Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Purpose: To evaluate biocompatibility of Carbon (C) and Titanum (T) surface modified Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) Intraocular Lens (IOLs) in pseudophakic rabbit model. Methods: Extracapsule Cataract Extraction (ECCE) and IOLs implantation were performed in Japanese albino rabbit eyes. The white cell concentration from the aqueous humor in the eyes was counted within 3 months post operation. The inflammatory cells in the eyes were noted and graded by slit lamp using a semiquantitive scale up to 1-year post operation. The rabbit eyes were inspected under light microscopy, where pathology of the eyes was caracterized. Results: The white cell concentration in the aqueous humor was significantly attenuated in C and T IOL-implanted eyes compared with PMMA IOL-implanted eyes 1 week post operation. The exudate levels in the anterior ocular chamber and the posterior synechias were significant lower in T IOL-implanted eyes than in PMMA IOL-implanted eyes 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery. The exudate levels in the anterior chambers and the posterior synechias were not significantly different in C IOL-implanted versus PMMA IOL-implanted eyes. Conclusions: This in vivo study provides evidence of effectiveness of Carbon and Titanium IOLs in improving the biocompatibility of PMMA IOLs.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tears, blood, and aqueous humor as biomarkers for predicting treatment response in wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. In a single-center prospective cohort study, treatment-naïve wet AMD patients and age-matched controls were enrolled. Clinical data and miRNA levels (miR-199a-3p, miR-365-3p, miR-200b-3p, miR-195-5p, miR-335-5p, and miR-185-5p) in tears, blood, and aqueous humor were collected. Treatment response was categorized into responders and non-responders based on visual acuity and central subfield thickness. MiRNA levels were quantified using reverse-transcription PCR. Statistical analyses were performed, including ROC analysis, to evaluate predictive accuracy. Dysregulated miRNA profiles were observed in wet AMD tears and blood compared to controls. Specifically, miR-199a-3p, miR-195-5p, and miR-185-5p were upregulated, while miR-200b-3p was downregulated in tears. All six miRNAs were elevated in wet AMD blood samples. Notably, responders showed higher tear expression of miR-195-5p and miR-185-5p. Combining these miRNAs yielded the highest predictive power (AUC = 0.878, p = 0.006) for anti-VEGF responders. Dysregulated miRNA profiles in tears and blood suggest their potential as biomarkers for wet AMD. MiR-195-5p and miR-185-5p in tears demonstrate predictive value for anti-VEGF treatment responders. This study underscores the non-invasive prediction potential of miRNA tear analysis in wet AMD treatment responses.

The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical characteristics of traumatic macular holes (TMHs) can be compared to those of idiopathic macular holes (IMHs) to gain insights into the pathogenesis of both. The demographic data and visual acuity of 73 consecutive patients with unilateral, full-thickness TMHs and 182 consecutive patients with idiopathic IMHs were recorded. All patients with TMH and 60 patients with IMH underwent OCT scanning and quantitative measurements. The apical and basal diameters and marginal retinal thicknesses were recorded for each hole. The hole areas and eccentricities were calculated. These parameters were compared between the two types of macular holes, and correlated with visual acuity. Compared to IMHs, TMHs were generally thinner, larger at the base, less circular, and were associated with worse vision. Vitreous detachment was more commonly associated with IMHs than TMHs. Both IMHs and TMHs were wider horizontally than vertically. Visual acuity was negatively correlated with the size of IMHs, but not with any tomographic parameters in TMHs. The tomographic and clinical findings associated with TMHs and IMHs provide useful insights into the pathogenesis of these two types of macular holes.