Purpose To compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) readings taken with the new ICare tonometer and with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and to evaluate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on the IOP measurements. Patients and Methods One eye of 178 consecutive patients with primary open-angle glaucoma underwent ultrasonic CCT measurement, followed by IOP evaluation with the GAT and with the ICare tonometer. The deviation of ICare readings from GAT values, corrected according to the Doughty and Zaman formula, was calculated and correlated to CCT by a linear regression model. The agreement between the 2 devices was assessed by use of the Bland-Altman method. Results The average CCT was 552±39 μm. The mean IOP and the mean corrected IOP with GAT were 19.4±5.4 mm Hg, and 18.5±5.7 mm Hg, respectively. The mean ICare IOP reading was 18.4±5.2 mm Hg. The deviations of ICare readings from corrected GAT values were highly correlated with CCT values (r=0.63, P<0.01). Linear regression analysis showed that a CCT change of 10 μm resulted in an ICare reading deviation of 0.7 mm Hg. The Bland-Altman scatter-plot showed a reasonable agreement between the 2 tonometers. Conclusions The ICare tonometer can be useful in a routine clinical setting. The IOP readings are quite in accordance with those obtained by GAT. The measurements seemed to be influenced by CCT variations, and thus pachymetry should always be taken into consideration.

Medical imaging is the mainstay of clinical diagnosis and management. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technology that has revolutionized the field of ophthalmology. Since its introduction, OCT has undergone significant improvements in image quality, speed, and resolution, making it an essential diagnostic tool for various ocular pathologies. OCT has not only improved the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases but has also found applications in other fields of medicine. In this manuscript, we provide a brief overview of the history of OCT, its current uses and diagnostic capabilities to assess the posterior segment of the eye, and the evolution of this technology from time-domain (TD) to spectral-domain (SD) and swept-source (SS). This brief review will also discuss the limitations, advantages, disadvantages, and future perspectives of this technology in the field of ophthalmology.

Purpose To investigate short-term effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis) (IVIL). Materials and Methods This prospective study included 1 eye of 54 patients (64±12 y) with wet age-related macular degeneration treated with IVIL. IOP measurements with TonoPen were taken: immediately before and 5 seconds, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes, and 1 day after IVIL. Axial length (with ultrasound biometry) was assessed in 24 eyes. The analysis included IOP difference at various time points and between phakic and pseudophakic eyes and the relationship between axial length and IOP increases after 5 seconds. Results Mean IOP were 16.3±3.0 mm Hg (range: 12.0 to 21.3), 44.1±10.6 (22.0 to 59.3), 29.0±9.6 (15.0 to 49.0), 25.8±7.9 (16.0 to 45.0), 23.7±6.6 (15.7 to 39.0), 21.9±5.6 (14.7 to 37.0), 18.8±6.1 (10.0 to 35.0), and 16.1±3.0 (11.0 to 21.0), respectively, for time points immediately before, 5 seconds, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 minutes, and 1 day after IVIL. Differences between before IVIL and after IVIL IOP were statistically significant after 5 seconds, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes (P=0.0001); however, were not significant after 1 hour (P=0.064) and 1 day (P=0.449). Differences between phakic and pseudophakic eyes were not significant (P>0.05). The relationship between shorter axial length and IOP increase after 5 seconds was significant (linear regression analysis; R²=0.28, P=0.007). Conclusions IVIL causes a considerable short-term transient rise in IOP. The IOP increase after IVIL can be statistically significant at 0 to 30 minutes after injection in both phakic and pseudophakic eyes, and tends to be greater in shorter eyes.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by aggressive growth and high rates of recurrence. Despite the advancements in conventional therapies, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor. Immunotherapy has recently emerged as a potential treatment option. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the current strategies and future perspectives of the GBM immunotherapy strategies. A systematic search was conducted across major medical databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) up to 3 September 2023. The search strategy utilized relevant Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms and keywords related to “glioblastomas,” “immunotherapies,” and “treatment.” The studies included in this review consist of randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies reporting on the use of immunotherapies for the treatment of gliomas in human subjects. A total of 1588 papers are initially identified. Eligibility is confirmed for 752 articles, while 655 are excluded for various reasons, including irrelevance to the research topic (627), insufficient method and results details (12), and being case-series or cohort studies (22), systematic literature reviews, or meta-analyses (3). All the studies within the systematic review were clinical trials spanning from 1995 to 2023, involving 6383 patients. Neuro-oncology published the most glioma immunotherapy-related clinical trials (15/97, 16%). Most studies were released between 2018 and 2022, averaging nine publications annually during this period. Adoptive cellular transfer chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells were the primary focus in 11% of the studies, with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), oncolytic viruses (OVs), and cancer vaccines (CVs) comprising 26%, 12%, and 51%, respectively. Phase-I trials constituted the majority at 51%, while phase-III trials were only 7% of the total. Among these trials, 60% were single arm, 39% double arm, and one multi-arm. Immunotherapies were predominantly employed for recurrent GBM (55%). The review also revealed ongoing clinical trials, including 9 on ICIs, 7 on CVs, 10 on OVs, and 8 on CAR T cells, totaling 34 trials, with phase-I trials representing the majority at 53%, and only one in phase III. Overcoming immunotolerance, stimulating robust tumor antigen responses, and countering immunosuppressive microenvironment mechanisms are critical for curative GBM immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 inhibitors, show promise, with the ongoing research aiming to enhance their effectiveness. Personalized cancer vaccines, especially targeting neoantigens, offer substantial potential. Oncolytic viruses exhibited dual mechanisms and a breakthrough status in the clinical trials. CAR T-cell therapy, engineered for specific antigen targeting, yields encouraging results, particularly against IL13 Rα2 and EGFRvIII. The development of second-generation CAR T cells with improved specificity exemplifies their adaptability.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important measurement that needs to be taken during ophthalmic examinations, especially in ocular hypertension subjects, glaucoma patients and in patients with risk factors for developing glaucoma. The gold standard technique in measuring IOP is still Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT); however, this procedure requires local anesthetics, can be difficult in patients with scarce compliance, surgical patients and children, and is influenced by several corneal parameters. Numerous tonometers have been proposed in the past to address the problems related to GAT. The authors review the various devices currently in use for the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), highlighting the main advantages and limits of the various tools. The continuous monitoring of IOP, which is still under evaluation, will be an important step for a more complete and reliable management of patients affected by glaucoma.

Purpose: To evaluate precision and accuracy of Corvis-ST, a new noncontact tonometer equipped with a high-speed Scheimpflug technology, which measures intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal deformation parameters (CDPs). Relationships among IOP, CCT, and CDPs were also assessed. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized study included 1 eye of 164 subjects (79 controls and 85 glaucoma patients), which underwent IOP measurements taken 3 times with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and Corvis-ST in random order. Precision was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Intermethod agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman method. Relationships amongst IOP, CCT and CDPs were evaluated using linear regression analysis. Results: Corvis-ST intraclass correlation coefficients ranged between 0.95 and 0.99 for IOP and CCT; between 0.17 and 0.97 for CDPs. Mean (GAT−Corvis-ST) IOP was 1.4±2.7 mm Hg, which appeared related to IOP and CDPs (P<0.05). CDPs significantly differed between glaucoma patients and controls (P<0.05). GAT and Corvis-ST IOP was related to CCT (P<0.05) and CDPs (P<0.001). Conclusions: Corvis-ST precision was excellent for IOP and CCT; moderate for CDPs. Corvis-ST underestimated GAT IOP, especially at higher IOP and at lower corneal deformability levels. GAT and Corvis-ST IOP increased in thicker and less deformable corneas. Glaucoma patients showed significantly less deformable corneas than controls.