1.
Ocular Adverse Events After COVID-19 Vaccination.
Ng, XL, Betzler, BK, Testi, I, Ho, SL, Tien, M, Ngo, WK, Zierhut, M, Chee, SP, Gupta, V, Pavesio, CE, et al
Ocular immunology and inflammation. 2021;(6):1216-1224
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Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has galvanized the development of new vaccines at an unprecedented pace. Since the widespread implementation of vaccination campaigns, reports of ocular adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccinations have emerged. This review summarizes ocular adverse effects possibly associated with COVID-19 vaccination, and discusses their clinical characteristics and management. METHODS Narrative Literature Review. RESULTS Ocular adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccinations include facial nerve palsy, abducens nerve palsy, acute macular neuroretinopathy, central serous retinopathy, thrombosis, uveitis, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease reactivation, and new-onset Graves' Disease. Studies in current literature are primarily retrospective case series or isolated case reports - these are inherently weak in establishing association or causality. Nevertheless, the described presentations resemble the reported ocular manifestations of the COVID-19 disease itself. Hence, we hypothesize that the human body's immune response to COVID-19 vaccinations may be involved in the pathogenesis of the ocular adverse effects post-COVID-19 vaccination. CONCLUSION Ophthalmologists and generalists should be aware of the possible, albeit rare, ocular adverse effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Roles of Exosomes in Ocular Diseases.
Liu, J, Jiang, F, Jiang, Y, Wang, Y, Li, Z, Shi, X, Zhu, Y, Wang, H, Zhang, Z
International journal of nanomedicine. 2020;:10519-10538
Abstract
Exosomes, nanoscale vesicles with a diameter of 30 to 150 nm, are composed of a lipid bilayer, protein, and genetic material. Exosomes are secreted by virtually all types of cells in the human body. They have key functions in cell-to-cell communication, immune regulation, inflammatory response, and neovascularization. Mounting evidence indicates that exosomes play an important role in various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and brain diseases; however, the role that exosomes play in eye diseases has not yet been rigorously studied. This review covers current exosome research as it relates to ocular diseases including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, autoimmune uveitis, glaucoma, traumatic optic neuropathies, corneal diseases, retinopathy of prematurity, and uveal melanoma. In addition, we discuss recent advances in the biological functions of exosomes, focusing on the toxicity of exosomes and the use of exosomes as biomarkers and drug delivery vesicles. Finally, we summarize the primary considerations and challenges to be taken into account for the effective applications of exosomes.
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The role of eye-associated lymphoid tissue in corneal immune protection.
Knop, E, Knop, N
Journal of anatomy. 2005;(3):271-85
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Abstract
Because the cornea is optimized for refraction, it relies on supporting tissues for moistening and nutrition and in particular for immune protection. Its main support tissue is the conjunctiva, in addition to the lacrimal gland, the latter which provides soluble mediators via the tear film. The cornea and conjunctiva constitute a moist mucosal surface and there is increasing evidence that apart from innate defence mechanisms, also lymphoid cells contribute to the normal homeostasis of the corneal surface. A Medline-based literature search was performed in order to review the existing literature on the existence, composition and functions of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) at the ocular surface for corneal protection. The existence of lymphoid cells at the ocular surface and appendage has been known for many years, but for a long time they were believed erroneously to be inflammatory cells. More recent research has shown that in addition to the known presence of lymphoid cells in the lacrimal gland, they also form MALT in the conjunctiva as conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and in the lacrimal drainage system as lacrimal drainage-associated lymphoid tissue (LDALT). Together this constitutes an eye-associated lymphoid tissue (EALT), which is a new component of the mucosal immune system of the body. When the topographical distribution of CALT is projected onto the ocular surface, it overlies the cornea during eye closure and is hence in a suitable position to assist the corneal immune protection during blinking and overnight. It can detect corneal antigens and prime respective effector cells, or distribute protective factors as secretory IgA.