Relative peripheral refractive errors in Chinese children with myopic anisometropia

AIM:To compare relative peripheral refractive errors(RPREs)in Chinese children with and without myopic anisometropia(MAI)and to explore the relationship between RPRE and myopia.METHODS:This observational cross-sectional study included 160 children divided into two groups according to the interocular spherical equivalent refraction(SER)difference≥1.0 D in the MAI group(n=80)and<1.0 D in the non-MAI group(n=80).The MAI group was further divided into two subgroups:ΔSER<2.0 D group and ΔSER≥2.0 D group.Basic ocular biometric parameters of axial length(AL),average keratometry(Ave K),cylinder(CYL),surface regularity index(SRI),and surface asymmetry index(SAI)were recorded.In addition,multispectral refraction topography was performed to measure RPRE,and the parameters were recorded as total refraction difference value(TRDV),refraction difference value(RDV)0-10,RDV10-20,RDV20-30,RDV30-40,RDV40-53,RDV-superior(RDV-S),RDV-inferior(RDV-I),RDV-temporal(RDV-T)and RDV-nasal(RDV-N).RESULTS:In the non-MAI group,the interocular differences of all parameters of RPRE were not significant.In the MAI group,the interocular differences of TRDV,RDV10-53,RDV-S,RDV-I,RDV-T,and RDV-N were significant.In subgroup analysis,the interocular differences of TRDV,RDV30-53,RDV-I,and RDV-T were significant in ΔSER<2.0 D group and ΔSER≥2.0 D group,but the interocular differences of RDV10-30,RDV-S and RDV-N were only significant in the ΔSER≥2.0 D group.In correlation analysis,ΔTRDV,ΔRDV 10-53,ΔRDV-S,and ΔRDV-N were negatively correlated with ΔSER but positively correlated with ΔAL.CONCLUSION:The more myopic eyes have larger hyperopic RPRE in Chinese children with MAI in certain retinal range,and partialΔRPRE is closely associated with ΔSER and ΔAL.

Systematic bibliometric and visualized analysis of research hotspots and trends on the application of artificial intelligence in glaucoma from 2013 to 2022

AIM:To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on artificial intelligence(AI)in the field of glaucoma to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research and identify potential new directions for future studies.METHODS:Relevant articles on the application of AI in the field of glaucoma from the Web of Science Core Collection were retrieved,covering the period from January 1,2013,to December 31,2022.In order to assess the contributions and co-occurrence relationships among different countries/regions,institutions,authors,and journals,CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were employed and the research hotspots and future trends within the field were identified.RESULTS:A total of 750 English articles published between 2013 and 2022 were collected,and the number of publications exhibited an overall increasing trend.The majority of the articles were from China,followed by the United States and India.National University of Singapore,Chinese Academy of Sciences,and Sun Yat-sen University made significant contributions to the published works.Weinreb RN and Fu HZ ranked first among authors and cited authors.American Journal of Ophthalmology is the most impactful academic journal in the field of AI application in glaucoma.The disciplinary scope of this field includes ophthalmology,computer science,mathematics,molecular biology,genetics,and other related disciplines.The clustering and identification of keyword nodes in the co-occurrence network reveal the evolving landscape of AI application in the field of glaucoma.Initially,the hot topics in this field were primarily“segmentation”,“classification”and“diagnosis”.However,in recent years,the focus has shifted to“deep learning”,“convolutional neural network”and“artificial intelligence”.CONCLUSION:With the rapid development of AI technology,scholars have shown increasing interest in its application in the field of glaucoma.Moreover,the application of AI in assisting treatment and predicting prognosis in glaucoma may become a future research hotspot.However,the reliability and interpretability of AI data remain pressing issues that require resolution.

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury and pretreatment with Lycium barbarum glycopeptide

AIM:To investigate the antioxidant protective effect of Lycium barbarum glycopeptide(LbGP)pretreatment on retinal ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury(RIRI)in rats.METHODS:RIRI was induced in Sprague Dawley rats through anterior chamber perfusion,and pretreatment involved administering LbGP via gavage for 7d.After 24h of reperfusion,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and creatinine(CREA)levels,retinal structure,expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,and malondialdehyde(MDA)in the retina were measured.RESULTS:The pretreatment with LbGP effectively protected the retina and retinal tissue from edema and inflammation in the ganglion cell layer(GCL)and nerve fiber layer(NFL)of rats subjected to RIRI,as shown by light microscopy and optical coherence tomography(OCT).Serum AST was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P=0.042),but no difference was found in ALT,AST,and CREA across the LbGP groups and model group.Caspase-3 expression was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P=0.006),but no difference was found among LbGP groups and the model group.Caspase-8 expression was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P=0.000),and lower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group(P=0.016).SOD activity was lower in the model group than in the blank group(P=0.001),and the decrease was slower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group(P=0.003).MDA content was higher in the model group than in the blank group(P=0.001),and lower in the 400 mg/kg LbGP group than in the model group(P=0.016).The pretreatment with LbGP did not result in any observed liver or renal toxicity in the model.CONCLUSION:LbGP pretreatment exhibits dosedependent anti-inflammatory,and antioxidative effects by reducing Caspase-8 expression,preventing declines of SOD activity,and decreasing MDA content in the RIRI rat model.

Comment on: Observation of peripheral refraction in myopic anisometropia in young adults

Dear Editor,We read with great interest the recently published article titled“Observation of peripheral refraction in myopic anisometropia in young adults”by Du et al[1].The study conducted at the InEye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM provides valuable insights into the relationship between anisometropia and peripheral refraction in myopic young adults.We commend the authors for their thorough investigation and adherence to ethical guidelines.While the study contributes significantly to our understanding of myopic anisometropia,we would like to draw attention to some limitations that merit consideration for a comprehensive interpretation of the findings.

Observation of peripheral refraction in myopic anisometropia in young adults

AIM:To investigate the differences in retinal refraction difference values(RDVs)of adult patients with myopic anisometropia compared with those without myopic anisometropia,and to investigate the relationship between ocular biometric measurements and relative peripheral refraction.METHODS:This clinical observation study included 130 patients with myopia(-0.25 to-10.00 D)between October 2022 and January 2023 aged between 18 and 40y.The patients were divided into anisometropia(n=63;difference in binocular anisometropia≥1.00 D)and non-anisometropia(n=67;difference in binocular anisometropia<1.00 D)groups accordingly.Ocular biometric measurements were performed by optical biometrics and corneal topography to assess the steep keratometry(Ks),flap keratometry(Kf),axial length(AL),corneal astigmatism(CYL;Ks-Kf),surface regularity index(SRI),surface asymmetry index(SAI),and central corneal thickness(CCT).The RDV was measured at five retinal areas from the fovea to 53 degrees(RDV-0-10,RDV-10-20,RDV-20-30,RDV-30-40,and RDV-40-53),the total RDV(TRDV)of 53 degrees,and four regions,including RDV-superior,RDV-inferior,RDV-temporal,and RDV-nasal.An analysis of Spearman correlation was carried out to examine the correlation between RDV and the spherical equivalent(SE)and ocular biological parameters.RESULTS:Within RDV-20-53,both groups showed relative hyperopic defocus,and the increase in RDV corresponds to the increase in eccentricity.In the myopic anisometropia group,the TRDV,RDV-20-53,RDV-superior,and more myopic eyes had significantly higher RDVtemporal values than less myopic eyes.(P<0.05).In the non-anisometropia group,there was no significant difference in the RDV between the more and less myopic eyes at different eccentricities(P>0.05).There was a negative correlation between SE and TRDV(r=-0.205,P=0.001),RDV-20-53(r=-0.281,-0.183,-0.176,P<0.05),RDV-superior(r=-0.251,P<0.001),and RDV-temporal(r=-0.230,P<0.001),a negative correlation between CYL and RDV-10-30(r=-0.147,-0.180,P<0.05),and a negative correlation between SRI and RDV-0-20(r=-0.190,-0.170,P<0.05).AL had a positive correlation with RDV-20-30(r=0.164,P=0.008)and RDV-temporal(r=0.160,P=0.010).CONCLUSION:More myopic eyes in patients with myopic anisometropia show more peripheral hyperopic defocus.Diopter and corneal morphology may affect peripheral retinal defocus.

Comparison of uniform resampling and nonuniform sampling direct-reconstruction methods in k-space for FD-OCT

The nonuniform distribution of interference spectrum in wavenumber k-space is a key issue to limit the imaging quality of Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography(FD-OCT).At present,the reconstruction quality at different depths among a variety of processing methods in k-space is still uncertain.Using simulated and experimental interference spectra at different depths,the effects of common six processing methods including uniform resampling(linear interpolation(LI),cubic spline interpolation(CSI),time-domain interpolation(TDI),and K-B window convolution)and nonuniform sampling direct-reconstruction(Lomb periodogram(LP)and nonuniform discrete Fourier transform(NDFT))on the reconstruction quality of FD-OCT were quantitatively analyzed and compared in this work.The results obtained by using simulated and experimental data were coincident.From the experimental results,the averaged peak intensity,axial resolution,and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of NDFT at depth from 0.5 to 3.0mm were improved by about 1.9 dB,1.4 times,and 11.8 dB,respectively,compared to the averaged indices of all the uniform resampling methods at all depths.Similarly,the improvements of the above three indices of LP were 2.0 dB,1.4 times,and 11.7 dB,respectively.The analysis method and the results obtained in this work are helpful to select an appropriate processing method in k-space,so as to improve the imaging quality of FD-OCT.

Effect of etanercept on post-traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal etanercept in the inhibiting of proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR) in a model of penetrating ocular injury. METHODS: Penetrating ocular injury on the retina of rabbit was induced, which was subsequently treated using 0.1 mL of sterile water or 0.1 m L of 12.5 mg/mL etanercept. The development of PVR was evaluated by fundus images, the B-scan, and the histopathology. The mRNA and protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) as well as connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were examined at various time points after the etanercept injection with the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The safety of etanercept was evaluated by injection of 12.5 mg/mL etanercept into a normal rabbit eye without penetrating trauma. RESULTS: Clinical assessment and grading clearly demonstrated that the PVR formation was prevented in etanercept-treated animals, which was confirmed via fundus images, B-scan and histopathology. The RT-PCR and Western blotting showed increased mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, TGF-β as well as CTGF in the retina of rabbits following penetrating ocular injury, and these factors were dramatically mitigated by ocular etanercept treatment. In addition, there was no adverse effect of etanercept intravitreal injection in normal eyes without penetrating trauma, it showed normal structure and histology. CONCLUSION: The etanercept is a potential therapy for inhibiting PVR development. To assess the clinic application of the etanercept in preventing PVR, further clinical studies are required.

Clinical evidence and potential mechanisms of Chinese medicines for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main causes of visual impairment and blindness on a global scale. At present, thelimitations of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, steroids, laser photocoagulation, and vitreous surgery haveled to a growing awareness of the role of Chinese medicines in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This review firstdescribes the ingredients and characteristics of the formulae including Chinese herbal formulaes, Chinese patent drugsand ancient processed drugs and summarizes the application of Chinese medicines and their mechanisms of action in thetreatment of diabetic retinopathy. Due to the complexity of Chinese medicines, in-depth mechanisms, side effects of herb,and drug interactions need to be elaborated in future research. Chinese medicines have the potencial to protect theresidual eyesight and delay the progression of disease, thereby offering a beneficial, exploitable option in thetreatment/prevention of diabetic retinopathy.

Therapeutic potential of pupilloplasty combined with phacomulsification and intraocular lens implantation against uveitis-induced cataract

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of pupilloplasty combined with phacomulsification and intraocular lens implantation(PPI) in uveitis-induced cataract.METHODS: Total 28 patients with uveitis-induced cataract were enrolled. Within 3 mo before the PPI, 7 cases accompanied with glaucoma maintained carteolol hydrochloride for lowering intraocular pressure, and 1 case maintained glucocorticoid for anti-inflammation. The baseline characteristics, treatment processes, and outcomes of enrolled cases were retrospectively analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining was performed to reveal the histopathological changes of iris tissues.RESULTS: Iris hemorrhage was the only intraoperative complication observed in 2 cases. After the surgery, normal intraocular pressure, right position of intraocular lens, and improved visual gain [best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)>0.5] were achieved. Postoperative keratic precipitates was observed in 2 cases, which was recovered within 1 wk. During the follow-up of 5-10 y, no recurrence of uveitis was found in 27 cases(96.43%). Uveitis only recurred in one case with the onset of ankylosing spondylitis. HE staining showed iris stroma(all samples), pigment cell hyperplasia in pigment epithelium(n=9) and stroma(n=19), inflammatory cell infiltration in iris(n=7), and neovascularization in iris surface(n=2).CONCLUSION: PPI improves the visual gain and prevents the long-term recurrence of uveitis in patients with uveitis-induced cataract, including those with preoperative intraocular pressure abnormality(glaucoma) and inflammation(active uveitis). Uveitis presents stroma atrophy, pigment cell hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration, even in a quiet state.

Qiming granule in treating type 2 diabetic kidney disease patients:study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background:Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a chronic renal microvascular complication associated with abnormal glucose metabolism.According to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theory,Qi and Yin deficiency with blood stasis(the name of TCM symptoms,its main clinical features are fatigue,dry mouth,red or pale tongue,weak pulse,etc.)is the primary TCM syndrome of DKD,and Qiming granule(QMG)is suitable for the treatment of Qi and Yin deficiency with blood stasis syndrome.In view of this,we designed a randomized controlled trial to assess whether QMG is efficacious and safe in treating DKD patients.Methods:This protocol is for a randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,parallel group,six-centre clinical trial.A total of 180 participants will be randomized into the QMG group or placebo group,with a 1:1 ratio.The study will last for 50 weeks,including a 2-week run-in period,24 weeks of intervention,and 24 weeks of follow-up.The experimental intervention will be QMG,and the control intervention will be a placebo.The primary outcome will be the 24h urinary albumin excretion ratio and the change in the albumin-to-creatinine ratio.The secondary outcome will be evaluation of renal function,fundus changes,management of blood lipids,TCM symptom improvement and safety assessments.Adverse events will be recorded during the trial.Discussion:This study is a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness and safety of QMG for DKD patients.The findings of this study will help to provide evidence-based recommendations in treating DKD patients.Trial registration:Chinese Clinical Trial Registry,ChiCTR-TRC-12002953.Registered 23 December 2012.