March 2018

PURPOSE: To test whether verteporfin with a nonthermal laser increases corneal mechanical stiffness and resistance to enzymatic degradation ex vivo. METHODS: Thirty human corneas (n = 5 per group) were treated with verteporfin alone (V), irradiated with nonthermal laser therapy (689 nm) alone (NTL), or received combined treatment of verteporfin with nonthermal laser therapy for 1 sequence (V+NTL1) or 6 sequences (V+NTL6) of 1 minute of NTL exposure. Positive controls were pretreated with 0.1% riboflavin/20% dextran every 3 to 5 minutes for 30 minutes and irradiated with ultraviolet light type A (λ = 370 nm, irradiance = 3 mW/cm) for 30 minutes using the Dresden protocol (R+UVA). Untreated corneas were used as negative controls. The corneal biomechanical properties were measured with enzymatic digestion, compression, creep, and tensile strength testing. RESULTS: V+NTL6- and R+UVA-treated corneas acquired higher rigidity and more pronounced curvature than untreated corneas. The stress-strain tests showed that V+NTL6 and R+UVA corneas became significantly stiffer than controls (P < 0.005). The V+NTL6 group seemed to be slightly stiffer than the R+UVA group, although the differences were not statistically significant. V+NTL6 corneas were found to have a significantly lower absolute creep rate (-1.87 vs. -3.46, P < 0.05) and significantly higher maximum stress values (7.67 vs. 3.02 P < 0.05) compared with untreated corneas. CONCLUSIONS: Verteporfin-NTL (V+NTL6) increases corneal mechanical stiffness and resistance to enzymatic collagenase degradation. Although a clinical study is needed, our results suggest that V+NTL6 induces corneal cross-linking and corneal biomechanical changes that are similar to those induced by standard corneal collagen cross-linking.

Growing evidence demonstrates dramatic structural and functional neuroplastic changes in individuals born with early-onset blindness. For example, cross-modal sensory processing at the level of the occipital cortex appears to be associated with adaptive behaviors in the blind. However, detailed studies examining the structural properties of key white matter pathways in other regions of the brain remain limited. Given that blind individuals rely heavily on their sense of hearing, we examined the structural properties of two important pathways involved with auditory processing, namely the uncinate and arcuate fasciculi. High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) tractography was used to examine structural parameters (i.e., tract volume and quantitative anisotropy, or QA) of these two fasciculi in a sample of 13 early blind individuals and 14 normally sighted controls. Compared to controls, early blind individuals showed a significant increase in the volume of the left uncinate fasciculus. A small area of increased QA was also observed halfway along the right arcuate fasciculus in the blind group. These findings contribute to our knowledge regarding the broad neuroplastic changes associated with profound early blindness.

BACKGROUND: Within a surveillance of the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in high-income regions and Central/Eastern Europe, we update figures through 2015 and forecast expected values in 2020. METHODS: Based on a systematic review of medical literature, prevalence of blindness, moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI), mild vision impairment and presbyopia was estimated for 1990, 2010, 2015, and 2020. RESULTS: Age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages decreased from 1990 to 2015 from 0.26% (0.10-0.46) to 0.15% (0.06-0.26) and from 1.74% (0.76-2.94) to 1.27% (0.55-2.17), respectively. In 2015, the number of individuals affected by blindness, MSVI and mild vision impairment ranged from 70 000, 630 000 and 610 000, respectively, in Australasia to 980 000, 7.46 million and 7.25 million, respectively, in North America and 1.16 million, 9.61 million and 9.47 million, respectively, in Western Europe. In 2015, cataract was the most common cause for blindness, followed by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, uncorrected refractive error, diabetic retinopathy and cornea-related disorders, with declining burden from cataract and AMD over time. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI. CONCLUSIONS: While continuing to advance control of cataract and AMD as the leading causes of blindness remains a high priority, overcoming barriers to uptake of refractive error services would address approximately half of the MSVI burden. New data on burden of presbyopia identify this entity as an important public health problem in this population. Additional research on better treatments, better implementation with existing tools and ongoing surveillance of the problem is needed.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of corneal biomechanical properties on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained using a rebound self-tonometer (Icare HOME) compared with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). METHODS: An observational study of 100 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. All had a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and standard automated perimetry. IOP was assessed by GAT, Icare HOME and Ocular Response Analyzer, which was also used to assess corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was recorded. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) IOP measurements were 14.3±3.9 and 11.7±4.7 mm Hg using GAT and Icare HOME, respectively. Average CCT, CRF, and CH were 534.5±37.3 μm, 9.0±1.7 mm Hg, and 9.4±1.5 mm Hg, respectively. The mean difference between Icare HOME and GAT was -2.66±3.13 mm Hg, with 95% limits of agreement of -8.80 to 3.48 mm Hg, however, there was evidence of proportional bias. There was negative correlation between IOP and CH [5.17 mm Hg higher Icare HOME IOP (P=0.041, R=0.029) and 7.23 mm Hg higher GAT IOP (P=0.008, R=0.080) for each 10 mm Hg lower CH], whereas thinner CCT was significantly associated with lower IOP (P<0.001, R=0.14 for Icare HOME and P<0.001, R=0.08 for GAT). In multivariable analysis, although CRF and CH remained associated with IOP measured using either GAT or Icare HOME, CCT was no longer significant. CONCLUSION: IOP measurements obtained using a self-tonometer, similar to GAT, were more influenced by overall corneal biomechanics than CCT.

PURPOSE: To analyze optic disc hemorrhages (DH) associated with primary open-angle glaucoma by quantifying their geometric profile and comparing their densitometry with hemorrhages from retinal vein occlusions (RVO) and retinal macroaneurysms (MA), which have venous and arterial sources of bleeding, respectively. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. METHODS: Setting: Massachusetts Eye & Ear. POPULATION: Fundus images of DH (n = 40), MA (n = 14), and RVO (n = 25) were identified. Patient clinical backgrounds and demographics were obtained. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Grayscale pixel intensity units of hemorrhages and adjacent arteriole and venule over the same background tissue were measured. Densitometry differentials (arteriole or venule minus hemorrhage [ΔA and ΔV, respectively]) were calculated. The ratios of length (radial) to midpoint width for DH were calculated. Mean ΔA and ΔV between groups were compared with t tests. Multiple linear regression assessed the relation of retinal hemorrhage diagnosis to ΔA and ΔV and of DH shape to ΔA and ΔV. RESULTS: Mean (± standard deviation) ΔA and ΔV for DH (6.9 ± 7.1 and -4.7 ± 8.0 pixel intensity units, respectively) and MA (5.3 ± 5.9 and -6.0 ± 4.6, respectively) were comparable (P ≥ .43). Mean ΔA (14.6 ± 7.7) and ΔV (6.4 ± 6.3) for RVO were significantly higher compared to DH and MA (P < .0001) and remained significant in multivariable analyses. A unit increase in DH length-to-width ratio was associated with 1.2 (0.5) and 1.3 (0.5) pixel intensity unit (standard error) decrease in ΔA and ΔV, respectively (P ≤ .014). CONCLUSIONS: DH have densitometry profiles comparable to MA and different from RVO, suggesting that DH in glaucoma have an arterial origin.

A 3-month-old male developed intermittent left upper eyelid ptosis at the age of 1 month that was gradually increasing in frequency and duration. Examination revealed anisocoria and left upper and lower eyelid ptosis, consistent with a left Horner syndrome. Imaging showed a mass in the left superior posterior mediastinum, which was resected, and pathology was consistent with neuroblastoma. Eight months thereafter, the patient underwent left upper eyelid ptosis repair. Cases of infantile acquired Horner syndrome due to neuroblastoma are rare. To the authors' knowledge, there has only been one case described that presented with intermittent symptoms. The authors report the second case of intermittent acquired Horner syndrome due to neuroblastoma. This case demonstrates the importance of recognizing that Horner syndrome may present with subtle and intermittent symptoms. In a pediatric patient, one should maintain suspicion for neuroblastoma.

Determinants and mechanisms of cell attachment and entry steer adeno-associated virus (AAV) in its utility as a gene therapy vector. Thus far, a systematic assessment of how diverse AAV serotypes engage their proteinaceous receptor AAVR (KIAA0319L) to establish transduction has been lacking, despite potential implications for cell and tissue tropism. Here, a large set of human and simian AAVs as well as -reconstructed ancestral AAV capsids were interrogated for AAVR usage. We identified a distinct AAV capsid lineage comprised of AAV4 and AAVrh32.33 that can bind and transduce cells in the absence of AAVR, independent of the multiplicity of infection. Virus overlay assays and rescue experiments in nonpermissive cells demonstrate that these AAVs are unable to bind to or use the AAVR protein for entry. Further evidence for a distinct entry pathway was observed , as AAVR knockout mice were equally as permissive to transduction by AAVrh32.33 as wild-type mice upon systemic injection. We interestingly observe that some AAV capsids undergo a low level of transduction in the absence of AAVR, both and , suggesting that some capsids may have a multimodal entry pathway. In aggregate, our results demonstrate that AAVR usage is conserved among all primate AAVs except for those of the AAV4 lineage, and a non-AAVR pathway may be available to other serotypes. This work furthers our understanding of the entry of AAV, a vector system of broad utility in gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a nonpathogenic virus that is used as a vehicle for gene delivery. Here, we have identified several situations in which transduction is retained in both cell lines and a mouse model in the absence of a previously defined entry receptor, AAVR. Defining the molecular determinants of the infectious pathway of this highly relevant viral vector system can help refine future applications and therapies with this vector.

Tissue adhesives are gaining popularity in ophthalmology, as they could potentially reduce the complications associated with current surgical methods. An ideal tissue adhesive should have superior tensile strength, be non-toxic and anti-inflammatory, improve efficiency and be cost-effective. Both synthetic and biological glues are available. The primary synthetic glues include cyanoacrylate and the recently introduced polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives, while most biological glues are composed of fibrin. Cyanoacrylate has a high tensile strength, but rapidly polymerises upon contact with any fluid and has been associated with histotoxicity. Fibrin induces less toxic and inflammatory reactions, and its polymerisation time can be controlled. Tensile strength studies have shown that fibrin is not as strong as cyanoacrylate. While more research is needed, PEG variants currently appear to have the most promise. These glues are non-toxic, strong and time-effective. Through MEDLINE and internet searches, this paper presents a systematic review of the current applications of surgical adhesives to corneal, glaucoma, retinal, cataract and strabismus surgeries. Our review suggests that surgical adhesives have promise to reduce problems in current ophthalmic surgical procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease linked to low insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels and perhaps to postnatal inflammation. Here, we investigated the longitudinal postnatal serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in relation to IGF-I levels and ROP. DESIGN: The study cohort included 52 infants born before 31 gestational weeks. The infants were screened for ROP and classified as non-ROP (n=33), non-proliferative ROP (stages 1 and 2; n=10), or proliferative ROP (stage 3, all treated for ROP; n=9). Blood samples were collected at birth, 24h after birth, and then weekly until at least 36weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) (i.e., up to 13weeks after birth). Circulating levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were evaluated in relation to circulating IGF-I levels and ROP. RESULTS: IL-6 levels negatively correlated with IGF-I levels between 5 and 8weeks after birth, (p<0.01 to p<0.05). At birth, the IL-6 and TNF-α levels were similar independent of later ROP. Twenty-four hours after birth, both IL-6 and TNF-α levels had increased in infants later treated for ROP (p<0.05). Postnatal, infants treated for ROP had higher IL-6 levels than infants without ROP. CONCLUSIONS: The pro-inflammatory response is associated with low IGF-I levels and the development of ROP.

Oncoming headlight glare (HLG) reduces the visibility of objects on the road and may affect the safety of nighttime driving. With cataracts, the impact of oncoming HLG is expected to be more severe. We used our custom HLG simulator in a driving simulator to measure the impact of HLG on pedestrian detection by normal vision subjects with simulated mild cataracts and by patients with real cataracts.Five normal vision subjects drove nighttime scenarios under two HLG conditions (with and without HLG: HLGY and HLGN, respectively), and three vision conditions (with plano lens, simulated mild cataract, and optically blurred clip-on). Mild cataract was simulated by applying a 0.8 Bangerter diffusion foil to clip-on plano lenses. The visual acuity with the optically blurred lenses was individually chosen to match the visual acuity with the simulated cataract clip-ons under HLGN. Each nighttime driving scenario contains 24 pedestrian encounters, encompassing four pedestrian types; walking along the left side of the road, walking along the right side of the road, crossing the road from left to right, and crossing the road from right to left. Pedestrian detection performances of five patients with mild real cataracts were measured using the same setup. The cataract patients were tested only in HLGY and HLGN conditions. Participants' visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were also measured in the simulator with and without stationary HLG.For normal vision subjects, both the presence of oncoming HLG and wearing the simulated cataract clip-on reduced pedestrian detection performance. The subjects performed worst in events where the pedestrian crossed from the left, followed by events where the pedestrian crossed from the right. Significant interactions between HLG condition and other factors were also found: (1) the impact of oncoming HLG with the simulated cataract clip-on was larger than with the plano lens clip-on, (2) the impact of oncoming HLG was larger with the optically blurred clip-on than with the plano lens clip-on, but smaller than with the simulated cataract clip-on, and (3) the impact was larger for the pedestrians that crossed from the left than those that crossed from the right, and for the pedestrians walking along the left side of the road than walking along the right side of the road, suggesting that the pedestrian proximity to the glare source contributed to the performance reduction. Under HLGN, almost no pedestrians were missed with the plano lens or the simulated cataract clip-on (0 and 0.5%, respectively), but under HLGY, the rate of pedestrian misses increased to 0.5 and 6%, respectively. With the optically blurred clip-on, the percent of missed pedestrians under HLGN and HLGY did not change much (5% and 6%, respectively). Untimely response rate increased under HLGY with the plano lens and simulated cataract clip-ons, but the increase with the simulated cataract clip-on was significantly larger than with the plano lens clip-on. The contrast sensitivity with the simulated cataract clip-on was significantly degraded under HLGY. The visual acuity with the plano lens clip-on was significantly improved under HLGY, possibly due to pupil myosis. The impact of HLG measured for real cataract patients was similar to the impact on performance of normal vision subjects with simulated cataract clip-ons.Even with mild (simulated or real) cataracts, a substantial negative effect of oncoming HLG was measurable in the detection of crossing and walking-along pedestrians. The lowered pedestrian detection rates and longer response times with HLGY demonstrate a possible risk that oncoming HLG poses to patients driving with cataracts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate occurrence of subtarsal fibrosis in patients with graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) and to determine its association with ocular surface epitheliopathy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: We enrolled 40 patients with moderate or severe dry eye disease, including 20 patients with chronic ocular GVHD and 20 patients without (as the control group). All patients had a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment including evaluation for subtarsal fibrosis, corneal and conjunctival staining, tear break-up time (TBUT), and Schirmer test. Furthermore, meibomian gland drop-out area and densities of epithelial and stromal immune cells were measured using meibography and in vivo confocal microscopy, respectively. RESULTS: Subtarsal fibrosis was not seen in any eye of the non-GVHD group. However, 16 eyes (40%) of 10 patients (50%) in the GVHD group had subtarsal fibrosis (P < .001) with an average involvement of 28.9% ± 13.7% of the tarsal area. Fibrosis was more frequent in the upper lids (35%) than in the lower lids (5%). Regression analyses showed that corneal fluorescein staining was significantly associated with the extent of fibrosis (P < .001, β = 0.14) and TBUT (P < .001, β = -0.53) but not with other clinical or imaging parameters. Conjunctival lissamine green staining also had a statistically significant association with the extent of fibrosis (P = .04, β = 0.12) but not other clinical or imaging parameters. Eyes with subtarsal fibrosis had a more severe ocular surface epitheliopathy compared with eyes without fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Subtarsal fibrosis is present in a significant percentage of patients with chronic ocular GVHD, likely contributing to the ocular surface damage in these patients.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical characteristics, therapies, visual outcomes, and prognoses of patients with retinal vasculitis associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with retinal vasculitis associated with AAV and at least 6 months of follow-up were included. Demographic data, systemic and ocular features, best-corrected visual acuity at the initial visit and latest visit, fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings, therapy regimen, and outcome were collected from the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) database from 2006 to 2017. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (22 eyes) were identified. Twelve had granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and 1 each had microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). FA showed that AAV affected small-to-medium-size retinal vessels. Seven cases (50%) had both vein/venule and artery/arteriole involvement. Four cases co-presented with choroidal vasculitis. All of them failed various immunomodulatory therapies prior to referral to MERSI. Six patients received rituximab plus prednisone as their final therapy and 5 of them achieved remission. Four patients who failed cyclophosphamide previously were induced into remission by rituximab. Patients were followed for 33.4 ± 25.5 (range 6-84) months. Nine of 14 patients (64.3%) achieved remission at their latest visit. Seventeen of 22 eyes (77.3%) met the criteria for a good (≥20/40) visual outcome. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients enjoyed a good visual outcome and achieved remission after aggressive treatment. Rituximab should be considered as an initial treatment for patients with refractory retinal vasculitis associated with AAV.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in a sample of the South Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of a cross-sectional, population-based sample of 10,978 participants, 40 years of age and older, enrolled in the 2008 to 2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All participants had measured intraocular pressure <22 mm Hg and open anterior chamber angles. OAG was defined using disc and visual field criteria established by the International Society for Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. Multivariable analyses were performed to determine the association between BMI and OAG. These analyses were also performed in a sex-stratified and age-stratified manner. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding variables, lower BMI (<19 kg/m) was associated with greater risk of OAG compared with normal BMI (19 to 24.9 kg/m) [odds ratio (OR), 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22-4.26]. In sex-stratified analyses, low BMI remained adversely related to glaucoma in women (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.42-8.38) but not in men (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 0.71-4.20). In age-stratified analyses, lower BMI was adversely related to glaucoma among subjects 40- to 49-year old (OR, 5.16; 95% CI, 1.86-14.36) but differences in glaucoma prevalence were not statistically significant between those with low versus normal BMI in other age strata. CONCLUSIONS: Lower BMI was associated with increased odds of OAG in a sample of the South Korean population. Multivariate analysis revealed the association to be statistically significant in women and those in the youngest age stratum.

Importance: Mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy fed matched diets except for ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) vs ω-6 LC-PUFAs demonstrate relative antiangiogenic and neuroprotective associations of ω-3 LC-PUFAs. However, supplementing preterm infants with LC-PUFAs has been inconsistent in reducing major preterm morbidities. However, few studies measured serum lipid levels after supplementation. Objective: To examine the associated risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) from the levels of circulating ω-3 and ω-6 LC-PUFAs. Design, Setting, and Participants: This longitudinal clinical study was a further analysis of serum lipid levels from a randomized controlled trial cohort of 90 infants born at gestational age (GA) less than 28 weeks. From April 4, 2013, to September 22, 2015, cord blood samples, followed by venous blood samples, were obtained at birth and at 1, 7, 14, and 28 days after birth and then at postmenstrual age (PMA) 32, 36, and 40 weeks at the neonatal intensive care unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Göteborg, Sweden. Main Outcomes and Measures: Serum phospholipid fatty acids were transmethylated and measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mann-Whitney test, logistic regression Spearman rank correlation, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to compare differences between infants with no ROP and infants who developed ROP. Results: Serum levels from 78 infants (43 male [55%]; mean [SD] GA, 25.5 [1.4] weeks) with a known ROP outcome were evaluated. Lower area under the curve (AUC) of arachidonic acid (AA) (20:4 ω-6) was seen in infants with a later diagnosis of ROP compared with infants with no ROP in the first month of life (mean, 34.05 [95% CI, 32.10-36.00] vs 37.15 [95% CI, 34.85-39.46]; P < .05). In addition, lower levels of AA at 32 weeks' PMA were seen in infants with later severe ROP compared with in those without ROP (mean, 7.06 [95% CI, 6.60-7.52] vs 8.74 [95% CI, 7.80-9.67]; P < .001). In logistic modeling, low postnatal serum levels of AA and GA at birth identified with a sensitivity greater than 90% of infants who developed ROP. Conclusions and Relevance: Low postnatal levels of the ω-6 LC-PUFAs (AA) are strongly associated with ROP development. Evaluating postnatal AA fraction after birth in addition to GA may be useful for ROP prediction. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02760472.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of IVIg monotherapy in patients with recalcitrant ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). METHODS: A chart review of all OCP patients seen at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution (MERSI) between 2005 and 2015 was completed. Stage was graded by using the Foster grading system. IVIg infusion was 2g/kg/cycle administered in 3 consecutive days monthly. RESULTS: Of 512 OCP patients, 17 patients (34 eyes) treated with IVIg monotherapy were identified. Seven were female and ten were male. The average age at diagnosis was 60.7-year-old. The follow up time ranged from 12 to 140 months. Twenty-six eyes (76.5%) achieved remission. Nine remission eyes received cataract surgeries, and 2 of them had relapse (22.2%). The other 17 eyes did not undergo ocular surgery and remained in remission. IVIg monotherapy showed high efficacy in stage 1 OCP (7/7, 100%). Ocular surgery can be associated with OCP relapse (Table 2). CONCLUSIONS: IVIg monotherapy is an effective and safe therapy in patients with recalcitrant OCP. Ocular surgery can be associated with OCP relapse.

SIGNIFICANCE: The α2-adrenergic receptor agonist brimonidine has been reported to induce conjunctival blanching in cataract, strabismus, laser refractive, and filtration procedures. Clinicians are often faced with red eyes with no apparent underlying pathology. Low-dose brimonidine reduced ocular redness in such subjects with efficacy maintained over 1 month and negligible rebound redness. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025% for the treatment of ocular redness. METHODS: In this single-center, double-masked, phase 3 clinical trial, adult subjects with baseline redness of more than 1 unit in both eyes (0- to 4-unit scale) were randomized 2:1 to brimonidine 0.025% or vehicle. A single dose was administered in-office (day 1); thereafter subjects instilled treatment four times a day for 4 weeks, with clinic visits on days 15, 29, and 36 (7 days post-treatment). Efficacy end points included investigator-evaluated redness 5 to 240 minutes post-instillation on day 1 (primary); investigator-evaluated change from baseline 1, 360, and 480 minutes post-instillation on day 1, and 1 and 5 minutes post-instillation on days 15 and 29; total clearance of redness, and subject-assessed redness. Safety/tolerability measures included adverse events, rebound redness, and drop comfort. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were randomized (n = 40 brimonidine, n = 20 vehicle). Investigator-assessed redness was lower with brimonidine versus vehicle over the 5- to 240-minute post-instillation period (mean [SE], 0.62 [0.076] vs. 1.49 [0.108]; P < .0001) and at each time point within that period (P < .0001). At 1, 360, and 480 minutes post-instillation, respectively, the mean differences (95% confidence interval) between treatments were -0.73 (-1.05 to -0.41), -0.57 (-0.84 to -0.29), and -0.39 (-0.67 to -0.10), respectively. No tachyphylaxis was evident with brimonidine on days 15 and 29, and minimal rebound redness was observed following discontinuation. Adverse events were infrequent, and brimonidine was rated as very comfortable. CONCLUSIONS: Brimonidine 0.025% appeared safe and effective for reduction of ocular redness, with an 8-hour duration of action, no evidence of tachyphylaxis, and negligible rebound redness.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomies (eDCRs) show patency rates between 81% and 94%. However, dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure and the need for revision remain a significant challenge. One of the principal challenges in revision eDCR is the need to surgically identify the correct osteotomy site and maintain long-term patency in the setting of previously instrumented and potentially scarred tissue. At the same time, the surgeon must assume that the blood supply to the commonly described anterior and posteriorly pedicled flaps has been compromised. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to describe a novel flap technique for revision eDCR. METHODS: The superior based mucosal flap is a novel technique that provides a vascularized mucosa preserving technique in revision eDCR despite previous instrumentation of the lacrimal system. This technique provides wide exposure of the revision osteotomy site while simultaneously allowing a viable mucosal flap to be replaced at the conclusion of the procedure, thereby minimizing bone exposure and cicatricial restenosis. RESULTS: The authors have utilized this technique in 13 procedures with 100% positive identification of the lacrimal sac, a 0% complication rate, and a 100% success rate after a mean follow-up of 26.93 ± 10.33 months (range 6-35 months). CONCLUSION: The eDCR using the superior pedicled mucosal flap provides excellent exposure of the maxillary bone and the lacrimal sac. This method preserves vascularity of the flap using a superiorly based pedicle which is typically inviolate during both open and endoscopic primary DCR. The mucosal flap can then be replaced, thereby minimizing bone exposure and optimizing patency.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The surgical approach to eyes needing a secondary intraocular lens have evolved rapidly in recent years. Here, we will focus on techniques for scleral-fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs), and will review the evidence for their safety and efficacy. RECENT FINDINGS: Transscleral fixation of IOLs refers the placement of lens haptics within scleral tunnels to stabilize the lens in eyes that lack adequate capsular support. Various surgical techniques have been reported recently to accomplish this goal. These include the use of a trocar, microvitreoretinal blade, or hypodermic needle to create the scleral tunnels, as well as several methods for placing the haptics through the tunnels. Although long-term data is lacking, each technique has been shown to have good visual outcomes without significant side effects. SUMMARY: Surgical approaches for the transscleral fixation of secondary IOLs provide a safe and effective technique for the management of eyes with insufficient capsular support.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize the association of lifestyle and nutritional risk profiles with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in two subpopulations with differing AMD prevalence. METHODS: This case-control study (n = 1992) included 768 patients with AMD and 1224 age- and sex-matched participants without AMD with a single visit at a primary health care unit. Enrolled participants completed a validated lifestyle and food frequency questionnaire. A score to measure adherence to the Mediterranean diet (mediSCORE; Range, 0-9) was constructed from individual food intakes, which were further analyzed by conversion to nutrient consumption. RESULTS: Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (mediSCORE ≥6) was significantly associated with no AMD (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73; P = 0.009). The subpopulation with lower AMD prevalence presented significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet in relation to all individual food groups that comprised the mediSCORE (P < 0.014) with the exception of cereals. Food group analysis showed significant associations between the increased consumption of vegetables (OR = 0.63; P < 0.001) and fruit and nuts (OR = 0.78; P = 0.010) with no AMD. Nutrient analysis revealed that an increased ingestion of water, fibers, total fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, vitamins A and C, carotene, alpha-tocopherol, folate, magnesium, iron, and zinc were significantly associated with no AMD (P < 0.0013). Finally, regular physical activity was associated with no AMD (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: High adherence to a Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity seem to be protective factors for AMD in a Portuguese population. The effect of the diet is likely driven by the increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and nuts.