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This study showed that not only the status of the external limiting membrane and the inner/outer segment junction but also the integrity of the intermediate line and the outer nuclear layer thickness changes may be important predictors of postoperative visual outcome after anatomically successful rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

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The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of a combination of acetyl-L-carnitine, n-3 fatty acids, and coenzyme Q10 (Phototrop^®) on the visual functions and fundus alterations in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD). One hundred and six patients with a clinical diagnosis of early AMD were randomized to the treated or control groups. The primary efficacy variable was the change in the visual field mean defect (VFMD) from baseline to 12 months of treatment, with secondary efficacy parameters: visual acuity (Snellen chart and ETDRS chart), foveal sensitivity as measured by perimetry, and fundus alterations as evaluated according to the criteria of the International Classification and Grading System for AMD. The mean change in all four parameters of visual functions showed significant improvement in the treated group by the end of the study period. In addition, in the treated group only 1 out of 48 cases (2%) while in the placebo group 9 out of 53 (17%) showed clinically significant (>2.0 dB) worsening in VFMD (p = 0.006, odds ratio: 10.93). Decrease in drusen-covered area of treated eyes was also statistically significant as compared to placebo when either the most affected eyes (p = 0.045) or the less affected eyes (p = 0.017) were considered. These findings strongly suggested that an appropriate combination of compounds which affect mitochondrial lipid metabolism, may improve and subsequently stabilize visual functions, and it may also improve fundus alterations in patients affected by early AMD.

Recent histopathologic studies have shown that mitochondria and peroxisomes of the retinal pigment epithelium may play a central role in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We supposed that compounds which improve mitochondrial functions (mitotropic compounds) may show beneficial effects in preventing AMD. Fourteen patients affected by early AMD were treated with a mixture containing acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) and vitamin E, while an equal number of age- and sex-matched patients affected by early AMD were treated with vitamin E only. Recovery time after macular photostress, foveal sensitivity and mean defect in the visual field as well as blood lipid levels were recorded at the beginning and after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months of follow-up. In the treated group, all the visual functions showed slight improvement which was evident after 3 months of treatment and remained nearly stationary by the end of 24 months. The same tests in the control group showed slow worsening. The divergence between treated and control groups became more marked with time, but the difference was not significant at any time of the follow-up. These findings suggest that the blend of ALC, PUFA, CoQ₁₀ and vitamin E may improve retinal functions in early AMD.

Twenty-eight patients with low vision were enrolled into the study. A preliminary study was carried out on 18 eyes of 13 patients with low vision who underwent visual rehabilitation with a new instrument for biofeedback (BF) applied to vision; improved biofeedback integrated system (Ibis). Successively, eight patients (16 eyes) with bilateral low vision were subjected to biofeedback in one eye. The experimental and control eye were evaluated separately. Then a placebo training was developed on seven patients (12 eyes). Visual acuity, colour vision, automated perimetry, contrast sensitivity and flash VEP were evaluated. A brief review of the literature and the possible mechanisms behind the results are discussed.

Optic neuropathy is a well-known ocular manifestation occurring in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it remains one of the major causes of blindness in these patients. We report data from six SLE patients with optic neuropathy, one of whom was considered to have antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This patient had monolateral optic neuropathy, whereas the other five SLE patients had bilateral optic nerve disease. We believe that the monolateral occurrence of optic neuropathy in our patient can be considered as a 'focal' neurological disease due to a thrombotic event involving the ciliary vasculature. Conversely, bilateral optic nerve damage in SLE could be considered to be a 'general' neurological disease due to different immunological mechanisms, such as vasculitis. Additionally, the literature on SLE patients affected by optic neuropathy is reviewed to evaluate the major clinical features, particularly neurological features. In reviewing the literature, it appears that bilateral optic neuropathy in SLE occurs more frequently than monolateral optic neuropathy, and the main neurological manifestation seen in these patients is transverse myelitis, particularly in SLE patients with bilateral optic nerve disease. Finally, we propose a clinico-ophthalmological spectrum of APS and outline the ocular clinical manifestations that can be considered as diagnostic for the syndrome.