculation of hourly averages to correlate time-pairs of day 1 versus day 2 and the self-measurements vers day 2. RESULTS: The number of IOP measurements per patient ranged between 151 and 268 on day 1, 175 and 268 on day 2 and 19 and 1236 during 30 days of self-measurements. IOP time-pairs of automatic measurements on day 1 and day 2 were significantly correlated at the group level (R=0.83, p

The preferred retinal locus (PRL) is the position on the retina to which humans direct stimuli during fixation. In healthy normal eyes, it has been shown to be very stable across time and between different tasks. Previous measurements of the PRL have been made under monocular viewing conditions. The current study examines where the PRLs in the two eyes retinas are when subjects fixate binocularly and whether they shift when the demand for the eyes to converge is changed. Our apparatus allows us to see exactly where binocular stimuli fell on the two retinas during binocular fixation. Thus, our technique bypasses some of the issues involved in measuring binocular alignment with subjective techniques and previous objective techniques that use conventional eye trackers. These results show that PRLs shift slightly but systematically as the demand for convergence increases. The shifts cause under-convergence (also called exo fixation disparity) for near targets. They are not large enough to cause a break in binocular fusion. The fixation disparity we observed with increasing vergence demand is similar to fixation disparity observed in previous reports.

When looking at faces, humans invariably move their eyes to a consistent preferred first fixation location on the face. While most people have the preferred fixation location just below the eyes, a minority have it between the nose-tip and mouth. Not much is known about whether these long-term differences in the preferred fixation location are associated with distinct neural representations of faces. To study this, we used a gaze-contingent face adaptation aftereffect paradigm to test in two groups of observers, one with their mean preferred fixation location closer to the eyes (upper lookers) and the other closer to the mouth (lower lookers). In this task, participants were required to maintain their gaze at either their own groups mean preferred fixation location or that of the other group during adaptation and testing. The two possible fixation locations were 3.6° apart on the face. We measured the face adaptation aftereffects when the adaptation and testing happened while participants maintained fixation at either the same or different locations on the face. Both groups showed equally strong adaptation effects when the adaptation and testing happened at the same fixation location. Crucially, only the upper lookers showed a partial transfer of the FAE across the two fixation locations, when adaptation occurred at the eyes. Lower lookers showed no spatial transfer of the FAE irrespective of the adaptation position. Given the classic finding that neural tuning is increasingly position invariant as one moves higher in the visual hierarchy, this result suggests that differences in the preferred fixation location are associated with distinct neural representations of faces.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of residual sphere on vision and satisfaction in pseudophakic patients. SETTING: Private clinics, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: A multivariate model evaluated the effect of 1-month residual sphere on outcomes of pseudophakic patients. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the relative risk of not achieving ≥20/20 monocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), ≥20/50 uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and not being satisfied with vision. ORs were assessed for residual sphere -1.00 to +1.00 diopter (D) in quarter-diopter steps, using 0.00 D as a reference. RESULTS: The analysis included 38 828 multifocal and 11 571 monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). The residual myopic sphere ≤-0.25 D and hyperopic sphere ≥+0.50 D had a clinically meaningful effect on UDVA. Although monofocal IOLs had an improvement in UNVA with every additional 0.25 D of myopia, the change in ORs with increasing myopia was not significant for multifocal IOLs. The mean improvement in UNVA comparing eyes with 0.00 D and -1.00 D sphere was 0.26 logMAR for monofocal and 0.03 logMAR for multifocal IOLs. Low near-addition IOLs had a slightly higher gain in UNVA with increasing myopia, but the gain was not as substantial as with monofocal IOLs. The effect of ametropia on satisfaction was more pronounced for multifocal IOLs. For every 0.25 D of residual myopia, there was >25% increase in dissatisfied patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although myopia improved UNVA in eyes with monofocal IOL, multifocal IOLs did not benefit from residual myopia. Multifocal IOL patients desiring distance vision should be targeted closest to emmetropia, even if it means targeting slight hyperopia.

Case Presentation: A 60-year-old female presented to the emergency department with unilateral eye pain and vision loss. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was performed, which demonstrated ocular metastatic lesions of breast cancer.Discussion: Ocular metastasis is rare, clinically challenging, and may present with a wide range of ophthalmic symptoms. However, POCUS may safely and rapidly identify metastatic lesions to direct further care.

PurposeMutations in the genes encoding type IV collagen alpha 1 (COL4A1) and alpha 2 (COL4A2) cause a multisystem disorder that includes ocular anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) and glaucoma. We previously showed that transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling was elevated in developing anterior segments from Col4a1 mutant mice and that reducing TGFβ signaling ameliorated ASD, supporting a role for the TGFβ pathway in disease pathogenesis. Here, we tested whether altered TGFβ signaling also contributes to glaucoma-related phenotypes in Col4a1 mutant mice.MethodsTo test the role of TGFβ signaling in glaucoma-relevant phenotypes, we genetically reduced TGFβ signaling using mice with mutated Tgfbr2, which encodes the common receptor for all TGFβ ligands in Col4a1+/G1344D mice. We performed slit-lamp biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography for qualitative and quantitative analyses of anterior and posterior ocular segments, histological analyses of ocular tissues and optic nerves, and intraocular pressure assessments using rebound tonometry.ResultsCol4a1+/G1344D mice showed defects of the ocular drainage structures, including iridocorneal adhesions, and phenotypes consistent with glaucomatous neurodegeneration, including thinning of the nerve fiber layer, retinal ganglion cell loss, optic nerve head excavation, and optic nerve degeneration. We found that reducing TGFβ receptor 2 (TGFBR2) was protective for ASD, ameliorated ocular drainage structure defects, and protected against glaucomatous neurodegeneration in Col4a1+/G1344D mice.ConclusionsOur results suggest that elevated TGFβ signaling contributes to glaucomatous neurodegeneration in Col4a1 mutant mice.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of intraoperative wavefront aberrometry (IWA) versus modern intraocular lens formulas in post-myopic laser vision correction (LVC) patients undergoing cataract surgery with capsular tension ring placement. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review conducted at an academic outpatient center. All post-myopic LVC eyes undergoing cataract surgery with IWA from a single surgeon from 05/2017 to 12/2019 were included. All patients received a capsular tension ring (CTR). Mean numerical error (MNE), median numerical error (MedNE), and percentages of prediction error within 0.50D, 0.75D, and 1.00D were calculated for the above formulas. RESULTS: Twenty-seven post-myopic LVC eyes from 18 patients were included. In post-myopic LVC, MNE with Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA), Barrett True K (BTK), Haigis, Haigis-L, Shammas, SRK/T, Hill-RBF v3.0, and W-K AL-adjusted Holladay 1 were + 0.224, - 0.094, + 0.193, - 0.231, - 0.372, + 1.013, + 0.860, and + 0.630 (F = 8.49, p

BACKGROUND: Plusoptix photoscreeners are capable of measuring refractive errors of children from 1 meter distance, without cyloplegia. We aimed to compare refractive data obtained from the newest version of Plusoptix (model 12) with cycloplegic autorefraction. METHODS: We examined 111 consecutive children aged 3-7 years first by Plusoptix A12C under manifest condition and subsequently for cycloplegic refraction by Topcon KR-1 tabletop autorefractometer. Sphere, spherical equivalent, cylinder and axis of astigmatism measured by the two methods were analyzed to determine correlation, agreement and differences. RESULTS: Binocular examination of 111 children aged 4.86±1.27 years revealed good agreement between refractive data obtained by Plusoptix and cycloautorefraction, according to Bland-Altman plots. Significant (p < 0.001) and strong correlation was found between all refractive measurements (Pearsons r value of 0.707 for sphere, 0.756 for pherical equivalent, and 0.863 for cylinder). Plusoptix mean sphere, spherical equivalent and cylinder were 1.22, 0.56, and -1.32 D, respectively. Corresponding values for cycloautorefraction were 1.63, 1.00, and -1.26 D. The difference between axis of cylinder measured by the two methods was < 10° in 144 eyes (64.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the significant agreement and correlation between Plusoptix photoscreener and cycloplegic autorefraction, the need for cycloplegic drops in refractive examination of children may be obviated. The mean difference between cylinder measurements are considerably trivial (0.06 D), but sphere is approximately 0.4 D underestimated by Plusoptix compared to cycloautorefraction, on average.

BACKGROUND: The human brain can rapidly represent sets of similar stimuli by their ensemble summary statistics, like the average orientation or size. Classic models assume that ensemble statistics are computed by integrating all elements with equal weight. Challenging this view, here, we show that ensemble statistics are estimated by combining parafoveal and foveal statistics in proportion to their reliability. In a series of experiments, observers reproduced the average orientation of an ensemble of stimuli under varying levels of visual uncertainty. RESULTS: Ensemble statistics were affected by multiple spatial biases, in particular, a strong and persistent bias towards the center of the visual field. This bias, evident in the majority of subjects and in all experiments, scaled with uncertainty: the higher the uncertainty in the ensemble statistics, the larger the bias towards the element shown at the fovea. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that ensemble perception cannot be explained by simple uniform pooling. The visual system weights information anisotropically from both the parafovea and the fovea, taking the intrinsic spatial anisotropies of vision into account to compensate for visual uncertainty.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: To estimate the pattern of ocular manifestations, as observed clinically and radiologically, and associated risk factors in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) during the second wave at presentation to the hospital in northern India. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 patients of ROCM associated with active cases of COVID-19 or recovered cases of COVID-19 presenting to the Ophthalmology outpatient department or admitted in the COVID ward of the hospital with clinical features suggestive of ROCM. They were confirmed as mucormycosis on KOH and fungal cultures of nasal scrapings and histopathology of debrided tissue. This is an ambispective study with retrospective medical records review for COVID-19 analysis and prospective assessment of ROCM-associated COVID-19 during the second outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The total patients included were 35, which ranged in the age group of 52.91+/- 11.93 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 24:11. The duration between the first positive COVID report and onset of COVID-19-associated ROCM was 9.46+/-11.63 days. The majority (82.9%; n-29) either were diabetics or had high blood glucose levels during the recent COVID-19 infection. 45.7% of patients gave a history of steroid therapy. The most common ocular clinical features were ptosis (80%) and loss of vision 48.7%, respectively. There was diffuse involvement of sinuses in 18 cases (51.4%). Staging based on magnetic resonance imaging scans showed that 7 (20%) had stage II, 20 (57.1%) had stage III, and 28.7% had stage IV disease. Ten patients had varied intracranial extension ranging from meningitis and cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis/thrombosis to brain abscess. Conclusions: COVID-associated ROCM was very rapidly spreading and more destructive. Ptosis and loss of vision related to third nerve involvement and CRAO, respectively, were alarming signs and bad prognostic indicators to the patient. Intracranial involvement and CRAO were poor prognostic features in this type of mucormycosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse, shared intravenous drugs, contaminated needle use, blood transfusion, and mother-to-child transmission. Of the patients with HIV, 50%–75% have ocular manifestations and this may be the primary presentation. This study was carried out in two prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)/HIV clinics. The aim was to determine the incidence, patterns of presentation, and determinants of ocular and adnexal diseases in HIV-positive pregnant women attending HIV clinics to develop an eye care protocol for them. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study of HIV-positive pregnant women attending the PMTCT/HIV Clinics at University College Hospital and Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were taken for CD4+ count and viral load. The stage of the disease, type of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the interval between HIV diagnosis and commencement of ART were recorded. Comprehensive ocular examination, which included visual acuity check unaided and with pinhole, lid, anterior segment examination with slit lamp and posterior segment examination with dilated binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, was conducted. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 153 pregnant women aged 23–42 years (mean, 33.5; standard deviation, ±5.6) were recruited. One hundred and fifteen (75.2%) of them were married in a monogamous setting. Multiple sexual partners (48.4%; n = 74—some women married in monogamous settings at the time of recruitment for this study had multiple sexual partners in the past) and the use of unsterilised objects (46.4%; n = 71) were major high-risk behaviours. Ocular and adnexal diseases were found in 81 (53%) participants. HIV-related ocular and adnexal diseases were found in 16 (10%) participants. Of the 16 HIV-related diseases, optic atrophy was found in seven (43.8%), presumed toxoplasmosis in three (18.7%), presumed cytomegalovirus retinitis in three (18.7%) lid warts in two (12.5%), and conjunctival microangiopathy in one (6.3%) participant. The association between HIV- related ocular and adnexal diseases and gestational age, CD4+ count, viral load and type of ART was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The few HIV-related findings in this study could be a result of the improved CD+ count/low viral load of most of the recruited participants. Ensuring that patients attending PMTCT/HIV clinic have at least one ocular examination during pregnancy by collaborating with eyecare professionals could ensure prompt detection and treatment of eye diseases, to improve the quality of life of HIV-positive pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fluorescence angiography has limitations due to rapid clearance of fluorescein. • TiO 2 nanoparticles and sodium fluorescein (NPTiO 2 -FL) were successfully conjugated. • Conjugating fluorescein with NPTiO 2 enhances fluorescence photostability. • NPTiO2-FL increases retention time in the retina, improving exam duration. • NPTiO 2 -FL are safe for the intended application. Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) has been extensively used for the identification, management, and diagnosis of various retinal and choroidal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, among others. This exam enables clinicians to evaluate retinal morphology and the pathophysiology of retinal vasculature. However, adverse events, including from mild to severe reactions to sodium fluorescein, have been reported. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPTiO 2) have shown significant potential in numerous biological applications. Coating or conjugating these nanoparticles with small molecules can enhance their stability, photochemical properties, and biocompatibility, as well as increase the hydrophilicity of the nanoparticles, making them more suitable for biomedical applications. This work demonstrates the potential use of ultrasmall titanium dioxide nanoparticles conjugated with sodium fluorescein to improve the quality of angiography exams. The strategy of conjugating fluorescein with NPTiO 2 successfully enhanced the fluorescence photostability of the contrast agent and increased its retention time in the retina. Preliminary in vivo and in vitro safety tests suggest that these nanoparticles are safe for the intended application demonstrating low tendency to hemolysis, and no significant changes in the retina thickness or in the electroretinography a-wave and b-wave amplitudes. Overall, the conjugation of fluorescein to NPTiO 2 has produced a nanomaterial with favorable properties for use as an innovative contrast agent in FFA examinations. By providing a clear description of our methodology of analysis, we also aim to offer better perspectives and reproducible conditions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular nanoparticles are tiny particles designed to deliver drugs to the eye and have increased drug stability, prolonged drug release, and thereby enhanced bioavailability. Nanoparticles utilized in ocular drug delivery include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, and niosomes. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and are similar to liposomes but are more stable, less toxic, and easier to produce. Niosomes can also be surface-modified with ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides) to target specific ocular tissues or cells and hence can improve drug penetration through the corneal and conjunctival barriers. Niosomes can bind to the mucin layer of the eye, increasing medication retention time. The encapsulated medicine is released under regulated conditions, allowing therapeutic doses to be maintained for an extended time period. The present study examines niosome-based drug delivery substitutes in ophthalmology, as well as the optimization of nanocarriers for practical use in treating ocular diseases.Article Highlights: Challenges associated with ocular drug delivery due to its unique anatomy, including barriers like the cornea, tear film, and blood-retinal barrier which limit the bioavailability of conventional drug delivery methods. Most studies report that self-assembled nanoparticles are ideal for ocular delivery due to their ability to improve drug stability, solubility, and release profiles. Typically focuses on the advances in nanoparticle technologies for eye-related treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Animal Studied Procedures Results Conclusions To describe the procedure and outcome of electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin as a first‐line treatment for bilateral ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in the eye of a horse.A client‐owned 5‐year‐old Haflinger gelding with limbal‐conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.During general and local anesthesia, injection of bleomycin in the ocular tumor was followed by electroporation, applied with a 15 mm needle electrode, needles held parallel to the ocular surface.Treatment with ECT resulted in therapeutic electric pulses and complete tumor response with no recurrence during follow‐up. Tumor toxicity as a result of treatment was mild, with no adverse effect to normal tissue.In this case of bilateral ocular tumors, staged ECT with bleomycin was shown to be a safe and effective treatment with complete tumor remission and no recurrence during the observation period. The result suggests ECT as a possible treatment in ocular tumors, with further research recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Seafood is an important resource for global nutrition and food security, with both land and marine aquaculture playing pivotal roles. High visual acuity is key for health and survival of farmed, cultured, and wild fish. Cleaner fish technology to control parasite infestation has become important in marine aquaculture and highlights the importance of visual acuity in the efficacy of cleaner fish species. New clinical diagnostic approaches towards understanding and optimising fish visual health could benefit both aquacultured and wild fish populations. Opportunities for developing and using advanced non‐invasive clinical assessment and diagnosis of ocular health in wild, cultured, and experimental fish are key to more rapidly realising how threats to eye health in these animals might be better understood and mitigated. Ophthalmoscopy can rapidly and non‐invasively image anatomical aspects of retinal and anterior ocular tissues and has been used in mammalian biomedicine since the turn of the 20th century. More now than ever, labour‐intensive post‐mortem approaches for ocular analysis such as histology are increasingly being replaced or supplemented by application of various forms of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of ocular tissues in mammalian biomedicine. Advances and availability of other methodological approaches such as three‐dimensional printing and computer science make instrument customisation affordable and adaptable. This review article will outline how ophthalmoscopy, OCT, and other methodologies are being applied towards understanding ocular health in teleost fish species and will describe some of the future opportunities that technological advances might afford in advancing ocular imaging in fish health and disease in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pathologic ocular changes in a population of aquarium - housed Monodactylus argenteus and investigate potential underlying causes for the large number of affected fish in this exhibit. ANIMALS 11 Monodactylus argenteus were evaluated from a shoaling ring exhibit within an aquarium, and 19 control fish without ocular abnormalities were obtained from commercial fish suppliers. METHODS Physical and ocular examinations were performed antemortem. Postmortem samples of liver, heart, dorsal epaxial muscle, and lenses of affected and control fish were analyzed for amino acid profiles. The aqueous humor from affected and control fish was collected postmortem, and osmolality was analyzed. Tissues from affected and control fish were submitted for histopathology. RESULTS Ocular abnormalities in affected fish included corneal lesions, cataracts, lens capsule rupture, and unilateral left-sided lens luxation and buphthalmos. Lens luxation and buphthalmos were directly correlated. Aqueous humor osmolality in control fish differed significantly compared to affected fish but was not correlated to lens abnormality score. Affected fish had significantly lower lens concentrations of arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, serine, and tyrosine than control fish. One affected fish had severe buphthalmos, cataracts, and panophthalmitis caused by gram-positive cocci. CONCLUSIONS Cataracts and traumatic lesions were common in affected M argenteus. Dietary amino acid content and aqueous humor osmolality imbalances were not likely a cause of the cataracts. Differences in lens amino acid concentrations between affected and control fish may be related to cataract formation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Consideration of species-appropriate tank parameters may mitigate ocular lesions including cataracts in aquarium fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Montelukast, a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug for asthma and allergic rhinitis modulates leukotriene (LT) receptors and serves as a critical anti-inflammatory agent. Recent research suggests that the LT signaling pathway targeted by montelukast has broader implications for diseases such as fibrosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and immune defense. This expanded understanding highlights montelukast's potential for repurposing in conditions involving aberrant stress mechanisms, including ocular diseases marked by inflammation, oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis, among several others. This review delves into montelukast's therapeutic mechanisms across various diseases, draws parallels to ocular conditions, and examines clinical trials and associated adverse effects to underscore the unmet need for cysteinyl LT receptor antagonism by montelukast as an effective therapy for visual deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abnormal head position (AHP) refers to a condition where the head is deviated from the usual, upright posture considered normal. AHPs can manifest as the chin being raised or lowered, the head tilted to the right or left, the face turned to either side, or a combination of these movements. Patients with AHP may present to ophthalmologic clinics; however, there are several etiologies for AHP that may not be commonly recognized by ophthalmologists. Key words from this article were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines from 1975 to December 2023. Various etiologies were identified, evaluated, summarized, and then categorized. The maintenance of a normal head posture during our daily activities relies on the complex interaction of different parts of the brain, with the encoding of related sensory inputs occurring in the vestibular nuclei. Abnormal head posture can stem from a variety of etiologies, including ocular, neurological, orthopedic, otolaryngological, gastroenterological, and other factors. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the different characteristics of AHP based on its etiology. Lack of awareness regarding the wide spectrum of causes may lead to patients undergoing unnecessary extensive workups. Conversely, failure to recognize potentially life-threatening causes may result in adverse outcomes for the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Fungal ocular infection is challenging to treat and remains significant cause of blindness globally. The complex structure and physiology of the eye limits the drug targeting to it. Furthermore, post COVID-19 revealed a greater number of patients suffering from fungal eye infection. Hence, current study aimed to develop itraconazole loaded leciplex to enhance the corneal residence time for effective treatment of ocular fungal keratitis infection. Methods: Itraconazole loaded leciplex were prepared by one-step fabrication process using soy phosphatidyl choline, didodecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide and Transcutol HP. Formulation was optimized via Box-Behnken design. Leciplex were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy, anti-fungal activity, in vitro release and ex-vivo permeation study through goat cornea, ocular irritation by using hen’s egg test on chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) study and ex-vivo corneal toxicity study. Results: Itraconazole leciplex exhibited spherical morphology with particle size of 142.5 ± 2.2 nm, entrapment efficiency 99.8 ± 1.8% and zeta potential 62.5mV. In vitro release revealed sustained release pattern of itraconazole leciplex. Further, ex-vivo corneal drug retention study revealed 43.3% retention at the cornea. HET-CAM study and ex-vivo corneal toxicity study confirmed non-irritancy and non-toxicity of leciplex for ocular use. Further, antifungal activity of itraconazole leciplex against Candida albicans demonstrated significantly higher antifungal activity than marketed formulation. Conclusion: Thus, itraconazole-loaded cationic leciplex delivered itraconazole effectively at corneal surface and adhered at anionic mucosal surface via electrostatic attraction to effectively treat corneal infection fungal keratitis at anatomically challenging regions of the eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been limited research into the role of the Pythium insidiosum antigen (PIA) in modulating immune response in patients with pythiosis. This study investigated the balance of T helper type 2 (Th2) and T helper type 1 (Th1) responses after receiving PIA immunotherapy in patients with pythiosis. Next, the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index of IFN-γ primed PIA-treated macrophages were examined. Furthermore, the phagocytosis of infective P. insidiosum zoospores by macrophages was investigated. This work showed that the PIA vaccine induced Th1 response and M1 macrophages in patients with vascular pythiosis who survived and those with localized pythiosis. Phagocytic activity and phagocytic index were increased considerably in localized pythiosis patients compared to vascular pythiosis patients with hematological diseases. IFN-γ priming of PIA-treated macrophages against P. insidiosum zoospores enhanced the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index in vascular and localized pythiosis patients. Macrophages engulfed P. insidiosum zoospores, but the zoospores continued germination, resulting in macrophage death. Overall, our results suggest that PIA can modulate the immune responses, contributing to higher levels of Th1-type cytokine and potentially improving the survival of patients with vascular pythiosis. This study is the first to uncover that P. insidiosum zoospores can survive within macrophages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the limited information on the impact of PM2.5 content on ocular health, a follow-up study was conducted on 50 healthy adults. Samples were collected twice, once before the PM2.5 exposure season and again after exposure. Daily PM2.5 concentration data was gathered from Thung Satok monitoring station. All subjects completed the self-structured ocular symptom questionnaire. The concentrations of 1-OHP were determined using HPLC-FLD. Logistic regression analysis investigated the relationship between PM2.5 toxicity and ocular symptoms. The findings revealed that daily PM2.5 concentrations surpassed the WHO-recommended range by around threefold. Exposure to PM2.5 significantly raised the likelihood of ocular redness (adjusted OR: 12.39, 95% CI), watering (adjusted OR: 2.56, 95% CI), and dryness (adjusted OR: 5.06, 95% CI). Additionally, these symptoms had an exposure-response relationship with increasing 1-OHP levels. Ocular symptoms worsened in frequency and severity during the high PM2.5 season, showing a strong link to elevated PM2.5 levels. Lymphocyte counts were also positively correlated with redness, watering, and dryness during high PM2.5 exposure. In conclusion, our study shows that subjects exposed to higher PM2.5 levels presented more significant ocular surface alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in domestic cattle is an economically significant malignant neoplasm and has been documented primarily in ocular and periocular tissues, vulva, and perineum. SCCs are often slow-growing and locally invasive, but metastasis is uncommon. Increased risk of developing SCC has been predominantly associated with high levels of sunlight exposure and hypopigmentation (skin and conjunctiva). This manuscript reports a case of ocular and perineal SCC in a Holstein Friesian cow with maxillary sinusitis secondary to tumor invasion. Case Description: An approximately 17-year-old Holstein Friesian cow was presented with a swollen, closed left eye and slow-growing perineal masses. The left eye was exenterated after showing poor response to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial therapies, and the largest perineal mass was excised. Twelve months later, the cow developed purulent nasal discharge and dyspnea. The animal was euthanized for postmortem investigation due to health deterioration, advanced age, and suspected tumor metastasis. Conclusion: Ocular and perineal SCCs were diagnosed on biopsy and confirmed with immunohistochemistry. Postmortem gross and histological evaluations confirmed SCC invasion in the left maxillary sinus, with a secondary Trueperella pyogenes infection confirmed on aerobic culture. Histological evaluation of the enlarged lymph nodes revealed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia without evidence of tumor metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study includes 596 children with 26.5% having confirmed vitamin A deficiency. • Xerophthalmia is highly prevalent (48.8%) in this study population. • The most common ocular sign in this study population is conjunctival xerosis (38.9%). • Boys and indigenous schoolchildren have higher risk of xerophthalmia. • Overweight/obesity status is associated with a reduced risk of xerophthalmia. • Identified risk factors linked to xerophthalmia aid in targeted intervention efforts. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a major health issue in developing nations, contributing to preventable childhood blindness. However, there is lack of recent data on xerophthalmia, especially among school-aged children in Malaysia. We hypothesized that xerophthalmia persists among rural schoolchildren in Malaysia and potentially associated with socio-demographic status and malnutrition. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 596 schoolchildren (8-12 years) from ten rural primary schools located in five states across Malaysia. Children meeting the criteria for xerophthalmia assessment included those diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) (plasma retinol < 0.70 µmol/L) and marginal VAD (plasma retinol 0.70 to < 1.05 µmol/L). The overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 48.8%, with the most common ocular sign being conjunctival xerosis (38.9%). The occurrence of xerophthalmia was negatively associated with retinol-binding protein 4 (RPB4) (P =0.003), alpha-carotene (P =0.04), hemoglobin (P =0.004), weight (P =0.02), body mass index (BMI) (P =0.04) and WAZ (weight-for-age z-score) (P =0.04) status. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, a higher risk of xerophthalmia was observed in boys (Adjusted odd ratio [AOR]: 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-2.5) and Orang Asli (OA, indigenous) schoolchildren (AOR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.0), while schoolchildren with overweight/obesity status (AOR: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3-0.8) were associated with a reduced risk of xerophthalmia. The present study unveils a high prevalence of xerophthalmia among vitamin A-deficient primary schoolchildren in rural areas of Malaysia, especially among the indigenous community. The identified socio-demographic and nutritional factors associated to xerophthalmia would facilitate the implementation of more targeted interventions in addressing these issues. This cross-sectional study included 596 rural primary schoolchildren (8-12 years old) in Malaysia, diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and marginal VAD. Xerophthalmia prevalence was 48.8%, with conjunctival xerosis (38.9%) as the most common sign. Higher risk of xerophthalmia was seen in boys and Orang Asli (indigenous) students, while children with overweight/obesity showed reduced risk. The identified risk factors linked to xerophthalmia could aid in targeted intervention efforts. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increased utilization of digital screens is an unavoidable consequence of the technology era. Digital eye strain (DES) is a prevalent health problem among higher education students in Saudi Arabia, especially health sciences students due to the frequent use of digital sources and virtual classes. Thus, this study aimed to assess the severity of digital eye strain syndrome (DESS) symptoms and preventive ergonomic practices among higher education health science students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using multistage cluster sampling in three cities (Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia. A convenient sample of 328 health science students was selected using an equal allocation technique. The researchers designed and used an online survey of three sections: personal and digital device use-related data, the DESS questionnaire, and the self-reported preventive ergonomic practices scale. Results: DESS is a widespread problem among 72.0% of health science students, and 58.2% had unsatisfactory ergonomics. The frequently reported symptoms were blurred vision (32.9%) and increased sensitivity to light (33.5%). The severe eye-related symptoms were headache (45.85%), foreign body inside the eye (43.71%), eye burning (40.19%), and dryness (39.76%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the female sex, years of screen utilization and the number of hours per day, screen use without rest, and frequency of virtual classes per week, eye disease, digital screen utilization for studying, nonuse of protective eye measures, and using numerous digital devices were significant predictors of DESS risk (P < 0.05). Conclusions: DESS is a common problem among many health science students, with headaches and foreign body sensations in the eye being the most frequent symptoms. Screen utilization time and eye disease are significant predictors of DESS, while most items' application of ergonomic practices was low. Educational programs are needed to increase student's awareness of ergonomic practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asem Alqudah, Abdel Rahman Bani Yassin, Said Yaseen, Leen El Taani Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Special Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Irbid, JordanCorrespondence: Asem Alqudah, Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Special Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan, Tel +962795458496, Email asemq981@yahoo.comAbstract: Scorpions are a group of arthropods known to be highly toxic to humans. We report the case of a previously healthy 61-year-old male who sustained a sting from an Androctonus crassicauda scorpion to his right eye. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in a comatose state immediately after the sting. A few days later, he suffered from tearing right-eye pain and loss of vision, which persisted despite initial treatment. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with keratitis and admitted to King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH). He was prescribed various antibiotics, which initially improved his condition. However, the patient experienced subsequent deterioration and recurrent episodes of keratitis. The patient’s visual acuity improved after treatment with a combination of antifungal and antibiotic medications, suggesting a polymicrobial infection. Despite the improvement in his condition, the sting left a central corneal scar, necessitating corneal transplant surgery as a definitive treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this scenario has not been previously documented.Keywords: scorpion bite, keratitis, corneal transplantation, corneal ulceration, ocular, Androctonus crassicauda

Abstract Ocular nanoparticles are tiny particles designed to deliver drugs to the eye and have increased drug stability, prolonged drug release, and thereby enhanced bioavailability. Nanoparticles utilized in ocular drug delivery include liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, dendrimers, and niosomes. Niosomes are non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles that can encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and are similar to liposomes but are more stable, less toxic, and easier to produce. Niosomes can also be surface-modified with ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides) to target specific ocular tissues or cells and hence can improve drug penetration through the corneal and conjunctival barriers. Niosomes can bind to the mucin layer of the eye, increasing medication retention time. The encapsulated medicine is released under regulated conditions, allowing therapeutic doses to be maintained for an extended time period. The present study examines niosome-based drug delivery substitutes in ophthalmology, as well as the optimization of nanocarriers for practical use in treating ocular diseases.

Background and objectives: Many conditions can affect eye health, and even those that do not cause vision impairment can produce pronounced morbidity. In this study, we have investigated the pattern of eye diseases at an eye out patient department (OPD) in a rural set up. Materials and methods: Eye OPD runs fortnightly at Rural Health Training Centre of Department of Community Medicine, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, India. Record from clinic register and patient files from the year 2016 to 2022 was accessed. Data was entered in SPSS version 20.0 software and analysed. Results: A total of 694 patients were enrolled in the study. Common ocular morbidities were refractive error (29.5%), presbyopia (21.6%), cataract (16.9%), pterygium (10.2%), conjunctivitis (8.9%) and corneal conditions (4.3%). Prevalence of refractive error was almost same in both male (30.6%) and female (33.1%). Presbyopia was significantly (p

Abstract Considering the limited information on the impact of PM2.5 content on ocular health, a follow-up study was conducted on 50 healthy adults. Samples were collected twice, once before the PM2.5 exposure season and again after exposure. Daily PM2.5 concentration data was gathered from Thung Satok monitoring station. All subjects completed the self-structured ocular symptom questionnaire. The concentrations of 1-OHP were determined using HPLC-FLD. Logistic regression analysis investigated the relationship between PM2.5 toxicity and ocular symptoms. The findings revealed that daily PM2.5 concentrations surpassed the WHO-recommended range by around threefold. Exposure to PM2.5 significantly raised the likelihood of ocular redness (adjusted OR: 12.39, 95% CI), watering (adjusted OR: 2.56, 95% CI), and dryness (adjusted OR: 5.06, 95% CI). Additionally, these symptoms had an exposure-response relationship with increasing 1-OHP levels. Ocular symptoms worsened in frequency and severity during the high PM2.5 season, showing a strong link to elevated PM2.5 levels. Lymphocyte counts were also positively correlated with redness, watering, and dryness during high PM2.5 exposure. In conclusion, our study shows that subjects exposed to higher PM2.5 levels presented more significant ocular surface alterations.

Abstract There has been limited research into the role of the Pythium insidiosum antigen (PIA) in modulating immune response in patients with pythiosis. This study investigated the balance of T helper type 2 (Th2) and T helper type 1 (Th1) responses after receiving PIA immunotherapy in patients with pythiosis. Next, the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index of IFN-γ primed PIA-treated macrophages were examined. Furthermore, the phagocytosis of infective P. insidiosum zoospores by macrophages was investigated. This work showed that the PIA vaccine induced Th1 response and M1 macrophages in patients with vascular pythiosis who survived and those with localized pythiosis. Phagocytic activity and phagocytic index were increased considerably in localized pythiosis patients compared to vascular pythiosis patients with hematological diseases. IFN-γ priming of PIA-treated macrophages against P. insidiosum zoospores enhanced the phagocytic activity and phagocytic index in vascular and localized pythiosis patients. Macrophages engulfed P. insidiosum zoospores, but the zoospores continued germination, resulting in macrophage death. Overall, our results suggest that PIA can modulate the immune responses, contributing to higher levels of Th1-type cytokine and potentially improving the survival of patients with vascular pythiosis. This study is the first to uncover that P. insidiosum zoospores can survive within macrophages.

Primates can rapidly detect potential predators and modify their behavior based on the level of risk. The gaze direction of predators is one feature that primates can use to assess risk levels: recognition of a predators direct stare indicates to prey that it has been detected and the level of risk is relatively high. Predation has likely shaped visual attention in primates to quickly assess the level of risk but we know little about the constellation of low-level (e.g., contrast, color) and higher-order (e.g., category membership, perceived threat) visual features that primates use to do so. We therefore presented human and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) participants with photographs of potential predators (lions) and prey (impala) while we recorded their overt attention with an eye-tracker. The gaze of the predators and prey was either directed or averted. We found that both humans and chimpanzees visually fixated the eyes of predators more than those of prey. In addition, they directed the most attention toward the eyes of directed (rather than averted) predators. Humans, but not chimpanzees, gazed at the eyes of the predators and prey more than other features. Importantly, low-level visual features of the predators and prey did not provide a good explanation of the observed gaze patterns.

We describe the design and performance of a high-fidelity wearable head-, body-, and eye-tracking system that offers significant improvement over previous such devices. This devices sensors include a binocular eye tracker, an RGB-D scene camera, a high-frame-rate scene camera, and two visual odometry sensors, for a total of ten cameras, which we synchronize and record from with a data rate of over 700 MB/s. The sensors are operated by a mini-PC optimized for fast data collection, and powered by a small battery pack. The device records a subjects eye, head, and body positions, simultaneously with RGB and depth data from the subjects visual environment, measured with high spatial and temporal resolution. The headset weighs only 1.4 kg, and the backpack with batteries 3.9 kg. The device can be comfortably worn by the subject, allowing a high degree of mobility. Together, this system overcomes many limitations of previous such systems, allowing high-fidelity characterization of the dynamics of natural vision.

We analyze the visual perception task that home plate umpires (N = 121) perform calling balls and strikes (N = 3,001,019) in baseball games, focusing on the topics of perceptual learning and bias in decision-making. In the context of perceptual learning, our results show that monitoring, training, and feedback improve skill over time. In addition, we document two other aspects of umpires' improvement that are revealing with respect to the nature of their perceptual expertise. First, we show that biases in umpires' decision-making persist even as their overall accuracy improves. This suggests that bias and accuracy are orthogonal and that reduction of bias in decision-making requires interventions aimed specifically at this goal. Second, we measure a distinct difference in the rate of skill improvement between older and younger umpires. Younger umpires improve more quickly, suggesting that the decision task umpires engage in becomes routinized over time.

Prior research has investigated the quality of information a reader can extract from upcoming parafoveal words. However, very few studies have considered parafoveal processing in bilingual readers, who may differ from monolinguals due to slower lexical access and susceptibility to cross-language activation. This eye-tracking experiment, therefore, investigated how bilingual readers process parafoveal semantic information within and across languages. We used the boundary technique to replace a preview word in a sentence with a different target word during the first rightward saccade from the pretarget region. We manipulated both preview language (nonswitch vs. code-switch) and semantic relatedness (synonym/translation vs. unrelated) between previews and targets. Upon fixation, target words always appeared in the same language as the rest of the sentence to create an essentially monolingual language context. Semantic preview benefits emerged for nonswitched synonym previews but not for code-switched translation previews. Furthermore, participants skipped code-switched previews less often than nonswitched previews and no more often than previews that were unfamiliar to them. These data suggest that bilinguals can extract within-language semantic information from the parafovea in both native and nonnative languages, but that cross-language words are not accessible while reading in a monolingual language mode, as per the partial selectivity hypothesis of bilingual language control. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The basic plan of the retina is conserved across vertebrates, yet species differ profoundly in their visual needs1. Retinal cell types may have evolved to accommodate these varied needs, but this has not been systematically studied. Here we generated and integrated single-cell transcriptomic atlases of the retina from 17 species: humans, two non-human primates, four rodents, three ungulates, opossum, ferret, tree shrew, a bird, a reptile, a teleost fish and a lamprey. We found high molecular conservation of the six retinal cell classes (photoreceptors, horizontal cells, bipolar cells, amacrine cells, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and Müller glia), with transcriptomic variation across species related to evolutionary distance. Major subclasses were also conserved, whereas variation among cell types within classes or subclasses was more pronounced. However, an integrative analysis revealed that numerous cell types are shared across species, based on conserved gene expression programmes that are likely to trace back to an early ancestral vertebrate. The degree of variation among cell types increased from the outer retina (photoreceptors) to the inner retina (RGCs), suggesting that evolution acts preferentially to shape the retinal output. Finally, we identified rodent orthologues of midget RGCs, which comprise more than 80% of RGCs in the human retina, subserve high-acuity vision, and were previously believed to be restricted to primates2. By contrast, the mouse orthologues have large receptive fields and comprise around 2% of mouse RGCs. Projections of both primate and mouse orthologous types are overrepresented in the thalamus, which supplies the primary visual cortex. We suggest that midget RGCs are not primate innovations, but are descendants of evolutionarily ancient types that decreased in size and increased in number as primates evolved, thereby facilitating high visual acuity and increased cortical processing of visual information.

PRCIS: Intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased with age in a population-based study in Nepal, from a mean of 14.1 mm Hg among those 60-64 years old to 13.0 mm Hg among those 80 years old or older. PURPOSE: Few studies have assessed the distribution of IOP from the Indian subcontinent, despite its large population and high burden of glaucoma. The objective of this study was to assess the distribution of IOP measurements from adults living in a lowland region of Nepal. METHODS: In a population-based cross-sectional study, all individuals aged 60 years and older from an area of lowland Nepal were invited for an IOP assessment with a rebound tonometer. RESULTS: Of 160 communities (28,672 people aged ≥60 y) enrolled, 79 (13,808 people aged ≥60 y) were randomly selected for IOP testing. Of those eligible, 10,017 (72.5%) individuals underwent tonometry. Mean IOP decreased monotonically over 5-year age groups, from 14.1 mm Hg (SD: 3.6) among those aged 60-64 years to 13.0 mm Hg (SD: 4.2) among those 80 years or older. The 97.5th percentile IOP measurement was 21.0 mm Hg for all age groups. In adjusted analyses, younger age, self-reported diabetes, and higher population density were each associated with higher IOP, and self-reported cataract surgery was associated with lower IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Mean IOP was lower among older individuals in Nepal, consistent with many studies from East Asia and in contrast to many studies from western populations. These results suggest that ethnic background might be a consideration when diagnosing ocular hypertension.

To maintain a stable and clear image of the world, our eyes reflexively follow the direction in which a visual scene is moving. Such gaze-stabilization mechanisms reduce image blur as we move in the environment. In non-primate mammals, this behaviour is initiated by retinal output neurons called ON-type direction-selective ganglion cells (ON-DSGCs), which detect the direction of image motion and transmit signals to brainstem nuclei that drive compensatory eye movements1. However, ON-DSGCs have not yet been identified in the retina of primates, raising the possibility that this reflex is mediated by cortical visual areas. Here we mined single-cell RNA transcriptomic data from primate retina to identify a candidate ON-DSGC. We then combined two-photon calcium imaging, molecular identification and morphological analysis to reveal a population of ON-DSGCs in the macaque retina. The morphology, molecular signature and GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)-dependent mechanisms that underlie direction selectivity in primate ON-DSGCs are highly conserved with those in other mammals. We further identify a candidate ON-DSGC in human retina. The presence of ON-DSGCs in primates highlights the need to examine the contribution of subcortical retinal mechanisms to normal and aberrant gaze stabilization in the developing and mature visual system.

Background While cardiovascular and neurological diseases induced by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) hypoxia are well established, the association between neuro-otological diseases and OSAS is not entirely understood. Vestibular and audiological tests have been used to evaluate the degeneration of neurons in the brainstem caused by recurrent hypoxia. Purpose Evaluation of the vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test findings applied to detect the possible influence on the vestibular reflex arc due to hypoxia in patients diagnosed with OSAS using Activity-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scales determination of scores. Research Design This was a cross-sectional study. Study Sample Participants aged 18 to 60 who underwent polysomnography due to snoring/sleep apnea were divided into an OSAS, and a control group of subjects were also included. Each group consisted of 20 participants. Data Collection and Analysis All participants were evaluated with cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) tests. The groups were compared regarding variables such as the rate of oVEMP and cVEMP waves obtained, the interval between the waves, and the latency and amplitude. Also, BBS and ABC scales were applied to all participants. Results The cVEMP (50%) and oVEMP (45%) response rates and amplitudes were significantly lower in the OSAS group. No significant difference was found between the groups when comparing other VEMP parameters. However, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the ABC and BBS scores in the OSAS group. Conclusion The identification of VEMP alterations in the OSAS group is a clear indication that the vestibular reflex pathways may be adversely affected by hypoxia. Personal rehabilitation programs can be created by evaluating activities of daily living with the ABC and static and dynamic balances with BBS in patients with OSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer continues to pose a substantial global health burden and remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Encouragingly, survival rates have consistently improved, largely due to advancements in diagnosis and treatment. The development of anticancer drugs, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, hormonal agents, and targeted therapies, has significantly enhanced the efficacy of cancer treatments. Chemotherapy-induced ocular toxicity encompasses a wide range of disorders, influenced by the eye's unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. The mechanisms of these drugs can lead to systemic and ocular side effects, including cytotoxicity, inflammation, and neurotoxicity. While ocular side effects from targeted therapies are less common, they can be severe, disabling, and potentially irreversible. In some cases, immediate discontinuation of the drug may be necessary to prevent vision-threatening complications. Understanding these ocular side effects is crucial for early recognition and intervention by ophthalmologists and oncologists to prevent blindness. Additionally, anticipating treatment-related toxicities enables pharmacists to develop strategies that minimize or mitigate these side effects. This review focuses on the ocular toxicity associated with the most significant anticancer chemotherapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the potency and efficacy of a library of dopamine receptor D2 (D2R) antagonists in the mitigation of fibrotic activation in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured and treated with methotrexate or 27 district D2R antagonists using a fibronectin deposition assay. The most potent compounds were then further assessed in assays measuring cellular proliferation, cellular migration, and profibrotic gene expression. Results: The previously established antifibrotic D2R antagonist loxapine exerted a robust and dose-dependent inhibition of fibronectin deposition, whereas methotrexate exerted minimal inhibition. The most potent D2R antagonist identified, fluphenazine, effectively blocked in vitro models of fibrosis at 300–1,000 nM concentrations. Conclusions: Here we found multiple FDA-approved D2R antagonists that potently block RPE cell fibrogenesis. These findings further support the potential of D2R antagonism as a potential therapeutic for retinal fibrotic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• More than 90 % of both patient groups, oMG and gMG were antibody-positive. • AChR antibody titer above 100 nmol/L seems to predict generalization. • oMG patients responded better to treatment, achieving quicker symptom satisfaction. • 1/3 (350) of all MG patients in Denmark was included in this chart review. • No difference in thymus pathology was found between oMG and gMG patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and serological differences between the ocular myasthenia gravis (oMG) and generalized MG (gMG). This study is a retrospective chart review, in which data was collected from patients fulfilling 2 of 3 diagnostic MG criteria (positive antibodies, evidence of neuromuscular transmission defect on neurophysiological examination, positive effect of pyridostigmine treatment). 350 patients were included and data concerning demographics and MG medical history were collected. Patients with oMG accounted for 15.7 % of the included patients. The two subgroups differed significantly in oMG having a later age at onset, lower AChR antibody-titers, longer doctor-to-diagnosis delay and less intensive MG treatment. Additionally, patients with oMG were faster at reaching a well-controlled disease state. Thymus pathology, number of antibody-positive (95.9 % of gMG and 94.5 % of oMG), sex, number of other autoimmune diseases and delay before drug stability did not differ between oMG and gMG. In conclusion, oMG is presumably a milder form of gMG characterized by lower AChR antibody-titers, a milder phenotype, and a quicker response to a less aggressive treatment. But otherwise, oMG and gMG show very similar characteristics, including the same frequency of positive AChR antibodies, which seems new compared to previous reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a common inflammatory condition of unknown etiology that commonly affects the skin and mucous membranes. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive technique for identifying early retinal vascular impairment in systemic disease without clinical damage by imaging deep and superficial capillary networks. Aims: To assess the impacts of LP on the choroid and assess vascular changes in retinal capillary density using OCTA. Methods: This single-center prospective case-control study included 30 therapeutic-naïve LP patients and 30 age and sex-matched healthy individuals. All study subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement using a Snellen chart, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and fundus examination. They were then examined using spectral domain OCT and choroidal thickness was measured. The vessel density of the superficial and deep capillary networks was measured and assessed using OCTA. Results: Patients had significantly thicker choroidal and retinal thickness than controls, with subfoveal, nasal, and temporal areas showing a significant difference. A significantly higher vascular density in the superficial capillary plexus, particularly in the nasal perifoveal area, was found compared to the control group. Significantly, higher vascular density in the deep capillary plexus in the parafoveal area compared to controls was reported. Significant correlations were found between visual acuity and IOP, and age, duration of disease, and severity of disease. Conclusions: This study is the first to reveal that LP patients exhibit choroidal changes and retinal vascular alterations compared to healthy controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearable tear-based biosensors have garnered substantial interest for real time monitoring with an emphasis on personalized health care. These biosensors utilize major tear biomarkers such as proteins, lipids, metabolites, and electrolytes for the detection and recording of stable biological signals in a non-invasive manner. The present comprehensive review delves deep into the tear composition along with potential biomarkers that can identify, monitor, and predict certain ocular diseases such as dry eye disease, conjunctivitis, eye-related infections, as well as diabetes mellitus. Recent technologies in tear-based wearable point-of-care medical devices, specifically the state-of-the-art and prospects of glucose, pH, lactate, protein, lipid, and electrolyte sensing from tear are discussed. Finally, the review addresses the existing challenges associated with the widespread application of tear-based sensors, which will pave the way for advanced scientific research and development of such non-invasive health monitoring devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Keratoconus (KC) is the most prevalent corneal ectasia in the world, and its pathogenesis is influenced by both ocular and systemic factors. This review explores the multifaceted associations between keratoconus and systemic health conditions, ocular characteristics, and various other environmental/exogenous factors, aiming to illuminate how these relationships influence the pathophysiology of the disease. Areas Covered: This review will summarize the fundamental attributes of KC, review and discuss the systemic and ocular association of KC including molecular biomarkers, and provide an organized overview of the parallel alterations occurring within various biological pathways in KC. Expert Opinion: Despite the substantial volume of research on keratoconus, the precise etiology of the disease remains elusive. Further studies are necessary to deepen our understanding of this intricate disorder and improve its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]