Search Results (1,854)

Background/Objectives: Keratoconus is a progressive corneal ectatic disorder leading to irregular astigmatism and visual impairment. INTACS intracorneal ring segments are used to improve corneal shape and visual function; however, postoperative complications may occur. A comprehensive and evidence-based evaluation of visual outcomes and complications after INTACS implantation is therefore warranted. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for English-language articles published between January 2015 and December 2025 using the terms INTACS, intracorneal ring segments, keratoconus, and complications, following a systematic literature search conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Only studies reporting INTACS-specific outcomes were included. Studies evaluating other intracorneal ring systems were excluded unless INTACS data could be separately extracted. Results: Seventeen studies comprising 544 eyes were included. INTACS implantation was associated with consistent improvements in visual acuity and corneal parameters. However, clinically relevant device-related complications, including segment migration, extrusion, and the need for secondary procedures such as repositioning or explantation, remain an important limitation. These findings indicate that although INTACS is an effective corneal regularization strategy, long-term safety depends on careful patient selection, precise surgical technique, and close postoperative surveillance. Conclusions: INTACS implantation is an effective option for visual rehabilitation in patients with keratoconus; however, its long-term safety is limited by the risk of device-related complications. Careful patient selection, appropriate surgical technique, and structured postoperative follow-up are essential to optimize outcomes and minimize adverse events. Full article

The trace water content in industrial oil critically affects the operational stability and service life of industrial equipment and serves as a key indicator for evaluating oil quality. Therefore, the rapid, sensitive, and visual detection of trace water in oil is of great engineering significance for equipment condition monitoring and early fault warning. Existing detection methods predominantly rely on precision instruments; although they enable quantitative analysis, their operational procedures are complicated and time-consuming, which are unsuitable for on-site real-time monitoring. Consequently, there is an urgent need for a novel trace water detection sensor that offers high sensitivity, visualization, and adaptability to oil-phase environments. Herein, a coplanar electrode alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) sensor is developed for the visual detection of trace water in oil. The ACEL sensor features a multilayer structure comprising a substrate layer, a coplanar electrode layer, and a humidity-sensitive luminescent layer. The humidity-sensitive luminescent layer consists of humidity-sensitive hydrogel and ZnS: Cu electroluminescent powder, forming a loose and porous film that enables high-sensitivity humidity sensing and simultaneously electroluminescent visual signal output. The sensing mechanism study reveals that variations in trace water content modulate the dielectric properties of the humidity-sensitive layer, which further affect the electroluminescent intensity of the ACEL sensor. In addition, the ACEL sensor enables the rapid, naked-eye recognition of humidity changes under trace water conditions without the need for precision instruments, achieving a rapid response time of 3 s and a detection limit as low as 60 ppm, all making it applicable for different types of industrial oils. Thus, this ACEL sensor features a novel detection mechanism, excellent universality, fast response, and ease of operation, offering a new visual sensing strategy for trace water detection in industrial oil and holding broad prospects for practical applications. Full article

Driver drowsiness detection has become an important application of sensor-based monitoring systems aimed at improving road safety. This review focuses on sensing technologies and physiological parameters used for real-time drowsiness detection in drivers. The surveyed approaches are categorized into physiological sensing methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and photoplethysmography (PPG), and mechanical sensing methods, including respiration rate, eye blinking, head movement, yawning, and steering wheel gripping force. Each method is analyzed from a sensor system perspective, considering signal acquisition principles, measurement location, and practical deployment constraints. In addition, the reviewed techniques are evaluated based on real-time capability, level of sensor attachment, cost, restriction of user movement, and suitability for standalone operation. The comparison highlights that mechanical sensing approaches provide non-invasive and cost-effective solutions; however, they are sensitive to environmental noise and behavioral variability. In contrast, physiological sensing methods offer more direct and earlier indicators of fatigue-related changes in biosignals, although they typically require wearable or contact-based sensors and more complex acquisition systems. The review further indicates that multimodal sensor fusion is increasingly being adopted to improve robustness and reliability in real-world driving conditions. Overall, this work provides a structured overview of sensing modalities and highlights key considerations for designing efficient, real-time driver monitoring systems. Full article

The radial structure and azimuthal asymmetry of tropical cyclone (TC) eyewall winds are critical for intensity change and wind-related hazards, yet they remain difficult to characterize using conventional observations. Using multi-platform C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) wind fields and collocated Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) wind speed and rain-rate observations, this study examined TC inner-core structure, eyewall asymmetry, and rainfall-dependent wind retrieval uncertainty for 51 TCs and 130 SAR scenes. The TC inner-core structure was characterized using a best-track-constrained center refinement and quality control procedure, in which the storm center was refined from the minimum of a Gaussian-smoothed SAR wind field and scenes were screened by eye/annulus sampling, eye–eyewall contrast, and annular wind organization. Of the 130 SAR scenes, 53 were retained for refined-center evaluation, and the 32 QC-passed scenes were used for the primary storm-centered structural analysis. The RMW showed a weak tendency to decrease with an increasing SAR-derived maximum azimuthal-mean wind speed, and the normalized wavenumber-1 asymmetry at the RMW decreased in stronger storms. Under strict temporal collocation ($\left|\Delta t\right|\le 30$ min), the SAR–SFMR comparison achieved an RMSE of 4.22 m s⁻¹, a bias of −1.61 m s⁻¹, $R^2$ = 0.82, and a regression slope of 0.90. Rainfall-related SAR–SFMR mismatch was most evident around the eyewall and adjacent outer-eyewall region, indicating the need to consider center uncertainty, scene suitability, temporal collocation, and rain-sensitive retrieval effects when interpreting SAR-derived TC inner-core structure. Full article

Glaucoma is a complex condition with an unknown exact cause, but it involves progressive damage to the optic nerve. This damage is primarily driven by high eye pressure, poor blood flow, and oxidative stress, a process linked to cell ageing and inflammation that harms the retina. Recent research highlights that these issues stem from structural changes in the eye’s drainage system and visual pathways, which can be analysed through the lens of engineering thermodynamics. This study proposes a thermal explanation for the physiological processes linking ocular behaviour to inflammatory ion flux alterations. We develop a thermal model demonstrating that temperature increases are tied to the mechanical work necessary for maintaining water flux in the anterior ocular chamber. We show that these changes alter the membrane potential and tissue pH, resulting in elevated intraocular pressure. By clarifying the temperature–pressure effect, this research establishes a theoretical framework to study the developments of future glaucoma therapies. Full article

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to investigate structural predictors of visual response. Methods: This retrospective study included 47 eyes of 30 patients with dry AMD treated with PBM. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded as Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter score, and visual change (ΔBCVA) was calculated. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography parameters—central retinal thickness (CRT), central macular volume (ETDRS 9-subfield central zone), and photoreceptor layer integrity (external limiting membrane [ELM], ellipsoid zone [EZ], and interdigitation zone [IZ])—were assessed pre- and post-treatment. Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) stage was graded per eye. Because both eyes from some patients were included, generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with patient-level clustering were used to account for inter-eye correlation. Effect estimates were reported as unstandardized coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Visual acuity improved following PBM therapy, with mean ETDRS letter scores increasing from 75.0 ± 14.1 to 78.0 ± 12.1 letters. In the GEE model accounting for patient-level clustering, the estimated mean gain was 2.97 ETDRS letters (95% CI: 1.15 to 4.79; p = 0.001). Mean CRT showed no significant change following PBM therapy (210.32 ± 48.61 µm vs. 211.23 ± 50.27 µm; GEE estimate: +0.91 µm; 95% CI: −5.52 to 7.35; p = 0.780). Central macular volume likewise remained stable (0.1913 ± 0.030 vs. 0.1919 ± 0.033 mm³; GEE estimate: +0.0006 mm³; 95% CI: −0.0054 to 0.0067; p = 0.836). Photoreceptor layer integrity demonstrated limited structural change, with no significant time effect for EZ or IZ integrity in binary GEE models and no observed pre–post change in ELM integrity. In multivariable GEE analysis, baseline BCVA (p < 0.001), ELM integrity (p < 0.001) and central macular volume (p = 0.041) were associated with change in ETDRS letter score, whereas AREDS category, EZ integrity, and IZ integrity were not. Conclusions: PBM therapy demonstrated limited short-term anatomical change but variable functional outcomes in dry AMD. Baseline BCVA emerged as the primary determinant of visual response, suggesting that treatment benefit may be influenced predominantly by pre-treatment functional reserve. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lens development is an essential component of visual-system development during fish embryogenesis, yet its transcriptional timing remains poorly characterized in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). This study aimed to provide a stage-resolved transcriptomic characterization of lens-associated gene expression in D. labrax embryos and to relate these patterns to classical embryological stages. Methods: Publicly available RNA-seq data from embryos at the mid-gastrula, late somitogenesis, and hatching stages were analyzed. A targeted lens-associated gene set was defined using Gene Ontology annotations, with emphasis on genes assigned to the structural constituent of the eye lens category. Expression patterns were examined using normalized counts, variance-stabilized data, principal component analysis, and pairwise differential expression analysis. Results: Lens-associated genes displayed clear stage-dependent expression dynamics. Principal component analysis separated samples primarily by developmental stage, with the first two components explaining 89.3% of the total variance. The strongest biological shift occurred between mid-gastrula and late somitogenesis, when transcripts encoding β-crystallins and lens-fiber architecture components increased markedly. Among the most pronounced changes were the induction of crybb1l3 and cryba4, along with increased expression of membrane and cytoskeletal genes, such as the lim2 paralogs and bfsp1. By hatching, this structural-gene expression pattern was partly maintained, while specific crystallin-related loci, including crybg1a, showed further stage-associated increases. Conclusions: These findings define stage-specific patterns of lens-associated gene expression in D. labrax embryos and indicate that lens-associated structural gene expression is most pronounced during late somitogenesis among the stages analyzed. This work provides a useful reference for future studies of visual development in European seabass and for aquaculture-oriented investigations of early sensory ontogeny. Full article

Continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is crucial for glaucoma management. Currently, traditional static IOP measurements often fail to detect circadian fluctuations, leading to a clinical dilemma where “normal IOP” is observed despite persistent visual field deterioration. This study presents a wireless, passive localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing platform integrated into flexible silicone hydrogel contact lenses. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), synthesized via the sodium citrate reduction method, were incorporated into the lens periphery using a “swelling-induced nano-doping” technique to transduce IOP-induced corneal strain into detectable spectral shifts. Ex vivo porcine eye investigations established a physical mapping model, confirming significant LSPR peak wavelength response trends in correlation with IOP variations (10–50 mmHg) and corneal curvature changes. Subsequent 21-day in vivo rabbit studies demonstrated excellent ocular surface biocompatibility; quantitative histopathological analysis (HE, PAS, and Ki67 staining) revealed no significant adverse alterations in corneal endothelial cell density or conjunctival goblet cell function compared to control groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the platform maintained high structural integrity and anterior segment tolerance under transient high-IOP conditions. While currently a proof-of-concept, these results indicate that the LSPR-active hybrid system effectively captures dynamic IOP fluctuation patterns as an optical response to acute interventions, providing a foundational engineering path for next-generation, battery-free wearable diagnostics in personalized glaucoma care without the need for built-in electronics. Full article

Background. Facial expression recognition depends on how visual information is sampled across the face over time. Static area-of-interest (AOI) measures describe where observers look but provide limited information about the sequential organization of gaze. This study examined how gaze is organized during facial expression recognition and whether this organization remains comparable across two conditions differing in the temporal order of contextual and facial stimuli. Methods. Eye-tracking data were collected from 27 participants performing a facial expression recognition task. Fixations on faces were mapped onto three AOIs: Upper Facial Zone (UFZ), Central Facial Zone (CFZ), and Lower Facial Zone (LFZ). Gaze organization was examined using first- and second-order Markov models, entropy estimates, spatial repositioning measures, and a gaze stability index. Results. Gaze transitions showed a structured, non-random organization centered on the CFZ. In the first-order Markov model, transitions from both the UFZ and LFZ were directed primarily toward the CFZ, and within-zone transitions were also most likely in the CFZ. Entropy was lower for the CFZ than for the upper and lower regions, indicating lower transition uncertainty in the central region. The second-order model showed an influence of recent fixation history while preserving the predominance of the CFZ. Spatial repositioning varied across facial zones in both conditions. However, mixed-effects analyses showed no effect of condition on gaze stability. Conclusions. Facial expression recognition was associated with a pattern of exploration in which the central facial region emerged as the most likely fixation destination, with limited evidence of condition-related differences in gaze organization. Full article

Exophiala endophthalmitis of exogenous origin is an exceptionally rare but severe ocular infection, characterized by diagnostic delays, limited therapeutic guidance, and frequently poor outcomes. Herein, we report one new case of an 80-year-old woman who presented with severe fungal keratitis progressing to endophthalmitis two years after an uncomplicated cataract surgery. The condition was initially misdiagnosed and treated with topical antibiotics and corticosteroids. By cultivation, microscopy, histopathological, and PCR analysis of the samples, Exophiala dermatitidis was identified as the causative agent. Despite targeted antifungal therapy with voriconazole, the disease rapidly progressed, resulting in corneal perforation and evisceration of the affected eye. The number of confirmed cases of this infection remains very limited. To address this gap, we conducted a structured review of all reported instances of exogenous Exophiala endophthalmitis, in which Exophiala dermatitidis emerged as the predominant causative species. Common predisposing factors included corneal barrier disruption, ocular surgery, diabetes mellitus, and corticosteroid use. Diagnostic confirmation was frequently delayed, and treatment outcomes varied. Amphotericin B-based regimens were associated with poor results, whereas voriconazole, particularly when combined with surgical intervention, demonstrated more favorable outcomes. Exogenous Exophiala endophthalmitis remains underrecognized, with limited evidence to guide management. This entity should be considered in postoperative or trauma-associated intraocular inflammation, and current evidence supports azole-based therapy combined with surgical intervention when indicated. Full article

Objectives: This study investigated whether visual field abnormalities are present in eyes with suspected nasal optic disc hypoplasia (NOH) by using fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: NOH was diagnosed using the following criteria: (1) small optic disc, (2) nasal optic disc pallor or optic disc margin irregularity, (3) wedge-shaped temporal visual field defects extending from Mariotte’s blind spot, and (4) reduced nasal circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) thickness. Eyes fulfilling criteria 1, 2, and 4 without visual field abnormalities were classified as pseudo-NOH (pNOH), whereas eyes without visual field or cpRNFL abnormalities were considered normal. Nasal cpRNFL thickness was measured using OCT, radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density was assessed using OCT angiography (OCTA), visual field testing was performed, and optic disc blood flow velocity was evaluated using the mean blur rate (MBR) and laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). Results: Seven eyes with NOH, 13 eyes with pNOH, and 24 normal right eyes were included. Nasal cpRNFL thickness and MBR were significantly reduced in both the NOH and pNOH groups compared with the normal group, with no significant difference between the NOH and pNOH groups. Nasal RPC density was significantly lower in the NOH group than in both the pNOH and normal groups, and no significant difference was observed between the pNOH and normal groups. Conclusions: Even when NOH was suspected from fundus, LSFG, and OCT C-scan findings, visual field abnormalities were not consistently present. Differences in RPC density measured using OCTA may have contributed to this variability. This study examined whether suspected nasal optic disc hypoplasia (NOH) is always associated with visual field defects. Using fundus imaging, OCT, OCT angiography, and laser speckle flowgraphy, we compared eyes with NOH, pseudo-NOH, and normal eyes. Although structural changes such as reduced nasal nerve fiber layer thickness and decreased blood flow were observed in both NOH and pseudo-NOH, visual field abnormalities were not consistently present. Notably, reduced radial peripapillary capillary density was specific to NOH, suggesting that vascular differences may explain variability in visual function. These findings highlight the importance of multimodal imaging in NOH evaluation. Full article

Background: Children and teenagers use electronic devices daily, especially smartphones. The use of these devices exposes children and adolescents to excess blue light, which can alter the structures of the eye, especially the retina. As a protective mechanism, the macular region contains pigments represented by lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between the Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) levels in the macula and the time spent on smartphones in children and adolescents. Methods: Fifty-seven children and teenagers aged between 8 and 18 were evaluated, with a total of 114 eyes. The patients included in the study were divided into two groups: those who spent less than two hours a day on the device and those who exceeded this period. To determine the amount of macular pigment, the Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry technique was used. Results: We found a statistically significant difference in screen time between weekdays and weekends in favor of the latter. We compared the different refractive categories with respect to pigment levels and screen time and found no significant differences between groups. When comparing the patients with respect to environment, we found a slight difference in macular pigmentation in the favor of rural areas and also in the screen time which was shorter in rural areas. We found a strong association at all levels between longer screen time (both weekdays and weekend) and lower macular pigment quantities for both eyes. When comparing the groups with more/less than 2 h of screen time, the MPOD was lower for both eyes in the group with over 2 h screen time. Conclusions: In this study we demonstrated that smartphone use is a risk factor leading to a decrease in MPOD in children and adolescents. The amount of lutein in the retina, brain and serum are correlated, therefore MPOD can be considered a natural biomarker of lutein and zeaxanthin levels in the body. Full article

Introduction: Declines in children’s fine motor skills (FMS) are increasingly reported across UK primary education, raising concerns for school readiness, independence, and long-term health. This study examined whether structured classroom-based cooking activities could enhance FMS in children aged 7–8 years. Methodology: Informed by physical literacy and experiential learning, a six-week intervention (n = 30) used progressive pizza-making sessions to target effective pincer grip, consistent hand-eye coordination, and control over hand and wrist motions, a mixed-methods design that combined curriculum-aligned observational assessments with qualitative field notes. Results: Statistically significant progressive increases were observed across effective pincer grip, consistent hand-eye coordination, and hand and wrist control (χ², p < 0.001), suggesting improvements in fine motor competence within this sample. Performance increased from 30–40% skill demonstration in session one to 70–85% by session five. Qualitative data indicated enhanced confidence, task persistence, and independence. Discussion: In this sample, authentic, goal-directed cooking tasks were associated with improvements in FMS, reinforcing links to cognitive and academic outcomes. Cooking offers a low-cost, inclusive approach that integrates movement, learning, and health priorities. Embedding structured cooking within the curriculum may provide a scalable strategy to support FMS development and health equity, establishing a strong foundation for future controlled research. Full article

Large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in learning complex tasks purely from sequential data. To explore whether such models can internalize strategic world representations, We investigate whether generative transformer models can learn structured world representations from sequential data. Using the domain of Go life-and-death problems as a controlled micro-world, we train a GPT-style generative model to predict moves from serialized board states. Focusing on localized life-and-death (tsumego) scenarios, we train the model to predict valid next moves from serialized board states without providing any explicit Go rules or strategic supervision. Probing the model’s internal activations reveals structured representations aligned with liberties, eyes, and tactical group status. To interpret these representations, we introduce the Multi-Aspect World Probe (MAWP), a modular probing framework that disentangles tactical concepts into orthogonal dimensions. We further apply interventional techniques to manipulate internal representations and causally evaluate their impact on model predictions. Our results show that the proposed model achieves 94.7% accuracy in sequence correctness and 92.1% in outcome validity on life-and-death tasks. This work extends interpretability research into spatially structured domains and offers tools for understanding decision-making in sequence models. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) affects not only the corneal endothelium and Descemet membrane, but also the corneal thickness, shape, and optical quality. This study aimed to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative corneal changes after a Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in patients with FECD and to compare the postoperative remodeling between eyes with subclinical corneal edema (F-SCE) and those with clinically evident corneal edema (F-CE). Methods: This retrospective observational study included 48 eyes of 40 patients with FECD who underwent DMEK between April 2023 and October 2025. The following parameters were assessed preoperatively and at 6 months postoperatively: central corneal thickness (CCT), mean pupillary power (MPP), anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, total corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs), anterior and posterior optical path difference (OPD), point spread function (PSF), anterior and posterior corneal surface regularity (RMS/A), and Gullstrand anterior/posterior (A/P) and posterior/anterior (P/A) ratios. The corneal data was obtained using a CSO MS-39 (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Firenze, Italy). Results: In the F-SCE subgroup, significant postoperative improvement was observed in the CCT (Δ = −84.6 ± 48.1 µm, p < 0.001), MPP (Δ = −1.010 ± 2.183, p < 0.001), posterior corneal regularity (posterior RMS/A) (Δ = −0.117 ± 0.229, p = 0.004), and both Gullstrand ratios (A/P: Δ = +0.111 ± 0.089, p < 0.001; P/A: Δ = −0.078 ± 0.064, p < 0.001). No significant change was detected in the anterior corneal regularity, anterior or posterior astigmatic metrics, total corneal higher-order aberrations, or PSF. In the F-CE subgroup, the postoperative response was greater, with significant improvement in the BCVA, CCT, thinnest corneal point, MPP, anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, cylinder, total corneal HOAs, anterior and posterior corneal HOAs, PSF, anterior and posterior corneal regularity, and both Gullstrand ratios. Compared with the F-SCE eyes, the F-CE eyes showed significantly greater postoperative change in most structural and optical parameters, although most 6-month postoperative values were no longer significantly different between groups. Conclusions: DMEK induced significant corneal remodeling in both subclinical and clinically evident FECD. The eyes with subclinical edema demonstrated meaningful recovery in visual acuity, pachymetry, and posterior corneal regularity, supporting the presence of functional corneal impairment before a clinically visible edema. The eyes with clinically evident edema showed a broader and greater postoperative response, while the final postoperative values largely converged between groups. Full article