Zofia Pniakowska

Zofia Pniakowska

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 January 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MKMaria Kapa
Maria Kapa
IKIga Koryciarz
Iga Koryciarz
NKNatalia Kustosik
Natalia Kustosik
PJPiotr Jurowski
Piotr Jurowski
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
This narrative review focuses on innovative treatment approaches to diabetic retinopathy to meet the urgent demand for advancements in managing both the early and late stages of the disease. Recent studies highlight the potential of adipose stem cells and their secreted factors in mitigating the retinal complications of diabetes, with promising results in improving visual acuity and reducing inflammation and angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy. However, caution is warranted regarding the safety and long-term therapeutic effects of adipose stem cells transplantation. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can also mitigate retinal damage in diabetic retinopathy. Studies demonstrate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes can suppress the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and angiogenesis in the diabetic retina, offering promise for future diabetic retinopathy treatments. Nanotechnology has the ability to precisely target the retina and minimize systemic side effects. Nanoparticles and nanocarriers offer improved bioavailability, sustained release of therapeutics, and potential for synergistic effects. They can be a new way of effective treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy. Activation and modulation of PPARα as a means for diabetic retinopathy treatment has been widely investigated in recent years and demonstrated promising effects in clinical trials. PPARα activation turned out to be a promising therapeutic method for treating dyslipidemia, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity. The combination of PPARα modulators with small molecules offers an interesting perspective for retinal diseases’ therapy.

24 August 2024 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MKMaria Kapa
Maria Kapa
IKIga Koryciarz
Iga Koryciarz
NKNatalia Kustosik
Natalia Kustosik
PJPiotr Jurowski
Piotr Jurowski
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
This article reviews innovative diagnostic approaches for diabetic retinopathy as the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications continue to escalate. Novel techniques focus on early disease detection. Technological innovations, such as teleophthalmology, smartphone-based photography, artificial intelligence with deep learning, or widefield photography, can enhance diagnostic accuracy and accelerate the treatment. The review highlights teleophthalmology and handheld photography as promising solutions for remote eye care. These methods revolutionize diabetic retinopathy screening, offering cost-effective and accessible solutions. However, the use of these techniques may be limited by insurance coverage in certain world regions. Ultra-widefield photography offers a comprehensive view of up to 80.0% of the retina in a single image, compared to the 34.0% coverage of the traditional seven-field imaging protocol. It allows retinal imaging without pupil dilation, especially for individuals with compromised mydriasis. However, they also have drawbacks, including high costs, artifacts from eyelashes, eyelid margins, and peripheral distortion. Recent advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, particularly through convolutional neural networks, are revolutionizing diabetic retinopathy diagnostics, enhancing screening efficiency and accuracy. FDA-approved Artificial Intelligence-powered devices such as LumineticsCore™, EyeArt, and AEYE Diagnostic Screening demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity in diabetic retinopathy detection. While Artificial Intelligence offers the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment costs, challenges such as dataset biases, high initial costs, and cybersecurity risks must be considered to ensure safety and efficiency. Nanotechnology advancements further enhance diagnosis, offering highly branched polyethyleneimine particles with fluorescein sodium (PEI-NHAc-FS) for better fluorescein angiography or vanadium oxide-based metabolic fingerprinting for early detection.

11 August 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
NKNatasza Kurys
Natasza Kurys
NKNatalia Kustosik
Natalia Kustosik
APAleksandra Anna Przybylak
Aleksandra Anna Przybylak
PJPiotr Jurowski
Piotr Jurowski
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterized by progressive photoreceptor cell loss leading to irreversible vision loss. Affecting approximately 1 in 4000 individuals worldwide, retinitis pigmentosa exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity, with mutations in genes such as RHO, PRPF31, RPE65, USH2A, and NR2E3, which contribute to its diverse clinical presentation. This review outlines the genetic basis of retinitis pigmentosa and explores cutting-edge gene-based therapeutic strategies. Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), the first FDA-approved gene therapy targeting RPE65 mutations, represents a milestone in precision ophthalmology, while OCU400 is a gene-independent therapy that uses a modified NR2E3 construct to modulate retinal homeostasis across different RP genotypes. Additionally, CRISPR–Cas genome-editing technologies offer future potential for the personalized correction of specific mutations, though concerns about off-target effects and delivery challenges remain. The article also highlights MCO-010, a novel optogenetic therapy that bypasses defective phototransduction pathways, showing promise for patients regardless of their genetic profile. Moreover, QR-1123, a mutation-specific antisense oligonucleotide targeting the P23H variant in the RHO gene, is under clinical investigation for autosomal dominant RP and has shown encouraging preclinical results in reducing toxic protein accumulation and preserving photoreceptors. SPVN06, another promising candidate, is a mutation-agnostic gene therapy delivering RdCVF and RdCVFL via AAV to support cone viability and delay degeneration, currently being evaluated in a multicenter Phase I/II trial for patients with various rod–cone dystrophies. Collectively, these advances illustrate the transition from symptom management toward targeted, mutation-specific therapies, marking a major advancement in the treatment of RP and inherited retinal diseases.

18 March 2016 in International Journal of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
AKAnna Klysik
Anna Klysik
RGRoman Gos
Roman Gos
PJPiotr Jurowski
Piotr Jurowski
To determine the relevance of the objective parameters addressing the altered biomechanical properties of cornea for glaucoma monitoring in patients with mild or moderate thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO), and in healthy individuals. Twenty-five patients with TAO (group 1) and 25 healthy adults (group 2) were included to the study. Both groups were of a similar age and the ratio women:man. For each patient, the following parameters of both eyes were measured with ocular response analyzer (ORA): corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). In both groups participating in our study, all measurements were performed within minutes to reduce the diurnal effects. The mean age in group 1 was 56±11y and 76% were women, 24% were men. The mean age in group 2 was 64±11y and 68% were women, 32% were men. CH correlated negatively with IOPg in group 1 (r (2)=0.10, P<0.05). IOPg strongly correlated with IOPcc in both groups (group 1: r (2)=0.79, P<0.0001; group 2: r (2)=0.85, P<0.0001). There was positive correlation between CRF and IOPg in group 1 (r (2)=0.12, P<0.05) and in group 2 (r (2)=0.31, P0.05) and also no significant correlation in group 2 (r (2)=0.04, P>0.05). CRF mean value in group 2 (11.51±1.72 mm Hg) was higher than in group 1 (10.85±1.45 mm Hg) (P<0.05). IOPg strongly correlated with IOPcc in both groups (group 1: r (2)=0.79, P<0.0001; group 2: r (2)=0.85, P<0.0001). There was also strong correlation between CRF and CH in both populations: group 1: (r (2)=0.58, P<0.0001), group 2: (r (2)=0.41, P<0.0001). Biomechanical parameters of cornea, as quantified by CH and CRF, and measured together with IOPcc, precisely reveal glaucoma staging in TAO and thus are reliable for diagnosing and follow-up in clinical practice.

26 March 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
NKNatasza Kurys
Natasza Kurys
HPHanna Pietruszewska
Hanna Pietruszewska
APAleksandra Anna Przybylak
Aleksandra Anna Przybylak
PJPiotr Jurowski
Piotr Jurowski
Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex, multifactorial, progressive disease that has consequences both for individuals and society. Symptoms reported by patients include discomfort in the eye and periodic blurred vision, while in the broader perspective, the disease is associated with economic burdens and challenges for healthcare systems. Globally, dry eye disease remains a growing problem observed in many countries. It is estimated that symptoms of dry eye syndrome occur in approximately 10 to 20 per cent of people over the age of 40. This prevalence is on the rise, which is associated with both the aging population and increased incidence among younger adults. In this group, factors such as contact lens wear and prolonged use of digital devices are considered to be contributing factors. Further epidemiological studies, conducted in different regions of the world, covering diverse populations and a wide range of age groups, with a particular focus on younger cohorts, may contribute to a more accurate understanding of the prevalence of dry eye disease. There are more and more methods of diagnosing DED. In addition to well-known procedures like the Schirmer test or tear break-up time, there are also methods that focus on the evaluation of the tear film or imaging of the ocular surface. Moreover, usage of artificial intelligence is also playing a significant role in it. However, the key issue in individual cases is introducing the most effective treatment based on combining available substances, including corticosteroids, antibiotics and supplements, which leads to a reduction in inflammation and improvement in visual comfort.

30 September 2023 in OphthaTherapy. Therapies in Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JWJoanna Wierzbowska
Joanna Wierzbowska
ZPZofia Pniakowska
Zofia Pniakowska
Presbyond® Laser Blended Vision (LBV) method involves the non-linear aspheric ablation of the cornea with controlled induction of spherical aberrations in both eyes and the induction of micromonovision of -0.75 to -1.50 D in the non-dominant eye. The article presents the results of published studies analyzing the effect of laser correction of presbyopia using the Presbyond® LBV method on the stereopsis. The studies published so far indicate that the Presbyond® LBV treatment allows for maintaining functional postoperative stereoscopy, achieving patient satisfaction and independence from glasses.