<span style="color: #1f497d;">Introduction: This study was conducted to compare the effect of nanofibrous polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL/gelatin (PCL/Gel) on limbal epithelial stem cell (LESC) and its efficiency for transplantation in animal model. <br /> <span style="color: #1f497d;">Methods: PCL and PCL/Gel with a mass ratio of 70:30 and 50:50 was fabricated by electrospinning method. Human LESCs were cultured on PCL and PCL/Gel scaffolds and the effect of each scaffold on LESC proliferation, attachment and corneal epithelial regeneration in an animal model was evaluated, considering ease of use of scaffold and final transparency of the cornea.<br /> <span style="color: #1f497d;">Results: Our data showed that PCL was more suitable than PCL/Gel for LESCs adherence, induction of epithelial morphology and proliferation. Histopathologic analysis of corneal sections from transplanted animals showed that epithelium was regenerated almost similar in PCL and PCL/Gel groups; however, vascularization and inflammation were significantly lower in the group receiving PCL. <br /> Conclusion: The represented data indicated the priority of PCL to PCL/Gel for the LESC attachment, proliferation and final outcome in an animal model of alkaline injury. This finding might be promising for cell therapy of corneal diseases.

Purpose To estimate the pooled prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Iran and to investigate their correlations with the Human Development Index (HDI), healthcare access (i.e., density of specialists and sub-specialists), and methodological issues.Methods Electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and local databases were searched for cohort and cross-sectional studies published prior to January 2018. Prevalence and incidence rates of DR were extracted from January 2000 to December 2017 and random effects models were used to estimate pooled effect sizes. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool was applied for quality assessment of eligible studies. ResultsA total of 55,445 participants across 33 studies were included. The pooled prevalence (95% CI) of DR in diabetic clinics (22 studies), eye clinics (4 studies), and general population (7 studies) was 31.8% (24.5 to 39.2), 57.8% (50.2 to 65.3), and 29.6% (22.6 to 36.5), respectively. It was 7.4% (3.9 to 10.8) for proliferative DR and 7.1% (4.9 to 9.4) for clinically significant macular edema. The heterogeneity of individual estimates of prevalence was highly significant. HDI (P < 0.001), density of specialists (P = 0.004), subspecialists (P < 0.001), and sampling site (P = 0.041) were associated with heterogeneity after the adjustment for type of DR, duration of diabetes, study year, and proportion of diabetics with controlled HbA1C.Conclusion Human development and healthcare access were correlated with the prevalence of DR. Data were scarce on the prevalence of DR in less developed provinces. Participant recruitment in eye clinics might overestimate the prevalence of DR.

PurposeTo report a case of prolonged conjunctivitis as the manifestation of Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA).MethodsA 37-year-old man presented with prolonged conjunctivitis which had persisted for one month. He was taking medication for his conjunctivitis without any response. A slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctivitis and scleritis in the right eye. Conjunctivitis, 360-degree peripheral corneal thinning, corneal perforation, and scleritis were seen in the left eye.ResultsEmergency penetrating keratoplasty was performed to treat the patient's corneal perforation. After a consultation with the Internal Medicine Department, the patient was suspected of having GPA with positive cytoplasmic anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (C-ANCA). Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed to treat right maxillary sinusitis, and a biopsy of the maxillary sinus mucosa was obtained. The pathology report showed granuloma and vasculitis with severe acute and chronic inflammation and few eosinophils; thus, the diagnosis was confirmed.ConclusionBecause prolonged conjunctivitis occurs only rarely in association with systemic disease, ophthalmologists should be aware of this potential, particularly in patients with GPA.

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