Intense pulsed light therapy to improve signs and symptoms of contact lens discomfort.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy on signs and symptoms of Contact Lens Discomfort (CLD) in symptomatic contact lens (CL) wearers.

Methods: A prospective, randomised, double masked study was conducted on 36 eyes of 18 CL wearers (IPL: n = 20; sham: n = 16) with a Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8) score ≥ 12. Participants received two IPL/sham treatments at three weeks intervals as per randomization.

Synergistic effects of peptide mimics against enveloped viruses.

The global health impact of viruses highlights the urgent need for innovative antiviral strategies. This study investigated the synergistic potential of two anthranilamide-based peptide mimics (RK610 and RK758) in combination, and one peptide mimic (RK610) in combination with the cationic peptides Mel4 and melimine, against murine hepatitis virus (a coronavirus; MHV-1), influenza virus (H1N1), and Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Checkerboard assays demonstrated RK610+RK758 had synergy against MHV-1 and H1N1 (∑FICI values of 0.

Repeatability of lipid layer thickness using LipiView® following removal of contact lenses and its relationship to comfort.

Purpose: To assess the repeatability of lipid layer thickness (LLT) measurement using the LipiView® interferometer after daily disposable contact lens (CL) wear and correlation with ocular comfort in soft contact lens wearers.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted over two consecutive months, wherein CL wearers (n = 20) wore either Somofilcon A or Verofilcon A daily disposable CLs in a crossover design, switching lenses after 1 month. The pre-corneal tear film LLT was measured at the end of each month after CLs had been worn for at least 6 h.

Exploring the Efficacy of Peptides and Mimics against Influenza A Virus, Adenovirus, and Murine Norovirus.

The ongoing battle against viral pandemics continues, with the possibility of future outbreaks. The search for effective antiviral compounds that can combat a diverse range of viruses continues to be a focal point of research. This study investigated the efficacy of two natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) (lactoferricin and LL-37), two synthetic AMPs (melimine and Mel4), and nine AMP mimics (758, 1091, 1096, 1083, 610, NAPL, 3-BIPL, 4-BIPL, and Sau-22) against influenza A virus strains H1N1 and H3N2, human adenovirus 5 (HAdV-5), and murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1).

The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model.

Background: Acanthamoeba is an environmental host for various microorganisms. Acanthamoeba is also becoming an increasingly important pathogen as a cause of keratitis. In Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), coinfections involving pathogenic bacteria have been reported, potentially attributed to the carriage of microbes by Acanthamoeba.

Antiviral Activity of Anthranilamide Peptidomimetics against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and a Coronavirus.

The development of potent antiviral agents is of utmost importance to combat the global burden of viral infections. Traditional antiviral drug development involves targeting specific viral proteins, which may lead to the emergence of resistant strains. To explore alternative strategies, we investigated the antiviral potential of antimicrobial peptidomimetic compounds.

A review of the antiviral activity of cationic antimicrobial peptides.

Viral epidemics are occurring frequently, and the COVID-19 viral pandemic has resulted in at least 6.5 million deaths worldwide. Although antiviral therapeutics are available, these may not have sufficient effect.

Human tear metabolites associated with nucleoside-signalling pathways in bacterial keratitis.

Objective: The study aimed to profile and quantify tear metabolites associated with bacterial keratitis using both untargeted and targeted metabolomic platforms.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomic analysis using liquid-chromatography-Q Exactive-HF mass-spectrometry explored tear metabolites significantly associated with bacterial keratitis (n = 6) compared to healthy participants (n = 6). Differential statistics and principal component analysis determined meaningful metabolite differences between cases and controls.

The Relationship between Ciprofloxacin Resistance and Genotypic Changes in Ocular Isolates.

() is a frequent cause of eye infections with some isolates exhibiting increased antimicrobial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. The increasing resistance of ocular to ciprofloxacin is a serious concern as it is a commonly used as a first line antibiotic to treat keratitis. This study aimed to analyse genetic mutations in the genomes of 25 isolates from infections or non-infectious ocular conditions from the USA and Australia and their relationship to ciprofloxacin resistance.

Genomics of Strains Isolated from Infectious and Non-Infectious Ocular Conditions.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of ocular infectious (corneal infection or microbial keratitis (MK) and conjunctivitis) and non-infectious corneal infiltrative events (niCIE). Despite the significant morbidity associated with these conditions, there is very little data about specific virulence factors associated with the pathogenicity of ocular isolates. A set of 25 S.

Virulence Genes of Staphylococcus aureus Associated With Keratitis, Conjunctivitis, and Contact Lens-Associated Inflammation.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus, cause a range of ocular diseases in humans, including noninfectious corneal infiltrative events (niCIE), infectious conjunctivitis and sight threatening microbial keratitis (MK). This study aimed to determine the possession of known virulence genes of S. aureus associated with MK and conjunctivitis, in strains isolated from these conditions and niCIE.

Ability of Essential Oil Vapours to Reduce Numbers of Culturable Aerosolised Coronavirus, Bacteria and Fungi.

Transmission of pathogens present in the indoor air can occur through aerosols. This study evaluated the efficacy of an evaporated mix of essential oils to reduce the numbers of culturable aerosolized coronavirus, bacterium and fungus. The essential oil-containing gel was allowed to vaporize inside a glass chamber for 10 or 20 min.

Longevity of hand sanitisers on fingers.

Clinical Relevance: Hand hygiene is important to reduce the spread of microbes in clinical settings. Hand sanitisers that last longer may be beneficial.

Background: Longevity of hand sanitisation products on fingers and hands may be important to help reduce microbial transmission.

Susceptibility of Ocular to Antibiotics and Multipurpose Disinfecting Solutions.

is a frequent cause of ocular surface infections worldwide. Of these surface infections, those involving the cornea (microbial keratitis) are most sight-threatening. can also cause conjunctivitis and contact lens-related non-infectious corneal infiltrative events (niCIE).

The ability of face masks to reduce transmission of microbes.

Clinical Relevance: Optometrists have been advised to wear face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined whether face masks were equally protective against transmission of microbes.

Background: The aim of the current study was to examine the ability of face masks to reduce transmission of microbes in aerosols and during speech.

Antiviral effect of multipurpose contact lens disinfecting solutions against coronavirus.

Purpose: To evaluate the antiviral potential of five multipurpose disinfecting solutions against coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus, a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2 human corona virus).

Methods: Test solutions (Biotrue, renu Advanced [Bausch and Lomb], ACUVUE RevitaLens [Johnson and Johnson Vision], cleadew [Ophtecs corp.] or AOSept Plus [Alcon]) were mixed with the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus at 10 plaque forming units (PFU)/mL as the final concentration and incubated at room temperature for the specified disinfection time.

Effect of Hygiene Procedures on Lens Case Contamination with Povidone-Iodine or Multipurpose Disinfecting Solutions.

Significance: A multipurpose disinfecting solution (MPDS), which contains povidone-iodine (PI) as a disinfectant, has high disinfecting efficacy not only on planktonic bacterium but also on the case biofilms. The addition of case hygiene practice removed more bacteria from cases than MPDS alone.

Purpose: This study compared the ability of two MPDSs, one containing PI and another containing polyaminopropyl biguanide and polyquaternium, to reduce bacterial numbers in solution or adhered to the cases following case hygiene procedures.

Factors Affecting Microbial Contamination on the Back Surface of Worn Soft Contact Lenses.

Significance: The results of this study demonstrate that Smart Touch Technology packaging, which is designed to reduce and simplify contact lens handling before insertion, is effective in reducing the frequency of bacterial contamination of the back surface of contact lenses after short-term wear.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lens packaging type, chelating agent, and finger contamination on microbial contamination on the back surface of worn soft contact lenses.

Methods: Twenty-five subjects completed each contralateral lens wear comparison in this randomized study: Smart Touch Technology versus conventional blister packaging for (1) silicone hydrogel lenses with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and (2) hydrogel lenses without EDTA in the packaging, and (3) silicone hydrogel lenses without EDTA versus hydrogel lenses with EDTA both in Smart Touch Technology packaging.

CLEAR - Contact lens complications.

Contact lens-related complications are common, affecting around one third of wearers, although most are mild and easily managed. Contact lenses have well-defined anatomical and physiological effects on the ocular surface and can result in other consequences due to the presence of a biologically active material. A contact lens interacts with the tear film, ocular surface, skin, endogenous and environmental microorganisms, components of care solutions and other antigens which may result in disease specific to contact lens wear, such as metabolic or hypersensitivity disorders.

Understanding clinical and immunological features associated with Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus keratitis.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the two dominant Gram-negative and -positive species, respectively, isolated from patients with contact lens-related bacterial keratitis. The clinical features of bacterial keratitis vary, such that timely differential diagnosis can be challenging, which may cause a delay in diagnosis resulting in poorer outcome. This review aims to explore the current understanding of clinical and immunological features associated with contact lens-related P.

Bacterial biofilm in silver-impregnated contact lens cases.

Purpose: This study investigated the efficacy of pre-conditioning lens cases on bacterial biofilm formation and removal.

Methods: Silver impregnated (MicroBlock / ProGuard™ & i-Clean) and control storage cases were pre-conditioned for 24 h with their respective multipurpose solutions (MPDSs). Cases were then inoculated with 2 ml of 10 CFU/mL of ocular isolates of either P.

Accessory genome of the multi-drug resistant ocular isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA34.

Bacteria can acquire an accessory genome through the horizontal transfer of genetic elements from non-parental lineages. This leads to rapid genetic evolution allowing traits such as antibiotic resistance and virulence to spread through bacterial communities. The study of complete genomes of bacterial strains helps to understand the genomic traits associated with virulence and antibiotic resistance.

The Effect of Microblepharon Exfoliation on Clinical Correlates of Contact Lens Discomfort.

Significance: Microblepharon exfoliation improved eyelid signs and tear film characteristics after a single in-office treatment in symptomatic contact lens wearers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of two eyelid hygiene treatments-microblepharon exfoliation and a hypoallergenic foam cleanser (LidHygenix)-on clinical signs of the eyelids, meibomian glands, and tear film in contact lens discomfort.

Methods: A randomized, interventional, unmasked, crossover trial was conducted on 30 experienced daily-wear soft contact lens wearers.

Comparative genomics of clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from different geographic sites.

The large and complex genome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which consists of significant portions (up to 20%) of transferable genetic elements contributes to the rapid development of antibiotic resistance. The whole genome sequences of 22 strains isolated from eye and cystic fibrosis patients in Australia and India between 1992 and 2007 were used to compare genomic divergence and phylogenetic relationships as well as genes for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Analysis of the pangenome indicated a large variation in the size of accessory genome amongst 22 stains and the size of the accessory genome correlated with number of genomic islands, insertion sequences and prophages.