Sloping retina: a novel feature associated with primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort.

Objective: To define sloping of the retina, a novel stereoscopic feature in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and to evaluate its prevalence and associated risk factors in an African ancestry population.

Methods And Analysis: Digital stereo disc images were graded for sloping by trained non-physician graders. We defined a sloping retina as one that slanted downward towards the disc margin instead of existing on the same plane as the disc margin.

Predictors of Glaucoma Conversion in an African Ancestry Cohort: A Longitudinal Study.

Purpose: To identify risk factors associated with conversion from glaucoma suspect to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in individuals of African ancestry.

Design: Prospective case-control study.

Subjects: A total of 330 glaucoma suspects from the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics study with a median follow-up of 6.

Optic cup morphology associated with glaucomatous damage: Findings from the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study.

Purpose: While it has been well established that advanced glaucoma is associated with a large cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), it is not known if the shape of the cup, particularly excavated cups with expanded lower portions (bean-pot cups), play any additional role in glaucomatous damage. We investigated this among individuals of African ancestry, a population that is more vulnerable to glaucoma than any other ethnic group.

Design: Case-control study.

Outcomes of Trabeculectomy and Predictors of Success in Patients of African Ancestry With Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Prcis: Trabeculectomy in African ancestry individuals with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) shows a 46% success rate and frequent complications, indicating that younger age and family history are significant predictors of surgical failure in this high-risk population.

Objective: To investigate outcomes of trabeculectomy ab externo in African ancestry POAG patients and to analyze the impact of demographic and phenotypic factors on surgical success and complication rates.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective case-control study enrolled 63 eyes of 55 POAG cases who underwent trabeculectomy ab externo.

Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Is Associated with Short-Term Memory Decline and Dementia in Individuals of African Ancestry.

: Over the last decade, studies have suggested that primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) may be associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, as both pathologies are age-related neurodegenerative processes. It remains unclear to what extent neurodegeneration in POAG extends to other neurological functions beyond vision, such as cognition. This follow-up study examined the potential association between POAG and cognitive decline in an African ancestry population.

Features Associated with Visible Lamina Cribrosa Pores in Individuals of African Ancestry with Glaucoma: Primary Open-Angle African Ancestry Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study.

There are scarce data regarding the rate of the occurrence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and visible lamina cribrosa pores (LCPs) in the eyes of individuals with African ancestry; the potential impact of these features on disease burden remains unknown. We recruited subjects with POAG to the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study. Through regression models, we evaluated the association between the presence of LCPs and various phenotypic features.

Using Natural Language Processing to Identify Different Lens Pathology in Electronic Health Records.

Purpose: Nearly all published ophthalmology-related Big Data studies rely exclusively on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) billing codes to identify patients with particular ocular conditions. However, inaccurate or nonspecific codes may be used. We assessed whether natural language processing (NLP), as an alternative approach, could more accurately identify lens pathology.

A multi-cohort genome-wide association study in African ancestry individuals reveals risk loci for primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for POAG in 11,275 individuals of African ancestry (6,003 cases; 5,272 controls). We detected 46 risk loci associated with POAG at genome-wide significance.

Factors Associated with Large Cup-to-Disc Ratio and Blindness in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study.

Background/aims: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry. In these patients' eyes, a large cup-to-disc ratio (LCDR > 0.90) suggests greater retinal ganglion cell loss, though these patients often display varied visual ability.

Risk factors for structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort.

Background/aims: To investigate the rates of structural and functional progression of primary open-angle glaucoma in an African ancestry cohort and identify risk factors for progression.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1424 eyes from glaucoma cases in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics cohort, with ≥2 visits for retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and mean deviation (MD) measurements over ≥6-month follow-up. The rates of structural progression (change in RNFL thickness/year) and functional progression (change in MD/year) were calculated from linear mixed effects models, accounting for intereye correlation and longitudinal correlation.

Prevalence and factors associated with optic disc grey crescent in the Primary Open-Angle African Ancestry Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) Study.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with optic disc grey crescent (GC) in African Americans with glaucoma.

Methods: Stereo optic disc image features from subjects with glaucoma in the Primary Open-Angle African Ancestry Glaucoma Genetics Study were evaluated independently by non-physician graders and discrepancies adjudicated by an ophthalmologist. Risk factors for GC were evaluated by logistic regression models with intereye correlation accounted for by generalised estimating equations.

Recruitment strategies and lessons learned from a large genetic study of African Americans.

Genetic studies must enroll large numbers of participants to obtain adequate statistical power. Data are needed on how researchers can best use limited financial and practical resources to achieve these targets, especially in under-represented populations. This paper provides a retrospective analysis of the recruitment strategies for a large glaucoma genetics study in African Americans.

Differential regulation of nucleus accumbens glutamate and GABA in obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats.

Obesity is one of the leading health concerns in the United States. Studies from human and rodent models suggest that inherent differences in the function of brain motivation centers, including the nucleus accumbens (NAc), contribute to overeating and thus obesity. For example, there are basal enhancements in the excitability of NAc GABAergic medium spiny neurons (MSN) and reductions in basal expression of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in obesity-prone vs obesity-resistant rats.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Optic Disc Tilt in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics Study.

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with optic disc tilt in the eyes of Black Americans with glaucoma.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Participants: Subjects with glaucoma participating in the Primary Open-Angle African American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study.

Self-identified Black Race as a Risk Factor for Intraocular Pressure Elevation and Iritis Following Prophylactic Laser Peripheral Iridotomy.

Prcis: In primary angle closure suspects (PACS), self-identified Black race was a risk factor for intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and iritis following laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). Laser type was not associated with either immediate post-LPI IOP elevation or iritis in multivariate analysis.

Purpose: The aim was to determine the impact of laser type and patient characteristics on the incidence of IOP elevation and iritis after LPI in PACS.

Assessing the efficacy of 3D-printed ear protectors on mask adherence at an academic ophthalmology center.

Purpose: In the ophthalmology setting, given the close proximity required for the clinical exam, appropriate mask usage and fit is essential. This study aims to assess how a simple, cost-effective 3D-printed face mask ear protectors (EP) attachment may decrease discomfort, increase compliance, and improve fit in an academic institution's Ophthalmology department.

Methods: Face mask EPs were distributed to patients and providers in the Ophthalmology department.

A Precise Method to Evaluate 360 Degree Measures of Optic Cup and Disc Morphology in an African American Cohort and Its Genetic Applications.

(1) Background: Vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) is an important measure for evaluating damage to the optic nerve head (ONH) in glaucoma patients. However, this measure often does not fully capture the irregular cupping observed in glaucomatous nerves. We developed and evaluated a method to measure cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) at all 360 degrees of the ONH.

Evaluation of the Cirrus High-Definition OCT Normative Database Probability Codes in a Black American Population.

Purpose: Race-adjusted interpretation of data from Cirrus high-definition OCT (HD-OCT) devices is not standard practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate differences in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between healthy Black Americans and the Cirrus HD-OCT normative database.

Design: This is a cross-sectional observational study using control patients recruited from the greater Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area.

Netarsudil-associated epithelial keratopathy.

Purpose: To report 2 cases with a novel finding of bullous epithelial keratopathy associated with netarsudil use.

Observations: A 72-year-old man with history of primary open angle glaucoma was started on netarsudil daily in both eyes for uncontrolled intraocular pressures despite treatment with latanoprost, brimonidine, and dorzolamide-timolol. One month later he presented with bilateral conjunctival hyperemia, predominantly inferior corneal epithelial bullae, and keratic precipitates without hypopyon.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in an immunocompetent host after complicated cataract surgery.

Purpose: To report a case of an immunocompetent patient who developed cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis after complicated cataract surgery resulting in aphakia.

Observations: A 67-year-old man with type 2 diabetes developed retinitis six months after cataract surgery that resulted in aphakia. Anterior chamber DNA testing was positive for CMV.

A 5' UTR-Derived sRNA Regulates RhlR-Dependent Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS) controls expression of over 200 genes in . There are two AHL regulatory systems: the LasR-LasI circuit and the RhlR-RhlI system. We mapped transcription termination sites affected by AHL QS in , and in doing so we identified AHL-regulated small RNAs (sRNAs).