The Importance of Vaccination Against Herpes Zoster
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn this review, we will discuss herpes zoster, a common, serious, and potentially vision and life-threatening preventable disease. We will also review the two available zoster vaccines and discuss the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals and Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations regarding herpes zoster vaccination.Recent FindingsThe incidence of herpes zoster is increasing, the age of onset is decreasing, and more complications are being reported. The zoster vaccine live (ZVL), which contains a live attenuated virus, has been CDC recommended for immunocompetent adults age...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - July 31, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Recent Advances in Biosynthetic Corneal Substitutes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewRegeneration of the corneal epithelium and endothelium has been achieved, but regeneration of the corneal stroma has not, because it has several remarkable properties, including high tensile strength, thrust resistance, and high transparency. We introduce several biosynthetic approaches to creating stromal substitutes closely resembling the native human corneal stroma are currently being studied.Recent FindingsCurrently, there are five approaches to regenerate corneal stroma: (1) decellularization, (2) the use of human recombinant collagen (HRC), (3) optical clarification (and lamination), (4) cell...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - July 28, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Clinical Factors for Early and Late Endothelial Cell Loss After Corneal Transplantation
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo consider the relative importance of factors associated with post-keratoplasty endothelial cell loss.Recent FindingsLamellar keratoplasty continues to supplant penetrating keratoplasty. When host endothelium is healthy, retaining it with deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty significantly reduces long-term endothelial cell loss. Endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty differ fundamentally in relative rates of early and late central endothelial cell loss, yet at 10 years, their cumulative cell loss is similarly substantial. The greatest risk factor for post-keratoplasty endothelial d...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - July 16, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Current Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Endophthalmitis
AbstractPurpose of reviewWe review the prevention and treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis.Recent findingsPostoperative endophthalmitis is rare but has potentially blinding consequences. There is no consensus on prevention, but there are a few controlled studies with methods of decreasing the infection rate, such as use of povidone iodine and intracameral antibiotics. There remains only one randomized controlled study (Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study or EVS) on the treatment of postoperative endophthalmitis, but there are retrospective studies which examine the timing and various methods of vitrectomy and intravitre...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Advancements in Diagnostics with Glaucomatous and Other Optic Neuropathies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe goal of this article is to present updates to the physician with the latest developments in diagnosing and monitoring optic nerve diseases. Possible changes to clinical practice regarding these advancements are also explored.Recent FindingsThere has been substantial progress in research and clinical practice regarding diagnostic capabilities for optic neuropathies. Optical coherence tomographic angiography may soon have a particularly strong impact on transforming the way glaucomatous optic neuropathy is routinely evaluated. Multiple developments have also occurred regarding assessment of optic...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in the Post-cART Era
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in the post-combined antiretroviral era (cART) era.Recent FindingsAlthough cART has dramatically reduced CMVR incidence and morbidity in the HIV population, CMVR continues to cause significant vision loss in both HIV and non-HIV patients, especially among patients without immune reconstitution. Advances in imaging including ultra-widefield fundus and autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and adaptive optics may reflect CMVR activity; however, the diagnosis remains a clinical one. There have b...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Update on Imaging in Posterior Segment Uveitis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMultimodal imaging is required to comprehensively evaluate and follow posterior uveitides. Specific applications of the most commonly used modes of imaging in posterior segment uveitis are described.Recent FindingsUltra-wide field imaging, fundus autofluorescence, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and optical coherence tomography angiography are increasingly used to diagnose and follow patients with uveitis. Pertinent findings in the literature are reviewed.SummaryThe evaluation of patients with uveitis has been greatly enhanced with the use of different imaging modalities. Both invasiv...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
New Technology and Current Understanding of Episcleral Venous Pressure
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo understand the current and new technology surrounding episcleral venous pressure (EVP).Recent FindingsEpiscleral venous pressure plays a vital role in calculating intraocular pressure based on the formula IOP = (Q − U)/c + EVP whereQ is the aqueous flow rate,U is the pressure-insensitive uveoscleral outflow rate,c is the outflow facility, and EVP is episcleral venous pressure. Various methods for measuring EVP, including direct, indirect, and non-invasive methods, have been explored. These methods have great variability, with findings ranging between 5.1 and 11.4 mmHg. The effect...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Is It Just One Disease?
This article reviews evidence from the literature suggesting that primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) represents a group of heterogeneous diseases with varying clinical features rather than a single disease.Recent FindingsA growing body of evidence has been made available recently indicating that POAG behaves differently in different subpopulations. Although normal tension glaucoma has long been regarded as a diagnosis distinct from POAG, a considerable degree of overlap exists in their pathophysiology and clinical characteristics and suggests that intraocular pressure alone is not a reliable means of separating POAG into d...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Microbial Keratitis Secondary to Therapeutic Contact Lens Wear
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTherapeutic contact lenses are commonly used to treat various ocular surface conditions that require restoration or maintenance of the corneal epithelium. While this is a very successful treatment modality, it is not without risk. The primary risk associated with bandage contact lens wear is microbial keratitis. This paper will review the literature on the occurrence and outcomes of microbial keratitis in the setting of therapeutic contact lens use, including orthokeratology.Recent FindingsTherapeutic contact lenses are used in various situations including ocular surface disease, post-keratorefract...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
The Safety, Efficacy, and Potential Complications of Intracameral Antibiotics
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe use of intracameral antibiotics (ICAs) as endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery has increased in the past decade. The goal of this paper is to review the current literature arguing for and against ICAs.Recent FindingsThere is compelling evidence that ICAs have greater efficacy than topical antibiotics in preventing post-operative endophthalmitis. However, issues related to availability, cost, and safety have limited their widespread adoption in countries such as the USA.SummaryIn countries without access to a commercially available prepackaged antibiotic for intracameral use, catar...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Current Development in Genome Wide Association Studies of Glaucoma
AbstractPurpose of reviewGlaucoma is the leading and most common cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness. Despite its heterogeneous causes, there is strong evidence arguing for a hereditable basis underlying glaucoma pathogenesis. We aim to discuss in this review genetic determinants underlying glaucoma which have been discovered using genome-wide association studies and the biological insights gained from them.Recent findingsMore than 20 genetic loci have been discovered by GWAS of increasing sample size and statistical power for the different forms of glaucoma. These findings definitively implicate the invo...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Endophthalmitis Following Intravitreal Injection
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWhile rare, endophthalmitis is the most devastating complication of intravitreal injections. Numerous strategies have been suggested to reduce infection risk. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current literature and evidence supporting prophylactic strategies to prevent endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection.Recent FindingsTraditionally, topical povidone-iodine along with prophylactic antibiotics has been the most widely accepted technique to prevent infection. However, evidence has shown that topical prophylactic antibiotics do not prevent endophthalmitis and in fact may be h...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
Update on Quality of Life in Glaucoma
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize the recent studies which evaluate the relationship between quality of life and glaucoma.Recent FindingsVision-related quality of life (VRQOL) is a patient-reported outcome that is influenced by many factors including visual function, mental health, physical health, and education. It can be correlated to clinical measures such as visual field testing and imaging parameters. Certain thresholds of visual field loss may precede rapid loss of VRQOL. Glaucoma surgery does not decrease VRQOL and may prevent further VRQOL deterioration.SummaryMore instruments need to be developed to quickly an...
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
New Developments in the Medical Treatment of Glaucoma
We present preclinical and clinical data on the adenosine receptor agonist, trabodenoson, and the RNAi-based compound, bamosiran.SummarySeveral promising drugs with novel mechanisms of action are in development to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma. The Food and Drug Administration approved latanoprostene bunod and netasurdil for commercial use in late 2017. These drugs mark the first new compounds to treat glaucoma in over two decades. (Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports)
Source: Current Ophthalmology Reports - June 1, 2018 Category: Opthalmology Source Type: research
