The aim of this study was to evaluate pupillary response to light stimulation in patients with different stages of glaucoma using computerized pupillometry. We conducted a retrospective study on a group of 44 glaucoma patients who had undergone complete ophthalmological examination, visual field test (Humphrey SITA Standard 24-2) and monocular dynamic pupillometry (MonCV3 Metrovision). Eyes were classified into stages of glaucoma according to visual field damage using the Glaucoma Staging System 2. A group of 18 healthy subjects, homogeneous for age and sex with glaucoma patients, was used as a control. The following parameters were considered-latency and duration of contraction and dilatation; initial, minimum, maximum, and mean pupil diameter; amplitude of contraction; contraction and dilatation speed; and percent pupil contraction (PPC). PPC and pupil contraction speed and minimum diameter showed covariate correlation with the stages of glaucoma. The control group significantly differed from the stage 3 group in terms of PPC and from the stage 4 group in terms of minimum diameter. There were significant differences between the stage 5 group and stage 1, 2, 3 and control groups. Ordinal logistic regression showed a correlation between pupil contraction speed, minimum diameter, PPC, initial diameter and the stage of glaucoma. The study showed that glaucoma damage is associated with altered values of pupillary response to light. This event may be the consequence of the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons induced by glaucoma.

No abstract

The development of new methods for the correct disposal of waste is unavoidable for any city that aims to become eco-friendly. Waste management is no exception. In the modern era, the treatment and disposal of infectious waste should be seen as an opportunity to generate renewable energy, resource efficiency, and, above all, to improve the population’s quality of life. Northern Italy currently produces 66,600 tons/year of infectious waste, mostly treated through incineration plants. This research aims to explore a more ecological and sustainable solution, thereby contributing one more step toward achieving better cities for all. Particularly, this paper presents a conceptual design of the main sterilization chamber for infectious waste. The methodology selected was Design Thinking (DT), since it has a user-centered approach which allows for co-design and the inclusion of the target population. This study demonstrates to the possibility of obtaining feasible results based on the user’s needs through the application of DT as a framework for engineering design.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate iris thickness changes in patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) or Ocular Hypertension (OHT) under treatment with Prostaglandin Analogues (PG).Objectives:Primary outcome measures were iris thickness at the region of Dilator Muscle Region (DMR) and Sphincter Muscle Region (SMR). DMR/SMR ratio was also evaluated. The secondary outcome was the correlation between PG treatment length and iris parameters.Methods:The charts of patients with POAG or OHT who underwent Visante OCT were retrospectively selected. The patients were divided in a group using PG for at least 6 months and a group using hypotensive drops not including PG or alpha-adrenergic agonists. A third group included healthy subjects.Result:98 subjects were selected. Patients with POAG or OHT using PG eyedrops showed a significant iris thickness reduction at DMR compared to healthy subjects and to patients using hypotensive eyedrops not containing PG. Significantly higher SMR thickness values were found in PG group compared to both control groups. DMR/SMR ratio significantly reduced in PG group. No correlation was found between PG treatment length and iris parameters.Conclusion:The present data indicate that PG treatment induced DMR thickness reduction and an increase in SMR thickness. These changes were not related to the duration of PG exposure.