Ricerc@Sapienza

Graft-versus-host disease is a common complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the ocular surface is a main target of inflammatory reaction.

This special issue focuses on the current approaches for diagnosis, evaluation, and management of autoimmune diseases of the anterior segment of the eye, which range from immune keratoconjunctivitis to anterior uveitis. Immune diseases of the anterior segment of the eye may be caused by several local or systemic conditions and may present in a wide range of diseases including dry eye syndrome, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), graft versus host disease (GVHD), and some forms of anterior uveitis often associated with systemic autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.

Background: Dry eye disease (DED) affects more than 14% of the elderly population causing decrease of quality of life, high costs and vision impairment. Current treatments for DED aim at lubricating and controlling inflammation of the ocular surface. Development of novel therapies targeting different pathogenic mechanisms is sought-after. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops in patients with DED.

Background: patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) showed detectable levels of tear pepsin that explain the nasolacrimal obstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with LPR show ocular surface changes and to investigate the relationship between lacrimal pepsin concentration and ocular alterations. Methods: Fifty patients with positive endoscopic signs for LPR and an equal or higher score of 13 and 7 for Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score were enrolled.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate ocular surface morphological and functional changes in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods: Twenty-eight patients with NF1 and 14 healthy subjects were included in this study. All participants underwent a medical history collection, a complete ophthalmological examination including slit lamp exam and assessment of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal sensitivity, and lacrimal function (Schirmer test and fluorescein tear break-up time test).