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Purpose: To assess mean change in visual acuity (VA) overall and stratified by baseline VA after 1 and 2 years' treatment with aflibercept in a real-life setting.

Methods: This was an observational cohort study using nationwide data from the Swedish Macula Register. Treatment-naive patient eyes with wet age-related macular degeneration and prescribed aflibercept from January 2013 to December 2014 were followed for 1 year (2478 eyes) or 2 years (831 eyes) to assess VA. Eyes were grouped by baseline VA.

Results: Mean number of injections in patients treated according to label (72%) versus patients treated not according to label was 8.0 +/- 1.5 versus 4.4 +/- 0.8 (p < 0.0001) at 1 year, and 12.5 +/- 3.2 versus 7.3 +/- 1.9 (p < 0.0001) at 2 years. Among all eyes, mean VA increased from 61.3 +/- 13.4 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at baseline to 64.5 +/- 15.6 at 1 year and 65.1 +/- 15.1 letters at 2 years. At 2 years, eyes with good baseline vision (>= 70 letters) lost a mean of 2.4 +/- 11.3 to 72.3 letters, eyes with intermediate baseline VA (36-69 letters) gained 5.7 +/- 14.1 to 62.7 letters, and eyes with poor baseline VA (<= 35 letters) gained 13.2 +/- 18.3 to 41.0 letters. Also at 2 years, 75% of treated eyes were stable or had improved VA. Among eyes with intermediate baseline VA, near vision was significantly better among those treated according to label versus not according to label at 3 (p = 0.019), 6 (p = 0.0002) and 12 months (p <= 0.0001).

Conclusion: While gain in vision was especially pronounced in eyes with poor baseline VA, good baseline VA was important for best prognosis.

Topical prostaglandin analogs, which have become first-line therapy in the medical management of glaucoma, have an excellent safety profile with regard to systemic side effects, but are associated with several ocular side effects. Some of these are common, with no apparent serious consequences other than cosmetic, whereas others are much less common but represent potentially sight-threatening side effects. The former group includes conjunctival hyperemia, elongation and darkening of eyelashes, induced iris darkening, and periocular skin pigmentation. The latter group of side effects, which are relatively rare and lack definitive causal relationship to prostaglandin analog therapy, includes iris cysts, cystoid macular edema, anterior uveitis, and reactivation of herpes simplex keratitis. Most of the literature regarding side effects associated with prostaglandin analogs involves the use of latanoprost, probably because it was the first to be studied. There is no evidence, however, aside from less conjunctival hyperemia with latanoprost, that the commercially available prostaglandin analogs differ significantly with regard to side effects.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol (Xalacom) in patients requiring additional intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction over 5 years. Methods: This phase 3b, open-label, multicenter study included prostaglandin-naive participants with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension insufficiently responsive to beta-blockers and requiring additional IOP reduction. Participants were evaluated at eleven 6-month visits. A masked assessor evaluated iris/eyelash changes at baseline and 12, 36, and 60 months. Increased iris pigmentation incidence was compared with a historic control from a similarly designed study evaluating latanoprost. Ocular and systemic adverse events were recorded. Results: Among 828/974 treated participants with assessable iris photographs, 233 (28.1%) developed increased iris pigmentation versus 127/380 (33.4%) in the historic controls. Participants with mixed eye colors exhibited greater susceptibility to overall increased iris pigmentation (85.8% in both studies). In this study, most participants (80.3%) with increased iris pigmentation developed only a weak increase. Eyelash changes were seen in 58.1% of participants and darkening of the eyelids in 5-6%; 14.1% experienced a serious adverse event. Adverse events resulted in treatment withdrawal in 133 (13.7%) participants. Most were nonserious ocular adverse events, about half of them ocular irritation. Only 3 of 13 serious systemic adverse events were considered to be drug related by the investigator. Mean IOP reductions were stable over 5 years. Conclusions: After 5 years, more than 70% of participants treated with fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol had no increased iris pigmentation. The fixed combination is safe and well tolerated for long-term treatment in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: Population based study of infants born before 27 gestational weeks and admitted for neonatal intensive care in Sweden during 2004-2007. Results: Of 638 admitted infants, 141 died. Among these, life support was withdrawn in 55 infants because of anticipation of poor long-term outcome. Of 497 surviving infants, 10% developed severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), 5.7% cystic periventricular leucomalacia (cPVL), 41% septicaemia and 5.8% necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); 61% had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and 34% developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage >= 3. Eighty-five per cent needed mechanical ventilation and 25% developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Forty-seven per cent survived to one year of age without any severe IVH, cPVL, severe ROP, severe BPD or NEC. Tocolysis increased and prolonged mechanical ventilation decreased the chances of survival without these morbidities. Maternal smoking and higher gestational duration were associated with lower risk of severe ROP, whereas PDA and poor growth increased this risk. Conclusion: Half of the infants surviving extremely preterm birth suffered from severe neonatal morbidities. Studies on how to reduce these morbidities and on the long-term health of survivors are warranted.

Purpose:  The primary aim was to analyse regional incidences of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and frequencies of treatment and their relation to perinatal risk factors during a 3-year period. A secondary aim was to study adherence to the study screening protocol in the different regions.

Methods:  A population-based study of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants in Sweden (EXPRESS) was performed during 2004–2007. Screening for ROP was to start at postnatal age 5 weeks and to continue weekly until the retina was completely vascularized or until regression of ROP. Logistic regression analyses were used for evaluation of differences in incidence of Any ROP, ROP 3 or more and ROP Type 1 between the seven regions of the country.

Results:  The regional incidence of ROP varied between 54% and 92% for Any ROP, between 25% and 43% for ROP stage 3 or more and between 8% and 23% of infants with ROP Type 1, all of whom were treated. There was no significant difference between the regions regarding ROP Type 1, even when adjusting for known risk factors for ROP.

Conclusion:  The heterogeneity between the regions regarding the incidence of ROP was reduced with increasing severity of ROP, and there was no heterogeneity regarding frequency of treatment for ROP, which is the most important issue for the children. We cannot exclude observer bias regarding mild ROP and ROP stage 3 in this study.

Objective: To analyze screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) during a 3-year period in a national cohort of infants born before 27 weeks' gestation. Methods: A national prospective study of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants was performed in Sweden between April 1, 2004, and March 31, 2007. Screening for ROP was to start in the fifth postnatal week and to continue weekly until complete vascularization of the retina or until regression of ROP. Results: The first eye examination was performed no later than the sixth postnatal week in 84.8% of 506 infants, and the last examination was performed at postmenstrual age (PMA) of 38 weeks or later in 96.2% of infants. The mean and median numbers of days between examinations in the total cohort were 8.6 and 7.9 days, respectively (range, 1-27.8 days), and the mean and me-dian numbers of examinations were 12 and 10, respectively. Most infants were treated during a limited period (eg, at PMA of 39 weeks, 75.0% of infants had been treated). Conclusions: The objective of screening for ROP is timely detection of ROP before reaching treatment of criteria, ie, type 1 ROP, according to the Early Treatment for ROP recommendations. In our population of infants born before 27 weeks' gestation, the first examination could safely be postponed until PMA of 31 weeks because the onset of ROP stage 3 did not occur before then and criteria for treatment were not reached before PMA of 32 weeks. Gestational age at birth and PMA at the time of examination should be considered when deciding when and where the next examination should be performed.

Purpose: To compare the mean transit time (MTT) of retinal circulation in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and examine the possible relationship between MTT and visual field damage, expressed as mean deviation (MD).

Methods: Video fluorescein angiography was performed in 40 patients with POAG or NTG. Dye curves for fluorescein passing through the retinal arteries and veins were used to calculate MTT in each patient with a computer-assisted technique based on an impulse-response analysis (MTT_ir).

Results: We were able to analyse MTT_ir in all 40 angiograms. Mean (SD) MTT_ir was 5.0 (1.5) seconds in eyes with POAG and 4.7 (1.4) seconds in eyes with NTG. The difference was not statistically significant. There was a weak but significant correlation between the MD and MTT_ir (MTT_ir = 4.12–0.08*MD; r = −0.49, p = 0.0013).

Conslusions: The results demonstrate that loss of neuronal tissue in glaucoma is combined with an effect on the retinal circulation and that the effect is similar in eyes with NTG and eyes with POAG.

CONTEXT: Up-to-date information on infant survival after extremely preterm birth is needed for assessing perinatal care services, clinical guidelines, and parental counseling. OBJECTIVE: To determine the 1-year survival in all infants born before 27 gestational weeks in Sweden during 2004-2007. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: Population-based prospective observational study of extremely preterm infants (707 live-born and 304 stillbirths) born to 887 mothers in 904 deliveries (102 multiple births) in all obstetric and neonatal units in Sweden from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infant survival to 365 days and survival without major neonatal morbidity (intraventricular hemorrhage grade >2, retinopathy of prematurity stage >2, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Associations between perinatal interventions and survival. RESULTS: The incidence of extreme prematurity was 3.3 per 1000 infants. Overall perinatal mortality was 45% (from 93% at 22 weeks to 24% at 26 weeks), with 30% stillbirths, including 6.5% intrapartum deaths. Of live-born infants, 91% were admitted to neonatal intensive care and 70% survived to 1 year of age (95% confidence interval [CI], 67%-73%). The Kaplan-Meier survival estimates for 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 weeks were 9.8% (95% CI, 4%-23%), 53% (95% CI, 44%-63%), 67% (95% CI, 59%-75%), 82% (95% CI, 76%-87%), and 85% (95% CI, 81%-90%), respectively. Lower risk of infant death was associated with tocolytic treatment (adjusted for gestational age odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% CI, 0.36-0.52), antenatal corticosteroids (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81), surfactant treatment within 2 hours after birth (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32-0.71), and birth at a level III hospital (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32-0.75). Among 1-year survivors, 45% had no major neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSION: During 2004 to 2007, 1-year survival of infants born alive at 22 to 26 weeks of gestation in Sweden was 70% and ranged from 9.8% at 22 weeks to 85% at 26 weeks.

Objective: Ophthalmologic complications after preterm birth are common. Small studies show an association between retinopathy of prematurity and later retinal detachment. There are no population-based studies of preterm birth and risk of retinal detachment, which was the objective of the current investigation.

Design: Nationwide Swedish cohort study based on population registries.

Participants: Of 3 423 697 subjects born in Sweden, 1 271 725 were born between 1973 and 1986 (i.e., before the national screening program for retinopathy of prematurity started), and 2 151 972 were born between 1987 and 2008. The participants were followed up from 1 year of age until 2009.

Methods: Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for retinal detachment were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Main Outcome Measures: Incident retinal detachment, as defined by a diagnosis in the Swedish Patient Register (both inpatient and hospital-based outpatient data).

Results: During follow-up (median follow-up, 17.4 years), 1749 subjects were diagnosed with retinal detachment. Among the 188 852 subjects born prematurely (i.e., at < 37 weeks of gestation), there were 124 cases of retinal detachment, of which 42 occurred in the 20 470 subjects born before 32 weeks of gestation. Compared with subjects born at term (37-41 weeks), the adjusted HR for retinal detachment after extremely preterm birth (< 28 weeks of gestation) was 19.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.3-35.8) for births between 1973 and 1986 and 8.95 (95% CI, 3.98-20.1) for births between 1987 and 2008. The corresponding HRs in subjects born very prematurely (28-31 weeks) were 4.32 (95% CI, 2.70-6.90) and 2.80 (95% CI, 1.38-5.69), respectively. Moderately preterm birth (32-36 weeks) was not associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment.

Conclusions: Birth before 32 weeks of gestation is associated with a substantially increased relative risk of retinal detachment. These findings may have implications for ophthalmologic follow-up of children and adults born very prematurely. 

Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is an age-related condition characterized by the production and accumulation of extracellular fibrillary material in the anterior segment of the eye. PEX predisposes for several pathological conditions, such as glaucoma and complications during and after cataract surgery. The pathogenesis of PEX is not yet fully understood. It is multifactorial with genetics and ageing as contributing factors.

We aimed to study the proteome in aqueous humor (AH) in PEX in order to increase the knowledge about its pathophysiology. Therefore, we developed sampling techniques and evaluated separation methods necessary for analyzing small sample volumes. Other objectives were to study the lens capsule in eyes with PEX regarding small molecules, and to investigate the association between PEX and cataract surgery in a population-based 30-year follow-up study.

Samples of AH from eyes with PEX and control eyes were collected during cataract surgery. In pooled, and individual samples, various liquid based separation techniques and high resolution mass spectrometry were utilized. For quantitation, various methods for labeling, and label free techniques were applied. Lens capsules were collected from some of the patients, and analysed by imaging mass spectrometry. A cohort of 1,471 elderly individuals underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at baseline. Medical information was obtained by questionnaires, and from medical records. Incident cases of cataract surgery were identified by review of medical records.

In the initial study, several techniques were explored for protein detection, and a number of proteins were identified as differentially expressed. In the individually labelled samples, changes in the proteome were observed. Eyes with PEX contained higher levels of proteins involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, and coagulation, suggesting that these mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis in PEX. The levels of β/γ-crystallins were significantly increased in PEX, which is a novel finding. In the lens capsules from individuals with PEX, changes in the lipid composition was observed with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. These changes remain to be elucidated. By multivariate analysis, lens opacities were the first, and PEX the second most important predictor for cataract surgery, the later accounting for a 2.38-fold increased risk for cataract surgery.