Open Angle Research Articles

Enhancing the performance of direct methanol fuel cells using new cathode flow field designs: An experimental investigation

To improve the performance of the cell in terms of current density, power density and byproduct water removal from the cathode, three new cathode flow fields are designed, fabricated and tested. Design-1 is a conventional serpentine with a channel width and rib width of 0.8mm. Design-2 is a-four outlet, and one inlet-four zone serpentine with a channel width and rib width of 0.8mm. Design-3 is a four outlet-one inlet four zone serpentine with a gradually reducing channel width from 1.5mm at the inlet to 0.8mm at the four outlets. Design-4 is a four outlet-one inlet four zone zigzag serpentine with a gradually reducing channel width from 1.5mm at the inlet in the middle to 0.8mm at the four outlets. The open angle of 0.16° is used in design-3 and design-4. All the designs cover a 50mm×50mm area with open ratios in the range 48.9%-50.0%. To assess the cell's performance, an experimental study is conducted to determine the effect of the new cathode flow field design along with methanol flow rates and methanol concentrations. Electrochemical characterization methods are used to measure the power density of the new fabricated transparent DMFC. Results indicate that the highest recorded limiting current density and peak power density by the experiment are 460mA/cm2 and 50mW/cm2 respectively. The reference design using a conventional serpentine flow field attains a current density of 257mA/cm2 and power density of 24mW/cm2. Comparing new cathode designs with the reference one, the enhancement percentage in terms of the maximum peak power density by design-2, -3 and -4 are 44%, 107% and 22%, respectively. The lower anode flowrates outperforms the higher flowrates. The byproduct water at the cathode was better removed by the new cathode designs compared to the reference design. This research provides leeway for researchers to enhance the performance of DMFCs via new cathode flow fields.

Short-term report of early glaucoma surgery with a clear lens extraction and an intraocular lens, OMNI canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS microstent: a case series in younger patients.

The purpose of this case series is to report the surgical outcomes from the combination of a clear lensectomy, OMNI® canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS® microstent with an adjacent goniotomy. This is a retrospective non-comparative single-center case series of four black patients of African descent with glaucoma who were treated with a clear lensectomy, OMNI canaloplasty, and a HYDRUS microstent with an adjacent goniotomy. The surgeries were performed by an experienced cataract and glaucoma surgeon, Daniel Laroche, MD. The parameters investigated in this study were postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and the mean number of preoperative and postoperative medications needed. The mean age of the four patients was 44.5 years. All patients had a mean postoperative reduction in IOP of 17 mmHg to 12.7 mmHg. The mean number of preoperative medications was 2.2, while the mean number of postoperative medications was 0.3. Potential complications such as hyphema, IOP spikes, or corneal edema were not seen in this series. All patients achieved a lower IOP and stable vision with less refractive error. Patients also experienced improved visual fields, clearer vision, and more open angles. Clear lensectomy and combined microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and narrow-angle glaucoma (NAG) results in the safe lowering of IOP. The limitations of this study include the small series size and the retrospective potential for bias. Further research with a larger series and a prospective trial with follow-up should be performed.

Two-phase flow dynamics study in the trapezoidal gas channel of PEM fuel cell based on lattice Boltzmann model

ABSTRACT Water management is a critical challenge in ensuring the performance and durability of low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This study utilizes the phase-field lattice Boltzmann method to conduct three-dimensional numerical simulations, investigating the dynamics of two-phase flow in the cathode gas channel (GC) of PEMFC with a trapezoidal cross-section. The effects of the water inlet location, the surface wettability of GC, the open angle of GC, and the air velocity on liquid water distribution and discharge are analyzed. The results indicate that positioning the water inlet in the middle of the GC significantly enhances PEMFC performance while having minimal impact on average pressure drop. A wall contact angle of 70° or 110°Can optimize fuel cell performance from different directions. Setting a wall contact angle at 70° optimizes gas flow stability and maintains a low-pressure drop value for the GC. A wall contact angle of 110° focuses on optimizing gas reactant diffusion ability into porous electrodes and GC drainage rate. An opening angle of 55° for the trapezoidal gas channel improves overall fuel cell performance. Increasing air velocity facilitates the film flow formation of liquid water on top wall surfaces within the GC.

The size of the ciliary body in human enucleated chronic angle‐closure glaucoma

Aims/Purpose:: The size of the body of the ciliary stroma in relation to the morphology of the angle of the anterior chamber in human enucleated eyes.Methods: A histomorphometric analysis of enucleated human eyes using a light microscope.Results: 107 enucleated human eyes (mean axial length 25.1 ± 2.8 mm; range 21.0–36.0 mm) were included for analysis using light microscope. 68 of those eyes had an open anterior chamber angle and 39 had an endothelialized and closed angle. The body of the ciliary stroma measured was broadest with 541 ± 210 μm vs 59 ± 179 μm (p < 0.001) and narrowest with 214 ± 107 μm vs 17 ± 55 μm (p < 0.001) and the highest ciliary muscle height was 593 ± 557 μm vs 293 ± 111 μm (p < 0.001). In the angle‐closure group these parameters were significantly smaller, than in the open‐angle group. The width of the broadest section of the stroma of the ciliary body increased with the presence of an open‐angle anterior chamber (beta:0.82; B:517; 95%CI:435599; p < 0.001) and a longer axial length (beta:0.17; B:18.2; 95%CI:4.2,32.2; p = 0.01). The width of the narrowest section of the stroma of the ciliary body correlated with an open anterior chamber angle (beta:0.65; B:177; 95%CI:140213; p < 0.001) and an increase in the height of the ciliary body muscle (beta:0.23; B:0.06; 95%CI:0.03,0.10; p = 0.001). The height of the ciliary body muscle increased with increasing maximal height of the stroma (beta:0.43; B:1.54; 95%CI:0.92,2.17; p < 0.001).Conclusions: The size of the stroma of the ciliary body in eyes with an angle of the anterior chamber closed by endothelial cells is smaller than in open‐angle eyes. Due to the tightening of the anterior angle the access of aqueous humour to the trabecular meshwork and to the ciliary body stroma may cause a reduction of the uveoscleral or uveovortex outflow.

Clinical spectrum and management of pseudoexfoliation syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Pseudoexfoliation is one of the most common causes of secondary open-angle glaucoma worldwide. The current investigation is being carried out to investigate the clinical characteristics associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Aims and Objectives: The current study was conducted with the goal of documenting the prevalence of the ocular clinical profile of patterns in patients with pseudo-exfoliative material attending a tertiarycare hospital’s general ophthalmology outpatient department. Materials and Methods: In the current study, 100 individuals were explored who were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliation and attended the outpatient department of ophthalmology, medical college, and hospital. The Snellen chart for visual acuity was used to test visual acuity. Pseudoexfoliation glaucomawas identified based on slit lamp examination of pseudoexfoliative material, intraocular pressure (IOP) >21 mmHg, glaucomatous cupping on fundus examination, pigmentation of trabecular meshwork on gonioscopy, and glaucomatous field abnormalities on perimetry. Results: The age range of 61–70 years had the most cases of pseudoexfoliation, accounting for 23, followed by 51–60 years with 17 occurrences. The current study comprised 48 patients, 20 of whom had bilateral pseudoexfoliation and 28 of whom had unilateral pseudoexfoliation. Our findings revealed that 17 patients had high IOP. We discovered 15 cases of open-angle glaucoma and 2 cases of narrow-angle glaucoma after analyzing 48 patients. The sample of 15 individuals with open-angle glaucoma included 11 men and 4 women. Conclusion: Pseudoexfoliation becomes more common as people age, and it is often unilateral at first but progressively progresses to bilateral pseudoexfoliation, necessitating frequent follow-up in unilateral cases. Pseudoexfoliation is associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, and the majority of cases have open angles.

A connection between levels of soluble Fas and Fas ligand in the aqueous humor and the parameters of structural and functional damage of glaucoma patients

Introduction/Objective. Fas ligant (FasL) induces apoptosis when interacting with the Fas-receptor. The aim was to determine the concentration of soluble Fas (sFas) and FasL (sFasL) in the aqueous humor of open-angle glaucoma patients, and establish a connection between these markers of apoptosis and the parameters of structural and functional glaucoma damage. Methods. This study examined 88 aqueous humor samples; 35 primary open-angle glaucoma with elevated intraocular pressure (POAG-HTG) patients, 24 open angle pseudoexfoliative glaucoma patients (XFG) and 29 patients with senile cataract (CAT). The concentration of sFas and sFasL was determined by commercial ELISA tests in the aqueous humor. Results. The conducted study showed that aqueous humor sFas concentration was the highest in XFG (720.14 ? 167.39 pg/ml), and slightly lower in POAG-HTG (713.43 ? 162.69 pg/ml), than in cataract patients (632.46 ? 217.11 pg/ml), without statistical significance. There was a significant negative correlation of sFas concentration and RNFL Inf thickness in POAG-HTG (p < 0.05). The concentration of sFasL was the lowest in POAG-HTG (9.28 ? 0.551 pg/ml), higher in XFG (9.45 ? 0.61 pg/ml; p = 0.0566), and the highest in the cataract group (9.48 ? 0.73 pg/ml). A negative correlation of sFasL and MD in the POAG-HTG, and a negative correlation with RNFL Sup in the XFG were significant. Conclusion. sFasL has an active role in the regulation of the inflammatory process in glaucoma. sFas and sFasL, as markers of apoptosis, are associated with the parameters of structural, RNFL thinning, and functional glaucoma damage, namely visual field defects.

Steroid induced glaucoma in the paediatric population

Aims/Purpose: Steroid induced glaucoma is an iatrogenic pathology secondary to the prolonged use of corticosteroids, it is a serious pathology with a high risk of blindness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary profile of steroid induced glaucoma in children.Methods: It is a retrospective study of cases treated between November 2007 and February 2022, including patients followed in the paediatric ophthalmology department of Casablanca for steroid induced glaucoma.Results: Our study involved́ 35 children (60 eyes), including 20 boys and 15 girls, with an average age of 12 years. The involvement was bilateral in 25 eyes. All the patients had a history of discontinuous self‐medication with local corticosteroids for a mean period of 5 years. The initial condition that led to the use of steroids was in 19 cases allergic conjunctivitis, in 10 cases it was used for recurrent meibomian cysts, 3 cases of uveitis, 2 cases of blepharitis and one episcleritis. 60% eyes had visual acuity raging between 0.1 to 0.3. Mean Intraocular pressure was 36 ± 1 2 mmHg. Mean vertical cup disc ratio was 0.68 ± 0.25. all our patients had an open angle on gonioscopy and severe perimetric deficits were noted in all our patients. 19 eyes (32%) had an associated cataract. IOP was controlled after the withdrawal of steroids in 8 eyes, associated to antiglaucoma treatment in 22 eyes. The surgical management consisted of a Trabeculectomy + IP + 5 F.U in 30 eyes. Cyclophotocoagulation was not required in any of the patients. On a follow up of 24 months, the average final visual acuity was <2/10th and the tonometric results were globally good with a stabilization of the papillary excavation and visual field in 82% of the cases.Conclusions: Steroid induced glaucoma is a condition in which the functional prognosis is at risk, especially in young patients. It shows the importance of regular monitoring of the IOP in patients undergoing corticosteroid treatment. The first line of treatment consist of the prevention: awareness of the risks of self‐medication by steroids.

Application of gonioscopy‐assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) in the management of refractory glaucoma in Poland

Goniotomy assisted transluminal trabeculotomy (GATT) is a kind of ab interno angle procedure. GATT spares conjunctiva and sclera, so it is a real mini invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). MIGS techniques are typically used in cases of early and moderate open angle glaucoma.The aim is to present the possibility of GATT application in the selected types of refractory glaucoma or secondary open angle glaucoma which are believed to be difficult in management.The results of GATT application in refractory glaucoma, inflammatory glaucoma and silicon oil glaucoma will be presented with the evaluation of IOP lowering potential in short term observation. Additionally, selected clinical cases will be showed.

Pathologies of the anterior chamber angle

Gonioscopy is an indispensable part of work up in the context of glaucoma. Its value lies not only in differentiation between open angle and angle closure glaucoma. It is also providing essential clues for other specific glaucoma diagnoses, like pseudoexfoliation, pigment dispersion, neovascularization, goniodysgenesis and post‐traumatic changes. Examples will be shown.

New methods for detection of early loss of rapid flicker, spatial vision, and chromatic sensitivity in glaucoma

Purpose: To examine whether ocular hypertension and early glaucoma cause measurable changes in spatial vision, rapid flicker sensitivity and red/green and yellow/blue colour vision.Methods: We examined subjects aged 40 to 78 years with ocular hypertension (OHT), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and age matched controls. Monocular best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested using EDTRS charts.VA and Functional Contrast Sensitivity (FCS) with Landolt ring stimuli of both positive and negative contrast were also measured monocularly with the Acuity‐Plus test. Red/green (RG) and yellow/blue (YB) colour thresholds were measured with the Colour Assessment and Diagnostics (CAD) test. Photopic (cone‐enhanced) and mesopic (rod‐enhanced) rapid flicker thresholds were measured at the fovea (0°) and at an eccentricity of 5° in each of the four quadrants using the Flicker‐Plus test. All subjects had their visual fields measured using the Humphrey visual field analyser (24–2 SITA standard protocol). Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFLT) and macular retinal layer thicknesses were measured using the Heidelberg Spectralis OCT.Results: The mean, logMAR BCVA for OHT patients was 0.00 and for POAG and NTG patients was −0.10 and 0.10, respectively. For control participants, mean logMAR BCVA was 0.00. Mean pRNFL thickness was significantly reduced for glaucoma patients (59.5 ± 7.7 μm) as compared to control subjects (94.6 ± 5.13 μm) and OHT patients (115.5 ± 3.5 μm). POAG and NTG patients showed significantly higher colour thresholds (mean red/green threshold 4.97, blue/yellow 5.28 CAD units) compared to control subjects (mean red/green threshold 2.07, blue/yellow 1.62 CAD units). One OHT patient showed acquired loss of blue/yellow colour vision (3.23 CAD units), with normal VA. The Acuity‐Plus test which employs briefly presented stimuli, also revealed significant loss of VA (3.78 and 3.64 min of arc) and FCS (141.32% and 100%) in an NTG patient, with results outside normal limits for both positive and negative contrast, respectively. Central FCS was higher and outside the normal age limits for POAG patients (73.41% and 89.27%) as compared to age matched controls (61.27% and 33.63%). OHT patients, on the other hand, produced FCS thresholds within normal limits. Flicker modulation thresholds were higher for both rod and cone enhanced stimulus conditions in glaucoma and OHT patients, when compared to control subjects.Conclusion: The results reveal non‐uniform, losses that can affect selectively each of the visual attributes examined in this study. These preliminary findings suggest that in addition to VA and FCS tests, colour vision and rapid flicker sensitivity should also be examined in patients with optic nerve pathologies like glaucoma.

Netarsudil Associated Limbal Follicles: A Case Report

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Netarsudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor and norepinephrine transporter, has recently been approved for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), which is the single most clinically modifiable risk factor for this condition. Here, a case of a 53-year-old female with POAG who developed follicles along the corneal limbus following treatment with Netarsudil eye drops has been reported. The patient had been non-compliant with her POAG treatment for the past five years and presented with diminished vision (right eye greater than left) and raised IOP of 28 mmHg and 26 mmHg in the right and left eyes, respectively. The patient was started on Netarsudil (0.02%) eye drops once daily. After three weeks, the IOP had reduced to 19 mmHg and 18 mmHg in the right and left eyes, respectively; however, the patient still complained of itching and redness. A slit-lamp examination showed few follicular lesions on the limbus. Initial treatment for allergic conjunctivitis was ineffective, leading to a worsening of symptoms. Netarsudil was then discontinued, and dorzolamide was initiated instead, resulting in the resolution of symptoms within one week. The patient continued on dorzolamide without further issues. While Netarsudil is effective in reducing IOP, many of its potential adverse effects may still be unknown due to limited clinical experience. The present case report aims to contribute to the understanding of the safety profile of this drug. More such reports in the future will enhance this knowledge and help clinicians manage similar adverse situations.

Serum IL-6/ IL-10 Ratio As A Biomarker for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Assessment

Serum IL-6/ IL-10 Ratio As A Biomarker for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Assessment

Exploring the Impact of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking on Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Exploring the Impact of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking on Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Prospective Study of Canaloplasty and Trabeculotomy Performed by Trainees.

To evaluate outcomes of new adopters of the OMNI® Surgical System (Sight Sciences, Inc.) by prospectively evaluating intermediate-term outcomes of patients operated by trainees. This was a prospective study of surgeries performed by trainees on patients with open angle glaucoma undergoing simultaneous cataract surgery and ab interno canaloplasty and trabeculotomy using the OMNI Surgical System. Pre-operative intraocular pressure (IOP) and number of glaucoma medications were recorded. Only patients with a minimum of 6-month follow up were included. Baseline IOP was used to separate subjects into two groups: Group 1 (IOP ≥18 mmHg) and Group 2 (IOP <18 mmHg). Mean decrease in IOP and medications was calculated and compared with paired t-tests for the overall sample as well as the subgroups. Success was defined as those with a ≥20% reduction from pre-operative IOP or with an IOP ≤18 mmHg and ≥6 mmHg and on the same or fewer number of medications while not requiring additional surgery. Adverse events were also recorded. Forty-two eyes of 31 patients were included. Mean pre-operative IOP was 17.2 ± 4.8 mmHg and mean number of medications was 2.4 ± 1.2. The primary endpoint was reached in 83.3% of patients at 12 months. IOP was reduced by 22.3% to 13.4 ± 2.4 (p<0.001). Mean number of medications decreased to 1.7 ± 1.6 (p<0.001). Group 1 mean IOP decreased 35.4% from 22.2 ± 4.6 mmHg to 14.3 ± 2.8 mmHg (p<0.001). Group 2 mean number of medications decreased from 2.3 ± 1.1 to 1.6 ± 1.5 (p<0.001). When operated on by the novice MIGS surgeon, the OMNI device provides effective IOP and glaucoma medication reduction with minimal adverse events. Efficacy and safety of the device in the hands of trainees was comparable to experienced glaucoma surgeons suggesting its ease of adoption.

Glaucoma surgical procedure choice in vulnerable corneal endothelium

This talk will focus on the decision making in patients with vulnerable corneal endothelium requiring glaucoma surgical intervention. The effect of glaucoma surgical procedures on corneal endothelium will be briefly analysed and conditions with vulnerable corneal endothelium and co‐existent intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, such as Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy with primary open angle glaucoma or post‐keratoplasty steroid response, will be adequately described. The aim of the talk is to indicate the most appropriate glaucoma surgical interventions depending on the status of corneal endothelium and the desired IOP lowering effect, covering a wide spectrum of surgical procedures including minimally invasive interventions, such as Preserflow implantation, as well as ab interno/ab externo viscocanaloplasty or conventional procedures such as trabeculectomy or big tube implantation. Finally, the talk will highlight useful surgical tips for the abovementioned surgical procedures, and it will provide suggestions for patient selection in order to optimize clinical outcomes.

Elevated VEGF-A Levels in the Aqueous Humor of Patients With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

The purpose of the current study was to compare the vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) levels in the aqueous humor of patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and non-glaucomatous eyes and reveal any potential statistically significant correlations. This was an observational cross-sectional study. Aqueous humor samples (50-100 μl) were collected under aseptic conditions, from the anterior chamber at the start of glaucoma or cataract surgery. The levels of VEGF-A were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Aqueous humor samples were obtained from 76 participants: 39 with POAG and 36 with age-related cataracts as controls. VEGF-A levels were significantly elevated in the POAG group (166.37±110.04 pg/ml, p=0.011) compared to the control group (119.02±49.09 pg/ml). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that VEGF-A had significant prognostic ability for POAG (AUC=0.67; p=0.006). An optimal cut-off for VEGF-A was found to be 148.5 pg/ml with a sensitivity of 54%, specificity of 81.1%, positive prognostic value (PPV) of 75% and negative prognostic value (NPV) of 62.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for sex and age, patients with VEGF-A higher than 148.5 pg/ml had almost 10 times greater likelihood for POAG. VEGF-A is elevated in patients with POAG and can potentially have a prognostic ability for these patients.

Combined non‐penetrating deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification versus non‐penetrating deep sclerectomy alone

Aims/Purpose: To compare the intraocular pressure after two surgical techniques: combined non‐penetrating deep sclerectomy with phacoemulsification (Phaco‐NPDS) and non‐penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) alone.Methods: It is a retrospective study including thirty‐two patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) who were not controlled with medication. They were assigned to Phaco‐NPDS (twenty‐two eyes) or NPDS (twenty eyes). Complications in surgery were noted and also, they were followed up after the surgery and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at one day, a month, six months and a year after the surgery. Moreover, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the number of the anti‐glaucoma medications at the end of the postoperative medication was measured.Results: Mean IOP in the Phaco‐NPDS group decreased from 24.55 ± 5.8 mmHg to 17.31 ± 2.1 mmHg and in the NPDS group from 26.05 ± 4.1 to 15.6 ± 2.3 mmHg one day after surgery. The decreases of IOP in the postoperative period were statistically significant in both groups (p &lt; 0.05). There was no significant IOP difference between Phaco‐NPDS and NPDS patients postoperatively (p &gt; 0.05). The mean number of glaucoma medications decreased from 3.31 ± 1.4 to 0.68 ± 0.2 and from 3.2 ± 1.3 to 0.3 ± 0.5 in the Phaco‐NPDS and NPDS groups, respectively. The decreases in the mean number of the anti‐glaucoma medications at the end of the postoperative, 24‐month follow‐up period were found to be statistically significant for both Phaco‐NPDS and NPDS groups (p &lt; 0.05). Mean BCVA increased significantly in both groups. However, the visual outcome was significantly better for the Phaco‐NPDS group (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Phaco‐NPDS surgery achieved excellent IOP control, while also providing immediate visual recovery. The success rate was similar to that of the NPDS procedure alone. It is advisable to consider Phaco‐NPDS as a primary surgery for patients with coexisting cataract and open angle glaucoma, including PXG.

Progression risk factors in glaucoma patients with disc haemorrhage

Aims/Purpose: In this study, we investigated the clinical characteristics of disc haemorrhage relating to hemodynamic factors and their impact on glaucoma progression.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, including 81 eyes with open angle glaucoma accompanying DH. Eyes were classified as non‐recurrent DH and recurrent DH. Eyes with recurrent DH were sub‐classified into three groups according to the location of DH. Visual field progression was determined by event‐based analysis using the Guided Progression Analysis (GPA) software. The coefficient of variation (CV) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) was used to measure visit‐to‐visit variability. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were used to compare the cumulative risk ratio of progression between groups.Results: Recurrent DH group showed a significantly higher systolic and diastolic BP (p = 0.014 and 0.021, respectively), with higher proportion of VF progression (p = 0.019), compared to non‐recurrent DH group. Particularly, female with recurrent DH showed highest cumulative probability of VF progression (p = 0.047, Log‐rank test). Recurrent DH at a different quadrant showed a greater cumulative probability of VF progression than non‐recurrent DH group (p = 0.038, Log‐rank test). In the Cox regression analyses, higher visit‐to visit variability of diastolic BP, female gender, recurrence DH in a different quadrant significantly contributed the progression of glaucoma.Conclusions: The presence of recurrent DH was associated with elevated systolic and diastolic BP, while increased visit‐to visit variability in diastolic BP was linked to the progression of glaucoma. Our study emphasize the role of hemodynamic factors in the pathogenesis of DH in glaucoma.

The miRNA‐mRNA Interactome of human trabecular meshwork cells treated with TGF‐ beta1

Aims/Purpose: Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG) is an aggressive form of secondary open angle glaucoma, associated with activation of the TGF‐β pathway by TGF‐β1. MicroRNAs are small non‐coding genes that regulate mRNA expression. To investigate the role of TGFβ1 in glaucomatous changes in the trabecular meshwork (TM) and to determine how mRNA expression may be regulated by microRNAs in this condition, we performed a bioinformatics analysis to determine the microRNA‐mRNA interactome.Methods: Primary human trabecular meshwork cells were obtained from normal donors (n = 4) and treated with TGF‐β1 at 5 ng/mL for 24 h. RNA was extracted and miRNA‐Seq and mRNA‐Seq performed. Differential mRNA and miRNA expression was determined using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts, edgeR (miRNA) and DESeq2 (mRNA). Putative interactions between differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs, in which the direction of expression of the regulated mRNA was required to be opposite to that of the regulating miRNA, were determined using interaction databases miRTarBase, TarBase, TargetScan and miRWalk. To classify mRNA species by biological function and pathway, gene enrichment was performed using Enrichr.Results: The resulting microRNA‐mRNA interactome consisted of 1202 interactions. Some highly connected microRNAs were hsa‐let‐7e‐5p, hsa‐miR‐20a‐5p, hsa‐miR‐122‐5p, and hsa‐miR‐29c‐3p. Most genes in all enriched biological functions and pathways were indicated to be regulated by microRNAs. The sub‐interactomes of several specific XFG‐related enrichment terms such as oxidative stress, unfolded protein response, signal molecules and ECM remodelling were determined.Conclusions: This work presents a genome‐wide microRNA‐mRNA regulatory network for human TM cells treated with TGF‐β1 and may serve to generate unbiased hypotheses about regulatory functions of miRNAs found to be differentially expressed in XFG.

Differences and Similarities Between Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is an ocular disease characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure or, in some cases, normal intraocular pressure, which leads to optic nerve damage and progressive constriction of the visual field (VF). Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma (PACG) represent the predominant forms of glaucoma. Numerous hypotheses have been posited to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these conditions. There is an emerging understanding of the distinct pathological processes that differentiate the various types of glaucoma. While some similarities in the mechanisms between PACG and POAG have been suggested, evidence indicates that there are also significant differences between the two. This review synthesizes the similarities and differences in the etiology of optic neuropathy caused by POAG and PACG, considering their respective pathophysiological mechanisms, the morphology of the optic disc and surrounding tissues, genetic characteristics, optical coherence tomography angiography, optical coherence tomography, and structural and functional features from VF examinations. These characteristics may contribute to a deeper comprehension of the underlying pathogenesis of glaucoma and enhance the management of different types of this ocular condition.