Journal of Ophthalmic and Optometric Sciences

Background:  The study examines bacterial community diversity in patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) using 16S rDNA sequencing, compared to healthy individuals. The goal is to understand microbial changes in MGD and provide insights into potential treatments.

Material and Methods: 27 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from the (EMBL-EBI) website, consisting of 3 sequences from healthy individuals, 7 sequences from individuals with mild Meibomian gland dysfunction, 6 sequences from individuals with moderate Meibomian gland dysfunction, and 11 sequences from individuals with severe Meibomian gland dysfunction. An algorithm utilizing machine learning was applied to identify the association with each sequence. A trained classifier was then used to create an OTU table.

Results: Our results found that there were significant differences in alpha diversity among individuals with severe (MGD) and healthy individuals. Furthermore, the microbial composition was found to be similar across all groups, regardless of their MGD status.

Conclusions: This study highlights the correlation between meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and imbalances in the bacterial microbiota on the ocular surface. The results suggest a role for Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Sphingomonas in the development of MGD, with a positive correlation between MGD severity and bacterial abundance. The findings provide a basis for considering antibiotics in MGD treatment, with insights into the microbiome's role in the pathogenesis of the condition.

Background: This study aimed to describe the prevalence, risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of post-operative Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) tube exposure in patients with a history of glaucoma drainage devices presenting to the Imam Hossein Hospital, Iran.

Material and Methods: In this retrospective case series, patients’ records with the diagnosis of glaucoma drainage device exposure were reviewed. Records of eight eyes of eight patients (three males, five females) were examined.  The primary outcome of this study was a management technique for glaucoma drainage device exposure.

Results: All patients suffered post-operative implant exposure after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for uncontrolled glaucoma. Most patients underwent subsequent glaucoma drainage device placement plus conjunctival graft, and three performed cyclodestructive procedures to control their glaucoma.

Conclusions: Based on the results, the history of past ocular procedures for glaucoma drainage device exposure and poor outcomes following repair in this subset of patients is essential.

Background: Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is a complex genetic disorder that affects various systems in the body, including the visual system. The aim of this study is to investigate the adverse effects of BBS on the retina using Electroretinography (ERG).

Material and Methods: In this case-control study, 10 BBS patients (6 males and 4 females) aged between 12 and 20 years were selected as the case group. Additionally, 10 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with normal retinal function were included as the control group. ERG recordings were performed to measure the amplitude (µV) and latency (msec) of the ERG b-wave in both groups.

Results: The mean age of the case group was 15.4 ± 3.06 years, and it was 15 ± 2.78 years in the control group. The mean visual acuity in the case group was 0.49 ± 0.14 (LogMAR), significantly different from the control group with a mean visual acuity of 0 ± 0 (LogMAR). The difference in visual acuity was statistically significant between the two groups. Furthermore, the case group showed significantly lower amplitude and higher latency of the ERG b-wave peak compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Bardet-Biedl Syndrome has adverse effects on the visual system, particularly the retina, resulting in a decrease in amplitude and an increase in the latency of the ERG b-wave. These findings indicate impaired retinal function in BBS patients, highlighting the importance of early detection and management of retinal abnormalities in individuals affected by this rare genetic disorder.

Background: Systemic or topical administration of sulfonamide-containing carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors is currently one of the lowering IOP approaches to treat glaucoma. Carbonic anhydrase II is an eye-expressed CA isoenzyme and has a major role in aqueous humor production. 

Material and Methods:  To identify new CA II inhibitors, the receptor-based virtual screening was performed using DrugRep server and its FDA-approved drug library. The crystal structure of human CA II (3HS4) was utilized as the receptor. The physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and drug-likeness properties of 15 top-ranked inhibitors were then investigated by SwissADME server.

Results: The results showed that 200 recognized inhibitors interact with CA II active site with high binding affinities (-10.1  to -7.2 kcal/mol). 9 out of 15 top compounds (antrafenine, doxycycline, sitagliptin, benzhydrocodone, lumacaftor, deferasirox, lemborexant, talazoparib, selinexor, enasidenib, rolapitant, cyclothiazide, bendroflumethiazide, chlorthalidone, and quinupramine) possess fluorine atoms and 3 of them have the sulfonamide group in their structure. Based on the results, deferasirox is suggested as a promising candidate for further studies.  This moderately soluble compound, which does not have fluorine atoms or a sulfonamide group in its structure, exhibits high bioavailability and GI absorption. Deferasirox is not a blood-brain barrier permeant and P-glycoprotein substrate and does not inhibit any CYP isoforms. 

Conclusion: Deferasirox is suggested as a good candidate for glaucoma treatment. However, many further studies are required in this regard.

Backgraound: Adaptive Optics (AO) has emerged as a powerful imaging tool in ophthalmology, enabling high-resolution visualization of retinal structures in vivo. This technology, initially inspired by astronomy, has opened new avenues for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of various eye diseases. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of AO in ophthalmology, highlighting its principles, different types of AO systems, and their clinical applications.Material and Methods: A thorough review of the literature was conducted to gather information on the principles, components, and advancements in AO technology. Clinical studies and research articles involving the use of AO in ophthalmology were analyzed to identify its diverse applications.Results: AO utilizes wavefront sensing and correction techniques to compensate for aberrations in the eye, enabling detailed imaging of the retina at a cellular level. Different AO modalities, including AO scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) and AO optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT), offer unique capabilities in visualizing cellular structures, tracking disease progression, and evaluating treatment efficacy. Clinical applications of AO span a wide range of eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and inherited retinal dystrophies.

Conclusions: AO has significantly contributed to our understanding of retinal diseases by providing unprecedented insights into cellular-level changes. It holds immense potential for advancing clinical management, personalized treatment strategies, and improving patient outcomes. Further advancements in AO technology, standardization of imaging protocols, and larger-scale clinical studies are crucial for its widespread adoption in routine clinical practice.

The iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a sporadic corneal endothelial disease that causes corneal endothelial cell abnormality as epithelialization, resulting in intractable glaucoma and corneal decompensation, often needing glaucoma surgery and corneal transplantation without a good prognosis. The most effective way to diagnose early is in-vivo confocal microscopy. Early treatment, especially for resultant glaucoma, improves diagnosis.

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that relieves pain caused by an infected or abscessed tooth. It is one of the safest and most successful dental procedures. However, the patient may face unexpected complications during or after the procedure in certain rare conditions. The ocular complication is among these conditions.

In the present work, we present a case of a 45-year-old male patient who suffered from pain and unilateral blindness after root canal treatment. He was referred to Basir eye clinic for a visual evoked potential test as part of his eye examination to reach an accurate diagnosis.