The Role of Vessel Density as Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in the Evaluation of Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma: A Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

To review the existing literature about the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings regarding peripapillary and macular vessel density (VD) in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG).

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was conducted to include articles up to November 1, 2021, using an appropriate search algorithm. The retrieved articles were assessed for eligibility and filtered manually to exclude duplicates, while articles and book chapters cited in the reference lists of the eligible articles obtained by this method were reviewed so as not to miss any relevant studies.

RESULTS

There is consistency among the studies published so far that a significant decrease in peripapillary VD exists in eyes with PXG compared to controls, and macular VD has also been reported to be significantly lower in PXG eyes than controls. However, the existing literature remains controversial regarding OCTA findings in eyes with PXG compared to those with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Several studies have found that peripapillary VD and macular VD were significantly lower in PXG than POAG, while other studies reported no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with PXG were found to present decreased peripapillary and macular VD compared to control eyes, suggesting that a vascular component, including optic nerve hypoperfusion, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PXG.

Silver ciprofloxacin (CIPAG): a successful combination of chemically modified antibiotic in inorganic-organic hybrid

The new silver(I) ionic, water soluble, compound {[Ag(CIPH)₂]NO₃∙0.75MeOH∙1.2H₂O} (CIPAG) was obtained by reacting silver(I) nitrate with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIPH). The complex was characterized by m.p., mid-FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structures of both CIPAG and the hexahydrated neutral free drug {[CIPH]∙6(H₂O)} (2) were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Two neutral ligands are datively bonded to the metal ion through the piperidinic nitrogen atoms forming a cationic {[Ag(CIPH)₂]⁺} counter part which is neutralized by a nitrate group. The antibacterial effect of CIPAG and the commercially available hydrochloric salt of the antibiotic ({[CIPH ₂⁺ ]∙Cl ^- } (3)) were tested against the bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), Staphylococcus epidermidis (St. epidermidis) and Staphylococcus aureus (St. aureus) by the mean of minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration and their inhibitory zone (IZ). The influence of CIPAG and 3 against the formation of biofilm of PAO1 or St. aureus was also evaluated by mean of biofilm elimination concentration. The IZ caused by CIPAG which has been loaded in poly-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, is determined. The genotoxicity of CIPAG and 3 is tested in vitro against normal human corneal epithelial cells (HCET cells), by the presence of micronucleus in HCET cells and in vivo by mean of Allium cepa test.