PURPOSE\nTo measure macular choroidal thickness in normal eyes at different points using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to evaluate the association of choroidal thickness and age.\n\n\nDESIGN\nRetrospective, observational case series.\n\n\nMETHODS\nEDI OCT images were obtained in patients without significant retinal or choroidal pathologic features. The images were obtained by positioning a spectral-domain OCT device close enough to the eye to acquire an inverted image. Seven sections were obtained within a 5 x 30-degree area centered at the fovea, with 100 scans averaged for each section. The choroid was measured from the outer border of the retinal pigment epithelium to the inner scleral border at 500-microm intervals of a horizontal section from 3 mm temporal to the fovea to 3 mm nasal to the fovea. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate variations of choroidal thickness at each location and to correlate choroidal thickness and patient age.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe mean age of the 30 patients (54 eyes) was 50.4 years (range, 19 to 85 years), and 14 patients (46.7%) were female. The choroid was thickest underneath the fovea (mean, 287 microm; standard deviation, +/- 76 microm). Choroidal thickness decreased rapidly in the nasal direction and averaged 145 microm (+/- 57 microm) at 3 mm nasal to the fovea. Increasing age was correlated significantly with decreasing choroidal thickness at all points measured. Regression analysis suggested that the subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased by 15.6 microm for each decade of life.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nChoroidal thickness seems to vary topographically within the posterior pole. The thickness of the choroid showed a negative correlation with age. The decrease in the thickness of the choroid may play a role in the pathophysiologic features of various age-related ocular conditions.

Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of the Choroid in Normal Eyes

Optical coherence tomography angiography.

Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty: safety and outcomes: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in China

Optical coherence tomography angiography: A comprehensive review of current methods and clinical applications.

Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment belonging to the family of xanthophylls, and is typically found in marine environments, especially in microalgae and seafood such as salmonids, shrimps and lobsters. Due to its unique molecular structure, astaxanthin features some important biologic properties, mostly represented by strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. A growing body of evidence suggests that astaxanthin is efficacious in the prevention and treatment of several ocular diseases, ranging from the anterior to the posterior pole of the eye. Therefore, the present review aimed at providing a comprehensive evaluation of current clinical applications of astaxanthin in the management of ocular diseases. The efficacy of this carotenoid in the setting of retinal diseases, ocular surface disorders, uveitis, cataract and asthenopia is reported in numerous animal and human studies, which highlight its ability of modulating several metabolic pathways, subsequently restoring the cellular homeostatic balance. To maximize its multitarget therapeutic effects, further long-term clinical trials are warranted in order to define appropriate dosage, route of administration and exact composition of the final product.

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/18/5/239/pdf

Clinical Applications of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Ocular Diseases: Emerging Insights

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of epithelial-disruption collagen crosslinking (CXL) for progressive keratoconus using a corneal disruptor device and a riboflavin solution designed for a transepithelial technique. Setting Magna Graecia University Eye Clinic, Catanzaro, Italy. Design Prospective comparative case series. Methods The most severely affected eye of patients with bilateral progressive keratoconus was treated. The fellow eye served as a control. Follow-up was 12 months. A corneal disruptor device was used to create pockmarks in the epithelium. Riboflavin solution was applied for 30 minutes and irradiation for 30 minutes. Three days postoperatively, patients were asked to assess the level of pain. Results The study comprised 28 patients (mean age 28 years). The mean postoperative pain score was 4.3, 2.6, and 2.1 at 1 day, 2 days, and 3 days. The mean preoperative uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities improved from 0.73 logMAR ± 0.21 (SD) and 0.30 ± 0.11 logMAR to 0.48 ± 0.15 logMAR and 0.25 ± 0.1 logMAR, respectively, at 12 months ( P =.02). The mean spherical equivalent refraction decreased 0.96 diopter (D). The mean baseline apical keratometry, apical gradient curvature, average pupillary power, inferior–superior index, and cone area were 59.21 D, 8.91 D, 47.9 D, 11.49 mm 2 , and 10.32 mm 2 , respectively. At 12 months, these values were 56.18 D, 7.32 D, 41.34 D, 9.65 mm 2 , and 7.75 mm 2 , respectively. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions Corneal epithelial-disruption CXL was safe and effective in medium-term stabilization of keratoconus with an improvement in topographic and refractive parameters and less patient discomfort. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Epithelial-disruption collagen crosslinking for keratoconus: One-year results

Large (9 mm) Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty with Clearance of a 6-mm Optical Zone Optimizes Outcomes of Keratoconus Surgery.

Dry eye disease (DED) is among the most common condition encountered during ophthalmic practice, reducing patient's quality of life and work productivity. Most of DED cases have an evaporative component originated from a meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Conventional treatments such as tear substitute, warm compresses, topical anti-inflammatory agents and/or antibiotics often are not able to provide a complete and long-term relief of symptoms and signs. Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been widely used in the field of dermatology to treat various skin conditions, and it has been recently introduced in the ophthalmic practice for the management of DED due to MGD. To date, several clinical studies showed positive results of IPL as adjuvant therapy for DED in terms of both safety and efficacy. The treatment is usually well accepted among patients for its non-invasive nature; very rare are the major adverse reactions. Moreover, results can be maintained over time with periodic sessions of IPL. This review summarizes the clinical outcomes of IPL therapy in MGD patients pointing out its potential role in the therapeutic algorithm of the disease. Further clinical investigations are desirable to identify factors able to predict the positive outcomes of the procedure and therefore to select in advance those patients who best benefit from IPL therapy.

/pdf/intense-pulsed-light-therapy-in-the-treatment-of-meibomian-4woud9l5dr.pdf

Vincenzo Scorcia

Papers

Clinical Applications of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Ocular Diseases: Emerging Insights

Epithelial-disruption collagen crosslinking for keratoconus: One-year results

Large (9 mm) Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty with Clearance of a 6-mm Optical Zone Optimizes Outcomes of Keratoconus Surgery.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy In The Treatment Of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: Current Perspectives.

OCT Angiography of Treatment-Naïve Quiescent Choroidal Neovascularization in Pachychoroid Neovasculopathy.