Gut Microbiome in Retina Health: The Crucial Role of the Gut-Retina Axis

The term microbiome means not only a complex ecosystem of microbial species that colonize our body but also their genome and the surrounding environment in which they live. Recent studies support the existence of a gut-retina axis involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic progressive ocular diseases, including age-related macular disorders. This review aims to underline the importance of the gut microbiome in relation to ocular health. After briefly introducing the characteristics of the gut microbiome in terms of composition and functions, the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis, in the development or progression of retinal diseases, is highlighted, focusing on the relationship between gut microbiome composition and retinal health based on the recently investigated gut-retina axis.

Diagnostic Agents in the Pediatric Eye Examination

In this chapter, the author reviews the most common topical ophthalmic drops for diagnostic use in a pediatric eye exam. Topical diagnostic agents have become an integral part of an ocular health examination even in infants and young children. Topical local anesthetics are commonly used for eye procedures such as tonometry, gonioscopy, and minor office procedures. The proper use of mydriatic drugs allows clinicians to identify and diagnose various ocular abnormalities that might otherwise go undetected. Cycloplegic refraction is a reliable procedure to determine the true refractive status of patients with accommodative esotropia, pseudomyopia, and latent hyperopia. Cycloplegic refraction is also useful in non-communicative or uncooperative patients and when a functional vision problem is suspected such as when visual acuities do not correlate with symptoms or clinical expecteds. Many times, diagnostic drops can help a clinician be more confident of the patient's clinical findings.

Slit Lamp Examination on Pediatric Patients

Slit lamp examination is an important component of a pediatric eye exam. The slit lamp instrument, also known as a biomicroscope, is used to provide a stereoscopic magnified view of the ocular structures. The slit lamp facilitates the examination of both the anterior segment as well as the posterior segment of the eyes. For posterior segment examination, handheld lenses are used in conjunction with the slit lamp. Different tools and examination techniques are often needed to examine infants, toddlers, and other pediatric patients who cannot be positioned in the slit lamp. This chapter discusses the techniques and equipment used to facilitate the ocular health examination, including anterior segment structures, posterior segment structures, and intraocular pressure measurements in the pediatric population.

The potential retinal hazards of curing light use for dentists

Background: Many recent studies have focused on the potential hazards of blue light exposure to ocular health. One group with a unique blue light exposure risk is dentists, who use curing lights that emit intense blue light during restorative procedures. During these procedures, dentists often experience brief ocular exposure to these lights. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether such exposures may have an effect on the vision and ocular health of dentists. Methods: A group of 12 dentists who had experienced curing light exposure over a period of 10 or more years were compared to a group of eight control subjects with no such exposure. The subjects were tested for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Their retinas were examined using fundus imaging and optical coherence tomography. Macular pigment optical density was measured. The likelihood that brief blue light exposure could lead to ocular effects was further explored by subjecting a retinal pigment epithelial cell (RPE) line to such exposures. Results: Although no visual defects or ocular pathologies were found in either group, the dentist group differed from the control group in having increased macular thickness (P < 0.02), a higher incidence of macular vessel tortuosity (P < 0.05), and greater variance in their macular pigment optical density values (P < 0.01). RPE cells that received blue light exposure similar to those sustained by dentists demonstrated a change in physiology. Conclusions: Retinal changes were found in dentists, which, while not pathological in themselves, are associated with some retinal pathologies. Further studies are necessary to determine whether these signs correlate with the degree of curing light exposure and to determine whether they eventually develop into pathological conditions.

Anterior Segment Examination with Slit-Lamp Biomicroscope: What Should be Highlighted?

Ocular health assessment consists of various types of examinations that aim to find pathological conditions in the eye so that it helps ophthalmologists to diagnose and provide therapy for ocular disorders suffered by the patients. Slit-lamp biomicroscope is one of the most important eye assessments and has become the standard in assessing the pathological condition of the anterior part of the eye. This examination is performed using a stereoscopic biomicroscope instrument in combination with a bright illumination source. The results of the anterior segment examination using slit-lamp biomicroscope may provide more detailed ocular findings, such as the abnormalities of the eyelid, conjunctival lesions, abnormalities of the cornea, lens, or other parts of the anterior ocular segments. Therefore, the ability to examine slit-lamp biomicroscope is essential for the ophthalmologist. This review will discuss the eye examination using slit-lamp biomicroscope and the findings that will make it easier for clinicians to determine the direction of diagnostic approach in ocular patients.

Epidemiological Surveillance of Eye Disease and People Awareness in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

Background and Objectives: Vision impairments and related blindness are major public health problems. The prevalence of eye disease and barriers to optimal care markedly vary among different geographic areas. In the Abruzzo region (central Italy), an epidemiological surveillance on the state of ocular health in the population aged over 50 years was performed in 2019. Materials and Methods: Participants were sampled to be representative of the region’s inhabitants. Data were collected through a telephone interview and an eye examination. Prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy, and maculopathy was assessed. The Cohen’s kappa (k) was used to measure the agreement between the presence of eye disease and awareness of the disease by the participants. Results: Overall, 983 people with a mean age of 66.0 ± 9.5 years were included in the study. The prevalence of cataracts, glaucoma, maculopathy, and retinopathy was 52.6%, 5.3%, 5.6%, and 29.1%, respectively. Among the total of the affected people, those aware of their condition were 21.8% (k = 0.12, slight agreement) for cataract, 65.4% (k = 0.78, substantial agreement) for glaucoma, 7.1% (k = 0.10, slight agreement) for maculopathy, and 0% for retinopathy (k = −0.004, agreement lower than that expected by chance). Refractive defects were corrected in the vast majority of participants. Conclusion: In the Abruzzo region, about two thirds of citizens aged 50 years or over suffer from cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy, or maculopathy, which are recognized as leading causes of blindness. Many people with eye disease do not know they have it. These data can be used by clinicians and policymakers to undertake clinical, political, and social actions.

Online classes in Indian schools during COVID 19 pandemic- Effect on ocular health

There is increased onscreen time and restricted outdoor activity of Indian school children during COVID19 pandemic lockdown. We investigated the effect of online classes on ocular health of school children and any associated risk factors. Online questionnaire-based survey using Google forms on students of class 5-12 of schools of Delhi. 488 responses were included in the study. Questions based on demographic characteristics, class, type of devices and pattern of usage for online classes, spectacle use, ocular symptoms suggestive of computer vision syndrome (headache, ocular pain, blurred vision, redness, itching and burning of eyes) were asked and responses noted. Student suffering from any ocular disease except refractive error were excluded. Excel spread sheet was used for data analysis. The prevalence of ocular symptoms and type of device used were expressed as percentage. With the CI of 95% the significance level was considered as P &#60;0.05. The main outcome was symptoms of eyestrain arising due to online classes. 488 students from Class 5 to 12 responded (98.7% response rate). Mean age was 14years.Total prevalence of ocular symptoms was 64.34% (313 students, P&#60; 0.0001). Smart phone was the commonest device used for online classes (78.27%). 247 out of 382 smartphone users (64.65%, P&#60;0.0001) had ocular symptoms. 163 students who had refractive errors 61.9% of them had significant symptoms.Digitalization has helped in continuing school education during pandemic. However, it’s effect on ocular health of children is a major challenge. Reforms are needed in the school curriculum to minimize the exposure and long-term collateral impact of COVID-19.

Epidemiological Surveillance of Eye Disease and People Awareness in the Abruzzo Region, Italy

Background and Objectives: Vision impairments and related blindness are major public health problems. Prevalence of eye disease and barriers to optimal care markedly vary among different geographic areas. In the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), an epidemiological surveillance on the state of ocular health in the population aged over 50 years was performed in 2019. Materials and Methods: Participants were sampled to be representative of the region inhabitants. Data were collected through a telephone interview and an eye examination. Prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy, maculopathy was assessed. The Cohen&rsquo;s kappa (k) was used to measure the agreement between presence of eye disease and awareness of the disease by the participants. Results: Overall, 983 people with mean age of 66.0&plusmn;9.5 years were included in the study. The prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, maculopathy, and retinopathy was 52.6%, 5.3%, 5.6%, and 29.1%, respectively. Among the total of affected people, those aware of their condition were 21.8% (k=0.12, slight agreement) for cataract, 65.4% (k=0.78, substantial agreement) for glaucoma, 7.1% (k=0.10, slight agreement) for maculopathy, and 0% for retinopathy (k=-0.004, agreement lower than that expected by chance). Refractive defects were corrected in the vast majority of participants. Conclusion: In the Abruzzo region, about two third of citizens aged 50 years or over suffer from cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy or maculopathy, which are recognized as leading causes of blindness. Many people with eye disease do not know they have it. These data can be used by clinicians and policymakers to undertake clinical, political, and social actions.