Background: Cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) accumulate different kinds of granules (lipofuscin, melanolipofuscin, melanosomes) within their cell bodies, with lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin being autofluorescent after blue light excitation. High amounts of lipofuscin granules within the RPE have been associated with the development of RPE cell death and age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, this has not been confirmed in histology so far. Here, based on our previous dataset of RPE granule characteristics, we report the characteristics of RPE cells from human donor eyes that show either high or low numbers of intracellular granules or high or low autofluorescence (AF) intensities.
Methods: RPE flatmounts of fifteen human donors were examined using high-resolution structured illumination microscopy (HR-SIM) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM). Autofluorescent granules were analyzed regarding AF phenotype and absolute number of granules. In addition, total AF intensity per cell and granule density (number of granules per cell area) were determined. For the final analysis, RPE cells with total granule number below 5th or above the 95th percentile, or a total AF intensity ± 1.5 standard deviations above or below the mean were included, and compared to the average RPE cell at the same location. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.
Results: Within 420 RPE cells examined, 42 cells were further analyzed due to extremes regarding total granule numbers. In addition, 20 RPE cells had AF 1.5 standard deviations below, 28 RPE cells above the mean local AF intensity. Melanolipofuscin granules predominate in RPE cells with low granule content and low AF intensity. RPE cells with high granule content have nearly twice (1.8 times) as many granules as an average RPE cell.
Conclusions: In normal eyes, outliers regarding autofluorescent granule load and AF intensity signals are rare among RPE cells, suggesting that granule deposition and subsequent AF follows intrinsic control mechanisms at a cellular level. The AF of a cell is related to the composition of intracellular granule types. Ongoing studies using AMD donor eyes will examine possible disease related changes in granule distribution and further put lipofuscin′s role in aging and AMD further into perspective.
Background: Cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) accumulate different kinds of granules (lipofuscin, melanolipofuscin, melanosomes) within their cell bodies, with lipofuscin and melanolipofuscin being autofluorescent after blue light excitation. High amounts of lipofuscin granules within the RPE have been associated with the development of RPE cell death and age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, this has not been confirmed in histology so far. Here, based on our previous dataset of RPE granule characteristics, we report the characteristics of RPE cells from human donor eyes that show either high or low numbers of intracellular granules or high or low autofluorescence (AF) intensities.
Methods: RPE flatmounts of fifteen human donors were examined using high-resolution structured illumination microscopy (HR-SIM) and laser scanning microscopy (LSM). Autofluorescent granules were analyzed regarding AF phenotype and absolute number of granules. In addition, total AF intensity per cell and granule density (number of granules per cell area) were determined. For the final analysis, RPE cells with total granule number below 5th or above the 95th percentile, or a total AF intensity ± 1.5 standard deviations above or below the mean were included, and compared to the average RPE cell at the same location. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.
Results: Within 420 RPE cells examined, 42 cells were further analyzed due to extremes regarding total granule numbers. In addition, 20 RPE cells had AF 1.5 standard deviations below, 28 RPE cells above the mean local AF intensity. Melanolipofuscin granules predominate in RPE cells with low granule content and low AF intensity. RPE cells with high granule content have nearly twice (1.8 times) as many granules as an average RPE cell.
Conclusions: In normal eyes, outliers regarding autofluorescent granule load and AF intensity signals are rare among RPE cells, suggesting that granule deposition and subsequent AF follows intrinsic control mechanisms at a cellular level. The AF of a cell is related to the composition of intracellular granule types. Ongoing studies using AMD donor eyes will examine possible disease related changes in granule distribution and further put lipofuscin′s role in aging and AMD further into perspective.
Conjunctival flaps have previously proven to be effective in preserving the globe for individuals with severe ocular surface disease. Infectious keratitis, neurotrophic keratitis, nontraumatic corneal melts, descemetoceles, perforations, and corneal burns are all indications for this procedure. The flaps promote nutrition, metabolism, structure, and vascularity, as well as reduce pain, irritation, inflammation, and infection. Furthermore, patients avoid the emotional and psychological repercussions of enucleation or evisceration, while requiring fewer postoperative medications and office visits. Currently, fewer flaps are performed due to the emergence of additional therapeutic techniques, such as serum tears, bandage lenses, corneal grafting, Oxervate, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord grafting. However, despite newer conservative medical methods, conjunctival flaps have been demonstrated to be useful and advantageous. Moreover, future technologies and approaches for globe preservation and sight restoration after prior conjunctival flaps are anticipated. Herein, we review the history, advantages, and disadvantages of various surgical techniques: Gundersen’s bipedicle flap, partial limbal advancement flap, selective pedunculated conjunctival flap with or without Tenon’s capsule, and Mekonnen’s modified inferior palpebral-bulbar conjunctival flap. The surgical pearls and recommendations offered by the innovators are also reviewed, including restrictions and potential complications. Procedures for visual rehabilitation in selective cases after conjunctival flap are reviewed as well.
Conjunctival flaps have previously proven to be effective in preserving the globe for individuals with severe ocular surface disease. Infectious keratitis, neurotrophic keratitis, nontraumatic corneal melts, descemetoceles, perforations, and corneal burns are all indications for this procedure. The flaps promote nutrition, metabolism, structure, and vascularity, as well as reduce pain, irritation, inflammation, and infection. Furthermore, patients avoid the emotional and psychological repercussions of enucleation or evisceration, while requiring fewer postoperative medications and office visits. Currently, fewer flaps are performed due to the emergence of additional therapeutic techniques, such as serum tears, bandage lenses, corneal grafting, Oxervate, amniotic membrane, and umbilical cord grafting. However, despite newer conservative medical methods, conjunctival flaps have been demonstrated to be useful and advantageous. Moreover, future technologies and approaches for globe preservation and sight restoration after prior conjunctival flaps are anticipated. Herein, we review the history, advantages, and disadvantages of various surgical techniques: Gundersen’s bipedicle flap, partial limbal advancement flap, selective pedunculated conjunctival flap with or without Tenon’s capsule, and Mekonnen’s modified inferior palpebral-bulbar conjunctival flap. The surgical pearls and recommendations offered by the innovators are also reviewed, including restrictions and potential complications. Procedures for visual rehabilitation in selective cases after conjunctival flap are reviewed as well.
Perception is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of external stimuli through the senses. Visual stimuli are electromagnetic waves that interact with the eye and elicit a sensation. Sensations, indeed, imply the detection, resolution, and recognition of objects and images, and their accuracy depends on the integrity of the visual system. In clinical practice, evaluating the integrity of the visual system relies greatly on the assessment of visual acuity, that is to say on the capacity to identify a signal. Visual acuity, indeed, is of utmost importance for diagnosing and monitoring ophthalmological diseases. Visual acuity is a function that detects the presence of a stimulation (a signal) and resolves its detail(s). This is the case of a symbol like “E”: the stimulus is detected, then it is resolved as three horizontal bars and a vertical bar. In fact, within the clinical setting visual acuity is usually measured with alphanumeric symbols and is a three-step process that involves not only detection and resolution, but, due to the semantic content of letters and numbers, their recognition. Along with subjective (psychophysical) procedures, objective methods that do not require the active participation of the observer have been proposed to estimate visual acuity in non-collaborating subjects, malingerers, or toddlers. This paper aims to explain the psychophysical rationale underlying the measurement of visual acuity and revise the most common procedures used for its assessment.
Perception is the ability to see, hear, or become aware of external stimuli through the senses. Visual stimuli are electromagnetic waves that interact with the eye and elicit a sensation. Sensations, indeed, imply the detection, resolution, and recognition of objects and images, and their accuracy depends on the integrity of the visual system. In clinical practice, evaluating the integrity of the visual system relies greatly on the assessment of visual acuity, that is to say on the capacity to identify a signal. Visual acuity, indeed, is of utmost importance for diagnosing and monitoring ophthalmological diseases. Visual acuity is a function that detects the presence of a stimulation (a signal) and resolves its detail(s). This is the case of a symbol like “E”: the stimulus is detected, then it is resolved as three horizontal bars and a vertical bar. In fact, within the clinical setting visual acuity is usually measured with alphanumeric symbols and is a three-step process that involves not only detection and resolution, but, due to the semantic content of letters and numbers, their recognition. Along with subjective (psychophysical) procedures, objective methods that do not require the active participation of the observer have been proposed to estimate visual acuity in non-collaborating subjects, malingerers, or toddlers. This paper aims to explain the psychophysical rationale underlying the measurement of visual acuity and revise the most common procedures used for its assessment.
Backgrounds: To assess changes in anterior segment biometry during accommodation using a swept source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: One hundred-forty participants were consecutively recruited in the current study. Each participant underwent SS-OCT scanning at 0 and -3 diopter (D) accommodative stress after refractive compensation, and ocular parameters including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior and posterior lens curvature, lens thickness (LT) and lens diameter were recorded. Anterior segment length (ASL) was defined as ACD plus LT. Lens central point (LCP) was defined as ACD plus half of the LT. The accommodative response was calculated as changes in total optical power during accommodation. Results: Compared to non-accommodative status, ACD (2.952±0.402 vs. 2.904±0.382 mm, P<0.001), anterior (10.771±1.801 vs. 10.086±1.571 mm, P<0.001) and posterior lens curvature (5.894±0.435 vs. 5.767±0.420 mm, P<0.001), lens diameter (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001) and LCP (4.925±0.274 vs. 4.900±0.259 mm, P=0.010) tended to decreased and LT thickened (9.829±0.338 vs. 9.695±0.358 mm, P<0.001), while ASL (6.903±0.279 vs. 6.898±0.268 mm, P=0.568) did not change significantly during accommodation. Younger age (β=0.029, 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.038, P<0.001) and larger anterior lens curvature (β=-0.071, 95% CI: -0.138 to -0.003, P=0.040) were associated with accommodation induced greater steeping amplitude of anterior lens curvature. The optical eye power at 0 and -3 D accommodative stress was 62.486±2.284 and 63.274±2.290 D, respectively (P<0.001). Age was an independent factor of accommodative response (β=-0.027, 95% CI: -0.038 to -0.016, P<0.001). Conclusions: During -3 D accommodative stress, the anterior and posterior lens curvature steepened, followed by thickened LT, fronted LCP and shallowed ACD. The accommodative response of -3 D stimulus is age-dependent.
木村病(Kimura disease，KD)是一种罕见的、病因不明的、可能由免疫介导的慢性进行性炎症性疾病。本文分析1例8岁的男性患者，因左眼无痛性上睑下垂、影像学提示双眼泪腺占位、血象提示嗜酸性粒细胞及免疫球蛋白E(immunoglobulinE，IgE)水平升高、病理提示大量嗜酸性粒细胞浸润，被最终诊断为累及双侧泪腺的KD。行左眼眶肿物切除术后，对患者随访6个月期间未见复发。
Kimura disease (KD) is a rare chronic progressive inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that may be immunemediated. Herein, we analyze an 8-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with painless ptosis in the left eye, double tear glands on imaging, elevated levels of eosinophils and immunoglobulin E (IgE) on blood, and massive eosinophil infiltration on pathology. The final diagnosis was Kimura disease involving bilateral lacrimal glands. After resection of the left orbital tumor, no recurrence was observed in the six months postoperation follow-up
患者，女，62岁，自觉右眼突出2年就诊，高血压3年。专科体格检查：右眼上睑退缩约1.5mm，左眼上睑下垂约2.5mm。提上睑肌肌力右眼13mm，左眼9mm。完善眼眶CT及头颅磁共振，未见异常。查阅文献，初步诊断为假性正负眼睑综合征。假性正负眼睑综合征符合赫林定律。通过左眼抬高试验发现右眼上睑退缩明显好转，安排左眼手术。术中发现左眼提上睑肌腱膜撕脱约7mm，故行左眼提上睑肌前徙复位术，术后双眼上睑均回归正常位置且两边对称。假性正负眼睑综合征最常见的病因是重症肌无力，其他原因还包括甲状腺相关眼病、先天性上睑下垂、动眼神经麻痹、老年性上睑下垂及上睑成形术并发症等。临床工作中需抓住疾病的蛛丝马迹，真正做到诊疗如棋、破局而立，使患者得到精准的治疗。
A 62-year-old female patient presented with right eye protrusion for 2 years and hypertension for 3 years. Physical examination showed that the upper eyelid retraction of the right eye was about 1.5 mm, and the ptosis of left eye was about 2.5 mm. The levator upper eyelid muscle strength was 13 mm in the right eye and 9 mm in the left eye. Orbital CT and cranial MRI were completed, and no abnormalities were found. A preliminary diagnosis of pseudo plus-minus lid syndrome was made by literature review. Pseudo plus-minus lid syndrome conforms to the Herring’s law. The upper eyelid retraction of the right eye was significantly improved by the left eye elevation test. During the left eye surgery, it was found that the left levator aponeurotic was avulsed about 7 mm. so the left levator aponeurosis was repositioned. After the operation, the upper eyelids of both eyes returned to the normal position and both sides were symmetrical. The most common cause of pseudo Plus—Minus Lid Syndrome is myasthenia gravis. Other causes include thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy, congenital ptosis, oculomotor nerve palsy, senile ptosis, and complications of blepharoplasty. In clinical work, we need to grasp the clues of the disease, truly achieve the diagnosis and treatment like chess, break the game and stand, so that patients can get accurate treatment.
目的：研究“中山眼鼻相关疾病·内镜论坛”的培训效果及其影响因素。方法：采用调取平台数据和调查问卷的方法，研究2020年6月至2022年5月16期“中山眼鼻相关疾病·内镜论坛”的参与人员情况和培训效果反馈，并分析专业、职称、地域等因素对培训效果的影响。结果：学员合计7889人，27634人次，以副主任医师30.2%(2382人)和主治医师32.9%(2597人)为主。参与学员人数从第1期的269人，逐渐增加到第16期的2537人。学员参与人数最多和收获最大的主题均为应用解剖和影像学、甲状腺相关眼病、泪道疾病。通过调查问卷发现：75.4%(95/126)的学员认为所学内容对今后的临床工作具有非常大的作用；84.1%(106/126)的学员应用所学的知识改进了日常临床工作；96.0%(121/126)的学员愿意参加中山眼科中心举办的线下实操的眼鼻相关解剖学习班。对于所学知识在今后临床工作的作用，副主任医师和主治医师认为“非常有用”的比例明显高于主任医师。在是否将所学知识应用于日常临床工作方面，副主任医师和主治医师认为“是”的比例明显高于主任医师和住院医师。参与6~16次论坛的学员，培训效果明显优于参与1~5次的学员。结论：眼鼻相关疾病·内镜微创领域在眼科和鼻科领域关注度日益提升。“中山眼鼻相关疾病·内镜论坛”有助于学员理论知识的扩展和提升，对眼鼻相关疾病医生的日常临床工作具有很好的作用，主治医师和副主任医师职称的学员培训效果更好，参与论坛次数多的学员培训效果更好。
Objective: To assess the training effects of “Zhongshan Eye and Nose Related Diseases and Endoscopy Forums” and its influencing factors, propose targeted suggestions for training focus and teaching methods, and improve the teaching quality. Methods: Statistics of live broadcast platform data and custom-designed questionnaires were used to inquire the participants enrolled in the 16 sessions of “Zhongshan Eye and Nose Related Diseases and Endoscopy Forums” from June 2020 to May 2022 for their feedbacks on training effects. The influence of their professions, titles, regions and other factors on the training effects was analyzed. Results: A total of 7 899 participants were enrolled in “Zhongshan Eye and Nose Related Diseases and Endoscopy Forums”, and the total live broadcast person-time was 27 634. Associate senior doctors (30.2%, 2 382) and attending doctors (32.9%, 2 597) accounted for the largest proportion. The number of participants gradually increased from 269 in the first session to 2 537 in the 16th. The topics with the largest number of participants and the greatest gains were applied anatomy and imaging, thyroid associated ophthalmopathy, and lacrimal duct diseases. Through the questionnaire study, 75.4% (95/126) of the participants thought that what they had learned in the forums was very important for their future clinical work; 84.1% (106/126) of the participants applied the knowledge to improve their daily clinical work; 96.0% (121/126) of the participants were willing to participate in the offline practice of eye and nose anatomy classes held by Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center. In terms of the role of the learned knowledge in the future clinical work, the proportion of associate senior doctors and attending doctors who thought "very useful" was significantly higher than that of senior doctors. In terms of whether to apply the knowledge learned to daily clinical work, the proportion of associate senior doctors and attending doctors thinking “yes” was significantly higher than that of senior doctors and residents. Participants who participated in 6–16 sessions had significantly better training results than those who participated in 1–5 sessions. Conclusion: Eye and nose related diseases are attracting increasing attention in ophthalmology and rhinology. “Zhongshan Eye and Nose Related Diseases and Endoscopy Forums” are conducive to the expansion and improvement of participants’ theoretical knowledge, and plays a good role in the daily clinical work of doctors with eye and nose related diseases. The training effect of attending doctors and associate senior doctors is better, and the training effect of participants who participate in the forum more times is better.
目的：分析新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情期间实时面对面线上教学(以“腾讯会议”教学为例)在医学教育中的利弊及其与医学生眼表疾病的相关性，为改进线上教育方案、预防干眼提供依据。方法：以中南大学湘雅医学院本科学生为研究对象，采用横断面研究的方法，使用问卷星收集数据，研究实时面对面线上教学的效果及对眼表疾病的影响。结果：共收集到131份有效数据，绝大多数学生(84.73%)认为实时面对面线上教学是有效的，96.18%的学生认为实时面对面线上教学达到或部分达到了学习的目的，但是实时面对面线上教学的师生互动与课堂氛围有待加强，另外网络设备问题也是实时面对面线上教学需要面对的问题。同时，调查显示实时面对面线上教学参与学生的干眼患病率达66.41%，家庭所在地、家庭人均月收入、使用设备、是否全程专注听课与干眼患病率之间无相关性。结论：新型冠状病毒疫情期间实时面对面线上教学在医学教育中是有效的，但是师生互动不足、课堂氛围不够活跃、网络连接不稳定是其主要问题。此外，实时面对面线上教学会增加干眼的发病率，需要提高护眼意识，积极预防。
Objective: To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of real-time face-to-face online teaching (taking “Tencent Conference” teaching as an example) in medical education and its correlation with ocular surface diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to provide basis for improving online education programs and preventing dry eye. Methods: The undergraduate students of Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University were selected as the research objects. The method of cross-sectional study was used to collect data using questionnaires to study the effect of real-time face-to-face online teaching and its impact on ocular surface diseases. Results: A total of 131 valid data were collected. Among them, the vast majority of students (84.73%) think real time face to face online teaching is effective, and 96.18% of the students believe that real-time face-to-face online teaching at least partly achieved the purpose of learning. However, the interaction between teachers and students and the classroom atmosphere of real-time face-to-face online teaching needs to be strengthened. In addition, network equipment is also a problem that real-time face-to-face online teaching needs to face. Meanwhile, the survey showed that the prevalence rate of dry eye among the students who participated in real-time face-to-face online teaching reached 66.41%, and there was no correlation between the incidence rate of dry eye and the location of family, the per capita monthly income of family, the equipment, and whether they paid full attention to the lectures. Conclusion: Real-time face-to-face online teaching is effective in medical education during COVID-19, but the main problems are insufficient teacher-student interaction, inactive classroom atmosphere and unstable Internet connection. In addition, real-time face-to face online teaching will increase the incidence of dry eye, so it is necessary to improve the awareness of eye protection and actively prevent it.
