Parabolic flight as a research platform to investigate ophthalmic changes in microgravity.

Parabolic flight serves as an important terrestrial analog to study acute physiological changes in microgravity without the need for space travel. During a parabolic flight, alternating hypergravity and microgravity phases, lasting up to 40 seconds, enable research into ophthalmic changes. In this review, we discuss the application of parabolic flight as a platform to study microgravity-related changes that might impact ophthalmology including intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure, choroidal blood flow, and modified eye movement patterns.

Regional and Layer Specific Retinal Capillary Red Blood Cell Velocimetry in Healthy Human Subjects.

Purpose: To investigate retinal capillary and choriocapillaris red blood cell (RBC) velocity using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)-based velocimetry in healthy human subjects.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational study using a 1050-nm swept-source OCTA instrument with a new M-B scan protocol to obtain 2 × 2-mm2 volumes in the central, nasal, and temporal macula regions. An eigendecomposition-based analysis estimated the average mean frequency (MF) of moving particles in the radial peripapillary capillaries (RPCs), superficial retinal layer (SRL), deep retinal layer (DRL), and choriocapillaris (CC) in each region.

Stair-Case/Honeycomb Maculopathy in Alport Syndrome: A Case Report.

Introduction: Alport syndrome is an inherited disease caused by mutations in COL4A5, COLA3, or COL4A4 resulting in kidney failure, hearing loss, and ocular symptoms. We report a patient with Alport syndrome who has a "stair-case/honeycomb" maculopathy, a rare but distinctive finding in this disease.

Case Presentation: A 53-year-old man with Alport syndrome was referred for gradual decrease in vision.

Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and management of refractive errors.

Refractive error is among the leading causes of visual impairment globally. The diagnosis and management of refractive error has traditionally relied on comprehensive eye examinations by eye care professionals, but access to these specialized services has remained limited in many areas of the world. Given this, artificial intelligence (AI) has shown immense potential in transforming the diagnosis and management of refractive error.

Neuro-Ophthalmic Presentations of Polycythemia.

Background: Ocular manifestations of hyperviscosity, particularly associated with the hemodynamic changes in polycythemia, can lead to various ocular vascular events, ranging from transient monocular blindness to potentially irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective case series and review of literature involving 4 patients presenting with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms related to underlying polycythemia. A thorough search for prior reported cases with similar manifestations to ours was conducted through the PubMed database.

Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and its countermeasures.

Astronauts can develop a distinct collection of neuro-ophthalmic findings during long duration spaceflight, collectively known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These clinical characteristics include optic disc edema, hyperopic refractive shifts, globe flattening, and chorioretinal folds, which may pose a health risk for future space exploration. Obtaining knowledge of SANS and countermeasures for its prevention is crucial for upcoming crewed space missions and warrants a multidisciplinary approach.

Esotropia caused by low-dose atropine for rapidly progressive myopia in a 15-year-old boy.

The etiology of myopia is multifactorial, and various methods have been employed to control its progression. Low-dose atropine without bifocals has recently gained acceptance as a treatment option. We report a patient who developed acquired esotropia due to escalating atropine concentrations for myopia control, as a presumed result of atropine-induced accommodative duress and excessive convergence.

Racial Disparities in Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In the past few decades, there has been a gradual increase in breast reconstruction post mastectomy; however, there exists a conflict about whether race has an influence on reconstruction rates. We conducted an electronic search from MEDLINE and Cochrane CENTRAL from their inception to September 2022. Primary outcome was disparity in rates of Immediate Breast Reconstruction (IBR) in racial minorities.

Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and service utilization of young children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at a research center in Saudi Arabia: The road to autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Objectives: To assess how clinical services are accessed and utilized by young children with suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and identifying factors that prevent the early identification of developmental concerns and diagnosis.

Methods: This retrospective study examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of a convenience sample of children diagnosed with ASD at the Center for Autism Research, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2018. The characteristics of ASD assessment and intervention service use were examined.