Low levels of 17-β-oestradiol, oestrone and testosterone correlate with severe evaporative dysfunctional tear syndrome in postmenopausal women: a case–control study

The relationship between sex hormone levels and ocular surface parameters in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty

Purpose

The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the change of sex hormone levels and ocular surface parameters in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP).

Methods

Eighteen girls with ICPP and 18 age-matched normal girls participated in this study, all of the participants had undergone physical measurements, laboratory tests, imaging examination and ocular surface assessments.

Results

The Objective Scatter Index (OSI) in the ICPP group was significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.031), girls with ICPP showed slightly lower MNITBUT compared to the normal control group, although this difference was not statistically significant. Bivariate analysis revealed a positive association between estradiol and OSI (r=0.383, P=0.021), Additionally, in the study population, both Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were negatively correlated with Mean noninvasive tear breakup time (MNITBUT) (r=-0.359, P=0.031)(r=-0.357, P=0.032).

Conclusion

In comparison with the normal control group, alterations in the OSI were observed in girls with ICPP. This alteration may be associated with an elevation in estrogen levels. Although there was a slight non-significant decrease in NITBUT in ICPP girls, the negative correlation between LH and FSH with MNITBUT suggests new perspective for further investigation.

Dry eye disease adverse reaction of pharmacological treatment for early-stage breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer worldwide. With advancements in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of patients with early-stage cancer has significantly improved. Enhancing the long-term quality of life of patients after antineoplastic therapy, including visual quality, has become a crucial research focus. This review aims to comprehensively summarize dry eye disease adverse reaction resulting from pharmacotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. Through a review of the relevant literature, this study explored the etiology, clinical features, and potential therapeutic strategies for drug-induced dry eye disease in breast cancer treatment. A thorough understanding of the medication-induced dry eye disease adverse reaction aid clinicians in monitoring and managing patients' ocular health more effectively, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention, preventing complications, and ensuring optimal visual protection for patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Potential New Target for Dry Eye Disease-Oxidative Stress

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition affecting the ocular surface. It is characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis and accompanied by ocular symptoms that may potentially result in damage to the ocular surface and even vision loss. Unmodifiable risk factors for DED mainly include aging, hormonal changes, and lifestyle issues such as reduced sleep duration, increased screen exposure, smoking, and ethanol consumption. As its prevalence continues to rise, DED has garnered considerable attention, prompting the exploration of potential new therapeutic targets. Recent studies have found that when the production of ROS exceeds the capacity of the antioxidant defense system on the ocular surface, oxidative stress ensues, leading to cellular apoptosis and further oxidative damage. These events can exacerbate inflammation and cellular stress responses, further increasing ROS levels and promoting a vicious cycle of oxidative stress in DED. Therefore, given the central role of reactive oxygen species in the vicious cycle of inflammation in DED, strategies involving antioxidants have emerged as a novel approach for its treatment. This review aims to enhance our understanding of the intricate relationship between oxidative stress and DED, thereby providing directions to explore innovative therapeutic approaches for this complex ocular disorder.

ER-1 deficiency induces inflammation and lipid deposition in meibomian gland and lacrimal gland

PURPOSE

To investigated the role of estrogen receptor-1 (ER-1) in maintaining homeostasis in ocular surface.

METHODS

ER-1-knockout (ER-1KO) mice were studied at 4 months of age. The ocular surface was examined using a slit lamp. Histological alterations in the meibomian gland (MG) and lacrimal gland (LG) were observed with H&E staining. Protein levels of P-ERK, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), p-NFκB-P65, IL-1β, aquaporin 5 (AQP-5), fatty acid-binding protein 5 (Fabp5) and K10 were determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Gene expressions of APO-F, APO-E, K10, ELOVL4, PPAR-γ, SCD-1, and SREBP1 were quantified by qPCR. Conjunctival (CJ) goblet cell alterations were detected by PAS staining. Lipid metabolism in MG and LG was assessed using LipidTox. Apoptosis in MG and LG was analyzed through the TUNEL assay.

RESULTS

Both male and female ER-1KO mice demonstrated increased corneal fluorescence staining scores. MG showed abnormal lipid metabolism and ductal dilation. LG displayed lipid deposition and reduced AQP-5 expression. CJ experienced goblet cell loss. MG, LG exhibited signs of inflammation and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

ER1 is pivotal for ocular surface homeostasis in both genders of mice. ER1 deficiency induces inflammation and lipid deposition to MG and LG, culminating in dry eye-like manifestations on the ocular surface.

Sex-related differences and hormonal effects in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To compare dry eye disease (DED) signs and symptoms between men and women, as well as between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study.

METHODS

434 women and 101 men self-reported prior medical history and underwent a standardised DED assessment using the Ocular Surface Disease Index, Brief Pain Inventory, Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT)(s), Schirmer's test 2 (mm/5 min), National Eye Institute-graded lissamine conjunctival staining, corneal staining, meibomian gland dysfunction evaluation and tear osmolarity (mOsms/L) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. Multivariable linear regression models were used to compare these scores.

RESULTS

Women experienced significantly worse DED signs than men with lower Schirmer's test scores (9.27 vs 12.16; p<0.001), higher corneal staining scores (3.59 vs 2.70; p=0.006) and worse composite DED sign scores (0.52 vs 0.40; p<0.001). Postmenopausal women experienced significantly worse DED signs than premenopausal women with higher corneal staining scores (3.74 vs 2.58, p<0.001), higher conjunctival staining scores (2.80 vs 2.22, p<0.001), higher tear osmolarity (304 vs 299, p=0.004), lower TBUT (3.37 vs 3.93, p=0.047), worse meibomian gland dysfunction (3.05 vs 2.62, p=0.04) and worse composite DED sign scores (0.54 vs 0.42, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in DED symptoms between sex and between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (all p≥0.08).

CONCLUSION

In the DREAM study, women experienced more severe DED signs than men. Further, postmenopausal women presented with more severe DED signs than premenopausal women. Elucidating these differences may improve DED diagnosis and provide future direction in understanding sex-related differences in DED.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02128763.

Dry eye disease: identification and therapeutic strategies for primary care clinicians and clinical specialists

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by loss of tear film homeostasis with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 5% to 50%. In DED, dysfunction of the ocular structures that create and regulate the tear film components-including the lacrimal glands, meibomian glands, cornea, and conjunctiva-causes a qualitative and/or quantitative tear deficiency with resultant tear film instability and hyperosmolarity. This initiates a vicious cycle of ocular surface inflammation and damage that may ultimately impair the quality of life and vision of affected patients. Many factors can contribute to the development of DED, including ocular and systemic diseases, topical and systemic medications, and environmental conditions. Because DED is a chronic disorder, treatment is most often long term and may utilize both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to address all etiologic components. The long-term management of DED can be challenging and most often should involve eye care specialist referral. However, primary care clinicians (PCCs) are often the first points of contact for patients with DED and importantly provide initial diagnosis and preliminary patient education about the disease process. Consideration of DED is also vital for the practice of various specialties due to the large number of comorbidities and medications that can contribute to DED pathogenesis and progression. Therefore, it is important that PCCs and clinical specialists be aware of the etiology of DED and its available therapeutic options. This manuscript provides an overview of DED pathophysiology and treatment and discusses specific considerations regarding DED management for PCCs and clinical specialists.Key messagesSuccessful management of dry eye disease often requires the use of various pharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic therapies, as well as environmental and lifestyle modifications, to mitigate the underlying etiologies and restore tear film homeostasis.Primary care clinicians play an essential role in dry eye disease management by establishing a diagnosis, educating patients about the disorder, and providing referrals to eye care specialists for initiation of specialized treatment and long-term follow-up.Primary care clinicians and clinical specialists should consider prescribing medications with fewer ocular surface effects whenever possible in patients at risk for or with existing dry eye disease.

The Effect of Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops 2, 4 or 6 Times a Day on Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

Purpose

A randomized clinical trial was run to evaluate the effectiveness of a preservative-free 0.4% sodium hyaluronate eye drop (LOF) in different dosage schemes to alleviate signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

Methods

A total of 116 subjects with mild-to-moderate DED were included, and 111 completed the study (from which 67.6% were female and 65.3% were users of oral contraceptives). Patients were randomly assigned to instill a drop of LOF either 2 (BID), 4 (QID) or 6 (6TD) times a day (at least 3 hours apart) for 30 days. The clinical parameters and symptom endpoints were Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining, and conjunctival hyperemia. Other parameters evaluated were chemosis, best corrected visual acuity, and the incidence of adverse events (AE).

Results

There was a significant reduction in OSDI scores by day 30 in all groups. The recovery of the OSDI score back to normal values was observed in 51.4% of patients treated (50%, 48.6%, and 55.6% in BID, QID, and 6TD, respectively, p = 0.822). Similar improvement was observed for TBUT, 50.5% of patients increased this variable to >10 seconds (39.5%, 51.4%, and 61.1%, p = 0.175), and for ocular surface staining, ≥72% showed Grade 0. There were no significant differences among posology groups regarding ocular surface staining, conjunctival hyperemia, or any safety parameters. No overall improvement in OSDI and TBUT to normal values was noted for 31 patients (21 were female and 71.4% users of contraceptive drugs).

Conclusion

The ophthalmic use of preservative free LOF, 2, 4 or 6 times a day, may alleviate clinical parameters and symptoms in 50% of patients with mild-to-moderate DED after a one-month treatment. This improvement seemed to be less ubiquitous in patients within reproductive age and using oral contraceptives.

Trial Registration

This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT0704531).

PACAP-ADNP axis prevents outer retinal barrier breakdown and choroidal neovascularization by interfering with VEGF secreted from retinal pigmented epitelium cells

During diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression, the retina undergoes various metabolic changes, including hypoxia-signalling cascade induction in the cells of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). The overexpression of hypoxic inducible factors causes transcription of many target genes including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The RPE cells form the outer blood retinal barrier (oBRB), a specialized structure that regulates ions and metabolites flux into the retina to maintain a suitable quality of its extracellular microenvironment. VEGF worsens retinal condition since its secretion from the basolateral compartment of RPE cells compromises the barrier's integrity and induces choroidal neovascularization. In this work, we hypothesized that PACAP prevents the damage to oBRB and controls choroidal neovascularization through the induction of ADNP. Firstly, we demonstrated that ADNP is expressed in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic animals. To validate our hypothesis, we cultured endothelial cells (H5V) forming vessels-like structures, in a conditioned medium (CM) derived from ARPE-19 cells exposed to hyperglycaemic/hypoxic insult, containing a known VEGF concentration. The involvement of PACAP-ADNP axis on oBRB integrity was evaluated through the measurement of trans-epithelial-electrical resistance and permeability assay performed on ARPE cell monolayer cultured in CM and by analysing the expression of two tight junction forming proteins, ZO1 and occludin. By culturing H5V in CM, we demonstrated that PACAP-ADNP axis counteracted vessels-like structures formation promoted by VEGF. In conclusion, the results suggested a primary role of PACAP/ADNP axis in preventing oBRB damage and in controlling aberrant choroidal neovascularization induced by VEGF secreted from RPE cells exposed to hyperglycaemia/hypoxic insult in DR.

Immunoglobulin A levels and its correlation with neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as inflammatory biomarkers for dry eye disease in type 2 diabetes: a retrospective study

Background

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) level are commonly used as biomarkers for inflammation. Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may experience an imbalance of tear film and inflammation, which can result in dry eye disease (DED). This study aimed to assess the levels of IgA and explore its correlation with the NLR as potential inflammatory biomarkers for dry eye disease in patients with T2D.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted at the cornea clinic and diabetes centre of King Abdulaziz Medical City (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). The study included patients with DED and the number of available T2D-DED patients determined the sample size. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, IgA and CRP (C-reactive protein) laboratory values were obtained from medical records and correlational analyses were performed.

Results

The study included 85 patients with an average age of 54 ± 14.4 years for the DED group (n=32) and 62 ± 13.9 years for the T2D-DED group (n=53). The age difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p 0.0001). The NLR values of the T2D-DED and DED groups were 3.203 ± 0.66 and 2.406 ± 0.46, respectively, with no significant difference (p<0.285). Similarly, there were no significant differences in neutrophil and lymphocyte values between the two groups. The IgA levels showed no significant variation between T2D-DED and DED groups (p<0.364). Spearman's correlation analysis in the DED group showed a significant negative correlation between IgA and lymphocyte (p=0.011; r= - 0.471) values and significant positive correlations between IgA and neutrophil (p=0.014; r=0.309) and NLR (p=0.052; r= - 0.283) values. In the T2D-DED group, a significant correlation was found between IgA and CRP values (p=0.032; r=0.33).

Conclusion

Although diabetic patients may exhibit higher levels of NLR and IgA that correlate with disease severity, our study did not find significant differences in NLR and IgA values between the two groups. These findings may guide future research and enhance understanding of the disease's underlying mechanisms.

Drug-Repurposing Strategy for Dimethyl Fumarate

In the area of drug discovery, repurposing strategies represent an approach to discover new uses of approved drugs besides their original indications. We used this approach to investigate the effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a drug approved for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and psoriasis treatment, on early injury associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). We used an in vivo streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Diabetes was induced by a single injection of STZ in rats, and after 1 week, a group of animals was treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of DMF or a vehicle. Three weeks after diabetes induction, the retinal expression levels of key enzymes involved in DR were evaluated. In particular, the biomarkers COX-2, iNOS, and HO-1 were assessed via Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Diabetic rats showed a significant retinal upregulation of COX-2 and iNOS compared to the retina of normal rats (non-diabetic), and an increase in HO-1 was also observed in the STZ group. This latter result was due to a mechanism of protection elicited by the pathological condition. DMF treatment significantly induced the retinal expression of HO-1 in STZ-induced diabetic animals with a reduction in iNOS and COX-2 retinal levels. Taken together, these results suggested that DMF might be useful to counteract the inflammatory process and the oxidative response in DR. In conclusion, we believe that DMF represents a potential candidate to treat diabetic retinopathy and warrants further in vivo and clinical evaluation.

Immune Cells Localize to Sites of Corneal Erosions in C57BL/6 Mice

Recurrent epithelial erosions develop in the cornea due to prior injury or genetic predisposition. Studies of recurrent erosions in animal models allow us to gain insight into how erosions form and are resolved. While slowing corneal epithelial cell migration and reducing their proliferation following treatment with mitomycin C reduce erosion formation in mice after sterile debridement injury, additional factors have been identified related to cytokine expression and immune cell activation. The relationship between recruitment of immune cells to the region of the cornea where erosions form and their potential roles in erosion formation and/or erosion repair remains unexplored in the C57BL/6 mouse recurrent erosion model. Here, high resolution imaging of mouse corneas was performed at D1, D7, and D28 after dulled-blade debridement injury in C57BL/6 mice. Around 50% of these mice have frank corneal erosions at D28 after wounding. A detailed assessment of corneas revealed the involvement of M2 macrophages in both frank and developing erosions at early stages of their formation.

Fluoxetine Protects Retinal Ischemic Damage in Mice

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the topical ocular administration of fluoxetine (FLX) in a mouse model of acute retinal damage.

METHODS

Ocular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in C57BL/6J mice was used to elicit retinal damage. Mice were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group, and I/R group treated with topical FLX. A pattern electroretinogram (PERG) was used as a sensitive measure of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. Finally, we analyzed the retinal mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, Iba-1, IL-1β, and S100β) through Digital Droplet PCR.

RESULTS

PERG amplitude values were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the I/R-FLX group compared to the I/R group, whereas PERG latency values were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in I/R-FLX-treated mice compared to the I/R group. Retinal inflammatory markers increased significantly (p < 0.05) after I/R injury. FLX treatment was able to significantly (p < 0.05) attenuate the expression of inflammatory markers after I/R damage.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical treatment with FLX was effective in counteracting the damage of RGCs and preserving retinal function. Moreover, FLX treatment attenuates the production of pro-inflammatory molecules elicited by retinal I/R damage. Further studies need to be performed to support the use of FLX as neuroprotective agent in retinal degenerative diseases.

Dry eye and dry skin - is there a connection?

AIM

To enquire whether patients with dry eye symptoms also report dry skin, whether their perception could be corroborated with objective measurement, and whether dry eye disease might be suspected based on patients' complaints.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 50 subjects, 25 with and 25 without dry eye symptoms. Schein questionnaire was used to determine the severity of dry eye symptoms. Ocular signs were assessed by monitoring conjunctival hyperemia, ocular surface staining, meibomian gland expression, tear film lipid layer thickness, tear break-up time, lid parallel conjunctival folds, Schirmer test, and meibometry. Skin dryness was assessed by noting patients' self-perception of their facial skin dryness and measured by sebumeter.

RESULTS

Subjects without dry eye symptoms had self-reported oilier facial skin than those with dry eye symptoms (p < .001). Sebumetry scores measured on the forehead and cheek were significantly higher in subjects without dry eye symptoms than dry eye subjects (p = .003). After adjustment for age and gender in a logistic regression analysis, dry eye was independently and significantly associated with dry skin (AOR 0.69, p = .040), higher LIPCOF score of both eyes (AOR 2.28, p = .028), lower sebumetry score of the forehead (AOR 0.98, p = .041) and cheek (AOR 0.98, p = .041), and shorter TBUT score after gland expression (AOR 0.90, p = .018).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that ocular dryness was subjectively and objectively positively correlated to facial skin dryness. Patients reliably described their skin condition. People with dry facial skin also had drier eyes.

Meibomian Gland Assessment in Routine Ophthalmology Practice

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the connection between meibomian gland (MG) excreta quantity and quality after MG expression (MGX), dry eye disease (DED) symptoms, and objective DED signs and to clarify the relationship between dry eye and MG function in DED pathophysiology. The study included 200 subjects, 100 with and 100 without dry eye symptoms. Schein questionnaire was used to determine the severity of dry eye symptoms and self-reported skin type for facial skin dryness self-evaluation. Objective dry eye signs were assessed by monitoring conjunctival hyperemia, lid parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein surface staining and digital MGX. Subjects with DED symptoms had significantly lower MG quantity scores than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Meibum quality and quantity scores significantly correlated with female gender (p = 0.002), Schein questionnaire score (p < 0.001), fluorescein corneal staining score (p = 0.019), self-reported skin type (p < 0.001), TBUT (p < 0.001) and LIPCOF (p = 0.041). After adjustment for age and gender in a logistic regression analysis, dry eye was independently and significantly associated with self-reported skin type (OR 0.73, p < 0.001), LIPCOF (OR 1.04, p < 0.001), fluorescein corneal staining (OR 1.05, p = 0.019), TBUT (OR 0.77, p < 0.001) and meibum quantity score (OR 0.59, p < 0.001). Dry eye symptoms and objective signs correlated well in this study. MGX discriminated between the subjects with and without DED symptoms and was associated with other objective DED signs. Results showed a significant association between meibum quality and quantity, MG function, DED and facial skin dryness self-perception. This paper established a correlation between dry eye symptoms caused by MG dysfunction and dry skin, which can help general health practitioners consider dry eye as a cause of chronic eye complaints with patients who report dry skin.

The Potential Role of Regulated Cell Death in Dry Eye Diseases and Ocular Surface Dysfunction

The research on new treatments for dry eye diseases (DED) has exponentially grown over the past decades. The increased prevalence of dry eye conditions, particularly in the younger population, has received much attention. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify novel therapeutical targets. Regulated cell death (RCD) is an essential process to control the biological homeostasis of tissues and organisms. The identification of different mechanisms of RCD stimulated the research on their involvement in different human pathologies. Whereas apoptosis has been widely studied in DED and included in the DED vicious cycle, the role of RCD still needs to be completely elucidated. In this review, we will explore the potential roles of different types of RCD in DED and ocular surface dysfunction. Starting from the evidence of oxidative stress and inflammation in dry eye pathology, we will analyse the potential therapeutic applications of the following principal RCD mechanisms: ferroptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis.

Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Explore the Mechanism of Qiju Dihuang Pill against Dry Eye Disease

Background

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface, which affects the quality of life and work efficiency of affected patients. The traditional Chinese medicine formula Qiju Dihuang Pill (QJDHP) has a good therapeutic effect on DED. However, the pharmacological mechanism is not clear.

Objective

To explore the mechanism of QJDHP in the treatment of DED based on network pharmacology.

Method

The active components in QJDHP were screened in Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), and putative molecular targets of QJDHP were identified using the SwissTargetPrediction database. DED-related targets were screened by GeneCards and OMIM. We established protein-protein interaction (PPI) and core targets and corresponding active compound network by Cytoscape to identify the core targets and main compounds of QJDHP against DED. DAVID database was utilized for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding activity between key active compounds and core targets.

Results

The results of network pharmacology showed that 253 targets of QJDHP were related to DED. PPI network analysis showed the 18 core targets. The binding affinity of docking results ranged from -5.7 to -9.3 kcal/mol, indicating a good docking effect. The results of GO enrichment analysis showed that the mechanism of QJDHP in the treatment of DED mainly involved biological processes such as apoptosis, oxidative stress, response to estrogen, angiogenesis, and the regulation of transcription factors. KEGG analysis showed that QJDHP may be regulated by the TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, and estrogen signaling pathway in the treatment of DED.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated the multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel action mechanism of QJDHP in the treatment of DED and provided a foundation for further drug development research.

The lack of correlation between symptoms and signs in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction: a secondary analysis of the multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Background

This study was performed to investigate the association between symptoms and signs in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods

Data were obtained from 122 MGD patients who were recruited for intense pulsed light therapy from November 2017 to April 2018 and the severity of their symptoms and signs at baseline were observed and recorded. Spearman correlation analyses were performed to analyze the relationships between SPEED score and signs. Subjects were divided into different subgroups based on possible influencing factors, and the differences in symptoms and signs were compared between different subgroups. Then influencing factors were controlled by regression analysis to explore the relationship between symptoms and signs and the strong factors affecting symptoms and signs.

Results

Analysis of baseline data showed that SPEED scores were not correlated with TBUT, CFSS, MGYSS or any index of eyelid margin abnormality (p > 0.05). In addition, abnormalities of lid margins, including hyperemia, thickening, rounding, hyperkeratinization, and telangiectasia around orifices, were more likely to occur in older patients, menopausal patients, and patients living in northern China. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that there was still no correlation between symptoms and signs (p > 0.05) after adjusting for influencing factors. Further analysis suggested that each influencing factor has different effects on symptoms and signs, among which menopause affects the SPEED score (R = -4.112, p = 0.025), and age and region have significant effects on eyelid margin abnormalities.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the results demonstrated a poor correlation between symptoms and signs in MGD patients. Age, hormone, and a dry environment may influence the disease, which suggests that the severity of the disease needs to be comprehensively assessed.

Diurnal variations of tear film osmolarity on the ocular surface

The measurement of tear film osmolarity has been suggested as a gold standard in the diagnosis of dry eye. Many tear film physiological variables oscillate during the day. This review summarises current clinical knowledge regarding diurnal osmolarity variation in the tear film. A critical analysis is presented in respect of of sample size and characteristics, differences in the diurnal osmolarity variation on healthy versus altered tear film conditions or environment, and time of day and number of measurements undertaken. A comparison of 21 studies was made for studies in which one of the main objectives was to analyse the variance of tear film osmolarity at different time-points in a day on human cohorts. Tear film osmolarity appeard to be somewhat influenced by the time of day in healthy subjects and patients with ocular surface disease, or altered by environmental conditions. Both healthy and non-physiological tear film cohorts showed variations in results depending on the study: no variations during the day or statistically different values at some point in the day. These differences could be in the middle of the day or between the beginning and the end of the day, with higher values in the morning than in the afternoon, or even the opposite situation. The possibility of diurnal variations in tear film osmolarity should be considered by the clinician since the time of day when the tear film measurements are made can be critical in making the right diagnosis. Future studies in the diurnal variation field may have to use a well-established range of measurement time-points and a larger group of healthy subjects and and subjects who have a tear film altered by pathological or environmental conditions.

Dry eye signs and symptoms in patients on aromatase inhibitor therapy

PURPOSE

The study aimed to test whether symptomatic dry eye in aromatase inhibitor (AI) patients is associated with the clinical features of evaporative dry eye.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, observational study of postmenopausal women treated with AI was conducted. Clinical information was gathered from their treating clinician. Ocular and treatment symptoms were assessed using validated questionnaires. Clinical assessments were performed to assess for dry eye. The primary outcome measure for this study was dry eye symptoms measured via questionnaire. The secondary outcome measures were clinical signs of dry eye and hormone levels.

RESULTS

A total of 25 women on AI were recruited. 64% of women reported symptoms of dry eye (ocular surface disease index ≥ 13). Higher tear osmolarity (323 vs 307 mOsm/L, p = 0.002) and increased meibomian gland dropout (4 vs 1, p = 0.002) were observed in patients with symptomatic dry eye when compared to asymptomatic patients. Multivariate logistic regression identified that longer duration of AI use and higher tear osmolarity increased the likelihood of a patient experiencing dry eye symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Our study found increased tear osmolarity and meibomian gland drop out in women on AI with symptomatic dry eye. Longer duration of AI therapy and higher tear osmolarity may increase the risk of developing dry eye.

Non-invasive evaluation of meibomian gland morphology and tear film and anterior segment parameters in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

PURPOSE

To compare the meibomian glands (MG), non-invasive tear film break-up time (NITBUT), and corneal and anterior segment measurements in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and healthy women.

METHODS

The study included 66 polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients and 42 healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years. The first and average NITBUT, MG loss, mean keratometry (Km), central (CCT) and thinnest (TCT) corneal thicknesses, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), irido-corneal angle (ICA), corneal volume (CV) and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) results were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean MG loss values were 29.9 ± 11.9 and 20.8 ± 11.0 in the PCOS and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). MG loss (meiboscale ≥ 1) was determined in 64 (96.9%) eyes in the PCOS group and in 36 (85.7%) eyes in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in respect of NITBUT, OSDI, Km, CCT, TCT, ACD, ACV, ICA and CV values (p > 0.05, for all).

CONCLUSION

MG loss is a physiological process which is distinct in PCOS patients, but does not cause tear film alterations. Further studies are needed to show the contributing factors of MGD in PCOS patients.

Progress in the use of plasma rich in growth factors in ophthalmology: from ocular surface to ocular fundus

Introduction: The use of blood derivatives and especially Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), for regenerative purposes has been a common trend along the last decades in the field of oral surgery, dermatology, orthopedics, and more recently in ophthalmology.Areas covered: PRGF is a type of platelet-rich plasma that is being explored for the treatment of ocular injuries. The present review article highlights 50 ophthalmology-related publications about the application of PRGF in the treatment of acute and chronic pathologies in ophthalmology as well as most relevant challenges and future prospects.Expert opinion: PRGF technology provides a wide range of formulations that can be used therapeutically in many different acute and chronic ocular pathologies. In addition to eye drops enriched with autologous growth factors, PRGF enables the preparation of both immunologically safe and fibrin-based formulations. Recent advances in the field have promoted PRGF storage for 12 months under freezing conditions, its daily use for 7 days at room temperature and the freeze-dried formulation. The thermally treated immunosafe formulation has shown promising clinical results for the treatment of several diseases such as Sjögren syndrome, graft versus host disease or cicatrizing conjunctivitis. In addition, several fibrin formulations have been preclinically evaluated and clinically incorporated as an adjuvant to ocular surface or glaucoma surgeries, dermal fat graft procedures, limbal stem cell expansion and retinal surgeries. The present review explores the latest scientific and clinical data, current challenges, and main prospects of this technology for the treatment of several ocular injuries.

Sex Hormones Related Ocular Dryness in Breast Cancer Women

Background: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is strictly connected to systemic and topical sex hormones. Breast cancer treatment, the subsequent hormonal therapy, the subsequent hyperandrogenism and the early sudden menopause, may be responsible for ocular surface system failure and its clinical manifestation as dry eye disease. This local dryness is part of the breast cancer iatrogenic dryness, which affects overall mucosal tissue in the fragile population of those with breast cancer. Methods: A literature review regarding the role of sex hormone changes and systemic hormonal replacement treatments (SHRT) in DES available on PubMed and Web of Science was made without any restriction of language. Results: Androgens exert their role on the ocular surface supporting meibomian gland function and exerting a pro-sebaceous effect. Estrogen seems to show a pro/inflammatory role on the ocular surface, while SHRT effects on dry eye are still not well defined, determining apparently contradictory consequences on the ocular surface homeostasis. The role of sex hormones on dry eye pathogenesis is most likely the result of a strict crosstalk between the protective androgens effects and the androgen-modulating effects of estrogens on the meibomian glands. Conclusions: Patients with a pathological or iatrogenic hormonal imbalance, such as in the case of breast cancer, should be assessed for dry eye disease, as well as systemic dryness, in order to restore their social and personal quality of life.

Ocular surface complications result from dysregulation of the OGF-OGFr signaling pathway in female diabetic rats

Approximately 4.5 million women in the United States exhibit diabetes-associated ocular complications. The time course and magnitude of these complications, and their association with the dysregulation of the opioid growth factor (OGF)-OGF receptor (OGFr) signaling pathway are unknown. The present study investigated the onset and magnitude of ocular surface complications and the association with a dysregulated OGF-OGFr signaling pathway in diabetic female rats. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin in order to establish a model of type 1 diabetes (T1D), and a subset received insulin (T1D-INS). Blood glucose, body weight, tear production and corneal sensitivity, as well as serum and tissue expression levels of OGF and OGFr, were assessed. Corneal epithelial wound healing was also evaluated. In a second study, female T1D rats were treated with topical naltrexone (NTX) to determine whether blockade of the OGF-OGFr signaling pathway by NTX altered development of corneal surface complications. Female T1D rats had elevated glucose levels and reduced body weight compared with control and T1D-INS rats. In both diabetic groups, tear production was decreased within 2 weeks and corneal sensitivity was decreased 2.5-fold within 5 weeks, while corneal epithelial wound healing was delayed only in T1D rats. Serum and tissue levels of OGF and OGFr were elevated in diabetes. Twice daily NTX treatment reversed most ocular surface complications in the diabetic female rats. The present data demonstrated a seminal discovery in female T1D rats, in which the onset and magnitude of diabetes-associated ocular surface complications were associated with dysregulation of the OGF-OGFr regulatory pathway. Blockade of the OGF-OGFr pathway with the opioid receptor antagonist NTX prevented the onset and/or decreased the magnitude of these deficits. The current data support the need for translational research on this therapeutic approach for diabetic human subjects.

An Association Rule Analysis of Combined Acupoints for the Treatment of Patients with Dry Eye Disease

BACKGROUND

Dry eye disease (DED) has a higher incidence in old age and is seen predominantly in females worldwide. Neurosensory abnormalities, ocular surface inflammation and damage, film instability, and hyperosmolarity are major and proven pathologies responsible for a poor quality of life. Tear breakup time and Schirmer's I test are predominantly used for the evaluation of primary outcomes in patients undergoing conventional treatment. A previous meta-analysis of some relevant studies proved that combination of acupoints could be more effective than single acupoint treatment.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to undertake association rule mining and examined the potential kernel acupoint combination in DED treatment constructed from the extracted randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on a previous meta-analysis.

METHODS

We summarized 32 acupoints as binary data from the 12 eligible RCTs and analyzed them based on the Apriori algorithm.

RESULTS

TE23, BL2, ST2, ST1, EX-HN5, BL1, LI4, ST36, SP6, and KI3 were the 10 most frequently selected acupoints. The major associated rules in combination of acupoints were {TE23, LI4} ≥ {ST1} and {TE23, ST1} ≥ {LI4}, as inferred from 23 association rules.

CONCLUSIONS

For acupuncture treatment of DED, combined TE23, LI4, and ST1 acupoints could be settled as the kernel of acupoint combination.

[Gender medicine in ophthalmology : The "small difference" between women and men]

Gender-specific or sex-specific medicine is part of "personalized" medicine. After differences in heart diseases between women and men were first identified and increasingly published in the field of cardiology since the 1980s, differences between the sexes have also become the focus of interest in other disciplines. Immunological and hormonal aspects indicate significant differences, e.g. in the severity of the disease or the response to treatment. Even in ophthalmology epidemiological differences in some diseases are known but so far these do not lead to a different approach in the practical treatment of patients. This CME article aims to raise awareness of gender medicine also in the field of ophthalmology and at the same time to promote understanding of these differences by presenting the fundamental differences between the sexes.

Dry Eye in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Novel Methods to Monitor Disease Activity

Background: In systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, dry eye syndrome (DES) is the most frequent ocular feature. The aim of this study was to investigate ocular DES-related SSc patients and to establish any correlation with the severity of the disease. Methods: Retrospectively, data from 60 patients with SSc underwent ophthalmic examination, where non-invasive film tear break-up time (NIF-TBUT), tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), anesthetic-free Schirmer test I, tear osmolarity measurement (TearLab System), and modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) data were collected. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Symptom Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) methods were utilized. The results were correlated with mRSS and the duration of SSc. Results: Severe DES occurred in 84% of cases, and was more severe in women. The eyelids were involved in 86.6%, secondary to meibomian gland disease (MGD). A direct correlation was found between the tear osmolarity (mean 328.51 ± 23.8 SD) and skin score (mRSS) (r = 0.79; p < 0.01). Significantly reduced NIF-TBUT, LLT, and Schirmer test I values were observed in the case of severe skin involvement. Conclusions: SSc patients show lipid tear dysfunction related to the severity and duration of the disease due to inflammation and the subsequent atrophy of the meibomian glands.

Eye Conditions in Women

Changes in vision can have significant impact on health and quality of life. Differences between women and men have been identified in the incidence of several eye conditions. Some of these differences are a result of the greater longevity of women. However, the eye, like other organs, is susceptible to the impacts of inflammation and sex steroids. Conditions, such as thyroid eye disease, optic neuritis, and dry eye disease are related to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions and are, thus, more common among women. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension occurs disproportionately in women of childbearing age; the etiology of this condition appears to be related to both inflammatory and sex hormone fluctuations.

Associations between the menstrual cycle, lifestyle factors and clinical assessment of the ocular surface: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the ocular surface changes over the menstrual cycle in young women and the interactions with lifestyle factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and menstrual cycle phases on the ocular signs and symptoms of dry eye in young healthy women.

METHODS

This was a prospective 1-month observational study. Thirty young healthy women with regular, 24 to 32-day menstrual cycles were recruited. Participants attended three visits at day 7, 14, and 21 (± 1) of their menstrual cycle. At baseline, general health questionnaire was conducted. At each visit, symptomology was quantified using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and overall ocular comfort (OOC, visual analogue scale). Ocular signs were assessed using Efron scales, tear break-up time (TBUT) and phenol red thread (PRT). Pearson's correlation was used to determine associations between variables at each visit.

RESULTS

A total of 26 participants (mean age = 22.3 ± 3.7 years) with an average menstrual cycle of 28.3 ± 1.3 days completed the 3 visits. The interaction between signs/symptoms and lifestyle factors changed over the cycle. At the follicular phase (day 7), lifestyle factors such diet and levels of stress were correlated with PRT and OSDI, (r = - 0.4, p = 0.022; r = 0.4, p = 0.045 respectively). At the ovulation phase (day 14), the general health score was correlated with OOC scores (r = 0.4, p = 0.047). At day 14, exercise frequency correlated with PRT (r = - 0.4, p = 0.028) and caffeine intake was positively correlate with both; TBUT (r = 0.5, p = 0.020) and PRT (r = 0.5, p = 0.014). At the luteal phase (day 21), we found no correlations between lifestyle factors and dry eye signs or symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The associations between lifestyle factors and objective and subjective ocular surface assessment appeared to be more pronounced during the ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle compared to the follicular and luteal phases. Misalignment of these factors with the ocular health during the luteal phase could be attributed to central sensitization and changes in levels of luteinising hormone. Natural hormonal changes during menstrual cycle should be considered for diagnosis and treatment of dry eye in young healthy women.

Tear Metabolomics in Dry Eye Disease: A Review

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial syndrome that can be caused by alteration in the quality or quantity of the precorneal tear film. It is considered one of the most common ocular conditions leading patients to seek eye care. The current method for diagnostic evaluations and follow-up examinations of DED is a combination of clinical signs and symptoms determined by clinical tests and questionnaires, respectively. The application of powerful omics technologies has opened new avenues toward analysis of subjects in health and disease. Metabolomics is a new emerging and complementary research discipline to all modern omics in the comprehensive analysis of biological systems. The identification of distinct metabolites and integrated metabolic profiles in patients can potentially inform clinicians at an early stage or during monitoring of disease progression, enhancing diagnosis, prognosis, and the choice of therapy. In ophthalmology, metabolomics has gained considerable attention over the past decade but very limited such studies have been reported on DED. This paper aims to review the application of tear metabolomics in DED.

Development and Long-Term Evaluation of Ocular Surface Conditions Using Ovariectomized Cynomolgus Monkey

OBJECTIVES

We aim to use the ovariectomized cynomolgus monkey to observe the effect of long-term changes of sex hormone levels on ocular surface.

METHODS

Six healthy adolescent cynomolgus monkeys were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups (n=3/group). Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in experimental group, and sham operation was performed on control animals with their ovaries reserved. The concentrations of serum estradiol and testosterone in cynomolgus monkeys' lower-limb venous were detected by radioimmunoassay before surgery, and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the surgery. Phenol red cotton thread test, tear osmolarity, corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival impression cytology were performed to evaluate the ocular surface conditions before surgery, and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the surgery. The histological examinations of the bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues were performed at 12 and 24 months after the surgery.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the serum level of estradiol and testosterone between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, and 12 months after surgery (P>0.05). Serum level of estradiol and testosterone were significantly less in experimental versus control group at 18 and 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in phenol red cotton between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery (P>0.05). Tear osmolarity had no significant differences between experimental and control group before surgery (P>0.05), and it was significantly higher in experimental versus control group at all four time-points after surgery (P<0.05). The number of conjunctival goblet cells had no significant differences between experimental and control group before surgery, at 6 months after surgery (P>0.05), and it was significantly lower in experimental versus control group at 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the corneal fluorescein staining score between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery (P>0.05), and it was higher in experimental than control group at 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration in bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues was observed in experimental group and was unobserved in control group at 24 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Ovariectomy led to decreased sex hormone levels in cynomolgus monkey. In turn, tear osmolarity was increased, the number of conjunctival goblet cells were decreased, the corneal fluorescence staining was increased, and the pathological examination of the bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues were abnormal, phenol red cotton thread test did not change significantly.

Vaginal health of postmenopausal women on nutraceutical containing equol

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of nutraceuticals containing equol on vaginal health of postmenopausal women with vulvovaginal symptoms and dyspareunia.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-six natural postmenopausal women on +1b +1c (2 and 3-6 y after the final menstrual period, respectively) of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop were enrolled in a nonrandomized trial. Of these, 72 women accepted to use nutraceutical (group A). The remaining 54 women refused the treatment and participated as the control group (group B). Group A was prescribed one tablet daily to take orally, for 8 months. All assessments were made at baseline and at 4 and 8 months. Determination of vaginal maturation index (VMI), evaluation of vaginal pH, and assessment of vaginal atrophy symptoms by the vaginal health index (VHI) were carried out. Dyspareunia score was also measured.

RESULTS

Group A had a significant increase in VMI (68 ± 5 vs 58 ± 8) and improvement of vaginal pH (4.1 ± 1.3 vs 5.1 ± 1.7) compared with baseline, mainly after 8 months of treatment (P < 0.001). Group A had an improvement of VHI after 4 (13 ± 3, P < 0.01) and 8 (16 ± 2, P < 0.001) months of nutraceutical intake. Dyspareunia reduced after 8 months (5.1 ± 1.3 vs 3.8 ± 1.2, P < 0.001) but not after 4 months (4.7 ± 1.1, P = 0.06) of treatment. Group B showed no changes from baseline evaluation (P = 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutraceuticals containing equol could be effective in modulating postmenopausal symptoms, particularly vaginal symptoms, and could be well accepted by the women who usually do not wish to use hormone therapy or cannot use it for medical reasons.

Dry Eye Disease: Consideration for Women's Health

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface and tear homeostasis that can result in discomfort, pain, and visual disturbance. Untreated, DED can become chronic, progressive, and significantly affect an individual's quality of life. Women are disproportionately affected by DED, are diagnosed at a younger age, and experience more severe symptoms compared with men. DED is associated with a wide range of comorbid conditions; there is a strong association between DED and autoimmune disorders, especially those that affect women at many times the rate of men. Treatment response questionnaires indicate women respond better to a wellness model of treatment for DED than men. Furthermore, women's health care-seeking behaviors provide opportunities for general practitioners, specialists, and women's health centers to help identify women with DED or at risk for DED for referral to an eye care specialist. This review of the prevalence of DED in women, and gender and sex-specific aspects of DED, highlight a significant opportunity for action. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of this common but burdensome condition could significantly improve a woman's quality of life.

Variability of Tear Osmolarity Measurements With a Point-of-Care System in Healthy Subjects-Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To assess the variability of osmolarity measured by the point-of-care TearLab system in healthy eyes.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed by searching MEDLINE, Scopus, and the Web of Science Databases until November 2016 and checking reference lists of included articles and reviews. The requirements for inclusion were the availability of TearLab results in healthy subjects and a minimum study sample of 20 eyes. Two reviewers assessed articles against the inclusion criteria, extracted relevant data, and examined the methodological quality. We computed the weighted mean osmolarity using the study size as the weighting factor and calculated the rate of subjects with osmolarity values >308 mOsm/L, the Dry Eye Workshop Report 2017 (DEWS) cut-off value for dry eye disease (DED). We repeated the analysis after excluding reports with a possible conflict of interest or missing description of subject selection.

RESULTS

Searches retrieved 105 nonduplicate articles, and we included 33 studies investigating 1362 eyes of healthy participants who were asymptomatic and showed no clinical signs of DED. Sixty-three percent were female, and mean age was 37.3 years (range: 21.5-69.0 yr). Weighted mean osmolarity was 298 mOsm/L (95% confidence interval, 282-321 mOsm/L). The result of the subgroup analysis was similar. Overall, 386 of 1362 eyes (28.3%) fulfilled the DEWS's definition of DED (>308 mOsm/L).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high variability of osmolarity measurements with the TearLab system. A substantial number of healthy subjects fulfill the DEWS's definition of DED. We propose interpreting the TearLab osmolarity results cautiously and in the context of other established methods.

[Ocular surface aging: Pathophysiology and consequences for management]

All the components of the ocular surface and the lacrimal system are affected by aging. Aging induces lacrimal gland fibrosis, Meibomian gland dysfunction, loss of corneal sensitivity, decreased corneal cell density, impairment of immune defences, increased local inflammation associated with hormonal changes, conjunctivochalasis, lid abnormalities, etc. Furthermore, homeostasis of the ocular surface may be altered by various age-related systemic comorbidities and iatrogenic interventions. Altogether, aging is considered the most predominant risk factor for dry eye disease. The increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of aging of the ocular surface allows for refinement of the management of ocular surface disease in the elderly.

TFOS DEWS II Sex, Gender, and Hormones Report

One of the most compelling features of dry eye disease (DED) is that it occurs more frequently in women than men. In fact, the female sex is a significant risk factor for the development of DED. This sex-related difference in DED prevalence is attributed in large part to the effects of sex steroids (e.g. androgens, estrogens), hypothalamic-pituitary hormones, glucocorticoids, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 and thyroid hormones, as well as to the sex chromosome complement, sex-specific autosomal factors and epigenetics (e.g. microRNAs). In addition to sex, gender also appears to be a risk factor for DED. "Gender" and "sex" are words that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. "Gender" refers to a person's self-representation as a man or woman, whereas "sex" distinguishes males and females based on their biological characteristics. Both gender and sex affect DED risk, presentation of the disease, immune responses, pain, care-seeking behaviors, service utilization, and myriad other facets of eye health. Overall, sex, gender and hormones play a major role in the regulation of ocular surface and adnexal tissues, and in the difference in DED prevalence between women and men. The purpose of this Subcommittee report is to review and critique the nature of this role, as well as to recommend areas for future research to advance our understanding of the interrelationships between sex, gender, hormones and DED.

TFOS DEWS II Tear Film Report

The members of the Tear Film Subcommittee reviewed the role of the tear film in dry eye disease (DED). The Subcommittee reviewed biophysical and biochemical aspects of tears and how these change in DED. Clinically, DED is characterized by loss of tear volume, more rapid breakup of the tear film and increased evaporation of tears from the ocular surface. The tear film is composed of many substances including lipids, proteins, mucins and electrolytes. All of these contribute to the integrity of the tear film but exactly how they interact is still an area of active research. Tear film osmolarity increases in DED. Changes to other components such as proteins and mucins can be used as biomarkers for DED. The Subcommittee recommended areas for future research to advance our understanding of the tear film and how this changes with DED. The final report was written after review by all Subcommittee members and the entire TFOS DEWS II membership.

Tear Film Steroid Profiling in Dry Eye Disease by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the ocular surface unit resulting in eye discomfort, visual disturbance, and ocular surface damage; the risk of DED increases with age in both sexes, while its incidence is higher among females caused by an overall hormonal imbalance. The role of androgens has recently investigated and these hormones were considered to have a protective function on the ocular surface. In order to correlate DED to tear steroid levels, a robust, specific, and selective method for the simultaneous quantification of cortisol (CORT), corticosterone (CCONE), 11-deoxycortisol (11-DECOL), 4-androstene-3,17-dione (ADIONE), testosterone (TESTO), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and progesterone (PROG) was developed and applied for the analysis of tear samples. The method involves a simple extraction procedure of steroids from tears collected on Schirmer strips, followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis. In total, tear samples from 14 DED female patients and 13 healthy female controls were analysed and, CORT, ADIONE, and 17-OHP response levels resulted significantly decreased in dry eye patients respect to controls. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve obtained by the combination of these three steroids (AUC = 0.964) demonstrated the good diagnostic power of the differential tear steroids in identifying DED. In conclusion, the present method made it possible, for the first time, to study steroid profiling directly in tear fluid.

Association Between Serum Levels of Testosterone and Estradiol With Meibomian Gland Assessments in Postmenopausal Women

Purpose

The aims of this analysis were to determine if there is an association between serum levels of testosterone and estradiol with meibomian gland (MG) morphology and lipid layer thickness.

Methods

The data used for this analysis were collected from postmenopausal women with and without dry eye disease. Meibography was used to assess MG dropout on the central two-thirds of the eyelid and biomicroscopy was used for assessing MG expressibility and meibum quality. Venous blood samples were drawn for serum hormone level analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlations were used for statistical analysis.

Results

One hundred ninety-eight postmenopausal women with an average age of 61.2 (±9.1) years were included in this analysis. Testosterone levels showed significant differences between MG dropout grades 1 and 4 (P = 0.002) and grades 2 and 4 (P = 0.01), whereas estradiol levels were different based on MG dropout (P = 0.53). No significant correlations were found between testosterone (r = 0.10, P = 0.17) or estradiol (r = 0.05, P = 0.45) and lipid layer thickness.

Conclusions

Testosterone levels were increased with MG dropout, which was significant between the mild and severe dropout groups, whereas no significant differences were found with estradiol and any MG assessment. Although the literature suggests an association of serum hormone levels and pathogenesis of dry eye disease in postmenopausal women, analysis of active sex steroid precursors and local tissue hormone levels may prove more useful.

High Levels of 17β-Estradiol Are Associated with Increased Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Metalloproteinase-9 Activity in Tears of Postmenopausal Women with Dry Eye

Purpose. To determine the serum levels of sex steroids and tear matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 concentrations in postmenopausal women with dry eye. Methods. Forty-four postmenopausal women with dry eye and 22 asymptomatic controls were enrolled. Blood was drawn and analyzed for serum levels of sex steroids and lipids. Then, the following tests were performed: tear collection, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, fluorescein tear film break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, Schirmer test, and conjunctival impression cytology. The conjunctival mRNA expression and tear concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured. Results. Serum 17β-estradiol levels were significantly higher in the dry eye subjects than in the controls (P = 0.03), whereas there were no significant differences in levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and progesterone. Tear MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations (P < 0.001), as well as the MMP-9 mRNA expression in conjunctival samples (P = 0.02), were significantly higher in dry eye subjects than in controls. Serum 17β-estradiol levels were positively correlated with tear MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations and negatively correlated with Schirmer test values. Conclusions. High levels of 17β-estradiol are associated with increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 activity in tears of postmenopausal women with dry eye.

The estrogenic retina: The potential contribution to healthy aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases of the retina

These last two decades have seen an explosion of clinical and epidemiological research, and basic research devoted to envisage the influence of gender and hormonal fluctuations in the retina/ocular diseases. Particular attention has been paid to age-related disorders because of the overlap of endocrine and neuronal dysfunction with aging. Hormonal withdrawal has been considered among risk factors for diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular disease (AMD), as well as, for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or other neurodegenerative disorders. Sex hormones and aging have been also suggested to drive the incidence of ocular surface diseases such as dry eye and cataract. Hormone therapy has been approached in several clinical trials. The discovery that the retina is another CNS tissue synthesizing neurosteroids, among which neuroactive steroids, has favored these studies. However, the puzzling data emerged from clinical, epidemiological and experimental studies have added several dimensions of complexity; the current landscape is inherently limited to the weak information on the influence and interdependence of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulation in the retina, but also in the brain. Focusing on the estrogenic retina, we here review our knowledge on local 17β-oestradiol (E2) synthesis from cholesterol-based neurosteroidogenic path and testosterone aromatization, and presence of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). The first cholesterol-limiting step and the final aromatase-limiting step are discussed as possible check-points of retinal functional/dysfunctional E2. Possible E2 neuroprotection is commented as a group of experimental evidence on excitotoxic and oxidative retinal paradigms, and models of retinal neurodegenerative diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and AMD. These findings may provide a framework to support clinical studies, although further basic research is needed.

Ocular Surface and Tear Film Changes in Older Women Working with Computers

The aim of this work is to investigate changes in the ocular surface (OS) and tear film (TF) by means of questionnaire-based subjective symptoms, TF break-up time, Schirmer test, and TF analysis in women working with computers and to analyze the effects of the oral supplementation with antioxidants/omega 3 fatty acids (A/ω3) in the OS outcomes. Women aged 40–65 years (n = 148) were recruited at the Administrative Offices of Valencia (Spain) and distributed into two age groups, 40–52 years (AGE1; n = 87) and 53–65 years (AGE2; n = 61), and then subdivided according to being (or not) computer users (CUG; NCUG) during the workday. Homogeneous subgroups were randomly assigned (or not) to the daily intake of three pills of A/ω3 for three months. At baseline and at the end of follow-up, personalized interviews and ocular examination were done. Reflex tear samples were collected from the inferior meniscus and processed for a multiplexed particle-based flow cytometry assay to measure proinflammatory molecules. Statistics were performed using the SPSS 15.0 program. The OS pathology was clinically evident in the AGE1-CUG (33%) versus the AGE2-CUG (64%) of women. Significantly higher interleukins-1β and -6 tear levels were found in the AGE1 versus the AGE2 women employees (P = 0.006 and P = 0.001, resp.), as well as in the CUG versus the NCUG (P = 0.001 and P = 0.000, resp.). Supplementation with A/ω3 positively influenced the OS pathology as manifested by the amelioration of the clinical signs/symptoms related to computer uses. Strategies involving a safe environment and oral micronutrient supplements may be managed within eye-care standards in older women.

The ocular benefits of estrogen replacement therapy: a population-based study in postmenopausal Korean women

Purpose

To elucidate the prevalence of cataract, glaucoma, pterygia, and diabetic retinopathy among Korean postmenopausal women with or without estrogen replacement therapy (ERT).

Methods

A cross-sectional, nationally representative sample from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV) (2007–2009) was used. Participants were interviewed for the determination of socioeconomic and gynecologic factors. Each woman also underwent an ophthalmologic examination and provided a blood sample for risk factor assessment.

Results

Of 3968 postmenopausal women enrolled, 3390 had never received estrogen, and 578 were undergoing estrogen treatment. After adjusting for age, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, and high low-density lipoprotein levels, the prevalence of anterior polar cataract, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect, and flesh pterygium was higher in the non-ERT group (OR, 3.24; 95% CI, 1.12–9.35, OR 1.70; 95% CI, 1.04–2.78, OR 3.725; 95% CI, 1.21–11.45, respectively). Further, the prevalence of atrophic pterygium was lower in the non-ERT group compared to that in the ERT group (OR, 0.21, 95% CI, 0.07–0.63).

Conclusions

These data suggest that ERT has a protective effect against the development of anterior polar cataract, flesh pterygium, and RNFL defect.

Does estrogen deficiency cause lacrimal gland inflammation and aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice?

Researchers have proposed that estrogen deficiency will lead to a Sjögren's syndrome (SjS)-like lacrimal gland inflammation, aqueous tear deficiency and dry eye. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this proposal is correct. Lacrimal glands were obtained from adult, age-matched wild type (WT) and aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice, in which estrogen synthesis is completely eliminated. Tissues were also obtained from autoimmune MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice as inflammation controls. Tear volumes in WT and ArKO mice were measured and glands were processed for molecular biological and histological evaluation. Our results demonstrate that estrogen absence does not lead to a SjS-like inflammation in lacrimal tissue or to an aqueous-deficient dry eye. There was no upregulation of genes associated with inflammatory pathways in lacrimal glands of male or female ArKO mice. Such inflammatory activity was prominent in autoimmune MRL/lpr tissues. We also found no evidence of inflammation in lacrimal gland tissue sections of estrogen-deficient mice, and tear volumes of ArKO males were actually increased as compared to those WT controls. Interestingly, our study did show that estrogen absence influences the expression of thousands of lacrimal gland genes, and that this impact is sex- and genotype-specific. Our findings demonstrate that estrogen absence is not a risk factor for the development of SjS-like lacrimal gland inflammation or for aqueous-deficient dry eye in mice.

Dry eye disease: A review of diagnostic approaches and treatments

Dry eye (DE) is a common ocular disease that results in eye discomfort, visual disturbance and substantially affects the quality of life. It has a multifactorial etiology involving tear film instability, increased osmolarity of the tear film and inflammation of the ocular surface with potential damage to the ocular surface. This review discusses the classification, diagnostic approaches and treatments of DE.