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No specific interventions have been reported for the treatment of severe neurodeprivative dry eye disease owing to facial nerve palsy. We describe herein the feasibility of a novel surgical procedure to reinnervate the lacrimal gland and report the preliminary outcomes of the first series of patients who were treated accordingly.Prospective interventional case series including consecutive patients affected by facial palsy with absolute deficiency of tear secretion who underwent lacrimal gland neurotization. A sural nerve vertical cross-face graft was used to connect the lacrimal gland with the parasympathetic branch of the lingual nerve directed to the contralateral submandibular gland.Lacrimal neurotization was performed uneventfully in 10 patients (4 M, 6 F; mean age 47.1 ± 17.1 years). In all cases, the procedure was combined with facial reanimation, while corneal neurotization was performed in 4 cases. One year postoperatively, mean values of a Schirmer test increased significantly compared with baseline values (7.56 ± 7.84 vs. 0 ± 0 mm/5 min; P = 0.02), while the mean daily number of instillation of tear substitutes decreased significantly (21.8 ± 4.5 vs. 7.1 ± 2.2; P = 0.009). Overall, all patients were satisfied with surgery (very satisfied: n = 7 and satisfied: n = 2). No major postoperative complications occurred.Vertical cross-face using a sural nerve graft to connect the lacrimal gland with the contralateral submandibular gland is a novel technique for treating patients with facial nerve palsy and severe neurodeprivative dry eye disease. This surgery both performed alone and combined with corneal neurotization is able to improve tear secretion and decrease the need for frequent instillations of tear substitutes.

Introduction: This study aimed to analyze macular structure by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a cohort of patients affected by autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome, due to genetic variants in USH2A gene, and to correlate optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters with functional and genetic data. Methods: The subjects of this study were 92 patients, 46 syndromic (Usher syndrome type IIa [Ush2]) and 46 nonsyndromic (autosomal recessive RP [arRP]), with clinical and genetic diagnosis of USH2A-related retinal dystrophy, who underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and spectral-domain OCT analysis. The study focused on evaluating the differences between the 2 groups in the following parameters: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ellipsoid zone (EZ) width, presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), and cystic macular lesions (CMLs). Variants in USH2A gene were divided into 3 categories, according to the expected impact (low/high) at protein level of the different variants on each allele. Results: BCVA and EZ width were significantly lower in Ush2 than in arRP patients (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.001). ERM was detected in 34.8% (16/46) of arRP patients and in 65.2% (30/46) of Ush2 patients (p = 0.003). CML was detected in 17.4% (8/46) of arRP patients and 30.4% (14/46) of Ush2 patients (p = 0.14). The allelic distribution was statistically different (p = 0.0003) by dividing the 2 diseases: for Ush2 patients it was 45.7% (high/high), 39.1% (low/high) and 15.2% (low/low); for arRP patients it was 8.7% (high/high), 56.5% (low/high), and 34.8% (low/low). The severity class of the variants significantly affected visual acuity and EZ width parameters (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Retinal disease, as evaluated by means of SD-OCT, shows more advanced degeneration signs in the syndromic than the nonsyndromic form of retinal dystrophy related to USH2A gene. Variant types and allelic profiles are determining factors for the onset of syndromic features. However, since the 3 allelic profiles can be found in both Usher and RP patients, other factors must necessarily play a determining role.

Purpose To analyze the comparative safety and efficacy of two techniques of corneal neurotization (CN) (direct corneal neurotization [DCN] vs indirect corneal neurotization [ICN]) for the treatment of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK). Design Multicenter interventional prospective comparative case series. Methods This study took place at ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo University Hospital, Milan; S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna; and Santa Maria alle Scotte University Hospital, Siena, Italy. The study population consisted of consecutive patients with NK who underwent CN between November 2014 and October 2019. The intervention procedures included DCN, which was was performed by transferring contralateral supraorbital and supratrochlear nerves. ICN was performed using a sural nerve graft. The main outcome measures included NK healing, corneal sensitivity, corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) measured by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), and complication rates. Results A total of 26 eyes in 25 patients were included: 16 eyes were treated with DCN and 10 with ICN. After surgery, NK was healed in all patients after a mean period of 3.9 months without differences between DCN and ICN. Mean corneal sensitivity improved significantly 1 year after surgery (from 3.07 to 22.11 mm; P Conclusions CN allowed the healing of NK in all patients as well as improvement of corneal sensitivity in most of them thanks to nerve regeneration documented by IVCM. One year postoperatively, DCN and ICN showed comparable outcomes.

Purpose To compare the efficacy of the new lubricating product VisuEvo® (VSE) vs Cationorm® (CTN) in patients with dry eye disease (DED). Methods Seventy-two patients with evaporative (n=54) and non-evaporative DED (n=18) were included in a multicenter, double-blind, 12-week cross-over study to receive VSE (6 weeks) and CTN (6 weeks) in randomized sequence. After baseline, two visits were performed during each period (intermediate and final visit, respectively at 2 and 6 weeks from the beginning of each period). Primary (tear break-up time, TBUT) and secondary endpoints (Schirmer I, Ferning, blink rate, osmometry, cytokine and lipid expression, ocular surface staining, patient satisfaction, and OSDI score) were compared. Results Sixty-three patients were evaluated for efficacy and 68 patients for safety. The intergroup differences for mean TBUT values were not significant at any study visit (baseline 3.2 ±1.5 sec; intermediate visits 4.5 ± 1.9 and 4.5 ± 1.8 sec in VSE and CTN groups, respectively, p = 0.10; final visits 5.4 ± 2.4 and 6.0 ± 3.1, respectively, p=0.63). Also, the assessment of secondary endpoints showed no significant difference between the two groups. The two study treatments were equally effective in evaporative and non-evaporative DED. The safety profile was excellent for both ocular treatments; transient blurred vision was observed in 11 patients only during CTN, 10 patients only during VSE, and 16 during both treatments. Conclusion VSE was non-inferior to CTN in restoring tear film composition, increasing its stability and reducing ocular surface damage in evaporative and non-evaporative DED patients. Study identifier NCT03833882.

Screening programs may be useful to reduce the rate of undetected glaucoma. Compass (CMP, CenterVue, Padova, Italy) Standard Suprathreshold strategy (SST) analyses the visual function at 52 retinal locations. A new Quick Suprathreshold strategy (QST) reduces the number of tested locations to 24. With both tests, the CMP also provides an image of the central retina and a detail of the optic nerve head. The aim of this paper is to measure the performances of SST and QST compared with clinical diagnosis. 63 consecutive healthy subjects and 60 consecutive patients with perimetric defects from glaucoma in both eyes were recruited. They received one test per eye (SST or QST in randomized order), results were classified into normal, suspect and abnormal according to a global index provided in the report and called SupraThreshold Response (STR). Agreement between clinical diagnosis and test output were calculated, and test time was also measured. The agreement with the clinical diagnosis was 95.7% for SST and 95.1% for QST. When two suspect tests were excluded, agreement for QST increased to 96.7%. Test duration was 164 ± 82 s for SST and 71 ± 41 s for QST (p &lt, 0.0001). Such a difference was similar in both glaucoma patients (respectively 231 ± 65 s vs 105 ± 33 s, p&nbsp, &lt, 0.0001) and normal subjects (98 ± 17 and 39 ± 9 s, p &lt, 0.0001). In conclusion, SST and QST showed similar, high agreement with clinical judgement. Morphological analysis is potentially helpful in further improving the clinical usefulness of suprathreshold tests. QST is characterized by a strong time saving compared with SST.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy with characteristic changes to the optic nerve head and the visual field (VF). Detecting progression of VF damage with Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) is of paramount importance for clinical care. One common approach to detecting progression is to compare each new VF test to a baseline SAP test (event analysis). This comparison is made difficult by the test–retest variability of SAP, which increases with the level of VF damage, and the limited range of measurement, meaning that damage cannot be assessed below a certain level. We performed a prospective international multi-centre data collection of SAP data on 90 eyes from 90 people with glaucoma and different levels of VF damage over a short period of time (6 tests in 60 days). Data were collected using a fundus tracked perimeter (Compass, CenterVue). We used these data (minus the first test) to develop an improved event analysis that accounts for both the change in variability with damage and the lower bound on the measurement imposed by SAP. Using simulations, we show that our approach is more sensitive compared to previously developed methods, especially in the case of advanced glaucoma, while retaining similar specificity.

This study aimed to analyze macular structure by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a cohort of patients affected by autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa and Usher syndrome, due to genetic variants in USH2A gene, and to correlate optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters with functional and genetic data.The subjects of this study were 92 patients, 46 syndromic (Usher syndrome type IIa [Ush2]) and 46 nonsyndromic (autosomal recessive RP [arRP]), with clinical and genetic diagnosis of USH2A-related retinal dystrophy, who underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and spectral-domain OCT analysis. The study focused on evaluating the differences between the 2 groups in the following parameters: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ellipsoid zone (EZ) width, presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM), and cystic macular lesions (CMLs). Variants in USH2A gene were divided into 3 categories, according to the expected impact (low/high) at protein level of the different variants on each allele.BCVA and EZ width were significantly lower in Ush2 than in arRP patients (p0.0001 and p = 0.001). ERM was detected in 34.8% (16/46) of arRP patients and in 65.2% (30/46) of Ush2 patients (p = 0.003). CML was detected in 17.4% (8/46) of arRP patients and 30.4% (14/46) of Ush2 patients (p = 0.14). The allelic distribution was statistically different (p = 0.0003) by dividing the 2 diseases: for Ush2 patients it was 45.7% (high/high), 39.1% (low/high) and 15.2% (low/low); for arRP patients it was 8.7% (high/high), 56.5% (low/high), and 34.8% (low/low). The severity class of the variants significantly affected visual acuity and EZ width parameters (p = 0.004 and p = 0.002, respectively).Retinal disease, as evaluated by means of SD-OCT, shows more advanced degeneration signs in the syndromic than the nonsyndromic form of retinal dystrophy related to USH2A gene. Variant types and allelic profiles are determining factors for the onset of syndromic features. However, since the 3 allelic profiles can be found in both Usher and RP patients, other factors must necessarily play a determining role.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of additional central testing locations to improve detection of macular visual field (VF) defects in glaucoma. \ud \ud DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. \ud \ud PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred forty healthy people and 499 patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) were tested with a fundus tracked perimeter (CMP; CenterVue) using a 24-2 grid with 12 additional macular locations (24-2+). \ud \ud METHODS: Glaucomatous optic neuropathy was identified based on expert evaluation of optic nerve head photographs and OCT scans, independently of the VF. We defined macular defects as locations with measurements outside the 5% and 2% normative limits on total deviation (TD) and pattern deviation (PD) maps within the VF central 10°. Classification was based on the total number of affected macular locations (overall detection) or the largest number of affected macular locations connected in a contiguous cluster (cluster detection). Criteria based on the number of locations and cluster size were used to obtain equivalent specificity between the 24-2 grid and the 24-2+ grids, calculated using false detections in the healthy cohort. Partial areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (pAUCs) were also compared at specificities of 95% or more. \ud \ud MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Matched specificity comparison of the ability to detect glaucomatous macular defects between the 24-2 and 24-2+ grids. \ud \ud RESULTS: At matched specificity, cluster detection identified more macular defects with the 24-2+ grid compared with the 24-2 grid. For example, the mean increase in percentage of detection was 8% (95% confidence interval, 5%-11%) and 10% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%-13%) for 5% TD and PD maps, respectively, and 5% (95% CI, 2%-7%) and 6% (95% CI, 4%-8%) for the 2% TD and PD maps, respectively. Good agreement was found between the 2 grids. The improvement measured by pAUCs was also significant but generally small. The percentage of eyes with macular defects ranged from about 30% to 50%. Test time for the 24-2+ grid was longer (21% increase) for both cohorts. Between 74% and 98% of defects missed by the 24-2 grid had at least 1 location with sensitivity of < 20 dB. \ud \ud CONCLUSIONS: Visual field examinations with additional macular locations can improve the detection of macular defects in GON modestly without loss of specificity when appropriate criteria are selected.

In the homeostasis of the ocular surface, vitamins play a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses and promoting cell differentiation, development and correct function. Systemic vitamin supplementation has been available for many decades; in recent years, thanks to pharmacological advancements, topical vitamin delivery has also become available in an attempt to better treat ocular surface disease (OSD) and dry eye disease (DED). In this paper, we reviewed the current evidence on the role of vitamin supplementation in OSD and DED. We originally searched the PubMed archive, inspected the references and restricted the search to pertinent papers. The body of evidence was evaluated using the amelioration of both signs and symptoms as the outcome, when available. We found that in patients with vitamin deficiency, systemic supplementation of Vitamin A is effective in treating OSD, reducing both DED signs and symptoms. Additionally, systemic supplementation of vitamin D is useful in reducing DED symptoms and increasing tear volume. Vitamin A is also effective in reducing DED signs and symptoms when administered locally. The efficacy of supplementation with other vitamins is still not fully proven. In conclusion, the inclusion of vitamins into the treatment strategies for OSD and DED allows for better treatment customization and better outcomes in these patients.

Purpose To describe a multimodal imaging diagnosis of retinopathy in dermatomyositis. Case presentation A 21-year-old white woman with a history of fatigue and a cutaneous rash complained of visual impairment in her left eye. A funduscopic examination showed multiple confluent cotton-wool spots in both eyes. Swept source-optical coherence tomography presented macular edema in both eyes; optical coherence tomography angiography revealed superficial and deep capillary occlusion in all areas affected by cotton-wool spots; and fluorescein angiography showed vascular walls enhancement, veins dilatation, and capillary leakage. After large doses of intravenously administered glucocorticoid therapy, followed by a cyclophosphamide regimen, best corrected visual acuity returned to 20/20 in both eyes. Conclusions This case report presents optical coherence tomography angiography clinical findings in a rare case of dermatomyositis-associated retinopathy, remarking the importance of a multi-imaging approach for a correct diagnosis and treatment of eye injuries, in order to avoid serious complications and permanent sequelae.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy determining characteristic changes to the optic nerve head and the visual field (VF). Detecting progression of VF damage with Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP) is of paramount importance for clinical care. One common approach to detecting progression is to compare each new VF test to a baseline SAP test (event analysis). This comparison is made difficult by the test-retest variability of SAP, which increases with the level of VF damage, and the lower bounds on the range of measurement, meaning that damage cannot be assessed below a certain level. We performed a prospective international multi-centre data collection of SAP data on 90 eyes from 90 people with glaucoma and different levels of VF damage over a short period of time (6 tests in 60 days). Data were collected using a fundus tracked perimeter (Compass, CenterVue). We used these data (minus the first test) to develop an improved event analysis that accounts for both the change in variability with damage and the lower bound on the measurement imposed by SAP. Using simulations, we show that our approach is more sensitive compared to previously developed methods, especially in the case of advanced glaucoma, while retaining similar specificity.

Introduction: Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disease originating from a damage to the trigeminal innervation. Corneal neurotization (CN) is a recently introduced surgical p...

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare postoperative outcomes after microscope-assisted encircling buckle and chandelier endoillumination for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in phakic and pseudophakic (PFK) patients. Methods: 121 eyes of 117 patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the lens status (group 1, PFK, 53 eyes; group 2, phakic, 68 eyes). The main outcomes include retinal reattachment rate (RRR) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: The overall primary RRR was 91.7% (111/121). In group 1, the primary RRR was 90.6% (48/53), whereas in group 2 it was 92.6% (63/68). The mean preoperative BCVA improved in both groups at 12 months. Undetected retinal breaks were found in 9.9% of cases. When an encircling 5-mm oval sponge was used, no additional exoplants were required and transcleral drainage was performed in 89.7% of the eyes. In group 1, among the 5 PFK eyes with persistent RRD, 4 eyes had a sulcus intraocular lens. Conclusions: Microscope-assisted episcleral surgery with chandelier endoillumination is an effective technique for primary RRD in both phakic and PFK eyes with uncomplicated cataract surgery. Chandelier endoilluminators help to visualize undetected retinal breaks, especially in PFK eyes. In case of a circumferential 5-mm oval sponge, additional exoplants are not required and transcleral drainage is strongly recommended to flatten the retina by closing the causative breaks.

Background To evaluate the effects of topical citicoline and vitamin B12 (Cit-B12: OMK2, Omikron Italia srl, Italy) on corneal innervation of patients with diabetic neuropathy. Methods This prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study included 30 patients randomised with a 2:1 ratio to Cit-B12 or placebo 3 times daily for 18 months. At baseline and at months 4, 8, 12, 18 patients underwent the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire (OSDI), tear break-up time, evaluation of corneal and conjunctival staining, Schirmer I test, Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, and confocal biomicroscopy of corneal sub-basal plexus (SBP). Fiber lenght density (FLD) was calculated using NeuronJ and expressed in mm/mm2. Raw data and differences from baseline were analysed in the two groups. Results 29/30 patients concluded the study. The two groups had similar FLD at baseline; it progressively improved up to month 18 in both groups (Cit-B12, p p = 0.04). A progressive amelioration of corneal sensitivity (baseline, 28 ± 18 mm; month 18, 52 ± 10 mm, p P = 0.04) and OSDI questionnaire (P = 0.05) were shown on Cit-B12 group alone. Both treatments were well tolerated and adherence during the study was high. Conclusions Cit-B12 ameliorated both morphology and function of corneal nerves in patients with diabetes, thus suggesting a neuroregenerative effect. Trial registration Trial registration NCT03906513, retrospectively registered on 08 April 2019.

Introduction To evaluate the effects of a new lubricating, antioxidant solution (VisuEvo®) on dry eye disease (DED) in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods Patients requiring cataract surgery with either healthy ocular surface or mild DED (tear break-up time, TBUT > 7, Schirmer I test > 15 mm/5 min) were enrolled in this multicenter, open-label, randomized, prospective study. Scheduled visits were 2 weeks before surgery (screening), day of surgery (V0), week 1 (V1), and 2 (V2) after surgery. VisuEvo® was self-administered three times daily for the whole study duration (group A); the control group (group B) had no tear substitute administration. The primary endpoint was the change in TBUT over time; the secondary endpoints were changes in Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), ocular surface staining, the Schirmer I test, and osmometry. Results A total of 45 patients were included (group A, 23; group B, 22; age 74 ± 8 years). At the screening, TBUT was similar between the groups (group A, 8.5 ± 1.8 s; group B, 7.8 ± 0.7, p = 0.11). At the scheduled visits, TBUT increase vs screening visit was significantly higher in group A: +1.2 s at V0, +1.4 s at V1, and +1.9 s at V2 (p p Conclusions The ocular surface was more protected and quickly restored from surgery when VisuEvo® was used from 2 weeks preoperatively to 2 weeks postoperatively. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03833908

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the eye tracking system (ETS) improved the reproducibility of a single circle peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurement acquired with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).The sample comprised 205 individuals divided into 2 groups according to intraocular pressure and visual field outcomes. A total of 100 healthy individuals and 105 patients with open-angle glaucoma underwent imaging of the optic nerve head with OCT 3 times during the same session and 2 additional times in subsequent sessions (30 days apart). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation, and test-retest variability were calculated for the RNFL thickness acquired with and without the ETS enabled, and compared.The glaucoma group mainly comprised patients with moderate glaucoma (mean deviation of standard automated perimetry, -6.73±6.2 dB). The RNFL thicknesses did not differ between acquisitions with or without the ETS activated and disabled. All ICCs were0.9 in the control and glaucoma groups with or without the ETS activated. The best parameter in the intersession analysis (with ETS activated) was global RNFL thickness (ICC, 0.95; coefficient of variation, 2.7%; and test-retest variability, 2.87 μm). The reproducibility and repeatability of RNFL measurements did not differ significantly between acquisitions with or without the ETS in either group.The reproducibility of peripapillary RNFL thicknesses acquired with OCT was excellent. The variability between OCT measurements did not decrease with the ETS activated.

The aim of this report is to investigate the possible causes of acute acquired onset of transient esotropia (AATE) in children and to help to differentiate ophthalmoplegic migraine (OM) from accommodative spasm (AS). A case of an 8-year-old Caucasian female affected by AATE and diplopia is described. The day before AATE onset, the patient complained of slight headache without nausea and vomiting, with spontaneous resolution. AATE diagnosis is challenging. The most likely ophthalmological causes of AATE are AS and OM. In these cases it is important to evaluate the presence of both a familial history of recurrent headaches and an AATE associated with migraine, ptosis, nausea, and vomiting. A full ophthalmological evaluation and a thorough refractive examination in cycloplegia are mandatory to exclude ophthalmological causes.

AimsTo investigate the effect of fundus tracking perimetry on structure–function relationship in glaucoma.MethodsPerimetric data were acquired with the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA) and the Compass fundus perimeter (CMP, equipped with fundus tracking). We included data from 696 eyes from 360 healthy people and 711 eyes from 434 patients with glaucoma from the original study, for which the circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer optical coherence tomography scan (Cp-RNFL) was available. We explored the structure–function relationship using both global indices (mean deviation and average Cp-RNFL thickness loss) and anatomically defined visual field clusters comparing the R2 values from mixed-effect models. We then measured the diagnostic ability of a combined Structure Function Index (SFI) using perimetric data from either perimeter. The comparisons were based on partial receiver operating characteristic curves with a minimum specificity of 75% and their areas under the curve.ResultsThe R2 for the global structure–function relationship was 0.50 for the CMP and 0.48 for the HFA. When visual field clusters were included in the model, the R2 was 0.29 for CMP and 0.30 for HFA. Overall, the discrimination ability of the SFI was not significantly higher than the Cp-RNFL for either the CMP (p=0.07) or the HFA (p=0.14). However, it was significantly better in eyes with perimetric damage (pConclusionsStructure–function relationship is similar between the two perimeters. Fundus tracking might improve discrimination ability with a combined SFI.Trial registration numberISRCTN13800424.

PURPOSE To correlate metamorphopsia provided by M-CHARTS and ectopic inner foveal layers (EIFL) or 'central bouquet' abnormality (CBA) in patients with advanced stages of epiretinal membrane (ERM) following the novel Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)-based grading scheme. METHODS In 60 eyes of 57 patients affected by ERM (stages 3 and 4), the degree of metamorphopsia using the M-CHARTS was evaluated (M-SCORE) and correlated with EIFL, CBA and central foveal thickness (CFT) as measured on OCT scans. RESULTS A total of 37 and 23 eyes were diagnosed having ERM stages 3 and 4, respectively. Mean vertical and horizontal M-SCORE (M-V and M-H) were 0.64 ± 0.43 and 0.58 ± 0.37 standard deviations, respectively. Mean M-SCORE exhibited a statistically significant correlation with EIFL and CFT (both p

Purpose: To evaluate relative diagnostic precision and test–retest variability of 2 devices, the Compass (CMP, CenterVue, Padova, Italy) fundus perimeter and the Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA, Zeiss, Dublin, CA), in detecting glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON).\ud \ud \ud Design: Multicenter, cross-sectional, case-control study.\ud \ud Participants: We sequentially enrolled 499 patients with glaucoma and 444 normal subjects to analyze relative precision. A separate group of 44 patients with glaucoma and 54 normal subjects was analyzed to assess test–retest variability.\ud \ud Methods: One eye of recruited subjects was tested with the index tests: HFA (Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm [SITA] standard strategy) and CMP (Zippy Estimation by Sequential Testing [ZEST] strategy), 24-2 grid. The reference test for GON was specialist evaluation of fundus photographs or OCT, independent of the visual field (VF). For both devices, linear regression was used to calculate the sensitivity decrease with age in the normal group to compute pointwise total deviation (TD) values and mean deviation (MD). We derived 5% and 1% pointwise normative limits. The MD and the total number of TD values below 5% (TD 5%) or 1% (TD 1%) limits per field were used as classifiers.\ud \ud Main Outcome Measures: We used partial receiver operating characteristic (pROC) curves and partial area under the curve (pAUC) to compare the diagnostic precision of the devices. Pointwise mean absolute deviation and Bland–Altman plots for the mean sensitivity (MS) were computed to assess test–retest variability.\ud \ud Results: Retinal sensitivity was generally lower with CMP, with an average mean difference of 1.85±0.06 decibels (dB) (mean ± standard error, P < 0.001) in healthy subjects and 1.46±0.05 dB (mean ± standard error, P < 0.001) in patients with glaucoma. Both devices showed similar discriminative power. The MD metric had marginally better discrimination with CMP (pAUC difference ± standard error, 0.019±0.009, P = 0.035). The 95% limits of agreement for the MS were reduced by 13% in CMP compared with HFA in participants with glaucoma and by 49% in normal participants. Mean absolute deviation was similar, with no significant differences.\ud \ud Conclusions: Relative diagnostic precision of the 2 devices is equivalent. Test–retest variability of MS for CMP was better than for HFA.

Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness, is usually first managed medically, with incisional surgery as a second step. Noninvasive glaucoma procedures attempt to fill the gap between medical and surgical treatments and may work synergistically with them. High-intensity focused ultrasound induces a selective and controlled thermal ablation of the distal part of the ciliary body, and this effect is independent from the degree of tissue pigmentation with limited damage to adjacent structures. This selective and innovative treatment decreases intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor production and by increasing uveoscleral outflow. We review the current literature on the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound in glaucoma, exploring present use, safety, efficacy, and future clinical applications.

Objective The glycogen storage diseases (GSD) or glycogenoses comprise several inherited diseases caused by abnormalities of the enzymes that regulate the synthesis or degradation of glycogen. This report presents lens opacities not previously described in patients with type I or III GSD. Participants Eleven patients with type I and III GSD. Methods We examined a series of 11 consecutive patients (aged 13–40 years) with type I and III GSD by full ophthalmologic examination. Results We found changes of the lens on 7 of 11 patients (aged 23–40 years) with glycogenoses I and III. In 6 patients, the lens showed multiple, bilateral, punctate, and peripheral opacities; only 1 patient showed a posterior subcapsular opacity in both eyes. We did not observe changes in the cornea and the posterior pole correlated to the accumulation of glycogen and lipids. Conclusions In this series, we found that 60% of patients with type I and III GSD show lens opacities. These opacities are bilateral, peripheral, multiple, and small; they do not give any visual disturbance. Considering that subjects with age ranging from 13 to 23 years had no lens opacities, we postulate that they could progressively develop over time because of exposure to recurrent attacks of hypoglycemia, which lead to a progressive depletion of hexokinase.

Background:Compass (CenterVue, Padova, Italy) is a fundus automated perimeter which has been introduced in the clinical practice for glaucoma management in 2014. The aim of the article is to review Compass literature, comparing its performances against Humphrey Field Analyzer (Zeiss Humphrey Systems, Dublin, CA, USA).Results:Analyses on both normal and glaucoma subjects agree on the fact that Humphrey Field Analyzer and Compass are interchangeable, as the difference of their global indices is largely inferior than test -retest variability for Humphrey Field Analyzer. Compass also enables interesting opportunities for the assessment of morphology, and the integration between morphology and function on the same device.Conclusion:Visual field testing by standard automated perimetry is limited by a series of intrinsic factors related to the psychophysical nature of the examination; recent papers suggest that gaze tracking is closely related to visual field reliability. Compass, thanks to a retinal tracker and to the active dislocation of stimuli to compensate for eye movements, is able to provide visual fields unaffected by fixation instability. Also, the instrument is a true colour, confocal retinoscope and obtains high-quality 60° × 60° photos of the central retina and stereo-photos details of the optic nerve. Overlapping the image of the retina to field sensitivity may be useful in ascertaining the impact of comorbidities. In addition, the recent introduction of stereoscopic photography may be very useful for better clinical examination.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) for treating moderate-to-severe neurotrophic keratitis (NK), a rare degenerative corneal disease resulting from loss of corneal innervation. DESIGN: Phase II multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with stage II (moderate) or stage III (severe) NK in one eye. METHODS: The REPARO Phase II study assessed safety and efficacy in 156 patients randomized 1:1:1 to rhNGF 10μg/ml, 20 μg/ml, or vehicle. Treatment was administered 6 drops per day for 8 weeks. Patients then entered a 48- or 56-week follow-up period. Safety was assessed in all patients who received study drug, while efficacy was by intention to treat. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Corneal healing (defined as

Neurotrophic keratitis/keratopathy (NK), a rare degenerative corneal disease, lacks effective pharmacologic therapies.1 Because NK pathology involves trigeminal nerve damage and loss of corneal innervation, nerve growth factor (NGF) is surmised to promote healing of NK.2 Preliminary studies with murine NGF demonstrated efficacy for treating corneal neurotrophic ulcers;3 however, the complex tertiary structure of NGF has complicated the production of recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) suitable for clinical development. To this end, we developed an Escherichia coli–derived rhNGF formulation that demonstrated to be well tolerated and safe for topical ophthalmic use in a phase I study in healthy volunteers.4 We report phase I results of topical rhNGF for patients with moderate-to-severe NK.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, affecting more than 60 million people globally. In order to reduce the progression of the disease, both medical and surgical treatments are used. Frequent side effects of both treatments include a range of modifications of the ocular surface grouped as the Ocular Surface Disease (OSD), which include Dry Eye Disease (DED). DED and other OSD negatively impact on the success of anti-glaucoma treatments and reduce the adherence to medical therapies. Tear film osmolarity (TFO) is a relatively novel test which has become a hallmark of DED. The aim of this paper was to review the association between OSD, DED and glaucoma in view of published TFO data, and to discuss future fields of research and treatments on the topic of glaucoma iatrogenic damage.

Retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) is an uncommon complication of endoscopic sinus surgery or periorbital surgery consisting in an accumulation of blood within the orbit posteriorly to the eyeball. It must be treated within 90-100 minutes to avoid irreversible visual loss. The present paper tries to pinpoint the key steps in diagnosis and treatment of RBM.On the wake of a new case, the authors review and update their clinical experience and propose a step-by-step protocol to diagnose and to treat RBH developing under different circumstances: during endoscopic sinus surgery, during periorbital surgery, immediately after the surgery, in the awakening room, or postoperatively in the ward.A therapeutic ladder is proposed that starts with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis and progresses to a lower lid transconjunctival incision with retrocaruncular extension.Based on our experience, the proposed guidelines are effective in diagnosing and treating RBH. They allow to preserve vision and minimize reliquates of this rare and dangerous surgical emergency.

Introduction The aim of the present study was to compare the confocal and clinical features of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients receiving unpreserved prostaglandins (tafluprost) versus preserved prostaglandins (latanoprost). Materials and Methods 40 patients were randomized to tafluprost 0.0015% (20 patients; 32 eyes) or latanoprost 0.005% + benzalkonium chloride 0.02% (20 patients; 35 eyes) once daily for 1 year. Inclusion criteria were new glaucoma diagnosis, and no ocular treatments for 6 months before the study. Patients were evaluated at baseline and every 3 months with a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, Schirmer’s test, break-up time test, confocal microscopy of the central cornea, and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP). Investigators were masked to treatment. Both eyes were analyzed if they fulfilled inclusion criteria. Treatments and changes between follow-up and baseline were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test and Chi-square test. Results At baseline, the two groups had similar age, ocular surface and confocal findings; keratocyte activation was present in 40%, branching pattern in 85%, and beading in 75%, with no inter-group differences. At follow-up, no significant clinical changes were detected, apart from a drop of IOP by 3.6–4.2 mmHg in the two groups (p

Background/aims To determine the structure–function relationship between equivalent visual field areas obtained with the Octopus perimeter (OP), and the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in healthy individuals and patients with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Methods Eighty-eight normal subjects and 150 patients with open-angle glaucoma were prospectively recruited. Eligible participants for the glaucoma group were required to have elevated intraocular pressure and glaucomatous optic nerve head morphology. All participants underwent reliable automated perimetry with OP, and optic nerve head imaging with the Cirrus OCT. Principal component analysis of the mean threshold values for the visual field test points were performed independently for each hemifield. Pearson correlations were calculated between visual field regions and RNFL thickness sectors. Results Mild to moderate correlations were observed between the visual field regions and the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses. Each visual field region was significantly correlated with more than one RNFL sector, and vice versa. The strongest correlation was observed between the RNFL thickness at 5 and 7 clock-hour positions and the superonasal region of OP (r=0.63). Conclusions Retinal sensitivity evaluated with OP correlated moderately well with the RNFL thickness measured by OCT. There was an overlap of the visual field regions within the optic disc.