Purpose The high infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 necessitates the need for multiple studies identifying the molecular mechanisms that facilitate the viral entry and propagation. Currently the potential extra-respiratory transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 remain unclear. Methods Using single-cell RNA Seq and ATAC-Seq datasets and immunohistochemical analysis, we investigated SARS-CoV-2 tropism in the embryonic

Purpose To evaluate corneal immune dendritiform cell (DC) changes in dry eye disease (DED) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and to correlate IVCM parameters with clinical severity. Methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study including 300 eyes of 150 DED patients and 49 eyes of 49 age-matched controls. Severity of DED was based on the Dry Eye Workshop (DEWS) classification. IVCM

Purpose The ocular surface microbiota are recognised as one of causative microorganisms in post-procedural endophthalmitis but in many cases the vitreous tap is culture negative. This study investigated bacterial contamination of intravitreal (IVT) needles using multiple approaches covering culturing, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) and scanning electron microscopy

Th17 cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. At the ocular surface, Th17 cells have been identified as key effector cells in chronic ocular surface disease. Evidence from murine studies indicates that following differentiation and expansion, Th17 cells migrate from the lymphoid tissues to the eye, where they release inflammatory cytokines including

Oculo-centric factors may provide a key to understanding invasion success by SARS-CoV-2, a highly contagious, potentially lethal, virus with ocular tropism. Respiratory infection transmission via the eye and lacrimal-nasal pathway elucidated during the 1918 influenza pandemic, remains to be explored in this crisis. The eye and its adnexae represent a large surface area directly exposed to airborne

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of systemic cyclosporine (CsA) on ocular disease in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) patients. METHODS In this retrospective, comparative cohort study at a single center, patients with a diagnosis of SJS/TEN and with at least 3 months of follow up were divided into two groups: those who received systemic CsA and those who did not receive

The meibomian glands are lipid-secreting glands located in the tarsal plates, whose secretory products cover the tear film, thereby reducing evaporation as well as ensuring lubrication of the ocular surface. The meibomian glands can be visualized at different levels of magnification by infrared meibography, laser confocal microscopy, and optical coherence tomography. These imaging modalities have been

Dupilumab is the first US FDA approved biologic for treatment of atopic dermatitis. It is a human monoclonal antibody which blocks the shared receptor component, the interleukin (IL)-4α subunit, of IL-4 and IL-13 signaling pathways. Occurrence of "conjunctivitis", mostly in atopic dermatitis trials, has been the main side effect reported thus far. The etiology of "conjunctivitis" associated with dupilumab

PURPOSE To evaluate conjunctival cell microRNA (miRNAs) and mRNA expression in relation to observed phenotype of progressive limbal stem cell deficiency in a cohort of subjects with congenital aniridia with known genetic status. METHODS Using impression cytology, bulbar conjunctival cells were sampled from 20 subjects with congenital aniridia and 20 age and sex-matched healthy control subjects. RNA

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of topical castor oil application to the eyelids on ocular surface and tear film parameters in patients with blepharitis. METHODS Twenty-six participants (14 females, 12 males; mean ± SD age, 38 ± 21 years) with clinical signs of blepharitis were enrolled in a prospective, investigator-masked, randomized, paired-eye trial. A 100% cold pressed castor oil formulation (Lotus

PURPOSE High resolution visualization of the ocular surface and intact eyeball is critical and essential for our understanding and treatment of eye diseases. This study is to achieve this goal using advanced tissue clearing and three-dimensional (3D) imaging technologies. METHODS Wild type and fluorescently labeled transgenic mice of Prox-1-GFP (green fluorescent protein) or Thy1-YFP (yellow fluorescent

PURPOSE In this study, we quantify Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor (PEDF) secreted by corneal epithelial cells and its immunomodulatory functions in a murine model of dry eye disease (DED). METHODS We induced DED in female C57BL/6 mice using controlled environment chamber for 14 days. We quantified mRNA expression of Serpinf1 gene and PEDF protein expression by corneal epithelial cells (CEpCs) using

OBJECTIVES To assess symptoms and signs of the dry anophthalmic socket syndrome (DASS) in a standardized manner. METHODS 87 unilateral anophthalmic patients were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), the 5-Item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), and a modified version of Symptom Assessment iN Dry Eye (SANDE) questionnaire separately for the anophthalmic socket and for the healthy fellow

PURPOSE To investigate the prevalence of dry eye among all adult age categories and to discover independent risk factors by investigating a wide range of etiological categories. METHODS A cross-sectional association study including 79,866 voluntary participants aged 20-94 years of the population-based Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands. RESULTS Overall, 9.1% of participants had dry eye disease

PURPOSE People with diabetes are at high risk of lacrimal gland dysfunction, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we determined how type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) influences circadian homeostasis of the murine extraorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs). METHODS A T1DM animal model was established by systemic streptozotocin injection in C57BL/6J mice. After 5 weeks, ELGs were

PURPOSE This study was performed to investigate the effects of interleukin (IL)-4 on adipogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms in human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs). METHODS HMGECs and human white preadipocytes (HWPs) were cultured and differentiated with or without IL-4. Oil-red O staining, Adipored assay, and LipidTox immunostaining were performed to examine the extent of

Fibrin glues carry many advantages over traditional suture as a tissue adhesive and have been increasingly used in a variety of ophthalmic procedures over the past 15 years. Several fibrin sealants are commercially available worldwide, each of which differs slightly in its composition and mechanism of delivery. The focus of our review is to briefly discuss the reported uses of fibrin in ophthalmic

PURPOSE Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator resolvin (Rv) E1 stimulates secretion including mucins from conjunctival goblet cells. RvE1 can use both its ChemR23 receptor and the LTB4 receptor BLT1 to increase [Ca2+]i. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of ChemR23 and BLT1 and receptors on conjunctival goblet cells and the respective roles these two receptors play in goblet

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to access the ability of the natural PPAR agonist, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), to activate PPAR gamma (γ) signaling leading to meibocyte differentiation in human meibomian gland epithelial cell (hMGEC). METHODS HMGEC were exposed to EPA, alone and in combination with the specific PPARγ antagonist, T0070907, to selectively block PPARγ signaling. Expression of PPARγ

In the last twenty years an impressive body of evidence in diverse inflammatory animal disease models and human tissues, has established polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) derived specialized-pro-resolving mediators (SPM), as essential mediators for controlling acute inflammation, immune responses and wound healing and for resolving acute inflammation in many non-ocular tissues. SPM pathways and receptors

PURPOSE To visualize and quantify vascular networks in individuals with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHOD Cross-sectional study of OSSN patients. Vascular networks were measured by OCTA in the epithelium and sub-epithelial space in the tumors, adjacent tissue, and in the contralateral eye. Vessel area density (VAD, percent of blood

In recent years, technological advances in sequencing have accelerated our understanding of epigenetics in ocular development and ophthalmic diseases. We now know that epigenetic modifications are necessary for normal ocular development and biological processes such as corneal wound healing and ocular surface repair, while aberrant epigenetic regulation underlies the pathogenesis of a wide range of

Cancer is a global health problem and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Pleasingly, the rate of survival has improved and continues in an upward trend mainly due to better diagnosis and treatment modalities. In particular, the development of anticancer drugs including cytotoxic chemotherapy, hormonal agents and targeted therapies have provided the most effective treatment options in

Giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), which is characterized by the development of "giant" papillae on the superior tarsal conjunctivae, is a common complication in contact lens wearers. This condition can be associated with excessive mucus production, itching, blurry vision, and diminished contact lens tolerance. Risk factor for GPC include non-disposable lenses, infrequent lens replacement, long

PURPOSE Determine the utility of anterior segment optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) in assessing limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). METHODS Twenty-six eyes of 24 LSCD patients, classified clinically into stage I, II and III, and 12 eyes of 12 healthy subjects were included. AS-OCTA images were analyzed by two masked observers measuring the maximum corneal vascular extension (CoVE)

PURPOSE To evaluate systemic risk factors of dry eye disease, aqueous tear deficiency, and meibomian gland dysfunction. METHODS Three hundred and seventy-two community residents (222 females, 150 males; mean ± SD age, 39 ± 22 years) were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Past medical history, dry eye symptomology, ocular surface characteristics, and tear film quality were evaluated for each participant

PURPOSE To evaluate the long-term follow-up of recurrent conjunctival and corneal intraepithelial neoplasia (CCIN) treated with combination topical interferon alfa-2b and retinoic acid (I/RA). METHODS Our study represents a retrospective observational interventional series of 82 eyes from 82 patients from a single institution, reviewed for CCIN. All were administered topical interferon alfa-2b 1 million

Purpose To construct normalized ocular surface temperature (NOST) models for different tear film characteristics and evaluate its potential in dry-eyes screening. Methods We included 227 right eyes of 227 patients. Tear film characteristics were categorized into 4 types according to fluorescein tear film breakup time (FTBUT) and Schirmer test results, namely type 1: FTBUT>5 and Schirmer>5; type 2:

This is a cross-sectional study of patients who received a COVID-19 diagnosis between December 30, 2019 and February 7, 2020 at Tongji Hospital. A total of 102 patients (48 Male [47%] and 54 Female [53%]) with clinical symptoms, Rt, and chest Computed Tomography (CT) abnormalities were identified with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients had a mean [SD] gestational age of 57.63 [14.90] years

Purpose To review the literature on the etiopathogenesis of keratoconus (KC). Methods A literature search was conducted using PUBMED and Google Scholar for keratoconus. The authors analyzed epidemiology studies, reviews, and case reports. Results Atopy and ocular surface inflammation are a common features of KC and should lead to a reconsideration of the traditional definition of KC as a “non inflammatory”

The emergence of clinical metagenomics as an unbiased, hypothesis-free approach to diagnostic testing is set to fundamentally alter the way infectious diseases are detected. Long envisioned as the solution to the limitations of culture-based conventional microbiology, next generation sequencing methods will soon mature, and our attention will inevitably turn to how they can be applied to areas of medicine

Conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) are specialized cells that produce and secrete soluble mucins to the tear film that bathes the ocular surface. CGC numbers and functions are affected in various ocular surface diseases including dry eye disease with diverse etiologies. In this review we will (i) summarize the important functions of CGCs in ocular surface health, (ii) describe the ocular surface diseases

PURPOSE The 2011 International Workshop on Meibomian Gland Dysfunction was organized to build consensus on various disease aspects of MGD. The purpose of this review was to examine the influence of the MGD Workshop on clinical trials by examining their attributes prior to and after the Workshop. METHODS A search for clinical trials using the terms "Meibomian Gland Dysfunction" was conducted using the

Floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) is defined as eyelid hyperlaxity with reactive palpebral conjunctivitis. It is a common condition that can be associated with significant ocular irritation. FES presents with easily everted eyelids and chronic papillary conjunctivitis in the upper eyelids. It is frequently associated with ocular and systemic diseases, notably keratoconus and obstructive sleep apnea, respectively

PURPOSE A review of the published literature on the history, pathogenesis, and treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and its ocular involvement. METHODS Literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), and google scholar for pemphigus vulgaris and ocular PV. Inclusion criteria were given to meta-analysis, case-controlled studies, and documented case reports. The data were examined and independently

PURPOSE To determine effects of continued or discontinued use of omega-3 (ω3) fatty acid supplements through a randomized withdrawal trial among patients assigned to ω3 supplements in the first year of the DREAM study. METHODS Patients who were initially assigned to ω3 (3000 mg) for 12 months in the primary trial were randomized 1:1 to ω3 active supplements or placebos (refined olive oil) for 12 more

PURPOSE This population-based, cross-sectional study was performed to assess the influence of life-style modalities, including physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and visual display terminal (VDT) use, on the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED). METHODS The study included a total of 102,582 participants aged 40-74 years, from the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation

PURPOSE Essential fatty acids (EFAs) as dietary supplements are used in treating dry-eye for reducing inflammation at the ocular surface. Their topical application in eye drops to deliver fatty acid (FA) directly to the ocular surface requires thorough investigation. Being lipids in nature EFAs can interact with tear lipids and affect tear stability. This study aimed at investigating the biophysical

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of repetitive magnetic stimulation (RMS) on corneal epithelial permeability in a rabbit model of exposure keratopathy. METHODS 61 female New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were treated on one eye with repetitive magnetic stimulation (RMS) at a frequency of 20 Hz for 15 min. The other eye was untreated. Rabbit eyes were kept open for 2 h to induce acute corneal desiccation

PURPOSE To investigate the role of Anti-Citrullinated Protein autoantibodies (ACPAs) in the pathology of dry eye disease (DED) and the therapeutic potential of pooled human immune globulin-eye drops in these patients. METHODS We investigated the presence of citrullinated proteins and ACPAs in ocular surface wash (OSW) and conjunctival impressions from patients with DED and determined the pathological

PURPOSE Chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a long-term complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and leads to irreversible visual morbidity due to severe ocular surface impairments including visual disfunction. However, knowledge about the optical function in chronic ocular GVHD is limited because it is difficult to assess quantitative optical function objectively

PURPOSE Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) limit the synthesis of oestrogen in peripheral tissues thus lowering levels of oestrogen. The primary aim was to evaluate whether women treated with AIs have altered dry eye symptoms and signs. A sub-aim was to investigate whether symptoms of dry eye in postmenopausal women were associated with symptoms of non-eye pain, ocular pain and self-rated pain perception.

PURPOSE To identify factors associated with isolation yields of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamily member B5 (ABCB5)-positive limbal stem cells (LSCs) from human cadaveric donor eyes. METHODS Whole eye globes were obtained from the Saving Sight eye bank, Kansas City, MO and the CorneaGen eye bank, Seattle, WA. ABCB5-positive LSCs were sorted by flow cytometry upon anti-ABCB5 monoclonal antibody

PURPOSE This study was designed to validate a semi-quantitative clinical assessment tool for cicatrising conjunctivitis (CC). METHODS Fifty-five patients (109 eyes) with mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and 31 patients (61 eyes) with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) were included. Three methods were used for validation: (1) comparison of inter- and intra-observer reproducibility for the components selected

PURPOSE To investigate corneal phenotype in aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) including its earliest manifestations, in relation to PAX6 mutational status. METHODS 46 subjects (92 eyes) with congenital aniridia from a German registry were examined using slit lamp biomicroscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, contact esthesiometry and in vivo confocal microscopy. Cytogenetic analysis

PURPOSE To test whether Schirmer test (ST) results are associated with topical or systemic medication and to evaluate the distribution of tear fluid quantity in a 3-min and 5-min ST. METHODS The Gutenberg Health Study is a population-based, prospective, observational cohort study in Germany. ST was assessed in a sub-cohort of 1,999 participants. ST was performed under topical anesthesia for 5 min (ST-5)

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a nano-emulsion artificial tear (OM3) containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and glycerin, flaxseed oil and castor oil, and three osmoprotectants (levocarnitine, erythritol, and trehalose) compared with an artificial tear (Refresh Optive Advanced [ROA]) containing the same ingredients with the exception of trehalose and flaxseed oil. METHODS In this multicenter

PURPOSE To assess the clinical efficacy of a novel MGO Manuka Honey microemulsion (MHME) eye cream for the management of blepharitis. METHODS Fifty-three participants (32 females, 21 males; mean ± SD age, 60 ± 12 years) with clinical signs of blepharitis were enrolled in a prospective, investigator-masked, randomized, paired-eye trial. The MHME eye cream (Manuka Health New Zealand) was applied to the

PURPOSE Inclusion of the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in ophthalmic solutions is prevalent, despite the noted potential for exacerbating dry eye disease (DED). Whilst studies incorporating BAC have assessed its' effects as a mouse model of DED, the impact on limbal epithelia is under-studied. Our investigation aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of different BAC dosing regimens and

AIMS Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes typically manifest with severe peripheral neuropathy. Corneal confocal microscopy is a novel technique that may serve as a marker of nerve injury in peripheral neuropathy. This study examines the changes that occur in corneal nerve morphology as a result of peripheral neuropathy due to renal dysfunction in people with type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE To apply artificial intelligence (AI) for automated identification of corneal condition and prediction of the likelihood of need for future keratoplasty intervention from optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based corneal parameters. DESIGN Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS We collected 12,242 corneal OCT images from 3,162 subjects using CASIA OCT Imaging Systems (Tomey, Japan). We included 3,318

PURPOSE A high-fat diet leads to dysfunction in multiple systems of the body. Herein we investigate the effects of a high-fat diet on the ocular surface using a murine model. METHODS Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a standard-fat diet (10 kcal% fat, SFD) or a high-fat diet (60 kcal% fat, HFD) for 1 or 3 months. Phenol red thread test was used to detect tear production, oregon green dextran

PURPOSE We discovered that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) decreases the ability of lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin, to stimulate the secretion of leukotriene B4, a potent proinflammatory mediator, by immortalized human meibomian gland epithelial cells (IHMGECs). We hypothesize that this hormone action reflects an androgen suppression of proinflammatory gene activity in these cells. Our goal was to

PURPOSE Dry eye (DE) disease and depression are increasing in modern times. We investigated the association between DE and depressive symptoms using the iPhone application, DryEyeRhythm. METHODS This large-scale crowdsourced observational study was conducted within iPhone users in Japan who downloaded DryEyeRhythm. Participants with a Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score ≥ 40 were defined

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) constitute a unique population of bone marrow-derived cells that play a pivotal role in linking innate and adaptive immune responses. While peripheral tissues are typically devoid of pDCs during steady state, few tissues do host resident pDCs. In the current study, we aim to assess presence and distribution of pDCs in naïve murine limbus and bulbar conjunctiva. Immunofluorescence

AIM To characterize anterior eye health and tear film characteristics in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. METHODS This cross-sectional study involved 35 adults, categorized as healthy controls (n = 18) or as HIV-positive patients (n = 17), with no history of opportunistic infection or current ocular fundus abnormalities. Participants underwent

PURPOSE To assess long-term cumulative treatment effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS Eighty-seven symptomatic participants (58 female, mean ± SD age, 53 ± 16 years) with clinical signs of MGD were enrolled in a prospective, double-masked, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomised to receive either four

PURPOSE To analyse the tear cytokine levels of patients diagnosed with ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease(GVHD)and examine the consistency of these levels with different ocular surface parameters. METHODS 23 ocular chronic GVHD patients were selected for the assessment of tear cytokine levels and ocular surface parameters (TBUT, CFS, OSDI, and Schirmer's test), and 16 dry eye disease(DED)patients