Retinal structural changes in patients receiving tamoxifen therapy by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal thickness, ganglion cell complex (GCC) and photoreceptor outer segment (PROS) length were measured in patients with breast cancer undergoing tamoxifen therapy, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT); results were compared with those for normal eyes.Materials and methods: Forty-four patients with breast cancer, undergoing tamoxifen therapy, and 41 healthy controls were included in this prospective, comparative study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and SD-OCT. Subfoveal, nasal (nasal distance to fovea 500, 1000, 1500 µm), and temporal (temporal distance to fovea 500, 1000, 1500 µm) choroidal thickness measurements were performed using the enhanced depth imaging mode of SD-OCT. Using an Early Treatment Diagnostic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) circle at the macular level, the automated retinal segmentation software was applied to determine the thickness of the GCC. PROS length was determined manually, as the distance from the inner surface of the ellipsoid zone to the inner surface of retina pigment epithelium.Results: The mean choroidal thickness was statistically greater in the tamoxifen group than controls in all quadrants (p < 0.001 for all quadrants). Of all tamoxifen users (44 eyes of 44 patients), 33 eyes (75%) had uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP). Pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) was detected in five tamoxifen-group patients (11.3%). Patients with PPE in one eye had UCP in the fellow eye. Central serous chorioretinopathy findings were observed in one patient. Tamoxifen users had statistically lower GCC thickness in all inner rings of the ETDRS inlay and in the nasal outer ring only (p = 0.027, 0.002, 0.002, 0.001, and 0.030, respectively). No statistically significant difference in mean subfoveal PROS length was found between the groups.Conclusions: SD-OCT provides valuable information for identifying structural changes and evaluating ocular findings in patients receiving tamoxifen therapy. Increased choroidal thickness, PPE and thinning GCC were detected in tamoxifen users. These OCT findings may be an early indicator of retinal toxicity for patients undergoing tamoxifen therapy in the follow-up period.

Intense pulse light therapy treatment for refractory dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of the intense pulse light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dry eye parameters. METHODS: Patients who underwent an IPL therapy for the treatment of MGD were included in this retrospective study. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, the frequency of daily lubricant use, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), meibomian glad dropout scores, corneal staining scores, and Schirmer test results were collected from patient charts that recorded at baseline and follow-up visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months. For the analysis, patients were grouped based on the severity of their baseline meibomian gland dropout score as mild, moderate, and severe atrophy. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (mild atrophy = 22, moderate atrophy = 17, and severe atrophy = 4) were included for analysis. Except for the Schirmer test, all dry eye parameters significantly improved in patients with mild and moderate atrophy following the treatment and this effect lasted until the 12-month follow-up visit (p < 0.001). No significant improvement in any parameter was observed in patients with severe atrophy at any time point (p > 0.05). In the mild and moderate atrophy groups, OSDI scores, as well as NIBUT, started improving at 1 month (p < 0.01), while corneal staining and meibomian gland dropout scores showed earliest improvements at 3 months (p < 0.01). No adverse events were observed, except for temporary redness in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: The IPL treatment seems an effective and safe treatment for patients with MGD. This study shows that the IPL resulting in an earlier improvement in symptoms and signs with long-lasting beneficial effect on the meibomian glands.

Comparison of the short-term effect of aflibercept and dexamethasone implant on serous retinal detachment in the treatment of naive diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of intravitreal injection of aflibercept and dexamethasone implant in the early treatment period of naive diabetic macular edema (DME) with serous retinal detachment (SRD). Materials and methods: In this retrospective comparative study, medical records of patients who received treatment for naive DME with SRD and underwent three monthly intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) injections (2 mg) or one intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) injection (0.7 mg) were reviewed. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and presence and height of SRD were compared three months after IDI injection and one month after the third IVA injection. Results: A total of 57 eyes of 49 patients were included in the study. The IVA group consisted of 32 eyes of 27 patients, whereas the IDI group consisted of 25 eyes of 22 patients. Both groups were similar in terms of gender, baseline intraocular pressure, HbA1c levels, types of diabetes, BCVA, CMT, and height of SRD (p = 0.469, p = 0.089, p = 0.889, p = 0.461, p = 0.072, p = 0.073, and p = 0.064, respectively). The mean CMT changes were 228.6 ± 109.8 µm and 168.5 ± 106.4 µm in the IDI and IVA groups, respectively (p < 0.001 for both groups). The change in CMT was statistically significantly greater in IDI group than in IVA group (p = 0.041). The mean SRD changes were 162.7 ± 106.9 µm and 110.7 ± 51.9 µm in the IDI and IVA groups, respectively (p < 0.001 for both groups), and the change in SRD height was statistically significantly greater in IDI group than in IVA group (p = 0.019). SRD completely resolved in 92% and 91.2% of the patients in IDI and IVA groups, respectively (p = 0.856). Moreover, BCVA was significantly increased after the injections in both groups (p < 0.001 for both groups), and the change in BCVA was comparable between the groups (p = 0.245). Conclusions: Fewer injections of dexamethasone implant demonstrated better morphological results than aflibercept in the early treatment period of naive diabetic macular edema (DME) with serous retinal detachment (SRD).

Dexamethasone implant as an adjuvant therapy to ranibizumab loading dose in persistent diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a single-dose dexamethasone implant (DI) as an auxiliary therapy to continued intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment in patients with persistent diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: Twenty-five pseudophakic eyes of 25 patients with DME who underwent a single injection of DI as an adjuvant therapy following an IVR loading dose were examined retrospectively. All patients were treatment naive and had a poor response to a loading dose of three consecutive monthly IVR injections. IVR treatments were continued pro re nata after the DI. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) at 1, 3, 6 and 8 months post-DI treatment. RESULTS: After the IVR loading dose, the mean BCVA and CMT were 0.9 ± 0.6 LogMAR and 478.2 ± 107.8 µm, respectively. One month after the DI, the mean BCVA and CMT had improved to 0.6 ± 0.4 LogMAR (p = 0.005) and 313.8 ± 62.7 µm (p < 0.001), respectively. This improvement was maintained with mean 0.8 ± 0.8 IVR injections throughout the follow-up period. The final mean BCVA and CMT were 0.5 ± 0.5 LogMAR and 298.4 ± 71.5 µm. Subgroup analyses revealed that different DME types did not have any effect on CMT or BCVA improvement (p = 0.188, p = 0.136; respectively). CONCLUSION: Adding DI results in rapid anatomical and visual improvement in patients who respond poorly to an IVR loading dose. Improvements may be maintained with additional IVR in follow-up.

Multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography in patients with type B Niemann-Pick disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate accumulation patterns of deposits in retinal layers of type B Niemann-Pick patients by multimodal imaging. METHODS: Seven patients with type B Niemann-Pick disease were included in this study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, high-resolution digital colour imaging, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, blue light fundus autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). RESULTS: We demonstrated different accumulation patterns in the retinal ganglion cell layer, the retinal nerve fibre layer and the subfoveolar region by multimodal imaging. Local retinal capillary nonflow areas in the superficial plexus, increased vascular tortuosity and deformed foveal avascular areas were shown in OCTA scans. CONCLUSION: Multimodal imaging including OCTA is a useful technique for the identification of different types of accumulation patterns, diagnosis and follow-up of type B Niemann-Pick patients.

The effect of strabismus surgery on the dynamic balance in children with strabismus.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of strabismus surgery on dynamic balance by using computerized dynamic posturography in children with strabismus. Methods: This study was designed as a prospective observational study. Hearing tests and complete ophthalmological examinations were performed for all subjects. Patients with moderate and severe amblyopia, hearing loss at any level, and/or any suspicion of balance impairment were excluded from the study. Postural stability evaluation was performed by computerized dynamic posturography including sensory organization test, adaptation test, and rhythmic weight shift test. All tests were applied preoperatively and in the postoperative 1st and 3rd months, respectively. Results: Fifteen female and twelve male pre-adolescents aged between 7 and 12 (9.67 ± 1.62 years) were included in the current study. In the sensory organization test, the preoperative visual ratio percentages (73.19 ± 14.95%) improved statistically significantly at the postoperative 1st and 3rd months (78.59 ± 16.21% and 81.44 ± 14.18; p = .026, p = .021, respectively). The preoperative toes up (110.66 ± 33,48) and toes down (81.46 ± 28.36) adaptation tests improved statistically significantly in the postoperative 3rd month (88.74 ± 20.94 and 63.36 ± 16.03; p < .001, p = .001, respectively). In the Rhythmic Weight Shift test, the postoperative 3rd-month directional control (forward-backward) value (74.25 ± 11.51%) was statistically significantly higher compared to the preoperative directional control (forward-backward) value (67.76 ± 11.38%) (p = .011). The postoperative 3rd-month directional control (forward-backward) value (74.25 ± 11.51%) was statistically significantly higher compared to the postoperative 1st-month directional control (forward-backward) value (68.43 ± 14.00%) (p = .028). Conclusion: Surgical treatment resulted in an improvement in the maintenance of dynamic balance in children with strabismus.

Retinochoroidal vascular plexuses in patients with iron deficiency anaemia.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) may enable the identification of alteration in the retinochoroidal microvasculature in patients with iron deficiency anaemia. BACKGROUND: To investigate the presence of macular microvascular alterations in females with IDA by using OCT-A. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional comparative study. Forty patients with IDA and 35 age-matched healthy women underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and OCT-A imaging. Foveal avascular zone parameters and the vessel density in the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were calculated using automated software. All measurements were compared between groups. Correlations between the OCT-A metrics and haematological laboratory parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared to healthy subjects, IDA patients revealed significantly decreased vessel density of the SCP in all parafoveal quadrants (p < 0.05). In contrast, vessel density analysis in DCP has shown no statistically significant difference in all parafoveal quadrants (p > 0.05). Although foveal vessel density in both SCP and DCP were higher in the IDA group, only the foveal vessel density in DCP was significantly higher than controls (p = 0.001). The mean values of the foveal avascular zone area and perimeter and choriocapillaris flow area were significantly lower in the IDA group (p < 0.05). The parafoveal vessel density in SCP, foveal avascular zone area, and choriocapillaris flow area were positively correlated with haematological parameters including haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular volume (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with IDA had decreased parafoveal vessel density in the SCP, but not the DCP. Foveal avascular zone metrics and choriocapillaris flow area measurements were significantly lower in IDA.

Cumulative Sum Analysis of the Learning Curve of Ptosis Surgery: External Levator Advancement versus Müller Muscle-conjunctival Resection.

PURPOSE: Even though it is stated that external levator advancement (ELA) has a much longer learning curve than Müller muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) in the treatment of aponeurotic ptosis, there is no study in the literature regarding the learning curves of these two surgical techniques. We aimed to objectively determine the length of the learning curves of ELA and MMCR using cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. METHODS: The first 30 unilateral ELA and the first 30 unilateral MMCR consecutively performed by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. The CUSUM method was used to analyze the learning curves of ELA and MMCR based on operation times of consecutive surgeries and the clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: CUSUM analyses revealed that the operation time stabilized after around 11 ELA surgeries and 12 MMCR surgeries and R2 value for ELA and MMCR were 0.93 and 0.91, respectively. There was no significant difference in these stratified analyses. Mean operation time was 45.7 minutes in the ELA group and 34.1 minutes in the MMCR group (p = 0.002). Total number of intraoperative complications was 37 in the ELA group and 16 in the MMCR group (p = 0.015). Symmetry success rate was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) and reoperation rate was significantly lower in the MMCR group (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Even though ELA is more challenging than MMCR, comparable learning curves indicate that surgeons in training need to be encouraged to perform both techniques. The challenges and obstacles that the surgeons in training face in these two techniques need to be analyzed in detail.

Tolerating subretinal fluid in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration with intravitreal aflibercept.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of intensive and relaxed intravitreal aflibercept regimen in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: The medical records of 50 eyes of 50 patients with treatment-naive neovascular age-related macular degeneration, who underwent intravitreal aflibercept therapy in the Retinal Department of University of Health Sciences Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey), were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic features and best-corrected visual acuities at baseline and at 1st-, 2nd-, 3rd-, 4th-, 6th-, 10th- and 12th- months, optical coherence tomography measurements, presence of intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid and intraocular pressure values were studied. The patients were divided into two groups: intensive (subretinal fluid intolerant) and relaxed (<200 microns subretinal fluid tolerated) intravitreal aflibercept regimens. RESULTS: The change in the mean best-corrected visual acuities from baseline to 12th month was 13.72 ± 33.97 letters in the intensive treatment group and 8.68 ± 27.22 in the relaxed group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.566). Similar proportions of both groups achieved ⩾10 letters gain (%48 vs. %40, respectively; p = 0.755) and ⩾10 letters loss (%20 vs. %24, respectively; p = 0.755). The mean central subfield thickness values decreased statistically significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (442.40 ± 161.32 to 318.0 ± 63.10 vs. 431.64 ± 151.52 to 303.08 ± 140.91, respectively; p = 0.724). The mean total injection numbers were significantly lower in the relaxed group (6.4 ± 1.65 vs. 4.8 ± 1.45, respectively; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Relaxed intravitreal aflibercept regimen has comparable efficiency and safety outcomes at 12 months with intensive intravitreal aflibercept regimen with fewer injections in the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Efficacy of the Müller Muscle-Conjunctival Resection for the Correction of Unilateral Ptosis following External Levator Operations in Patients with Bilateral Involutional Ptosis.

SUMMARY: Patients with aponeurotic blepharoptosis who are treated with external levator advancement may experience complications such as upper eyelid height asymmetry and often require revision surgery. The authors assessed the efficacy of Müller muscle-conjunctival resection in cases with upper eyelid height asymmetry following bilateral external levator advancement. The authors used retrospective analysis of 11 cases between September of 2016 and October of 2018 with eyelid asymmetry following bilateral external levator advancement. Following a positive phenylephrine test, these patients underwent unilateral Müller muscle-conjunctival resection revision surgery to treat the undercorrected eyelid. Preoperative and postoperative marginal reflex distance 1, symmetry outcomes, and clinical outcomes of patients were evaluated after the Müller muscle-conjunctival resection. The average patient age was 54.81 ± 3.95 years (range, 37 to 69 years; median, 56 years); seven patients (63.6 percent) were women. Hering dependency was seen in all patients before the external levator advancement. A total of three patients underwent bilateral external levator advancement simultaneously, and eight patients underwent bilateral external levator advancement sequentially. The phenylephrine test was positive in all patients before the Müller muscle-conjunctival resection. Symmetry outcomes were assessed after the revision surgery as perfect (<0.5 mm), good (≥0.5 to <1 mm), or fair (≥1 mm) in four patients, six patients, and one patient, respectively. An optimal correction was noted in 13 of the 22 eyelids after the revision surgery, whereas eight of the 22 eyelids had minimal undercorrection, and one eyelid had minimal overcorrection. Müller muscle-conjunctival resection revision surgery for treatment of the ptotic eyelid following bilateral external levator advancement is viable and may represent a new alternative among the limited revision techniques. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Intravitreal Ranibizumab Versus Intravitreal Ranibizumab Combined with Posterior Subtenon Triamcinolone Acetonide in Diabetic Macular Edema.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective, comparative evaluation of the short-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and IVR combined with posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (STA) in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema (DME). METHODS: A total of 79 pseudophakic eyes of 57 patients with DME who underwent IVR injection treatment were examined retrospectively. All of the patients were treatment-naive. In the study group (STA+IVR), consisting of 30 eyes of 39 patients, the STA and IVR were administered in the first treatment session simultaneously, followed by 2 consecutive monthly IVR injections. In the control group (IVR only) comprised 40 eyes of 27 patients, 3 consecutive monthly IVR injections were administered. Patients with serous retinal detachment (SRD) according to optical coherence tomography images were identified in both groups for subgroup analyses. The primary outcome measures were changes in central macular thickness (CMT), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1, 2, and 3 months post-injection. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the demographic characteristics of the patients' baseline BCVA and CMT measurements (p>0.05). For the IVR group, the mean pre-treatment CMT and BCVA was 421.20±89.10 µm and 0.42±0.24 logMAR, respectively. After the third injection, the mean was 308.12±59.07 µm and 0.20±0.12 logMAR, respectively. The combined treatment group baseline measurements were 454.50±122.52 µm and 0.54±0.29 logMAR, respectively. After the third injection, the mean was 294.22±50.33 µm and 0.27±0.21 logMAR, respectively. The decrease was statistically significant for both groups (p=0.001). Comparison of the CMT within groups revealed a statistically significant difference in favor of the combined group after the second injection (p=0.017). There was no statistically significant difference in the BCVA gains between groups (p>0.05). Patients with SRD were evaluated as a subgroup, and at the first month, the mean gain in CMT was -71.63±57.98 µm in the control group and -123.61±93.46 µm in the study group (p=0.048). The required anti-glaucomatous treatment was statistically significant in the combined group (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Both treatments provided improvement in BCVA and CMT and can be considered functional and anatomically effective treatment options for DME.

A comparison of the effect of intravitreal dexamethasone implant on macular and branch retinal vein occlusion. A real life experience.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of intravitreal dexamethasone (IVDx) implants on branch retinal vein occlusions (BRVOs) and macular vein occlusions (MVOs). METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients with MVO and 18 patients with BRVO, whose foveal thicknesses were greater than 300 µm, were recruited for this study. BRVO and MVO patients were diagnosed by means of fundus fluorescein angiography. Patients were treatment-naive. Initially, each patient in both the BRVO and MVO groups received an IVDx implant, and then a pro re nata IVDx regimen was initiated. Primary outcomes included VA gain, intraocular pressure (IOP) changes, macular ischemia, central macular thickness, retinal neovascularization, and number of IVDx injections. Follow-up time was 12 months. RESULTS: The MVO group initially had significantly lower central macular thickness and a lower percentage of macular ischemia and systemic hypertension than those in the BRVO group (p = 0.001, 0.045, and 0.010, respectively). There was a statistically significant VA gain in both groups (p < 0.001), but the VA gain of the MVO group was greater than that of the BRVO group (p < 0.001). The mean total number of IVDx injections administered throughout the study period was significantly lower in the MVO group than in the BRVO group (1.3 ± 0.4 vs 2.0 ± 0.0; p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: MVO and BRVO have different disease characteristics, and IVDx implants were more effective on the visual gain in patients with MVO than that of patients with BRVO who had higher numbers of IVDx injections.

Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness and Ganglion Cell Complex in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Without Diabetic Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: This study is an analysis of the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) in children who have type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) without diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: In all, 36 right eyes of 36 patients with T1D and 36 right eyes of sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were included in this prospective study. SFCT and GCC measurements were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Correlations between SCFT, GCC and duration of T1D, glycated hemoglobin, and age were also investigated. RESULTS: The mean SFCT was 342.1±42.3 µm in the T1D group and 354±70.8 µm in the control group (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in the GCC superior and inferior retina values. The average GCC was thinner in the T1D group (T1D group: 88.11±14.93 µm, control group: 103.39±15.65 µm; p=0.005). The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) was decreased in the T1D group (T1D group: 248.1±16.5 µm, control group: 262.1±18.3 µm; p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The mean SFCT was not significantly different in diabetic children compared with healthy eyes. The CRT and average GCC thickness were lower in children with T1D. SD-OCT can reveal neurodegenerative changes that may occur before vascular changes in diabetic children.

The Effects of Epiretinal Membranes on the Treatment Outcomes of Dexamethasone Implants in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Real-Life Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a coexisting epiretinal membrane (ERM) on the treatment outcomes of a dexamethasone implant (DI) in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. Methods: One hundred five eyes of 78 DME patients (44 F, 34 M; mean age: 65.7) treated with minimum 2 DIs were enrolled into this retrospective study. The study population was divided into the ERM (+) study group and the ERM (-) control group. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and central macular thicknesses (CMTs) were evaluated at baseline and months 1, 2, and 3 after each DI treatment. Results: Both groups were comparable in baseline BCVA, CMT, HbA1c levels, and age. In the study group (n: 49), BCVA changed following the first DI from 0.83 to 0.76 and from 0.97 to 0.80 following the second DI. CMT decreased after the first DI from 465 to 377 µ (P < 0.001) and from 477 to 356 µ (P < 0.001) after the second DI. In the control group (n: 56), BCVA changed following the first DI from 0.81 to 0.77 and from 0.86 to 0.83 following the second DI. After the first DI, CMT decreased from 483 to 280 µ (P < 0.001) and from 468 to 301 µ (P < 0.001) after the second DI. The inter-group comparison revealed no significant difference in visual or anatomical gain (P = 0.46, P = 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: The presence of an epiretinal membrane did not change the treatment response to DI therapy.

Analysis of the quality, reliability, and popularity of information on strabismus on YouTube.

To evaluate the quality, reliability, and popularity of YouTube videos addressing strabismus. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, register-based study. A search was performed using the keywords "strabismus," "squint," "eye squint," and "crossed eye" on YouTube, and the first 50 videos for each keyword were analyzed. The video duration, time since upload, number of total views, view ratio were recorded. Video popularity was recorded using the video power index (VPI). Video educational quality and reliability were measured using the DISCERN questionnaire, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score, and Global Quality Score (GQS). All videos were also assigned publishers and categories. Among the 200 videos analyzed, 84 were included. The mean duration was 6.2 min, and the mean number of total views was 227,226. The mean VPI score was 189.6 ± 1093.5 (range, 0-11631). The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 42.2 ± 15.3, 1.9 ± 1.2, and 2.7 ± 1.1, respectively. While the main video publishers were patients (32.1%) and ophthalmologists (28.5%), the main video categories were patient experience (35.7%) and patient information (26.1%). While the most popular videos were uploaded by a TV show/YouTube channel, the videos with the highest educational quality and reliability scores were uploaded by academic institutions. Although some videos contained sufficient information, most of the videos were rated as fair. YouTube users mostly preferred videos that were of low quality. Patients may be receiving biased information, and physicians should be aware of the type of information patients may be accessing on YouTube.

Three versus five intravitreal aflibercept injections as the initial loading phase in the treatment of diabetic macular edema: one-year results.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of three initial monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by pro re nata (3+PRN) dosing versus five initial monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections followed by pro re nata (5+PRN) dosing in patients with diabetic macular edema. METHODS: A total of 60 treatment-naïve patients with macular edema who underwent intravitreal aflibercept injections (2 mg/0.05 mL) with at least one year of follow-up were analyzed in this retrospective and comparative study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number of intravitreal aflibercept injections administered in the loading phase. The 3+PRN group comprised 27 patients, whereas the 5+PRN group comprised 33 patients. The visual and anatomical outcomes were compared between the two groups at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. RESULTS: Both 3+PRN and 5+PRN, showed statistically significant improvements in the best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thicknesse throughout the study period (p<0.001 and, p<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of changes in the best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness (p=0.453 and, p=0.784, respectively). The mean number of intravitreal aflibercept injections was significantly greater in the 5+PRN group (6.1 ± 0.8) than in the 3+PRN group (3.9 ± 0.8) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The 3+PRN and 5+PRN regimens showed similar 12-month visual and anatomical outcomes following treatment with intravitreal aflibercept injections in patients with macular edema.

Corneal endothelial morphology and anterior segment parameters in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the corneal endothelial morphology and anterior segment parameters in type 1 diabetes mellitus children (T1DM) and healthy controls. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective study included 56 patients with T1DM and 50 eyes of 50 age-matched controls. Endothelial morphology was analyzed with EM-3000 specular microscopy, and anterior parameters were analyzed with Sirius Scheimpflug topography. Endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) of cell area, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), K1 and K2, pupillary diameter (PD), horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), duration of T1DM, and HbA1c levels were noted. RESULTS: The mean age of the T1DM group was 14.3 ± 3.2 years, compared to 13.2 ± 3.7 years in the healthy group (p = 0.140). The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 4.5 ± 3.5 years. The mean HbA1c was 9.5 ± 1.9% (minimum 6%, maximum 14%). The mean values of CCT were 556 ± 30 µm and 536 ± 36 µm in T1DM and healthy groups, respectively (p = 0.003). The mean values of ACD were 3.69 ± 0.31 mm and 3.83 ± 0.27 mm in T1DM and healthy groups, respectively (p = 0.02). The mean values of PD were 4.29 ± 1.2 mm and 5.17 ± 1.36 mm in T1DM and healthy groups, respectively (p = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of ECD, CV, ICA, K1, K2, and HVID (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Type 1 diabetes mellitus children have thicker corneas, shallower anterior chamber depth, and smaller pupillary diameter than healthy subjects.

The Effects of Silicone Oil Endotamponade on Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness after Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential effects of 1000-cSt silicone oil (SO), which is used for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery on subfoveal choroidal thickness. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 20 eyes of 20 patients who had undergone PPV and SO injection surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included. Complete ophthalmologic examinations were performed before the surgery, one month, three months after PPV and two months after silicone oil removal. After one month following PPV and SO injection and two months following silicone oil removal, subfoveal choroidal thickness was evaluated using EDI (enhanced depth imaging) mode of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements decreased statistically significantly at two months after silicone oil removal compared to the first month of PPV and SO injection. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 284.2±54.2 µm at one month after PPV and SO injection, while it was 258.8±52.8 µm at two months after SO removal (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: After the removal of SO subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements decreased, the changes of subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements may be a parameter for the timing of SO removal.

Direct transretinal removal of subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid combined with internal limiting membrane peeling.

A 65-year-old woman was referred to our institution with a 5-day history of visual impairment in her right eye and macula-off retinal detachment. A successful 23 G pars plana vitrectomy was performed with a 1000 cs silicone oil injection, and the silicone oil tamponade was extracted 2 months later. During the fundoscopic and optical coherence tomography examinations, three subfoveal perfluorocarbon liquid bubbles were detected, and her best corrected visual acuity was limited to 20/400. Brilliant blue staining was used for the internal limiting membrane peeling, and the direct transretinal aspiration of the perfluorocarbon liquid bubbles was performed with a 23 G silicone-tip Flute cannula. This patient's best corrected visual acuity increased to 20/200 at the 1 month follow-up and then to 20/100 at the 1-year follow-up.