PATTERNS OF FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE DEFECTS IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION SUBTYPES.

PURPOSE: To test define characteristic fundus autofluorescence patterns of different exudative age-related macular degeneration subtypes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Fifty-two patients with choroidal neovascularization because of three different neovascular age-related macular degeneration subtypes were included in the study. Macular and peripheral fundus autofluorescence patterns of study subjects were compared in a masked fashion. RESULTS: Fundus autofluorescence patterns of all three neovascular age-related macular degeneration subtypes revealed similar patterns. However, peripapillary hypo-autofluorescence was more common among patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (88.2%) compared with patients with retinal angiomatous proliferation (12.5%) and patients without retinal angiomatous proliferation and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (21.1%) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Presence of peripapillary fundus autofluorescence defects in neovascular age-related macular degeneration maybe suggestive of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy as a variant of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

THE OMAR STUDY: Comparison of Ozurdex and Triamcinolone Acetonide for Refractory Cystoid Macular Edema in Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To compare the risks and benefits of adding either intravitreal dexamethasone implant (DEX) or preservative-free triamcinolone acetonide (TA) to bevacizumab monotherapy in refractory cystoid macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: This is a multicenter, comparative, interventional, retrospective study that included 74 patients who were initially treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and later received either DEX or TA for the treatment of recalcitrant cystoid macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion. Main outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, cost of therapy, frequency of intravitreal injections, and side effects. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients received TA and 35 patients received DEX injections. Groups were similar in age and gender distribution. Although the mean central macular thickness improved significantly for all groups (P < 0.0001), logMAR best-corrected visual acuity did not change significantly after steroid introduction (P = 0.06). Frequency of any intravitreal injection decreased significantly from 0.66 ± 0.18 to 0.26 ± 0.08 injections per month after initiation of steroids (P < 0.0001). This effect was greater in the DEX groups (P < 0.0001). Monthly cost decreased with TA but increased with DEX. CONCLUSION: Adding steroids improved anatomical outcome but did not affect final vision. Injection frequency decreased significantly after adding steroids, more so with DEX. There was no difference between TA and DEX regarding anatomical or functional outcomes or the incidence of side effects.

Comparability of Icare Pro Rebound Tonometer with Goldmann Applanation and Noncontact Tonometer in a Wide Range of Intraocular Pressure and Central Corneal Thickness.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement between the reading values of the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), Icare Pro rebound tonometer (IRT) and noncontact tonometer (NCT) in glaucoma patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study comprised 292 eyes of 292 patients selected from a glaucoma outpatient clinic. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured sequentially, at a 10-min interval each, in the following order: NCT, IRT and GAT. The central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using Pentacam HR before the IOP measurements. RESULTS: The mean IOPs measured by the GAT, NCT and IRT were 20.17 ± 6.73 mm Hg (range: 4-48), 19.77 ± 6.88 mm Hg (range: 3-46) and 19.30 ± 5.15 mm Hg (range: 7.30-44.5), respectively. The correlation coefficients of the GAT and IRT, NCT and IRT, and GAT and NCT measurements were r(2) = 0.673, r(2) = 0.663 and r(2) = 0.938 (all p < 0.001), respectively. The IRT tends to overestimate in the low GAT-measured IOPs, whereas it underestimates in high GAT-measured IOPs. The measurements of all 3 devices were also correlated with the CCT at a statistically significant level (GAT: r(2) = 0.063, NCT: r(2) = 0.063, IRT: r(2) = 0.058). CONCLUSION: The agreement between the IRT and GAT measurements is higher in the IOP range of 9-22 mm Hg, whereas significant discrepancies occur as the IOP deviates from normal values. The variability of the IRT and GAT measurements over a wide range of CCT is minimal.

The change in intraocular pressure after pupillary dilation in eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, and eyes of normal subjects.

To evaluate the change in intraocular pressure (IOP) after pharmacologic dilation in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), and eyes of normal subjects. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a university hospital-based setting. Patients with PXG, POAG, and normal subjects were consecutively selected and included in the study. Of the 125 eyes of 125 subjects; 46 (25 female) had PXG, 42 (29 female) had POAG, and 37 (20 female) belonged to the control group. Pharmacologic dilation procedure consisted of instillation of topical phenylephrine HCL 10 % followed 5 min by tropicamide 1 %. Studied variables were pre- and post-dilation IOP and also baseline measurements of anterior chamber angle, central corneal thickness, and pupillary diameter by Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Clinically significant IOP change was defined as a change of ≥2 mmHg from baseline. Randomly selected single eye of each patient was included in the analysis. The mean pre:post-dilation IOP of eyes with PXG and POAG was 17.39 ± 3.89:17.54 ± 3.98 and 15.92 ± 2.37:16.07 ± 2.89 mmHg, respectively. The difference between the pre- and post-dilation IOP of eyes with PXG and POAG was not statistically significant. The eyes of control subjects, however, had a statistically significant reduction of IOP from 14.24 ± 2.88 to 13.54 ± 2.94 mmHg (P = 0.005). 28.3 % (13/46) of eyes with PXG, 16.7 % (7/42) of eyes with POAG, and 2.7 % (1/37) of control eyes showed a clinically significant IOP elevation from baseline after the dilation. In this study, glaucoma patients proportionally experienced a higher rate of clinically significant IOP elevation after pupillary dilation, when compared to normal subjects.

A novel surgical technique to prevent postoperative Ahmed valve tube exposure through conjunctiva: tenon advancement and duplication.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To present and evaluate a novel surgical technique to prevent exposure of the Ahmed valve implant tube (New World Medical, Rancho Cucamonga, CA) through conjunctiva in congenital glaucoma called "combined short scleral tunnel technique with Tenon advancement and duplication." PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with failed previous congenital glaucoma surgeries were divided into two groups. In group 1, 32 eyes of 28 patients with a mean age of 8.82 +/- 5.39 years underwent classic Ahmed valve implant surgery. In group 2, 28 eyes of 24 patients with a mean age of 8.79 +/- 5.55 years underwent the novel combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique. RESULTS: After a mean 31.68 +/- 9.25 months of follow-up, conjunctival tube exposure was seen in 3 patients (9.4%) in group 1. There was no conjunctival tube exposure in group 2 after a mean 34.96 +/- 7.93 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The combined short scleral tunnel with Tenon advancement and duplication technique is able to prevent conjunctival tube exposure after Ahmed valve implantation surgery in patients with congenital glaucoma.

Traumatic corneal flap dehiscence 6 years after LASIK.

PURPOSE: To report a case of LASIK flap dehiscence caused by blunt trauma 6 years after uneventful refractive surgery. METHODS: A 32-year-old man presented 3 hours after being struck by a carton edge in his left cornea, causing dehiscence of the LASIK flap. RESULTS: At initial examination, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/200 in the left eye. Minimal flap dehiscence was seen on the inferior corneal quadrant. A therapeutic bandage soft contact lens was placed and topical medical therapy was administered. Ten days after trauma, UCVA was 20/50 and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 in the left eye. At 7-month follow-up, the patient's clinical status did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Blunt corneal trauma occurring several years after uneventful LASIK may cause corneal flap dehiscence. Appropriate and prompt treatment usually is successful.

Association of Red Cell Distribution Width Values with Vision Potential in Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To explore a possible association of red cell distribution width (RDW), a parameter that measures variation in red blood cell size or red blood cell volume and is an index of erythrocyte heterogeneity, with vision in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with either branch RVO (n = 70) or central RVO (n = 56) and gender-matched controls (n = 67) were included. METHODS: All participants underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including fundus fluorescein angiography and macular OCT (Heidelberg Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Exclusion criteria included RVO not confirmed by fluorescein angiography, history of malignancy, anemia, follow-up of less than 6 months, and unavailability of RDW value within 3 months of first presentation of RVO. Retinal vein occlusion patients were divided into 4 quartiles according to RDW value: quartile 1 (RDW ≤ 13.8%), quartile 2 (13.8% < RDW ≤ 14.8%), quartile 3 (14.8% < RDW ≤ 16.0%), and quartile 4 (RDW > 16.0%). Unpaired samples t tests, Pearson correlation tests, chi-square tests, analyses of variance, and multiple regression analyses were used for statistical evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Red cell distribution width value and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the demographics of participants in all 3 groups with respect to age, gender, and associated systemic diseases. Red cell distribution width was significantly higher in RVO patients (14.9±1.6 µm) compared with control participants (12.5±1.4 µm; P<0.0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between RDW value and both initial BCVA (r = 0.443; P<0.0001) and final BCVA (r = 0.379; P<0.0001) in RVO patients. Both initial and final BCVA were better in RDW quartiles 1 and 2 compared with RDW quartiles 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: Red cell distribution width was significantly higher in RVO patients compared with control participants. Furthermore, higher RDW value was associated with lower initial and final BCVA. Red cell distribution width merits further studies related to being a potential prognostic factor for vision in RVO patients.

Osseous Metaplasia (Cataracta Ossea) of Lens Remnants in Chronic Uveitis-A Clinicopathologic Report.

PURPOSE: To describe clinically and pathologically the rare occurrence of calcification and osseous metaplasia in lens remnants in both eyes of a patient with pseudophakic chronic uveitis. METHODS: We performed 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy, removal of dislocated intraocular lens (IOL), and secondary IOL fixation in the left eye. A similar procedure was performed in the right eye with 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: The postoperative visual acuities were 20/30 OD and 20/125 OS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated an abundance of calcified tissue and rare osteoclasts in lacunae, compatible with osseous metaplasia (cataracta ossea). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first clinicopathologic report demonstrating cellular metaplasia that resulted in osseous transformation of the cortical lens remnants into bone in both eyes of a psuedophakic patient with chronic granulomatous pan uveitis of unknown etiology. The surgical technique described in the supplemental videos demonstrates an effective way of managing this complication.

A Comparison of Immediate and Delayed Vitrectomy for the Management of Vitreous Hemorrhage due to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare immediate and delayed vitrectomy for the management of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 134 eyes receiving vitrectomy for non-clearing, PDR-associated VH. Primary outcome was area under the vision curve (AUC) in patients receiving immediate (< 30 days) versus delayed (> 30 days) vitrectomy with endolaser. RESULTS: Forty-six eyes were included, with 17 undergoing immediate (< 30 days) vitrectomy with endolaser and 29 undergoing delayed (> 30 days) vitrectomy with endolaser. Time to vitrectomy was 14.8 days ± 8.26 days compared to 629.6 days ± 894.9 days in the immediate and delayed groups, respectively. AUC was significantly greater for patients undergoing delayed versus immediate vitrectomy (276.1 ± 0.601 logMAR*time versus 165.7 ± 0.761 logMAR*time; P < .0001). There was no difference in AUC postoperatively for delayed versus immediate surgery. Both groups required significantly less postoperative panretinal photocoagulation (P < .05). Preoperative and final visual acuities were equivalent (immediate: 1.86 ± 0.99 and 0.35 ± 0.25; P = .002; delayed: 1.71 ± 1.05 and 0.31 ± 0.34; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate vitrectomy with endolaser for PDR-associated VH (< 30 days) decreases time spent with vision loss and the need for adjunctive PRP. Modern vitrectomy is safe and may be considered earlier in VH management.

Phenotypic Expansion of Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation Due to SRD5A3 Null Mutation.

We present a boy, admitted at 4 months, with facial dysmorphism, hypertrichosis, loose skin, bilateral inguinal hernia, severe hypotonia, psychomotor disability, seizures with hypsarrhythmia (West syndrome), hepatosplenomegaly, increased serum transaminases, iris coloboma, glaucoma, corneal clouding and bilateral dilated lateral ventricles, and extra-axial post-cerebellar space. Serum transferrin isoelectrofocusing (IEF) showed a type 1 pattern. Whole-exome genotyping showed a previously reported homozygous nonsense mutation c.320G>A; p.Trp107X in SRD5A3. Epilepsy and glaucoma have been reported only once in the 19 described SRD5A3-congenital glycosylation defect patients, and corneal clouding not at all.

In Vivo Evaluation of the Biomechanical Properties of Optic Nerve and Peripapillary Structures by Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elastography in Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Primary open-angle glaucoma is a multifactorial serious disease characterized by progressive retinal ganglion cell death and loss of visual field. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to investigate shear wave elastography (SWE) use in the evaluation of the optic nerve (ON) and peripapillary structures, and to compare the findings between glaucomatous and control eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-controlled study, including 21 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 21 age-matched control subjects, was carried out. All of the participants had comprehensive ophthalmological exams that included corneal biomechanical measurements with ocular response analyzer. In vivo evaluation of the biomechanical properties of the ON and peripapillary structures were performed with SWE in all participants. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to analyze the normal distribution of data. Differences of parameters in ophthalmologic data and stiffness values of patients with and without glaucoma were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the glaucoma and control groups in terms of age (P > 0.05) and gender (P > 0.05). Corneal hysteresis was lower in the glaucoma group (P < 0.05). Corneal compensated intraocular pressure and Goldmann correlated intraocular pressure were higher in the glaucoma group (P < 0.0001 for both). The mean stiffness of the ON and peripapillary structures were significantly higher in glaucoma patients for each measured region (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study evaluated the biomechanical properties of the ON and peripapillary structures in vivo with SWE in glaucoma. We observed stiffer ON and peripapillary tissue in glaucomatous eyes, indicating that SWE claims new perspectives in the evaluation of ON and peripapillary structures in glaucoma disease.

Comparison of retinal nerve fiber layer and macular thickness measurements with Stratus OCT and OPKO/OTI OCT devices in healthy subjects.

AIM: To compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness measurements obtained with the Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OPKO/OTI OCT devices. METHODS: Included in the study were 59 eyes of 30 participants. All measurements for each eye were done on the same day with both devices. Student's paired t-tests were used to compare the central macular thickness and RNFL measurements of the Stratus OCT and OPKO/OTI OCT. Pearson correlation was used to assess the relationship between the devices. Coefficient of variation (COV) was calculated to assess intersession repeatability. RESULTS: Using both the Stratus OCT and OPKO/OTI OCT, respectively, the measured mean average RNFL thicknesses were 98.9±11.1 µm and 115.1±9.6 µm (P=0.001), and the measured mean central retinal thicknesses (CRT) were 196.2±18.8 µm and 204.5±21.1 µm (P<0.001). Measured by the two devices, the RNFL thickness values were correlated in all quadrants, as were the retinal thickness values except the inferior outer sector. COV for average RNFL and CRT thickness were 2.9% and 4.6% for Stratus OCT, and 2.1% and 4.2% for OPKO/OTI OCT, respectively. CONCLUSION: We found good reproducibility of RNFL and retina thickness measurements for both Stratus OCT and OPKO/OTI OCT devices. However, even though the two OCT systems provided statistically correlated results, the values for both RNFL and macular thickness were statistically different. RNFL and macular thickness measurements with the OPKO/OTI OCT were higher than that of the Stratus OCT; therefore, the two OCT systems cannot be used interchangeably for the measurements of RNFL and macular thickness.

Posture-induced changes in intraocular pressure: comparison of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the IOP values in the sitting and supine positions in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG) patients. We also investigated possible relationships between the level of visual field damage and postural IOP change. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with POAG and 32 patients with PXG were recruited to the study. An Icare PRO tonometer was used to measure IOP in the sitting and supine positions. Intraocular pressure in the sitting position was also measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT). Humphrey field analyzer 750 data taken within the previous 3 months were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean difference between the GAT and the Icare PRO tonometer readings was 0.12 ± 0.8 mmHg, and the tonometers were in close agreement (r = 0.964; P < 0.0001). The mean Icare PRO IOP in the sitting position was 16.6 ± 3.3 mmHg in the POAG group and 14.9 ± 2.7 mmHg in the PXG group. The average rise was 1.7 ± 1.2 mmHg in the POAG group and 2.9 ± 1.9 mmHg in the PXG group. The difference in IOP between the sitting and supine positions was significant between the groups (P = 0.001). The ∆IOP was negatively correlated with both the mean deviation and the visual field index (P < 0.0001 for both). The ∆IOP and pattern standard deviation were positively correlated (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: A higher increase in IOP was observed in PXG patients from the sitting to the supine position than in POAG patients. Postural variation in IOP was found to be associated with the severity of visual field damage.

Demographic features of subjects with congenital glaucoma.

CONTEXT: Congenital glaucoma is a potentially blinding ocular disease of the childhood. Identification of the possible associated risk factors and may be helpful for prevention or early detection of this public health problem. AIMS: To demonstrate the demographic features of congenital glaucoma subjects. SETTING AND DESIGN: The charts of congenital glaucoma patients referred to Tamcelik Glaucoma Center were retrospectively reviewed through the dates of 2000 and 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyzed data included diagnosis, age at first presentation, symptoms at first presentation, laterality of the disease, sex, presence of consanguinity, family history of congenital glaucoma, maturity of the fetus at delivery, and maternal age at conception. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 by IBM (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois, USA) was used to compare the mean of continuous variables with Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and χ2 test was used to test differences in proportions of categorical variables. RESULTS: The data of 600 eyes of 311 patients were analyzed. The distribution of primary and secondary congenital glaucoma among the patients were 63.3% (n = 197) and 36.7% (n = 114), respectively. Of the 311 patients, 57.2% (n = 178) were male and 42.8% (n = 133) were female. The overall frequency of bilateral disease was 92.3% (n = 287). Overall rate of consanguinity and positive family history was 45.3% (n = 141) and 21.2% (n = 66), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral disease in this study was more common than previously reported studies. Positive family history was more frequent in primary congenital glaucoma although not statistically significant.

An exceptional case of full-thickness macular hole closure in a patient with Behçet disease.

PURPOSE: To present a case of a full-thickness macular hole closure in a patient with Behcet uveitis. DESIGN: A 23-year-old-male patient with Behcet Disease had clinically inactive uveitis with topical steroids, oral azathiopurine and cyclosporine until he developed a retinal infiltrate in the left eye which evolved into a full-thickness macular hole during the follow-up. METHODS: Strict control of inflammation and subsequent vitrectomy was planned. Meanwhile another attack of panuveitis developed in the left eye and subcutaneous Interferon alfa-2b interferon treatment was initiated. RESULTS: After 2 months, the patient was clinically inactive with complete closure of the macular hole. CONCLUSIONS: Strict control of inflammation may result in closure of the macular hole and avoid the need for vitrectomy.

Corneal decompensation after selective laser trabeculoplasty.

A 64-year-old Caucasian man referred for decreased vision after selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Slit lamp examination revealed diffuse corneal edema. Despite intensive topical treatment including steroids, corneal edema did not resolve; on the contrary, it advanced to bullous keratopathy. Corneal edema after SLT is an exceptionally rare complication and in all of the previous reports edema resolved with medical treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report presenting persistent corneal edema after SLT.

Congenital bilateral upper eyelid eversion: report of a case.

Congenital bilateral upper eyelid eversion is a rare condition and the definite cause is not known. It is often seen in Black babies or babies with Down's syndrome. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the condition can be managed without surgery. We report a case of congenital upper eyelid eversion in an otherwise healthy Caucasian neonate, born by normal vaginal delivery. The case responded well to conservative treatment, including eyelid repositioning, lubricants, antibiotic ointment, and eyelid patching.

Corneal biomechanical properties of patients with acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) excess in acromegaly have various effects on many organs. The ophthalmologic effects of GH and IGF-1 excess have not yet been investigated in detail. The aim of the current study is to compare the corneal biomechanical properties of patients with acromegaly and those of healthy subjects. METHODS: 45 patients with acromegaly (F/M=27/18) and 42 age-matched and gender-matched healthy individuals (F/M=24/18) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) and Goldmann correlated IOPG were measured in patients with acromegaly and in healthy individuals using the Ocular Response Analyser (ORA). GH and IGF1 values were also determined in the study group. RESULTS: The mean CH and CRF values were higher in acromegalic patients (12.1±2.2 and 12.3±2.4, respectively) than in healthy subjects (11.0±1.6 and 10.8±1.5, respectively; for CH, p=0.014; for CRF, p=0.001). Mean IOPG measurement was higher in the acromegaly group than in the control group (p=0.017). There was no statistically significant difference in measured CCT (p=0.117) and IOPcc (p=0.594) values between acromegalic patients and healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that acromegaly has target organ effects on the eye. Consequently, it can change corneal biomechanical properties such as corneal hysteresis and the CRF. Corneal biomechanical properties are known to affect the accuracy of IOP measurements. These findings should be taken into account when measuring IOP values in acromegaly patients, as IOP readings may be overestimated.