OphthaTherapy. Therapies in Ophthalmology

A minor procedure with major implications: eyelid margin hygiene in everyday ophthalmological practice

Joanna Przybek-Skrzypecka — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Blepharitis is one of the most common ophthalmic disorders and represents a significant clinical challenge due to its chronic course, recurrent nature, and frequent coexistence with dry eye disease. Proper eyelid hygiene is a fundamental component of the supportive management of ocular surface diseases, as it facilitates the removal of bacterial biofilm, secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and allergens, thereby reducing chronic inflammation. In patients with allergic ocular surface diseases, regular eyelid cleansing supports tear film stability, improves meibomian gland function, and alleviates clinical symptoms. In conjunctivitis, eyelid hygiene reduces the microbial burden and promotes restoration of the ocular surface. In the perioperative setting, adequate eyelid preparation improves ocular surface health, reduces microbial colonization, enhances the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculations, and may decrease the risk of postoperative complications, including endophthalmitis. Current evidence indicates that regular eyelid hygiene is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective component of both the prevention and comprehensive management of ocular surface diseases.

Tear film status in pinguecula

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the tear film status in pinguecula.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 850 students (male students = 407) with a mean age of 22.06 (±4) years. First, each participant completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and then underwent slit-lamp biomicroscopy to determine the presence of pinguecula, Schirmer’s test (without anesthesia), tear meniscus height (TMH), and tear break-up time (TBUT), and fluorescein corneal staining.

Results: Of 850 students of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences of Iran University of Medical Sciences, 648 (female students = 241) with a mean age of 22.06 (±3.96) years were examined. The rest of the students either withdrew from the study voluntarily or were excluded based on the exclusion criteria. The results showed no significant correlation between the presence of pinguecula and abnormal results of the Schirmer’s test, OSDI, and fluorescein corneal staining. However, a significant correlation was found between the presence of pinguecula and abnormal TMH (p = 0.012) and abnormal TBUT results (p = 0.021). Moreover, the prevalence of dry eye was significantly higher in patients with pinguecula compared to those without it (21.89% vs. 11.40%, p = 0.022). The prevalence of pinguecula was significantly higher in men vs. women (p <0.001).

Conclusion: This study showed that dry eye was more common in participants with pinguecula compared to subjects without it. Among different findings, tear film and the presence of pinguecula had a direct relationship with tear film stability and decreased tear secretion. Further research is required to investigate the causal relationship between dry eye and pinguecula.

Summer, sun and dry eyes disease. Facts and myths

Marlena Cwynar-Ptak, Dariusz Dobrowolski — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Dry eye disease is a chronic, multifactorial disease of the ocular surface that requires long-term and regular treatment. The symptoms of DED are influenced by environmental factors and, in some patients, may worsen during the summer months. Effective treatment should be based on selecting a preparation according to the dominant mechanism of DED. Therefore, in addition to frequent, daily lubrication of the ocular surface, it is also important to support the lipid layer of the tear film, promote regeneration and protection of the ocular surface, and maintain regular eyelid hygiene.

Study of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Rahma Alhayo — Tue, 19 May 2026 08:53:38 +0200

Objective: Evaluating vitreoretinal interface (VRI) abnormalities in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).

Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study (case-control design), the research sample included 67 participants (80 eyes). The control group consisted of 40 participants (40 eyes) who were ophthalmic clinic attendees without PEX, and their right eyes were selected for comparison with the case group. The case group included 27 patients (40 eyes) with PEX who were examined at the ophthalmology clinic at Latakia University Hospital in Lattakia during the period 2024–2025, and who met the study’s inclusion criteria. A detailed medical history was taken, including measurement of distance visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity, Amsler grid test, slit-lamp examination, fundus examination, gonioscopy, intraocular pressure measurement using a Goldman tonometer, visual field testing, and optical-coherence tomography evaluation of the VRI. PEX patients were categorized by pseudoexfoliation severity into 3 groups: mild, moderate, severe.

Results: Rate of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), partial PVD and epiretinal membrane (ERM) were more common in PEX group, whereas absence of PVD was more common in control group, with statistically significant differences. Complete PVD was more frequent in control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was a statistically significant association between ERM and PVD in PEX group as ERM was observed only in eyes with PVD. There was a statistically significant association between severity of PEX and both PVD and ERM rates in PEX group with their rates increases as the severity of PEX increases.

Central serous chorioretinopathy management: current evidence and future directions in pharmacologic and phototherapeutic interventions – a literature review

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:01:43 +0100

Central serous chorioretinopathy is a retinal disorder marked by subretinal fluid leakage causing visual impairment, image distortion, and color perception changes. Despite its prevalence, managing chronic central serous chorioretinopathy is challenging due to its complex pathogenesis and recurrent nature. Treatment options include mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, photodynamic therapy, and subthreshold micropulse laser. This review evaluates current therapies in terms of safety and efficacy and explores emerging strategies for improved management.

Treatment of demodicosis: an overview of available therapeutic methods

Laura Sikorska, Żaneta Kipias, Wiktoria Błaszczyk, Kacper Sukiennicki — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Demodex is a parasitic mite commonly inhabiting human skin. Under conditions of excessive colonization, it can cause demodicosis – a disease manifested by symptoms such as erythema, itching, burning, and inflammation of the eyelid margins. The diagnosis of demodicosis is primarily based on microscopic examination, although non-invasive techniques such as dermatoscopy are also used. Treatment of demodicosis is complex and multi-stage due to the difficulty of completely eliminating the parasite. Pharmacotherapy involves the use of antibiotics, antiparasitic agents (e.g., ivermectin), plant-based preparations (such as tea tree oil), crotamiton, or mercury oxide. Non-pharmacological methods complement the therapy. A key role in prevention is played by eliminating sources of reinfection: changing cosmetics, frequent washing of textiles, and strengthening the immune system. Treating demodicosis requires an individualized approach, consistency, and patience, and the effectiveness of therapy often depends on combining various methods and maintaining strict hygiene.

Preservative free 2% carteolol and other topical β-blockers in glaucoma therapy: indications, contraindications and safety profile

Jaromir Wasyluk — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Topical β-blockers, both selective and non-selective, are first-line therapeutic options in different types of glaucoma, particularly in its most common type – open angle glaucoma. In this paper the author is summarizing and comparing characteristics of β-blocker ophthalmic drops accessible in Poland: carteolol, betaxolol and timolol, describing indications and contraindications for their use in glaucoma therapy, possible adverse effects and general safety profile. Preservative free 2% carteolol ophthalmic solution, compared to other topical β-blokers, indicates that it may be a valuable alternative in first choice glaucoma therapy, thanks to some properties, which distinguish the drug within the group. It’s sufficient hypotensive effect enables 2% carteolol to be used it in glaucoma monotherapy, the unique intrinsic sympathomimetic activity allows safer application in patients with some concomitant systemic diseases and once-daily long acting preservative free formula simplifies dosing, improves patient’s adherence and persistence in and increases therapy comfort, minimizing adverse effects on ocular surface.

The effect of atropine 0.025% on optical quality, corneal tomography, and binocular vision

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Purpose: Our study pointed to evaluate the effect of atropine eye drop at 0.025% on optical quality, corneal tomography, and binocular vision.

Methods: A total of 51 university students received 0.025% atropine eye drops, once nightly to both eyes for 5 nights. Refraction, visual acuity (VA), accommodation facility, accommodation lag, near point of convergence (NPC), near point of accommodation (NPA), heterophoria, and corneal topography were measured before and after instillation.

Results: After using 0.025% atropine eye drops, the far and near heterophoria changed from -1.73 (±0.415) to -0.82 (±0.267) (p = 0.005) and -3.69 (±0.823) to 0.018 (±0.726) (p <0.001), NPC increased from 4.573 (±0.4763) to 6.625 (±0.8328) (p = 0.002), NPA increased from OD (right eye) = 11.014 (±0.4059) to 17.635 (±1.0303) (p <0.001), and OS (left eye) = 10.867 (±0.4394) to 17.110 (±0.9679) (p <0.001), Monocular estimated method (MEM) retinoscopy increased from OD = 0.848 (±0.0415) to 1.137 (±0.0570) (p <0.001), and OS = 0.892 (±0.0439) to 1.196 (±0.0570) (p <0.001), accommodation facility decreased from OD = 9.69 (±0.827) to 8.44 (±0.878) (p = 0.119), and OS = 11.01 (±0.983) to 8.69 (±0.899) (p = 0.005), near VA decreased from OD = 0.992 (±0.0055) to 0.937 (±0.0170) (p = 0.004), and OS = 0.992 (±0.0055) to 0.927 (±0.0219) (p = 0.005), pupil diameter increased from OD = 3.043 (±0.0783) to 5.121 (±0.1314) (p <0.001), and OS = 3.059 (±0.0714) to 5.253 (±0.1412) (p <0.001), far VA, central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal densitometry, corneal curvature, ocular and corneal higher order aberration (HOA) and lower order aberration (LOA) remained unchanged (all p >0.05).

Conclusions: The far and near VA, monocular accommodation facility, spherical refraction, corneal densitometry, corneal curvature, CCT, ocular and corneal HOA and LOA did not change significantly, but heterophoria, NPC, NPA, accommodative lag and pupil size changed significantly after instillation

Microneedle fractional radiofrequency for reducing upper eyelid skin laxity: characteristics and comparison with other techniques

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:58:21 +0200

The aim of the study was to present microneedle fractional radiofrequency as a method for reducing upper eyelid skin laxity and to compare it with other treatment techniques, both non-invasive and surgical. The article discusses the mechanism of action, technical parameters, clinical effects, and safety profile of microneedle radiofrequency. A comparative analysis with surgical blepharoplasty, fractional CO₂ laser, HIFU, plasma, mesotherapy, and fillers was performed. The results showed that microneedle fractional radiofrequency is an effective and safe alternative for patients with mild to moderate upper eyelid skin laxity, offering visible improvement without a long recovery period. Although, surgical blepharoplasty remains the most effective method in advanced cases, non-invasive techniques are becoming increasingly important due to technological advances and growing patient expectations regarding comfort and procedural safety.

Extraocular myofascial release: introduction of a new method for treatment of esodeviations and assessment of its effectiveness on patients with convergence spasm: a clinical trial

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Purpose: We examined the effect of Extraocular Myofascial Release (EOMR) on the amount of esodeviation in patients with convergence spasms to evaluate its efficacy, maintenance, and effect size.

Methods: 29 patients with esodeviations due to convergence spasm participated in this study. After the initial measurement of the deviation, we conducted 2 treatment sessions the following week. Then, we stopped treatment for 2 weeks to assess the maintenance of the treatment. To perform the EOMR technique, we apply extremely gentle and continuous pressure to the medial rectus and its associated connective tissue with the index finger pulp for 300 s per eye.

Results: According to repeated-measures analysis of variance, the amount of esodeviation significantly decreased at far 1.22Δ, 95% CI: 0.64–1.81 and near 4.9, 95% CI: 4.13–5.67 immediately after the first session of EOMR. More decrease occurred after the second session of therapy for far 1.83Δ, 95% CI: 1.02–2.63, which was 44.6% of the total pre-treatment amount of esodeviation, and at near 5.52Δ, 95% CI: 4.41–6.63, which was 71.6% of the pre-treatment amount of esodeviation. The amounts of far and near esodeviation were still significantly lower than pre-treatment measurements even 2 weeks after the termination of the treatment at far 1.52Δ, 95% CI: 0.74–2.29 and near 5.4Δ, 95% CI: 4.05–6.74.

Conclusions: The EOMR technique reduces the amount of esodeviation in patients with convergence spasm non-invasively by decreasing the force derived by the medial rectus tonus, its passive characteristics, and smooth muscle contraction. It can be a reliable therapeutic technique for esodeviations with non-accommodative and non-paretic etiologies.

Consideration on the accuracy of calculating the parameters of lenses with spiral optics

Klaudia Tomaszewska, Edyta Kocajda — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Intraocular lenses with spiral optics are innovative premium lenses that provide smooth and sharp vision from far to near distances. Achieving the expected postoperative refraction and high patient satisfaction depends not only on the correct implantation procedure, but also on professional patient assessment. Reliable patient qualification is an essential step in performing precise calculations and selecting the optimal power of the intraocular lens. This article discusses the standards for patient qualification and spiral lens calculation adopted in our own practice, comparing them to the standards recommended for other premium lenses.