The effect of calcium channel blocker (CCB) treatment on retinal and choroidal vessels in a group of hypertensive patients.

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to observe the vasoreactivity in retina and choroid after calcium channel blocker (CCB) treatment in a group of hypertensive patients. METHOD: The study was based on 56 hypertensive patients (56 eyes) and 56 control subjects (56 eyes). Choroidal scans and the measurement of peripapillary retinal vessel diameters was performed at baseline and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were also performed at first month . Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and the diameters of superior temporal artery (STA), inferior temporal artery (ITA), superior temporal vein (STV), inferior temporal vein (ITV) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The baseline diameters of the STA, ITA were significantly decreased in the patient group compared with the control group (all p < .05). There was a significant increase at first month after the CCB treatment in comparison to baseline measurements (all p < .05). When compared with the controls, the diameter of venules showed a decrease at baseline but was not significant. After the treatment, the diameters of venules were insignificantly increased compared with baseline measurements (p = .178 and p = .275) and there were also no significant differences between the control group and the patient group in first month (all p > .05). The average choroidal thickness measurements of the hypertensive group was lower than the control group (p = .404) and there was a tendency to increase after the treatment (p = .055). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that, treatment with CCB seems to improve retinal arteries and has almost no affect on the choroidal thickness in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

An evaluation of peripapillar choroidal thickness in patients receiving systemic isotretinoin treatment.

PURPOSE: Oral isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid, 13-cis RA) was approved for severe acne treatment by the FDA in 1982. The ocular side effects associated with oral isotretinoin use are mostly dose-dependent. Numerous ocular pathologies affect peripapillary choroidal layer primarily or indirectly. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the peripapillary choroidal layer in the patients receiving oral isotretinoin therapy may aid in explaining the pathophysiology of ocular side effects. METHODS: In this study, peripapillary choroidal thickness was assessed in the patients receiving oral isotretinoin treatment via optical coherent tomography technique. RESULTS: Significant difference was found in the superotemporal and temporal areas. CONCLUSION: Oral isotretinoin treatment may affect the thickness of the peripapillary choroidal layer.

The Modified Technique of External Dacryocystorhinostomy in the Management of Complicated Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction.

AIM: To evaluate the outcome of the modified technique of external dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR) with a "U"-shaped single flap that was fixed on to the orbicularis muscle with combined silicone tube in dacriostenosis. In cases with decreased visibility because of excessive bleeding during surgery, a small sac size, and difficulty of mutual suturing between nasal mucosal and sac flaps related to distance. METHODS: This retrospective study included 118 patients with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent the modified technique of EDCR. The modified EDCR procedure envisions the creation of anastomosis of the single anterior "U"-shaped flaps suturing anterior flaps of the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa. The sutured flap was fixed on to the orbicularis muscle. The silicone tube intubation was performed on all patients. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 39 ±â€Š19.2 (9-70) years, including 94 women and 24 men. The average follow-up time was 18 ±â€Š4.5 (9-36) months. Total 112 eyes (94.9%) showed a patent lacrimal system to irrigation, whereas 6 eyes (5.1%) had recurrence of epiphora and not patent lacrimal system to irrigation by the end of the first surgeries. The same surgery was planned for these patients. The patent lacrimal system was achieved in 3 of these 6 eyes. The overall success rate of the surgical procedure used in this study was 97.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This modified technique of EDCR with a "U"-shaped single anterior flaps that was fixed on to the orbicularis muscle with combined silicone tube simplifies the surgical procedure and is effective in the management of nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Peripapillary choroidal thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the peripapillary choroidal thickness of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) via enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients with COPD (80 eyes) and 50 control subjects (50 eyes) were enrolled. Choroidal scans and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were obtained for all eyes using OCT. RESULTS: The average peripapillary choroidal thickness measurements of the COPD group (147.58 ± 53.53 µm) were lower than the control group (160.84 ± 44.73 µm) (p = 0.068). Inferior segment thicknesses were significantly thinner than the other segments (p < 0.05). Subfoveal choroidal thickness and RNFL thickness measurements of the COPD group were also lower than those of the control group (p = 0.111). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia in COPD seems to affect the choroidal thickness. Thinning of the choroid may be attributed to increased vascular resistance and reduced blood flow in patients with COPD. The possible effects of the disease to the eye may be clarified through the role of the choroidal vasculature in the blood supply of the anterior optic nerve head.

Discrimination of Epithelial Face of Conjunctival Autograft in Pterygium Surgery with Fibrin Glue.

A 48-year-old male patient was operated for pterygium. During surgery, the autograft surface was lost because of sponge contact. Presumed epithelial face of the autograft subsequently was attached to the bare sclera with fibrin glue. It was observed that the center of the autograft was freely movable with sponge. This finding showed the inverse implantation of the autograft. Because the glue does not stick to intact corneal or conjunctival epithelium, free movement of the center of the autograft shows that the graft is inversely implanted.

Effect of nepafenac eye drops on pain associated with pterygium surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% for control of pain in patients undergoing pterygium surgery. METHODS: This randomized, double-masked placebo-controlled study included 62 adults undergoing pterygium surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% or balanced salt solution placebo. They were asked to assess the level of pain using an 11-point numeric rating scale at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr after surgery. Patients also were evaluated daily for the progression of corneal epithelial healing until complete closure was observed. RESULTS: Except at 72 hr after surgery, the patients reported significantly less pain in eyes receiving nepafenac than in eyes receiving placebo. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in corneal epithelial healing. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.1% significantly reduced postoperative pain compared with placebo after pterygium surgery.

The effect of rebreathing and hyperventilation on retinal and choroidal vessels measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the vasoreactivity in retina and choroid of the healthy eyes in response to experimentally altered partial arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)) using a non-invasive technique, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included non-smoking participants between 18 and 35 years of age, having visual acuity of 20/20 and with no systemic and ocular diseases. At baseline, the participants breathed room air (normocapnia). Hypocapnia was created with the help of hyperventilation; for this, the participants were instructed to draw deep and quick breaths, resulting one breathing cycle per 2 s. To create hypercapnia subjects rebreathed from a 5 l bag at least 3 min. Choroidal thickness and retinal artery diameter were measured at baseline, and hyperventilation and rebreathing conditions by SD-OCT. RESULTS: Twenty eyes of 20 healthy subjects were included in this study. Their mean age was 24.90 ± 5.32 years. Hyperventilation caused a significant reduction in choroidal thickness, compared with baseline, at all points; whereas rebreathing caused no significant change at all points. The mean diameters of the arteries were 151.80 ± 7.88 µm, with a significant decline to 148.90 ± 7.25 µm at hyperventilation condition and a significant increase to 153.50 ± 7.88 µm at rebreathing condition (p = 0.018, p = 0.043, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that, SD-OCT was a useful tool in measuring the ocular vascular response under hypercapnia and hypocapnia conditions. These findings may be helpful for further understanding the physiological nature of ocular blood flow and this preliminary study provides a basis for future studies.

Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered tigecycline in eye compartments: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ocular distribution of intravenously administered tigecycline in a rabbit uveitis model. METHODS: Tigecycline, which has a broad spectrum of activity against many gram-positive, gram-negative, and anaerobic organisms, was given intravenously to rabbits at 7 mg/kg of body weight starting 24 h after induction of uveitis by intravitreal endotoxin injection. Tigecycline concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay in the aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and plasma 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after administration of a single dose. RESULTS: The maximum concentrations were found within 1 h after the end of the intravenously given tigecycline, and were 1,308.60 ± 301.76 ng/mL in plasma, 181.40 ± 51.32 ng/mL in vitreous humor and 145.00 ± 55.29 ng/mL in aqueous humor of the inflamed eye. After 24 h, no drug was detectable in the aqueous and vitreous of the normal eyes, whereas small amounts of drug were detectable in inflamed eyes and in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Tigecycline did not reach therapeutically significant levels in the aqueous and the vitreous humor of rabbit eyes. The findings suggest a limited role for intravenously administered tigecycline in the treatment of bacterial endophthalmitis.

Antiangiogenic effect of itraconazole on corneal neovascularization: a pilot experimental investigation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the antiangiogenic effect of itraconazole for the prevention of experimentally induced corneal neovascularization and whether the efficacy depends on the route of administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 rats in each group. Chemical cauterization of the cornea was performed using silver nitrate/potassium nitrate sticks, and the rats were subsequently treated daily with topical (10 mg/ml), subconjunctival (10 mg/ml) or intraperitoneal (19 mg/kg) itraconazole for 7 days. Control rats received topical, subconjunctival or intraperitoneal 0.9% saline. On the 8th day of the experiment, the rat corneas were photographed to determine the percentage area of the cornea covered by neovascularization. The maximum density of corneal neovascularization was determined by microscopy. RESULTS: The median percentage of corneal neovascularization for group 1 was 31.5% (95% confidence interval, 27.5-35.5%); in group 3, it was 32% (23.5-39.8%); in group 5, it was 47% (36.3-60.0%). The percentages of corneal neovascularization in groups 2, 4 and 6 (the control groups) were 70% (95% confidence interval, 60.7-77.3%), 69% (63.0-77.7%) and 68% (56.5-78.5%), respectively. The area of neovascularization was smaller after itraconazole treatment as compared to saline treatment. Further, the area of neovascularization was smaller after topical and subconjunctival administration than after intraperitoneal administration. Histological evaluation of the corneas showed the most extensive corneal neovascularization in the control group. No local or systemic adverse effects were seen from either treatment group. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole reduces corneal neovascularization shortly after chemical burn. However, a larger experimental study is necessary to confirm the data of this investigation.

The effectiveness of postoperative early ostium cleaning in transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To search the effectiveness of postoperative first week ostium cleaning in transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy (TDL-DCR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 123 eyes of 123 patients with acquired dacryostenosis who had surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Diode laser was used in all patients. All patients were operated under local anesthesia by a single surgeon. Intranasal endoscopic cleaning of the ostium by surgical suction under local anesthesia was performed as an extra job in the postoperative first week visit. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 55 (range, 41-78 years) years. Mean follow up was 13.4 months. Successful outcomes were achieved in 117 of 123 (95.1%) patients. Reoperation was performed in 6 patients with restenosis and were free of symptoms in 1-year follow up. CONCLUSION: Postoperative first week cleaning of the nasal ostium by surgical suction with the aiding of nasal endoscopy is a very effective method increasing the success rate of TDL-DCR.

Can toric IOL rotation be minimized? Toric IOL-Capsular Tension Ring suturing technique and its clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the toric intraocular lens (IOL) and capsular tension ring (CTR) suturing technique in patients with cataract and astigmatism. METHODS: Group 1 comprised 37 eyes of 36 patients to whom the CTR-toric IOL complex was co-implanted after the CTR was sutured to the toric IOL haptic. Group 2 comprised 35 eyes of 33 patients in whom the toric IOL and CTR were implanted without suturing. Both groups were compared in terms of preoperative and postoperative astigmatism, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and IOL rotation. RESULTS: The mean rotation degree was 0.54° ± 2.29° in group 1 and 4.28° ± 8.84° in group 2 (p = .01). While there was no significant difference between the postoperative residual astigmatism and the estimated residual astigmatism in group 1, the postoperative residual astigmatism was statistically higher than the estimated residual astigmatism in group 2 (p = .47 and 0.000, respectively). The mean postoperative UCVA was 0.02 ± 0.04 (logMAR) in group 1 and 0.08 ± 0.13 (logMAR) in group 2 (p = .01). CONCLUSION: The toric IOL and CTR suturing technique provides excellent rotational stability and astigmatism correction.

Ganglion cell complex thickness changes in patients with different states of bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES: Neuroimaging studies in patients with bipolar disorder have suggested that a neuropathological process may be effective in this disease. Neurodegenerative changes in the retina can be followed by optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive imaging method that allows in vivo visualization of the retinal layers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible differences in optical coherence tomography parameters during euthymic, manic, and depressive episodes in patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with bipolar disorder were included in the study, divided into three groups (50 patients in a euthymic state, 50 patients in a manic state, and 50 patients in a depressive state) and compared with 50 healthy controls. Ganglion cell complex thickness was measured with automated macular segmentation software of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Ganglion cell complex thicknesses were thicker in all quadrants in patient groups than the control group but the differences were significant in perifoveal superior and perifoveal inferior quadrants (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). There were no differences in ganglion cell complex thickness among the patient groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The evaluation of ganglion cell complex thickness by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography may give a clue for monitoring neurodegenerative changes in patients with bipolar disorder.

Pediatric endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy: results of a minimally invasive surgical technique.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), which is a minimally invasive surgical technique, in pediatric patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). A retrospective study was carried out on patients treated between October 2008 and August 2009 for nasolacrimal duct obstruction with an endocanalicular diode laser procedure. Patients diagnosed as having nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in this study and an endocanalicular diode laser procedure was performed. The main outcome measures were patients' previous treatments, clinical presentation, operative and postoperative complications, postoperative follow-up and resolution of epiphora. Eighteen children (10 girls, 8 boys) with a mean age of 6.11 ± 2.08 years (range, 4-10) underwent 20 endocanalicular laser DCR operations for congenital NLDO. In all eyes (100%), there was a history of epiphora and chronic dacryocystitis; two (10%) presented with acute dacryocystitis. Previous procedures included probing and irrigation of all eyes (100%) and silicone tube intubation in nine eyes (45%). None of the patients underwent any previous DCR operations. During a mean postoperative follow-up period of 20.50 ± 3.24 months (range, 14-24 months), the anatomical success rate (patency of ostium on nasal endoscopy) was 100%, and the clinical success rate (resolution of epiphora) was 85%. Endocanalicular diode laser DCR is an effective treatment modality for pediatric patients with congenital NLDO that compares favorably with the reported success rates of external and endoscopic endonasal DCR. Moreover, it has an added advantage of shorter operative time, less morbidity and avoidance of overnight admission.

Endocanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction: short-term results of a new minimally invasive surgical technique.

AIM: To evaluate the results, complications, effectiveness, and operative results of the endocanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy (ECL DCR) in the distal obstructions of the lacrimal drainage system. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 57 patients who had a diagnosis of distal obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system were evaluated retrospectively in this study. All patients underwent ECL DCR by diode laser between October 2008 and July 2009. Forty-nine patients (86%) were females, 8 patients (14%) were males, and age distribution was between 3 and 84 years old (median, 40 y). The canaliculi were intubated by a silicone tube. The patency of the nasolacrimal system was controlled by lacrimal lavage, loss of epiphora, and endoscopic evaluation of the endonasal rhinostomy site with routine follow-up scheduled at first day and 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month postoperative intervals. RESULTS: After the 60 ECL DCRs, 10 patients underwent revision ECL DCR because of the persistent epiphora. The patency of the nasolacrimal duct or the decrease of the symptoms was assigned as success. There were no symptoms at all in 83.3% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The ECL DCR in the treatment of the distal obstructions of the lacrimal drainage system was easily tolerated by the patients, cosmetically preferred because there was no incision and scar formation with high success rates, and a minimally invasive alternative technique.

Long-Term Results in Transcanalicular Laser and External Dacryocystorhinostomy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was an examination of the long-term results of transcanalicular laser (TCL) and external (EX) dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: Patients who had undergone TCL-DCR or EX-DCR between 2009 and 2013 were invited for long-term follow-up in 2019. All of the patients who responded had an ophthalmic examination and were assessed using lacrimal irrigation. An intranasal evaluation was performed when the irrigation test had non-patent results. TCL procedures were performed with a diode laser (980 nm). Ostium cleansing with a suction unit and a nasal endoscope was performed in the first week. In EX-DCR procedures, an anterior flap was created and tented to the orbicularis oculi muscle. A silicon tube was implanted in both methods and removed at 4-6 months. RESULTS: A total of 74 EX-DCR patients were assessed. The lacrimal irrigation test was negative in 5 cases. The functional success rate was 93.2% with a follow-up of 8 years. A total of 63 patients who had undergone TCL-DCR were evaluated and the irrigation test was negative in 9 patients. The functional success rate was 85.7% with a follow-up of 7 years. The difference in the success rate was statistically insignificant with a p value of 0.09. CONCLUSION: The long-term success rates of both EX-DCR and TCL-DCR were high.

Effectiveness of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as Initial or Adjunctive Treatment for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) as initial or adjunctive treatment in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative study. A total of 162 eyes of 81 patients with bilateral POAG were evaluated. The patients were categorized into 2 groups. SLT was performed as an adjunctive treatment in 42 POAG patients (Group 1, 84 eyes) and as initial treatment in 39 POAG patients (Group 2, 78 eyes). RESULTS: The mean baseline IOP and post-SLT IOP for the entire study group was 23.3±4.8 mm Hg and 14.6±2.7 mm Hg, respectively. The mean percentage reduction of IOP post-SLT at the final visit was 34.5% in Group 1 and 40.5% in Group 2. The number of medications used in the Group 1 before SLT was 2.11±0.88 (range: 1-4), while after SLT, medication use decreased to 0.9 ±0.15 (range: 0-3). The mean length of follow-up was 49.85±8.2 weeks (range: 24-78 weeks). CONCLUSION: SLT can be used effectively as a primary or an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of POAG. It was also effective at reducing the quantity of medications used. The reduction in IOP was similar in the primary and adjunctive group for up to 1 year of follow-up.