UNASSIGNED: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health concern, emphasizing the necessity of early detection to facilitate prompt clinical intervention. Leveraging the unique ability of the retina to offer insights into systemic vascular health, it emerges as an interesting, non-invasive option for early CKD detection. Integrating this approach with existing invasive methods could provide a comprehensive understanding of patient health, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this review is to critically assess the potential of retinal imaging to serve as a diagnostic tool for CKD detection based on retinal vascular changes. The review tracks the evolution from conventional manual evaluations to the latest state-of-the-art in deep learning.
UNASSIGNED: A comprehensive examination of the literature was carried out, using targeted database searches and a three-step methodology for article evaluation: identification, screening, and inclusion based on Prisma guidelines. Priority was given to unique and new research concerning the detection of CKD with retinal imaging. A total of 70 publications from 457 that were initially discovered satisfied our inclusion criteria and were thus subjected to analysis. Out of the 70 studies included, 35 investigated the correlation between diabetic retinopathy and CKD, 23 centered on the detection of CKD via retinal imaging, and four attempted to automate the detection through the combination of artificial intelligence and retinal imaging.
UNASSIGNED: Significant retinal features such as arteriolar narrowing, venular widening, specific retinopathy markers (like microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and exudates), and changes in arteriovenous ratio (AVR) have shown strong correlations with CKD progression. We also found that the combination of deep learning with retinal imaging for CKD detection could provide a very promising pathway. Accordingly, leveraging retinal imaging through this technique is expected to enhance the precision and prognostic capacity of the CKD detection system, offering a non-invasive diagnostic alternative that could transform patient care practices.
UNASSIGNED: In summary, retinal imaging holds high potential as a diagnostic tool for CKD because it is non-invasive, facilitates early detection through observable microvascular changes, offers predictive insights into renal health, and, when paired with deep learning algorithms, enhances the accuracy and effectiveness of CKD screening.

The retina is a vulnerable structure that is frequently affected by different systemic conditions. The main mechanisms of systemic retinal damage are either primary insult of neurons of the retina, alterations of the local vasculature, or both. This vulnerability makes the retina an important window that reflects the severity of the preexisting systemic disorders. Therefore, current imaging techniques aim to identify early retinal changes relevant to systemic anomalies to establish anticipated diagnosis and start adequate management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become among the highly trending technologies in the field of medicine. Its spread continues to extend to different specialties including ophthalmology. Many studies have shown the potential of this technique in assisting the screening of retinal anomalies in the context of systemic disorders. In this review, we performed extensive literature search to identify the most important studies that support the effectiveness of AI/deep learning use for diagnosing systemic disorders through retinal imaging. The utility of these technologies in the field of retina-based diagnosis of systemic conditions is highlighted.

This study aimed to review the current literature exploring the utility of noninvasive ocular imaging for the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Our search was conducted in early April 2022 and included the databases Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and others. Five articles were included in the final review. Of the five studies that used ocular imaging in PAD, two studies used retinal color fundus photography, one used optical coherence tomography (OCT), and two used optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to assess the ocular changes in PAD. PAD was associated with both structural and functional changes in the retina. Structural alterations around the optic disc and temporal retinal vascular arcades were seen in color fundus photography of patients with PAD compared to healthy individuals. The presence of retinal hemorrhages, exudates, and microaneurysms in color fundus photography was associated with an increased future risk of PAD, especially the severe form of the disease. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was significantly thinner in the nasal quadrant in patients with PAD compared to age-matched healthy individuals in OCT. Similarly, the choroidal thickness in the subfoveal region was significantly thinner in patients with PAD compared to controls. Patients with PAD also had a significant reduction in the retinal and choroidal circulation in OCTA compared to healthy controls. As PAD causes thinning and ischemic changes in retinal vessels, examination of the retinal vessels using retinal imaging techniques can provide useful information about early microvascular damage in PAD. Ocular imaging could potentially serve as a biomarker for PAD. PROSPERO ID: CRD42022310637.

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) following spinal surgery.
METHODS: Observational case report.
RESULTS: A 15-year-old female patient underwent scoliosis surgery under general anesthesia in a prone position, her head being supported by a horseshoe headrest for approximately four hours, with stable vitals and without significant blood loss during surgery. Upon waking up from general anesthesia, the patient immediately reported severe visual loss in her right eye (RE), associated to marked periocular ecchymosis and chemosis. Visual acuity was limited to light perception. Fundus examination showed normal optic disc appearance with diffuse retinal pallor and a macular cherry red spot. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed increased reflectivity in the inner retina, consistent with ischemic maculopathy in the RE. Brain and neck magnetic resonance imaging angiograms were unremarkable. Further investigations ruled out collagen vascular disease, Behcet disease, syphilis, sickle cell disease and hypercoagulable states.
CONCLUSIONS: Central retinal artery occlusion is rarely observed following spinal surgery. The cause was presumed to be compression of the orbit by a horseshoe headrest in a prone position due to an accidental shift in position during surgery. This catastrophic complication, albeit rare, is usually irreversible and thus must be prevented. Proper positioning and vigilance by both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist during surgery are fundamental to ensure that the orbits are not under pressure.

I detail advances in funduscopy diagnostic systems integrating smartphones. Smartphone funduscopy devices are comprised of lens devices connecting with smartphones and software applications to be used for mobile retinal image capturing and diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. This is particularly beneficial to automate and mobilize retinopathy screening techniques and methods in remote and rural areas as those diabetes patients are often not meeting the required regular screening for diabetic retinopathy. Smartphone retinal image grading systems enable retinopathy to be screened remotely as teleophthalmology or as a stand-alone point-of-care-testing system. Smartphone funduscopy aims to avoid the need for patients to be seen by expert ophthalmologists, which can reduce patient travel, time taken for images to be processed, appointment backlog, health service overhead costs, and the workload burden for expert ophthalmologists.

Adaptive optics (AO) imaging enables direct, objective assessments of retinal cells. Applications of AO show great promise in advancing our understanding of the etiology of inherited retinal disease (IRDs) and discovering new imaging biomarkers. This scoping review systematically identifies and summarizes clinical studies evaluating AO imaging in IRDs. Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched on February 6, 2023. Studies describing AO imaging in monogenic IRDs were included. Study screening and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers independently. This review presents (1) a broad overview of the dominant areas of research; (2) a summary of IRD characteristics revealed by AO imaging; and (3) a discussion of methodological considerations relating to AO imaging in IRDs. From 140 studies with AO outcomes, including 2 following subretinal gene therapy treatments, 75% included fewer than 10 participants with AO imaging data. Of 100 studies that included participants\' genetic diagnoses, the most common IRD genes with AO outcomes are CNGA3, CNGB3, CHM, USH2A, and ABCA4. Confocal reflectance AO scanning laser ophthalmoscopy was the most reported imaging modality, followed by flood-illuminated AO and split-detector AO. The most common outcome was cone density, reported quantitatively in 56% of studies. Future research areas include guidelines to reduce variability in the reporting of AO methodology and a focus on functional AO techniques to guide the development of therapeutic interventions.

Retromode scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging captures a pseudo-3-dimensional image of the ocular fundus. Retromode scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging was introduced first in 2008 using the Nidek F-10 scanning laser ophthalmoscope (F-10; Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan). At that time, no major role was described for this imaging modality. The interest in retromode scanning laser ophthalmoscopy imaging is reemerging with the recent advent of the Mirante that combines scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography (Nidek Co., Gamagori, Japan) that can capture retromode images of the fundus. We summarize the findings and clinical implications of retromode imaging using the Nidek F-10 and the Mirante in retinal diseases with the aim of helping researchers direct their future studies.

UNASSIGNED: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between retinal imaging parameters and Alzheimer\'s disease (AD).
UNASSIGNED: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were systematically searched for prospective and observational studies. Included studies had AD case definition based on brain amyloid beta (Aβ) status. Study quality assessment was performed. Random-effects meta-analyses of standardized mean difference, correlation, and diagnostic accuracy were conducted.
UNASSIGNED: Thirty-eight studies were included. There was weak evidence of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thinning on optical coherence tomography (OCT) (p = 0.14, 11 studies, n = 828), increased foveal avascular zone area on OCT-angiography (p = 0.18, four studies, n = 207), and reduced arteriole and venule vessel fractal dimension on fundus photography (p < 0.001 and p = 0.08, respectively, three studies, n = 297) among AD cases.
UNASSIGNED: Retinal imaging parameters appear to be associated with AD. Small study sizes and heterogeneity in imaging methods and reporting make it difficult to determine utility of these changes as AD biomarkers.
UNASSIGNED: We performed a systematic review on retinal imaging and Alzheimer\'s disease (AD).We only included studies in which cases were based on brain amyloid beta status.Several retinal biomarkers were associated with AD but clinical utility is uncertain.Studies should focus on biomarker-defined AD and use standardized imaging methods.

This review provides an overview of conventional and novel retinal imaging modalities for hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy. HCQ retinopathy is a form of toxic retinopathy resulting from HCQ use for a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Each imaging modality detects a different aspect of HCQ retinopathy and shows a unique complement of structural changes. Conventionally, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), which shows loss or attenuation of the outer retina and/or retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch\'s membrane complex, and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), which shows parafoveal or pericentral abnormalities, are used to assess HCQ retinopathy. Additionally, several variations of OCT (retinal and choroidal thickness measurements, choroidal vascularity index, widefield OCT, en face imaging, minimum intensity analysis, and artificial intelligence techniques) and FAF techniques (quantitative FAF, near-infrared FAF, fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy, and widefield FAF) have been applied to assess HCQ retinopathy. Other novel retinal imaging techniques that are being studied for early detection of HCQ retinopathy include OCT angiography, multicolour imaging, adaptive optics, and retromode imaging, although further testing is required for validation.

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare, autosomal recessive neurocutaneous disorder. It is caused by the inheritance of sequence variants in the ALDH3A2 gene, which codes for fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH). Universal signs of the condition are congenital ichthyosis, spastic paresis of the lower and upper limbs, and reduced intellectual ability. In addition to this clinical triad, patients with SLS experience dry eyes and decreased visual acuity caused by a progressive retinal degeneration. Examination of the retina in patients with SLS often reveals glistening yellow crystal-like deposits surrounding the fovea. This crystalline retinopathy often develops in childhood and is considered pathognomonic for the disease. The metabolic disorder typically shortens lifespan to half that of the unaffected population. However, now that patients with SLS live longer, it becomes increasingly important to understand the natural course of the disease. Our case describes a 58-year-old woman with advanced SLS whose ophthalmic examination illustrates the end-stage of the retinal degeneration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography confirm the disease is restricted to the neural retina with dramatic thinning of the macula. This case is unique since it is among the most advanced both in terms of chronological age and severity of retinal disease. While the accumulation of fatty aldehydes, alcohols, and other precursor molecules is the probable cause of retinal toxicity, a more complete understanding of the course of retinal degeneration may aid in the development of future treatments. The aim of our presentation of this case is to increase awareness of the disease and to foster interest in therapeutic research which may benefit patients with this rare condition.
Eye issues in Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare, inherited condition that affects the skin and nervous system. It is caused by variations in a gene that controls the way fats are broken down in the body. The three key signs of the disease are (1) peeling, dry skin; (2) muscle stiffness and impaired movement of the arms and legs; and (3) reduced intellectual ability. Most signs of the condition appear shortly after birth. Genetic testing and counseling services can help patients and their families to understand what to expect with SLS. Caring for people with SLS requires teamwork by specialists like neurologists and physical therapists. Because eye problems are common, the early consultation of an eye doctor is also important. An eye examination can also confirm the diagnosis of SLS. SLS often causes the eyes to appear red, feel dry, or become irritated. This can make it hard to see in bright light. Decreased vision at night is also common. This is caused by the progressive loss of the central part of the retina which is needed to see fine details. Because SLS shortens lifespan, it is rare for anyone to reach the final stages of the disease. As patients with SLS are living longer, as illustrated by the individual in our case study, it becomes important to understand how the disease progresses. Unfortunately, treatments to restore vision are not yet available. Nevertheless, some protective measures can be taken. Eye examinations in early childhood are important for preventing damage to the eyes. Wearing glasses can improve vision, as well as protect eyes from accidental injury or falls. Eye drops can provide relief from dry eyes, and sunglasses can reduce glare and sensitivity to light. In the future, gene therapy may be used to treat SLS.