Corneal Clarity and Tomographic Patterns in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: A Severity-Based Investigation.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the corneal and anterior segment characteristics in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS), depending on the severity of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, in the ophthalmology department, in Turkey. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome group was classified into three groups. Pseudoexfoliative material on the part of the pupillary border was classified as group 1, on the entire pupillary border was classified as group 2, and pseudoexfoliative material on the entire pupillary border and iris surface was classified as group 3. The control group was composed of age and gender-matched individuals who had undergone a completely normal ophthalmologic examination. Scheimpflug tomography was performed to record tomographical data. RESULTS: The PXS groups 1, 2, and 3, along with the control group, consist of 29, 32, 33, and 42 participants, respectively. There was no significant difference in age-gender distribution between patients and the control group (P>0.05). Group 3 showed significant differences in central corneal thickness compared with the control group (P=0.001). In addition, anterior chamber angle was found to be significantly lower in group 3 than the control group (P<0.001). In corneal densitometry (CD) values, significant increases compared with the control group were observed in groups 2 and 3 across all anterior annuli (P<0.001). In group 1, significant increases observed in the anterior 6-10 mm and 10-12 mm annuli (P<0.001). In the middle 6-10 mm annuluses, only group 3 showed a significant increase compared with the control group (P<0.001). In the posterior 0-2, 2-6, and 6-10 mm annuli, significant increases compared with the control were observed only in groups 2 and 3 (P=0.001, P=0.001, P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal densitometry values, even without an increase in intraocular pressure, have a tendency to increase in PXS depending on the severity of the disease. While minimal changes were observed in the middle layer, it was particularly noted that the effects of the disease were more prominent in the peripheral cornea.

Corneal and lens densitometry in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

AIM: To evaluate corneal and crystalline lens densitometry in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: This is a case-control study. Patients with VKC and age-gender-matched healthy controls underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination with corneal and crystalline lens densitometry measurements. Additionally, the anterior chamber parameters comprise anterior and posterior Kmean and astigmatism, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (ACA), pachymeter, and corneal volume (CV). Patients who had clinically grade 0 or grade 1 VKC and with only tarsal conjunctiva involvement during the conductance of the study were included. The variables were compared statistically. RESULTS: One hundred and nine eyes were included in the study, in which fifty-one were in the VKC group. There were 25 males in the VKC group (26 female) and 22 males in the control group (36 female). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of posterior corneal astigmatism (p = 0.02). The mean corneal pachymeter, CV, ACD, ACA, and ACV were similar in both groups (p = 0.63, p = 0.26, p = 0.60, p = 0.41, and p = 0.32, respectively). The total mean corneal densitometry in the zones extending from 6 to 10 mm and 10 to 12 mm was increased in the VKC group compared to the control group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.012, respectively). The mean crystalline lens was found to be denser in the VKC group compared to the control group (8.96 ± 1.6 vs. 8.5 ± 0.57, respectively, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Posterior corneal astigmatism is increased in VKC cases in comparison with age- and gender-matched controls. The peripheral anterior 6-12 mm annular corneal zone showed increased corneal densitometry in VKC cases compared to the healthy subjects. Additionally, the lens clarity is found to be decreased subclinically in VKC cases compared to control cases.

Comparision effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, propiverine on ocular parameters in eyes: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, and propiverine on nasal-, subfoveal-, temporal choroidal thicknesses (NCT, SFCT, TCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) diagnosed according to The International Continence Society were administered with solifenacin, darifenacin or propiverine on a daily basis between November 2017 and May 2018. NCT, SFCT, TCT, IOP, and PD of these patients were measured and compared as initial, fourth and twelfth weeks. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients (330 eyes) with OAB were evaluated. Solifenacin (n=140) signifi cantly reduced IOP from 17.30±2.72 mmHg to 16.67±2.56 mmHg (p=0.006) and 16.57±2.41 mmHg (p=0.002), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Darifenacin (n=110) signifi cantly reduced NCT from 258.70±23.96 µm to 257.51±22.66 µm (p=0.002) and 255.36±19.69 µm (p=0.038), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Propiverine (n=80) signifi cantly increased PD from 4.04±0.48 mm to 4.08±0.44 mm (p=0.009) and 4.09±0.45 mm (p=0.001), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings can help to decide appropriate anticholinergic drug choice in OAB patients. We finally suggest further well-designed randomized prospective studies with a larger population to evaluate the anticholinergic-related complications in eyes.

The ocular surface side effects of an anti-psychotic drug, clozapine.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term clozapine usage on tear film stability and corneal topographic parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted between March 2014 and November 2014. Thirty patients who were diagnosed of schizophrenia and have been under clozapine treatment for 2.73 ± 0.73 years (range 2-4 years) were involved in this study (group 1). Thirty healthy subjects (group 2) who have statistically similar demographic features compared with the group 1, were involved as a control group. Full ophthalmologic examination with biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy was applied. Corneal topographic parameters were measured using the Pentacam HR and Schirmer test was done. Statistical analysis of the subjects was evaluated by using SPSS (for Windows version 16.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) program. RESULTS: K1 value was measured as 43.39 ± 0.17 D (43-43.50 D) and K2 value was measured as 43.39 ± 0.06 D (43.30-43.50 D) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In groups 1 and 2, K2 values were noted as 43.86 ± 0.27 D (43.50-44.50 D) and 43.72 ± 0.18 D (43.50-44.00 D), respectively. Central corneal thickness was found to be 523.93 ± 15.66 µm (495-554 µm) and 550.13 ± 1.03 µm (520-580 µm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Corneal apex thickness was 525.86 ± 15.75 µm (497-556 µm) in group 1 and 551.60 ± 14.99 µm (521-581 µm) in group 2. The corneal thickness of thinnest location was 520.93 ± 15.60 µm (492-551 µm) and 548.06 ± 15.17 µm (518-578 µm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Corneal volume was determined as 58.13 ± 3.46 mm(3) (52-64 mm(3)) in group 1 and 60.73 ± 3.76 mm(3) (54-66 mm(3)) in group 2. The Schirmer test showed thickness of 3.33 ± 0.72 mm (2-4 mm) and 13.60 ± 1.59 mm (11-16 mm) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean fluorescein break-up time was 5.40 ± 1.50 s (3-8 s) and 12.46 ± 1.40 s (10-14 s) in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the Schirmer test, fluorescein break-up time, central corneal thickness, corneal apex, and the thinnest corneal location thickness between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Clozapine may induce dry eye syndrome and thus may lead to morphological alterations in corneal parameters through its anticholinergic and antidopaminergic activities. Because of these corneal alterations, one should be aware of evaluating patients having diseases like glaucoma or preoperative selection of corneal refractive surgery candidates.

Tectonic and Therapeutic Urgent Penetrating Keratoplasty Outcomes.

Objectives: It was aimed to to provide a comprehensive assessment of therapeutic and tectonic emergency keratoplasty procedures, along with a discussion on their indications, prognostic factors for functional success, and postoperative outcomes. Methods: Patients who underwent therapeutic or tectonic Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP) procedures between 2010 to 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patient files were evaluated in terms of demographic characteristics, medical and ocular history, visual acuity, initial ocular findings, presence of glaucoma, causative microorganisms, details of surgical procedures, complications, graft transparency and globe integrity. Visual acuity was measured as light perception, hand motion, counting finger, Snellen chart and subsequently converted to Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) for statistical analysis. Results: The study included a total of 43 patients, with 16 (37.2%) being female. The average age of the participants was 59.72±18.1 years. The corrected distance visual acuity improved from 2.3±0.66 logMAR preoperatively to 1.72±1.02 logMAR postoperatively (p=0.001). After PKP, anatomical success was achieved in all eyes and functional success was achieved in 23 (51.1%) eyes. It was observed that only preoperative glaucoma had a significant impact on graft survival rate (p=0.002, Figure 2), as well as functional success (p=0.022). Conclusion: Urgent keratoplasty is a viable treatment option for cases involving an actively uncontrolled infection or corneal disease with perforation. In cases of graft rejection, bacteria, fungi, and viral pathogens were detected as causative agents, whereas only bacteria were detected as the causative agents in cases of pre and post-operative endophthalmitis. Early diagnosis and treatment play crucial roles in achieving anatomical and functional success.

Retinal Toxicity Assessment Following Vitreoretinal Surgery: A Comparison of Silicone Oil and Perfluoropropane Tamponade Using Diopsys® NOVA™.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess and compare the retinal toxicity associated with silicone oil (SO) and perfluoropropane (C3F8) tamponade following vitreoretinal surgery for fresh rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), utilizing the office-based Diopsys® NOVA™ system for evaluation. METHODS: Patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery for fresh RRD and had SO (group 1) or C3F8 (group 2) tamponade were included in a prospective analysis. Flicker full field electroretinography (ffERG) and pattern electroretinography (PERG) tests were performed at 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative best corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was significantly different in group 1 and group 2 patients, 0.48 ± 0.3 and 0.30 ± 0.2, respectively. No significant disparities were found in demographic variables. Flicker ffERG and PERG recordings revealed notable alterations in retinal function parameters in the group 1 compared to the group 2. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a correlation between SO tamponade and retinal dysfunction, evidenced by office-based ERG measurements. The Diopsys® NOVA™ protocol offers clinical ease in assessing retinal function. Further controlled studies are essential to validate these findings and guide clinical practice effectively.

Analysis of Corneal and Lens Densitometry Changes in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: By comparing the densitometry findings of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the healthy group, we aimed to understand the possible changes that may occur in the cornea and lens in those with diabetes mellitus (DM). DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 60 eyes of 60 patients with T1DM and 101 eyes of 101 healthy subjects were included in this study. A complete ophthalmologic evaluation was performed in all participants. Scheimpflug tomography was performed to record the corneal and lens densitometry and other tomographic data. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and mean DM duration were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with T1DM and patients in the control group was 29.93 ± 8.56 years and 27.27 ± 1 4.96 years, respectively. The mean HbA1c was 8.43 ± 1.92, and the mean DM duration was 14.10 ± 7.77 years. Corneal densitometry (CD) values were significantly higher in the 0- to 2-mm zone in all layers and in the anterior and central 6- to 10-mm zone in the diabetic group (P = .03, P = .018, P = .001, P = .000, P = .004). The mean crystalline lens densitometry was higher in the T1DM group (P = .129). There were positive correlations between DM duration and CD in the anterior 0- to 2-mm (P = .043), central 6- to 10-mm (P = .016), posterior 6- to 10-mm (P = .022), and posterior 10- to 12-mm zone (P = .043). CONCLUSIONS: CD values were significantly higher in the diabetic group. Diabetes duration and HbA1c values showed correlations with densitometry especially in the 6- to 10-mm corneal zone. Evaluation of the cornea with optical densitometry will be useful in the early diagnosis and follow-up of clinical structural and functional changes in the cornea.

Corneal densitometry in patients with arcus senilis and its correlation with serum lipid levels.

Purpose: To evaluate corneal densitometry (CD) of patients with arcus senilis (AS) and its association with the serum lipid markers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. The AS diagnosis was made clinically. Forty-five eyes of 45 patients with AS and 38 eyes of 38 age-matched control subjects with no noticeable AS were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent detailed ophthalmologic examination along with corneal Scheimpflug imaging with CD measurement. The evaluated serum lipid markers of the participants included total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The Spearman correlation analysis was used to correlate the serum lipid values and the CD. P < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results: The male to female ratio was 26/19 and 14/24 in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.057). The mean age was 59.56 ± 8.7 and 56.47 ± 8.6 years in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.117). The mean total CD values in the zones extending from 2 to 12 mm were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The serum HDL level was found to be significantly decreased in the study group compared to the control group (P = 0.048 and Z = -1.976). There was a significant positive correlation between the serum triglyceride level and the CD value of the outermost zone (10-12 mm) (r = 0.334 and P = 0.025). Conclusion: The CD of patients with AS was found to increase not only in the peripheral zone but also in the cornea's paracentral zone compared to the healthy controls. The serum triglyceride level should give an insight into the intensity of arcus senilis. The serum HDL levels were decreased in patients with AS.

The Surgical Outcomes of Limbal Allograft Transplantation in Eyes Having Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

PURPOSE: To report the limbal allograft transplantation and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) results in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD)-developed eyes because of chemical or thermal injury. METHODS: Medical records of 18 eyes of 14 patients who had undergone keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) or living-related conjunctival limbal allograft (lr-CLAL) with or without PK and followed up at least 1 year postoperatively were evaluated retrospectively. The preoperative LSCD grade was noted in all patients. Rejection incidents, recurrence of LSCD, and corneal graft clarity along with a visual improvement during the follow-up were noted. The complications rate due to surgery or injury itself, for instance, glaucoma and cataract, were evaluated. The limbal allograft tissue survival analysis and corneal allograft survival analysis were done to reveal the differences in both the procedures. The existence of normal corneal epithelium and improvement in visual acuity were accepted as the surgical success criteria. RESULTS: In the limbal allograft transplantation group, the survival rates of the allograft tissue were 65 ± 10.7% at 1 year and 36.6 ± 11.4% at 3 years in lr-CLAL and 66.7 ± 15.7% at 12 months and 53.3 ± 17.3% at 18 months in KLAL-transplanted eyes. The survival rate of corneal allograft at the 5th postoperative year was lower in the simultaneous procedure compared to the staged procedure, but it was not statistically significant (25.7 ± 25.8% vs. 62.5 ± 17.1%, P = 0.75). The ambulatory vision was achieved in 10 eyes (56%) after a mean follow-up time of 93.8 ± 37.8 months. The visual acuity level has increased in 12 eyes (67%) in which the limbal allograft transplantation was applied. The ambulatory visual acuity level was achieved (≤1.0 logMar [20/200]) in 10 eyes (56%). In addition, two or more Snellen lines' gain in the best corrected visual acuity was observed in 12 eyes of 18 (67%) at the last follow-up, and there was not any significant difference between the KLAL and lr-CLAL. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface integrity was longer in KLAL than in lr-CLAL transplantation, but it was not statistically significant. The staged procedure was more convenient than the simultaneous procedure in terms of corneal allograft clarity maintenance in limbal allograft-employed eyes.

Real-life experience of ranibizumab therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration from Turkey.

AIM: To report the real-life experience and clinical results of intravitreal ranibizumab injections to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in a single institution in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 101 eyes of 89 patients with nAMD treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection, followed up for at least 24mo between 2009 and June 2014, which were evaluated retrospectively. A pro re nata (PRN) treatment protocol was performed after the patients had received three, monthly loading injections. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness measurements were evaluated at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24mo. Number of injections and visits were also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 89 patients, 34 (38.2%) were male and 55 (61.8%) were female and the mean age was 74.0±9.5 (52-91)y. The mean follow-up period was 24.82±4.4 (24-29)mo. Mean number of visits was 8.4±1.12 (7-12) in the first year and 6.6±1.33 (4-12) in the second year. The mean number of injections was 5.8±1.6 (3-10) and 4.2±2.2 (0-9) in the first and second year, respectively. The mean BCVA was 59±15.8 letters at baseline by the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart. The mean BCVA at 3, 12, and 24mo was 70.3±15.9, 67.9±14.3 and 67.3±16.9 letters, respectively. Improvement in visual acuity for each of the visits from baseline was found to be statistically significant (P<0.01). Visual acuity in 9 eyes at month 3, 7 eyes at month 12, and 13 eyes at month 24 did not change. The mean central macular thickness (CMT) was 437.99±164.78 µm at baseline. The mean CMT was 348.05±138.47 µm, 349.27±139.79 µm, and 344.13±146.30 µm at months 3, 12, and 24, respectively. The decrease in CMT for each of the visits from baseline was found to be statistically significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Anatomical and functional achievement are obtained in our study, but the mean number of injections and visits are found to be lower than the findings reported in randomized controlled clinical trials in the literature. However, the mean number of injections and visits in our study are compatible with the findings reported in real-life experience studies in the literature.

Evaluation of Follow-Up and Treatment Results in Coats' Disease.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, follow-up and treatment results of patients diagnosed with Coats' disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 27 patients diagnosed with Coats' disease in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination and fundus photography was taken. Disease stage and treatment methods used were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 9.03 years; 21 patients were male and 6 were female. Three patients were older than 18 years old. Based on the Shields classification, 1 (3.7%) eye was stage 2A, 4 (14.8%) eyes were stage 2B, 6 (22.2%) were stage 3A1, 3 (11.1%) were stage 3A2, 1 (3.7%) was stage 3B, 4 (14.8%) were stage 4 and 8 (29.6%) were stage 5. Fourteen patients underwent treatment, 12 of whom had combined therapy. The most common treatment modalities were laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy. Encircling band was done in one patient and pars plana vitrectomy in 3 patients. Enucleation was done in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Coats' disease is a chronic disease and main goal of treatment is to eliminate the vascular anomalies and their complications using repetitive combination therapies. Treatment in the early stages can lead to functional success, and in advanced stages can result in a salvageable eye.

Comparision effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, propiverine on ocular parameters in eyes: A prospective study

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effects of solifenacin, darifenacin, and propiverine on nasal-, subfoveal-, temporal choroidal thicknesses (NCT, SFCT, TCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD). Materials and Methods Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) diagnosed according to The International Continence Society were administered with solifenacin, darifenacin or propiverine on a daily basis between November 2017 and May 2018. NCT, SFCT, TCT, IOP, and PD of these patients were measured and compared as initial, fourth and twelfth weeks. Results A total of 165 patients (330 eyes) with OAB were evaluated. Solifenacin (n=140) significantly reduced IOP from 17.30±2.72 mmHg to 16.67±2.56 mmHg (p=0.006) and 16.57±2.41 mmHg (p=0.002), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Darifenacin (n=110) significantly reduced NCT from 258.70±23.96 μm to 257.51±22.66 μm (p=0.002) and 255.36±19.69 μm (p=0.038), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Propiverine (n=80) significantly increased PD from 4.04±0.48 mm to 4.08±0.44 mm (p=0.009) and 4.09±0.45 mm (p=0.001), at the fourth and twelfth weeks, respectively. Conclusion These findings can help to decide appropriate anticholinergic drug choice in OAB patients. We finally suggest further well-designed randomized prospective studies with a larger population to evaluate the anticholinergic-related complications in eyes.