Comparison of the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF monotherapy versus anti-VEGF therapy combined with subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for diabetic macular edema.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) combined therapy with IVB monotherapy in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). This retrospective study included 80 eyes of 80 patients; 40 eyes were treated with IVB monotherapy, and 40 eyes were treated with SML-IVB combined therapy. The mean number of required IVB injections and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) values were compared between the groups. The mean age of the patients was 60.19±7.43 years. The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar between the groups. In the SML-IVB combined group, the mean number of required SML sessions was 2.1±0.81. The mean number of required IVB injections was 4.38±0.81 in the SML-IVB combined group and 5.65±1.51 in the IVB monotherapy group (p<0.05). The increase of the BCVA was significant in the SML-IVB combined group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months; however, in the IVB monotherapy group, it was only significant at the 3rd month (p<0.05). The mean CMT values of the 3rd, 9th, and 12th months were similar between the groups (p>0.05); only at the 6th month was it significantly lower in the SML-IVB combined group (p<0.05). When compared with baseline, the decrease of the CMT was statistically significant in both groups at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months (p<0.05). In this study, a significant benefit of adding SML to IVB therapy was found with less IVB need, although a very significant increase in BCVA could not be achieved. The use of SML-IVB combined treatment may be an effective and safe alternative for DME.

Comparison of half-dose versus half-fluence versus standard photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of half-dose vs. half-fluence vs. standard photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 eyes of 61 patients with cCSC who were treated with half-dose PDT (verteporfin 3 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2), half-fluence PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 25 J/cm2) or standard PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2). The complete resorption of subretinal fluid (SRF) and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) over the follow-up period were also assessed. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes (65.2 %) in the half-dose PDT group, 12 eyes (80 %) in the half-fluence PDT group, and 20 eyes (76.9 %) in the standard PDT group showed complete resolution of SRF. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean BCVA improvement, CRT and SRF height reduction, number of PDT sessions, complete success, and recurrence rates between groups (p > 0.05). None of the eyes with intact EZ showed failure. There were positive correlations between higher mean CRT values of the last visit, 1st, 3rd, 6th months and failure. None of the treated eyes (0%) developed any systemic or local adverse events. CONCLUSION: Half-dose, half-fluence or standard PDTs are all effective and safe treatment choices in cCSC with similar BCVA improvements and CRT reductions. The higher mean CRT values of the follow-up period were correlated with failure, and in eyes with intact EZ showed no failure.

Trocar-assisted, flanged sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation combined with silicone oil injection after penetrating keratoplasty surgery.

We describe a combined technique of trocar-assisted sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation and silicone oil injection at the same session. Two 3 mm scleral tunnels were created 2 mm away from and parallel to the limbus with the 23-gauge vitrectomy trocars entering the sclera transconjunctivally at an angle of approximately 10° at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock meridians. After the 3-piece foldable IOL was delivered to the anterior chamber through the corneal incision, the tip of one of the IOL haptics was grasped with a 23-gauge serrated retinal forceps entered through the trocar located at the 3 o'clock meridian. Then the haptic was removed from the scleral tunnel together with the trocar out of the globe. The same procedure was applied to the other haptic. A transconjunctival secure 10-0 nylon suture was placed at the scleral tunnel entry site around the haptic. The ends of the haptics were cauterized to make a flange. The resultant flanges of the haptics were pushed back and fixed into the scleral tunnels. Perfluorooctane was taken out of the eye with vitreoretinal surgery and the silicone was injected into the eye to prevent hypotonia. No complications were seen intraoperatively or postoperatively. After 1-month follow-up period, IOL was seen stabilized.

Five novel ALMS1 gene mutations in six patients with Alström syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Alström syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene. METHODS: We describe the clinical and five novel mutational screening findings in six patients with Alström syndrome from five families in a single center with distinct clinical presentations of this condition. RESULTS: Five novel mutations in ALMS1 in exon 8 and intron 17 were identified, one of them was a compound heterozygous: c.2259_2260insT, p.Glu754*; c.2035C>T p.Arg679*; c.2259_2260insT, p.Glu754*; c.5969C>G, p.Ser1990*; c.6541C>T, p. Gln2181*/c.11666-2A>G, splicing. One patient had gallstones, this association, to our knowledge, has not been reported in Alström syndrome previously. CONCLUSIONS: Early diagnosis of Alström syndrome is often difficult in children and adolescents, because many of the clinical features develop over time. Early diagnosis can initiate an effective managemen of this condition, and it will help to reduce future damage.

Cilioretinal artery: Vasculogenesis might be promoted by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 5G allele.

BACKGROUND: Cilioretinal arteries (CAs) represent enlargements of microscopic and early established collaterals formed via vasculogenesis between choroidal and retinal circulations. We aimed to investigate whether genetic tendency to thrombosis due to well-known gene polymorphisms may induce CA vasculogenesis in embryonic life. METHODS: We assessed plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G, methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR), FACTOR V LEIDEN and PROTHROMBIN gene polymorphisms on 130 patients [82/48 females/males; Median age: 57 (18-84) with visible CAs and 100 (64/36: female/male; Median age: 55 (19-90)] without visible CAs. RESULTS: Using multiple logistic regression models, we found PAI-1 4G/5G; MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms to have significant effects on the probability of visible CAs, that having at least one 5G allele would increase the odds of having visible cilioretinal artery by 98.4% [Odds ratio: 1984 (95% CI: 1.320-3.000, p = 0.001)], and having at least one MTHFR C677T or A1298C allele would decrease the odds of having visible CAs by approximately 38% (OR = 0.618, 95% CI: 0.394-0.961, p = 0.035) or 44% (OR = 0.558, 95% CI: 0.354-0.871, p = 0.011), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to test the existence of significant association between presence of enlarged and visible CAs and genetic factors predisposing to thrombosis, according to the literature. Here we suggest that not only the lack of genetic predisposition to thrombosis by MTHFR gene polymorphisms, but also the PAI-1 5G allele might promote vasculogenesis of CAs.

Predictive value of the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 G-1639A and C1173T single nucleotide polymorphisms in retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: To determine if vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 gene polymorphisms have an effect on the risk of having a retinal vein occlusion. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 68 patients who were newly diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion and 66 sex-matched controls. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes from ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid-anticoagulated blood. Genotyping of the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 G-1639A (rs 9923231) and C1173T (rs 9934438) single nucleotide polymorphisms was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and commercially available kits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A full ophthalmological evaluation was performed in each subject, and all subjects were screened for hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes. The genotypes of the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined. RESULTS: The vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 GG and CC genotypes were more frequent (41% vs. 21%; P = 0.021), and the combined GA/AA and CT/CC genotypes were less frequent in patients with retinal vein occlusion than in control subjects. After adjusting for hypertension, age, plasma fibrinogen levels and prevalence of diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia, the GG and CC genotypes were found to be an independent predictor of retinal vein occlusion (B = 2.28; odds ratio = 9.79; P = 0.003; 95% confidence interval: 2.22-43.24). CONCLUSION: It was found that subjects with the vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 GG and CC genotypes had a higher risk of retinal vein occlusion.

Evaluation of iron, zinc, and copper levels in pterygium tissue.

PURPOSE: To determine the concentration of the trace elements iron, copper, and zinc in pterygium tissue and healthy conjunctiva tissue and to investigate the involvement of these elements in pterygium etiopathogenesis. METHODS: Twenty patients with pterygium were enrolled in the study. The pterygium was excised and a conjunctival rotational flap or autograft inserted. Normal conjunctiva tissue was obtained from the flap or graft. The concentrations of iron, zinc, and copper in the pterygium and conjunctiva tissues were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion. RESULTS: Iron, zinc, and copper levels were significantly higher in the pterygium tissue than in the normal conjunctiva (P < 0.001). The mean iron, zinc, and copper concentrations in the pterygium tissue were 819, 214, and 3.40 µg/g, whereas the mean concentrations of these elements in the control tissue were 491, 148, and 2.19 µg/g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pterygium is a fibrovascular proliferative disorder and elevated levels of trace elements in pterygium tissue may play a pathogenic role via oxidative damage.

The prevalence of anisometropia aniso-astigmatism and amblyopia in neurofibromatosis type 1.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of anisometropia, anisoastigmatism, and anisometropic amblyopia in patients with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) and to compare it with that in age- and sex-matched controls. METHODS: Fifty patients with NF1 and 150 age- and sex-matched controls were examined in this study. Cycloplegic autorefraction was attempted on all patients <16 years old and without cycloplegia on patients >16 years old. Anisometropia was defined as absolute interocular difference of spherical equivalent more than or equal to 1 D. Aniso-astigmatism was defined as interocular difference of refractive astigmatism of more than or equal to 1 D. Amblyopia was defined as two-line decrease in Snellen acuity between the two eyes. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anisometropia, aniso-astigmatism, and amblyopia in patients with NF1 was 16%, 20%, and 10%, respectively, and they were all significantly higher than in the controls. The amblyopia was either moderate or severe in nature and all affected patients had significant astigmatism (>2.5 D) in the amblyopic eye. CONCLUSIONS: NF1 is a risk factor for anisometropia, aniso-astigmatism, and aniso-astigmatic amblyopia and screening patients with NF1 for refractive errors before age 3 will help to detect patients at risk of amblyopia and give them proper treatment.

Rimexolone 1% versus prednisolone acetate in preventing early postoperative inflammation after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of rimexolone 1% and prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic suspensions in controlling intraocular inflammation in the early period after cataract surgery. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation, either planned extra capsular cataract extraction (PECCE) or phacoemulsification surgery, were evaluated in a prospective, randomized, observer-masked, clinical trial in which efficacy in controlling early postoperative inflammation and safety of prednisolone acetate 1% one eye drop every 4 h (n = 36 eyes) was compared with that of rimexolone 1% one eye drop every 4 h (n = 44 eyes) in an eighteen day course. Efficacy was assessed from changes of the anterior chamber cell count, flare, conjunctival hyperemia, and ciliary congestion by means of slit lamp biomicroscopy on days 1, 3, 8, 15, and 18. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and possible side effects were also recorded on each visit. RESULTS: Anterior chamber cell count and flare showed no difference in the two groups at any visits. The rimexolone group was associated with significantly higher score for conjunctival hyperemia on days one and three (P < 0.05) and the prednisolone acetate group was associated with a significantly higher score for corneal edema on day 8 (P < 0,05). However, there were no between group differences in IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Rimexolone 1% ophthalmic suspension was as effective and safe as prednisolone acetate 1% ophthalmic suspension in controlling inflammation in the early period after cataract surgery.