Articles related to EYE DISEASES

Dry eye disease (DED), ocular surface disease (OSD), and other cornea and anterior segment diseases can cause patients to experience a diverse range of symptoms. The cornea is the most densely innervated tissue and is therefore an important target for therapeutics and research. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are signaling channels that play roles in signaling physiological processes, and TRP melastatin member 8 (TRPM8) is a cold-sensing receptor found on nerve endings of the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve. TRPM8 channels sense cooling changes in corneal temperature and are activated by evaporative cooling and hyperosmolarity, leading to stimulation of tear production, which may be why eyes water on cold days and in patients with dry eye. Understanding the interaction between symptoms, ocular healing, and dysfunctions that occur in this process can help optometrists care for their patients more effectively.

A new gene editing technique has been developed that can potentially help reverse vision loss. Researchers have used the technique, called ‘prime editing,’ to target and correct the genetic mutation that causes retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease that causes progressive vision loss and eventually blindness. The study was conducted on mice, and the technique was able to restore visual function in the mice, demonstrating the potential of prime editing as a treatment for retinitis pigmentosa. As an optometrist, it’s important to keep up-to-date with advancements in the field of gene editing and the potential implications for treating genetic eye diseases. This new prime editing technique, demonstrated to reverse vision loss in mice with retinitis pigmentosa, shows promise as a potential treatment for the disease in humans. As further research is conducted, it will be important for optometrists to stay informed about developments in this area and be prepared to discuss potential treatments with their patients.

In a follow-up to a previous article on HCN, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently updated their website to report that 68 patients across 16 states have been identified with a rare and drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa called VIM-GES-CRPA (Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase). This strain is particularly concerning as it is difficult to treat with standard antibiotics. As a precaution, the CDC and FDA are recommending that clinicians and patients avoid using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears products until further guidance is issued. Optometrists are advised to stay informed about the situation and to follow the CDC and FDA’s recommendations to ensure the safety of their patients.

The every-other-month intra-ocular injection shows a reduction in lesion growth that increases over time. The ocular formulation of the drug, previously approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, should be available in specialty pharmacies in March 2023.

AvaGenTM is the first personalized genetic eye test that quantifies the risk of keratoconus and the presence of TGFBI corneal dystrophies based on gene variants. AvaGen provides a valuable tool for early and accurate decision-making that protects patients’ and their families’ vision.

Keratoconus is a multifactorial disease that can have serious consequences for a patient’s mental health, quality of life, and finances. In order to provide patients with the most accurate and relevant resources available, providers must educate themselves on the condition and information available to patients via social media and other outlets. More can be done to advance early detection, visual rehabilitation, and the development of patient and provider education resources as more is learned about the precise etiology of keratoconus.