Increased steroidogenesis promotes early-onset and severe vision loss in females withOPA1dominant optic atrophy

Abstract This mixed method study describes posttraumatic growth (PTG) accruing form experience with vision loss caused by severe age related macular degeneration (AMD) and explores relationships between depression, social support, and cognitive processing, on the path to PTG. Research describing the psychological and social issues surrounding AMD has focused on negative outcomes. However, learning from highly challenging experiences, such as vision loss, can offer benefits. In this study, these included an increased sense of personal strength, increased spirituality, and empathy for others (all domains of PTG). 89 participants with severe vision loss (mean age = 85.3 years, age range = 74–98 years) completed the interviewer-administered composite questionnaire, which identified elements of Tedeschi and Calhoun’s model of PTG. Relationships between variables were examined using path analysis. Findings were contextualized with data from 15 qualitative interviews. Findings underscored the importance of supportive others and deliberate cognitive processing in the path to PTG.

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Functional optical coherence tomography of retinal photoreceptors

Experimental Biology and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1535370218816517 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 243 (17-18) ◽

pp. 1256-1264 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Xincheng Yao ◽

Taeyoon Son ◽

Tae-Hoon Kim ◽

Yiming Lu

Keyword(s):

Vision Loss ◽

Objective Assessment ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Retinal Stimulation ◽

Age Related ◽

Retinal Photoreceptors ◽

Severe Vision Loss ◽

Further Development

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss and legal blindness. It is known that retinal photoreceptors are the primary target of AMD. Therefore, a reliable method for objective assessment of photoreceptor function is needed for early detection and reliable treatment evaluation of AMD and other eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa that are known to cause photoreceptor dysfunctions. Stimulus-evoked intrinsic optical signal (IOS) changes promise a unique opportunity for objective assessment of physiological function of retinal photoreceptor and inner neurons. Instead of a comprehensive review, this mini-review is to provide a brief summary of our recent in vitro and in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT) studies of stimulus-evoked IOS changes in animal retinas. By providing excellent axial resolution to differentiate individual retinal layers, depth-resolved OCT revealed rapid IOS response at the photoreceptor outer segment. The fast photoreceptor-IOS occurred almost right away (∼ 2 ms) after the onset of retinal stimulation, differentiating itself from slow IOS changes correlated with inner neural and hemodynamic changes. Further development of the functional IOS instruments and retinal stimulation protocols may provide a feasible solution to pursue clinical application of functional IOS imaging for objective assessment of human photoreceptors. Impact statement Retinal photoreceptors are the primary target of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is the leading cause of severe vision loss and legal blindness. An objective method for functional assessment of photoreceptor physiology can benefit early detection and better treatment evaluation of AMD and other eye diseases that are known to cause photoreceptor dysfunctions. This article summarizes in vitro study of IOS mechanisms and in vivo demonstration of IOS imaging of intact animals. Further development of the functional IOS imaging may provide a revolutionary solution to achieve objective assessment of human photoreceptors.

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Introduction to the multi-author review on macular degeneration

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences ◽

10.1007/s00018-019-03418-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 77 (5) ◽

pp. 779-780 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anu Kauppinen

Keyword(s):

Macular Degeneration ◽

Vision Loss ◽

The Elderly ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Age Related ◽

Severe Vision Loss ◽

Author Review ◽

Dry Amd ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

AbstractProlonged life expectancies contribute to the increasing prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) that is already the leading cause of severe vision loss among the elderly in developed countries. In dry AMD, the disease culminates into vast retinal atrophy, whereas the wet form is characterized by retinal edema and sudden vision loss due to neovascularization originating from the choroid beneath the Bruch’s membrane. There is no treatment for dry AMD and despite intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that suppress the neovessel formation, also wet AMD needs new therapies to prevent the disease progression and to serve patients lacking of positive response to current medicines. Knowledge on disease mechanisms is a prerequisite for the drug development, which is hindered by the multifactorial nature of AMD. Numerous distinguished publications have revealed AMD mechanisms at the cellular and molecular level and in this multi-author review, we take a bit broader look at the topic with some novel aspects.

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Cortical Plasticity and Reorganization in Severe Vision Loss

Visual Prosthetics ◽

10.1007/978-1-4419-0754-7_4 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 77-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eduardo Fernández ◽

Lotfi B. Merabet

Keyword(s):

Vision Loss ◽

Cortical Plasticity ◽

Severe Vision Loss

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Treatments Being Developed in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Güncel Retina Dergisi (Current Retina Journal) ◽

10.37783/crj-0253 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 150-154

Keyword(s):

Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽

Retinal Pigment Epithelial ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Platelet Rich Plasma ◽

Retinal Pigment ◽

Retinal Prostheses ◽

Pigment Epithelial ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Severe Vision Loss ◽

Experimental Approaches

Recent developments in understanding the pathophysiology of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) have shown that there have been new hopes in the treatment of this disease which can cause severe vision loss. Proven therapy for RP-associated photoreceptor loss and retinal pigment epithelial damage has not yet been reported. New or experimental approaches for the treatment of RP include platelet-rich plasma, gene therapy, transplantation of fetal retinal cells or stem cells, and electronic retinal prostheses.

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Better visual outcome associated with early vitrectomy in the management of endophthalmitis

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2020-316846 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. bjophthalmol-2020-316846

Author(s):

Sarah Welch ◽

Riyaz Bhikoo ◽

Nancy Wang ◽

Martin J Siemerink ◽

William Shew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Acuity ◽

Vision Loss ◽

Endogenous Endophthalmitis ◽

Health Board ◽

Surgical Trauma ◽

District Health ◽

Early Vitrectomy ◽

Younger Age ◽

Severe Vision Loss ◽

Culture Positive

AimsTo examine the role of early vitrectomy in the management of endophthalmitis from all causes.MethodsRetrospective study of 290 consecutive subjects diagnosed with endophthalmitis at Auckland District Health Board between 1 January 2006 and 31 July 2019. Main outcome measure was visual acuity at 9-month follow-up and proportion of subjects with severe vision loss (≤20/200).ResultsMedian age at presentation was 70.4 years and 151 subjects (52.1%) were women. Cataract surgery was the most common cause of endophthalmitis in 92 subjects (31.7%) followed by intravitreal injection in 57 (19.7%), endogenous endophthalmitis in 48 subjects (16.6%), non-surgical trauma in 42 subjects (14.5%), glaucoma surgery in 24 subjects (8.3%), vitrectomy in 22 subjects (7.6%) and corneal in 5 subjects (1.7%). Culture was positive in 136 (46.9%) with gram-positive organisms most common (76.5%). Early vitrectomy was performed in 82 subjects (28.3%). Median visual acuity at 9 months was 20/100 (IQR 20/30 to light perception), and severe vision loss occurred in 100 (43.5%). Retinal detachment occurred in 35 eyes (12.1%) and 26 eyes were enucleated. On multivariate analysis, younger age, poor presenting visual acuity and culture-positive endophthalmitis were associated with worse outcomes, and early vitrectomy was associated with better outcomes.ConclusionsEarly vitrectomy (within 24 hours) is associated with better visual outcomes at 9 months, while younger age, poor presenting visual acuity and culture-positive endophthalmitis are associated with poorer visual acuity outcomes.

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Case Report: Central Retinal Artery Occlusion in a COVID-19 Patient

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2020.588384 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Montesel ◽

Claudio Bucolo ◽

Victoria Mouvet ◽

Emmanuelle Moret ◽

Chiara M. Eandi

Keyword(s):

Vision Loss ◽

Previous History ◽

Central Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Retinal Artery Occlusion ◽

Artery Occlusion ◽

Central Retinal Artery ◽

History Of ◽

Severe Vision Loss ◽

Retinal Artery ◽

Vascular Occlusions

We report a case of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) in a patient with a previous history of severe COVID-19 disease. This disease has been associated with inflammatory-induced homeostasis changes leading to endothelial dysfunction and a procoagulant state with multi-organ involvement, but the burden of thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 patients is currently unknown. The pathogenesis of retinal artery occlusions is a multifactorial process where inflammation and hypercoagulation state are established risk factors. Even if our experience may represent a coincidental relationship, it is likely that COVID-19 patients could be at risk of developing retinal vascular occlusions. A focused ophthalmological surveillance is advisable to prevent and manage this possible cause of severe vision loss that has an important impact in health care system.

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