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.

Lens-induced hypopyon uveitis as the presenting manifestation of posterior lens nucleus dislocation following pars-plana vitrectomy: case report

A 57-year-old otherwise healthy male presented to our department seven days following uneventful pars-plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade for a superior bullous retinal detachment in the left eye. Ophthalmic examination revealed anterior segment inflammation with hypopyon and fibrinous exudate. Intra-ocular pressure was 28 mmHg. Posterior segment evaluation was difficult to assess due to the presence of anterior capsule opacification and gas bubble. A Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome was suspected, and the patient was treated with topical and oral corticosteroid medication in combination with anti-glaucomatous therapy. On follow-up, anterior segment inflammation and ocular hypertension improved. On day ten post-operatively, ocular ultrasonography demonstrated lens material inferiorly with attached retina. The final diagnosis of posterior lens nucleus dislocation with lens-induced uveitis was retained. The patient underwent an uneventful second vitrectomy with aspiration of the dislocated lens nucleus and sulcus three piece-lens implantation. On last follow-up, visual acuity was 20/50 with no relapsing of ocular inflammation and the retina remained reattached.

An Innovative In Vitro Open-Angle Glaucoma Model (IVOM) Shows Changes Induced by Increased Ocular Pressure and Oxidative Stress

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is a neurodegenerative disease, and its clinical outcomes lead to visual field constriction and blindness. POAG’s etiology is very complex and its pathogenesis is mainly explained through both mechanical and vascular theories. The trabecular meshwork (TM), the most sensitive tissue of the eye anterior segment to oxidative stress (OS), is the main tissue involved in early-stage POAG, characterized by an increase in pressure. Preclinical assessments of neuroprotective drugs on animal models have not always shown correspondence with human clinical studies. In addition, intra-ocular pressure management after a glaucoma diagnosis does not always prevent blindness. Recently, we have been developing an innovative in vitro 3Dadvanced human trabecular cell model on a millifluidicplatform as a tool to improve glaucoma studies. Herein, we analyze the effects of prolonged increased pressure alone and, in association with OS, on such in vitro platform. Moreover, we verify whethersuch damaged TM triggers apoptosis on neuron-like cells. The preliminary results show that TM cells are less sensitive to pressure elevation than OS, and OS-damaging effects were worsened by the pressure increase. The stressed TM releases harmful signals,which increase apoptosis stimuli on neuron-like cells, suggesting its pivotal role in the glaucoma cascade.

Effect of General Anesthesia on Intra-ocular Pressure during Ophthalmic Procedures in Our Population

Aim: To determine changes in intraocular pressures (IOP) associated with drugs used for general anesthesia (GA) induction in eye surgery. Study design: Observational prospective study Place and duration of study: Department of Ophthalmology, CMH Rawalpindi from 1st March 2015 to 31st May 2016. Methodology: Eighty subjects that were advised to undergone various ophthalmic surgical procedures under GA were included in the study. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), extra ocular motility, anterior and dilated posterior segment examination were carried out to determine the ophthalmic status. Mixed anesthetics were used in all patients. IOP was recorded at T1 (10 min before induction of anesthesia), T2 (10 min after intubation), and T3 (at the conclusion of surgery before extudation) using Perkins tonometers. Changes in IOP before induction of GA, after intubation, and just before extubation were recorded. Results: Mean pre-anesthesia IOP for patients of age was 42.3 years with a range of 9-70 years and mean IOP was 16.4 with a range of 10-23 mmHg. There was a significant decrease in the mean IOP at T2 (Perkins: 4-6 mmHg) and T3 (Perkins: 5-8mmHg) as compared to the IOP at T1 (10-18mmHg. The decreases in IOPs at T2 and T3 were similar in both anesthetic groups (T2: P=4-6mmHg; T3: P = 5-8 mmHg). Conclusion: Significant decrease in IOP after GA was observed with mixed anesthetic agents. For management decisions this aspect of general anaesthesia drugs on IOP as noted with currently used anesthetic agents has to be accounted for and decisions are taken accordingly. Keywords: General anesthesia, inhalation anesthetics, intraocular pressure, Perkins tonometers

Experience in clinical use of active ultrasonic handpiece with integrated pressure transducer

Purpose: Clinical testing of new ultrasonic handpiece with active transducer of pressure Active Sentry (AS), optional for phacomachine Cebturion. The study is based on the analysis of surgical records and disease histories of 100 patients operated on age-related cataract, by the method of ultrasonic phacoemulsification. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon by using the phacomachine Cebturion with settings ensuring safety and efficacy of the procedure. The half of all procedures were performed using the conventional ultrasonic handpiece (OZ), and the other half – using the handpiece with active transducer of pressure (AS). The evaluation criteria used include the following: pressure level of irrigating fluid used for nucleofragmentation; nucleofragmentation time; percentage loss of the posterior corneal epithelium cells. Results. With equal safety of the procedure, using the ultrasonic handpiece with active transducer of pressure (AS) in the course of nucleofragmentation enables the reduction of irrigating fluid pressure (BSS) by 20 mm Hg, followed by the reduction of BBS volume passing through the anterior chamber by 30 ml upon the average. The rate of the intraoperative endothelial cells loss when using the ultrasonic active handpiece is also lower, as compared to the conventional one, 8.3±3.2 vs 10.2±2.1, respectively. However this difference could not be confirmed by statistical data, possibly due to the limited sample of patients. Conclusions. The introduction of a new active ultrasonic handpiece (AS) for phacomachine Cebturion allows further reduction of procedural injury, while maintaining high efficiency of nucleofragmentation. Key words: рhacoemulsification of cataract, ultrasonic handle, active transducer of ocular pressure, reducing of surgical injury.

Physiological Bases of Electric Stimulation as a New Approach to Glaucoma IOP Control

This Chapter focuses in the electrophysiological bases to support Trans Palpebral Electrical Stimulation TPES as a new alternative to control Intraocular Pressure IOP. Primary open Angle Glaucoma POAG is described in our approach as a dysfunction of the membrane potential of TM cells due to the dysfunction of the Maxi potassium depended Calcium Channels BKCa2+ of the Trabecular Mesh TM. We review through the paper the main contributions about Trabecular mesh dysfunction related with Voltage dependent ionic channels. We also present in this paper new results in controlling intra ocular pressure IOP during one year of trans palpebral Electric stimulation in patients with Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Epiphora; Successful Response to Systemic Steroids vs Topical Steroids

Purpose: Topical steroids are considered to be the first line of treatment for some forms of idiopathic punctal stenosis causing epiphora. We present a case of epiphora, which was unresponsive to traditional management, but responded to one week of systemic steroids. Observations: A 48-year-old male with no significant medical history, was referred to us for excessive tearing. He was seen earlier by an ophthalmologist for redness in one of his eyes. He was prescribed Pataday (Olopatadine) eye drops and Zylet (Tobramycin, Lotepriol) eye drops for both eyes. The patient was seen again after a week of treatment without much improvement. His treatment was changed to Alrex (Loteprednol) and Azasite (Azithromycin) eye drops. The redness of the eye disappeared in a week but patient noticed excessive tearing of his eyes. He was referred to reconstructive ophthalmologist for treatment of possible punctal stenosis. On examination the height of tear meniscus was increased and diagnostic lacrimal probing and syringing of the lacrimal drainage system demonstrated both lacrimal drainage system patent. Punctal stenosis was diagnosed. Over the next couple of weeks, patient underwent multiple syringing of the lacrimal duct system with temporary relief of symptoms. He was also prescribed Tobradex (Tobramycin+Dexamethasone) eye drops to be used for a month. Eye drops helped for the duration of treatment but symptoms returned after a couple of days of discontinuing eye drops. Patient also received ductal probing and punctal dilation in the office without much relief. Mini perforated plugs were placed in both puncta resulting in temporary relief. At the same time the intra ocular pressure started to rise and Tobradex eye drops were discontinued immediately. After almost three months of treatment and continuation of debilitating symptoms of epiphora, patient decided to consider surgical intervention and consulted an ENT surgeon for second opinion. Since he was responding to topical steroids, which was causing an increase in his intra ocular pressure, the ENT surgeon suggested Medrol Pack (Prednisolone for a week). Patient was symptom free after 4 days of treatment and by 7th day, his eyes were back to normal with complete disappearance of epiphora symptoms. Conclusions and importance: Systemic steroids can be beneficial in patients suffering from Idiopathic/Iatrogenic punctal stenosis unresponsive to topical steroids and conventional treatments.