A method of classification for hematomas of the rectus abdominis sheath (RSH) is proposed based on findings observed in CT in the 13 cases of RSH in the present study. Type I hematomas (five cases) are slight and do not require hospitalization. Type II (three cases) and type III (five cases) are moderate and severe hematomas, respectively, and do require hospitalization. The patients with type III hematomas were all undergoing anticoagulant therapy and presented with a picture of acute abdomen, and in all five cases blood transfusion was carried out. Ultrasonography and, in particular, CT permitted a correct diagnosis of RSH. RSH should be considered (anticoagulant therapy induced) in females with sudden abdominal pain to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main socioeconomical health issues worldwide. AMD has a multifactorial etiology with a variety of risk factors. Smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for AMD development and progression. The present review summarizes the epidemiological studies evaluating the association between smoking and AMD, the mechanisms through which smoking induces damage to the chorioretinal tissues, and the relevance of advising patients to quit smoking for their visual health.

BackgroundOxidative stress (OS) and its biomarkers are the biochemical end point of the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the ability of the antioxidant (AOX) biological systems to fight against oxidative injury.ObjectiveWe reviewed the role of OS and its downstream signaling in aging eyes.MethodsA search of the literature and current knowledge on the physiological and pathological mechanisms of OS were revisited in relation to the eyes and the aging process. Most prevalent ocular diseases have been analyzed herein in relation to OS and nutraceutic supplements, such as dry-eye disorders, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.ResultsClinical, biochemical, and molecular data from anterior and posterior eye segment diseases point to OS as the common pathogenic mechanism in the majority of these ocular disorders, many of which are pathologies causing visual impairment, blindness, and subsequent loss of life quality. Studies with nutraceutic supplements in aging eye-related pathologies have also been reviewed.ConclusionOS, nutritional status, and nutraceutic supplements have to be considered within the standards of care of older ophthalmologic patients. OS biomarkers and surrogate end points may help in managing the aging population with ocular diseases.