Analysis of the Peripapillary Choroidal Vascular Characteristics in Papilledema Associated with Pseudotumor Cerebri.

SIGNIFICANCE: Choroidal vascularity index measured by image binarization method from peripapillary optical coherence tomography sections has been found significantly lower in papilledema patients than healthy controls. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare peripapillary choroidal parameters in papilledema patients with control subjects. METHODS: Peripapillary spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans of 34 patients with papilledema and 34 healthy controls are acquired for the study. Images are binarized with the ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) to calculate total choroidal area, stromal area, luminal area, and choroidal vascularity index. RESULTS: Total choroidal area, luminal area, and choroidal vascularity were significantly lower in papilledema patients compared with healthy controls on right (1.343 ± 0.286 vs. 1.694 ± 0.344, P < .001; 0.880 ± 0.209 vs. 1.167 ± 0.255, P < .001; 65.28 ± 2.99% vs. 68.68 ± 2.81%, P < .001, respectively) and left eyes (1.376 ± 0.308 vs. 1.647 ± 0.339, P < .001; 0.899 ± 0.231 vs. 1.134 ± 0.237, P < .001; 64.92 ± 3.44 vs. 68.84 ± 3.23, P < .001, respectively). No difference was found between active and remitted stages of papilledema in terms of choroidal parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary total choroidal area, luminal area, and choroidal vascularity index are significantly reduced in patients with papilledema. These parameters might be beneficial tools for evaluating choroidal vascularity in papilledema quantitatively and differential diagnosis for optic disc edema.

Effect of phacoemulsification surgery on intraocular pressure and function of bleb after trabeculectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification (PE) surgery on intraocular pressure (IOP) control and morphology of filtering bleb in eyes that have previously had trabeculectomy in the long-term. METHODS: This retrospective study included 98 eyes of 93 patients who had undergone trabeculectomy first and then PE surgery. The IOP, morphology of bleb, the number of glaucoma medication of each patient before PE, and 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 2 years after PE, and at the last visit were recorded. The need for additional glaucoma medication or glaucoma surgery were noted. Surgical success was defined as 6 mmHg ≤ IOP ≤ 21 mm Hg at the 3rd month, 1st year, and 2nd year follow-up visit, without additional medication or surgery. RESULTS: Before PE the IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in all of the eyes. At the last visit, the IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in 6 eyes with fewer glaucoma medication, in 24 eyes with the same number, and in 36 eyes with more. There was an increase in the number of glaucoma medications on each visit (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in bleb morphologies between before PE and each visit after PE (p < 0.001). Surgical success after PE was obtained in 52 eyes, additional glaucoma medication was needed in 36 eyes, and additional surgical procedures were required in 14 eyes. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification surgery may increase the number of glaucoma medications and the mean IOP and also may reduce the function of bleb in eyes that underwent trabeculectomy.

Pressure restoration and visual recovery time in hypotony after trabeculectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To asses the course of intraocular pressure (IOP) restoration and visual acuity (VA) recovery in eyes with hypotony after trabeculectomy. METHODS: Medical charts of patients undergoing trabeculectomy between January 2017 and June 2019 were reviewed. Cases with hypotony (IOP < 5 mmHg) due to over-filtration in the early postoperative period were assessed retrospectively. Primary outcome measures included change in IOP and VA in the postoperative period and percentage of eyes with hypotony on each follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes of 31 patients (23 male, 8 female) were included. The mean follow-up was 18.3 ± 6.9 months. The mean IOP was 3.0 ± 3.2, 9.2 ± 6.2, 9.4 ± 5.6, 9.4 ± 4.0, 10.9 ± 3.6 and 10.2 ± 3.3 mmHg at week 1, months 1, 3, 6, 12 and last follow-up, respectively. Out of 35 hypotonic eyes, 8 (22.8%) had prolonged hypotony at month 1, 4 (11.4%) at month 3, 1 (2.9%) at month 6. The decrease in VA continued to be significant at months 1 and 3 (p = 0.015, p = 0.036, respectively) and returned to baseline after the sixth month (p > 0.524). CONCLUSIONS: In eyes with early hypotony after trabeculectomy while low IOP recovers at first month, it takes longer for the visual restoration. The postoperative month 1 appears to be decisive for recovery of hypotony.

Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in optic disc drusen and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in peripapillary microvascularity in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and optic disc drusen (ODD) patients, by comparing them with those in healthy individuals, via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: Sixty-two eyes of 33 patients with ODD, 58 eyes of 30 patients with IIH, and 70 eyes of 70 healthy people were imaged for 6 × 6-mm optic disc scans on a spectral-domain OCTA. Vascular densities in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and choriocapillaris (CC) of ODD, IIH, and healthy eyes were compared with a one-way analysis of variance. Post-hoc analysis was performed with the Gabriel test. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in peripapillary vessel density in SCP, DCP, and CC in patients with IIH compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In ODD patients, especially peripapillary vessel density in DCP was significantly reduced compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Peripapillary vessel density in DCP was significantly lower in the IIH group than ODD group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Peripapillary vascular density may be affected during the course of the disease in both IIH and ODD. Compared to healthy individuals, the decrease in vascular density in these patients and the consequent decrease in perfusion in the peripapillary region may guide the pathogenesis of the complications in the course of these two diseases. Although vascular density in DCP and CC differs significantly between IIH and ODD, case-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the role of OCTA in the differential diagnosis of IHH and ODD.

Adie's tonic pupil after COVID-19: a case report and literature review.

Objective: Various neurological complications have been reported after COVID-19. The study aimed to document an unusual case of Adie's tonic pupil following COVID-19. Methods: The study was a case report. Results: A 28-year-old female had suffered a flu-like disease about 2 months before and the SARSCoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test at that time was positive. Two weeks after infection she noticed an asymmetry between the pupils. The only pathological finding on examination was anisocoria with a larger left pupil in ambient light. Light reflexes were observed in the right eye, while in the left eye, they were absent. Also, there was no near response in the left pupil. A 0.1% pilocarpine test results validated Adie's pupil diagnosis. After one year of follow-up, the anisocoria decreased but did not completely recover. Discussion: COVID-19 may cause damage to neural structures due to autoimmune ways by activating immune pathways or because of vascular complications that may affect the vasa nervorum. Adie's tonic pupil is often idiopathic, but it may develop following viral infection. Conclusions: Ocular complications that involve pupil abnormalities may manifest following COVID-19. In the cases of Adie's tonic pupil, infectious diseases, including COVID-19, should be questioned. Abbreviations: RT PCR = reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Long-Term Results of Transscleral Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation in Glaucoma: A Real-Life Study.

PRCIS: Transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (TDLC) is effective and safe in a large population and different types of glaucoma but is least effective in the neovascular glaucoma (NVG) group. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of TDLC in a large cohort of patients with different types of refractory glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using patient charts, we retrospectively analyzed the success and complications of TDLC performed on eyes categorized into 6 groups: primary glaucoma (116 eyes), trauma (41 eyes), NVG (84 eyes), post-vitreoretinal surgery (post-VRS, 79 eyes), penetrating keratoplasty (47 eyes), and miscellaneous (40 eyes). Failure was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) >22 mm Hg or <5 mm Hg, the need for further glaucoma surgery, and the loss of light perception during follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, the mean follow-up time was 33.4 ± 17.4 months, the mean total energy delivered was 109.2 ± 56.5 J, and the mean IOP reduction rate was 41.8%. Total energy delivered and IOP reduction rates were similar between the groups (all P > 0.05). The probability of success at 36 months was 71.5%, 70.7%, 55.9%, 77.2%, 72.3%, and 72.5% in primary glaucoma, trauma, NVG, post-VRS, penetrating keratoplasty, and miscellaneous groups, respectively. The NVG group showed a significantly lower success rate ( P = 0.009) than the other groups. Significant complications consisted of phthisis bulbi in 1 eye (0.2%) in the NVG group and chronic hypotony in 7 eyes (1.7%) in the NVG (3 eyes), trauma (2 eyes), post-VRS (1 eye), and primary glaucoma (1 eye) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although TDLC was found to be a safe, effective method in the long term, it was least effective in eyes with NVG.

Comparison of anterior chamber angle parameters and iris structure of juvenile open-angle glaucoma and pigmentary glaucoma.

To compare the quantitative measurements of the anterior chamber angle (ACA) and iris parameters in patients with juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), and healthy controls using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 25 eyes with JOAG, 25 eyes with PG, and 25 control eyes. Anterior chamber depth, angle-opening distance 500 and 750, trabecular-iris space 500 and 750, scleral spur angle, iris thickness (IT, measured at the thickest part), and iris bowing were obtained using AS-OCT (Visante" OCT 3.0 Model 1000, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc). RESULTS: The quantitative ACA parameters were found to be significantly higher in JOAG and PG patients compared to healthy controls (P < 0.001); there was no significant difference between the eyes with JOAG and PG (P > 0.05). In eyes with JOAG and PG, there was significantly backward bowing of the iris in temporal and nasal angles compared to control subjects (P < 0.001). Median iris bowing was not significantly different between the patients with JOAG and PG (P > 0.05). The temporal and nasal angle iris thickness were significantly thinner in eyes with JOAG than the eyes with PG (P < 0.001) and age-matched control subjects (P < 0.001). The median IT did not differ between the patients with PG and control subjects (P > 0.05). In patients with JOAG, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was inversely correlated with IT (r = -0.43, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: AS-OCT provided quantitative data on the ACA and iris parameters in JOAG and PG. The evaluation of the ACA and iris structures using AS-OCT revealed higher ACA measurements and posterior bowing of the iris in patients with JOAG and PG. Furthermore, the patients with JOAG were found to have thinner IT than the ones with PG and healthy controls.

Glaucoma Detection in Myopic Eyes: Structural and Vascular Assessment by Optic Coherence Tomography Methods.

PRCIS: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is helpful in the diagnosis of glaucoma in myopic eyes but neuroretinal rim (NRR) thickness is the most valuable measure. However, changes in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) parameters are insufficient for the diagnosis of mild to moderate glaucoma in myopia. PURPOSE: To detect how a multimodal evaluation, which includes RNFL, NRR thickness, and optic nerve head (ONH) OCT-A, affects glaucoma diagnosis in myopic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters of healthy myopic and myopic glaucoma eyes with an axial length of ≥24 mm were compared. The ONH structural features and peripapillary RNFL thickness were determined with Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The Cirrus 5000 HD-OCT with AngioPlex was utilized to perform OCT-A imaging. The sensitivity and specificity levels were calculated by the best cut-off values with area under curve (AUC). RESULTS: One hundred healthy myopic and 54 myopic glaucoma eyes were evaluated. In all areas, myopic glaucoma patients exhibited lower RNFL and NRR thickness than healthy myopic individuals ( P <0.05), with the exception of nasal quadrant RNFL thickness ( P =0.152). The mean entire and 4 quadrants of global radial peripapillary capillary (RPC)-perfusion and global RPC flux index (FI) were significantly lower in the group of myopic glaucoma patients except for the nasal quadrant mean RPC perfusion ( P =0.224). The average RNFL and NRR thickness had a significant difference in AUC for the diagnosis of glaucoma in myopic individuals ( P =0.001, for each). The average NRR showed excellent diagnostic performance, whereas the average RNFL showed good diagnostic performance. Average RPC perfusion and average RPC FI showed poor diagnostic ability. The average NRR AUC was more significant than average RPC perfusion and average RPC FI AUC ( P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although RNFL thickness was helpful to diagnose glaucoma in patients with myopia, the diagnostic power of NRR thickness performed best. OCT-A parameters showed poor diagnostic accuracy for glaucoma and the observed perfusion decrease in myopic glaucoma eyes was not sufficiently discriminative compared with NRR and RNFL thickness measurements.

Comparison of corneal, endothelial, and anterior segment parameters in eyes with and without pigment dispersion.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the differences of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal endothelial cell morphology, and biometric parameters of the anterior chamber and iridocorneal angle in pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and healthy group. METHODS: Twenty- three eyes in the PDS group, 39 eyes in the PG group, 33 eyes in the POAG group, and 45 eyes in the healthy control group were included in this cross-sectional retrospective study. Corneal endothelial cell density, the coefficient of variation in the cell area, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were obtained by specular microscopy (CEM 530, NIDEK, Japan). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle parameters and CCT were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss AG, Germany). RESULTS: The mean CCT via specular microscopy (SM-CCT) was measured at the thinnest value in the PG group (531.20 ± 34.91 µm) and the thickest in the control group (569.13 ± 37.52 µm). CV value was higher in PG (34.65 ± 6.84) and POAG group (34.27 ± 9.93) and lower in control group (28.82 ± 5.18) (p = 0,005). The mean AS-OCT-CCT was the thinnest in the PG group (513.61 ± 39.94 µm), and the thickest in the control group (547.04 ± 36.72 µm) (p = 0.001). All parameters of the iridocorneal angle were larger in the PDS and PG groups (p < 0.001). In the correlation analysis of the glaucomatous eyes, a negative correlation between the C/D ratio and SM-CCT and AS-OCT-CCT (p = 0.037, p = 0.017, respectively) and a positive correlation between the pRNFL thickness and AS-OCT- CCT (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: CCT values obtained with both SM and AS-OCT were found to be significantly thinner in PG cases. CV, which is the measure of polymegatism, was found to be significantly higher in PG cases.

Outcomes of 23-Gauge Transconjunctival Sutureless Vitrectomy in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the anatomical and functional results of 23-G transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients with a variety of vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent 23-G TSV for complications of DR were evaluated retrospectively. The primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 42 eyes of 41 patients were included and followed up for a mean of 15.64±10.0 months. The mean patient age was 59.33±7.4 years. Indications for surgery were nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage (VH) (n=10), tractional retinal detachment (TRD) (n=8), TRD+VH (n=12), epiretinal membrane (n=5), diabetic macular edema (n=3), submacular hemorrhage (n=2), macular hole (n=1), or vitreomacular traction (n=1). There was a significant improvement in the BCVA at the postoperative first and third months, and at the last visit compared with the preoperative value (p<0.001). There was no significant change in the mean IOP measured on the postoperative first day, first week, first month, third month, or the last visit (p>0.05). In the postoperative period, the VH resolved spontaneously in 9 eyes. Repeat 23-G vitrectomy was performed in 6 eyes: 4 with recurrent retinal detachment and 2 with VH. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that 23-G TSV is an effective technique for vitreoretinal disease in patients with DR.

Fellow-eye asymmetry on optical coherence tomography angiography and thickness parameters in unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate inter-eye retinal vessel density and thickness asymmetry in unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome and understand its use for the early detection of glaucoma. METHODS: Thirty patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome were enrolled in our study. Optical coherence tomography angiography macular scans were used measure the retinal vessel density, and optical coherence tomography scans were used to assess the thickness parameters of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and the macular ganglion cell complex. Inter-eye asymmetry was determined by taking the absolute value of the difference in the vessel density and thickness parameters between the pseudoexfoliation syndrome eye and fellow eye. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 64.20 ± 7.05 y in the study group. Inter-eye asymmetry in the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macular ganglion cell complex measurements were significant in the study group (p=0.03 and p=0.001, respectively). The vessel density of the macular superficial inner region was significantly lower in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome than in fellow eyes (p=0.035). However, there was no inter-eye asymmetry in the central and full region macular superficial vessel density of eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and fellow eyes (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Retinal vessel density can be evaluated using optical coherence tomography angiography measurements. There was inter-eye asymmetry in the inner region macular superficial vessel density, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular ganglion cell complex thickness of the unilateral pseudoexfoliation syndrome eyes and fellow eyes. Further studies on a larger number of subjects might provide more clarity regarding the relationship between the inter-eye asymmetry of the retinal vessel density and thickness parameters with early detection of glaucomatous damage.

Comparison of quantitative measurement of macular vessel density before and after inferior oblique muscle-weakening surgery: An optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: To investigate hemodynamic changes in retinal and choroidal vasculature after surgical inferior oblique (IO) weakening through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent unilateral IO-weakening surgery at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had OCTA measurements before surgery and on postoperative days 7 and 30 were included. Vessel density was determined for the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), the choriocapillaris (CCP) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). RESULTS: The study included 72 eyes of 36 patients. Fellow eyes were used as a control group. The preoperative and postoperative week 1 and month 1 mean central vessel densities of the SCP were 20.48% ± 3.52%, 20.68% ± 3.83%, and 23.56% ± 5.65%, respectively, in the operated eye; those of the DCP were 16.72% ± 3.33%, 16.08% ± 4.65%, and 20.85% ± 7.09%, respectively. The mean FAZ areas were 341.29 ± 88.04 µm2, 341.30 ± 98.25 µm2, and 316.02 ± 74.61 µm2, respectively. We detected no significant changes in SCP, DCP, and FAZ in the postoperative period. The mean central vessel density of the CCP increased significantly from the preoperative level of 54.06% ± 2.86% to 55.55% ± 2.63% at postoperative week 1, but there was no significant difference between baseline and postoperative month 1 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.515, resp.). CONCLUSIONS: IO muscle surgery does not seem to cause alterations in retinal hemodynamics, although it can transiently increase the central vessel density of the CCP during the early postoperative period.

New Insights into Diabetic and Vision-Threatening Retinopathy: Importance of Plasma Long Pentraxine 3 and Taurine Levels.

PURPOSE: To investigate diabetic retinopathy (DR), plasma long pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and taurine levels, and systemic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with type 2 DM were categorized based on the presence of DR and maculopathy. Retinal findings (retinopathy, maculopathy, flame-shaped hemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, and soft exudate); laboratory findings (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], Taurine, PTX-3); systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were analyzed. RESULTS: In this study, 39 patients with a mean age of 59.5 ± 8.1 years were included. The mean taurine level was significantly lower (p = .025) and HbA1c values were significantly higher (p = .0001) in patients with and without DR, respectively. In patients with varying severity of DR, a significant difference in the plasma taurine level was found (p = .0001). The mean PTX-3 level decreased with the severity of retinopathy; however, there was no significant difference in levels among the grading groups (p = .732). Taurine and PTX-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with maculopathy (p = .001 and p = .022, respectively) and significantly higher in patients with grade 0 maculopathy than in those with grade 1, 2, or 3 maculopathy (p = .023, p = .01, and p = .01, respectively). Patients with flame-shaped hemorrhage had significantly lower PTX-3 levels (p = .009) and higher SBP and DBP levels (p = .003, p = .023) than those without the hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: No significant relation between PTX-3 level and severity of DR was found. HbA1c, taurine, and PTX-3 levels in patients with vision-threatening DR symptoms were significantly different from those without these symptoms. Management of systemic blood pressure and glycemic control is mandatory in the follow-up of DR, and increasing the plasma taurine levels can prevent vision loss.

Evaluation of Diplopia Secondary to Seton Implantation Surgery: Ahmed Glaucoma Valve and Diplopia.

Objectives: To determine and evaluate the rate of diplopia after Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation surgery. Materials and Methods: The records of patients who underwent AGV implantation in our hospital between the years of 2010 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were referred to our strabismus department due to binocular diplopia after AGV implantation surgery were included. The details of postoperative day 1, day 7, day 15, and 1 month examinations were recorded. In the postoperative period, the onset time of diplopia complaints, diplopia type, and the presence of diplopia at distance and near fixation were noted. Ocular motility examination and deviation measurements were evaluated. Results: Ten (47%) of 211 patients who underwent AGV implantation in our hospital between 2010 and 2017 met the study inclusion criteria. Six of the 10 patients were men (60%) and 4 were women (40%). The mean age of the patients was 44.5 (34-63) years. Complaints of diplopia developed at a mean of 14.5±12.3 (1-30) days after AGV implantation. The prism measurements of the patients were found to be 8.4±1.4 prism diopters (PD) exotropia and 7.1±8.8 PD hypotropia. While 8 patients had diplopia only at near distance, 2 patients had diplopia at both distance and near. Three patients were treated with prismatic glasses, and their complaints of diplopia recovered spontaneously in 5.11±4.10 months. The other 7 patients were followed up without treatment, and their diplopia complaints resolved spontaneously in 6.11±4.40 months. Conclusion: Although most of the diplopia that develops after AGV implant surgery resolves without treatment, prismatic glasses might be considered as a treatment option in patients whose diplopia affects their daily lives.

Do We Conform with European Glaucoma Society Guidelines in the Medical Treatment of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma/Ocular Hypertension? Data from a Real-Life Practice.

Purpose: To evaluate the prescribing habits of glaucoma specialists and of general ophthalmologists, and reveal the conformance with European Glaucoma Society (EGS) guidelines in the medical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: Patients receiving medical treatment for POAG/OHT in the glaucoma clinic comprised the "naive group." Patients having a diagnosis and a treatment for POAG/OHT initiated in another center before presentation comprised the second group and were named as "treatment initiated elsewhere" (TIEW). All patients were retrospectively evaluated from the patients' charts. The outcome measures included the percentage of eyes treated with monotherapy, the molecule groups preferred, and the change in prescription trends over the years in both groups. Results: Seventy-two subjects were included in the naive group and 135 subjects in TIEW group. The rate of monotherapy was 76% and 36% in both groups, respectively. The molecule number was significantly higher in the TIEW group compared with naive group (1.98 ± 0.89 vs. 1.28 ± 0.56, P < 0.001). Until 2003, beta blockers, and in the 2003-2008 period, prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) were the mostly prescribed drugs in glaucoma clinic. From 2009, the rate of PGAs declined, with PGAs being replaced by combination drugs and alfa-2 agonists. Conclusions: Overtreatment rate was high among patients receiving a diagnosis and a treatment by general ophthalmologists, whereas glaucoma specialists were found to conform with EGS guidelines. A shift toward polypharmacy was observed from 2000 to 2017. The common guidelines to evaluate and treat glaucoma need to be adopted by the general ophthalmologists in their real-life practice.

Muscle belly union surgery with or without medial rectus recession for the treatment of high myopic strabismus fixus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgery involving the union of the superior rectus muscle and the lateral rectus muscle with or without medial rectus recession (MRc) for the treatment of high myopic strabismus fixus over a 20-year period. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent muscle belly union for the treatment of high myopic strabismus fixus were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were classified according to the timing of MRc. In group 1, MRc was performed before muscle union surgery; in group 2, MRc was performed concurrent with muscle union surgery; in group 3, MRc was not performed; in group 4, MRc was performed after muscle union surgery. RESULTS: A total of 50 eyes of 40 patients were included. Mean esotropia decreased from 57.27Δ ± 25.45Δ (range, 8Δ-100Δ) before surgery to 11.67Δ ± 13.85Δ (range, -18Δ to 45Δ) after (P < 0.001); mean hypotropia, from 6.05Δ ± 9.13Δ (range, 0Δ-13Δ) before to 1.20Δ ± 3.03Δ (range, 0Δ-10Δ) after (P < 0.001). Mean abduction improved from -2.82 ± 1.17 (range, -4 to 0) before to -0.75 ± 0.92 (range, -3 to 0) after (P < 0.001); mean elevation, from -1.62 ± 1.62 (range, -4 to 0) before to -0.57 ± 0.90 (range, -3 to 0) after (P < 0.001). Preoperative esotropia and postoperative limitation in abduction were significantly lower in group 3 (P = 0.03; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Muscle union surgery successfully corrected the restrictive esotropia and hypotropia. MRc in addition to muscle union surgery was not necessary for some patients, for whom preoperative esotropia was lower.

Comparison of different tendon transposition techniques for the treatment of monocular elevation deficiency type 2.

PURPOSE: To compare results of three different tendon transposition techniques (Knapp procedure and two modified techniques) for the treatment of type 2 monocular elevation deficiency (MED) patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients with MED type 2 operated on at a single institution from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three vertical transposition groups: (1) full tendon width, (2) augmented surgery; and (3) partial tendon width. Surgical success was defined as no severe limitation of upgaze, hypotropia of <6Δ, and no hypertropia in primary position. Pre- and postoperative vertical deviations in the primary position and limitations in elevation levels were compared. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were included. The pre- and postoperative deviations in the full-tendon group were 22.50Δ ± 4.17Δ and 3.50Δ ± 1.27Δ, respectively; in the augmented surgery group, 23.75Δ ± 4.78Δ and 1.75Δ ± 1.14Δ; and in the partial-tendon group, 20.50Δ ± 3.98Δ and 4.12Δ ± 2.78Δ. Corrected vertical deviations were 19Δ, 23Δ, and 16Δ, respectively. The pre- and postoperative limitation of elevations were -2.80 and -0.80 in the full-tendon group, -3.20 and -0.90 in the augmented surgery group, and -2.37 and -1.12 in the partial-tendon group. The pre- and postoperative vertical deviation improvements and limitations of elevation were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in all groups. Success was achieved in 29 patients (74%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study cohort, all three procedures were reasonably effective in improving vertical deviations and limitation of elevation.

Morphological assessment of lamina cribrosa in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Purpose: Technological development of optic coherence tomography has enabled a detailed assessment of the optic nerve and deeper structures and in vivo measurements. The aim of this study was to compare the lamina cribrosa morphology of the optic nerve in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and healthy individuals. Methods: The lamina cribrosa morphology of optic nerve in 15 eyes with IIH and 17 eyes of healthy individuals were compared. Four parameters such as Bruch membrane opening (BMO), lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), prelaminar tissue thickness (PTT), and anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (ALCSD) were retrospectively evaluated. Results: By enhanced depth imaging-optic coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), PTT and BMO were found to be significantly greater (574,35 ± 169,20 µm and 1787,40 ± 140,87 µm, respectively) in IIH patients than healthy individuals (187,18 ± 132,15 µm and 1632,65 ± 162,58 µm, respectively), whereas ALSCD was found to be significantly less in IIH patients (234,49 ± 49,31 µm) than healthy individuals (425,65 ± 65,23 µm). There was not a statistically significant difference regarding LCT between the IIH patients (238,59 ± 17,31 µm) and healthy individuals (244,96 ± 15,32 µm). Conclusion: Increased intracranial pressure causes morphological changes in lamina cribrosa. Assessment of lamina cribrosa with EDI-OCT is important for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with IIH. EDI-OCT is objective, reproducible, and cost-effective assistive imaging tool in IIH patients.

Retinal microvasculature in the remission period of Behcet's uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retinal microvasculature and blood flow during Behcet's uveitis (BU) remission via optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), and compare the results with those from healthy eyes. METHODS: A total of 35 eyes of 35 BU patients presenting during the remission period of BU involving the posterior segment were enrolled, as were 30 normal eyes of 30 age and sex-matched healthy participants. Optical coherence tomography angiograms were analyzed. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel densities, and flow areas were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Thirty-five eyes of 35 BU patients and 30 normal eyes of 30 age and sex-matched subjects were included in the study. The superficial FAZ was slightly higher in the BU group than in the control group (p = 0.01), but deep FAZ was substantially higher (p < 0.001). Deep foveal and parafoveal vessel densities were significantly lower in BU eyes (p < 0.05). Flow areas in superficial and deep plexuses were lower in BU eyes (p < 0.05), however choroidal flow was similar (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: BU can cause permanent damage especially in the deep capillary plexus and OCT-A provides a detailed view of the retinal microvasculature which helps us to visualize vascular damage in these patients. Further studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to define the role of OCT-A in the decision of treatment efficacy with different agents.

Comparison of the lamina cribrosa parameters in eyes with exfoliation syndrome, exfoliation glaucoma and healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare lamina cribrosa (LC) parameters obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of eyes with exfoliation syndrome (PXS), exfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 206 eyes of 206 subjects were included. The Bruch's membrane opening distance (BMOd), the anterior and posterior borders of the LC (LC thickness) and the anterior laminar depth (ALD) were imaged using the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode of SD-OCT. RESULTS: There were 96 eyes in the PXG group, 55 eyes in the PXS group, and 55 eyes in the control group. The LC thickness was the thinnest in the PXG group (151.10 ± 51.18 µm), followed in the PXS group (158.76 ± 49.62 µm), and the thickest in the control group (181.00 ± 39.10 µm) (p = 0.002). In PXG cases where LC was observed in the deepest location, the ALD value was highest (423.92 ± 111.75 µm) in the PXG group, followed by the control group (403.08 ± 63.56 µm), and PXS group (357.43 ± 80.87 µm) (p < 0.001). The BMOd values were largest in the PXG group (1542.43 ± 152.99 µm), followed by the control group (1506.52 ± 169.09 µm) and PXS group (1435.74 ± 141.06 µm) (p < 0.001). In the PXG group, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, BCVA, and cup to disc (C/D) ratio were also statistically different from the other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found thinner LC thickness in PXG and PXS cases relative to the control group. Although its severity is associated with the diagnosis and severity of glaucoma, LC thinning can be encountered as an isolated condition in the presence of exfoliation.