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Results suggests that NLR, dNLR, PLR, MLR, SIRI, and AISI are unreliable disease biomarkers in men with AMD. Larger scale studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Introduction: Lavender is an evergreen shrub native to Northern Africa and other mountainous Mediterranean regions. It grows throughout Southern Europe, the United States, and Australia. Lavender essential oil has been used since ancient times and is known for its antiinflammatory, antidepressant, antiseptic, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Methodology: in this study, the antimicrobial activity of two Lavender essential oils (Lavanda sumian and Lavanda grosso) against 16 multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strains from clinical ocular samples taken from migrant patients has been investigated. The in vitro cytotoxic activity on human Wong-Kilbourne derivative (WKD) conjunctiva cells from healthy patients and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity on murine macrophage (J774.1A) were also evaluated. Results: L. sumian showed lower antimicrobial activity when compared to L. grosso. Both lavender oils tested had no cytotoxic effect at very low concentrations, mostly L. grosso. The essential oils extracted from L. sumian and L. grosso significantly reduced NOS in a cell model. Conclusion: Increase in drug resistance and lack of new antibiotics may encourage the development of natural antimicrobial treatments.

Acanthamoeba is not the only cause of amoebic keratitis, because this condition may also be caused by other FLA, such as Hartmannella and vahlkampfiid amoebae. This finding is epidemiologically interesting, suggesting a possible different geographical prevalence of the different FLA responsible for keratitis. Early diagnosis and proper antiamoebic treatment are crucial to yielding a cure.

Purpose To investigate the role of complete blood cell count (CBC) measures in retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Methods This was a case–control study, including 73 newly diagnosed RAO patients and 73 sex‐ and age‐matched subjects without RAO. On the same day of RAO diagnosis, a blood sample was collected and CBC was determined using an automatic blood counter. Dimensional CBC indices, such as mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW), and some CBC‐combined indices, including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR [dNLR = neutrophils/(white blood cells ‐ neutrophils)] and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), were evaluated. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was also measured. Results Median neutrophils, red cell distribution width (RDW), NLR and dNLR were 4.5x109/L (IQR = 3.8–5.8), 13.4% (IQR = 12.7–14.75), 2.47 (IQR = 1.85–3.13) and 1.70 (IQR = 1.26–2.18) in RAO patients and 4x109/L (IQR = 3.18–4.93), 12.9% (IQR = 12–14), 1.86 (IQR = 1.42–2.44) and 1.32 (IQR = 1.02–1.64) in controls. RAO patients had significantly higher values of neutrophils (p = 0.003), RDW (p = 0.0011), NLR (p = 0.0001) and dNLR (p = 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the values of white blood cells, lymphocytes, platelet count, MPV and PLR. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed a statistically significant correlation between RAO and increased RDW (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.06–1.73, p = 0.015), NLR (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.34–3.06, p = 0.0009) and dNLR (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.71–6.75, p = 0.0005). Conclusion Results suggest that RDW, NLR and dNLR may be involved in the pathogenesis of RAO and predict its occurrence. However, high‐quality epidemiologic studies, preferably of cohort design, are warranted to confirm whether, or not, an RDW, NLR and dNLR may be considered potential biomarkers of RAO.

Purpose: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly in Western Countries. Evidence indicates that Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a common genetic abnormality, may protect against ischemic heart and cerebrovascular disease, ocular vascular disorders, and colorectal cancer. This study was undertaken to ascertain whether G6PD deficiency may protect against AMD. Materials and Methods: 79 men with late-stage AMD and 79 male, age-matched cataract controls without AMD were recruited in March-December 2016. Smoking status, clinical history, and drug use were recorded. A blood sample was taken from each participant. Complete blood count, hemoglobin, glucose, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, transaminases, bilirubin, and erythrocyte G6PD activity were measured. Stepwise logistic regression was used to investigate the association between G6PD deficiency and AMD. Results: G6PD deficiency was found in 7 (8.9%) AMD patients and 8 (10.1%) controls, a not statistically significant difference. Stepwise logistic regression disclosed that AMD was significantly associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.03-1.15, P=0.02) and LDL-cholesterol (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.0001-1.03, P=0.049) and lower values of white blood cell (WBC) count (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.56-0.88, P=0.02) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.85-0.99, P=0.044). Conclusion: Results suggest that G6PD deficiency has no protective effect on nor is a risk factor for AMD. Larger studies are necessary to confirm whether increased diastolic blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol and lower values of WBC count and AST are risk factors for AMD.

Purpose To investigate the role of some blood count‐derived inflammation biomarkers in non‐arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods 37 newly diagnosed NAION patients and 37 sex‐ and age‐matched subjects without NAION were recruited between January 2017 and December 2018. A blood sample was taken and complete blood cell count was performed. The following blood cell count‐derived indexes were evaluated: neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR [dNLR = neutrophils/(white blood cells‐neutrophils)], platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Results NAION patients had significantly higher median values of mean platelet volume (MPV; p = 0.01), red cell distribution width (RDW; p = 0.015), NLR (p = 0.03), and dNLR (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and PLR. Conclusion Results suggest that MPV, RDW, NLR and dNLR may be disease biomarkers in NAION. Larger scale studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

PurposeTo describe the clinical features and treatment results in 41 consecutive patients with microbiologically proven free‐living amoebae (FLA) keratitis.MethodsCorneal scrapings from patients with suspected amoebic keratitis were plated on non‐nutrient agar. Amoebic isolates were identified morphologically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients were treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) 0.02% eye‐drops.Results41 corneal scrapings from 41 patients were found to be culture‐positive for FLA; 39 (95%) were from contact lens (CL) wearers, 2 (5%) from non‐CL wearers. Microscopic examination identified 3 Acanthamoeba spp, 23 Hartmannella spp, 12 Vahlkampfiidae, and 3 mixed infections with Hartmannella/Vahlkampfiidae. Morphological results were confirmed by PCR. Patients with Acanthamoeba, Hartmannella and Vahlkamfiidae keratitis had indistinguishable clinical features. In 37 eyes with keratitis at an early stage, treatment with PHMB 0.02% eye‐drops was fully successful. In 4 patients with advanced keratitis, topical PHMB 0.02% controlled the infection, but all of them developed a central corneal scar with visual deterioration.ConclusionsAcanthamoeba is not the only cause of amoebic keratitis, because this condition may also be caused by other FLA, such as Hartmannella and Vahlkampfiidae. This finding is epidemiologically interesting, suggesting a possible different geographical prevalence of the different FLA responsible for keratitis. Early diagnosis and proper anti‐amoebic treatment are crucial to yield a cure.