Treatment of Behçet Uveitis in Türkiye.

Objectives: Behçet uveitis (BU) is a potentially blinding disorder. The main determinant of visual prognosis is early and appropriate treatment that provides rapid suppression of inflammatory attacks, control of subclinical inflammation, and prevention of new attacks. Our study aimed to determine the Turkish uveitis specialists' approach regarding the treatment choices and management of special situations such as pregnancy, vaccination, and surgical planning in BU patients, and to increase information sharing and raise awareness of issues where knowledge is lacking. Materials and Methods: A web-based survey including 16 questions about the treatment approach in ocular involvement of Behçet's disease was sent via e-mail to uveitis specialists in Türkiye. Based on the answers of 49 ophthalmologists who responded to the survey, we evaluated the approaches of uveitis specialists in our country to initiating treatment, selecting therapeutic agents, monitoring, switching and stopping treatment, and special situations such as surgical planning, vaccination, and pregnancy in BU patients. Results: Uveitis specialists in our country mostly act in accordance with the guidelines in the decision to start treatment, selection of therapeutic agents, and monitoring the safety of treatment in BU. However, there is a lack of information about the therapeutic approach in pregnancy and vaccination practices. It was also observed that there is no consensus on the precautions to be taken before cataract surgery. Conclusion: Our study has shown that there is a need for more detailed and widespread information sharing on treatment in preparation for ocular surgery, safety monitoring, drug use during pregnancy, and vaccination in BU patients.

Ocular Findings of Pediatric Dry Eye Related to Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency and findings of dry eye associated with ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospectively the records of pediatric patients with ocular GVHD were evaluated and ophthalmologic examination findings as well as Schirmer test results, tear film break-up time, and corneal staining grades were recorded. In severe dry eye patients topical cyclosporine-A was prescribed and the results were evaluated. Results: GVHD was detected in 51 (23.4%) of 218 HSCT patients, 4 of whom died during follow-up. Thirty (63.8%) of the remaining 47 patients had chronic ocular GVHD and 4 patients with severe dry eye were treated with topical cyclosporine-A with a median follow-up of 12.1 months. Severe dry eye symptoms and findings significantly improved in 2 patients. However, 1 patient had to stop treatment due to side effects. Conclusion: In children, chronic ocular GVHD is a common finding of GVHD after HSCT. Therefore, these patients should be examined periodically for dry eye.

Evaluation of Aqueous Flare Levels Following Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injection for Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate aqueous flare levels following intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: In total, 81 eyes of 79 patients who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular AMD were included. Aqueous flare was evaluated before pupillary dilatation with Kowa FM-600 laser flare meter at baseline, and 1 day, and 1 month after intravitreal administration of ranibizumab 0.5 mg (0.05 mL). RESULTS: The mean anterior chamber flare was 10.7 ± 6.8 (range: 1.5-35.4) ph/ms before the injection, 12.5 ± 8.9 (range: 0.3-43) ph/ms on the first day, and 9.9 ± 5.7 (range: 0.2-28.4) ph/ms in the first month. On the first day, a subtle increasing of flare was observed. However, the difference between the mean aqueous flare levels at baseline and postoperative first day and first month was not statistically different (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant short-term intraocular inflammation was noted in these eyes receiving ranibizumab for the treatment of neovascular AMD.