Optical coherence tomography findings in patients with alcohol use disorder and their relationship with clinical parameters.

Purpose: In our study, we aimed to investigate the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPL), retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL), mean macular volume (MMV), central macular thickness (CMT), mean macular thickness (MMT), and choroidal thickness (CT) values with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients who are diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD).Materials and methods: The study included 43 patients who were diagnosed with AUD, and 43 healthy controls. Detailed biomicroscopic examinations of all the participants, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment examinations, and then, OCT measurements were carried out.Results: Although the measured values for RNFL in the superior and temporal quadrant are within normal limits, they were slightly higher compared to those in the control group (p values 0.127 and 0.191 for superior quadrant and temporal quadrant, respectively). The CT measurements in all quadrants were higher than the control group; however, these measurements were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When the relation between clinical features and OCT findings of the patients were examined, it was determined that the ages of the patients were statistically significantly and inversely correlated with the temporal CT and also the nasal and temporal quadrants of RNFL.Conclusions: Our study is the first study that examines the retinal GCIPL and CT with OCT in patients who are diagnosed with AUD. In our results, it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences between the participants in terms of OCT parameters. Further studies with larger sampling groups evaluating neurotransmission findings may provide wider results.

Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in adult-onset familial Mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) in adult-onset familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: Forty two adult-onset FMF patients and forty two healthy controls were included in the present study. Detailed ocular examination was performed, and then the thickness of the peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL was measured by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The patients were divided into two groups according to their disease severity score, M694V gene mutation, colchicine dosage used per day, colchicine usage time period and number of FMF attacks per year. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in peripapillary RNFL and retinal GCIPL thickness in patients with adult-onset FMF and controls. CONCLUSION: According to our study, it looks like that neither adult-onset FMF nor colchicine has any effect on the RNFL and GCIPL thicknesses. Further studies with a large sample size are needed.

GENETIC ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ARTERIAL STIFFNESS-RELATED GENE POLYMORPHISMS IN BRVO AND CRVO PATIENTS IN A TURKISH POPULATION.

PURPOSE: To investigate possible associations between five different single-nucleotide polymorphisms, from genes associated with arterial stiffness and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), or central retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: A total of 187 patients with retinal vein occlusion (133 with BRVO and 54 with central retinal vein occlusion), and 167 controls, were enrolled in this study. All subjects were screened for hypertension, diabetes, smoking status, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein. The genotyping of adiponectin +276 G/T, ACE I/D, AGTR1 A1166C, eNOS E298D, and p22phox -242 C/T polymorphisms was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The percentage of the adiponectin +275 T allele carriers was significantly higher in the BRVO patients (37%) than in the controls (23%, P < 0.001). Similarly, the percentage of AGTR1 1166 C allele carriers was significantly higher in the BRVO patients (38%) than in the controls (24%, P < 0.001). At the multiple logistic regression analysis, the adiponectin +275 T allele carrier and AGTR1 1166 C allele carrier status were found to be associated with an increased risk of BRVO (TT vs. GG and TG: odds ratio = 2.278, P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval: 1.370-3.789; CC vs. AA and AC: odds ratio = 1.804, P = 0.025, 95% confidence interval: 1.079-3.017). The genotype distributions or allelic frequencies of ACE I/D, eNOS E298D, and p22phox -242 C/T did not significantly differ between the patients with BRVO and the control subjects. There was no significant difference between the central retinal vein occlusion patients and controls for the genotype or the allele frequency distributions of all evaluated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin +276 G/T and AGTR1 A1166C single-nucleotide polymorphism are likely to be risk factors for BRVO.

Decreased central corneal thickness in ankylosing spondylitis.

Central corneal thickness and dry eye tests were evaluated in a study population consisting of 68 ankylosing spondylitis patients diagnosed according to the modified New York criteria, and 61 age-matched controls without ankylosing spondylitis. A full ophthalmological evaluation was performed on each subject. All subjects were screened for age, gender, HLA-B27, tear break-up time test, Schirmer test, and duration of disease. Central corneal thickness was measured under topical anesthesia with an ultrasonic pachymeter. The mean central corneal thickness was 537.3 ± 30.6 µm, range 462-600 µm, in ankylosing spondylitis patients, whereas it was 551.7 ± 25.2 µm, range 510-620 µm, in controls (p = 0.005). The Schirmer test result was 7.3 ± 5.9 mm for the ankylosing spondylitis patients and 11.7 ± 5.8 mm for the control group (p = 0.002). Tear break-up time was 7.3 ± 3.2 s for the ankylosing spondylitis patients and 14.0 ± 4.5 s for the control group (p < 0.001). The possibility of a thinner cornea should be taken into consideration in ankylosing spondylitis. In addition, attention must be given to lower dry eye tests in surgical interventions such as photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis in ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Association of MMP2-1306C/T and TIMP2G-418C polymorphisms in retinal vein occlusion.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are large groups of zinc-dependent proteases that play an important role in many diseases and pathological processes such as cancer, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, and vascular disease. Also, it was found that the expression of MMPs was high during the initial period of thrombosis in a rat model of traumatic deep vein thrombosis. Moreover, the presence of metalloproteinase activity and endogenous inhibitor activity in vitrectomy samples are associated with neovascularization of several retinal diseases such as exudative age related maculopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and central retinal vein occlusion. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association of the matrix metalloproteinase 2-1306C/T (rs 243865) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase 2 G-418C (rs 8179090) polymorphisms with the risk of retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid anticoagulated blood. Genotyping of the MMP2-1306C/T and TIMP2G-418C polymorphisms were performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The MMP2-1306 T allele carriers (CT + TT) had a significantly increased risk of RVO compared with the CC homozygotes (p < 0.001, odds ratio = 4.78; 95% CI = 2.85-8.09). After adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia, MMP2-1306 T allele carriers (CT + TT) also had a significantly increased risk of RVO (B = 1.453; p < 0.001; odds ratio = 4.275; 95% CI:2.529-7.224). MMP2-1306C/T, but not TIMP2G-418C, gene variants are a risk factor for the development of retinal vein occlusion.

To Evaluate Choroidal and Retinal Thicknesses in Singleton versus Twin Pregnancies using Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the choroidal and retinal thicknesses in singleton versus twin pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 single and 20 twin pregnant women in their 3rd trimester with 20 age-matched healthy nonpregnant women as a control group. All participants underwent a detailed ocular examination. Cirrus enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography was used for choroidal thickness (CT) with frame enhancement software. The study was divided into three groups: Group 1 - singleton pregnancy, Group 2 - twin pregnancy, and Group 3 - healthy nonpregnant controls. CT was measured from nasal, subfoveal, and temporal fields. RESULTS: Regarding CT, the twin pregnancy group had the thickest choroid followed by the singleton pregnancy group and control group. There was a statistically significant difference between Group 2 and Group 3 in terms of nasal, subfoveal, and temporal CTs (P = 0.002, P = 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding just subfoveal CT (P = 0.028). Regarding retinal thickness, there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3 regarding the mean macular volume and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thicknesses (P < 0.05). Furthermore, regarding mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 and between Group 2 and Group 3 (P = 0.004, P = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study is the first one which evaluates choroidal and retinal thicknesses in twin pregnancies. We found that there was an increase in CT in the 3rd trimester of pregnancies and it was prominent in twin pregnancies.

To Evaluate the Effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Retinal and Choroidal Thicknesses Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using optical coherence tomography. METHODS: The study included 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 26 age-matched healthy control groups. Detailed ocular examinations were performed on all participants. Cirrus EDI-OCT (enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography) was used for choroidal thickness measurements with frame enhancement software. The subfoveal area was used for choroidal thickness measurements. RESULTS: The patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had an average 239.13 ± 57.77 µm subfoveal choroidal thickness, and the control group had an average 285.02 ± 25 µm subfoveal choroidal thickness. The subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between patients and the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between patients and control group regarding mean macular thickness, central macular thickness, and GCIPL (ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer) thickness. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between patients and control group regarding mean, superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thicknesses. CONCLUSION: Chronic hypoxemia seems to cause decreased choroidal thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness in children with obesity.

AIM: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness analysis of peripapillary optic nerve head (PONH) and macula as well as ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in obese children. METHODS: Eighty-five children with obesity and 30 controls were included in the study. The thicknesses of the PONH and macula of each subject's right eye were measured by high-resolution spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: The RNFL thicknesses of central macular and PONH were similar between the groups (all P>0.05). The GCIPL thickness was also similar between the groups. However, the RNFL thickness of temporal outer macula were 261.7±13.7 and 268.9±14.3 µm for the obesity and the control group, respectively (P=0.034). CONCLUSION: Obesity may cause a reduction in temporal outer macular RNFL thickness.

Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: The study included 39 FMF patients and 36 healthy controls. After detailed ocular examination, the thickness of the peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL were measured by spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT). All measurements were taken from the right eye of the patients and controls. According to their disease severity score (DSS), the patients were divided into two groups: patients with DSS ≤5 and those with DSS >5. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in peripapillary RNFL and retinal GCIPL thickness between patients with FMF and controls. CONCLUSION: It appears that FMF does not affect the RNFL and GCIPL thickness.

Duration of the depressive episode is correlated with ganglion cell inner plexifrom layer and nasal retinal fiber layer thicknesses: Optical coherence tomography findings in major depression.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a relatively new, noninvasive imaging technique that has been used increasingly to diagnose and manage a variety of retinal diseases. Since the axons in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) are nonmyelinated within the retina, OCT has been used in various neurodegenerative diseases to visualize the process of neurodegeneration. Decreases in RNFL and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thicknesses were observed in patients with schizophrenia. To date, there is no clinical research investigating OCT parameters in patients with MD. We compared the RNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness in 58 MD patients and 57 healthy controls, and investigated their correlation with clinical variables of depression. Depressed patients were not different from the healthy controls with regard to OCT parameters. GCIPL and nasal RNFL were correlated with the duration of the latest depressive episode. Some measures of OCT were negatively associated with clinical variables like a family history of psychiatric diagnosis and the duration of the latest episode. Larger studies including depressed patients of different severity, including structured interviews and controlling for the effect of antidepressant treatment will provide better results.

Comparison of Endoscopic and External Dacryocystorhinostomy Results and Analysis of Patients' Satisfaction.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of endoscopic and external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) results and evaluation of patients' satisfaction. METHODS: Forty six (35 females and 11 males) patients who underwent endoscopic DCR and 43 (37 females and six males) who underwent external DCR were included. Surgical success was objectively and subjectively assessed. The nasolacrimal duct was irrigated by a saline solution, and the saline solution was objectively visualized by endoscopy from the nose. Subjective assessment was performed asking the patients' epiphora. In addition to evaluating the success of the operation, satisfaction and result surveys were administered to the two groups. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and sex (respectively p=0.486, p=0.23). However, the number of females was higher than the number of males in the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (endoscopic-DCR p=0.01, external-DCR p=0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative bleeding and punctum damage. The success rate was 84.7% in the endoscopic DCR group and 90.6% in the external DCR group. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate between the two groups (p=0.397). The survey results revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of patient satisfaction (p=0.397). CONCLUSION: The results of many studies in the literature show operation success rates between the two groups that are similar to ours. Both techniques have advantages and disadvantages. Independent of the preferred procedure, our results show that functional success mainly determines patient satisfaction.

Intraocular pressure changes: the McGrath video laryngoscope vs the Macintosh laryngoscope; a randomized trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the McGrath Series 5 video laryngoscope on intraocular pressure (IOP) during laryngoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double blind. SETTING: Operating room. PATIENTS: Eighty adult patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical status 1 scheduled for nonophthalmic elective surgery under general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: The endotracheal intubation was provided using McGrath series 5 video laryngoscope in MG group (n=40) or Macintosh laryngoscope in M group (n=40). MEASUREMENTS: The IOP of the right and left eyes was measured before and after the laryngoscopic process. MAIN RESULTS: The mean arterial blood pressure values just before laryngoscopy and intubation and after intubation were 77.38±6.18 and 97.38±12.77 in the McGrath video laryngoscope group and 75.85±7.88 and 99.12±14.30 in the Macintosh laryngoscope group, respectively. The IOP values of the left eye after intubation and at the 5th and the 10th minutes in the Macintosh laryngoscope group were found to be significantly higher than those in the McGrath video laryngoscope group (P=.019, P=.019, and P=.007, respectively). In addition, the IOP values of the right eye were found to be higher after intubation and at the 5th and the 10th minutes in the Macintosh laryngoscope group, compared to the McGrath video laryngoscope group (P=.009, P=.021, and P=.011, respectively). The mean IOP values for the left eye just before laryngoscopy and intubation and after intubation were 10.65±2.52 and 15.57±3.62 in the McGrath video laryngoscope group, and for the right eye, they were 10.60±1.64 and 17.17±2.38 in the Macintosh laryngoscope group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The McGrath Series 5 video laryngoscope may provide a lower IOP level compared to the Macintosh laryngoscope in an otherwise healthy, young patient population.

Mapping corneal thickness using dual-scheimpflug imaging at different stages of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To map the thickness of the entire cornea using dual-Scheimpflug imaging and to evaluate the changes in the corneal thickness over the entire cornea at different stages of keratoconus. METHODS: Corneal pachymetry was performed using the Galilei dual-Scheimpflug analyzer. The thinnest (TCT), central (CCT), paracentral (PaCT), and peripheral corneal thicknesses (PeCT) were also analyzed. The study examined 150 eyes of 150 patients who had myopia or myopic astigmatism and 107 eyes of 75 patients with keratoconus. Of these 107 eyes, 48 were evaluated at stage I keratoconus, 32 at stage II, 12 at stage III, and 15 at stage IV keratoconus. The level of severity of the keratoconus was based on the Amsler-Krumeich classification. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in the thickness values of the entire corneas at all the different stages of progression defined in the Amsler-Krumeich classification. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the TCT provided a better parameter than did the CCT, PaCT, and PeCT for distinguishing between keratoconus at its different stages and myopic eyes. Although the TCT and CCT parameters provided an effective distinction of eyes with stage II, III, and IV keratoconus from normal eyes, they were not effective for discriminating eyes with stage I keratoconus from eyes with myopia. But, PaCT and PeCT parameters enabled the effective discrimination between eyes with stage IV keratoconus and those with myopia only. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained by dual-Scheimpflug imaging for the corneal thicknesses of the entire cornea provide useful information for grading the severity of keratoconus.