The pro-inflammatory molecule IL-33 is present in large quantities in the tears and on the ocular surface of people suffering from dry eye syndrome. This finding, which comes from a study that has just been published, confirms the abundant evidence suggesting the inflammatory nature of the syndrome. This finding, moreover, could lead to the development of specific therapies to both alleviate the symptoms and halt the progression of the disease. Wang S. et al, Upregulation of the IL-33/ST2 pathway in dry eye. Mol Vis. 2019;25:583-592
In children, exposure to second-hand smoke causes significant thinning of the choroid, which predisposes them to a number of eye diseases that can occur later in life, such as macular holes and AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration). This finding, which further highlights the harmful effects of passive smoking on eye development and a child's general health, should raise awareness of the issue of children's exposure to second-hand smoke, especially in family environments. Yuan N. et al, Association of Secondhand Smoking Exposure With Choroidal Thinning in Children Aged 6 to 8 Years: The Hong Kong Children Eye Study JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019; 1-9
Dr. Carmelo Chines
Direttore responsabile
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