Pub Date : 2024-07-22DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1354892
Andrew R. Berneshawi, Kimia Seyedmadani, Rahul Goel, Mark R. Anderson, Terence L. Tyson, Yasmin M. Akay, Metin Akay, Loh-Shan B. Leung, Leland S. Stone
This study examines a set of oculomotor measurements, or “oculometric” biomarkers, as potential early indicators of visual and visuomotor deficits due to retinal toxicity in asymptomatic Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients on long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment. The aim is to identify subclinical functional impairments that are otherwise undetectable by standard clinical tests and to link them to structural retinal changes.We measured oculomotor responses in a cohort of SLE patients on chronic HCQ therapy using a previously established behavioral task and analysis technique. We also examined the relationship between oculometrics, OCT measures of retinal thickness, and standard clinical perimetry measures of visual function in our patient group using Bivariate Pearson Correlation and a Linear Mixed-Effects Model (LMM).Significant visual and visuomotor deficits were found in 12 asymptomatic SLE patients on long-term HCQ therapy compared to a cohort of 17 age-matched healthy controls. Notably, six oculometrics were significantly different. The median initial pursuit acceleration was 22%, steady-state pursuit gain 16%, proportion smooth 7%, and target speed responsiveness 31% lower, while catch-up saccade amplitude was 46% and fixation error 46% larger. Excluding the two patients with diagnosed mild toxicity, four oculometrics, all but fixation error and proportion smooth, remained significantly impaired compared to controls. Across our population of 12 patients (24 retinae), we found that pursuit latency, initial acceleration, steady-state gain, and fixation error were linearly related to retinal thickness even when age was accounted for, while standard measures of clinical function (Mean Deviation and Pattern Standard Deviation) were not.Our data show that specific oculometrics are sensitive early biomarkers of functional deficits in SLE patients on HCQ that could be harnessed to assist in the early detection of HCQ-induced retinal toxicity and other visual pathologies, potentially providing early diagnostic value beyond standard visual field and OCT evaluations.
{"title":"Oculometric biomarkers of visuomotor deficits in clinically asymptomatic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus undergoing long-term hydroxychloroquine treatment","authors":"Andrew R. Berneshawi, Kimia Seyedmadani, Rahul Goel, Mark R. Anderson, Terence L. Tyson, Yasmin M. Akay, Metin Akay, Loh-Shan B. Leung, Leland S. Stone","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1354892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1354892","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines a set of oculomotor measurements, or “oculometric” biomarkers, as potential early indicators of visual and visuomotor deficits due to retinal toxicity in asymptomatic Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients on long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment. The aim is to identify subclinical functional impairments that are otherwise undetectable by standard clinical tests and to link them to structural retinal changes.We measured oculomotor responses in a cohort of SLE patients on chronic HCQ therapy using a previously established behavioral task and analysis technique. We also examined the relationship between oculometrics, OCT measures of retinal thickness, and standard clinical perimetry measures of visual function in our patient group using Bivariate Pearson Correlation and a Linear Mixed-Effects Model (LMM).Significant visual and visuomotor deficits were found in 12 asymptomatic SLE patients on long-term HCQ therapy compared to a cohort of 17 age-matched healthy controls. Notably, six oculometrics were significantly different. The median initial pursuit acceleration was 22%, steady-state pursuit gain 16%, proportion smooth 7%, and target speed responsiveness 31% lower, while catch-up saccade amplitude was 46% and fixation error 46% larger. Excluding the two patients with diagnosed mild toxicity, four oculometrics, all but fixation error and proportion smooth, remained significantly impaired compared to controls. Across our population of 12 patients (24 retinae), we found that pursuit latency, initial acceleration, steady-state gain, and fixation error were linearly related to retinal thickness even when age was accounted for, while standard measures of clinical function (Mean Deviation and Pattern Standard Deviation) were not.Our data show that specific oculometrics are sensitive early biomarkers of functional deficits in SLE patients on HCQ that could be harnessed to assist in the early detection of HCQ-induced retinal toxicity and other visual pathologies, potentially providing early diagnostic value beyond standard visual field and OCT evaluations.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"13 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141816146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-19DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1434327
Teri M. Greiling, JUDY M. Clark, John I. Clark
Human visual function depends on the biological lens, a biconvex optical element formed by coordinated, synchronous generation of growth shells produced from ordered cells at the lens equator, the distal edge of the epithelium. Growth shells are comprised of straight (St) and S-shaped (SSh) lens fibers organized in highly symmetric, sinusoidal pattern which optimizes both the refractile, transparent structure and the unique microcirculation that regulates hydration and nutrition over the lifetime of an individual. The fiber cells are characterized by diversity in composition and age. All fiber cells remain interconnected in their growth shells throughout the life of the adult lens. As an optical element, cellular differentiation is constrained by the physical properties of light and its special development accounts for its characteristic symmetry, gradient of refractive index (GRIN), short range transparent order (SRO), and functional longevity. The complex sinusoidal structure is the basis for the lens microcirculation required for the establishment and maintenance of image formation.
人类的视觉功能取决于生物晶状体,这是一种双凸透镜光学元件,由晶状体赤道部(上皮细胞的远端边缘)的有序细胞协调同步生成的生长壳形成。晶状体生长壳由直型(St)和 S 型(SSh)晶状体纤维组成,以高度对称的正弦模式组织,从而优化了折射透明结构和独特的微循环,在个体的一生中调节水合和营养。纤维细胞的组成和年龄具有多样性。在成人晶状体的整个生命周期中,所有纤维细胞在其生长外壳中保持相互连接。作为一种光学元件,细胞分化受到光的物理特性的限制,其特殊的发育过程造就了其特有的对称性、折射率梯度(GRIN)、短程透明阶(SRO)和功能寿命。复杂的正弦结构是晶状体微循环的基础,而晶状体微循环是建立和维持图像形成所必需的。
{"title":"The significance of growth shells in development of symmetry, transparency, and refraction of the human lens","authors":"Teri M. Greiling, JUDY M. Clark, John I. Clark","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1434327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1434327","url":null,"abstract":"Human visual function depends on the biological lens, a biconvex optical element formed by coordinated, synchronous generation of growth shells produced from ordered cells at the lens equator, the distal edge of the epithelium. Growth shells are comprised of straight (St) and S-shaped (SSh) lens fibers organized in highly symmetric, sinusoidal pattern which optimizes both the refractile, transparent structure and the unique microcirculation that regulates hydration and nutrition over the lifetime of an individual. The fiber cells are characterized by diversity in composition and age. All fiber cells remain interconnected in their growth shells throughout the life of the adult lens. As an optical element, cellular differentiation is constrained by the physical properties of light and its special development accounts for its characteristic symmetry, gradient of refractive index (GRIN), short range transparent order (SRO), and functional longevity. The complex sinusoidal structure is the basis for the lens microcirculation required for the establishment and maintenance of image formation.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"105 26","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141820654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-17DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1459318
Sai Kocherlakota, James B. Hurley, Daisy Y. Shu
{"title":"Editorial: Retinal metabolism in health and disease","authors":"Sai Kocherlakota, James B. Hurley, Daisy Y. Shu","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1459318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1459318","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":" 27","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141829990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-12DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1332197
Shuhe Zhang, Carroll A B Webers, T. Berendschot
Fundus cameras are widely used by ophthalmologists for monitoring and diagnosing retinal pathologies. Unfortunately, no optical system is perfect, and the visibility of retinal images can be greatly degraded due to the presence of problematic illumination, intraocular scattering, or blurriness caused by sudden movements. To improve image quality, different retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques have been developed, which play an important role in improving the performance of various clinical and computer-assisted applications. This paper gives a comprehensive review of these restoration/enhancement techniques, discusses their underlying mathematical models, and shows how they may be effectively applied in real-life practice to increase the visual quality of retinal images for potential clinical applications including diagnosis and retinal structure recognition. All three main topics of retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques, i.e., illumination correction, dehazing, and deblurring, are addressed. Finally, some considerations about challenges and the future scope of retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques will be discussed.
{"title":"Computational single fundus image restoration techniques: a review","authors":"Shuhe Zhang, Carroll A B Webers, T. Berendschot","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1332197","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1332197","url":null,"abstract":"Fundus cameras are widely used by ophthalmologists for monitoring and diagnosing retinal pathologies. Unfortunately, no optical system is perfect, and the visibility of retinal images can be greatly degraded due to the presence of problematic illumination, intraocular scattering, or blurriness caused by sudden movements. To improve image quality, different retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques have been developed, which play an important role in improving the performance of various clinical and computer-assisted applications. This paper gives a comprehensive review of these restoration/enhancement techniques, discusses their underlying mathematical models, and shows how they may be effectively applied in real-life practice to increase the visual quality of retinal images for potential clinical applications including diagnosis and retinal structure recognition. All three main topics of retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques, i.e., illumination correction, dehazing, and deblurring, are addressed. Finally, some considerations about challenges and the future scope of retinal image restoration/enhancement techniques will be discussed.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"117 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141352367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-12DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1352355
Anthony Stephen Wong, James G. Chelnis
Approximately 85% of patients with thyroid eye disease experience ocular surface symptoms. Although corneal exposure plays a role in inducing inflammatory changes to the ocular surface, multiple studies reveal more complexity to the abnormal tear film composition and parameters in thyroid eye disease patients including those who do not have proptosis or increased corneal exposure. Currently, a majority of cases of thyroid associated dry eye symptoms are given treatments intended for ocular surface disease arising from different etiologies. Medline via Ovid, Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for articles evaluating the efficacy of treatments for dry eye symptoms in patients with thyroid eye disease. Articles were from all geographic regions and dates ranged from inception until October 2023. Seven papers ultimately met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These papers revealed that multiple topical and non-topical treatment modalities address dry eye symptoms in thyroid eye disease and improve subjective and objective ocular surface parameters. However, due to the few studies that exist and due to disparities in sample size and study design, no overwhelming best practices were identified that could influence clinical practice.This systematic review identifies the current treatments that exist and highlights the clear unmet need for a large population suffering with dry eye symptoms. Ideally, further well-designed investigations into this area would target topical, non-invasive modalities to develop first line options for thyroid eye disease patients.
{"title":"Systematic review of ocular surface treatments in the setting of thyroid eye disease","authors":"Anthony Stephen Wong, James G. Chelnis","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1352355","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1352355","url":null,"abstract":"Approximately 85% of patients with thyroid eye disease experience ocular surface symptoms. Although corneal exposure plays a role in inducing inflammatory changes to the ocular surface, multiple studies reveal more complexity to the abnormal tear film composition and parameters in thyroid eye disease patients including those who do not have proptosis or increased corneal exposure. Currently, a majority of cases of thyroid associated dry eye symptoms are given treatments intended for ocular surface disease arising from different etiologies. Medline via Ovid, Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for articles evaluating the efficacy of treatments for dry eye symptoms in patients with thyroid eye disease. Articles were from all geographic regions and dates ranged from inception until October 2023. Seven papers ultimately met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. These papers revealed that multiple topical and non-topical treatment modalities address dry eye symptoms in thyroid eye disease and improve subjective and objective ocular surface parameters. However, due to the few studies that exist and due to disparities in sample size and study design, no overwhelming best practices were identified that could influence clinical practice.This systematic review identifies the current treatments that exist and highlights the clear unmet need for a large population suffering with dry eye symptoms. Ideally, further well-designed investigations into this area would target topical, non-invasive modalities to develop first line options for thyroid eye disease patients.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"35 46","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141354377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-11DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1405443
N. Mohr, Stefan Kassumeh, N. Luft, M. Dirisamer, Siegfried G. Priglinger, Wolfgang J. Mayer
Ectasia screening in candidates for laser refractive surgery is mandatory during preoperative evaluation. Despite the availability of modern imaging techniques, refractive surgeons often face borderline decisions when patients present with suspicious tomographic findings. This case series presents refractive candidates with suspicious tomographic findings and demonstrates how to interpret them using Scheimpflug imaging and additional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich.This case series examines six potential candidates for refractive surgery with a mean age of 29.2 ± 3.9 years, whose corneal assessments using Scheimpflug imaging raised suspicion for ectasia. Each candidate was additionally examined with AS-OCT and reevaluated. The mean manifest subjective spherical equivalent was -3.67 ± 1.8 diopters. The total corneal thickness measured 537 µm ± 30 µm at its thinnest point. None of the candidates had any reported underlying corneal or ophthalmic diseases, and slit lamp examinations revealed no abnormal morphological findings.Both Scheimpflug imaging and AS-OCT are appropriate tools for screening refractive candidates for ectasia. While topographic and elevation analyses yielded comparable results regarding corneal structure, the epithelial mapping provided by AS-OCT played a critical role in decision-making for cases with borderline tomographic findings. Establishing a global consensus on the use of epithelial mapping in ectasia screening is necessary.
{"title":"Enhancing ectasia screening using advanced AS-OCT: a case series of challenging refractive candidates","authors":"N. Mohr, Stefan Kassumeh, N. Luft, M. Dirisamer, Siegfried G. Priglinger, Wolfgang J. Mayer","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1405443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1405443","url":null,"abstract":"Ectasia screening in candidates for laser refractive surgery is mandatory during preoperative evaluation. Despite the availability of modern imaging techniques, refractive surgeons often face borderline decisions when patients present with suspicious tomographic findings. This case series presents refractive candidates with suspicious tomographic findings and demonstrates how to interpret them using Scheimpflug imaging and additional anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich.This case series examines six potential candidates for refractive surgery with a mean age of 29.2 ± 3.9 years, whose corneal assessments using Scheimpflug imaging raised suspicion for ectasia. Each candidate was additionally examined with AS-OCT and reevaluated. The mean manifest subjective spherical equivalent was -3.67 ± 1.8 diopters. The total corneal thickness measured 537 µm ± 30 µm at its thinnest point. None of the candidates had any reported underlying corneal or ophthalmic diseases, and slit lamp examinations revealed no abnormal morphological findings.Both Scheimpflug imaging and AS-OCT are appropriate tools for screening refractive candidates for ectasia. While topographic and elevation analyses yielded comparable results regarding corneal structure, the epithelial mapping provided by AS-OCT played a critical role in decision-making for cases with borderline tomographic findings. Establishing a global consensus on the use of epithelial mapping in ectasia screening is necessary.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"92 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141359828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-07DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1387190
S. A. Alryalat, Ayman Musleh, M. Kahook
This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of a multimodal large language model (LLM), ChatGPT-4, in recognizing glaucoma using color fundus photographs (CFPs) with a benchmark dataset and without prior training or fine tuning.The publicly accessible Retinal Fundus Glaucoma Challenge “REFUGE” dataset was utilized for analyses. The input data consisted of the entire 400 image testing set. The task involved classifying fundus images into either ‘Likely Glaucomatous’ or ‘Likely Non-Glaucomatous’. We constructed a confusion matrix to visualize the results of predictions from ChatGPT-4, focusing on accuracy of binary classifications (glaucoma vs non-glaucoma).ChatGPT-4 demonstrated an accuracy of 90% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 87.06%-92.94%. The sensitivity was found to be 50% (95% CI: 34.51%-65.49%), while the specificity was 94.44% (95% CI: 92.08%-96.81%). The precision was recorded at 50% (95% CI: 34.51%-65.49%), and the F1 Score was 0.50.ChatGPT-4 achieved relatively high diagnostic accuracy without prior fine tuning on CFPs. Considering the scarcity of data in specialized medical fields, including ophthalmology, the use of advanced AI techniques, such as LLMs, might require less data for training compared to other forms of AI with potential savings in time and financial resources. It may also pave the way for the development of innovative tools to support specialized medical care, particularly those dependent on multimodal data for diagnosis and follow-up, irrespective of resource constraints.
{"title":"Evaluating the strengths and limitations of multimodal ChatGPT-4 in detecting glaucoma using fundus images","authors":"S. A. Alryalat, Ayman Musleh, M. Kahook","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1387190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1387190","url":null,"abstract":"This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of a multimodal large language model (LLM), ChatGPT-4, in recognizing glaucoma using color fundus photographs (CFPs) with a benchmark dataset and without prior training or fine tuning.The publicly accessible Retinal Fundus Glaucoma Challenge “REFUGE” dataset was utilized for analyses. The input data consisted of the entire 400 image testing set. The task involved classifying fundus images into either ‘Likely Glaucomatous’ or ‘Likely Non-Glaucomatous’. We constructed a confusion matrix to visualize the results of predictions from ChatGPT-4, focusing on accuracy of binary classifications (glaucoma vs non-glaucoma).ChatGPT-4 demonstrated an accuracy of 90% with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 87.06%-92.94%. The sensitivity was found to be 50% (95% CI: 34.51%-65.49%), while the specificity was 94.44% (95% CI: 92.08%-96.81%). The precision was recorded at 50% (95% CI: 34.51%-65.49%), and the F1 Score was 0.50.ChatGPT-4 achieved relatively high diagnostic accuracy without prior fine tuning on CFPs. Considering the scarcity of data in specialized medical fields, including ophthalmology, the use of advanced AI techniques, such as LLMs, might require less data for training compared to other forms of AI with potential savings in time and financial resources. It may also pave the way for the development of innovative tools to support specialized medical care, particularly those dependent on multimodal data for diagnosis and follow-up, irrespective of resource constraints.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":" 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141373246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-06-06DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1415002
Junji Morokuma, Ángela Gárriz, Danny Toribio, Sarah Pagni, D. Zoukhri
The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in mediating the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the function of lacrimal gland myoepithelial cells (MECs). MECs isolated from an α-smooth muscle actin–green fluorescent protein (SMA-GFP) transgenic mouse were treated with IL-1β alone or in the presence of SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, or ARP100, an MMP-2 inhibitor. The GFP intensity and the cell size/area were measured, and on day 7, the SMA, calponin, and pro-MMP-2 protein levels and the MEC contraction were assessed. At baseline, the control and treated cells showed no differences in GFP intensity or cell size. Starting on day 2 and continuing on days 4 and 7, the GFP intensity and cell size were significantly lower in the IL-1β-treated samples, and these effects were alleviated following inhibition of either JNK or MMP-2. Compared with the control, the levels of SMA and calponin were lower in the IL-1β-treated samples, and both the JNK and MMP-2 inhibitors reversed this trend. The pro-MMP-2 protein level was elevated in the IL-1β-treated samples, and this effect was abolished by the JNK inhibitor. Finally, oxytocin-induced MEC contraction was diminished in the IL-1β-treated samples, and both the JNK and MMP-2 inhibitors reversed this effect. Our data suggest that IL-1β uses the JNK/MMP-2 pathways to alter MEC functions, which might account for the diminished tears associated with aqueous-deficient dry eye disease.
{"title":"Interleukin-1β activates matrix metalloproteinase-2 to alter lacrimal gland myoepithelial cell structure and function","authors":"Junji Morokuma, Ángela Gárriz, Danny Toribio, Sarah Pagni, D. Zoukhri","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1415002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1415002","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in mediating the effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the function of lacrimal gland myoepithelial cells (MECs). MECs isolated from an α-smooth muscle actin–green fluorescent protein (SMA-GFP) transgenic mouse were treated with IL-1β alone or in the presence of SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, or ARP100, an MMP-2 inhibitor. The GFP intensity and the cell size/area were measured, and on day 7, the SMA, calponin, and pro-MMP-2 protein levels and the MEC contraction were assessed. At baseline, the control and treated cells showed no differences in GFP intensity or cell size. Starting on day 2 and continuing on days 4 and 7, the GFP intensity and cell size were significantly lower in the IL-1β-treated samples, and these effects were alleviated following inhibition of either JNK or MMP-2. Compared with the control, the levels of SMA and calponin were lower in the IL-1β-treated samples, and both the JNK and MMP-2 inhibitors reversed this trend. The pro-MMP-2 protein level was elevated in the IL-1β-treated samples, and this effect was abolished by the JNK inhibitor. Finally, oxytocin-induced MEC contraction was diminished in the IL-1β-treated samples, and both the JNK and MMP-2 inhibitors reversed this effect. Our data suggest that IL-1β uses the JNK/MMP-2 pathways to alter MEC functions, which might account for the diminished tears associated with aqueous-deficient dry eye disease.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"96 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141378194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-17DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1388197
Shaun R. Parsons, Ario Wilson-Pogmore, Timothy J. Sullivan
To evaluate percutaneous triamcinolone (TA) injection efficacy in treating upper eyelid retraction (UER) for Australian thyroid eye disease (TED) patients.We conducted a retrospective analysis across 8 years and multiple diverse Australian centres identified UER patients who received TA injections. A single operator administered 40mg/1ml TA through upper eyelid skin. Assessments at 4-6 weeks and subsequent eyelid measurements gauged treatment response and complications.24 patients and 25 eyelids were included in the study. 91.6% were female, mean age 40.8 ± 10.3 years with mean follow-up of 17.5 months (± 18.5). Pre-treatment MRD1 was 6.2mm ± 1.4, and we observed a mean improvement of 2.2mm from pre-treatment to post-treatment (p<0.001). The mean UER measurement before treatment (defined as MRD1 - 4.0mm) was 3.0mm ± 1.3 (range, 0-6mm). After treatment, the mean UER measurement was -0.1mm. Quality of life (QOL) assessment improved significantly, from pre-treatment score of 4.13 ± 2.4 to post-treatment 8.0 ±1.7 (p<0.001).Percutaneous injection of TA is an effective and safe treatment option for UER in patients with TED. This technique can be performed without upper eyelid eversion, which makes it more tolerable for patients and less complex for the operator compared to the transconjunctival injection approach. Our results show a significant improvement in MRD1 and UER, as well as patient QOL. Moreover, we found a low rate of complications (4.2% induced ptosis) and no cases of raised intraocular pressure. Percutaneous TA injection can greatly reduce the need for eyelid lowering surgery in this patient population.
{"title":"Percutaneous triamcinolone injection for upper eyelid retraction in thyroid eye disease","authors":"Shaun R. Parsons, Ario Wilson-Pogmore, Timothy J. Sullivan","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1388197","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1388197","url":null,"abstract":"To evaluate percutaneous triamcinolone (TA) injection efficacy in treating upper eyelid retraction (UER) for Australian thyroid eye disease (TED) patients.We conducted a retrospective analysis across 8 years and multiple diverse Australian centres identified UER patients who received TA injections. A single operator administered 40mg/1ml TA through upper eyelid skin. Assessments at 4-6 weeks and subsequent eyelid measurements gauged treatment response and complications.24 patients and 25 eyelids were included in the study. 91.6% were female, mean age 40.8 ± 10.3 years with mean follow-up of 17.5 months (± 18.5). Pre-treatment MRD1 was 6.2mm ± 1.4, and we observed a mean improvement of 2.2mm from pre-treatment to post-treatment (p<0.001). The mean UER measurement before treatment (defined as MRD1 - 4.0mm) was 3.0mm ± 1.3 (range, 0-6mm). After treatment, the mean UER measurement was -0.1mm. Quality of life (QOL) assessment improved significantly, from pre-treatment score of 4.13 ± 2.4 to post-treatment 8.0 ±1.7 (p<0.001).Percutaneous injection of TA is an effective and safe treatment option for UER in patients with TED. This technique can be performed without upper eyelid eversion, which makes it more tolerable for patients and less complex for the operator compared to the transconjunctival injection approach. Our results show a significant improvement in MRD1 and UER, as well as patient QOL. Moreover, we found a low rate of complications (4.2% induced ptosis) and no cases of raised intraocular pressure. Percutaneous TA injection can greatly reduce the need for eyelid lowering surgery in this patient population.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":"113 48","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141126480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-05-03DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2024.1387961
Taishi Painter, Chenxi Ou, X. Gong, Chun-hong Xia
Connexin 50 (Cx50) mediated signaling is essential for controlling the lens growth and size. Cx50 mutations cause microphthalmia, smaller lenses, and cataracts in humans and animals. These ocular defects have never been investigated in live Cx50 mutant mice by using non-invasive imaging techniques. Here, we report a longitudinal study of the ocular defects in Cx50 knockout (Cx50KO) mice from the ages of 3 weeks to 12 months by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and axial length (AL) were measured along the visual axis and adjusted with corresponding refractive indices. The SD-OCT image data confirm age-related reductions of LT and AL in live Cx50KO mice compared to age-matched wild-type (WT) controls, and the reduction values are comparable to the in vitro measurements of Cx50KO eyeballs and lenses reported previously. Moreover, reductions of ACD were observed in Cx50KO mice at all ages studied while VCD changes are statistically insignificant in comparison to the WT controls. Therefore, Cx50KO’s microphthalmia with small lens is selectively associated with delayed ACD development but not the vitreous formation. This work supports the notion that lens size and/or growth is important for anterior chamber development.
{"title":"Longitudinal study of microphthalmia in connexin 50 knockout mice using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography","authors":"Taishi Painter, Chenxi Ou, X. Gong, Chun-hong Xia","doi":"10.3389/fopht.2024.1387961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fopht.2024.1387961","url":null,"abstract":"Connexin 50 (Cx50) mediated signaling is essential for controlling the lens growth and size. Cx50 mutations cause microphthalmia, smaller lenses, and cataracts in humans and animals. These ocular defects have never been investigated in live Cx50 mutant mice by using non-invasive imaging techniques. Here, we report a longitudinal study of the ocular defects in Cx50 knockout (Cx50KO) mice from the ages of 3 weeks to 12 months by using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous chamber depth (VCD), and axial length (AL) were measured along the visual axis and adjusted with corresponding refractive indices. The SD-OCT image data confirm age-related reductions of LT and AL in live Cx50KO mice compared to age-matched wild-type (WT) controls, and the reduction values are comparable to the in vitro measurements of Cx50KO eyeballs and lenses reported previously. Moreover, reductions of ACD were observed in Cx50KO mice at all ages studied while VCD changes are statistically insignificant in comparison to the WT controls. Therefore, Cx50KO’s microphthalmia with small lens is selectively associated with delayed ACD development but not the vitreous formation. This work supports the notion that lens size and/or growth is important for anterior chamber development.","PeriodicalId":510339,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Ophthalmology","volume":" 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141129800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}