Invivo generated autologous plasmin enzyme assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy, silicone oil injection in patients with chronic retinal detachment without posterior vitreous detachment.

PURPOSE: To report the results of invivo generated autologous plasmin enzyme(IVAP) assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy and silicone oil injection for surgical treatment of patients with chronic retinal detachment without posterior vitreous detachment(PVD). METHODS: Study was performed in retrospective, comparative manner. A total of 16 consecutive eyes with chronic retinal detachment who had intravitreal injection of 50 µgr of t-PA and 0.1 ml of autologous whole blood, 3 days before surgery, underwent lens extraction with phacoemulsification, IVAP assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy, and silicone oil injection(Study Group) were compared to a similar group of 15 eyes who had undergone vitrectomy, with or without lens extraction and silicone oil injection(Control Group) for the treatment of chronic retinal detachment. Primary outcome measures were initial retinal reattachment and number of operations at postoperative 6 months. RESULTS: Mean age of 16 patients of whom 7 were female, was 39.31 ± 17.76 years in study group and 15 patients of whom 4 were female, was 35.40 ± 11.92 years (p = 0.607). Mean follow-up time was 10.68 ± 7.15 months in study group and 29.13 ± 18.83 months in control group (p = 0.001). Initial retinal reattachment was achieved in 87.50% (14 out of 16 patients) in the study group, whereas it was 46.66% (7 out of 15 patients) in the control group (p = 0.017). The mean number of operations for reattachment in the study group was 1.12 ± 0.34, whereas it was 1.46 ± 0.51 in the control group (p = 0.039) at postoperative 6 months While the preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.25 ± 0.64, it was 0.53 ± 0.37 at postoperative 6 months in study group (p = 0.001). Conversely, in the control group, the preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.22 ± 0.33, it was 1.20 ± 0.89 at postoperative 6 months (p = 0.780). At postoperative 6 months,, epiretinal membrane developed in 2 eyes of the study group, 1 eye in the control group, and phthisis bulbi occurred in 1 eye of control group. CONCLUSION: IVAP assisted vitrectomy, partial circumferential-oral retinotomy and silicone oil injection is effective and safe for the surgical treatment of chronic retinal detachment without PVD.

Determination of the retinal toxicity of intravitreal colistin in rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: To determine the possible adverse effects and safe dose range of intravitreal colistin, an antibiotic, after its intravitreal application. METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 adult male and female New Zealand white rabbits were selected. Various concentrations of colistin were prepared. In each rabbit, 0.1 mL of colistin solution or saline solution was injected intravitreally into the right eye. Electroretinographic recordings were taken before and 2 weeks after injection. Histopathological examination was made using a light microscope following enucleation and fixation procedures. In histopathologic cross-sections, the differences between drug-injected eyes and control eyes were evaluated. RESULTS: Electroretinographic examination showed a decrease of 30% as a significant value in the a and b wave amplitudes of the rabbits that injected 400 µg/0.1 ml and higher concentrations. Histological examination revealed histiocytic infiltration, histiocytic vacuoles, inflammation, and retinal degeneration in rabbit eyes given 400 µg/0.1 ml, 800 µg/0.1 ml, and 1.6 mg/0.1 ml concentrations of colistin. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, the safe concentration of colistin is 0.2 mg/0.1 ml. Administration of 0.4 mg/0.1 ml was associated with cataract development, electrophysiological depression, and pathological changes in retinal layers.

The significance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To assess the levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) and to compare the NLR results of patients with iERM and healthy controls. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 43 patients with iERM and 40 healthy subjects. Complete ophthalmologic examination and complete blood count measurements were performed of all subjects. Complete blood counts were performed within 2 h of blood collection. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in NLR between iERM and control groups (p < 0.01). The receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed that the value of NLR to distinguish patients with iERM and controls was found to be 0.832. The best cutoff value was 1.90, with a sensitivity of 72% and specificity 70%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study for the first time provides evidence that subclinical systemic inflammation may cause or at least accompanies iERM using a novel biomarker NLR.

Tear Osmolarity and Tear Film Parameters in Patients With Ocular Rosacea.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate tear osmolarity and tear film parameters in patients with ocular rosacea. METHODS: In a single center, 25 eyes of 25 patients with ocular rosacea (group 1), 25 eyes of 25 patients with rosacea without ocular involvement (group 2), and 20 eyes of 20 healthy individuals (group 3) were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer I test, tear film break-up time (TBUT), scoring of ocular surface fluorescein staining using modified Oxford scale, and tear osmolarity. RESULTS: Tear osmolarity values, OSDI and Oxford scale scores were significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (P<0.001 for all). Schirmer I test and TBUT in group 1 were significantly lower than in groups 2 and 3 (P<0.001 for all). There were no significant differences in OSDI, Schirmer I test, TBUT, Oxford scores, or tear osmolarity between groups 2 and 3 (P=0.629, P=0.175, P=0.713, P=865, and P=0.388, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that ocular rosacea is associated with tear hyperosmolarity and tear film dysfunction.

Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment After Laser Capsulotomy in Pseudophakic Eyes With Pseudoexfoliation.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in anterior-chamber depth (ACD) and angle width after neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy pseudophakia in eyes with pseudoexfoliation (PEX). METHODS: This prospective and interventional case series study included 25 pseudophakic eyes of 25 patients with PEX and 26 pseudophakic eyes of 26 patients without PEX scheduled for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in a single institution. Anterior-chamber depth and angle width were measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and three days after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of ACD and angle width included the angle opening distance (AOD), measured as the perpendicular distance from the trabecular meshwork at 500 and 750 mm anterior to the scleral spur to the anterior iris surface (AOD500 and AOD750, respectively) and anterior-chamber angle (ACA) in the nasal and temporal quadrants. Main outcome measures were the changes in ACD and angle width parameters. RESULTS: The mean ACD, AOD500, AOD750, and ACA (nasal and temporal) measurements were 3.67±0.12 mm, 0.63±0.05 mm and 0.65±0.05 mm, 0.67±0.06 mm and 0.77±0.04 mm, 35.25±1.69° and 35.37±1.68° in eyes with PEX and 3.73±0.11 mm, 0.6±0.05 mm and 0.63±0.05 mm, 0.66±0.06 mm and 0.74±0.06 mm, 34.24±1.6° and 34.6±1.47° in control eyes, respectively (P>0.05 for all). After Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, mean ACD, AOD500, AOD750, and ACA (nasal and temporal) measurements were 3.76±0.09 mm, 0.73±0.05 mm and 0.76±0.05 mm, 0.75±0.06 mm and 0.87±0.04 mm, 36.82±1.46° and 35.06±1.52° in eyes with PEX and 3.77±0.1 mm, 0.68±0.06 mm and 0.72±0.06 mm, 0.72±0.05 mm and 0.84±0.06 mm, 34.95±1.4° and 35.79±1.36° in control eyes, respectively (P=0.811, P=0.019, P=0.021, P=0.109, P=0.126, P=0.001, and P=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The depth and width of the anterior chamber in eyes with PEX and in control eyes increased significantly after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The change in the width of the anterior chamber in eyes PEX was statistically significant comparing control eyes.

Preoperative co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator in vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical benefits of the co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator as adjuncts in the surgical treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Patients who underwent vitrectomy for proliferative dia-betic retinopathy complications were preoperatively given in-travitreal injection with either bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator (Group 1) or bevacizumab alone (Group 2). Primary outcomes were surgery time and number of intraoperative iatrogenic retinal breaks. Secondary outcomes included changes in the best-corrected visual acuity and postoperative complications at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean surgery time in Group 1 (52.95 ± 5.90 min) was significantly shorter than that in Group 2 (79.61 ± 12.63 min) (p<0.001). The mean number of iatrogenic retinal breaks was 0.50 ± 0.59 (0-2) in Group 1 and 2.00 ± 0.83 (0-3) in Group 2 (p<0.001). The best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved in both groups (p<0.001). One eye in each group developed retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Preoperative co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator as adjuncts in the surgical treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy shortens the surgery time and reduces the number of intraoperative iatrogenic retinal breaks.

Bilateral Cystoid Macular Edema after COVID-19: 1 Year Follow Up.

PURPOSE: The aim is to report a case of bilateral macular edema after COVID-19 pneumonia. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old male patient with history of COVID-19 pneumonia presented to us with decreased vision. Examination showed bilateral cystoid macular edema (CME), which was confirmed on optical coherence tomography (OCT). There were no findings in the fundus examination. He had no systemic disease, drug or surgery history, or any factors that could explain the clinic presentation. Work-up for uveitis was unremarkable. After topical therapy with brinzolamide 1% and nepafenac 0.1%, macular edema regressed in a month. CONCLUSION: This is an unusual case of CME in previous COVID-19 infection. This presentation may be a parainfectious or a post-viral manifestation of COVID-19.

Scleral buckling with a non-contact wide-angle viewing system.

PURPOSE: To assess the outcome of scleral buckling surgery using a non-contact wide-angle viewing system for fundus visualization in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment without proliferative vitreoretinopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 16 patients underwent scleral buckling using a non-contact wide-angle viewing system combined with a 25-gauge illumination fibre inserted into the sclera at the pars plana. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.6 ± 13.7 years and the mean follow-up time was 13.4 ± 2.8 months. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 13 of the 16 eyes (81%). Three eyes underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil injection because of development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 2 eyes and scleral perforation due to excessive indentation during cryoretinopexy in 1 eye. Two eyes developed limited subretinal haemorrhage during subretinal fluid drainage. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous use of a non-contact wide-angle viewing system combined with a 25-gauge light fibre illumination for fundus visualization brings the advantages of microsurgery and indirect ophthalmoscopy into scleral buckling surgery.

In vivo generated autologous plasmin assisted vitrectomy in young patients.

BACKGROUND: Autologous plasmin enzyme facilitates the induction of posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) during vitrectomy in young patients. We proposed the concept of in-vivo generated plasmin which is based on the injection of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) and autologous whole blood(AWB) into the vitreous cavity. The purpose of this pilot study is to report the efficacy of preoperative simultaneous intravitreal injection of(t-PA) and autologous whole blood in facilitating the intraoperative induction of PVD in young patients with various vitreoretinal pathologies. METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 16 young patients with various vitreoretinal pathologies requiring vitrectomy, who received simultaneous intravitreal injection of 0.1 ml of AWB and 25 µg of t-PA, 3 days prior to surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures were the number of attempts required to achieve successful intraoperative separation of the posterior hyaloid; the postoperative visual acuity; and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 23.87 ± 10.09 years, ranging from 10 to 39 years. Eight of 16 patients were men. The mean follow-up time was 19.35 ± 5.04 months, ranging from 12 to 26 months. Surgical indications for vitrectomy were chronic retinal detachment (n = 7), traumatic retinal detachment without proliferative vitreoretinopathy(n = 3), traumatic macular hole(n = 1), secondary vasoproliferative tumor(n = 4) and optic pit maculopathy(n = 2). Patients with retinal detachment complicated with PVR and those who were older than 40 years of age were excluded from the study. Separation of the Weiss ring from the optic nerve head was achieved intraoperatively in all cases, with a mean number of 2.86 ± 1.4 attempts. While the mean preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.38 ± 0.59, ranging from 2.40 to 0.50, it was a mean of 0.51 ± 0.29, ranging from 1.00 to 0.10 at final postoperative exam(p < 0.001; paired samples t-test). No preoperative or intraoperative complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Preoperative simultaneous intravitreal injection of 25 µg t-PA with 0.1 ml of AWB facilitates the intraoperative induction of posterior vitreous detachment in young patients.

Experimental Laboratory Modeling of Choroidal Vasculature: A Study of the Dynamics of Intraoperative Choroidal Hemorrhage during Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Objectives: Choroidal hemorrhages (CH) result from rupture of choroidal vessels leading to extravasation of blood into the suprachoroidal space. In this study, we aimed to understand the hemodynamics of CH by developing a purpose-built scale model of the choroidal vasculature and calculating stress levels in the model under different conditions. Materials and Methods: We modeled the choroidal vasculature using a rubber tube 10 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter that was wrapped with conductive thread to enable the measurement of stress at the walls of the tube. Stress levels across the tube were continuously measured under different systemic intravascular blood pressure levels (IVP), intraocular pressure (IOP) levels, and distortion. Results: Stress values across the choroidal vessel model correlated negatively with IOP and positively with IVP and distortion. All correlations were statistically significant (p<0.05) and were stronger when the model was filled with expansile tamponade compared to non-expansile tamponades. Distortion showed the strongest correlation in terms of increasing stress across the model, while IVP showed stronger correlation compared to IOP. Raising IOP to counteract the stress in the model was effective when the stress in the model was secondary to increased IVP, but this approach was not effective when the stress in the model was caused by distortion. Conclusion: Excessive distortion of the globe during surgical maneuvers could be the primary reason for the rarely observed intraoperative CH. Non-expansile ocular tamponade provides better support for the vascular bed against CH and should be the recommended choice of tamponade in patients with existing CH. Increasing IOP excessively is of limited effect in preventing CH in vessels that are under stress as a result of distorting surgical maneuvers.

Long term predictive ability of preoperative retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in visual prognosis after chiasmal decompression surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between preoperative retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and the recovery of visual field (VF) and visual acuity (VA) 1 year after surgery in chiasmal compression patients presenting with visual impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine eyes of 16 patients with chiasmal compression and 14 eyes of 14 control subjects were enrolled. All patients undergoing chiasmal decompression surgery via a transsphenoidal approach were prospectively evaluated before and 1 year after surgery with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR), mean deviation (MD) value with standard automated perimetry (SAP) and RNFL thickness with optical coherence tomography. Eyes with chiasmal compression were divided into two groups according to the mean preoperative RNFL thickness: ≥ 100 µm (Group 1) and < 100 µm (Group 2). The relationship between the mean preoperative RNFL thickness and visual prognosis parameters (VF, VA) was analyzed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative RNFL thickness was 115.92 ± 8.97 µm, 84.0 ± 8.85 µm, and 114.21 ± 7.75 µm in Group 1 (n = 15 eyes), Group 2 (n = 14 eyes) and the control group (n = 14 eyes), respectively. The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.15 ± 0.3 in Group 1, and 0.41 ± 0.39 in Group 2. The mean BCVA increased to 0.03 ± 0.1 in Group 1 in the postoperative period but did not change in Group 2. MD value was - 6.10 ± 5.54 in the preoperative period and - 2.59 ± 2.23 in the postoperative period for Group 1 (p = 0.014), while it was - 18.97 ± 4.14 in the preoperative period and - 18.57 ± 4.51 in the postoperative period in Group 2 (p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that lower mean preoperative RNFL thickness was associated with poorer long-term visual prognosis. Preoperative RNFL thickness measurements may be helpful in predicting the recovery of VF and VA after decompression surgery in patients with chiasmal lesion presenting with visual impairment.

Optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence imaging in an infant with RD3-related leber congenital amaurosis.

Background: Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is both genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of retinal disorder. Mutations in retinal degeneration 3 (RD3) have been reported as an infrequent cause of LCA which account for less than 1% of all known LCA cases. This case report provides Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) findings of an infant with LCA related to a mutation in RD3.Materials and Methods: Single retrospective case report.Results: TruSight One Expanded Sequencing Panel was applied to the patient on the Illumina NextSeq. Homozygous pathogenic variant (c.112 C > T, p.Arg38Ter) was detected in the RD3 gene. Well-demarcated central foveal atrophy was noted in the infrared imaging. FAF imaging showed perifoveal hyperautofluorescent ring and irregular hyperautofluorescence outside the vascular arcade. An arrest in foveal development and loss of outer retinal structure including outer nuclear layer, external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone at the fovea were detected in the OCT imaging.Conclusion: This study indicates that RD3-related LCA has a very severe phenotype with foveal development arrest and very early loss of all photoreceptor layer and external limiting membrane at the fovea.

Peeling of internal limiting membrane during vitrectomy for complicated retinal detachment prevents epimacular membrane formation.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the clinical benefit of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling at the macula for the prevention of epimacular membrane formation following vitreous surgery using silicone oil for the treatment of complicated retinal detachment. METHODS: This was a non-randomized, retrospective, interventional study of a case series. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively for 20 consecutively recruited patients who underwent successful primary vitrectomy with ILM peeling at the macula using silicone oil (group 1) and 22 consecutively recruited patients who underwent successful primary vitrectomy using silicone oil without ILM peeling at the macula for complicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (group 2). The main outcome measures were distant visual acuity and epimacular membrane formation. The data were analyzed and compared using Fisher's Exact test, Pearson Chi-square test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and a repeated ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 52.7 +/- 12.6 years in group 1 and 53.2 +/- 13.3 years in group 2 (p = 0.89). The mean follow-up time was 24.6 +/- 7.6 weeks in group 1 and 34.1 +/- 12.6 weeks in group 2 (p = 0.01). Preoperatively, ten eyes in group 1 and 10 eyes in group 2 were pseudophakic; the macula was detached in all cases. Silicone oil had been removed from all eyes of both groups at least 3 months before the final examination. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to sex (p = 0.44), mean duration of retinal detachment (p = 0.12), mean preoperative visual acuity (logMAR), mean number of retinal breaks (p = 0.43), and grade of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (p = 0.35). The final visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.60 +/- 0.30 in group 1 and 0.72 +/- 0.35 in group 2 (p = 0.49). Four eyes in group 1 and two eyes in group 2 underwent cataract surgery during silicone oil removal. Epimacular membrane formation was observed in two eyes before silicone oil removal and in four eyes within 8 weeks after silicone oil removal in group 2. No epimacular membrane formation was seen in group 1 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: ILM peeling at the macula during vitreous surgery with silicone oil for the treatment of complicated retinal detachment may prevent epimacular membrane formation without negatively affecting distant visual acuity.

Preoperative co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator in vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the clinical benefits of the co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator as adjuncts in the surgical treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Patients who underwent vitrectomy for proliferative dia-betic retinopathy complications were preoperatively given in-travitreal injection with either bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator (Group 1) or bevacizumab alone (Group 2). Primary outcomes were surgery time and number of intraoperative iatrogenic retinal breaks. Secondary outcomes included changes in the best-corrected visual acuity and postoperative complications at 3 months postoperatively. Results: The mean surgery time in Group 1 (52.95 ± 5.90 min) was significantly shorter than that in Group 2 (79.61 ± 12.63 min) (p<0.001). The mean number of iatrogenic retinal breaks was 0.50 ± 0.59 (0-2) in Group 1 and 2.00 ± 0.83 (0-3) in Group 2 (p<0.001). The best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved in both groups (p<0.001). One eye in each group developed retinal detachment. Conclusion: Preoperative co-application of bevacizumab and tissue plasminogen activator as adjuncts in the surgical treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy shortens the surgery time and reduces the number of intraoperative iatrogenic retinal breaks.

Longitudinal assessment of intraocular pressure in premature infants.

PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal change in intraocular pressure (IOP) in premature infants and to establish a normative IOP value. METHODS: Forty premature infants with a gestational age (GA) of 26 weeks were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Measurements were taken initially at 28 weeks postconceptional age (PCA) and at 2-week intervals up to 40 weeks PCA. Intraocular pressure was measured with a hand-held tonometer (Tono-Pen XL; Reichert Inc.). RESULTS: From 40 (22 male, 18 female) premature Caucasian infants, seven (for each eye) IOP measurements were obtained. Mean GA was 26 weeks and mean birthweight was 820 ± 112 grams. The mean IOP was 15.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg and 14.9 ± 1.1 mm Hg for the right and left eyes, respectively. The mean IOP in both eyes for all measurements was 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg. At 28 weeks PCA, 9 (22.5%) preterm infants had IOP values greater than 20 mm Hg. The mean IOPs at 28 weeks, 30 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, and 40 weeks PCA were 18.7 ± 1.1 mm Hg, 16.9 ± 0.9 mm Hg, 15.3 ± 0.9 mm Hg, 14.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, 13.7 ± 1.3 mm Hg, 13.4 ± 1.4 mm Hg, and 13.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, respectively. A significant decrease in IOP measurements was found up to 34 weeks PCA, with no significant decline in IOP measurements after that point (F = 109.7, p<0.01). There was a negative correlation between IOP and PCA (r = -0.712, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mean IOP of premature infants was 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg and IOP values decreased significantly up to 34 weeks PCA, indicating a decline trend approaching the term period.

Warburg Micro syndrome in a Turkish boy.

We report a 4-year-old Turkish boy with Warburg Micro syndrome born to consanguineous parents. He had ptosis, deep-set eyes, microphthalmia, microcornea, microcephaly, prominent ears and nasal root, micrognathia, hypertrichosis, spastic diplegia, skin hyperextensibility and joint hypermobility, hypogenitalism, cerebral atrophy and hypoplasia of corpus callosum and cerebellum. Sequence analysis of exon 8 of the RAB3GAP gene has confirmed the presence of a splice donor mutation (748+1G>A) in the homozygous state. Skin hyperextensibility and joint hypermobility in the affected child have not been reported in Warburg Micro syndrome cases to date. This report compares the symptoms and features of the case with previously reported cases of Warburg Micro syndrome.

An in Vitro Experimental Study on the Antimicrobial Activity of Silicone Oil against Anaerobic Bacteria.

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of silicone oil against anaerobic agents, specifically Propionibacterium acnes, Peptostreptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Bacteroides fragilis, Fuobacterium spp., and Clostridium tertium. METHOD: A 0.5 McFarland turbidity of Propionibacterium acnes, Peptostreptococcus spp., Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Bacteroides fragilis, Fuobacterium spp., and Clostridium tertium was prepared, and 0.1 mL was inoculated into 0.9 mL of silicone oil. Control inoculations were performed in anaerobic blood agar and fluid thioglycollate medium without silicone oil. RESULTS: Propionibacterium acnes retained their viability on the 3rd day in the presence of silicone oil. In total, 9.7 × 10(6) colonies were enumerated from 1 mL of silicone oil. After a prolonged incubation of 7 days, the number of colonies observed was 9.2 × 10(6). The other bacteria disappeared after the 3rd day of incubation in silicone oil. CONCLUSIONS: Propionibacterium acnes, which is the most common chronic postoperative endophthalmitis agent, is thought to be resistant to silicone oil.

Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 Polymorphisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex disorder with multifactorial etiology, caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Innate immunity appears to play a key role in the pathogenesis of AMD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether common variation in the human toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 alters the risk of AMD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 183 patients with AMD and 200 disease-free control subjects were enrolled. The genotyping of polymorphisms TLR2 (TLR2-Arg753Gln: rs5743708) and TLR4 (TLR4-Asp299Gly: rs4986790; TLR4-Thr399Ile: rs4986791) were done using real-time PCR. RESULTS: TLR2 Arg753Gln genotype had approximately four times greater risk of AMD compared with TLR2 Arg753Arg genotype (OR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.76-8.75, p = 0.001). TLR2 Arg753Gln genotype was significantly higher in the patients with dry-type AMD (16%) and wet-type AMD (18%) than in the control (5%) subjects (p = 0.005 and p = 0.0008, respectively). There were no significant differences in the distribution of TLR4-Asp299Gly and TLR4-Thr399Ile genotypes between AMD patients and controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TLR2 polymorphism may contribute to the pathogenesis of AMD.

Visual field changes after laser in situ keratomileusis in myopic eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on the visual field in myopic eyes. SETTING: Istanbul University, Cerrahpassa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients were included in the study. The LASIK procedure was performed using the Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) and the Summit SVS Apex Plus 193 nm argon-fluoride excimer laser. Visual field testing was performed twice before LASIK and 1 day and 24 months after LASIK. Seventy-six points, 6 degrees apart, in the central visual field (Central 30-2) were tested for threshold sensitivity (Humphrey). The mean threshold sensitivity of baseline and post-LASIK visual field examinations was calculated in each patient. Seventy-six points of the Central 30-2 test were divided into 21 clusters corresponding to perimetric nerve-fiber bundles derived from Peridata software version 6.2a (Interzaag AG). The mean threshold sensitivity of each cluster and the visual field indices (mean deviation [MD] and corrected pattern standard deviation [CPSD]) in baseline and follow-up visual fields were compared using analysis of variance. RESULTS: The mean age of the 23 men and 14 women was 31.04 years +/- 6.55 (SD). The mean spherical equivalent refraction was -4.21 +/- 1.66 diopters (D) (range -2.25 to -6.75 D). The mean duration of suction was 42.29 +/- 29.06 seconds. The mean visual field sensitivity at baseline and the 2 follow-up examinations was 25.97 +/- 2.04 dB, 25.70 +/- 1.99 dB, and 27.17 +/- 1.68 dB, respectively (P =.181). There was no difference between preoperative and postoperative visual field clusters except in area 13. In area 13, threshold sensitivity was decreased at 1 day (P =.039) and at the preoperative level at 24 months. The MD of the visual fields was -3.53 +/- 1.67 dB, -3.61 +/- 2.91 dB, and -2.61 +/- 1.66 dB at the preoperative and 2 postoperative examinations, respectively (P =.495). The mean CPSD of the visual fields was 1.76 +/- 1.24 dB, 1.42 +/- 0.85 dB, and 1.74 +/- 0.86 dB, respectively (P =.680). CONCLUSION: Laser in situ keratomileusis did not cause visual field defects in mild to moderate myopic patients who had no risk factors that might render the optic nerve more vulnerable to damage.