The Effect of the Water Drinking Test on Ocular Parameters and Choroidal Thickness in Glaucoma Suspects.

Background and objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effects of the water drinking test (WDT) on several systemic and ocular parameters, including choroidal thickness, which was assessed through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), in glaucoma suspects. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 eyes from 20 glaucoma suspects without any systemic or ocular diseases were included in this prospective observational study. All the participants undertook the WDT, which required the drinking of 1 L of table water in 5 min. The outcome measures included IOP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP), ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), and subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal thickness, which were assessed at baseline and at four 15 min intervals after the WDT. Generalized least squares models and mixed model analyses that take into account repeated measurements were used to assess the changes over time of these parameters. Results: All the ocular and systemic parameters showed statistically significant changes at all time points compared to baseline apart from choroidal thickness. The peak changes were an IOP of 20.1 mmHg versus 17.3 mmHg at 45 min, an SBP of 137.6 mmHg versus 125 mmHg at 30 min, a DBP of 95.9 mmHg versus 85.7 mmHg at 15 min, and an MOP of 53.51 mmHg versus 48.89 mmHg at 15 min. Conclusions: Despite elevations in IOP and significant changes in all the assessed systemic parameters, the WDT was not associated with changes in choroidal thickness in glaucoma suspects.

Uveal Melanoma: GNAQ and GNA11 Mutations in a Greek Population.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Uveal melanoma is the most common primary adult intraocular malignancy. It is known to have a strong metastatic potential, fatal for the vast majority of patients. In recent years, meticulous cytogenetic and molecular profiling has led to precise prognostication, that unfortunately is not matched by advancements in adjuvant therapies. G Protein subunits alpha Q (GNAQ) and alpha 11 (GNA11) are two of the major driver genes that contribute to the development of uveal melanoma. Understanding their prognostic significance can allow tailored management and facilitate their use in the on-going quest of targeted uveal melanoma therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were obtained from 47 patients of Greek origin, with uveal melanoma. GNAQ and GNA11 genes were screened for mutations in exons 4 and 5, by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The overall mutation frequency of GNAQ/GNA11 genes was 42.4%. A novel mutation c.625_626delinsGC was identified in GNA11. No correlation was observed between the mutation status and metastasis occurrence or overall survival time of patients. CONCLUSION: Mutations in GNAQ and GNA11 genes in this Greek population present frequencies that qualify them as potential targets for customized therapy.