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Frontiers in Pharmacology 2016The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as an important regulator of both physiological and pathological processes. Notably, this endogenous system plays a key role... (Review)
Review
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as an important regulator of both physiological and pathological processes. Notably, this endogenous system plays a key role in the modulation of pain and inflammation in a number of tissues. The components of the ECS, including endocannabinoids, their cognate enzymes and cannabinoid receptors, are localized in the eye, and evidence indicates that ECS modulation plays a role in ocular disease states. Of these diseases, ocular inflammation presents a significant medical problem, given that current clinical treatments can be ineffective or are associated with intolerable side-effects. Furthermore, a prominent comorbidity of ocular inflammation is pain, including neuropathic pain, for which therapeutic options remain limited. Recent evidence supports the use of drugs targeting the ECS for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain in animal models; however, the potential for therapeutic use of cannabinoid drugs in the eye has not been thoroughly investigated at this time. This review will highlight evidence from experimental studies identifying components of the ocular ECS and discuss the functional role of the ECS during different ocular inflammatory disease states, including uveitis and corneal keratitis. Candidate ECS targeted therapies will be discussed, drawing on experimental results obtained from both ocular and non-ocular tissue(s), together with their potential application for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain.
PubMed: 27695415
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00304 -
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2019The authors conducted a literature review about bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) syndrome, a new and relatively unknown syndrome that should be described... (Review)
Review
The authors conducted a literature review about bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) syndrome, a new and relatively unknown syndrome that should be described and made known to the greatest number to avoid potential diagnostic and therapeutic errors. The first cases date back only to 2004 and a total of 79 cases have been published to date, mainly in Europe and especially in Turkey and Belgium. It mainly affects young women between the ages of 30 and 50, and symptoms are often preceded by an upper airway infection. There is also a majority of cases where the onset of the syndrome follows oral intake of moxyfloxacin. The clinical signs are dominated by strong photophobia, secondary to a spectacular transillumination of the iris. Other classical symptoms are conjunctival infection, eye pain, blurred vision, temporary ocular hypertonia, fixed mid-dilated pupils, and pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber with pigmentary deposits in the trabecular meshwork in gonioscopy, symptoms that may be mistaken for uveitis. After a few weeks or months of evolution, persistent sequelae were pupillary atony and chronic and bilateral transillumination of the iris, leading to significant photophobia and sometimes persistent ocular hypertension. The BAIT syndrome is close to the bilateral acute depigmentation of the iris (BADI) syndrome, which is similar to BAIT but lacks associated transillumination. A few cases of patients with BAIT syndrome on one eye and BADI syndrome on the contralateral eye have been described, which confirms some form of link between the two clinical entities.
PubMed: 31239635
DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S167449 -
Journal of Mid-life Health 2017Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disease that causes symptoms of ocular pain, discomfort, and decreased visual acuity. It significantly affects... (Review)
Review
Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disease that causes symptoms of ocular pain, discomfort, and decreased visual acuity. It significantly affects quality of life of patients. It is more prevalent in the females and is being specifically in the menopausal and postmenopausal age group. This is believed to be due to the changes in balance of sex hormones. Sex hormones - estrogens and androgens - influence production of all components of the tear film including aqueous layer, lipid, and mucin. Various mechanisms such as decrease in hormonal levels, shift in feedback mechanisms, and changes in receptor receptivity interplay to alter the ocular surface homeostasis and subsequently result in DED. Several studies have suggested potential role of hormone replacement therapy in menopause-associated dry eye symptoms. The purpose of this review is to help the non ophthalmic physicians about DED encountered commonly in menopausal age group. It is important for primary care physicians to understand DED due to its high prevalence, often debilitating symptoms and the potentially preventable and treatable nature of the condition.
PubMed: 28706404
DOI: 10.4103/jmh.JMH_41_17 -
Drugs Jul 2020Dextenza, an intracanalicular insert that is placed into the lower punctal opening of the eye, gradually releases dexamethasone for up to 30 days to alleviate pain and... (Review)
Review
Dextenza, an intracanalicular insert that is placed into the lower punctal opening of the eye, gradually releases dexamethasone for up to 30 days to alleviate pain and inflammation associated with ophthalmic surgery. A significantly higher proportion of patients treated with the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert than with the placebo insert had no pain at day 8 (co-primary endpoint, 7 days post-operation) across three pivotal phase III trials, and the inflammation co-primary endpoint (absence of anterior chamber cells) at day 14 (13 days post-operation) was met in two of three trials. Overall, the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert was effective and generally well tolerated for the treatment of post-surgical ocular pain and inflammation following cataract surgery. As low patient adherence is an issue for topical ophthalmic anti-inflammatory medications, the convenience (ease of insertion, single application with no patient input and typically no removal required) of the dexamethasone intracanalicular insert makes it a promising emerging option for the treatment of ocular inflammation and pain following ophthalmic surgery.
Topics: Dexamethasone; Drug Implants; Glucocorticoids; Inflammation; Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; Pain, Postoperative; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32588339
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-020-01344-6 -
Cureus Dec 2021Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is a vision-threatening autoimmune disease mediated by adaptive immune responses via T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell activation. The...
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease is a vision-threatening autoimmune disease mediated by adaptive immune responses via T helper (Th) 1 and Th17 cell activation. The disease often starts with a flu-like illness followed by eye pain, headache, and dizziness later evolving into vision loss bilaterally. Other symptoms may include vitiligo and hearing loss. Diagnostic criteria include exclusion of other eye diseases, no history of recent penetrating eye trauma or surgery, bilateral ocular involvement with evidence of diffuse choroiditis, auditory and neurological findings (tinnitus and meningismus), and skin findings including depigmentation or alopecia. Retinal examination reveals bilateral uveitis with choroidal thickening (which may be seen as a sub-retinal fluid collection or serous retinal detachment). Treatment includes corticosteroid therapy with the addition of biological and immunosuppressive medications as needed to suppress the disease activity and ensure symptomatic improvement.
PubMed: 35003972
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20138 -
Eye & Contact Lens Nov 2018To evaluate the association between dry eye (DE) symptoms and neuropathic-like ocular pain (NOP) features, chronic pain conditions, depression, and anxiety in patients...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between dry eye (DE) symptoms and neuropathic-like ocular pain (NOP) features, chronic pain conditions, depression, and anxiety in patients presenting for routine ophthalmic examinations.
METHODS
Two hundred thirty-three consecutive patients ≥18 years of age presenting to a comprehensive eye clinic between January and August 2016 were included in this study. Information on demographics, chronic pain conditions, medication use, DE symptoms (dry eye questionnaire, DEQ5), NOP complaints (burning; wind, light, and temperature sensitivity), depression, and anxiety indices (patient health questionnaire 9, PHQ-9 and symptom checklist 90-revised, SCL-90-R) were collected for each individual. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate strengths of association. Logistic regression analysis examined risk factors for any (DEQ5≥6) and severe (DEQ5≥12) DE symptoms.
RESULTS
The mean age of the population was 46.3 years (±13.0); 67.8% (n=158) were female. Per the DEQ5, 40.3% (n=94) had mild or greater DE symptoms and 12% (n=24) had severe symptoms. Severity of DE symptoms correlated with NOP complaints: burning (Pearson r=0.37, P<0.001); sensitivity to wind (r=0.37, P<0.001), sensitivity to light (r=0.34, P<0.001), and sensitivity to temperature (r=0.30, P<0.001). Sex, race, and ethnicity were not significant risk factors for DE symptoms. Risk factors for mild or greater DE symptoms included a greater number of chronic nonocular pain conditions (odds ratio [OR]=1.38, P<0.001), arthritic pain (OR=6.34, P<0.001), back pain (OR=2.47, P=0.004), headaches (OR=2.14, P=0.02), depression (OR=1.17, P<0.001), and anxiety (OR=1.13, P=0.02).
CONCLUSION
Dry eye severity positively associated with NOP complaints, comorbid chronic pain conditions, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Anxiety; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Dry Eye Syndromes; Eye Pain; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuralgia; Odds Ratio; Pain Measurement; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 29227460
DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000463 -
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) 2022To describe the early real-world experience of physicians with an intracanalicular dexamethasone insert (DEX) in patients undergoing cataract surgery and to capture the...
PURPOSE
To describe the early real-world experience of physicians with an intracanalicular dexamethasone insert (DEX) in patients undergoing cataract surgery and to capture the clinical impact of adopting this therapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
23 United States sites including Ambulatory Surgical Center Setting (ASC) and Outpatient Clinical settings. Respondents were physicians who had early experience with DEX in cataract surgery patients. This was a Phase 4 experiential cross-sectional survey study comprised of 3 sequential online physician surveys. Descriptive statistics summarized the surveys' responses to determine the early impressions of the respondents.
RESULTS
Forty-two physicians completed surveys. On average, physicians reported feeling comfortable administering DEX after placing 3 inserts (mean 2.7; standard deviation 1.9). Most physicians (92%) were satisfied with DEX, and all physicians (100%) reported that DEX improved patient compliance. Most physicians (62.5%) indicated they would highly prefer DEX over traditional steroid eyedrops for the management of post-surgical inflammation and pain.
CONCLUSION
The surveys exploring the early use of DEX suggest that DEX is a clinically effective treatment with a rapid initial learning curve and integrates well into clinical use. Physicians had a very positive early experience with DEX, including comfort with insertion and satisfaction. DEX shows promise as a primary treatment choice of physicians for ocular inflammation and pain following cataract surgery by offering patients a hands-free innovative therapy that delivers a preservative-free steroid to the ocular surface over approximately 30 days.
PubMed: 35968052
DOI: 10.2147/OPTH.S372440 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2021Ocular discomfort and eye pain are frequently reported by patients with dry eye disease (DED), and their management remains a real therapeutic challenge for the... (Review)
Review
Ocular discomfort and eye pain are frequently reported by patients with dry eye disease (DED), and their management remains a real therapeutic challenge for the Ophthalmologist. In DED patients, injury at the level of each structure of the ocular surface can determine variable symptoms, ranging from mild ocular discomfort up to an intolerable pain evoked by innocuous stimuli. In refractory cases, the persistence of this harmful signal is able to evoke a mechanism of maladaptive plasticity of the nervous system that leads to increased pain responsiveness. Peripheral and, subsequently, central sensitization cause nociceptor hyperexcitability and persistent pain perception that can culminate in the paradoxical situation of perceiving eye pain even in the absence of ocular surface abnormalities. Effective therapeutic strategies of these cases are challenging, and new options are desirable. Recently, a theoretical novel therapeutic approach concerns enkephalins thanks to the evidence that eye pain sensations are modulated by endogenous opioid peptides (enkephalins, endorphins and dynorphins). In this regard, new topical agents open up a new theoretical scenario in the treatment of ocular discomfort and eye pain in the setting of DED, such as, for example, a multimolecular complex based on proteins and glycosaminoglycans also containing opiorphin that may assist the physiological pain-relieving mechanism of the eye.
PubMed: 35011849
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11010108 -
Nutrients Jun 2021In the homeostasis of the ocular surface, vitamins play a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses and promoting cell differentiation, development and correct... (Review)
Review
In the homeostasis of the ocular surface, vitamins play a critical role in regulating inflammatory responses and promoting cell differentiation, development and correct function. Systemic vitamin supplementation has been available for many decades; in recent years, thanks to pharmacological advancements, topical vitamin delivery has also become available in an attempt to better treat ocular surface disease (OSD) and dry eye disease (DED). In this paper, we reviewed the current evidence on the role of vitamin supplementation in OSD and DED. We originally searched the PubMed archive, inspected the references and restricted the search to pertinent papers. The body of evidence was evaluated using the amelioration of both signs and symptoms as the outcome, when available. We found that in patients with vitamin deficiency, systemic supplementation of Vitamin A is effective in treating OSD, reducing both DED signs and symptoms. Additionally, systemic supplementation of vitamin D is useful in reducing DED symptoms and increasing tear volume. Vitamin A is also effective in reducing DED signs and symptoms when administered locally. The efficacy of supplementation with other vitamins is still not fully proven. In conclusion, the inclusion of vitamins into the treatment strategies for OSD and DED allows for better treatment customization and better outcomes in these patients.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dietary Supplements; Eye Diseases; Humans; Vitamins
PubMed: 34200595
DOI: 10.3390/nu13061998 -
Case Reports in Ophthalmology 2021A 29-year-old female presented to the emergency clinic with gradual visual disturbance in both eyes for 15 days duration, accompanied by bilateral tinnitus, and ocular...
A 29-year-old female presented to the emergency clinic with gradual visual disturbance in both eyes for 15 days duration, accompanied by bilateral tinnitus, and ocular pain that increased with ocular movements. One month prior to presentation, the patient had tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 but without complications. Visual acuity was 20/100 in the right eye and 20/300 in the left eye. Funduscopy demonstrated optic nerve swelling, radial nerve fiber striation disruption, and bilateral retinal folds. Optical coherence tomography showed serous (bacillary) retinal detachment and multifocal areas of hyper-reflective changes in the inner and outer plexiform layer with inner nuclear layer thickening and disruption of the interdigitation zone bilaterally. We present a case of incomplete Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease following COVID-19 infection.
PubMed: 34720981
DOI: 10.1159/000518834