Objective. The goals were to isolate and study the genetic susceptibility to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), as well as the gene-environment interaction established in this disease. Methods. A retrospective study (2000–2014) was performed about the heritability of retinopathy of prematurity in 257 infants who were born at a gestational age of ≤32 weeks. The ROP was studied and treated by a single pediatric ophthalmologist. A binary logistic regression analysis was completed between the presence or absence of ROP and the predictor variables. Results. Data obtained from 38 monozygotic twins, 66 dizygotic twins, and 153 of simple birth were analyzed. The clinical features of the cohorts of monozygotic and dizygotic twins were not significantly different. Genetic factors represented 72.8% of the variability in the stage of ROP, environmental factors 23.08%, and random factors 4.12%. The environmental variables representing the highest risk of ROP were the number of days of tracheal intubation (p < 0.001), postnatal weight gain (p = 0.001), and development of sepsis (p = 0.0014). Conclusion. The heritability of ROP was found to be 0.73. The environmental factors regulate and modify the expression of the genetic code.

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Genetic and Environmental Influences on Retinopathy of Prematurity.

The aim of the study was to determine whether routine probiotic supplementation (RPS) with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or Lactobacillus acidophilus +Lactobacillus bifidum is associated with reduced risk of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC)≥Stage II in preterm neonates born at ≤32 weeks' gestation. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the effect of probiotic supplementation in very low birth weight infants in our neonatal unit by comparing two periods: before and after supplementation. The incidence of NEC≥Stage II, late-onset sepsis and all-cause mortality was compared for an equal period 'before' (Period I) and 'after' (Period II) RPS with LGG or L. acidophillus+L. bifidum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to adjust for relevant confounders. The study population was composed of 261 neonates (Period I v. II: 134 v. 127) with comparable gestation duration and birth weights. In <32 weeks, we observed a significant reduction in NEC≥Stage II (11·3 v. 4·8 %), late-onset sepsis (16 v. 10·5 %) and mortality (19·4 v. 2·3 %). The benefits in neonates aged ≤27 weeks did not reach statistical significance. RPS with LGG or L. acidophillus+L. bifidum is associated with a reduced risk of NEC≥Stage II, late-onset sepsis and mortality in preterm neonates born at ≤32 weeks' gestation.

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Probiotics to prevent necrotising enterocolitis and nosocomial infection in very low birth weight preterm infants.

Ocular tissues are known to be sensitive to damage from exposure to laser emissions. This study reports the case of a female patient with acute unilateral anterior uveitis caused by alexandrite laser-assisted hair removal of the eyebrows. We report a 38-year-old female who presented with unilateral eye pain, redness, and photophobia after receiving alexandrite (755 nm) laser epilation of both eyebrows. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Right eye examination was normal. Left eye examination showed conjunctival injection and 2+/3+ cells in the anterior chamber. Intraocular pressure and fundus examination were normal. Topical steroids and cycloplegic drops were prescribed for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3-week follow-up, best corrected visual acuity was 20/20, and intraocular pressure and fundus examination were normal in both eyes. The left eye was white, and the anterior chamber was clear. The patient continues to be monitored. In conclusion, without adequate protective eyewear, laser hair removal of the eyebrows with alexandrite laser can lead to ocular damage.

/pdf/anterior-uveitis-following-eyebrow-epilation-with-576cc9pg9y.pdf

Anterior uveitis following eyebrow epilation with alexandrite laser.

Purpose To report macular photic trauma after accidental occupational exposure to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser and management of secondary choroidal neovascularization. Methods Institutional review board-approved retrospective case report. Results A 30-year-old woman presented with immediate vision loss in her left eye after direct inadvertent exposure to a single discharge from an occupational 750-nm Alexandrite laser used for laser hair removal. Baseline Snellen visual acuity was 20/40 in the involved left eye. One week after the initial exposure, the patient experienced subjective visual decline to 20/50, was treated with oral prednisone, and then developed a subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) in the setting of choroidal neovascularization 2 weeks later, or 3 weeks after initial trauma. The patient subsequently received 5 intravitreal ranibizumab injections over 25 weeks with resolution of the SRH. Final visual acuity was 20/50. Conclusion The present case documents development and management of subretinal hemorrhage associated with choroidal neovascularization following macular photic trauma after accidental occupational to a 750-nm Alexandrite laser.

Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Alexandrite Laser Exposure

Low level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been practiced for almost
fifty years, and hundreds of positive clinical trials and thousands of laboratory studies have been published. Despite these
impressive accomplishments LLLT has still not reached the stage of acceptance by mainstream medicine. The reasons
for this were discussed at a recent Optical Society of America (OSA) Incubator meeting in Washington DC in 2014.
Uncertainty about mechanisms was highlighted, and this paper will describe the current thinking. To drive LLLT
towards mainstream medicine, we need better guidelines with standardized protocols and consistent parameters. Studies
should be published in higher impact scientific and medical journals. Companies should avoid false promises and
deceptive marketing, and physicians should receive a clearly defined return on investment with insurance
reimbursement.

Low level laser (light) therapy and photobiomodulation: the path forward

PurposeIn recent years, we have seen an increase in the use of laser systems in the field of aesthetics (mainly depigmentation and hair removal). Alexandrite laser is the most widely used.MethodsCa...

Accidental Foveal Photocoagulation Secondary to Alexandrite Laser

Aim To determine whether the "Oxygen with Love" (OWL) and diode laser treatment provided in a neonatal intensive care unit has reduced the risk of avoidable blindness caused by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) over the past decade. Materials and methods A prospective observational cohort study was performed, in which 351 infants were examined for ROP. The inclusion conditions were as follows: preterm infants, birthweight Results From 2004 to 2012, the survival rates of younger children increased ( p p p p p p Conclusion The introduction of the OWL program, together with lower rates of sepsis, improvements in postnatal weight gain, and the use of diode laser treatment, has reduced the incidence of unfavorable structural outcomes of ROP.

“Oxygen with Love” and Diode Laser Treatment Decreases Comorbidity and Avoidable Blindness due to Retinopathy of Prematurity: Results Achieved in the Past 12 Years

To determine that slower weight premature twins have more risk to develop severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) than the higher weight twins. We know that the lower weight twins had less optimal intra-uterine environments than their higher weight twins. We screened 94 consecutive premature twins for ROP. We compared the lower weight twins (n = 47) against their higher weight twins (n = 47). The risk of severe ROP (ROP stage 3 or greater) was significantly higher in the lower weight twin group (p  4 days (p = 0.007) compared to the higher w...

Prenatal and postnatal factors increase risk of severe ROP

Optical coherence tomography angiography in the early diagnosis of Susac syndrome.

Resumen Fundamento y objetivo Se pretende estudiar la asociacion del glaucoma con la enfermedad vascular, mediante 2 vias independientes: la asociacion del glaucoma con las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) y el estudio de las variables de hemodinamica ocular (VHO) en el glaucoma. Material y metodo Se realizo un estudio transversal con 73 sujetos: 25 sin glaucoma, 28 glaucomas primarios de angulo abierto (GPAA) y 20 glaucomas de tension normal (GTN). Se midieron las VHO, factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) y ECV. Resultados Se encontro un mayor porcentaje de FRCV y ECV en pacientes afectados de GPAA (p = 0,002 y p = 0,016) y GTN (p = 0,001 y p = 0,010) respecto al grupo control. En lo que respecta a las VHO, en los pacientes con GPAA encontramos menores velocidades sistolicas y diastolicas, asi como mayores indices de resistencia en la arteria central de la retina (p  Conclusiones Existe una asociacion estadisticamente significativa entre la presencia de ECV y/o FRCV y la enfermedad glaucomatosa, hallazgo que se complementa con los datos de las VHO. Estos valores indican una peor perfusion ocular en los pacientes con enfermedad glaucomatosa.

José Luis García-Serrano

Papers

Accidental Foveal Photocoagulation Secondary to Alexandrite Laser

“Oxygen with Love” and Diode Laser Treatment Decreases Comorbidity and Avoidable Blindness due to Retinopathy of Prematurity: Results Achieved in the Past 12 Years

Prenatal and postnatal factors increase risk of severe ROP

Optical coherence tomography angiography in the early diagnosis of Susac syndrome.

Componente hemodinámico en el glaucoma y su asociación con factores de riesgo y enfermedades cardiovasculares