Slit lamp photography for objective assessment of topical eye disorders

Evidence based scientific studies has weightage, when they are presented with quantitative data analysis. Documentation and parametric analysis has become an integral part of present day research. Any publications or write-ups without explanation through standard parameters are not appreciated by the research society. In Ophthalmology assessment of various parameters through photography is a debatable issue. Affordability for higher end diagnostic / OPD instruments may not be feasible for all. In such a scenario, here is an attempt made to standardize the slit lamp photography with a smart phone and its scientific analysis for evaluating clinical conditions like sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, etc. This technique can become a tool for assessment and response of the therapies as well as an important tool to seek help from higher centers. Various add-on benefits in research, limitation and scope for further evaluation also being discussed.

Effect of acupuncture on intraocular pressure and tear production in healthy horses

ABSTRACT: Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese form of therapy that involves needle stimulation of specific points on the body for therapeutic and homeostatic effects. In ophthalmology, acupuncture helps as a conventional or adjuvant therapy for numerous eye disorders, including myopia, strabismus, dry eye, and cataracts. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on tear production (TP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses. Ten healthy horses, females and males with ages varying between eight months and nine years, were used. Schirmer’s I test and applanation tonometry were used to evaluate the basal TP and IOP of both eyes. The measurements were taken immediately before (T10) the insertion of the needles and 5 (T5), 15 (T15), 30 (T30) and 60 (T60) minutes and 24 (T24) hours after a 20-minute acupuncture session. Mean values of both eyes were analyzed over time. TP increased in 50% of the animals at T5, T15 and T24, in 30% at T30, and in 40% at T60, with an increase of up to 8.5 mm/min at T15 and T60. In addition, there was a significant difference between T24 and T30, with a 14.1% increase in TP at T24. Meanwhile, IOP decreased in 50% of the animals at T5 and T30, in 20% at T15, in 60% at T60, and in 70% at T24. Thus, we suggest that acupuncture is a technique that can benefit horses with diseases that alter these parameters, either alone or as an adjunct in conventional therapeutic protocols.

Effects of color in humans generated by led lighting systems

This research evaluates the effects of color in humans generated by LED lighting systems. This evaluation allows us to know the different parameters that these systems generate, such as: the temperature and color of light suitable for human vision and thus be able to implement them in LED lighting designs for work areas. Having an adequate lighting system contributes to visual health and safety by avoiding work accidents. Each color has a different percentage of light reflection and in the same way each color affects us optically and psychologically by causing different sensations and perceptions in human beings such as visual fatigue, exhaustion, eye disorders, lacrimation, irritation, stress, migraines and even impaired vision Taking care of visual health is of vital importance. The methodology for evaluating lighting designs will be with NOM-030-ENER-2012. The contribution of this research will be to know the optimal colors and color temperature of light to use in LED lighting systems and to help lighting system designers in the selection of suitable LEDs and area colors that contribute to the visual health of humans

Advantages of “Soft Steroids” in the Treatment of Inflammatory Eye Diseases. Оverview

The purpose to assess the benefits of using soft steroids in the treatment of inflammatory eye disorders according to literature data.Methods. The literature review concerning the administration of the gluco-corticosteroids and combination drugs based on gluco-corticosteroid for the treatment of inflammatory eye disorders. Both Russian and foreign sources for the 1980–2021 period were analyzed.The results. The combination drugs containing anti-infective drugs and gluco-corticosteroids are actively applied for the treatment of inflammatory eye disorders. That exerts joint ethiopathogenetic effect on the disorder. However, gluco-corticosteroid being a part of such drugs (predominantly dexamethasone) as often as not leads to ocular hypertension. In order to deal with this problem the so-called soft steroids (also classified as gluco-corticosteroids) were introduced. They lessen the possibility of the ocular hypertension and are marked by high efficiency and increased safety profile. One of the representatives of soft steroids is fluorometholone. There is a large evidential base in the modern literature that confirms much lesser influence of fluorometholone on ocular pressure if compared to dexamethasone. At the same time, dexamethasone has a higher anti-inflammatory activity, while on the other hand, its systemic immunosuppressive activity is lower. What is more, in terms of influence on the ocular surfaces, dexamethasone has an additional advantage which is causing mucin expression in conjuctival and corneal epithelium. The above mentioned merits of dexamethasone served as basis for its inclusion into the combination drug called Floas-T which is essentially the combination of tobramycin 0.3 % and fluorometholone 0.1 %. It is used in the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases and diseases of eye appendages, as well as for profylaxis of the diseases in the postoperative period.Conclusion. Combination drugs containing anti-infective components and gluco-corticosteroids seem to be highly promising for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. One of them worth highlighting is Floas-T classified as soft steroids containing tobramycin and fluorometholone. It compares to dexamethasone favourably in terms of efficiency, while contributing less to ocular hypertension.

Botulinum toxin in cancer therapy—current perspectives and limitations

Different serotypes of botulinum toxins (BoNTs) act upon different types of SNARE proteins. This property is used in aesthetic medicine to treat certain eye disorders such as crossed eyes (strabismus) and uncontrolled blinking (blepharospasm), to treat muscle spasms or movement disorders, and, for the two last decades, more and more often, to provide support in cancer therapy, especially so as to obtain analgesic effects upon spastic conditions. The limited literature data also suggests that the addition of BoNTs to the culture of cancer cell lines reduces cell growth, and mitotic activity, and promotes their apoptosis. BoNTs have several advantages that can be emphasized: BoNTs act on both perfusion and oxygenation; moreover, BoNTs are considered to be safe and free of systemic side effects upon administration. Recently, advances in molecular biology techniques have allowed a wide variety of novel BoNT constructs with alternative functions. These constructs could be assessed as potential new classes of anti-cancer drugs. This creates new potential perspectives in the wider use of non-toxic modified BoNT constructs in cancer therapy. In the light of the mentioned premises and existing literature reports, the aim of this review is to summarize current data and reports considering BoNT use in cancer therapy. Key points •Botulinum toxin (BoNTs) may be useful in cancer treatment. •Botulinum toxin can serve as an analgesic after cancer radiotherapy. •Botulinum toxin has the ability to inhibit tumor growth and promote apoptosis of neoplastic cells.

A Review on Traditional Plant Azadirachta indica: Natural Source for Disease Curability and Health Promotion

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a medicinal plant, mostly found in the Himalayan region. The neem leaf is commonly and historically used in medicine to treat a variety of illnesses such as eye disorders, nose bleeding, loss of appetite and liver problems etc. Because of its various pharmacological and therapeutic effects, it is included in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. As a result, this review provides current information on ethno-medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, adverse effects of Azadirachta indica with future advancement. Several references were checked for identification, in-depth literature including online databases, documents, and blogs. Around 29% of the compounds in Azadirachta indica have been isolated and characterised. The limonoids in the neem tree have a wide variety of antimicrobial and insecticidal properties. Complex azadirachtin, salanin are active principles extracted from neem seed. These metabolites' biochemical pathways in the neem tree are completely unknown. Citrus sinensis is related to the neem tree phylogenetically. 62 percent of neem genomic was anchored into citrus chromosomes according to comparative study. The azadirachtin, nimbin, salanin and nimbidin from neem tissues were quantified by using LC-MS. This paper shows the various use of neem in different disorder.

Analysis of health dynamics in children and adolescents based on the results of regular medical check-ups

The article deals with the issues of health in children and adolescents aged 7–17 years. The objective of this study is to analyze health experience in school-age children and adolescents based on regular medical check-up results. According to regular medical check-up results, 15,192 schoolchildren were examined in 2015, including 12,649 children aged 7–14 years and 2,543 children aged 15–17 years. In 2020, health of 18,708 schoolchildren was assessed, including 14,861 children aged 7 to14 years and 3,847 children aged 15 to 17 years. The authors analyze dynamics of distribution of children into health groups, and age-related incidence of school- related diseases. In children and adolescents of different age, eye disorders occupy first place in the rank of prevalent school- related diseases; the events are followed by musculoskeletal diseases, nervous and GIT diseases, progressing with age, including scoliosis. Percentage of healthy children without the signs of a school- related abnormality at school is reducing. In the majority of cases, pathological abnormalities are found in 15–17-year-old adolescents.

CNGB3 Missense Variant Causes Recessive Achromatopsia in Original Braunvieh Cattle

Sporadic occurrence of inherited eye disorders has been reported in cattle but so far pathogenic variants were found only for rare forms of cataract but not for retinopathies. The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype and the genetic aetiology of a recessive form of congenital day-blindness observed in several cases of purebred Original Braunvieh cattle. Electroretinography in an affected calf revealed absent cone-mediated function, whereas the rods continue to function normally. Brain areas involved in vision were morphologically normal. When targeting cones by immunofluorescence, a decrease in cone number and an accumulation of beta subunits of cone cyclic-nucleotide gated channel (CNGB3) in the outer plexiform layer of affected animals was obvious. Achromatopsia is a monogenic Mendelian disease characterized by the loss of cone photoreceptor function resulting in day-blindness, total color-blindness, and decreased central visual acuity. After SNP genotyping and subsequent homozygosity mapping with twelve affected cattle, we performed whole-genome sequencing and variant calling of three cases. We identified a single missense variant in the bovine CNGB3 gene situated in a ~2.5 Mb homozygous genome region on chromosome 14 shared between all cases. All affected cattle were homozygous carriers of the p.Asp251Asn mutation that was predicted to be deleterious, affecting an evolutionary conserved residue. In conclusion, we have evidence for the occurrence of a breed-specific novel CNGB3-related form of recessively inherited achromatopsia in Original Braunvieh cattle which we have designated OH1 showing an allele frequency of the deleterious allele of ~8%. The identification of carriers will enable selection against this inherited disorder. The studied cattle might serve as an animal model to further elucidate the function of CNGB3 in mammals.

PREVENTIVE CARE IN OPHTHALMOLOGY – A REVIEW ARTICLE

Shalakya Tantra is an important branch in Ayurveda which deals with the diseases of the supraclavicular region. Eyecare is described under "Shalakya Tantra”. The eye is the most important and sensitive of five sense organs in the human body. Ayurveda also gives prime importance to the eye and primarily aim at the prevention of disease and promotion of positive health. Some of the faulty lifestyle exposures like sedentary habits, smoking, alcohol consumption, fat, sugar-rich diet, junk food, high carbohydrate food etc are notably associated with the risk of developing eye diseases. Association of eye diseases with Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Aahara-Vihara, Mind, Occu- pation, and Aging process are also important. Factors like continuous hours spent reading, watching TV, using mobile and working on computers take their toll on eye health. Ayurveda possesses vivid information about the lifestyle leading to healthy living and also the preventive strategies in general. For eye diseases, a few daily regi- mens like Aschyotana (eye drops), Anjana (Collyrium), Nasya (nasal application of drugs), Abhyanga (oil massage) are promoted as high-end measures for the maintenance of eye health, Various Netra vyayama (eye exercis- es), Yoga, Pranayama and Satkriya (Neti, Trataka etc) are also an effective therapy for healing of eye disorders. Keywords: Dincharya, Ritucharya, Aschyotana, Anjana, Padabhyanga

Eye Disorders Spectrum: A Tertiary Hospital Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic Based in Ethiopia

Background: Epidemiological studies to determine the pattern of eye disorders among children are important for proper health care planning and management. This study aimed to document the spectrum and frequency of eye diseases of children who attended the pediatric ophthalmology clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional and convenient sample of 1237, male and female children (16 years and below) with ocular disorders presenting for the first time and those children with settled diagnosis coming for follow up visit between June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019 were included in the study. Data on age at presentation, sex and diagnosis were collected and analyzed. Eye disorders were classified into various categories. Children were grouped into four age groups. Ratios, percentages and chi square associations were calculated. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Of the children 60% were male. The mean age (standard deviation) of the children was 4.26 (+4.1) years. Patients aged 0–5 years old were the largest group constituting 70.5%. Ocular motility imbalances were the most common ocular disorders seen (32.8 %), followed by childhood cataract (18.4%) and infection and inflammation of eye and adnexa (8.3%). Ocular motility imbalances were recorded more frequently and statistically significant (p < 0.001) among 1­ 5 years age group. Within the childhood cataract category, congenital cataract was more prominent (7.1%). Within the infection and inflammation category, cornea/ sclera infections were more common (3.7%). Conclusions: The study highlights common eye disorders seen in children in a specialized hospital ophthalmic clinic. Ocular motility imbalance, childhood cataract, and infection and inflammation of the eye and adnexa, were the most common occurring disorders. Early presentation was common, and males were more affected than females.