Blindness prevention has been an important national policy in China. Previous strategies, such as deploying experienced cataract surgeons to rural areas and assisting in building local ophthalmology centers, had successfully decreased the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness. However, new challenges arise with the aging population and the shift of the disease spectrum towards age-related eye diseases and myopia. With the constant technological boom, digital healthcare innovations in ophthalmology could immensely enhance screening and diagnosing capabilities. Artifcial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine have been proven valuable in clinical ophthalmology settings. Moreover, the integration of cutting-edge communication technology and AI in mobile clinics and remote surgeries is on the horizon, potentially revolutionizing blindness prevention and ophthalmic healthcare. The future of blindness prevention in China is poised to undergo signifcant transformation, driven by emerging challenges and new opportunities.

Blindness prevention has been an important national policy in China. Previous strategies, such as deploying experienced cataract surgeons to rural areas and assisting in building local ophthalmology centers, had successfully decreased the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness. However, new challenges arise with the aging population and the shift of the disease spectrum towards age-related eye diseases and myopia. With the constant technological boom, digital healthcare innovations in ophthalmology could immensely enhance screening and diagnosing capabilities. Artifcial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine have been proven valuable in clinical ophthalmology settings. Moreover, the integration of cutting-edge communication technology and AI in mobile clinics and remote surgeries is on the horizon, potentially revolutionizing blindness prevention and ophthalmic healthcare. The future of blindness prevention in China is poised to undergo signifcant transformation, driven by emerging challenges and new opportunities.

Background: Research innovations inoculardisease screening, diagnosis, and management have been boosted by deep learning (DL) in the last decade. To assess historical research trends and current advances, we conducted an artifcial intelligence (AI)–human hybrid analysis of publications on DL in ophthalmology.

Methods: All DL-related articles in ophthalmology, which were published between 2012 and 2022 from Web of Science, were included. 500 high-impact articles annotated with key research information were used to fne-tune alarge language models (LLM) for reviewing medical literature and extracting information. After verifying the LLM's accuracy in extracting diseases and imaging modalities, we analyzed trend of DL in ophthalmology with 2 535 articles. 

Results: Researchers using LLM for literature analysis were 70% (p= 0.000 1) faster than those who did not, while achieving comparable accuracy (97% versus 98%, p = 0.768 1). The field of DL in ophthalmology has grown 116% annually, paralleling trends of the broader DL domain. The publications focused mainly on diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.000 3), glaucoma (p = 0.001 1), and age-related macular diseases (p = 0.000 1) using retinal fundus photographs (FP, p = 0.001 5) and optical coherence tomography (OCT, p = 0.000 1). DL studies utilizing multimodal images have been growing, with FP and OCT combined being the most frequent. Among the 500 high-impact articles, laboratory studies constituted the majority at 65.3%. Notably, a discernible decline in model accuracy was observed when categorizing by study design, notwithstanding its statistical insignificance. Furthermore, 43 publicly available ocular image datasets were summarized. 

Conclusion: This study has characterized the landscape of publications on DL in ophthalmology, by identifying the trends and breakthroughs among research topics and the fast-growing areas. This study provides an efcient framework for combined AI–human analysis to comprehensively assess the current status and future trends in the feld. 

Background: Research innovations inoculardisease screening, diagnosis, and management have been boosted by deep learning (DL) in the last decade. To assess historical research trends and current advances, we conducted an artifcial intelligence (AI)–human hybrid analysis of publications on DL in ophthalmology.

Methods: All DL-related articles in ophthalmology, which were published between 2012 and 2022 from Web of Science, were included. 500 high-impact articles annotated with key research information were used to fne-tune alarge language models (LLM) for reviewing medical literature and extracting information. After verifying the LLM's accuracy in extracting diseases and imaging modalities, we analyzed trend of DL in ophthalmology with 2 535 articles. 

Results: Researchers using LLM for literature analysis were 70% (p = 0.000 1) faster than those who did not, while achieving comparable accuracy (97% versus 98%, p = 0.768 1). The field of DL in ophthalmology has grown 116% annually, paralleling trends of the broader DL domain. The publications focused mainly on diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.000 3), glaucoma (p = 0.001 1), and age-related macular diseases (p = 0.000 1) using retinal fundus photographs (FP, p = 0.001 5) and optical coherence tomography (OCT, p = 0.000 1). DL studies utilizing multimodal images have been growing, with FP and OCT combined being the most frequent. Among the 500 high-impact articles, laboratory studies constituted the majority at 65.3%. Notably, a discernible decline in model accuracy was observed when categorizing by study design, notwithstanding its statistical insignificance. Furthermore, 43 publicly available ocular image datasets were summarized. 

Conclusion: This study has characterized the landscape of publications on DL in ophthalmology, by identifying the trends and breakthroughs among research topics and the fast-growing areas. This study provides an efcient framework for combined AI–human analysis to comprehensively assess the current status and future trends in the feld. 

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) urgently needs novel and effective therapeutic targets. Integrated analyses of plasma proteomic and genetic markers can clarify the causal relevance of proteins and discover novel targets for diseases, but no systematic screening for DR has been performed.

Methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive genome-wide analysis study (GWAS) datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 10,413 DR cases and 308,633 European controls. Genetic instrumental variables were identified using multiple filters. In the two-sample MR analysis, Wald ratio and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) MR were utilized to investigate the

causality of plasma proteins with DR. Bidirectional MR, Bayesian Co-localization, and phenotype scanning were employed to test for potential reverse causality and confounding factors in the main MR analyses. By systemically searching druggable gene lists, the ChEMBL database, DrugBank, and Gene Ontology database, the druggability and relevant functional pathways of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated.

Results: Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk at a false discovery rate <0.05 including 11 with positive associations and 13 with negative associations. For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels, the odds ratios (ORs) for DR varied from 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=2.22×10-5) for tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3 (TPPP3) to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.44-2.83; P=5.01×10-5) for olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3). Bidirectional MR indicated there was no reverse causality that interfered with the results of the main MR analyses. Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥0.8): cytoplasmic tRNA synthetase (WARS), acrosin binding protein(ACRBP), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) were negatively associated with DR risk, while neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2 (NOTCH2) showed a positive association. No confounding factors were detected between pQTLs and DR according to the phenotypic scan. Drugability assessments highlighted 6 proteins already in drug development endeavor and 18 novel drug targets, with metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 (TIMP) currently in phase I clinical trials for DR. GO analysis identified 18 of 24 plasma proteins enriching 22 pathways related to cell differentiation and proliferation regulation.

Conclusions:Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified, including four plasma proteins with particular co-localization evidence. These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting, exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) urgently needs novel and effective therapeutic targets. Integrated analyses of plasma proteomic and genetic markers can clarify the causal relevance of proteins and discover novel targets for diseases, but no systematic screening for DR has been performed.

Methods: Summary statistics of plasma protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL) were derived from two extensive genome-wide analysis study (GWAS) datasets and one systematic review, with over 100 thousand participants covering thousands of plasma proteins. DR data were sourced from the largest FinnGen study, comprising 10,413 DR cases and 308,633 European controls. Genetic instrumental variables were identified using multiple filters. In the two-sample MR analysis, Wald ratio and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) MR were utilized to investigate the

causality of plasma proteins with DR. Bidirectional MR, Bayesian Co-localization, and phenotype scanning were employed to test for potential reverse causality and confounding factors in the main MR analyses. By systemically searching druggable gene lists, the ChEMBL database, DrugBank, and Gene Ontology database, the druggability and relevant functional pathways of the identified proteins were systematically evaluated.

Results: Genetically predicted levels of 24 proteins were significantly associated with DR risk at a false discovery rate <0.05 including 11 with positive associations and 13 with negative associations. For each standard deviation increase in plasm protein levels, the odds ratios (ORs) for DR varied from 0.51 (95% CI: 0.36-0.73; P=2.22×10-5) for tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3 (TPPP3) to 2.02 (95% CI: 1.44-2.83; P=5.01×10-5) for olfactomedin like 3 (OLFML3). Bidirectional MR indicated there was no reverse causality that interfered with the results of the main MR analyses. Four proteins exhibited strong co-localization evidence (PH4 ≥0.8): cytoplasmic tRNA synthetase (WARS), acrosin binding protein(ACRBP), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) were negatively associated with DR risk, while neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 2 (NOTCH2) showed a positive association. No confounding factors were detected between pQTLs and DR according to the phenotypic scan. Drugability assessments highlighted 6 proteins already in drug development endeavor and 18 novel drug targets, with metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 (TIMP) currently in phase I clinical trials for DR. GO analysis identified 18 of 24 plasma proteins enriching 22 pathways related to cell differentiation and proliferation regulation.

Conclusions:Twenty-four promising drug targets for DR were identified, including four plasma proteins with particular co-localization evidence. These findings offer new insights into DR's etiology and therapeutic targeting, exemplifying the value of genomic and proteomic data in drug target discovery.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the prognosis of massive vitreous hemorrhage(VH) secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV) after vitrectomy.  

Methods: Forty-nineeyes in 48 patients with PCV and breakthrough VH who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy between January 2015 and December 2020 were enrolled. The main outcome parameters were best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative adverse events, and reoperation.

Results:The average follow-up time was 20.0±15.82 months. The average preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.12±0.65 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), the BCVA at six monthswas 1.65±0.64 logMAR, and the six-month follow-up BCVA was 1.67±0.76 logMAR. Compared to the average preoperative BCVA, the six-months and last follow-up BCVA after vitrectomy improved (P<0.05). The BCVAat the fnal follow-up was better than 1.3logMAR only in 14 eyes (28.6%). Postoperative complications were observed in 10 eyes (20.4%), including recurrent retinal detachment, recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, hyphema and lens dislocation. Fourteen eyes(28.6%) underwent cataract surgery procedure an average of 10.16±5.14 months after vitrectomy. BCVAone week and three monthsafter cataract surgery improved compared toBCVAbefore cataract surgery (P<0.05). Hypertension was associated with BCVAsix months after vitrectomy (P=0.017). The BCVA at baseline and three months after PPV were worse in patients who underwent vitrectomy combined with silicone oil filling (P<0.05). Eyes with postoperative complications had worse BCVA at six months, 12 months, and at the final follow-up after PPV (P<0.05).The duration of VH is related to the BCVA12 months after PPV visual acuity after surgery. Patients who underwent vitrectomy within one month of the onset of vitreous hemorrhage had better BCVA 12 months after vitrectomy than those who underwent vitrectomy surgery one month later (P=0.015). 

Conclusions: Although the prognosis of vitrectomy varies greatly, cataract surgery could be considered to improve BCVAif polypoidal lesions are inactive six months after vitrectomy.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the prognosis of massive vitreous hemorrhage(VH) secondary to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV) after vitrectomy.

Methods: Forty-nineeyes in 48 patients with PCV and breakthrough VH who underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy between January 2015 and December 2020 were enrolled. The main outcome parameters were best-corrected visual acuity, postoperative adverse events, and reoperation.

Results:The average follow-up time was 20.0±15.82 months. The average preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.12±0.65 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), the BCVA at six monthswas 1.65±0.64 logMAR, and the six-month follow-up BCVA was 1.67±0.76 logMAR. Compared to the average preoperative BCVA, the six-months and last follow-up BCVA after vitrectomy improved (P<0.05). The BCVAat the fnal follow-up was better than 1.3logMAR only in 14 eyes (28.6%). Postoperative complications were observed in 10 eyes (20.4%), including recurrent retinal detachment, recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, hyphema and lens dislocation. Fourteen eyes(28.6%) underwent cataract surgery procedure an average of 10.16±5.14 months after vitrectomy. BCVAone week and three monthsafter cataract surgery improved compared toBCVAbefore cataract surgery (P<0.05). Hypertension was associated with BCVAsix months after vitrectomy (P=0.017). The BCVA at baseline and three months after PPV were worse in patients who underwent vitrectomy combined with silicone oil filling (P<0.05). Eyes with postoperative complications had worse BCVA at six months, 12 months, and at the final follow-up after PPV (P<0.05).The duration of VH is related to the BCVA12 months after PPV visual acuity after surgery. Patients who underwent vitrectomy within one month of the onset of vitreous hemorrhage had better BCVA 12 months after vitrectomy than those who underwent vitrectomy surgery one month later (P=0.015). 

Conclusions: Although the prognosis of vitrectomy varies greatly, cataract surgery could be considered to improve BCVAif polypoidal lesions are inactive six months after vitrectomy.

Congenital cataract (CC) is one of the most common causes of pediatric visual impairment. As our understanding of CC's etiology, clinical manifestations, and pathogenic genes deepens,various CC categorization systems based on diferent classifcation criteria have been proposed. Regrettably, the application of the CC category in clinical practice and scientifc research is limited. It is challenging to obtain preciseinformation that could guide the timely treatment decision-making for pediatric cataract patients or predict their prognosis from a specific CC classification. This review aims to discuss the statusquo of CC categorization systems and the potential directions for future research in this field, focusingon categorization principles and scientific application in clinical practice. Additionally, it aims to propose the potential directions for future research in this domain.

Congenital cataract (CC) is one of the most common causes of pediatric visual impairment. As our understanding of CC's etiology, clinical manifestations, and pathogenic genes deepens,various CC categorization systems based on diferent classifcation criteria have been proposed. Regrettably, the application of the CC category in clinical practice and scientifc research is limited. It is challenging to obtain preciseinformation that could guide the timely treatment decision-making for pediatric cataract patients or predict their prognosis from a specific CC classification. This review aims to discuss the statusquo of CC categorization systems and the potential directions for future research in this field, focusingon categorization principles and scientific application in clinical practice. Additionally, it aims to propose the potential directions for future research in this domain.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on the anxiety level and physiological response of patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials that compared the combined effect of music therapy for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery were included. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched from inception to Jan. 2022. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. The outcomes were overall anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate and pain.

Results: Atotal of 11 trials with 1,469 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to standard care, music therapy had a good effect on reducing the anxiety levels of patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery (p<0.05). The results also suggested that music therapy  produced a signifcant improvement in blood pressure (p<0.05) and heart rate (p<0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) showed that music therapy signifcantly reduced pain compared to standard care (p<0.05).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided evidence that music therapy has an obvious effect on relieving anxiety levels, while it is also more effective in alleviating pain and improving physiological responses than standard care alone. Our fndings may provide accurate evidence-based guidance for the clinical implementation of music therapy. In the future, more high-quality studies are required for verifying these results. 

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on the anxiety level and physiological response of patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

Methods: Relevant randomized controlled trials that compared the combined effect of music therapy for patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery were included. Four English databases and three Chinese databases were searched from inception to Jan. 2022. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessments. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. The outcomes were overall anxiety, blood pressure, heart rate and pain.

Results: Atotal of 11 trials with 1,469 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to standard care, music therapy had a good effect on reducing the anxiety levels of patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery (p<0.05). The results also suggested that music therapy  produced a signifcant improvement in blood pressure (p<0.05) and heart rate (p<0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) showed that music therapy signifcantly reduced pain compared to standard care (p<0.05).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis provided evidence that music therapy has an obvious efect on relieving anxiety levels, while it is also more effective in alleviating pain and improving physiological responses than standard care alone. Our fndings may provide accurate evidence-based guidance for the clinical implementation of music therapy. In the future, more high-quality studies are required for verifying these results. 

The whole lacrimal passage intubation is widely used in lacrimal surgery. However, one of the most typical complications is the prolapse of the silicone tube from the medial canthus. In case, the bicanalicular silicone tube after whole lacrimal duct intubation has completely prolapsed from the medial canthus before extubation, then cannot be found in the opening of the nasolacrimal duct, and it would be a challenge to reposition or removal. A novel approach to employ a modified suture-probe and silk thread traction technique has been developed, and it is not only safe and effective, but also cost-effective.

The whole lacrimal passage intubation is widely used in lacrimal surgery. However, one of the most typical complications is the prolapse of the silicone tube from the medial canthus. In case, the bicanalicular silicone tube after whole lacrimal duct intubation has completely prolapsed from the medial canthus before extubation, then cannot be found in the opening of the nasolacrimal duct, and it would be a challenge to reposition or removal. A novel approach to employ a modified suture-probe and silk thread traction technique has been developed, and it is not only safe and effective, but also cost-effective.

In this case reportit describes a novel technique using indocyanine green gel for the surgical excision of conjunctival lymphangiectasia (CL). CL was found on the nasal side of left eye in a 50-year-old male. Surgical excision of the entire cystic lesion with an intact cyst wall was completed with the assistance of an indocyanine green (ICG) gel. No sutures were used throughout the entire procedure. Subsequent post operative follow-up was uneventful. Herein, we report a novel technique used to facilitate the identifcation and complete removal of an intraocular cystic lesion ensuring an intact cyst wall.

In this case reportit describes a novel technique using indocyanine green gel for the surgical excision of conjunctival lymphangiectasia (CL). CL was found on the nasal side of left eye in a 50-year-old male. Surgical excision of the entire cystic lesion with an intact cyst wall was completed with the assistance of an indocyanine green (ICG) gel. No sutures were used throughout the entire procedure. Subsequent post operative follow-up was uneventful. Herein, we report a novel technique used to facilitate the identifcation and complete removal of an intraocular cystic lesion ensuring an intact cyst wall.