Association of Dry Eye with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Clinical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye disease (DED) is a common disorder, accounting for up to 35% of the general population. Therefore, we hypothesized that laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), inducing refluxate rising into airways, may involve the ocular surface and may either induce or worsen DED. AIM: To investigate the prevalence and relevance of suspected LPR in DED patients and subjects with refractive problems (RP) without DED, they were defined as non-dry eye group (NEG) in clinical practice. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive patients evaluated because of dry eye-like symptoms at eight tertiary ophthalmological clinics. Parameters included reflux symptom index (RSI), ocular surface disease index (OSDI), symptom assessment in dry eye (SANDE) for frequency and severity, Schirmer test, tear break-up time (BUT), and Oxford grading. RESULTS: The study included 245 subjects (72.5% females; mean age 56.3 years), 152 DED patients, and 93 sex- and age-matched NEG subjects. Pathological RSI (score>13) was detected in 80 subjects (32.6%); 68 (85%) with DED and 12 (15%) CG (OR = 8; p < .0001). In NEG, pathological RSI was associated with higher SANDE (Frequency and Severity), OSDI, and Schirmer scores (OR = 16.36; 14.51; 12.54; and 7.22, respectively. In DED patients, pathological RSI was associated with higher OSDI values (OR = 8.75). CONCLUSION: Patients with DED are at eight times higher risk for having pathological RSI than NEG patients. Moreover, pathological RSI was associated with more severe ocular symptoms both in DED and non-DED patients. The role of LPR in definite DED patients remains to be clarified, but this condition deserves to be investigated in managing patients with DED symptoms.

Clinical staining of the ocular surface: mechanisms and interpretations.

In this article we review the mechanism of ocular surface staining. Water-soluble dyes are excluded from the normal epithelium by tight junctions, the plasma membranes and the surface glycocalyx. Shed cells can take up dye. A proportion of normal corneas show sparse, scattered time-dependent, punctate fluorescein uptake, which, we hypothesise, is due to a graded loss of the glycocalyx barrier, permitting transcellular entry into pre-shed cells. In pathological staining, there is little evidence of 'micropooling' at sites of shedding and the term 'punctate erosion' may be a misnomer. It is more likely that the initial event involves transcellular dye entry and, in addition, diffusion across defective tight junctions. Different dye-staining characteristics probably reflect differences in molecular size and other physical properties of each dye, coupled with differences in visibility under the conditions of illumination used. This is most relevant to the rapid epithelial spread of fluorescein from sites of punctate staining, compared to the apparent confinement of dyes to staining cells with dyes such as lissamine green and rose bengal. We assume that fluorescein, with its lower molecular weight, spreads initially by a paracellular route and then by transcellular diffusion. Solution-Induced Corneal Staining (SICS), related to the use of certain contact lens care solutions, may have a different basis, involving the non-pathological uptake of cationic preservatives, such as biguanides, into epithelial membranes and secondary binding of the fluorescein anion. It is transient and may not imply corneal toxicity. Understanding the mechanism of staining is relevant to the standardisation of grading, to monitoring disease and to the conduct of clinical trials.

In vivo confocal microscopic evaluation of keratic precipitates and endothelial morphology in Fuchs' uveitis syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the endothelial cell layer in patients with Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS) with respect to the type and distribution of keratic precipitates (KP), endothelial cell morphology, and endothelial cell density (ECD), using in vivoconfocal microscopy (IVCM). METHODS: Forty eyes of 40 patients (mean age of 32.2 ± 12.5 years) with the clinical diagnosis of FUS were evaluated with IVCM (Confoscan 3.0, Vigonza, Italy). KP were classified as type I (small, round), type II (stippled), type III (dendritiform), and type IV (globular). When >1 KP type was present, differentiation between the predominant and less frequent KP was made as 'primary' and 'secondary'. ECD was measured and compared with age-matched 60 control subjects. Endothelial blebs were classified as small (3-10 µm) or large (>10 µm). RESULTS: In 36 (90.0%) cases with FUS, more than one KP type was observed with IVCM. Type III (dendritiform) KP was the most frequently observed primary KP type (85.0%), followed by type II (stippled) KP (15.0%). Secondary KP included type II (58.3%), type IV (globular) (27.8%), and type III (13.9%). The mean endothelial cell density of eyes with FUS (2588 ± 396 cells/mm(2)) was significantly lower than that of control subjects (2930 ± 364 cells/mm(2)) (t-test; P<0.001). Eyes with FUS had lower proportion of hexagonal cells and higher percentage of polymegethism compared with the uninvolved contralateral eyes. Endothelial blebs (21 small, 16 large blebs) were observed in 37 (92.5%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: FUS is characterized by dendritiform KP and is associated with decreased ECD and altered endothelial cell morphology.

Association of polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 with primary open-angle glaucoma in Turkish patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between Apolipoprotein E (APOE), tumor suppressor protein p53 (p53), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) genes and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a cohort of Turkish subjects. METHODS: Seventy-five POAG patients (49 women, 26 men) and 119 healthy subjects (67 women, 52 men) were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Allele and genotype frequencies between healthy subjects and glaucoma patients were compared by the chi(2) test, and intraocular pressure (IOP), cup/disc ratio (C/D) and visual field indices (MD and PSD) were compared among different APOE, p53, and p21 genotypes in POAG group. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean ages were 63.8+/-9.5 and 61.8+/-10.2 years in POAG and control groups, respectively (p=0.18). There were no significant differences in the distribution of APOE, p53, and p21 genotypes between the healthy subjects and POAG patients (p=0.38, p=0.12, and p=0.2, respectively). There were no significant differences in maximum IOP, MD, and PSD values among different groups of p53 and p21 genotypes (p>0.05). POAG subjects with the epsilon2epsilon3 genotype had a worse PSD value (median=2.2) than those with the epsilon3epsilon4 genotype (median=1.77; p=0.01) and POAG subjects with the epsilon3epsilon3 genotype had worse MD and PSD values (median= -7.4 and 3.4, respectively) than those with the epsilon3epsilon4 genotype (median= -4.1 and 1.77, respectively; p=0.034 and 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no link between polymorphisms in APOE, p53, and p21 genes and POAG in Turkish patients, although a larger sample is required to elucidate the role of these polymorphisms in the pathogenesis and course of glaucoma.

Mean intraocular pressure and progression based on corneal thickness in patients with ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of glaucomatous progression at mean intraocular pressure (IOP) levels in patients with ocular hypertension (OHT). METHODS: A retrospective, multicentre, cohort analysis of 230 OHT patients with 5 years of follow-up evaluated for risk factors associated with progressive optic disc and visual field loss to determine the incidence of glaucomatous progression. RESULTS: Forty percent of patients with IOPs > or = 24 mmHg, 18% of patients with IOPs of 21-23 mmHg, 11% of patients with IOPs with 18-20 mmHg, and 3% of patients with IOPs of < or = 17 mmHg progressed to glaucoma. The mean IOP was 19.8+/-2.4 mmHg in the stable group and 21.7+/-2.6 mmHg in the progressed group (P=0.0004). The highest average peak IOP was 23.4+/-4.0 mmHg in the stable group and 25.2+/-3.1 mmHg in the progressed group (P=0.006). Based on the pachymetry values for central corneal thickness, patients with thinner corneas more often progressed to glaucoma (P<0.0001). A multivariant regression analysis to determine risk factors for progression was positive primarily for higher peak IOPs, older age, male gender, argon laser trabeculoplasty, visual acuity > or = 20/50, and no topical medical therapy or beta-blocker therapy prior to the study. CONCLUSIONS: IOP reduction within the normal range over 5 years of follow-up reduces the chance of progression to primary open-angle glaucoma in OHT patients.

Keratic precipitate morphology in uveitic syndromes including Behçet's disease as evaluated with in vivo confocal microscopy.

PURPOSE: To identify the morphologic appearance of keratic precipitates (KPs) with in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in uveitic syndromes. METHODS: A total of 75 eyes of 72 patients with a mean age of 38.6+/-15.1 years who had active intraocular inflammation and whose corneas had KP on slit-lamp examination were included in this study. IVCM (Confoscan 3.0, Vigonza, Italy) was used to image the part of the corneal endothelium in which KP were most densely deposited. KP were classified into five groups: type I (small, round), type II (stippled), type III (dendritiform), type IV (large, smooth-rounded), and type V (globular). When more than one type of KP was observed with IVCM, a distinction between the predominant and the less frequent KP was made as 'primary' and 'secondary' KP. RESULTS: In 50 (66.7%) eyes more than one type of KP was imaged. The size of the KP ranged between 5 and 150 microm. The most frequently observed primary KP type in Behçet's disease was type I (100%), in ankylosing spondylitis type II (57.1%), in Fuchs' uveitis syndrome type III (85.7%), in granulomatous uveitis type V (42.9%), in infectious uveitis type III (66.7%), and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis type I (66.7%). The KP types showed a statistically significant difference between different uveitic syndromes (Fisher's exact test, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Certain KP types appear to be characteristic of various uveitic syndromes. IVCM may have a potential role in the diagnostic work-up of uveitic patients.

Serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E levels in patients with allergic conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in patients with various types of allergic conjunctivitis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), 17 patients with perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), and 10 patients with vernal conjunctivitis (VC) were included in the study. Specific IgE levels to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), mixed grass pollens, and animal epithelia were measured using Pharmacia CAP system (Pharmacia Diagnostic AB, Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS: The percentage of subjects with specific IgE against Dp and Df was statistically higher in VC (30%) compared to PAC (5.9%) and SAC (0%) (p=0.03). Specific IgE against mixed grass pollens was found in 30% of VC and 40% of SAC, whereas 10% of VC and 8% of SAC patients were found to be hypersensitive to animal epithelia. CONCLUSIONS: Allergic reaction against house dust mites and pollens was common in VC, whereas specific IgE against grass pollens was remarkable in SAC. IgE levels specific to various antigens might be measured by UNICAP system, which is a rapid and practical technology.

Systemic associations and prevalence of exfoliation syndrome in patients scheduled for cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the frequency of exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and its association with intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic diseases in patients with age-related cataract scheduled for surgery. METHODS: All 1480 cataract patients had a comprehensive systemic and eye examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy before and after mydriasis, IOP measurement, gonioscopy, and fundus examination. RESULTS: The percentage of XFS among patients scheduled for cataract surgery was 16.4, with no gender difference (p=0.833). The mean age of XFS patients (74.3+/-7.0 years) was significantly higher when compared to the ones without XFS (66.5+/-10.9 years) (p<0.001). XFS was unilateral in 41.3% of the subjects and bilateral in 58.7%. The number of subjects with XFS increased significantly with aging (p<0.001) (OR=1.093, 95% CI=1.073-1.14) (p<0.001). The most common type of cataract was nuclear in the XFS group (33.5%) and 24.6% of patients with mature cataract had XFS. In the XFS group, 11.2% of the subjects had glaucoma, which was statistically higher than the non-XFS group (4.6%) (p<0.001) (OR=2.67, 95% CI=1.65-4.32). Eighty-four patients had glaucoma and 27 of them (32.1%) had exfoliative glaucoma. The only systemic disease that was found to be associated with XFS was coronary heart disease with an OR of 1.49 (95% CI=1.068-2.072) (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: XFS is a common problem in the aging cataract population of Turkey and increased IOP, glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and coronary heart disease occur more frequently in patients with XFS compared with subjects without XFS.

Diurnal IOP control with bimatoprost versus latanoprost in exfoliative glaucoma: a crossover, observer-masked, three-centre study.

AIM: To evaluate the diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) control and safety of bimatoprost versus latanoprost in exfoliative glaucoma (XFG). METHODS: One eye of 129 consecutive patients with XFG (mean (SD) age 66.5 (8.3) years) was included in this prospective, observer-masked, three-centre, crossover comparison. After a 4-6 week medicine-free period patients were randomised to bimatoprost or latanoprost monotherapy for 3 months. Patients were then switched to the opposite treatment for another 3 months. At the end of the washout and the treatment periods diurnal IOP was measured at 0800, 1300, and 1800. RESULTS: At baseline the IOP (mean (SD)) was 28.0 (4.0), 26.9 (3.6), and 25.9 (3.6) mm Hg, at the three time points, respectively. Both treatments significantly reduced mean diurnal IOP at month 3. Mean diurnal IOP was 26.9 (3.5) mm Hg at baseline, 17.6 (3.3) mm Hg with bimatoprost, and 18.6 (3.6) mm Hg with latanoprost (p<0.0001). Furthermore, lower IOP values were obtained with bimatoprost at all time points (17.9 (3.4), 17.3 (3.3), and 17.6 (3.5) mm Hg, respectively) compared with latanoprost (18.7 (3.6), 18.5 (3.6), and 18.6 (4.1) mm Hg, respectively). The corresponding mean differences (0.8, 1.1, and 1.0 mm Hg, respectively) were all significant (p<0.001 for each comparison). Significantly more patients with XFG obtained a target diurnal IOP <17 mm Hg with bimatoprost than with latanoprost, 55/123 (45%) v 34/123 (28%); (p = 0.001), and significantly fewer patients were non-responders with bimatoprost than with latanoprost (5 v 13, p = 0.021). More patients reported at least one adverse event with bimatoprost than with latanoprost (58 v 41 at 3 months; p = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: This crossover study suggests that better diurnal IOP control is obtained with bimatoprost than with latanoprost in patients with XFG.

Relationship between short wavelength perimetry and central corneal thickness values in ocular hypertensive subjects.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of short wavelength perimetry (SWAP) of ocular hypertensive (OHT) patients and correlate these findings with central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements. METHODS: Thirty-seven OHT patients with a mean age of 50.2+/-8.2 (SD) years and 30 control subjects with a mean age of 50.3+/-8.5 (SD) years were included in this study. A questionnaire was applied to patients to evaluate the demographic risk factors that may predict glaucoma development. After a detailed ophthalmologic examination, achromatic and short wavelength perimetries and ultrasonic pachymetry were performed and the results were compared between the two groups with Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test. A p value<0.05 is considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean CCT was higher in the OHT group (right eye; 558.13+/-28.39 microm and left eye; 558.94+/-27.30 microm) when compared with the control subjects (524.66+/-30.53 microm and 525.86+/-30.46 microm, respectively) (p<0.01). A significant positive correlation was found between CCT measurements and intraocular pressure (r=0.5, p<0.001). Four right eyes (10.8%) and five left eyes (13.5%) of OHT patients had defects in SWAP. OHT patients with SWAP abnormalities had significantly lower CCT measurements in right (527.25+/-17.34 microm) and left eye (528.80+/-13.60 microm) when compared with OHT patients without SWAP defects (561.87+/-27.29 microm and 563.65+/-25.92 microm, respectively) (p<0.05). Significant correlations were found between CCT and SWAP MD, PSD, and CPSD (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OHT patients with SWAP abnormalities had significantly lower CCT measurements than those without. CCT is considered as a risk factor for the development of glaucomatous damage in OHT patients.

Remifentanil versus propofol sedation for peribulbar anesthesia.

The short onset and offset of remifentanil may allow for accurate dosing of sedative effect with few side-effects and rapid recovery. In this study, remifentanil is compared with propofol for sedation intraocular pressure hemodynamics and oxygen saturation, in patients undergoing cataract surgery with peribulbar block. After ethical committee approval, fifty patients scheduled for one eye cataract surgery were enrolled into the prospective study. Remifentanil infusion was initialized at a rate of 0.04 microg/kg/min, 10 min before peribulbar anesthesia in Remifentanil group (Group R). In Propofol Group (Group P), propofol infusion of 2 mg/kg/h was reduced to 1mg/kg/h. Intraocular pressures of the contralateral eye were measured before and after peribulbar anesthesia and at the end of the operation. Sedation scores (1-5), hemodynamic parameters and saturation were assessed at 5 minute intervals. Heart rate, intraocular pressure, saturation and sedation scores were similar between groups. Intraocular pressures decreased within time in both groups. There were significant changes in mean blood pressure after 5th min between groups (P < 0.05). The infusion of remifentanil or propofol for sedation provided adequate sedation, hemodynamic stability without increasing intraocular pressure during surgery in patients undergoing cataract surgery with peribulbar anesthesia.

Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with ocular and cerebral vasculitis: an angiographic and radiologic study.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) associated with ocular and cerebral vasculitis. METHODS: The authors report a 38-year-old woman who presented with bilateral uveitis 7 years after a penetrating trauma to the right eye. Ocular examination included fundus fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography. Medical history disclosed an episode of dysarthria and right-sided weakness. RESULTS: Anterior uveitis was present in the previously injured pseudophakic right eye, which harbored a piece of glass stuck in the lower temporal iris. In the left eye, vitreal inflammation with retinal sheathing and subretinal lesions was predominant. Besides retinal vasculitis, fundus angiography showed choroidal vasculitis. Neurologic studies were compatible with cerebral vasculitis. CONCLUSIONS: In SO, choroidal vasculitis that is invisible clinically can be demonstrated angiographically. Although rare, inflammation can also affect the nervous system.

The evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer in pigment dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma using scanning laser polarimetry.

PURPOSE: To measure the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS) using scanning laser polarimetry and to compare these measurements with those of normal subjects and patients with pigmentary glaucoma (PG). METHODS: Age-, sex-, and refractive error-matched subjects--18 patients with PDS, 18 patients with PG, and 20 healthy subjects--were evaluated by scanning laser polarimetry (Nerve Fiber Analyzer [NFA] GDx). The NFA did not have a compensator for corneal polarization. One randomly selected eye from each patient was included in the statistical analysis. The NFA measurements of patients with PDS and PG and healthy subjects were compared statistically using analysis of variance, Tukey multiple comparisons, chi-square, and independent t-tests. RESULTS: The mean values for average thickness, superior and inferior maximum, superior and inferior average, ellipse average thickness, and superior integral were found to be lower in the patients with PDS (p < 0.02) and PG (p < 0.005) compared to the normal subjects. The mean values for maximum modulation, superior ratio, inferior ratio, and superior/nasal ratio in PDS were in between those of the PG and control groups (p > 0.05). The ellipse modulation was significantly lower in the PG group when compared to the other two groups (p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal nerve fiber loss is present to some extent in patients with PDS and this loss is not age or sex dependent. Parameters of modulation might be more representative of significant damage of the nerve fiber layer.

Autogenous versus allograft fascia lata in frontal sling surgery --long-term results.

PURPOSE: Either autogenous or allograft fascia lata frontal sling procedures can be used for the treatment of severe ptosis. We retrospectively evaluated the late outcomes of both approaches. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent frontal sling ptosis surgery between 1978 and 2000, with a follow-up of one year or more were included in the study. Success rates and the complications of the surgery for autogenous and allograft fascia lata were recorded. The results were compared statistically. RESULTS: Surgeries were performed with 82 autogenous or 43 allograft fascia lata. At last follow-up there were 71 eyes (86.6%) with good, 8 eyes (9.7%) with moderate, 3 eyes (3.7%) with poor results after autogenous fascia lata and 35 (81.4%), 3 (7%) and 5 (11.6%) after the allograft fascia lata frontal sling procedure. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Repeat surgery was carried out on three patients after autogenous and five after allograft fascia lata surgery. Two cases of preseptal cellulitis were observed, one abscess after autogenous and one lagophthalmus after allograft fascia lata sling surgery. All patients had slight edema early after surgery which resolved in a few days. Only one patient developed a hematoma at the site of the leg incision. CONCLUSIONS: Although the long-term success rate with the autogenous fascia lata is slightly higher and this remains the first choice, allograft fascia lata is a good alternative in patients in whom fascia could not be harvested.

Corneal neovascularization possibly associated with latanoprost therapy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of corneal neovascularization possibly associated with latanoprost therapy. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old man developed a progressive stromal corneal neovascularization in his right eye within eight months of a corneal trauma. At admission, he was receiving latanoprost 0.005% therapy. His topical medications were rearranged: latanoprost was replaced with carteolol hydrochloride 1% twice daily bilaterally and prednisolone acetate 1% was added twice daily in the right eye. RESULTS: One month later, he presented regression of the corneal neovascularization and an increase in visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Latanoprost, an arachidonic acid derivative, could have directly or indirectly stimulated the corneal neovascularization in this patient with a history of nonpenetrating corneal trauma.