Exposure to light-emitting diode (LED) light is a primary cause of retinal damage, resulting in vision loss. Several plant-derived substances, such as lutein and quercetagetin (QCG), show promise in supporting eye health. In this study, the impact of lutein/zeaxanthin (L/Z, Lutemax 2020) and QCG were evaluated individually and together in a rat model of LED-induced retinal damage. A total of 63 Wistar rats were allocated into nine groups (n = 7). For 28 days, the rats received L/Z (10 or 20 mg/kg BW), quercetin (QC, 20 mg/kg BW), QCG (10 or 20 mg/kg BW), or a mixture of different lutein and QCG dosages, after which they were exposed to LED light for 48 h. LED exposure led to a spike in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and inflammatory cytokines, as well as an increase in retinal NF-κB, ICAM, GFAP, and MCP-1 levels (p < 0.0001 for all). It also reduced serum antioxidant enzyme activities and retinal Nrf2, HO-1, GAP43, NCAM, and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness (p < 0.0001 for all). However, administering L/Z and QCG, particularly a 1:1 combination of L/Z and QCG at 20 mg/kg, effectively reversed these changes. The treatment suppressed NF-κB, ICAM, GFAP, and MCP-1 while enhancing Nrf2, HO-1, GAP43, and NCAM and preventing ONL thickness reduction in LED-induced retinal damage rats. In conclusion, while LED light exposure caused retinal damage, treatment with L/Z, QC, and QCG, particularly a combined L/Z and QCG regimen, exhibited protective effects on the retina. This is possibly due to the modulation of neuroplasticity markers and nuclear transcription factors in the rats’ retinal cells.

Objective To evaluate the effects of lipid-containing Rohto Dry Aid eye drops and sodium hyaluronate eye drops on the ocular surface and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) findings in patients using systemic isotretinoin. Methods This retrospective study included 71 patients using systemic isotretinoin for acne vulgaris. Ocular surface and tear functions were evaluated with the tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and the ocular surface disease index questionnaire (OSDI). Meibography was used for the staging of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) while IVCM was used for the analysis of corneal micro-structural changes. The data of 36 patients using Rohto Dry Aid (the Rohto group) and 35 patients using sodium hyaluronate (the SH group) were recorded. Pre-treatment, first month and third month data were analyzed. Results Shorter TBUT, lower OSDI score, and less CFS were observed in the first and third months after treatment in the Rohto group (p < 0.001). There was no significant change in TBUT and CFS in the first month (p > 0.05) in the SH group (p < 0.05) but lower TBUT and more CFS were observed in the third month. There was no significant change in the OSDI score in the SH group. There was a significant decrease in dendritic cells, activated keratocytes, and nerve tortuosity with IVCM in both groups. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Conclusion Rohto Dry Aid, with its support of the lipid layer, is an effective and safe treatment agent that can improve both ocular surface and IVCM findings in evaporative dry eye cases with MGD.

Objectives: Fixation preference testing is widely used to detect amblyopia, particularly in preverbal children. Pattern electroretinogram (pERG) is an electrophysiological test which is a sensitive indicator of macular function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular function on pERG in children with strabismus. Materials and Methods: The study included 11 children with strabismus. All underwent ophthalmological examination including fixation preference by binocular fixation pattern test, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, and pERG. Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.09 +/- 1.18 years. All patients had unilateral fixation. The mean BCVA was 0.85 +/- 0.17 in preferred and 0.48 +/- 0.19 in non-preferred eyes (p=0.003). The mean p50 amplitude was 6.07 +/- 2.06 mu V in preferred and 5.29 +/- 2.20 mu V in non-preferred eyes (p=0.203), and the mean N95 amplitude was 8.27 +/- 2.86 mu V and 8.03 +/- 3.24 mu V respectively (p=0.594). BCVA was correlated with p50 and N95 amplitudes in the non-preferred eyes (p=0.023 and p=0.014). Interocular BCVA difference was correlated with interocular P50 amplitude difference (r=0.688, p=0.019). Conclusion: Although amblyopia is typically considered a cortical phenomenon, future larger studies are needed to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular electrophysiological function.

Background and Objective: This study aims to investigate the clinical significance and risk factors of retinal hemorrhages (RH) and white-centered retinal hemorrhages (Roth spots, RS) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), as well as their long-term ophthalmologic outcomes. Materials and Methods: Neonates diagnosed with HIE were classified into three stages according to the Sarnat classification. A comprehensive ophthalmologic assessment was performed within the first three days of life and at two years of age. Retinal hemorrhages were staged based on the Egge classification, and the presence of RS was also documented. The clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with RH and RS were systematically recorded. Results: Retinal hemorrhages were identified in 178 eyes (42.3%), and RS were observed in 180 eyes (42.8%). The prevalence of both RH and RS was significantly higher in neonates with Stage 2 and Stage 3 HIE (p < 0.001). The resolution time for both RH and RS was significantly prolonged in neonates with Stage 3 HIE compared to those with lower grades (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the frequency of grade 3 RH increased with advancing HIE stages (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that Stage 2 HIE (OR: 5.41, 95% CI: 1.19–24.54, p = 0.03) and Stage 3 HIE (OR: 27.17, 95% CI: 5.38–137.25, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with RS. Similarly, Stage 2 HIE (OR: 4.54, 95% CI: 1.00–20.68, p = 0.05) and Stage 3 HIE (OR: 40.88, 95% CI: 7.75–215.68, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with RH. At the age of two, strabismus was identified in 34 (18.4%) patients, while refractive errors were detected in 68 (37.4%) patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of RH and RS increases in correlation with the severity of HIE. While these hemorrhages generally resolve spontaneously, the risk of refractive errors and strabismus remains elevated.