Article
Ophthalmology
Adrian Au, Ahmad Santina, Neda Abraham, Miri Fogel Levin, Giulia Corradetti, SriniVas Sadda, David Sarraf
Summary: This study found that increasing drusen height is associated with the presence of predictive OCT biomarkers of atrophy in patients with intermediate AMD.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Michael D. Osterman, Yeunjoo E. Song, Muneeswar Nittala, SriniVas R. Sadda, William K. Scott, Dwight Stambolian, Margaret A. Pericak-Vance, Jonathan L. Haines
Summary: This study identified potential novel genetic risk loci for AMD in a midwestern Amish study population and determined a clear link between the genetic risk of AMD and drusen. Further study may improve understanding of the biological risk factors underlying drusen development.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Rita Flores, Angela Carneiro, Joana Serra, Nelia Gouveia, Telmo Pereira, Jorge M. Mendes, Pedro S. Coelho, Sandra Tenreiro, Miguel C. Seabra
Summary: The study found correlations between drusen morphology and autofluorescent findings, as well as outer retinal layers morphology and autofluorescent results, suggesting potential new progression biomarkers for nonexudative age-related macular degeneration.
RETINA-THE JOURNAL OF RETINAL AND VITREOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Ilkay Kilic Muftuoglu, Tiezhu Lin, Dirk-Uwe Bartsch, William R. Freeman
Summary: Longitudinal assessment of patients with dry AMD who underwent vitrectomy did not show exacerbated disease progression. Visual acuity improvement was observed in the study group despite a slight increase in drusen volume following surgery.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Miguel Flores-Bellver, Jason Mighty, Silvia Aparicio-Domingo, Kang Li, Cui Shi, Jing Zhou, Hannah Cobb, Patrick McGrath, German Michelis, Patricia Lenhart, Ganna Bilousova, Soren Heissel, Michael J. Rudy, Christina Coughlan, Andrew E. Goodspeed, S. Patricia Becerra, Stephen Redenti, M. Valeria Canto-Soler
Summary: The study shows that extracellular vesicles secreted by RPE cells are enriched in proteins associated with AMD pathophysiology, exhibiting distinctive directional secretion modes under homeostatic conditions and differential modulation in response to AMD stressors. This suggests a finely-tuned mechanism regulating the secretion of drusen-associated proteins via EVs.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Lopez-Cuenca, Rosa de Hoz, Celia Alcantara-Rey, Elena Salobrar-Garcia, Lorena Elvira-Hurtado, Jose A. Fernandez-Albarral, Ana Barabash, Federico Ramirez-Torano, Jaisalmer de Frutos-Lucas, Juan J. Salazar, Ana I. Ramirez, Jose M. Ramirez
Summary: A family history of Alzheimer's disease and the epsilon 4 allele of the ApoE gene are major genetic risk factors for developing AD, with the latter playing a protective role in age-related macular degeneration. Ocular vascular changes were not observed in participants with genetic risk of developing AD, based on analysis of choroidal thickness and foveal avascular zone in cognitively healthy subjects.
Article
Ophthalmology
Mahima Jhingan, Sumit Randhir Singh, Anindya Samanta, Supriya Arora, Davide Tucci, Sohani Amarasekera, Carlo Cagini, Marco Lupidi, Jay Chhablani
Summary: This study longitudinally evaluated 72 eyes with dry AMD and found that eyes with drusen ooze at baseline were more likely to progress to incomplete retinal pigment epithelium and outer retinal atrophy, suggesting that drusen ooze is a useful sign for predicting these advancements over time.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Ian J. Murray, Elena Rodrigo-Diaz, Jeremiah M. F. Kelly, Tariq M. Aslam, Humza J. Tahir, David Carden, Laura Patryas, Neil R. A. Parry
Summary: This paper discusses the current knowledge on how AMD affects DA, focusing on molecular mechanisms, psychophysical issues, and the relationship between slowed DA and early AMD morphological abnormalities. Despite historical challenges, DA is considered useful in assessing photoreceptor pigment regeneration; new technological developments and mathematical algorithms show potential in improving analysis of the DA curve. Identifying a satisfactory endpoint for evaluating future AMD therapeutic strategies is crucial, with functional changes like those in DA showing promise.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Leutner Michael, Matzhold Caspar, Kautzky Alexander, Kaleta Michaela, Thurner Stefan, Klimek Peter, Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Summary: This study found that there was a higher proportion of MDD among patients treated with statins compared to non-treated patients, with a dose-dependent relationship between statins and the diagnosis of MDD. Low-dose statin treatment was associated with a lower risk of MDD, while high-dose statin treatment was associated with a higher risk of MDD.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ines Lopez-Cuenca, Elena Salobrar-Garcia, Ines Gil-Salgado, Lidia Sanchez-Puebla, Lorena Elvira-Hurtado, Jose A. Fernandez-Albarral, Federico Ramirez-Torano, Ana Barabash, Jaisalmer de Frutos-Lucas, Juan J. Salazar, Jose M. Ramirez, Ana Ramirez, Rosa de Hoz
Summary: Having a family history and carrying ApoE gene are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, while both Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration share some risk factors. However, the role of ApoE gene in these diseases is controversial. This study analyzed retinal drusen using optical coherence tomography and found no relationship between family history or ApoE gene and the presence of drusen. Subjects with drusen showed choroidal thinning, which may contribute to the formation of drusen.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shasha Yang, Zongyin Gao, Haijiang Qiu, Chengguo Zuo, Lan Mi, Hui Xiao, Xing Liu
Summary: Observing the morphological changes of intermediate drusen using SD-OCT, it was found that drusen with low reflectivity, non-homogeneity without a core, and RPE or EZ damage were more likely to show active changes, while drusen with high reflectivity tended to remain stable.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Ophthalmology
Leon von der Emde, Maximilian Pfau, Frank G. Holz, Monika Fleckenstein, Karsten Kortuem, Pearse A. Keane, Daniel L. Rubin, Steffen Schmitz-Valckenberg
Summary: This study utilizes artificial intelligence to infer visual acuity and retinal sensitivity in patients with neovascular AMD, achieving significant success in experimental settings and providing a quasi-functional surrogate endpoint for future interventional clinical trials.
Article
Ophthalmology
Dario Messenio, Alessandro Babbi, Alessandra Guglielmi, Matteo Airaldi
Summary: Focal ERG objectively measures central macular function in iAMD patients with preserved visual acuity, demonstrating higher accuracy than fast mesopic microperimetry. Focal ERG may be considered a reliable technique for assessing retinal sensitivity in iAMD patients.
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Qitao Zhang, Feriel Presswalla, Robin R. Ali, David N. Zacks, Debra A. Thompson, Jason M. L. Miller
Summary: The autophagy inducer FLBZ shows promise as a potential therapeutic approach for dry AMD by increasing RPE autophagy flux, reducing lipid deposits, and promoting the production of energy sources.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ammr Alghamdi, David Keegan, Paul Connell, Ian Dooley, Louise O'Toole
Summary: This telephone survey found that 60% of patients who met the AREDS criteria for supplementation were taking AREDS 2 supplements, while 83% did not recall being advised to use them. Cost was cited as a reason for non-compliance by 10% of patients. The study concludes that ophthalmologists have a responsibility to not only treat the complications of AMD but also improve patient compliance with AREDS supplements and actively promote smoking cessation to prevent vision loss.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Jonathan B. Lin, Omar A. Halawa, Deeba Husain, Joan W. Miller, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: Lipid-rich drusen are essential in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and altered lipid metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of AMD. There is evidence of the association of lipid homeostasis gene polymorphisms, metabolomics studies, and altered serum lipid profiles with AMD. Statins, which are used for dyslipidemia and reducing cardiovascular risk, may potentially treat AMD. However, more research is needed.
Article
Ophthalmology
Styliani Blazaki, Emmanouil Blavakis, Georgios Smoustopoulos, Georgios Bontzos, Anastasios Stavrakakis, Gregory Chlouverakis, Stamatina Kabanarou, Tina Xirou, Miltiadis Tsilimbaris
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of macular atrophy in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. The results showed that half of the patients developed macular atrophy over a period of at least 6 years. The number of injections did not seem to have a significant association with the progression of macular atrophy.
Article
Ophthalmology
Alexandros Rouvas, Ioannis Datseris, Sofia Androudi, Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Stamatina A. Kabanarou, Nikolaos Pharmakakis, Chryssanthi Koutsandrea, Alexander Charonis, Olga Kousidou, Georgia Pantelopoulou
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of switching to ranibizumab in wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) patients who had an inadequate response to aflibercept. The results showed that after 6 months of treatment, the visual acuity and PED GBD improved, with no significant change in CRT.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Minas Tzagournissakis, Emmanouil Foukarakis, Dimitrios Samonakis, Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Kleita Michaelidou, Lambros Mathioudakis, Anastasios Marinis, Emmanouil Giannakoudakis, Cleanthe Spanaki, Irene Skoula, Sofia Erimaki, Georgios Amoiridis, Georgios Koutsis, Sofia Koukouraki, Kostas Stylianou, Andreas Plaitakis, Panayiotis D. Mitsias, Ioannis Zaganas
Summary: Our study revealed that the prevalence of hATTR in Crete is one of the world's highest. Three different pathogenic TTR variants causing distinct clinical phenotypes were identified in this relatively small population pool.
NEUROLOGY-GENETICS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Pavlina Tsoka, Theodora Steirou, Miltiadis K. Tsilimbaris
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Michael A. Grentzelos, Dimitrios A. Liakopoulos, Vardhaman P. Kankariya, Charalambos S. Siganos, Miltiadis K. Tsilimbaris, Ioannis G. Pallikaris, George D. Kymionis
Summary: The 3-year outcomes of simultaneous t-PTK and conventional PRK followed by CXL for keratoconus were evaluated. The results showed significant improvements in visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes over the 3-year follow-up period, with no observed changes in endothelial cell density.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhen Yu, Victor S. M. C. Correa, Nikolaos E. Efstathiou, Henar Albertos-Arranz, Xiaohong Chen, Kenji Ishihara, Yasuhiro Iesato, Toshio Narimatsu, Dimitrios Ntentakis, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: This study investigated the effects of UVA on photoreceptor injury and the involvement of RIPK1 and RIPK3 signaling molecules in programmed cell death. The results suggest that UVA-induced cell death is mainly mediated by RIPK3 through necroptosis, as well as increased oxidative stress leading to apoptosis. Additionally, RIPK3 inhibition can suppress UVA-induced cell death, reduce oxidative stress, and attenuate DNA fragmentation.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel E. Maidana, Lucia Gonzalez-Buendia, Joan W. Miller, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that modulating the RIPK3 pathway can improve the survival of transplanted cells and aid in the repair of degenerated retinas. Simultaneous inhibition of RIPK3 in both the donor and host can maximize the survival of transplanted cells. Additionally, targeting RIPK3 in the immune system can protect both donor and host retinal cells. These findings highlight the potential of immunomodulatory and neuroprotective strategies targeting RIPK3 in the regenerative therapy of photoreceptor transplantation.
Article
Ophthalmology
Zoi Kapsala, Aristofanis Pallikaris, Miltiadis K. Tsilimbaris
Summary: This study presents a novel semi-automated computerized method for the detection and quantification of parafoveal capillary network (PCN) in fluorescein angiography (FA) images. The algorithm developed in this study can detect the superficial parafoveal capillary bed and calculate the capillary density and branch point density in circular areas. The results were compared with manual detection and showed good agreement.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Anastasia Bakaliou, Constantine Georgakopoulos, Miltiadis Tsilimbaris, Nikolaos Farmakakis
Summary: This study aimed to examine the state of the posterior vitreous in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), non-exudative AMD, and normal eyes. B-scan ultrasonography and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) were used to diagnose complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and persistent central vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) in the patients. The results showed that vitreomacular adhesion is associated with both exudative and non-exudative AMD, and progression of the non-exudative eyes to exudative AMD seems to be lower in eyes with complete PVD.
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Ophthalmology
Dimitrios P. Ntentakis, Victor San Martin Carvalho Correa, Anastasia Maria Ntentaki, Eleni Delavogia, Toshio Narimatsu, Nikolaos E. Efstathiou, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working population of the USA, and its long-term management requires effective glycemic control. Seven anti-diabetic classes have been introduced in the past two decades, but their effects on DR have not been thoroughly studied. A systematic review of the literature revealed that newer anti-diabetic drugs have neutral effects on DR progression, with some differences in specific drugs and type 2 diabetes populations. Further investigation and assessment are recommended.
GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Chengxin Zhou, Fengyang Lei, Mirja Mittermaier, Bruce Ksander, Reza Dana, Claes H. Dohlman, Demetrios G. Vavvas, James Chodosh, Eleftherios I. Paschalis
Summary: Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a common and severe complication after chemical injury to the eye. This study reveals that LSC damage is mediated by immune cell mediators, even without direct injury to LSCs. Elevated pH in the anterior chamber triggers uveal stress, release of inflammatory cytokines, and subsequent LSC damage and death.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chengxin Zhou, Fengyang Lei, Jyoti Sharma, Pui-Chuen Hui, Natalie Wolkow, Claes H. Dohlman, Demetrios G. Vavvas, James Chodosh, Eleftherios I. Paschalis
Summary: This study developed a thermosensitive drug delivery system (DDS) for sustained delivery of TNF-alpha and VEGF inhibitors to the eye, aiming to provide a clinically feasible and practical therapy for multiocular protection following ocular injury. The study found that the subconjunctival administration of the dual anti-TNF-alpha/anti-VEGF DDS achieved sustained delivery of antibodies to ocular tissues for 3 months, preventing corneal neovascularization and improving corneal re-epithelialization, while reducing immune cell infiltration and preventing damage to the retina and optic nerve. This therapeutic approach has the potential to significantly improve outcomes for severe ocular injuries and retinal vascular diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel E. Maidana, Lucia Gonzalez-Buendia, Sara Pastor-Puente, Afsar Naqvi, Eleftherios Paschalis, Andrius Kazlauskas, Joan W. Miller, Demetrios G. Vavvas
Summary: Photoreceptor cell degeneration and immune cell infiltration are two major events in retinal degeneration. This study identified neutrophils and monocytes as the predominant peripheral immune cell populations infiltrating the detached retina, and targeted depletion of these immune cells showed neuroprotective effects on photoreceptor cells.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Ophthalmology
Anastasios Stavrakakis, Anastasia Vlachou, Pavlina Tsoka, Miltiadis K. Tsilimbaris
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2022)