Assessment of changes in macular structural retinal layers in patients with pathological myopia.

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine changes in the thickness of individual macular retinal layers in eyes with pathological myopia (PM) and to compare the thickness of each retinal layer between the PM and control groups to gain insights into retinal perfusion. Materials and methods: The study included 51 eyes in the PM group and 51 eyes in the control group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure the thickness of each retinal layer in the central fovea, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was used to evaluate the retinal capillary density. Results: In the PM group, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and inner nuclear layer (INL) were thicker than in the control group (p = 0.004, p = 0.027, p = 0.020, and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and photoreceptor layer (PRL) were thinner (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). In other regions, the RNFL was thicker in the myopic group, whereas the GCL, IPL, INL, and ONL were thinner. OCT-A did not reveal any significant difference between the groups in terms of radial capillary plexus density (p = 0.381); however, the densities of the other plexuses were lower in the PM group. Conclusions: The results showed alterations in the thickness of retinal layers and capillary plexus density in PM. Thus, assessment of the thickness of individual retinal layers may serve as an indicator of vascular diseases that affect the circulation of the retina and choroid.

Evaluation of anterior segment structures with Scheimpflug camera in patients undergoing sutureless scleral fixation by modified Yamane technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior segment parameters in patients undergoing sutureless scleral fixation intraocular lens implantation with the modified Yamane technique (SSF-IOL-MY) by using Scheimpflug camera system. METHODS: Each group of 25 patients was included for aphakia undergoing SSF-IOL-MY and for senile cataract undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (Phaco+IOL). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and keratometric values were evaluated by Scheimpflug camera (Sirius, CSO, Italy) system. RESULTS: It was seen that the ACD, ICA and ACV display wider structures in patients with SSF-IOL-MY group compared to Phaco+IOL group. However, the ACD (p = 0.828) and ICA (p = 0.219) have not a statistically significant difference, while ACV (p = 0.007) has a statistically significant difference. In terms of keratometric values of the patients, there was no statistically difference in K1, K2 and Kmax values (p = 0.348, p = 0.106, p =0.269, respectively). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of anterior corneal astigmatism, posterior corneal astigmatism was statistically higher in the Phaco+IOL group (p = 0.192, p = 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: SSF-IOL-MY surgery affects anterior segment parameters similar to the Phaco+IOL method, which is the gold standard in cataract surgery. In this surgery, it was approached to the gold standard method in terms of IOL position with the ACD, ACV and ICA values and the results of the corneal incision with the keratometric values.

The treatment of a hypertrophic bleb after XEN gel implantation with the "Drainage Channel with sutures" method: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The placement of a XEN gel stent is an ab-interno, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery which provides a subconjunctival drainage pathway and decreases intraocular pressure (IOP). CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old male patient who had undergone XEN45 gel implantation after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation appealed to the clinic. A filtration bleb was seen that extended through the nasal 180 degrees of the eye which caused ectropion of the lower eyelid. The value of the IOP was 12 mm Hg (mmHg). By the "Drainage Channel with Sutures" method this complication was effectively treated. As with every new method, there is a lack of knowledge about long-term outcomes in terms of effectiveness, technique and complications. CONCLUSION: The "Drainage Channel with Sutures" method has not been described in the literature yet. By this minimal invasive method, hypertrophic bleb complication of XEN gel implant has been successfully treated.

Evaluation of Choroidal Thickness in Non-arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy at the Acute and Chronic Stages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the measurements of choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) at the acute and chronic stages. This case-control study compares three groups: Group 1 included 23 eyes of 23 patients with chronic NAION, Group 2 consisted of 24 eyes of 24 patients with acute NAION, and Group 3 included 24 eyes of 24 age-matched control subjects. The average CTs for Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were 261.24 ± 50.04, 280.05 ± 74.94, and 254.74 ± 50.11 µm, respectively. For all measurements, no statistical significance was found between the groups (p = 0.319, 0.357, 0.680, and 0.178 for the CTs as average, foveal, superior, and inferior, respectively). Similarly, there was no difference between the CT measurements of the affected and unaffected eyes in Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 0.571, 0.741 for average, respectively). The amount of time after the onset of the disease ranged from 6.0 to 48 months (23.86 ± 16.70 months) in Group 1 and from 1 to 30 days (7.45 ± 8.86 days) in Group 2. There was no correlation between the CTs and follow-up times in Group 1 (p = 0.768 for average) and no association between the CTs and the thicknesses of the retinal nerve fibre layers in Group 2 (p = 0.453 for average). CT is not directly influenced by NAION at either the acute or the chronic stage of the disease. These results may also demonstrate that the changes of CT do not increase the risk of experiencing a NAION attack.

Assessment of ocular neurotoxicity in patients treated with systemic cancer chemotherapeutics.

PURPOSE: Cisplatin and Paclitaxel are two chemotherapeutic agents known to produce neurotoxicity when used for cumulative dose regimens. In this study we aim to assess their toxicity in the optic nerve, and to evaluate the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field changes in lung cancer patients treated with Cisplatin and Paclitaxel. METHODS: Fifteen patients who were treated intravenously with 75 mg/m(2) cisplatin and 175 mg/m(2) paclitaxel every 3 weeks, up to a maximum of six courses, were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological assessments before their treatments began, as well as three months after the completion of their treatments. The RNFL thickness measurements were performed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Functional testing included the use of frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry and the Humphrey visual field analyser (HFA). The main outcome measurements included the average RNFL thicknesses and visual field indices (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]). RESULTS: The median age of the 15 patients (nine male and six female) was 63.49 years old (range: 53-77). The average RNFL thickness measurement during the baseline examination was 103.73 µm (range: 97-111). Three months after the cessation of treatment the RNFL thickness declined to 97.4 µm (range: 91-102). Statistical analysis showed a significant thinning between the two measurements (p = 0.032). The MD and PSD values recorded by the HFA demonstrated no statistically significant changes 3 months after the cessation of treatment (p > 0.207 and p > 0.186, respectively). There were statistically significant decreases in both the MD (0.48 to -1.13 dB) and PSD (2.13 to 0.65 dB) indices measured by the FDT perimetry (p = 0.041 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the systemic administration of Cisplatin and Paclitaxel affected the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses and visual field indices as revealed by FDT perimetry. OCT and FDT perimetry may be adjunctive tools for the screening of ocular toxicity in patients treated with these agents.

Effect of Buerger's disease on ocular microvascular structure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Buerger's disease, being a systemic inflammatory vasculopathy, may present with ocular findings. BACKGROUND: This study aims to understand the potential role of optical coherence tomography and angiography findings in evaluating the course of Buerger's disease. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study that included 25 patients with Buerger's disease (Group 1) and 51 healthy control participants, of whom 27 were smokers (Group 2) and 24 were non-smokers (Group 3). Following a detailed ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography and angiography measurements were conducted on participants. The values of macular superficial and deep capillary plexus, peripapillary capillary plexus vessel density measurements were taken into account from optical coherence tomography angiography measurements. Furthermore, measurements were taken for the parameters of the foveal avascular zone, including its area, perimeter and acircularity index. Additionally, the choriocapillaris flow area was assessed between radii of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm. RESULTS: In patients with Buerger's disease, the area and perimeter of the foveal avascular zone were higher than in both smoker and non-smoker healthy groups (p < 0.001 for all). The vessel densities in superficial capillary plexus were found to be lower in patients with Buerger's disease compared to both smokers and non-smokers in all regions except the parafovea (p < 0.05 for all). The radial peripapillary capillary plexus vessel densities in the whole retina and peripapillary region were lower than those in the non-smoker group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008). The choriocapillaris flow areas in all three radius were lower in the smoker group than in the non-smoker group (1 mm, p = 0.01; 2 mm, p = 0.005; 3 mm, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Buerger's disease extends beyond the extremities, affecting vascular density and tissue perfusion in the optic disc and macula, making it a systemic condition. This disease can have ocular involvement without causing serious ocular findings.

Evaluation of Structural Retinal Layer Alterations in Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze retinal layers in the macular region using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Additionally, we examined the retinal vascular plexus densities of the eyes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), specifically in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods: In the study, 36 eyes from patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and 36 eyes from healthy controls were included. Measurements involved assessing the thicknesses of each retinal layer at the central fovea, parafoveal, and perifovea using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Moreover, the study involved the evaluation of retinal capillary plexus densities (RCPD), encompassing deep capillary plexus density values, superficial capillary plexus, and radial peripapillary capillary plexus. This assessment was performed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Results: No statistically significant difference in retinal thickness was found in the central fovea between the two groups. The thicknesses of the INL, OPL, and PRL in the parafoveal regions as well as the RPE in the perifoveal regions increased in the RP group. Nonetheless, the ONL, IPL, GCL, and RNFL demonstrated reduced thickness in both the perifoveal and parafoveal areas. The OCT-A findings indicated that patients with RP exhibited lower values for all RCPD. Conclusion: The retinal layers and RCPD were significantly impacted at varying rates of RP. It is essential to acknowledge that this alteration may be significant in the context of the retinal findings in patients with RP. Abbreviations: SD-OCT = Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, OCT-A = Optical coherence tomography angiography, RP = Retinitis pigmentosa, ETDRS = Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, SD = standard deviation, TRT = Total Retinal Thickness, IRT = Inner Retinal Thickness, ORT = Outer Retinal Thickness, RNFL = Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, GCL = Ganglion Cell Layer, IPL = Inner Plexiform Layer, INL = inner nuclear layer, OPL = Outer Plexiform Layer, ONL = Outer Nuclear Layer, PRL = Photoreceptor layer, RPE = Retinal Pigment Epithelium, µm = micrometer, PaFoSu = parafovea superior, PeFoSu = perifovea superior, PaFoNa = parafovea nasal, PeFoNa = perifovea nasal, PaFoTe = parafovea temporal, PeFoTe = perifovea temporal, PaFoIn = parafovea inferior, PeFoIn = perifovea inferior.

Microstructure and Chemical Analysis in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to show the pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) material accumulated in the lens anterior capsule and the trace elements directly with using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to investigate the effect of PES materials on aqueous humor by chemical analyses.Methods: The study groups consisted of 30 patients with PES and 30 patients without PES. 0.1-0.3 mL of aqueous humor was aspirated from anterior chamber and anterior capsule sample was obtained by applying continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis. The level of selected elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, K) were determined from aqueous humor samples via Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) machine. The morphology and elemental distribution of anterior lens capsules were carried out via a Zeiss Sigma 300 scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (semiquantitative EDX).Results: For aqueous humor, the ICP-OES results show that Cu and Zn levels is higher (p < .001, both of them) in PES group than that the obtained from control group. It was noticed that the ratio of Cu/Zn was higher (p = .008) in aqueous humor, while Cu/Se ratio was higher in both aqueous humor (p < .001) and anterior capsule (p < .001) for PES group. The SEM images show that different metal precipitates were obtained from anterior lens capsules with PES. However, there is no obvious element precipitates on the anterior lens capsules without PES.Conclusion: The results observed that the level of selected elements can be obtained at different level in both PES group and control group. Especially, if the oxidative behavior of these elements which is thought to play a role in PES formation can be clarified, new approaches will be done to evaluate the structure of PES.

Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral intraocular lens fixation: the modified Yamane technique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified Yamane technique with sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral intraocular lens fixation. METHODS: Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral haptic fixated intraocular lens implantation was performed in patients with aphakia and dislocated intraocular lenses. A clear corneal incision (2.8 mm) was made into the temporal quadrant and a three-piece intraocular lens was implanted into the anterior chamber. The haptics of the intraocular lens were externalized with a 27 G needle via transconjunctival scleral tunnels at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. The transconjunctival scleral tunnels were prepared to conform to the haptic position and curvature. The site of the scleral tunnels was 2mm from the limbus with a length of 2 mm in the sclera and was aimed at the end of the posterior chamber. The tips of the haptics were cauterized to create a terminal knob. The haptics were pushed back and the knobs were implanted into the scleral tunnels. RESULTS: The study cohort included 21 patients with unilateral aphakia and dislocated intraocular lenses. All patients were examined postoperatively and at postoperative day 1, day 7, month 1, and month 3. All examinations revealed formation of the anterior chamber and well-centralized intraocular lenses. No haptic-related complications of exposure, foreign body sensation, or discomfort were observed. CONCLUSION: Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral haptic fixated intraocular lensimplantation is an effective, safe, and practical surgical alternative. This technique was superior to the Yamane method with regard to comfort and surgical duration. Further studies with longer follow-up evaluations are warranted to verify long-term complications.

Spontaneous Lens Absorption Initially Misdiagnosed as Crystalline Lens Luxation

Spontaneous lens absorption (SLA) is a rare complication of hypermature cataract. However, this condition has been reported in several cases of hypermature cataracts that were caused by trauma, senility, uveitic disorders such as Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS), and infectious disorders including leptospirosis and rubella. We report a case of spontaneous absorption of a hypermature cataract secondary to FUS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SLA that was followed by dislocation of the capsular remnants into the vitreous and resulted in a misdiagnosis as crystalline lens luxation.

Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral intraocular lens fixation: the modified Yamane technique / Fixação de lente intraocular intraescleral transconjuntival sem sutura: técnica de Yamane modificada

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modified Yamane technique with sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral intraocular lens fixation. Methods: Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral haptic fixated intraocular lens implantation was performed in patients with aphakia and dislocated intraocular lenses. A clear corneal incision (2.8 mm) was made into the temporal quadrant and a three-piece intraocular lens was implanted into the anterior chamber. The haptics of the intraocular lens were externalized with a 27 G needle via transconjunctival scleral tunnels at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. The transconjunctival scleral tunnels were prepared to conform to the haptic position and curvature. The site of the scleral tunnels was 2mm from the limbus with a length of 2 mm in the sclera and was aimed at the end of the posterior chamber. The tips of the haptics were cauterized to create a terminal knob. The haptics were pushed back and the knobs were implanted into the scleral tunnels. Results: The study cohort included 21 patients with unilateral aphakia and dislocated intraocular lenses. All patients were examined postoperatively and at postoperative day 1, day 7, month 1, and month 3. All examinations revealed formation of the anterior chamber and well-centralized intraocular lenses. No haptic-related complications of exposure, foreign body sensation, or discomfort were observed. Conclusion: Sutureless transconjunctival intrascleral haptic fixated intraocular lensimplantation is an effective, safe, and practical surgical alternative. This technique was superior to the Yamane method with regard to comfort and surgical duration. Further studies with longer follow-up evaluations are warranted to verify long-term complications.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e a segurança da técnica de Yamane modificada com a fixação de lenta intraocular transconjuntival sem sutura. Métodos: O implante de lente intraocular intraescleral e transconjuntival sem sutura foi realizado em pacientes com afacia e lentes intraoculares luxadas. Uma incisão em córnea clara (2,8 mm) foi feita no quadrante temporal e uma lente intraocular de três peças foi implantada na câmara anterior. Os hápticos da lente intraocular foram externalizados com uma agulha 27G através de túneis esclerais transconjuntivais nas posições de 6 e 12 horas. Os túneis esclerais transconjuntivais foram preparados para se ajustarem à posição e curvatura hápticas. O local dos túneis esclerais foi de 2 mm do limbo com um comprimento de 2 mm na esclera e foi destinado ao final da câmara posterior. As pontas dos hápticos foram cauterizadas para criar uma saliência terminal. Os hápticos foram empurrados para tras e as saliências foram implantadas nos túneis esclerais. Resultados: A coorte do estudo incluiu 21 pacientes com afacia unilateral e lentes intraocular deslocada. Todos os pacientes foram examinados no pós-operatório e no dia 1, 7, 1 mês e 3 meses do pós-operatório. Todos os exames revelaram formação da uma câmara anterior e lentes intraoculares bem centralizadas. Nenhuma complicação hápticas relacionada à exposição, sensação de corpo estranho ou desconforto foram observadas. Conclusão: O implante de lente intraocular transconjuntival intraescleral sem sutura é uma alternativa cirúrgica eficaz, segura e prática. Esta técnica foi superior ao método de Yamane no que diz respeito ao conforto e duração cirúrgica. Mais estudos com avaliações de seguimento mais prolongados são necessários para verificar as complicações de longo prazo.