Cataracts and phacoemulsification in the Siberian Husky: A retrospective and multicentric study (2008-2018)

The argument for two-handed cataract surgery in veterinary ophthalmology

Despite access to contemporary phacoemulsification technology and the strong shift to two-handed nucleofractis techniques in human medicine, a one-handed, single incision approach has persisted among Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. The perpetuation of techniques such as bowl-sculpting one-handed phacoemulsification in veterinary medicine is multifactorial; it is likely associated with the lack of two-handed training in residency programs, the challenges of learning on complex cases, the ease of teaching one-handed versus two-handed techniques to a resident, and the lack of specific instrumentation available designed for larger lens size, among other factors. Additionally, variation in globe and palpebral fissure size in veterinary patients complicates the training of cataract surgery. Finally, many mentors or mentors' mentors, were trained alongside previous generations of MD surgeons who performed bowl sculpting techniques during the transition from extracapsular cataract extraction to phacoemulsification, and understandably, are not comfortable teaching a two-handed technique consistently. The authors have observed an unwillingness to convert from one-handed to two-handed technique in the post-residency career for most veterinary ophthalmologists; this could be due to the high expectations becoming a specialist, especially when the stakes are as high as in phacoemulsification. Therefore, the authors advocate for hands-on training in multiple nucleofractis techniques, including two-handed methods during residency training. Simply put, if residents are not trained and comfortable with two-handed techniques by the end of residency, they are less likely to make further changes later in their career. In this article, we aim to explore the proposed rates of one-handed versus two-handed mentors currently teaching veterinary phacoemulsification, the history of cataract surgery, and to discuss the benefits of two-handed nucleofractis techniques. The authors will also illustrate and provide videos as well as some tools for veterinary ophthalmologists wishing to learn two-handed techniques.

ZNF219 protects human lens epithelial cells against H2O2-induced injury via targeting SOX9 through activating AKT/GSK3β pathway

Opacity of the lens caused by cataracts could lead to severe visual impairment and even blindness. Oxidative stress caused by exposure of lens epithelial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) can lead to DNA damage and impair cell function. Therefore, how to prevent lens epithelial cells from being harmed by H₂O₂ is an urgent problem. The ZNF219 gene belongs to the Kruppel like zinc finger gene family, which is involved in a variety of biological processes. In this study, we found the low expression of ZNF219 in H₂O₂-induced HLE-B3 cells. We further noticed ZNF219 could improve the survival rate of H₂O₂-induced HLE-B3 cells, and inhibit the apoptosis and oxidative stress response. Mechanically, ZNF219 protected human lens epithelial cells against H₂O₂-induced injury via targeting SOX9 through activating AKT/GSK3β pathway. We therefore thought ZNF219 was a key protective protein in the oxidative damage of human lens epithelial cells and the pathogenesis of cataract.