Objectives: To determine the role of systemic complement activation in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration and to examine whether serum C3a des Arg reflects systemic complement activation, independent of individual complement component levels.Methods: Plasma complement C3a des Arg levels and a single nucleotide polymorphism at position 402 of the complement factor H gene (CFH) were determined in 3 groups of subjects: 42 subjects with early age-related maculopathy, 42 subjects with neovascular (wet) agerelated macular degeneration, and a control group of 38 subjects with no clinical evidence of age-related changes at the macula. Results:The median (range) of plasma complement C3a des Arg levels in the age-related maculopathy and neovascular age-related macular degeneration groups were 52.6 (2.8-198.1) ng/mL and 60.9 (3.1-173.1) ng/mL, re-spectively. The levels were significantly raised compared with the control group (n=38), which had a median (range) plasma complement C3a des Arg level of 40.3 (6.1-81.7) ng/mL (analysis of variance, P=.02). The concentration of plasma C3a des Arg did not differ significantly between those with different CFH genotypes (P =.07). Conclusion:Systemic activation of the complement system may contribute to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration independent of CFH polymorphism. Clinical Relevance:The results of this study may be relevant to aiming new treatment strategies toward reducing systemic low-grade inflammation.

Macular edema (ME) is the most common sight-threatening complication in uveitis. The diagnostic and therapeutic management of the uveitic macular edema (UME) might be challenging due to the complex diagnostic workup and the difficulties physicians face to find the underlying cause, and due to its usually recurrent nature and the fact that it can be refractory to conventional treatment. Some of the mild cases can be treated with topical steroids, which can be combined with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs. However, immunomodulators such as methotrexate, tacrolimus, azathioprine, cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil together with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF alpha) monoclonal antibodies such as adalimumab and infliximab, may be required to control the inflammation and the associated ME in refractory cases, or when an underlying disease is present. This review of the literature will focus mostly on the non-infectious UME.

Introduction

Purpose It is vital that surgeons undertaking oculoplastic procedures are able to show that the surgery they perform is of benefit to their patients. Not only is this fundamental to patient-centred medicine but it is also important in demonstrating cost effectiveness. There are several ways in which benefit can be measured, including clinical scales, functional ability scales, and global quality-of-life scales. The Glasgow benefit inventory (GBI) is an example of a patient-reported, questionnaire-based, postinterventional quality-of-life scale that can be used to compare a range of different treatments for a variety of conditions. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken using the GBI to score patient benefit from four commonly performed oculoplastic procedures. It was completed for 66 entropion repairs, 50 ptosis repairs, 41 ectropion repairs, and 41 external dacryocystorhinostomies (DCR). The GBI generates a scale from À 100 (maximal detriment) through zero (no change) to þ 100 (maximal benefit). Results The total GBI scores of patients undergoing surgery for entropion, ptosis, ectropion, and external DCR were: þ 25. Po0.001), Po0.001), Po0.001), and þ 32.25 (95% CI 21.47-43.03, Po0.001), respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant benefit from all procedures. Conclusion Patients derived significant quality-of-life benefits from the four most commonly performed oculoplastic procedures.

Aim Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common macular disease in the developed world and recent studies have shown that specific genes may be associated with it and may contribute to a higher risk of developing AMD. Objective Our objective was to review systematically recent publications related to the genetics of AMD and provide relevant information that would help both scientists and clinicians in advising patients.

Background: To assess the ability of the Chromatest in investigating diabetic maculopathy.

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Patients with CRVO demonstrate increase in CMO in morning compared with late morning and afternoon. Possible causes are diurnal variation in blood pressure, retinal metabolism and erect posture. Interventions designed to influence these factors could be used to try to reduce CMO severity.