Clinical value of phenylephrine testing in the upper and lower eyelids of patients with aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis.

AIM: To characterize the phenylephrine test in aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis, to determine the appropriate timing of the phenylephrine test, and to assess the responses of the upper and lower eyelids. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 140 eyes of 87 patients (mean age 52.29±16.45y; 22 males, 65 females) with upper eyelid ptosis. Totally 88.6% had aponeurotic and 11.4% had congenital ptosis. For the evaluation of the responses of the upper and lower eyelids to topical 2.5% phenylephrine, the scleral show height, the marginal reflex distance (MRD) between the inferior margin of the upper eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD1), and between the central portion of the lower eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD2) were measured at the 2nd, 5th, and 15th minutes. The changes of MRD1 and MRD2 with time (ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean MRD1, MRD2, and scleral show heights increased within 5min after testing, remaining largely stable between the 5th-15th minutes. The percentage of eyes with a greater response in MRD1 increased with increased severity of ptosis (P<0.05). Eyes with aponeurotic ptosis were more responsive to phenylephrine testing than congenital ptosis. The mild ptosis group had lower scleral show measurements and higher ΔMRD2 values. The ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2 values were poorly correlated in all measurement times. CONCLUSION: Performing the phenylephrine test 5min after instilling the reagent is adequate to assess the maximum response of the upper and lower eyelids. The upper and lower eyelid responses in phenylephrine testing are poorly correlated. However, the ΔMRD2 is related with baseline scleral show degree that may be a postoperative predictive factor. Further studies are necessary to determine the relationship between the responses of the lower eyelids to phenylephrine testing.

Evaluation of retinal and choroidal parameters as neurodegeneration biomarkers in patients with post-covid-19 syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the neurodegenerative effects of post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: This comparative, cross-sectional study included patients who had post-COVID-19 prolonged neurologic symptoms. The control group was selected from volunteer participants with similar age, sex, and spherical equivalent characteristics. After detailed ophthalmic examinations, spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) analysis of the macula and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (m-RNFL, p-RNFL respectively) were obtained. We also evaluated the choroidal parameters with the ImageJ software. Post-COVID-19 symptoms and disease severity of the patients were also questioned. RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes of 20 patients, and 39 eyes of 23 healthy individuals were included in the study. Thinning was found in the inner superior quadrant of mRNFL (p < 0.05). More prominent and common thinning of retinal layers was observed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) segments in the patient group. There was no difference between the groups in the calculated choroidal parameters (p > 0.05). In the regression models created, lung involvement was the most prominent parameter associated with thinning of the OCT layers. The other factors were male sex, and the presence of loss of taste and smell also led to deterioration in some parameters. CONCLUSIONS: We detected an overall thinning of the GCL and IPL layers with no significant change in CMT, pRNFL, and CVI in the post-COVID-19 period, indicating the direct or indirect effect of SARS-CoV-2 on these layers, rather than a long-term neurodegenerative effect.

Is single-stage two-muscle surgery of 7-11 mm enough for large-angle exotropia?

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of single-stage two-muscle surgery of 7-11 mm in patients with large-angle exotropia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 34 patients with a large-angle comitant exodeviation was conducted. Patients were classified as severe (group 1) if the average deviation was ≥ 50 prism diopters (PD) and moderate (group 2) if their deviation ranged from 30 to 49 PD. A successful outcome of surgery was defined as deviation within 12 PD of orthophoria/tropia for both distance and near. RESULTS: The mean exodeviation was 49.5 ± 11.6 (range, 30-85) PD at distance and 50.3 ± 13.5 (range, 18-85) PD at near preoperatively. All patients underwent a recess/resect procedure. At the last visit, 25 (71%) of 34 patients in the entire group achieved successful alignment; it was higher in group 2 (81%) than in group 1 (67%); but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.45). Twelve patients had very poor vision (≤ counting fingers at 1 m) in one eye with a success rate of 83% in the short-term. Two patients had minimal asymmetrical abduction deficit and no patients reported permanent diplopia at the final postoperative evaluation. CONCLUSION: Large-angle exodeviations can be successfully corrected with a two-muscle surgical procedure without causing significant abduction deficiency. This choice has the advantage of 2 horizontal rectus muscles remaining untouched.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and continuous positive airway pressure treatment on choroidal structure.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on choroidal structural changes and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with OSAS. METHODS: Choroidal structural changes in patients with OSAS immediately after diagnosis and 12 months after CPAP treatment were evaluated and compared with healthy controls. The choroidal images on enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) were binarized into luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) using the ImageJ software. CVI was calculated as the ratio of LA to total choroid area (TCA). The correlations between the results of polysomnography (PSG) and choroidal parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes of 48 patients (22 patients with OSAS, and 26 controls) were included. The mean age of the patients was 47.21 ± 8.82 (range, 30-63) years. The mean CVI values were 68.10 ± 1.80% in the OSAS group before CPAP therapy, and 69.22 ± 1.40% in the control group (p < 0.05). After 12 months of regular CPAP therapy, the mean CVI value increased significantly to 69.15 ± 1.77%, and SA decreased significantly from 0.51 ± 0.07 mm2 to 0.48 ± 0.07 mm2 in the OSAS group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between the results of PSG and choroidal structural parameters. CONCLUSION: According to our results, OSAS was associated with increased stromal oedema in the choroid, which improved after 12 months of regular CPAP therapy. CVI can be an important parameter for the follow-up of patients with OSAS.

Structural assessment of the optic nerve in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: Case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome has been identified as a possible risk factor for optic nerve pathology such as glaucoma, nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, and optic disk edema. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate structural changes of the apparently normal optic nerve in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients with effects of its severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, 47 eyes of 47 obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients diagnosed with polysomnography and 40 eyes of 40 healthy subjects were included. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, optic nerve head topographic parameters, and retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness. RESULTS: The average peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness was lower in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients than in controls (90.74 ± 7.98 vs 94.93 ± 6.13 µm; p = 0.008). The average cup/disk ratio and the vertical cup/disk ratio in patients with OSAS were significantly higher compared to the controls (both p < 0.001). However, no significant difference in retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness was found. CONCLUSION: Even if the retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses did not significantly differ between the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and control groups, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients showed a decreased peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness and increased optic nerve head parameters. These findings can be used as an indicator of optic nerve damage in the early diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients.

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.

Combined treatment of transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis and hyperbaric oxygen for branch retinal artery occlusion.

Objective: To describe the clinical efficiency of transluminal Nd:YAG laser embolysis (TYE) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) as an off-label combined treatment for branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with visible emboli. Methods: A 77-year-old woman had a history of seeing a "shadow" in the lower visual field of the left eye for three days. Platelet-fibrin embolus at the arterial bifurcation was disintegrated by TYE technique and the patient was referred to HBO treatment for 20 sessions. Results: One week after treatment, best-corrected visual acuity improved to 0.8 while a good arterial blood flow in the affected branch was seen. Platelet fibrin plaques had disappeared at fundus, and the pale appearance in the retina had decreased. Conclusions: TYE and HBO combination treatment may be an effective and feasible treatment for restoration of blood flow and vision in BRAO cases caused by visible platelet-fibrin emboli.

Effectiveness of Intravitreal Ranibizumab in Nonvitrectomized and Vitrectomized Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema: A Two-Year Retrospective Analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) injections for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in eyes with and without previous vitrectomy. The medical records of 28 eyes (11 vitrectomized and 17 nonvitrectomized) of 28 patients (mean age, 59.0 ± 9.6 years; male to female ratio 1 : 1) who were diagnosed with DME and had received IVR treatment were reviewed retrospectively. The indications of vitrectomy in 11 vitrectomized eyes were intravitreal hemorrhage (n = 8) and epiretinal membrane (n = 3). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and total macular volume (TMV) were measured at baseline and at months 6, 12, 18, and 24 of the follow-up. The number of IVR injections, the duration between diagnosis of DME and IVR injection, and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level at baseline were also recorded. Baseline demographics, HbA1c, BCVA, CMT, and TMV values were similar between two groups (p > 0.05). The duration between diagnosis of DME and IVR injections was similar in both groups (16 ± 5 months vs. 13 ± 4 months, respectively; p=0.11). IVR injection was performed 6.3 times in vitrectomized eyes and 6.1 times in nonvitrectomized eyes during the 24-month period (p > 0.05). The mean BCVA improved significantly during the 24-month period in both groups. The improvements in BCVA, in CMT, and in TMV were more significant at month 6 (p=0.036) group, at month 12 (p=0.013), at month 12 (p=0.021), and month 24 (p=0.021) in nonvitrectomized eyes, respectively, while there was no difference in improvements of BCVA, CMT, and TMV in vitrectomized group at each visit. Treatment effected by time in terms of BCVA, CMT, and TMV values in all groups (p=0.0004, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively), not by time-group interaction and group (all p values >0.05). In conclusion, IVR treatment for DME is equally effective in both groups. However, the response to treatment is seen earlier in nonvitrectomized eyes compared to vitrectomized eyes.

Ex-PRESS implantation for different types of glaucoma.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical results, efficacy and safety of Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implant in different types of medically uncontrolled glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 31 eyes of 31 patients that were unresponsive to medical antiglaucomatous therapy in whom Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation was performed. The demographic characteristics of the patients, type of glaucoma, complete ocular examination results, number of antiglaucomatous drugs before and after surgery, early and late complications of surgery, additional surgical and nonsurgical medical interventions, and success rates were investigated from the patients' files, retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up time was 16.4±7.5mo. The preoperative mean corrected intraocular pressure (IOP) was 28.7±10.3 mm Hg and postoperative mean corrected IOP was 15.3±5.2 mm Hg (P<0.05) at the last visit. The mean IOP reduction was 39.9% when the preoperative and postoperative values of the last visits were compared. The average number of antiglaucomatous drug use decreased from 3.9±0.3 to 1.7±1.7 postoperatively (P<0.05). The use of antiglaucomatous medications at the last visit was more than in other studies in the literature. The most common complication was conjunctival leakage, which was seen in 7 patients. Other early complications were iris touch, intravitreal hemorrhage, hyphema, choroidal effusion, early transient hypotonia and corneal edema. One of the late complications was endophthalmitis which was seen in one case 6mo after the operation, and the other late complication was opacification of the cornea in one patient. Twelve additional surgical operations associated to Ex-PRESS surgery and 3 bleb needling have done. At the last visit, the complete success rate was 32.3% and the qualified success rate was 77.5% in all patients. CONCLUSION: Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation may be an effective procedure for medically uncontrolled glaucoma with significantly lower use of antiglaucomatous medications.

Effect of Therapy on Choroidal Thickness in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on choroidal thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty distinct eyes of 30 patients with OSAS were evaluated right before and 12 months after CPAP treatment in this prospective observational study. Choroidal thickness was measured at the fovea and with periodic intervals of 500 µm from the foveal center in both temporal and nasal directions using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in enhanced depth imaging mode. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 45.33 years ± 7.74 years, and there were eight females and 22 males. After CPAP therapy, the choroidal thicknesses were increased significantly at the subfoveal, 500 µm nasal to the fovea, 500 µm temporal to the fovea, and 1,000 µm temporal to fovea points (P < .05). However, none of retinal macular parameters were significantly different in statistical terms between the two measurements (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy had a significant influence on choroidal thickness in patients with OSAS, providing an increase in choroidal thicknesses after 12 months. The determination of an increase in choroidal thickness may be useful to reveal the effects of CPAP therapy and also may be one of the mechanisms to improve choroidal function. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:846-851.].

Acquired perforating collagenosis associated with ranibizumab injection and succesfully switched to aflibercept.

Objective: To report a case of acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) triggered by an intravitreal ranibizumab injection that was successfully treated by switching to aflibercept (AFL). Methods: A 73-year-old Caucasian man with an occult choroidal neovascular membrane in the right eye received three-monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Two weeks after the second ranibizumab injection, he complained about a generalized, excessively pruriginous eruption that was further exacerbated by the third injection. On the basis of clinical and histological findings, he was diagnosed with ARPC and treated with narrow band ultraviolet-B (NBUVB) phototherapy. Results: He was subsequently switched to intravitreal AFL injections administered according to a pro re nata regimen. Following NBUVB phototherapy, three additional AFL injections were required. Still, the reactive perforating collagenosis was in remission and the choroidal neovascular membrane was inactive. Conclusions: Our case is the first report of ARPC after ranibizumab injections. Both the skin lesions and the choroidal neovascular membrane were successfully treated after switching to AFL.

Reproducibility and repeatability of central corneal thickness measurement in healthy eyes using four different optical devices.

AIM: The aim of the study is to compare the measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) performed by two examiners with four different methods at different times inter- and intra-individually. METHODS: Thirty healthy people were included in the study. In these measurements, an optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR), an optic coherence tomography (OCT), a specular microscopy (SM), and a corneal topography (CT) were used. Two examiners performed the measurements in a consecutive manner. After 1-7 days of the first measurements, the second measurements were performed again consecutively. The mean of three measurements was taken in each session for all devices. RESULTS: In OCT measurements, there was a significant difference between two examiners in both sessions (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were found between two examiners in first and second sessions in SM, CT, and OLCR measurements. When each examiner's measurements were compared to two sessions, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05, for all) except the SM measurements of the first examiner (p = 0.041). When the first measurements of two examiners were compared, the smallest values were of OCT. At the first session of two examiners, there was a significant difference between OCT and CT measurements, and between OCT and OLCR (p < 0.001, p = 0.002 for the first examiner and p < 0.001 for the second examiner, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that CCT measurements made by CT and OLCR methods were almost same and highly correlated for both the examiners' measurements. CCTs measured by OCT were on average 30 µm thinner than CT and OLCR.

The Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for the Treatment of Macular Edema Related to Retinal Vein Occlusion: Real-life Data and Prognostic Factors in a Turkish Population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone (DEX) implants as mono or combination therapy for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with real-life conditions, and to detect factors that influence final visual acuity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five eyes with macular edema secondary to RVO underwent assessments for central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), adverse events, and also morphologic changes in optical coherence tomography at an interval of 4-8 weeks after at least one DEX implant. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes with branch RVO and 8 eyes with central RVO were eligible for the study. The mean follow-up duration was 17 months (range, 12-26 months). Both mean BCVA (p=0.009) and CMT (p=0.006) improved significantly, and visual gains of ≥3 lines were achieved in 32% and ≥2 lines in 52% at the end of the follow-up period. The most powerful individual predictor of final visual acuity was baseline BCVA (r2=0.611, p<0.001, stepwise multiple regression), but the most efficient model was the combination of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity and baseline BCVA (r2=0.766, p<0.001, stepwise multiple regression). Complication rates were very low after repeated DEX implants. CONCLUSION: DEX implant seems to be an effective and safe treatment for macular edema in RVO despite negative real-life factors, and visual outcomes are associated with baseline visual acuity and EZ integrity.