Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retinal vascular caliber alterations in coal miners in northern China: a community-based observational study

AIM: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retinal vascular caliber alterations in coal mine workers. METHODS: The community-based observational cross-sectional study included 4004 participants of a sub-population of the Kailuan Study. All the study participants underwent structured interviews with a standardized questionnaire, fundus photography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations performed by trained doctors. RESULTS: The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly higher (P=0.006) and the central macular thickness was lower in coal miners (n=659, 51.0±7.8y) as compared to the control (working above the ground; n=477, 51.8±7.5y; P=0.032). Additionally, the downhole workers showed a significantly thicker retinal artery (P=0.012) and vein diameters (P<0.001). In multivariable regression, a thicker retinal nerve fiber layer was associated with a higher cumulative silica dust exposure (P=0.005) after adjusting for younger age and larger spherical equivalent. In a reverse pattern, a higher cumulative silica dust exposure (P=0.004) was significantly associated with a thicker retinal nerve fiber layer after adjusting for age, high-density lipoproteins and uric acid. Wider retinal vein diameters were associated with higher cumulative silica dust exposure (P=0.036) after adjusting for younger age and larger spherical equivalent. CONCLUSION: The retinal vessels diameters and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness are significantly thicker in long term of coal mining. The results of our study indicate that underground working environment may lead to retinal vessel dilation and inflammation. Thus, ocular examination might be needed within coal miners in order to monitor the occupational eye health as well as the incidence and progression of eye diseases.

Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer OCT Imaging in a Parkinson’s Disease Cohort—A Multidisciplinary Approach in a Clinical Research Hospital

(1) Background: The purpose of this paper is to report the data of the first study in a Clinical Research Hospital, in the Transylvania region, focusing on the Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) measurements in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and to compare the results with age-matched healthy controls. (2) Methods: This study assessed the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) SD-OCT measurements (Heidelberg Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) of two study groups: patients suffering from PD (Hoehn−Yahr stages 1–3) and healthy controls. Secondary objectives were to investigate the reported visual symptoms by evaluating the color vision, contrast sensitivity, and the central visual defects for macular disease using standardized charts. Subjects with prior history of ophthalmologic diseases, advanced stages of PD (Hoehn−Yahr stages 4–5), or with psychiatric conditions were not included in this study. The same team of neurologists and ophthalmologists evaluated all individuals in order to have comparable data and to eliminate inter-examiner differences. All subjects were recruited from the same Clinical Research Hospital in the Transylvania region, Romania. (3) Results: 72% of the PD patients (n = 17) in this study reported visual symptoms. In respect to the ophthalmologic chart evaluation for PD patients, the most frequent disturbances were identified in the Ishihara color perception testing (33%). The regression analysis showed significant results for the Ishihara testing in relation to the cpRNFL thinning in the temporal retinal sectors for both eyes. cpRNFL thinning was predominantly contralateral to the parkinsonism (p = 0.001). The temporal and global values of the cpRNFL were significantly lower in all PD patients < 70 years old, compared to the age-matched healthy controls. (4) Conclusions: Specific patterns of cpRNFL thinning were found in the PD subjects younger than 70 years. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for a complete evaluation of PD patients.

Initial hypotensive therapy of primary glaucoma with the domestic latanoprost generic: efficacy and safety

Purpose: a comparative study of the efficacy and safety of the Latanoprost-Optic drug and the original latanoprost drug administered to previously untreated patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Material and methods. A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study involved 60 patients (70 eyes) with newly diagnosed POAG, who were randomly divided into 2 groups of equal size. The patients of the main group (34 eyes) received Latanoprost-Optic, whilst the control group received the original preparation of latanoprost, 1 instillation in the evening. The reference points were the values of intraocular pressure, visual acuity, perimetric indices (standard deviation, standard deviation pattern), the average thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer, the minimum width of the neuroretinal girdle, the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in the macula, the thickness of the ganglion cell layer in the macula, the thickness of the inner plexiform layer, and the safety (adverse events). The observation period was 12 weeks. Results. After 2 weeks, both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in intraocular pressure, which remained stable after 6 and 12 weeks. The average decrease in intraocular pressure of those receiving Latanoprost-Optic was 30% and at no control point a statistically significant difference from the original drug was revealed. A positive dynamic of visual acuity, static perimetry indices and optical coherence tomography was registered, showing n significant intergroup differences. This may indicate that the drugs have an indirect neuroprotective effect. The adverse events included discomfort and redness of the bulbar conjunctiva, which were recorded in 7 out of 30 patients in the study group and in 6 out of 30 patients in the control group. All of them were mild and completely reversible. No serious or systemic adverse events were reported. Conclusion. Latanoprost-Optic has an efficacy comparable to that of the original latanoprost drug and has a comparable favorable safety profile.