Is single-stage two-muscle surgery of 7-11 mm enough for large-angle exotropia?

PURPOSE: To report the effectiveness of single-stage two-muscle surgery of 7-11 mm in patients with large-angle exotropia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 34 patients with a large-angle comitant exodeviation was conducted. Patients were classified as severe (group 1) if the average deviation was ≥ 50 prism diopters (PD) and moderate (group 2) if their deviation ranged from 30 to 49 PD. A successful outcome of surgery was defined as deviation within 12 PD of orthophoria/tropia for both distance and near. RESULTS: The mean exodeviation was 49.5 ± 11.6 (range, 30-85) PD at distance and 50.3 ± 13.5 (range, 18-85) PD at near preoperatively. All patients underwent a recess/resect procedure. At the last visit, 25 (71%) of 34 patients in the entire group achieved successful alignment; it was higher in group 2 (81%) than in group 1 (67%); but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.45). Twelve patients had very poor vision (≤ counting fingers at 1 m) in one eye with a success rate of 83% in the short-term. Two patients had minimal asymmetrical abduction deficit and no patients reported permanent diplopia at the final postoperative evaluation. CONCLUSION: Large-angle exodeviations can be successfully corrected with a two-muscle surgical procedure without causing significant abduction deficiency. This choice has the advantage of 2 horizontal rectus muscles remaining untouched.

Optical coherence tomography parameters as predictors of treatment response to a 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

To determine the relation between retinal microstructural changes and the response to 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). This retrospective study included 39 eyes of 39 patients with cCSC, treated with the 577-nm SML. The eyes were evaluated in three groups: complete remission, partial remission, and failure groups. The presence of some baseline retinal microstructural changes, thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), status of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were evaluated. The changes in central macular thickness (CMT), subretinal fluid (SRF) height, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were calculated. There were 14, 13, and 12 eyes in the complete remission, partial remission, and failure group, respectively. The baseline EZ and RPE were found intact in 71.4% and 64.3% of the eyes in the complete remission group, respectively; however, these rates were respectively 25% and 16.7% in the failure group (p < 0.05). Extrafoveal foci were present in 35.7% of the eyes in the complete remission group, but none was found in the failure group (p < 0.05). Although there was no statistically significant difference, the baseline ONL thickness was higher, and the hyperreflective dots, retinal bumps, subretinal fibrinous exudates, and PEDs were seen less in the complete remission group. The changes of the BCVA were not significant in any of the groups at the last visit (p > 0.05). The presence of baseline intact EZ and RPE, and extrafoveal foci can potentially be used as predictors of the SML treatment success in cCSC.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF monotherapy versus anti-VEGF therapy combined with subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for diabetic macular edema.

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 577-nm subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) combined therapy with IVB monotherapy in the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). This retrospective study included 80 eyes of 80 patients; 40 eyes were treated with IVB monotherapy, and 40 eyes were treated with SML-IVB combined therapy. The mean number of required IVB injections and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) values were compared between the groups. The mean age of the patients was 60.19±7.43 years. The baseline characteristics of the patients were similar between the groups. In the SML-IVB combined group, the mean number of required SML sessions was 2.1±0.81. The mean number of required IVB injections was 4.38±0.81 in the SML-IVB combined group and 5.65±1.51 in the IVB monotherapy group (p<0.05). The increase of the BCVA was significant in the SML-IVB combined group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months; however, in the IVB monotherapy group, it was only significant at the 3rd month (p<0.05). The mean CMT values of the 3rd, 9th, and 12th months were similar between the groups (p>0.05); only at the 6th month was it significantly lower in the SML-IVB combined group (p<0.05). When compared with baseline, the decrease of the CMT was statistically significant in both groups at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months (p<0.05). In this study, a significant benefit of adding SML to IVB therapy was found with less IVB need, although a very significant increase in BCVA could not be achieved. The use of SML-IVB combined treatment may be an effective and safe alternative for DME.

Agreement of keratometric readings measured using rotating Scheimpflug imaging, auto-refractokeratometer, and biograph in eyes with keratoconus.

AIM: To determine agreement in keratometric readings obtained using rotating Scheimpflug imaging with Pentacam, biograph with Lenstar LS900, and Topcon KR-8100P auto-keratorefractometer in eyes with different stages of keratoconus. METHODS: A total of 89 eyes of 58 patients with keratoconus were examined in this study, retrospectively. The eyes were divided into two groups: mild group (group 1: 42 eyes) (Amsler-Krumeich stage 1) and moderate-to-severe group (group 2: 47 eyes) (Amsler-Krumeich stage 2, 3, 4). The keratometric readings measured using the Pentacam Scheimpflug system, Lenstar LS900, and Topcon KR-8100P auto-keratorefractometer were compared between the groups. The effects of the measurements of anterior chamber depth, Q value, axial length, central corneal thickness (CCT), and maximum value of keratometry (Kmax) on the differences of devices for keratometric readings were investigated. RESULTS: The mean values of the keratometric readings obtained using the Lenstar were steeper than with the Pentacam and Topcon, especially in group 2. In group 1, the mean K2 values measured using the Lenstar were significantly steeper than with the Topcon (p < 0.05); however, the devices were accordant for the other keratometric readings. In group 2, there was an agreement between the Pentacam and Topcon for the mean K1 and Km values; however, there were significant differences between the devices for the other values. The Q value and CCT had a negative correlation, and Kmax had a positive correlation with the differences of Lenstar-Pentacam and Lenstar-Topcon (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: According to our results, Pentacam-Topcon and Pentacam-Lenstar can be used interchangeably for keratometry in mild stages of keratoconus. The keratometric readings of Lenstar were found steeper than the other devices with increasing grades of keratoconus. None of these devices can be used interchangeably in moderate-to-severe stages of keratoconus.

Comparison of choroidal structural changes between children born preterm without retinopathy of prematurity and age-matched children born at full term.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of prematurity on choroidal structure in children born preterm with no history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by comparing them with age-matched healthy children born at full term. METHODS: Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) scans of children aged 5 to 9 years with a history of prematurity but no history of ROP, and age-matched full-term healthy children were evaluated, retrospectively. Choroidal thicknesses (CTs) were measured at subfoveal (SFCT), 1000 µm temporal and nasal from the fovea (T1, N1), and 2000 µm temporal and nasal (T2, N2) from the fovea. The EDI-OCT images were binarized to stromal (SA) and luminal areas (LA) using the ImageJ software. The choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was calculated by dividing LA by the total choroidal area (TCA). RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 15 preterm children and 41 eyes of 26 full-term children were included. Demographic characteristics including axial length (AL), eye side, age, and the sex of the children in the groups were similar (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean CVI, SFCT, N1, and T1 values between the groups (p>0.05); however, the mean T2 and N2 values were significantly higher in the full-term group than in the preterm group (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the birth week and the T1 (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: Prematurity can affect CT even with no history of ROP. The decreases in CTs were significant at 2000 µm nasal and temporal from the fovea. The impairment of temporal choroidal region was more evident than nasal choroidal region. The mean CVI values were similar between the groups.

Evaluation of retinal and choroidal parameters as neurodegeneration biomarkers in patients with post-covid-19 syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the neurodegenerative effects of post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: This comparative, cross-sectional study included patients who had post-COVID-19 prolonged neurologic symptoms. The control group was selected from volunteer participants with similar age, sex, and spherical equivalent characteristics. After detailed ophthalmic examinations, spectral-domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) analysis of the macula and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (m-RNFL, p-RNFL respectively) were obtained. We also evaluated the choroidal parameters with the ImageJ software. Post-COVID-19 symptoms and disease severity of the patients were also questioned. RESULTS: Thirty-four eyes of 20 patients, and 39 eyes of 23 healthy individuals were included in the study. Thinning was found in the inner superior quadrant of mRNFL (p < 0.05). More prominent and common thinning of retinal layers was observed in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) segments in the patient group. There was no difference between the groups in the calculated choroidal parameters (p > 0.05). In the regression models created, lung involvement was the most prominent parameter associated with thinning of the OCT layers. The other factors were male sex, and the presence of loss of taste and smell also led to deterioration in some parameters. CONCLUSIONS: We detected an overall thinning of the GCL and IPL layers with no significant change in CMT, pRNFL, and CVI in the post-COVID-19 period, indicating the direct or indirect effect of SARS-CoV-2 on these layers, rather than a long-term neurodegenerative effect.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and continuous positive airway pressure treatment on choroidal structure.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on choroidal structural changes and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with OSAS. METHODS: Choroidal structural changes in patients with OSAS immediately after diagnosis and 12 months after CPAP treatment were evaluated and compared with healthy controls. The choroidal images on enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) were binarized into luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) using the ImageJ software. CVI was calculated as the ratio of LA to total choroid area (TCA). The correlations between the results of polysomnography (PSG) and choroidal parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 48 eyes of 48 patients (22 patients with OSAS, and 26 controls) were included. The mean age of the patients was 47.21 ± 8.82 (range, 30-63) years. The mean CVI values were 68.10 ± 1.80% in the OSAS group before CPAP therapy, and 69.22 ± 1.40% in the control group (p < 0.05). After 12 months of regular CPAP therapy, the mean CVI value increased significantly to 69.15 ± 1.77%, and SA decreased significantly from 0.51 ± 0.07 mm2 to 0.48 ± 0.07 mm2 in the OSAS group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between the results of PSG and choroidal structural parameters. CONCLUSION: According to our results, OSAS was associated with increased stromal oedema in the choroid, which improved after 12 months of regular CPAP therapy. CVI can be an important parameter for the follow-up of patients with OSAS.

Clinical value of phenylephrine testing in the upper and lower eyelids of patients with aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis.

AIM: To characterize the phenylephrine test in aponeurotic and congenital eyelid ptosis, to determine the appropriate timing of the phenylephrine test, and to assess the responses of the upper and lower eyelids. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 140 eyes of 87 patients (mean age 52.29±16.45y; 22 males, 65 females) with upper eyelid ptosis. Totally 88.6% had aponeurotic and 11.4% had congenital ptosis. For the evaluation of the responses of the upper and lower eyelids to topical 2.5% phenylephrine, the scleral show height, the marginal reflex distance (MRD) between the inferior margin of the upper eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD1), and between the central portion of the lower eyelid and pupillary light reflex (MRD2) were measured at the 2nd, 5th, and 15th minutes. The changes of MRD1 and MRD2 with time (ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2) were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean MRD1, MRD2, and scleral show heights increased within 5min after testing, remaining largely stable between the 5th-15th minutes. The percentage of eyes with a greater response in MRD1 increased with increased severity of ptosis (P<0.05). Eyes with aponeurotic ptosis were more responsive to phenylephrine testing than congenital ptosis. The mild ptosis group had lower scleral show measurements and higher ΔMRD2 values. The ΔMRD1 and ΔMRD2 values were poorly correlated in all measurement times. CONCLUSION: Performing the phenylephrine test 5min after instilling the reagent is adequate to assess the maximum response of the upper and lower eyelids. The upper and lower eyelid responses in phenylephrine testing are poorly correlated. However, the ΔMRD2 is related with baseline scleral show degree that may be a postoperative predictive factor. Further studies are necessary to determine the relationship between the responses of the lower eyelids to phenylephrine testing.

Comparison of the choroidal structural components and choroidal vascularity index between patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy controls.

AIM: To compare the choroidal structural components and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) between patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and healthy controls. METHODS: The choroidal images of the eyes of patients with OSAS and healthy controls, which were obtained by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), were binarized into luminal area (LA) and stromal area (SA) using the ImageJ software. CVI was calculated as the ratio of LA to the total choroid area (TCA). The CVI, LA, SA, and TCA measurements were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Seventy-one eyes of 57 patients, 33 eyes of 27 patients with OSAS and 38 eyes of 30 healthy individuals, were included. The mean age of all patients was 46.77±9.75 (range, 30-67) years. There was no statistically significant difference for age, sex, axial length (AL) or the side of the eyes between the groups (p>0.05). The mean body mass index (BMI) of the patients was significantly higher in the OSAS group (p<0.05). The mean CVI value was 68.33±1.81% in the OSAS group and 69.21±1.27% in the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference for the mean values of LA, SA, and TCA between the groups (p>0.05). No significant correlation was found between the polysomnography test results and the choroidal measurements (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, CVI was found to be lower in patients with OSAS than in the healthy controls. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to evaluate the role of CVI in OSAS.

Comparison of half-dose versus half-fluence versus standard photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of half-dose vs. half-fluence vs. standard photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 eyes of 61 patients with cCSC who were treated with half-dose PDT (verteporfin 3 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2), half-fluence PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 25 J/cm2) or standard PDT (verteporfin 6 mg/m2 and light energy 50 J/cm2). The complete resorption of subretinal fluid (SRF) and changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) over the follow-up period were also assessed. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes (65.2 %) in the half-dose PDT group, 12 eyes (80 %) in the half-fluence PDT group, and 20 eyes (76.9 %) in the standard PDT group showed complete resolution of SRF. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean BCVA improvement, CRT and SRF height reduction, number of PDT sessions, complete success, and recurrence rates between groups (p > 0.05). None of the eyes with intact EZ showed failure. There were positive correlations between higher mean CRT values of the last visit, 1st, 3rd, 6th months and failure. None of the treated eyes (0%) developed any systemic or local adverse events. CONCLUSION: Half-dose, half-fluence or standard PDTs are all effective and safe treatment choices in cCSC with similar BCVA improvements and CRT reductions. The higher mean CRT values of the follow-up period were correlated with failure, and in eyes with intact EZ showed no failure.

Ex-PRESS implantation for different types of glaucoma.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical results, efficacy and safety of Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implant in different types of medically uncontrolled glaucoma. METHODS: The study included 31 eyes of 31 patients that were unresponsive to medical antiglaucomatous therapy in whom Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation was performed. The demographic characteristics of the patients, type of glaucoma, complete ocular examination results, number of antiglaucomatous drugs before and after surgery, early and late complications of surgery, additional surgical and nonsurgical medical interventions, and success rates were investigated from the patients' files, retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up time was 16.4±7.5mo. The preoperative mean corrected intraocular pressure (IOP) was 28.7±10.3 mm Hg and postoperative mean corrected IOP was 15.3±5.2 mm Hg (P<0.05) at the last visit. The mean IOP reduction was 39.9% when the preoperative and postoperative values of the last visits were compared. The average number of antiglaucomatous drug use decreased from 3.9±0.3 to 1.7±1.7 postoperatively (P<0.05). The use of antiglaucomatous medications at the last visit was more than in other studies in the literature. The most common complication was conjunctival leakage, which was seen in 7 patients. Other early complications were iris touch, intravitreal hemorrhage, hyphema, choroidal effusion, early transient hypotonia and corneal edema. One of the late complications was endophthalmitis which was seen in one case 6mo after the operation, and the other late complication was opacification of the cornea in one patient. Twelve additional surgical operations associated to Ex-PRESS surgery and 3 bleb needling have done. At the last visit, the complete success rate was 32.3% and the qualified success rate was 77.5% in all patients. CONCLUSION: Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation may be an effective procedure for medically uncontrolled glaucoma with significantly lower use of antiglaucomatous medications.

The Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for the Treatment of Macular Edema Related to Retinal Vein Occlusion: Real-life Data and Prognostic Factors in a Turkish Population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone (DEX) implants as mono or combination therapy for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with real-life conditions, and to detect factors that influence final visual acuity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five eyes with macular edema secondary to RVO underwent assessments for central macular thickness (CMT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), adverse events, and also morphologic changes in optical coherence tomography at an interval of 4-8 weeks after at least one DEX implant. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes with branch RVO and 8 eyes with central RVO were eligible for the study. The mean follow-up duration was 17 months (range, 12-26 months). Both mean BCVA (p=0.009) and CMT (p=0.006) improved significantly, and visual gains of ≥3 lines were achieved in 32% and ≥2 lines in 52% at the end of the follow-up period. The most powerful individual predictor of final visual acuity was baseline BCVA (r2=0.611, p<0.001, stepwise multiple regression), but the most efficient model was the combination of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity and baseline BCVA (r2=0.766, p<0.001, stepwise multiple regression). Complication rates were very low after repeated DEX implants. CONCLUSION: DEX implant seems to be an effective and safe treatment for macular edema in RVO despite negative real-life factors, and visual outcomes are associated with baseline visual acuity and EZ integrity.

Cilioretinal artery: Vasculogenesis might be promoted by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 5G allele.

BACKGROUND: Cilioretinal arteries (CAs) represent enlargements of microscopic and early established collaterals formed via vasculogenesis between choroidal and retinal circulations. We aimed to investigate whether genetic tendency to thrombosis due to well-known gene polymorphisms may induce CA vasculogenesis in embryonic life. METHODS: We assessed plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G, methylenetetrahydrofolatereductase (MTHFR), FACTOR V LEIDEN and PROTHROMBIN gene polymorphisms on 130 patients [82/48 females/males; Median age: 57 (18-84) with visible CAs and 100 (64/36: female/male; Median age: 55 (19-90)] without visible CAs. RESULTS: Using multiple logistic regression models, we found PAI-1 4G/5G; MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) polymorphisms to have significant effects on the probability of visible CAs, that having at least one 5G allele would increase the odds of having visible cilioretinal artery by 98.4% [Odds ratio: 1984 (95% CI: 1.320-3.000, p = 0.001)], and having at least one MTHFR C677T or A1298C allele would decrease the odds of having visible CAs by approximately 38% (OR = 0.618, 95% CI: 0.394-0.961, p = 0.035) or 44% (OR = 0.558, 95% CI: 0.354-0.871, p = 0.011), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to test the existence of significant association between presence of enlarged and visible CAs and genetic factors predisposing to thrombosis, according to the literature. Here we suggest that not only the lack of genetic predisposition to thrombosis by MTHFR gene polymorphisms, but also the PAI-1 5G allele might promote vasculogenesis of CAs.