Real Life Multicenter Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes of Anti-VEGF Therapy in Diabetic Macular Edema in Turkey: Ranibizumab vs. Aflibercept vs. Ranibizumab-Aflibercept Switch.

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with aflibercept (AFB) or ranibizumab (RNB) only, and after switching from RNB to AFB. This was a retrospective, real-world, multicenter (7 cities) 24 month study. Overall, 212 eyes in the AFB group, 461 in the RNB group, and 141 in the RNB to AFB group were included. The primary endpoints were differences in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline to the final visit. The secondary outcomes were the percentage of eyes that achieved ≥10 letters gain and ≥10 letters loss in vision at month 12 and 24, and the percentage of eyes that achieved a thinning of ≥20% in CMT at month 3 and month 6. The results showed that VA did not significantly differ at baseline (AFB: 0.62 ± 0.38, RNB: 0.61 ± 0.36, RNB to AFB: 0.61 ± 0.38), at checkpoints, or at the final visit (AFB: 0.46 ± 0.38, RNB: 0.5 ± 0.37, RNB to AFB: 0.53 ± 0.36) (p > 0.05). Though the mean CMT at baseline was significantly thicker in the RNB to AFB group (479 ± 129.6 µm) when compared to the AFB (450.5 ± 122.6 µm) and RNB (442 ± 116 µm) groups (p < 0.01), similar measurements were obtained after 12 months. The percentages of eyes that gained or lost ≥10 letters in the AFB, RNB, and RNB to AFB groups at year 1 and 2 were similar, as was the percentages of eyes that demonstrated ≥20% CMT thinning at month 3 and 6. Our study showed similar visual improvements in non-switchers (AFB and RNB groups) and switchers (RNB to AFB group) through 2 years follow-up, however, AFB patients required fewer injections, visits, or need for additional treatments.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in diabetic macular edema: real-life outcomes from a multicenter study in Turkey over 36 months.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to report the visual and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a real-world clinical setting from Turkey over 36 months. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multicenter (7 sites) study. The medical records of 1072 eyes (both previously treated and naive eyes) of 706 consecutive patients with visual impairment due to center-involving DME treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections between April 2007 and February 2017 were reviewed. The eyes were divided into mutually exclusive three groups based on the duration of follow-up (12, 24, or 36 months). Primary outcome measures were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline to final visit in each cohort, frequency of visits and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. As secondary endpoints, VA outcomes were assessed in subgroups stratified by baseline VA [<70 ETDRS letters and ≥70 ETDRS letters] and loading dose status of anti-VEGF injections. RESULTS: VA increased by a mean of 8.2 letters (12-month cohort, p < 0.001), 5.3 letters (24-month cohort, p < 0.001), and 4.4 letters (36-month cohort, p = 0.017) at final visits. The eyes with <70 VA letters achieved more significant VA improvement at final visits in all cohorts compared with eyes with >70 VA letters (p < 0.001). The mean decreases in CMT from baseline to last visits at 12-, 24-, and 36- month cohorts were -100.5 µm, -107.7 µm, and -114.3 µm, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean number of injections given were 4.6, 2.3, and 1.8 during years 1 to 3, respectively. Patients who received loading dose showed greater VA gains than those who did not in all follow-up cohorts. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that anti-VEGF treatment improved VA and CMT over a follow-up of 36 months. Although these real-life VA outcomes following anti-VEGF therapy for DME were similar to other real-life studies, they were inferior to those noted in randomized controlled trials, mainly due to undertreatment.

Comprasion of ICare rebound tonometer and Goldmann applanation tonometer in high myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the ICare rebound tonometer (RBT) in high myopic eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized prospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with high myopia. All patients' central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AXL), keratometry, and refractive measurements were recorded and followed by IOP measurement with RBT and GAT. RESULTS: The average CCT, AXL, and ACD were determined to be 514.65 ± 32 µm, 27.65 ± 2.22 mm, and 3.25 ± 0.51 mm, respectively. Mean K was 43.27 ± 1.4 D and mean spherical equivalent was -11.31 ± 4.30 D. The mean IOP values obtained by RBT and GAT were 17.18 ± 3.72 mmHg and 16.48 ± 3.19 mmHg, respectively. The deviations of RBT readings from corrected GAT values were highly correlated with CCT values (r = 0.588, P = 0.0001). The mean corrected GAT reading was 17.49 ± 3.01 mmHg. Linear regression analysis showed that a CCT change of 10 µm resulted in an RBT reading deviation of 0.57 mmHg. The Bland-Altman scatter-plot and McNemar test showed a clinically good level of agreement between the two tonometers. CONCLUSION: This study found a good agreement level between the two tonometers in high myopic patients and that RBT measurements are influenced by CCT variations.

The long-term follow-up results of external dacryocystorhinostomy skin incision scar with "W incision".

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of "W incision" instead of classical vertical incision at external DCR on scar formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) who were treated with external DCR with classical vertical incision, and patients who were treated with external DCR with "W incision" were included in the study. The first 39 eyes were operated with a vertical incision, and the remaining 37 eyes were operated with a "W incision". All the skin incision scars of the patients were assessed and scored by at least the 6th month. The assessment was made by both the patients themselves, and by an ophthalmologist other than the surgeon himself, each scored the incision scar separately (single-masked study). Scores for both groups were compared, and statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Self-assessment scores for the incision scar were Grade 2.28 ± 0.94 in the Vertical incision group, and Grade 1.68 ± 0.57 in the "W incision" group (p < 0.01). The "W incision" scar formation was significantly less noticable than the Vertical incision scar formation. Similarly, the assessment scores of the ophthalmologist other than the surgeon himself were significantly lower for the "W incision" group than for the Vertical incision group. The mean scar assessment scores were Grade 2.13 ± 0.95 in the Vertical incision group, and Grade 1.57 ± 0.68 in the "W incision" group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Skin scar tissue was found to be significantly reduced with a "W incision" in external DCR operations.

Uncommon presentation of mycosis fungoides: eyelid margin involvement.

Mycosis fungoides is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that has been rarely reported to involve ocular structures. A 33-year-old woman who had received therapy for mycosis fungoides on the trunk for 11 years, presented to our clinic with new plaques and tumors on her eyebrows and eyelid margin, and alopecia of her eyelashes and eyebrow. The histopathological examinations supported the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. There was no intraocular involvement with tumor. The mycosis fungoides was of stage II B, and the patient was referred to medical oncology and radiation oncology clinics for treatment. She was placed on a radiotherapy schedule. The involvement of mycosis fungoides in the ocular area is rare in the published work. The importance of eye involvement is being seen in advanced cases, and there is a possible association between mycosis fungoides and poor prognosis by being an indicator of systemic involvement.

Auditory brainstem response and otoacoustic emissions in Duane retraction syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the origin of hearing loss with relevance to auditory brainstem responses and otoacoustic emissions in patients with Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 patients with DRS were included in the study. 14 patients were diagnosed as DRS type 1 and the remaining three as type 3. The control group consisted of nine healthy subjects. Pure tone audiogram, auditory brainstem response, as well as distortion product otoacoustic emissions were recorded in all the patients and the controls. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients with DRS, 15 demonstrated normal hearing according to pure tone audiogram. One patient with DRS had profound sensorineural hearing loss with a pure tone average of 110 dB, and one patient had moderate sensorineural hearing loss with a pure tone average of 60 dB. Auditory brainstem response latencies of the waves I, III and V, and interwave latencies were calculated in 15 patients with DRS and were compared with the control group. There was statistically significant increase in wave I latency of left ear in the DRS group compared to the controls (P<0.05). Amplitudes of distortion product otoacoustic emissions were also recorded at frequencies of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz in both groups and the comparison of the DRS patients and controls revealed no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend auditory examinations be undertaken in patients with DRS by auditory brainstem response tests, as well as distortion product otoacoustic emissions, whereas all patients with normal results should be followed-up for future hearing loss.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma Presenting with Acute Bilateral Ophthalmoplegia.

A 72-year-old woman presented with acute onset of double vision, bilateral complete blepharoptosis, and nearly complete ophthalmoplegia. Orbital and brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal. Further investigation revealed bicytopenia with hepatosplenomegaly. Liver biopsy revealed mantle cell lymphoma. Cytology later showed the presence of mantle cells in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Her ophthalmoplegia improved from her first cycle of systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case in the literature of mantle cell lymphoma with central nervous system involvement presenting with ophthalmoplegia. This symptom should be considered one of the initial signs of mantle cell lymphoma.

Isolated rectus muscle rupture following trauma.

BACKGROUND: Isolated rectus muscle ruptures are rare ophthalmic emergencies which may result in permanent diplopia. OBJECTIVE: To highlight updates on clinical features, surgical treatment options and potential complications for isolated inferior rectus ruptures. CASE: A 39-year-old man came to our emergency department complaining of diplopia and upward deviation of the right eye after experiencing an animal injury. Extraocular movements were limited in the right eye in the downgaze position. The alternate prism and cover test, both at distance and near testing, showed hypertropia of 40 prism diopters (PD) of the right eye. The right eye had periorbital swelling and conjunctival haematoma. An inferior rectus rupture repair was performed under local anesthesia and monitored sedation. Follow-up examination revealed a 20 PD hypertropia, causing diplopia in all gazes. A second surgical intervention was planned six months after the initial surgery, an inferior rectus 6 mm resection was performed, after which orthophoria was achieved in the primary position both at distance and near testing.

Oculogyric crisis in a patient taking metoclopramide.

Oculogyric crisis is an acute dystonic reaction of the ocular muscles characterized by bilateral dystonic elevation of visual gaze lasting from seconds to hours. This reaction is most commonly explained as an adverse reaction to drugs such as antiemetics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, and antimalarials. Although the incidence of metoclopramide-induced acute dystonic reactions has been reported as 25% in children, there have been few published cases on oculogyric crisis in general. It is important to be able to recognize this ocular side effect because, without a thorough patient history, symptoms can be confused with other diseases such as versive seizures, paroxysmal tonic upward gaze, and encephalopathy. In this paper, we report a case of oculogyric crisis induced by metoclopramide.

Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome following Phacoemulsification Secondary to Overdose of Intracameral Gentamicin.

Objective. To report a case of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) that was caused by inadvertent anterior chamber and cornea stromal injection with high dose gentamicin following cataract surgery. Methods. Case report. Results. We report a 72-year-old female patient who developed TASS that was caused by high dose gentamicin (20 mg/0.5 mL), which was inadvertently used during the formation of the anterior chamber and hydration of the corneal incision. Unlike previous cases, hyphema and hemorrhagic fibrinous reaction were seen in the anterior chamber. Despite treatment, bullous keratopathy developed and penetrating keratoplasty was performed. The excised corneal button was sent for histopathological examination. Conclusions. Subconjunctival gentamicin is highly toxic to the corneal endothelium and anterior chamber structures. Including it on the surgical table carries a potentially serious risk for contamination of the anterior chamber.

Comparison of the effect of W-shaped and linear skin incisions on scar visibility in bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of W-shaped skin (WS) and linear skin (LS) incisions on cutaneous scar tissue formation in patients who have undergone bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy. METHODS: Sixteen patients (14 females and two males) with acquired bilateral nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this prospective, interventional comparative study. LS incision was applied to one side and WS skin incision to the other side. The skin incisions were assessed 6 months after each procedure by the patients themselves and by two ophthalmologists who were unaware of the skin incision shape and side. Scar tissue that was not recognized under the same light conditions and in the same room from a 100 cm distance was recorded as grade 1. Minimally visible scar tissue was assessed as grade 2, moderately visible scar tissue as grade 3, and easily visible scar tissue as grade 4. RESULTS: The mean scar assessment scores recorded by the first ophthalmologist were 2.50±0.82 for the LS group and 1.25±0.45 for the WS group (P<0.001). The second ophthalmologist's assessment scores were 2.25±0.86 for the LS group and 1.25±0.45 for the WS group (P<0.001). The mean patient self-assessment score for the incision scars was 2.44±1.03 for the LS group and 1.56±0.73 for the WS group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with LS incision, WS incision resulted in less cutaneous scar tissue formation in patients who have undergone bilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Reduced retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macular volume in pediatric multiple sclerosis.

Retinal atrophy is well known in adult-onset multiple sclerosis but remains unexplored in children. We aimed to determine retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and macular volume in pediatric patients, with and without optic neuritis and their relations with visual evoked potentials. We also examined macular volume changes at month 12. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness of all quadrants and macular volume were measured in 28 relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis eyes and 30 control eyes using optical coherence tomography and were found reduced in patients compared with controls. This reduction was more prominent in eyes with longer time interval from optic neuritis. Retinal nerve fiber thickness was lower in eyes with delayed visual evoked potentials. Visual evoked potential amplitudes were reduced in affected eyes compared to patients without optic neuritis. Macular volume reduced nonsignificantly in patients at month 12. Retinal atrophy occurs in pediatric multiple sclerosis, and previous optic neuritis accelerates this atrophy.