Background . To investigate the clinical characteristics of Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) using the European Group of Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) system. Methods . In this retrospective study, the clinical data of GO patients with elevated IOP (≥21 mmHg) were collected in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from January 2010 to June 2016. The demographic characteristics, clinical history of thyroid disease and GO, and ocular examination data were evaluated, and the activity and severity of GO were classified. Results . Data were collected from 58 eyes of 39 patients. The durations of thyroid disease and GO were 15.9 ± 18.9 months and 7.5 ± 6.2 months, respectively. The average IOP was 24.8 ± 5.3 mmHg (range: 21–55 mmHg). No significant difference in IOP was observed between active and inactive eyes. Eight eyes (13.8%), 29 eyes (50.0%), and 21 eyes (36.2%) were graded as mild, moderate-severe, and sight-threatening disease, respectively, according to the EUGOGO classification. The IOP was not significantly different among the three EUGOGO grades. No glaucomatous optic nerve damage or visual field defects were found. Conclusion . Increased IOP was evident for every grade of GO severity and activity of the EUGOGO system. IOP, glaucomatous optic nerve damage, and visual fields must be evaluated regularly during follow-up evaluations, regardless of the degree of activity and severity of GO.

Aim . To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept in cataract patients with DME. Methods . This is a prospective clinical cohort study. Thirty-five cataract patients (49 eyes) with DME were divided into two groups. The observation group (23 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.5 mg; the control group (26 eyes) underwent a cataract phacoemulsification surgery only. The visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), IOP, and anterior chamber flare were examined before surgery and 1 week and one month after surgery. Results. The UCVA and BCVA in Log MAR in the observation group were lower than those in the control group at 1 week ( ; ) and 1 month ( ; ), respectively, after the surgery. The CMT of the observation group changed from 492.7 ± 32.2  μ m before surgery to 341.6 ± 59.9  μ m one week after surgery and 374.8 ± 48.3  μ m one month after surgery. The CMT of control group increased after surgery. There was no significant difference in IOP and flare between the two groups at all following times. Conclusion. In patients with DME, undergoing a cataract surgery combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept is safe and effective for visual improvement and CMT declination with relatively fewer IOP and flare fluctuation.

Background . Casein kinase 2-interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) has been proved to be associated with complications of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a main diabetic complication which usually leads to blindness. The current study aims to investigate the role of CKIP-1 in high glucose-treated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells which is a component of blood-retinal barriers. Methods . The RPE cells, ARPE-19, are treated with high glucose to mimic the diabetic stimulation. CKIP-1 was overexpressed in ARPE-19 cells to evaluate its effects on autophagy, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by high glucose treatment, using Western blot, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Results . CKIP-1 was expressed at a lower level in high glucose-treated cells than in normal glucose cells. Overexpression of CKIP-1 enhanced the Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus. Furthermore, high glucose-induced autophagy, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were inhibited after overexpression of CKIP-1. Also, CKIP-1 regulates the p62/Keap1/Nrf2 signaling, which might be the potential mechanism in this model. Conclusion . In conclusion, CKIP-1 may be a potential therapeutic target that protects RPE cells from injury and subsequent diabetic retinopathy induced by high glucose.