Moorfields Eye Hospital

About: Moorfields Eye Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Visual acuity & Glaucoma. The organization has 3721 authors who have published 6790 publications receiving 246004 citations.

Estimation of true corneal power after keratorefractive surgery in eyes requiring cataract surgery: BESSt formula.

Abstract: Purpose To describe a new formula, BESSt, to estimate true corneal power after keratorefractive surgery in eyes requiring cataract surgery. Setting Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Methods The BESSt formula, based on the Gaussian optics formula, was developed using data from 143 eyes that had keratorefractive surgery. The formula takes into account anterior and posterior corneal radii and pachymetry (Pentacam, Oculus) and does not require pre-keratorefractive surgery information. A software program was developed (BESSt Corneal Power Calculator), and corneal power was calculated in 13 eyes that had keratorefractive surgery and required cataract surgery. Results In the eyes having phacoemulsification, target refractions calculated with the BESSt formula were statistically significantly closer to the postoperative manifest refraction (mean deviation 0.08 diopters [D] ± 0.62 [SD]) than those calculated with other methods as follows: history technique (−0.07 ± 1.92 D; P = .05); history technique with double-K adjustment (0.13 ± 2.39 D; P = .05); Holladay 2 with K-values estimated with the contact lens method (−0.76 ± 1.36 D; P = .03); Holladay 2 with K-values from Atlas topographer (Humphrey) (−0.55 ± 0.61 D; P Conclusions The BESSt formula was statistically significantly more accurate than the other techniques tested. Thus, it could significantly improve intraocular lens power calculation accuracy after keratorefractive surgery, especially when pre-refractive surgery data are unavailable.

Common variants at the MHC locus and at chromosome 16q24.1 predispose to Barrett's esophagus

Abstract: Barrett's esophagus is an increasingly common disease that is strongly associated with reflux of stomach acid and usually a hiatus hernia, and it strongly predisposes to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a tumor with a very poor prognosis. We report the first genome-wide association study on Barrett's esophagus, comprising 1,852 UK cases and 5,172 UK controls in the discovery stage and 5,986 cases and 12,825 controls in the replication stage. Variants at two loci were associated with disease risk: chromosome 6p21, rs9257809 (Pcombined=4.09×10(-9); odds ratio (OR)=1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-1.28), within the major histocompatibility complex locus, and chromosome 16q24, rs9936833 (Pcombined=2.74×10(-10); OR=1.14, 95% CI=1.10-1.19), for which the closest protein-coding gene is FOXF1, which is implicated in esophageal development and structure. We found evidence that many common variants of small effect contribute to genetic susceptibility to Barrett's esophagus and that SNP alleles predisposing to obesity also increase risk for Barrett's esophagus.

Rapid detection and identification of Candida, Aspergillus, and Fusarium species in ocular samples using nested PCR

Abstract: A protocol for the rapid detection of fungal DNA in ocular samples, derived from three species, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Fusarium solani, has been developed. Two novel panfungal primers complementary to 18S rRNA sequences present in all three species were designed. Panfungal PCR was followed by three nested PCRs utilizing species-specific primers. PCR sensitivity ranged from 50 to 100 fg of free DNA and between one and two C. albicans organisms. In addition, we also developed a rapid and reliable DNA extraction protocol. This protocol minimized DNA loss during extraction, whilst removing compounds from vitreous and aqueous fluids that have previously been shown to have inhibitory effects on PCR. Preliminary results obtained after testing the protocol on three patient samples support culture results and medical history. However, one patient was PCR positive but culture negative, suggesting that the sensitivity of this protocol may exceed that of traditional culture techniques. This system, therefore, constitutes an additional protocol that may significantly aid patient management in cases where fungal endophthalmitis is suspected.