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1.
Int Ophthalmol ; 44(1): 218, 2024 May 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38713290

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the levels of anxiety and depression in patients with symptomatic vitreous floaters and to determine the possible correlations of psychological implications with the symptoms duration and possible improvement, the degree of posterior vitreous detachment, and the discomfort severity. METHODS: Ninety patients complaining for floaters and fifty-seven age- and gender-matched healthy-control subjects were recruited. Every participant underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including funduscopy and optical coherence tomography scans, while clinical and demographic data were also gathered. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Zung Depression Inventory-Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung SDS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were completed by everyone. RESULTS: Between the studied groups, no significant differences were detected regarding the clinical and demographic data (p > 0.05). The patients with floaters had significantly higher scores of PHQ-9, Zung SDS, HADS Anxiety, and HADS Depression (p < 0.001). After adjustment for several confounders, PHQ-9 (p = 0.041), Zung SDS (p = 0.003), and HADS Anxiety (p = 0.036) values remained significantly impaired. Among the patients, PHQ-9 and Zung SDS scores were significantly elevated in the patients with floaters duration less than 4 weeks (p < 0.05). Finally, anxiety and depression were significantly correlated with the symptoms duration and intensity, with the floater-associated discomfort, and with the stage of posterior vitreous detachment. CONCLUSION: Vitreous floaters have a negative impact on patients' psychological status, by the terms of enhanced depressive and anxiety levels. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first in the literature to elaborate the aforementioned association, by assessing three different questionnaires simultaneously.


Subject(s)
Anxiety , Depression , Vision Disorders , Vitreous Body , Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Vitreous Body/diagnostic imaging , Vitreous Body/pathology , Depression/etiology , Depression/diagnosis , Adult , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/etiology , Eye Diseases/diagnosis , Eye Diseases/psychology , Tomography, Optical Coherence/methods , Surveys and Questionnaires , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Vitreous Detachment/diagnosis , Vitreous Detachment/psychology , Vitreous Detachment/complications
2.
Int Ophthalmol ; 43(10): 3633-3650, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37428299

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyse the demography, etiology, and classification of uveitis at a tertiary academic referral center. METHODS: An observational study was conducted on the archives of uveitic patients at the Ocular Inflammation Service of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Ioannina (Greece) from 1991 to 2020. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological profile of patients, including their demographics and the main etiologic factors of uveitis. RESULTS: Out of 6191 cases with uveitis, 1925 were infectious, 4125 were non-infectious, and an overall of 141 masquerade syndromes were recorded. Among these cases, 5950 patients were adults, with a slight female predominance, while 241 were children (< 18 years old). Interestingly, 24.2% of cases (1500 patients) were associated with 4 specific microorganisms. Herpetic uveitis (HSV-1 and VZV/HZV) was the most common cause of infectious uveitis (14.87%), followed by toxoplasmosis (6.6%) and tuberculosis (2.74%). In 49.2% of non-infectious uveitis cases, no systematic correlation was found. The most frequent causes of non-infectious uveitis included sarcoidosis, white dot syndromes, ankylosing spondylitis, lens-induced uveitis, Adamantiades-Behçet disease, and idiopathic juvenile arthritis. Infectious uveitis was more common in the rural population, whereas non-infectious uveitis was more frequently recorded in the urban population CONCLUSIONS: Although our study was conducted on a predominantly white Caucasian population, it also reflects the effect of increasing immigration, improvements of diagnostic techniques, changes in referral patterns, and various actual changes in disease incidence.


Subject(s)
Behcet Syndrome , Uveitis , Adult , Child , Humans , Female , Adolescent , Male , Uveitis/diagnosis , Uveitis/epidemiology , Uveitis/etiology , Behcet Syndrome/complications , Behcet Syndrome/epidemiology , Tertiary Care Centers , Morbidity , Referral and Consultation , Retrospective Studies
3.
Anticancer Drugs ; 32(10): 1146-1149, 2021 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34232951

ABSTRACT

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2) - targeted antibody-drug conjugate that is approved for patients previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane for Her2-positive advanced breast cancer and those who have progressed within 6 months of completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, as well as for patients with residual invasive Her2-positive disease after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Peripheral neuropathy is a common adverse event; however, ocular events have also been described. With the current report we present the case of a 67-year old woman who developed transient grade 2-3 blurred vision after the first T-DM1 infusion, which was complicated with grade 2 diplopia causing vertigo after the second infusion. After extended investigation, this symptomatology was attributed to central neurotoxicity, and gradually resolved after T-DM1 discontinuation.


Subject(s)
Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine/adverse effects , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/adverse effects , Vision Disorders/chemically induced , Ado-Trastuzumab Emtansine/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Diplopia/chemically induced , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics
4.
Vasc Med ; 25(4): 302-308, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32308146

ABSTRACT

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a common retinal vascular lesion, and a leading cause of visual impairment. Patients with RVO have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and share multiple common risk factors. In this study, we investigated the endothelial function and arterial stiffness of patients with RVO compared to healthy-control (CL) subjects. We enrolled 40 consecutive patients with RVO and 40 CL subjects. RVO was diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, endothelial function was evaluated by flow mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) of the radial artery were measured to evaluate arterial stiffness and reflected waves, respectively. No significant differences were detected between the studied groups in sex, age, presence of hypertension or dyslipidemia, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, total cholesterol levels, and smoking habits (p > 0.05 for all). However, patients with RVO had impaired FMD (p = 0.002) and increased PWV (p = 0.004), even after adjustment for several confounders. Both FMD and PWV were also significantly and independently associated with the development of RVO. Furthermore, a significant and positive correlation between PWV and systolic blood pressure existed only in the CL group. Therefore, we have shown that RVO is associated with significant endothelial dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness. Our results strengthen the vascular theory, according to which, systemic endothelial dysfunction and arteriosclerosis play a significant role in the pathogenesis of RVO.


Subject(s)
Brachial Artery/physiopathology , Endothelium, Vascular/physiopathology , Radial Artery/physiopathology , Retinal Vein Occlusion/physiopathology , Vascular Stiffness , Vasodilation , Aged , Brachial Artery/diagnostic imaging , Carotid-Femoral Pulse Wave Velocity , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retinal Vein Occlusion/diagnosis , Ultrasonography
5.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol ; 39(4): 317-322, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32722955

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of ranibizumab versus aflibercept for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) in a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Participants in this prospective study were 112 treatment naïve patients with DME, who received treatment with either intravitreal ranibizumab (n = 54) or aflibercept (n = 58). The demographic data, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics were evaluated at baseline and at month 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 18 post treatment, while factors affecting visual outcome were determined using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: At month 18, the mean BCVA of ranibizumab-treated eyes increased 7.9 letters compared to 6.9 letters for eyes receiving aflibercept, with greater number of injections in ranibizumab group (9.2 ± 2.3 vs. 7.6 ± 2.1 injections in the ranibizumab and aflibercept group respectively, p = 0.0002). The difference in letters between the two groups was not statistically significant, nor the difference in central subfield thickness at month 18. Factors associated with poorer BCVA were found to be increasing age, HbA1c ≥7.5%, increasing central retinal thickness and disrupted ellipsoid zone. CONCLUSIONS: Ranibizumab and aflibercept presented similar anatomical and functional outcomes in 18-month follow-up in patients with DME. It is important to determine factors, affecting VA, so as to provide individualized treatment.


Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy , Diabetic Retinopathy/drug therapy , Macular Edema/drug therapy , Ranibizumab/therapeutic use , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/therapeutic use , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnostic imaging , Diabetic Retinopathy/diagnostic imaging , Female , Humans , Intravitreal Injections , Macular Edema/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Treatment Outcome , Visual Acuity/drug effects
6.
Acta Chir Belg ; 120(2): 141-145, 2020 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31738660

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Aim of the present study is to present an historical overview of the surgical techniques introduced for the treatment of the cancer of the optic nerve and orbit.Methods: From the late 19th and early twentieth century there were introduced many novel surgical techniques for the treatment of the cancer of the optic nerve and orbit. The majority of these techniques concerned for the cure of orbital malignance, while optic nerve cancer many times was treated by enucleation of the eyeball.Results: Except of the extraction of the malignant tumors the surgeons of the time tried to present the best aesthetic result, fact which points the progress of the surgery those years.Conclusions: Many of the techniques introduced those years are still in use.


Subject(s)
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/history , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/history , Orbital Neoplasms/history , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Humans , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/surgery , Orbital Neoplasms/surgery
7.
Int Ophthalmol ; 40(6): 1603-1618, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32107692

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To review the role of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases (OSD). METHODS: A thorough literature search was performed in PubMed database. An additional search was made in Google Scholar to complete the collected items. RESULTS: APCs have the ability to initiate and direct immune responses and are found in most lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues. APCs continuously sample their environment, present antigens to T cells and co-ordinate immune tolerance and responses. Many different types of APCs have been described and there is growing evidence that these cells are involved in the pathogenesis of OSD. OSD is a complex term for a myriad of disorders that are often characterized by ocular surface inflammation, tear film instability and impairment of vision. CONCLUSIONS: This review summarizes the current knowledge concerning the immunotopographical distribution of APCs in the normal ocular surface. APCs appear to play a critical role in the pathology of a number of conditions associated with OSD including infectious keratitis, ocular allergy, dry eye disease and pterygium.


Subject(s)
Antigen-Presenting Cells/immunology , Dry Eye Syndromes/immunology , Immunity, Cellular , Tears/metabolism , Antigen-Presenting Cells/pathology , Dry Eye Syndromes/metabolism , Dry Eye Syndromes/pathology , Humans
8.
Retina ; 39(6): 1133-1141, 2019 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29505440

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There is no established therapy for exudative-hemorrhagic complications in primary retinal arteriolar macroaneurysm (RAM). METHODS: Retrospective multicenter interventional study of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in symptomatic RAMs. Central macular thickness in µm and best-corrected visual acuity in logMar were correlated with the RAM size and distance to the macula. Statistical analyses were performed using paired comparisons and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes (32 patients) were treated with a mean of 2.7 injections over a mean follow-up of 16.6 months. Initial best-corrected visual acuity correlated with the RAM size and distance to the macula (P = 0.02). Central macular thickness decreased by 131,180, and 211 µm at 1, 2, and 3 months after the first injection (P < 0.001). Best-corrected visual acuity improved by 0.47 and 0.38 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study lines at 2 and 3 months (P = 0.005). Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor response correlated with the RAM size (P = 0.04) and the distance to the macula (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Symptomatic RAMs can be treated successfully with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections, leading to a decrease in macular edema.


Subject(s)
Bevacizumab/administration & dosage , Macula Lutea/pathology , Ranibizumab/administration & dosage , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/administration & dosage , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage , Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm/drug therapy , Visual Acuity , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Drug Therapy, Combination , Exudates and Transudates , Fluorescein Angiography , Follow-Up Studies , Fundus Oculi , Humans , Intravitreal Injections , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors , Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Treatment Outcome
9.
J Obstet Gynaecol ; 39(8): 1037-1048, 2019 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31190583

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy is a normal state of physiological stress that induces significant changes in the human body, some of which can potentially affect the visual system. The pregnant state may exacerbate pre-existing ocular disorders (i.e. diabetic retinopathy or central serous retinopathy). Moreover, other systemic conditions related to pregnancy can induce ophthalmic disorders affecting the retina and the choroid, some of which are of acute nature. Increasing awareness and improving collaboration between ophthalmologists, obstetricians and internists can play a pivotal role in the management of complex conditions during pregnancy. Special attention should be given while prescribing medications or deciding about other diagnostic or therapeutic techniques. The purpose of this review is to summarise the physiologic and pathologic effects of pregnancy in the eyes, highlighting the most acute clinical entities that may be threatening for the vision or even the life of the mother and her baby.


Subject(s)
Eye Diseases/complications , Eye Diseases/physiopathology , Pregnancy Complications/physiopathology , Cornea , Female , Fetus/drug effects , Glaucoma/complications , Humans , Intraocular Pressure , Pregnancy , Retinal Diseases/complications , Retinal Diseases/physiopathology , Retinal Diseases/surgery , Uveitis/complications , Visual Fields
10.
Acta Chir Belg ; 119(3): 198-200, 2019 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30676278

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study is to present an historical overview of the innovations in ocular surgery introduced by the very important surgeon, but mainly unknown, Philip Henry Mules (1843-1905). METHODS: Philip Henry Mules introduced the Mules' evisceration operation and the Mules' ptosis operation. He also invented surgical instruments such as Mules' scoop, Mules' repository, and Mules' enucleation scissors. He was interested also in ocular infection. RESULTS: Many of the innovations in ocular surgery introduced by Philip Henry Mules are still in use. CONCLUSIONS: Philip Henry Mules (1843-1905) was a respectable English ophthalmologist, who despite his short life, only 62-years-old, his innovations in ocular surgery were considered a breakthrough in the late nineteenth century, because in almost every textbook of ophthalmology they were cited and deserved a great merit.


Subject(s)
Blepharoptosis/history , Eye Evisceration/history , Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures/history , Ophthalmology/history , Surgical Instruments/history , Blepharoptosis/surgery , England , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century
11.
Int Ophthalmol ; 39(11): 2637-2648, 2019 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31065901

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate possible associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from five genes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHODS: A total of 69 patients with retinal vein occlusion-RVO (24 with BRVO and 45 with CRVO), and 82 controls, were enrolled in this study. All subjects were screened for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, glaucoma, anticoagulant medication, smoking status and history of stroke. The genotyping of AGTR1-A1166C, adiponectin + 276 G/T, MMP2-1306C/T, Gpla/lla-C807T/G873A and VKORC1-G1639A polymorphisms was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism or allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The percentage of the AGTR1-A1166C C allele carriers and Gpla/lla-C807T/G873A T/A carriers was significantly higher in the CRVO patients than in the controls (P = 0.00001 and P = 0.0004, respectively). At the multiple logistic regression analysis, the AGTR1-A1166C C allele carrier status and the Gpla/lla-C807T/G873A T/A allele carrier status were found to be associated with an increased risk of CRVO. Moreover, adiponectin + 276 G/T T allele carriers had a significantly increased risk of RVO in subjects ≥ 75 years old. There was no significant difference between the BRVO patients and controls concerning the genotype or the allele frequency distributions of these SNPs. The genotype distributions or allelic frequencies of the other evaluated polymorphisms did not significantly differ between the patients with RVO and the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: AGTR1 A1166C and Gpla/lla C807T/G873A polymorphisms are likely to be risk factors for CRVO. Adiponectin + 276 G/T SNP is likely to predispose to RVO in older subjects.


Subject(s)
Eye Proteins/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Retinal Vein Occlusion/genetics , Retinal Vessels/diagnostic imaging , Aged , Eye Proteins/metabolism , Female , Gene Frequency , Genotype , Greece/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Ophthalmoscopy , Prevalence , Retinal Vein Occlusion/diagnosis , Retinal Vein Occlusion/epidemiology , Risk Factors
12.
Int Ophthalmol ; 39(11): 2505-2515, 2019 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30852734

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical manifestations of intraocular inflammation associated with Bartonella infection and describe the assessment and management of patients with cat-scratch disease (CSD). METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the clinical records of patients diagnosed with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana intraocular inflammation from 2011 to 2018 in the Department of Ocular Inflammations and Infections of the University Eye Clinic of Ioannina (Greece). An analysis of the current literature concerning Bartonella-related intraocular infections was also carried out. RESULTS: This is a retrospective study of 13 patients (7 males and 6 females) with a mean age of 39.2 years that were diagnosed with unilateral intraocular inflammation, except one case with bilateral affection, attributed to Bartonella (either henselae or quintana). Twelve (12) patients (92.3%) had a positive history of traumatic cat contact. The main ocular clinical findings with regard to the type of uveitis included neuroretinitis in 5 eyes (38.5%), vasculitis in 3 eyes (23.1%), iridocyclitis in 2 eyes (15.4%), intermediate uveitis in 2 eyes (15.4%), posterior uveitis in 1 eye (7.7%), panuveitis in 2 eyes (15.4%), retinochoroiditis in 2 eyes (15.4%), vitritis in 1 eye (7.7%), peripheral choroidal granuloma in 1 eye (7.7%). Immunoglobulin (Ig) G was positive in all cases. All patients were treated with antibiotics (mainly rifampicin, doxycycline and azithromycin). The visual acuity was noted to be improved in all patients after treatment, but some of them experienced disturbing complications. CONCLUSION: CSD may manifest with various ocular pathological findings. Taking into consideration the increasing frequency of infections by B. henselae and B. quintana, clinicians should always incorporate CSD in the differential diagnosis of such presentations of uveitis. Educating vulnerable groups (children, immunosuppressed, etc.) and also general population, the appropriate preventing measures can contribute in limiting the risk of infection.


Subject(s)
Bartonella henselae/isolation & purification , Bartonella quintana/isolation & purification , Cat-Scratch Disease/diagnosis , Eye Infections, Bacterial/diagnosis , Trench Fever/diagnosis , Uveitis/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cat-Scratch Disease/microbiology , Child , Choroid/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Eye Infections, Bacterial/microbiology , Female , Fluorescein Angiography , Follow-Up Studies , Fundus Oculi , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Optic Disk/pathology , Retina/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Trench Fever/microbiology , Uveitis/microbiology , Young Adult
13.
Int Ophthalmol ; 39(2): 359-373, 2019 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29349523

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To correlate the features of certain types of infantile glaucoma with the progression and the prognosis of the disease, highlighting probable risk factors. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with pediatric glaucoma were recruited in this retrospective study. All patients underwent ophthalmological examination in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Saarland University Medical Center from January 2001 to December 2012. Our pediatric patients were classified into four different categories of glaucoma: (1) primary congenital glaucoma (presenting buphthalmus), (2) aniridia-related glaucoma, (3) Peters/Rieger's anomaly-related glaucoma and (4) congenital cataract-related glaucoma. Personal data comprised age, sex, nationality, systemic diseases and gestational age. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the cup-disk ratio (CDR), the intraocular pressure (IOP), the corneal diameter and thickness, along with the Haab striae and corneal haze, were recorded. RESULTS: The majority of the children were male (58%) and suffered from aniridia-related glaucoma (38%). Children with aniridia exhibited the worst BCVA. The CDR and IOP were significantly higher in children with primary congenital glaucoma, compared to the other groups, at the first visit. Those children also were with the largest corneal diameter and prevalence of Haab striae compared to the rest groups, whereas corneal haze was found more often and was more pronounced in children with Peters/Rieger's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that glaucoma was earlier detected in children with primary congenital glaucoma, who exhibited increased corneal diameter and high percentage of Haab striae comparing to the other groups. However, these children responded successfully to any therapeutic intervention, exhibiting better BCVA and IOP values than the rest groups at the second visit.


Subject(s)
Cornea/diagnostic imaging , Glaucoma/diagnosis , Intraocular Pressure/physiology , Visual Acuity , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Female , Glaucoma/congenital , Glaucoma/physiopathology , Humans , Infant , Male , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies
14.
Retina ; 38(2): 416-423, 2018 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28221257

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcome after intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and cystoid macular edema. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective case series of eyes with retinitis pigmentosa and cystoid macular edema that underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implant. Primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity in LogMAR and central macular thickness. Statistical analyses used two-tailed comparison with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: There were a total of 45 eyes from 34 patients with a mean age of 32.7 years (range 16-57) and mean follow-up of 15.5 ± 13.0 months. At Month 3 after the first injection, mean initial best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.61 ± 0.38 (20/81) to 0.37 ± 0.16 (20/47) (P = 0.012), whereas mean central macular thickness (µm) decreased from 506 ± 288 µm to 311.7 ± 71.6 µm (P < 0.001) and mean intraocular pressure increased from 15.7 ± 2.3 mmHg to 19.8 ± 11.0 mmHg (P = 0.01). Fourteen eyes had multiple injections (1-7 reinjections) at a mean interval of 6 months. Treatment effect was durable with multiple injections, but with seven eyes developing visually significant cataracts. CONCLUSION: Best-corrected visual acuity improved up to 4 months in around half of the eyes. Eyes that benefited the most were pseudophakic, steroid nonresponsive, with large initial central macular thickness, and profuse fluorescein dye leakage.


Subject(s)
Dexamethasone/administration & dosage , Macula Lutea/pathology , Macular Edema/drug therapy , Retinitis Pigmentosa/complications , Visual Acuity , Adolescent , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Implants , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Intravitreal Injections , Macula Lutea/drug effects , Macular Edema/diagnosis , Macular Edema/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retinitis Pigmentosa/diagnosis , Retinitis Pigmentosa/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
15.
BMC Ophthalmol ; 18(1): 267, 2018 Oct 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30309335

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of a woman with optic disk melanocytoma (ODMC) in conjunction with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). We also present, for the first time in literature, the clinical and morphological outcomes of the applied treatment, consisting of a session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and three monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections. CASE PRESENTATION: An 83-year-old Greek woman, complaining for visual decline at her left eye, referred to our department and was diagnosed with ODMC associated with PCV. At presentation, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2/10, fundus examination revealed a pigmented lesion covering partially the optic nerve head and extending into the peripapillary choroid and retina, while hard exudates were observed temporal to it. Blocked hypofluorescence in the area covered by the lesion and diffuse hyperfluorescence at its temporal rim were shown by fluorescein angiography (FA). Indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) identified 3 hyperfluorescent polypoidal lesions arising from the choroidal vasculature. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed subretinal fluid and retinal pigment epithelium detachment (RPE) at the region corresponding to polyps. The treatment included a PDT session combined with 3 monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections. Three months since the treatment initiation, new BCVA was 5/10, ICGA demonstrated total polyps occlusion, while OCT detected RPE detachment without subretinal fluid. Ten months later, ODMC was stable, BCVA rose to 7/10, no polyps were present, and total resolution of RPE detachment was achieved. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case report of PCV coexisting with ODMC, presenting both ICGA and OCT findings, and the applied treatment and its outcomes. Furthermore, we demonstrated that PDT combined with intravitreal aflibercept injections seems to be a promising treatment for PCV.


Subject(s)
Choroid Diseases/complications , Choroid/blood supply , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/complications , Photochemotherapy/methods , Polyps/complications , Porphyrins/therapeutic use , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/administration & dosage , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage , Aged, 80 and over , Choroid Diseases/diagnosis , Choroid Diseases/drug therapy , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Fluorescein Angiography , Fundus Oculi , Humans , Intravitreal Injections , Melanocytes/pathology , Optic Disk/pathology , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/diagnosis , Optic Nerve Neoplasms/drug therapy , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , Polyps/diagnosis , Polyps/drug therapy , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Verteporfin
16.
Cutan Ocul Toxicol ; 37(3): 207-209, 2018 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29171298

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the role of vitamin supplements (Ocuvite, Vitalux Omega, and Nutrof Total) as possible inhibitors of the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-aggregating effect of each vitamin was determined against four accumulative factors namely, platelet activating factor (PAF), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP), and arachidonic acid (AA) in the platelet rich plasma (PRP) of healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Ocuvite, Vitalux Omega, and Nutrof Total were more potent inhibitors against PAF and ADP compared to TRAP and AA. Among the three vitamins, Nutrof Total displayed more potent inhibitions against TRAP and AA, while against PAF and ADP all the three vitamins revealed similar IC50 values. CONCLUSIONS: The vitamins Ocuvite, Vitalux Omega, and Nutrof Total have anti-aggregating effects and therefore can be used against AMD in healthy volunteers.


Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/physiology , Dietary Supplements , Macular Degeneration/prevention & control , Platelet Aggregation/drug effects , Vitamins/pharmacology , Adenosine Diphosphate/metabolism , Arachidonic Acid/antagonists & inhibitors , Arachidonic Acid/metabolism , Blood Platelets/drug effects , Healthy Volunteers , Humans , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Platelet Activating Factor/antagonists & inhibitors , Platelet Activating Factor/metabolism , Receptors, Thrombin/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, Thrombin/metabolism , Vitamins/therapeutic use
17.
Int Ophthalmol ; 38(6): 2349-2356, 2018 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29063455

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe a new technique of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in patients with refractory glaucoma and present the long-term results. METHODS: Twenty-eight eyes of 28 patients with refractory glaucoma participated in the study. "Double scleral tunnel in tandem" technique was used for glaucoma valve implantation in all patients. The technique consists of the formation of two scleral tunnels in tandem so as to completely cover the extraocular part of valve's tube and facilitate a parallel to the iris placement of the intraocular part of the tube. RESULTS: Postoperative hypotony developed in two (7.1%) cases which resolved within 3 days in all cases. One (3.6%) eye manifested postoperative hyphema that resolved without complications within a week, and two (7.1%) cases presented with exposure of the tube. The average highest postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up period was 19 mmHg (range 8-38 mmHg) without medications, and the average IOP at the last follow-up visit was 14.5 mmHg (range 8-22 mmHg). Additional treatment for IOP control was necessary in 11 (39.3%) cases. The average follow-up period was 60 months. CONCLUSION: This novel technique was found to be easy to master, effective and with low cost and rate of complications.


Subject(s)
Glaucoma Drainage Implants , Glaucoma/surgery , Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Sclera/surgery , Surgical Flaps , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Drainage , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glaucoma/physiopathology , Humans , Intraocular Pressure/physiology , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Tonometry, Ocular , Visual Acuity/physiology
18.
J BUON ; 23(1): 255-260, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29552793

ABSTRACT

Antonio Scarpa (1752-1832) is known in the history of medicine as a distinguished anatomist and surgeon. Apart from his anatomical studies that established him and especially in clinical anatomy, he focused also his interest on ophthalmology, therefore he was considered as the "father of ophthalmology in Italy". His study on ocular cancer is of particular interest, because he not only reviewed older approaches on this issue enriching them with his own clinical observations but his study served as a bridge connecting the previous tradition to the scientific study of ocular cancer which began at the second third of 19th century.


Subject(s)
Eye Neoplasms/therapy , Ophthalmology/history , Surgeons/history , History, 16th Century , History, 17th Century , Humans , Male
19.
J BUON ; 23(4): 846-861, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30358185

ABSTRACT

Histone modification that occurs through the process of acetylation plays a key role in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. The balance between histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases controls this process. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can induce cancer cell cycle arrest, differentiation and cell death, reduce angiogenesis and modulate immune response. Therefore, HDAIs represent a group of enzymes that can be used for the development of pharmaceutical agents against a variety of malignant diseases. The mechanisms of their anticancer effect depend on many factors. HDACIs vorinostat, romidepsin and belinostat have been approved for some T-cell lymphomas and panobinostat for multiple myeloma. Other HDACIs are tested in clinical trials for the treatment of hematological and solid malignancies. The results of such studies are promising but further larger studies are needed.


Subject(s)
Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics , Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Humans , Neoplasms/pathology
20.
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol ; 255(6): 1093-1100, 2017 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28214955

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of ranibizumab versus aflibercept for the treatment of macular edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in routine clinical practice. METHODS: Participants in this observational study included 62 treatment-naïve patients with CRVO who received intravitreal injections of either ranibizumab or aflibercept. The demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics were evaluated at baseline and at months 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 18 post-treatment. RESULTS: At month 18, the mean BCVA of ranibizumab-treated eyes increased 7.9 letters, compared to 7.4 letters for eyes receiving aflibercept, with a similar number of injections. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in letters or in central subfield thickness at month 18. At the end of the follow-up, 50% of patients in the ranibizumab group and 42.9% in the aflibercept group showed complete resolution of macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: Ranibizumab and aflibercept demonstrated similar anatomical and functional outcomes over 18-month follow-up in patients with macular edema due to CRVO, with a similar number of injections.


Subject(s)
Macular Edema/drug therapy , Ranibizumab/administration & dosage , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/administration & dosage , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage , Retinal Vein Occlusion/drug therapy , Visual Acuity , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Fluorescein Angiography , Follow-Up Studies , Intravitreal Injections , Macular Edema/diagnosis , Macular Edema/etiology , Prospective Studies , Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/antagonists & inhibitors , Retinal Vein Occlusion/complications , Retinal Vein Occlusion/diagnosis , Time Factors , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Treatment Outcome
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