To evaluate the efficacy and safety of decellularized conjunctival stroma (DCS) as a novel biomaterial by comparing its grafting outcomes with amniotic membrane (AM) when used for conjunctival reconstruction after primary pterygium excision.

This randomized, parallel-controlled study with allocation concealment enrolled 40 patients with primary pterygium. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups using the sealed envelope method: the DCS group (n=20) and the AM group (n=18), receiving DCS and AM grafts respectively. Slit-lamp photography of the operative eyes was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, 90, and 180d postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and symptom scores were recorded simultaneously. In vivo confocal microscopy was conducted at 3 and 6mo postoperatively.

All participants exhibited improved postoperative symptoms. The mean age was 60±9y (male/female ratio: 6/14) in the DCS group and 56±12y (male/female ratio: 7/11) in the AM group. The average epithelial healing time was 9.89±3.54d in the DCS group and 8.17±1.34d in the AM group (P=0.084). One recurrence case was observed in each group. Postoperative graft hemorrhage was significantly more severe in the DCS group than in the AM group only at 30d postoperatively (P=0.011). In vivo confocal microscopy revealed conjunctival epithelial cell growth in both groups at 90d postoperatively, while clear corneo-conjunctival cell boundaries were observed until 180d postoperatively.

DCS used in primary pterygium surgery has a safety profile comparable to AM. It promotes rapid postoperative conjunctival healing, achieves a relatively low pterygium recurrence rate, and yields outcomes similar to AM. DCS provides a novel biomaterial option for conjunctival reconstruction after pterygium excision and the treatment of other conjunctival injuries.

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of subconjunctival injection of conbercept in the treatment of corneal neovascularization (CNV).

The data on 10 consecutively recruited patients with CNV who received a subconjunctival conbercept (1 mg) once, and measured the area, length, and diameter of neovascularization before and after (1d, 1, 2wk, and 1mo) treatment as well as the occurrence of systemic and ocular complications after treatment were analyzed.

There was a statistically significant reduction in the area of CNV one day after treatment (mean±SD: 38.46±11.36 mm²), compared with before treatment (42.46±12.80 mm², P<0.01). There was also a statistically significant reduction in the length (3.86±1.80 mm vs 4.64±1.77 mm, P<0.01) and diameter (0.044±0.022 vs 0.060±0.026, P<0.05) of CNV, one week after treatment comparing to before treatment. The reduction in all three parameters was maximized at two weeks after treatment (area: 29.49±8.83 mm², P<0.001; length: 3.50±1.88 mm, P<0.001; and diameter: 0.038±0.017 mm, P<0.01). No severe systemic or ocular complication was observed during the study.

During the observation period of one-month, subconjunctival injection of conbercept is an effective and safe method for the reduction of CNV. It may be effective as a preoperative drug for neovascular corneal transplantation.

To investigate the relationship between dynamic tear meniscus parameters and dry eye using an automated tear meniscus segmentation method.

The analysis of tear meniscus videos captured within 5s after a complete blink includes data from 38 participates. By processing video data, several key parameters including the average height of the tear meniscus at different lengths, the curvature of the tear meniscus’s upper boundary, and the total area of the tear meniscus in each frame were calculated. The effective values of these dynamic parameters were then linearly fitted to explore the relationship between their changing trends and dry eye disease.

In 94.74% of the samples, the average height of central tear meniscus increased over time. Moreover, 97.37% of the samples exhibited an increase in the overall tear meniscus height (TMH) and area from the nasal to temporal side. Notably, the central TMH increased at a faster rate compared to the nasal side with the temporal side showing the slowest ascent. Statistical analysis indicates that the upper boundary curvature of the whole tear meniscus as well as the tear meniscus of the nasal side (2, 3, and 4 mm) aid in identifying the presence of dry eye and assessing its severity.

This study contributes to the understanding of tear meniscus dynamics as potential markers for dry eye, utilizing an automated and non-invasive approach that has implications for clinical assessment.

To evaluate dry eye disease (DED) symptomatology and mental health status in different COVID-19 patients.

A cross-sectional observational design was used. Totally 123 eligible adults (46.34% of men, age range, 18-59y) with COVID-19 included in the study from August to November, 2022. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Five-item Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ-5), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used in this study.

OSDI scores were 6.82 (1.25, 15.91) in asymptomatic carriers, 7.35 (2.50, 18.38) in mild cases, and 16.67 (4.43, 28.04) in recurrent cases, with 30.00%, 35.56%, and 57.89%, respectively evaluated as having DED symptoms (χ²=7.049, P=0.029). DEQ-5 score varied from 2.00 (0, 6.00) in asymptomatic carriers, 3.00 (0, 8.00) in mild cases, and 8.00 (5.00, 10.00) in recurrent cases, with 27.50%, 33.33%, and 55.26%, respectively assessed as having DED symptoms (χ²=8.532, P=0.014). The prevalence of clinical anxiety (50.00%) and depression (47.37%) symptoms were also significantly higher in patients with recurrent infection (χ²=24.541, P<0.001; χ²=30.871, P<0.001). Recurrent infection was a risk factor for high OSDI scores [odds ratio, 2.562; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.631-7.979; P=0.033] and DEQ-5 scores (odds ratio, 3.353; 95%CI, 1.038-8.834; P=0.043), whereas having a fixed occupation was a protective factor for OSDI scores (odds ratio, 0.088; 95%CI, 0.022-0.360; P=0.001) and DEQ-5 scores (odds ratio, 0.126; 95%CI, 0.039-0.405; P=0.001).

Patients with recurrent COVID-19 have more severe symptoms of DED, anxiety, and depression.