The current alternative for ocular surface and anophthalmic socket reconstruction, cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM).

PURPOSE: This report presents the results of using cryopreserved umbilical amniotic membrane (cUAM) as an alternative mucosal graft for ocular surface reconstruction in cases of anophthalmic socket contracture (ASC), cicatricial entropion (CE), and conjunctival-scleral defects. METHODS: The study included patients who underwent non-commercial implantation of cUAM grafts (prepared by corneal banking methods) for ASC, CE, conjunctival defect, and scleral melting. The main success criteria for this study were the comfortable fitting of the ocular prosthesis in ASC patients, the natural eyelid position in CE patients, and the degree of conjunctivalisation in melting patients. RESULTS: cUAM transplantation was performed in 2 patients who could not use a prosthetic eye due to conjunctival contracture, 2 patients with CE, and 1 patient with conjunctival defect and 1 patient with conjunctival-scleral melting. The primary outcome was achieved in 83.3% (5/6) of patients. In one patient with CE, partial healing was achieved due to the persistence of CE in the medial upper eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: cUAM is a viable alternative to mucosal grafting for reconstructing the bulbar and palpebral conjunctival surface, fornix, and orbit, with reduced donor morbidity and shorter surgical time. Its regenerative ability allows for tissue defect healing and improves cosmetic appearance through epithelialization within weeks.

Digital Evaluation of the Changes in Eyelid and Ocular Surface Measurements and the Correlation of These Parameters with Visual Field Parameters After Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the change in eyelid and ocular surface parameters that were measured using a digital measurement program, the change in the visual field (VF), and the correlation between ocular surface area (OSA) and VF parameters in patients who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty for involutional dermatochalasis. Methods: Patients who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty for involutional dermatochalasis between August 2015 and August 2019 were included in the study. The difference between preoperative and postoperative 3rd month values of manually measured margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), digitally measured eyelid and ocular surface parameters (MRD1, MRD 2 [MRD2], upper eyelid crease height [ECH], pretarsal show height [PTH], eyebrow line-height [EBH] and OSA), and VF parameters were evaluated. The correlation between preoperative and postoperative values of manually and digitally measured MRD1 and also preoperative and postoperative values of OSA and VF parameters were analyzed. Results: Thirty-six eyes from 36 patients were included in this study and the mean age of patients was 57.93±7.64 years. There were statistically significant changes between preoperative and postoperative values in means of the manually measured MRD1 and the digitally measured MRD1, PTH, OSA, and ECH (p<0.001). However, the postoperative changes in the mean MRD2 and EBH were not statistically significant (p=0.664 and p=0.983). There were moderate positive correlations between pre- and post-operative OSA values and pre- and postoperative values of manual and digital MRD1. A statistically significant agreement was observed between the change in OSA and the change in all VF parameters (Bland-Altman analysis test). Conclusion: Digital measurements can be used to evaluate the changes in eyelid and ocular surface parameters in patients who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty surgery. OSA provides fast results in accordance with linear measurements and is compatible with the change in the VF.

Muller muscle conjunctival resection or external levator advancement; a quantitative comparison of symmetry in unilateral ptosis.

PURPOSE: To compare muller muscle conjunctival resection (MMCR) and external levator advancement (ELA) in terms of objective and subjective symmetry in unilateral ptosis. METHODS: The patients who underwent unilateral MMCR (group1, n = 25) and ELA (group2, n = 25) were reviewed retrospectively. With the written algorithm, margin reflex distance-1 (MRD1), localization of the contour peak, and the percentage of overlapping curvatures (POC) of both upper eyelid curves were calculated. Semi-automated measurements were compared with the manual measurements. The correlation between objective and subjective symmetry was evaluated. RESULTS: Preoperative levator functions were similar in both groups (13.93 ± 3.25 mm and 13.3 ± 2.86 mm, respectively). We found strong correlations between manual and semi-automated measurements (ICC: 0.942, 95% CI = 0.924-0.956, p < 0.001). Preoperative MRD1 (2.15 ± 0.90 vs 1.51 ± 1.01, p = 0.022) and POC was lower in group 2 (66% vs 47.2%, p = 0.01). In the postoperative period, the increase in MRD1 and POC were similar in both groups (p = 0.2 and p = 0.7 respectively), and the contour peak displaced temporally (p < 0.01) providing a symmetric peak in both groups. Subjective symmetry increased as the difference in MRD1 between two eyes decreased (r = -0.456, p = 0.001), and POC increased (r = 0.396, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Besides subjective symmetry, MMCR and ELA are equally effective in ensuring symmetry objectively, as measured with MRD1 and contour peak symmetry and POC in unilateral ptosis. POC may be used as a criterion of symmetry in the evaluation of ptosis.

Comparing the outcome of Muller's muscle conjunctival resection for mild/moderate versus severe involutional aponeurotic ptosis.

AIMS: To compare predictability of the outcomes of Muller's muscle conjunctiva resection (MMCR) in patients with severe versus mild/moderate involutional aponeurotic ptosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. All cases were recruited into the groups in terms of preoperative marginal reflex distance of upper eyelid (MRD-1). Group 1 consisted of patients with mild to moderate blepharoptosis was defined as an MRD-1 equal to 1.1 to 3 mm and Group 2 consisted of patients with severe blepharoptosis defined as MRD-1 ⩽ 1 mm. All patients underwent MMCR based on the response to phenylephrine and the amount of ptosis. MRD-1 obtained both manually and with ImageJ analysis program preoperatively and on the postoperative sixth month was compared. Successful surgical outcome criteria were defined as MRD-1 ⩾ 2.5 mm and inter-eyelid symmetry ⩽ 1 mm. RESULTS: A total of 97 eyes of 83 participants met the inclusion criteria for this study (Group 1 n = 50, Group 2 n = 47). In terms of MRD-1 success rates were 88% in Group 1, and 70.2% in Group 2 (p = 0.03). Preoperative MRD-1 which was measured by ImageJ, and the amount of resected tissue in mm were the predictive data of surgical outcome by the logistic regression analysis (OR 6.45, 95% CI 1.82-22.78, p = 0.004, OR 2.47, 95% CI 1.05-5.80, p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSION: The surgical success of MMCR can be predicted via tissue resection length and preoperative MRD-1. Higher surgical success rates were obtained in cases with mild-moderate ptosis and clinically acceptable success rates were obtained in cases with severe ptosis.

Serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in benign essential blepharospasm.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and 25-hydroxy (OH)-vitamin D levels in patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and healthy subjects and to determine their association with disease severity and frequency. METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Fifty patients (female, 39; male, 11) with BEB and 22 healthy subjects (female, 15; male, 7) included in the study. Serum calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels of BEB and healthy groups were measured. Blepharospasm severity and frequency were assessed using scales ranging from 0 to 4 by following the Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS). RESULTS: Though there was no significant difference regarding magnesium, phosphorus, and 25(OH)-vitamin D levels between the two groups, serum calcium levels of the BEB group were significantly lower than the control group (9.5 ± 0.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 mg/dl, respectively; P = 0.002), although in the normal range (9-10.5 mg/dl). In the BEB group, the mean Jankovic severity and frequency scores were 3.29 ± 0.54 and 3.59 ± 0.61, respectively. There was a moderate negative correlation between serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels and Jankovic severity score (r = - 0.332; P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Serum calcium levels of the BEB group were significantly lower than the healthy group. Serum vitamin D levels showed a moderate negative correlation with disease severity. The role of calcium and vitamin D in the evolution of the BEB need further investigation at the cellular and anatomical levels.

Müller Muscle Conjunctiva Resection for Revision of Residual Ptosis After External Levator Advancement Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate surgical outcomes of Müller muscle conjunctival resection surgery for reoperation of residual ptosis after external levator advancement in patients with aponeurotic ptosis. METHODS: A total of 23 eyes of 23 patients who had undergone Müller muscle conjunctival resection for residual ptosis between January 2016 and July 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. Margin reflex distance (MRD), interlid crease, and show distance measurements were performed with a ruler in millimeters during the office examination, and the photographs of patients were taken before the procedure and on the 10th day, at the first, third, and sixth months after the procedure. The successful outcome was described as MRD1 between 3 and 5 mm, interlid MRD1 difference ≤1 mm, interlid crease difference ≤2 mm, interlid show difference ≤2 mm, and the presence of symmetrical lid contour. RESULTS: The mean increases in MRD1 were statistically significant at the first, third, and sixth months postoperatively when compared with preoperative values both before external levator advancement and before Müller muscle conjunctival resection (p = 0.000). There was statistically significant decrease in interlid MRD1 difference, interlid crease difference, and interlid show difference relative to preoperative values. Interlid crease and show difference within the range of successful outcome criteria were achieved in all patients. However, interlid MRD1 difference exceeded 1 mm in only 1 patient who had overcorrection. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who have residual ptosis without contour abnormality following external levator advancement, and positive response to phenylephrine testing, Müller muscle conjunctival resection is an effective approach.

Alterations in biomechanical properties of the cornea among patients with polycystic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the corneal biomechanical features in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients and compare them with the healthy individuals. METHODS: Totally 81 patients with a mean age of 48.46 ± 14.51 years and 60 control cases with a mean age of 44.68 ± 12.69 years were included in the study. All of the subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity testing, biomicroscopic anterior and posterior segment examinations. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg) and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) were evaluated with the ocular response analyzer, and the central corneal thickness was evaluated with Sirius® corneal topography. RESULTS: PKD patients had significantly increased CH values, without any alterations in IOP or CCT values, compared with the control cases (p:0.001). Among PKD patients, 23 were having liver cysts accompanying renal cysts. There was not any statistically significant difference between PKD patients with or without liver cysts regarding biomechanical properties of the cornea. However, both patient groups had statistically significantly increased CH values compared with the control cases. CONCLUSION: Patients with PKD present with higher CH values than age-matched controls. Larger studies are warranted to elucidate the alterations in corneal biomechanical properties and their clinical relevance in PKD patients.

Comparision of Optical Low Coherence Reflectometry Versus Ultrasonic Biometry in High Hypermetropia.

PURPOSE: To compare anterior chamber depth (ACD), axial length (AL), and lens thickness (LT) measurements obtained by the Lenstar LS 900 (Haag-Streit AG) optical low-coherence reflectometry with those obtained by the A-scan contact ultrasound among patients with moderate and high hypermetropia. METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients with moderate and high hypermetropia (spherical equivalent of +4 D or more) were examined in this study measurements of ACD, AL, and LT obtained by Lenstar were compared with those obtained by applanation A-scan ultrasound. All measurements were obtained by two independent examiners. The interdevice agreements were evaluated with Bland-Altman analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54.78±12.77 years (range 18-74 years). The mean spherical equivalent refractive power was +5.16±1.12 D (+4.0 to +8.75). The mean values of ACD, AL, and LT with A-scan were 3.05±0.34, 21.55±0.75, and 4.33±0.49 mm, respectively, whereas these values were 2.99±0.45, 21.58±0.78, and 4.20±0.44 mm, respectively, with Lenstar. There was statistically significant difference of LT between the two methods (P=0.02). The mean differences (lower/upper limit of agreement) of the ACD, AL, and LT values for A-scan ultrasound and Lenstar were -0.06 (-0.594/0.474), 0.04 (-0.380/0.459), and -0.12 (-0.739/0.502), respectively. CONCLUSION: Among patients with moderate and high hypermetropia, the biometric measurements of ACD, AL, and LT by ultrasound and optical biometry were determined to be correlated and there was a high degree of agreement between contact A-scan ultrasonic biometry and Lenstar.

Corneal topographic alterations after selective laser trabeculoplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate the presence of corneal alterations in the long term among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) after a single session of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The files of the POAG patients who had been treated with SLT were evaluated retrospectively. The Pretreatment Scheimpflug corneal topographic (SCT) findings were then compared with the post-treatment findings. RESULTS: The files of 33 patients were eligible. The changes in central corneal thickness, thinnest point of cornea, and posterior corneal asphericity at 5 and 8 mm were statistically significant (p = 0.03, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.04 respectively). On the other hand, the simulated K, anterior 3 mm K, anterior 5 mm K, posterior 3 mm K, posterior 5 mm K, anterior asphericity at 3 mm, posterior asphericity at 3 mm, and Zernike values did not change significantly following the treatment (p = 0.19, 0.08, 0.1, 0.3, 0.2, 0.75, 0.09, and 0.3 respectively). CONCLUSION: SLT can slightly alter pretreatment SCT findings in 3-6 months. Clinicians should wait for at least 6 months after SLT before performing any subsequent surgeries that depend on corneal parameters.

Dry eye disease in patients with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate dry eye disease (DED) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and compare with healthy individuals. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Ophthalmology and Endocrinology Department of Bagcilar Education and Research Hospital, a tertiary care center in Istanbul, Turkey, between January and December 2015. In this prospective case-controlled study, dry eye disease tests were performed on 44 patients with MetS and 43 healthy controls. TearLab Osmolarity System, which is a lab-on-a-chip technology, was used to measure tear osmolarity. McMonnies & Ho symptoms questionnaire along with Schirmer I test and tear film break-up time (TFBUT) test were also performed. Statistical evaluation was performed by students' independent test. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in tear osmolarity, TFBUT, and McMonnies and Ho questionnaire scores between MetS and normal group. However, Schirmer I test was significantly higher in MetS group (14.8±9.4mm versus 20.4±9.4, p=0.007). In women subgroup, tear osmolarity was significantly higher in MetS group compared  to the normal group and over the cut-off score 308 mOsm/L (309.4±13.1 mOsm/L versus 301.2±8.7mOsm/L, p=0.012). CONCLUSION: Patients with MetS present with lower tear volumes and a higher incidence of lacrimal gland hypofunction than age-matched controls. Especially women with MetS have higher tear osmolarities, which disrupt the normal functioning of the ocular surface and cause inflammation. Clinicians should be aware of higher DED incidence in patients with MetS for early treatment to prevent serious ocular complications.

Does severity of dermatochalasis in aging affect corneal biomechanical properties?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of a relationship between corneal biomechanical properties and different grades of dermatochalasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were assigned to four groups according to the severity of their dermatochalasis: normal (Group 1), mild (Group 2), moderate (Group 3), and severe (Group 4). An Ocular Response Analyzer device was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc). RESULTS: We found no significant differences in the mean values of the CH, CRF, and IOPcc of all groups (P=0.75, P=0.93, and P=0.11, respectively). However, CH and IOPcc were negatively correlated in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 patients (P=0.013, r=-0.49; P=0.015, r=-0.52; and P=0.011, r=-0.47, respectively), but this correlation was not apparent in the Group 4 patients (P=0.57, r=0.12). CRF and IOPcc were correlated, but only in Group 4 (P=0.001, r=0.66). CONCLUSION: Severe dermatochalasis was associated with altered corneal biomechanical properties. Some of the important visual consequences of dermatochalasis and related diseases (such as floppy eyelid syndrome) can be understood by considering corneal biomechanical alterations.

A Case of Homocystinuria Misdiagnosed as Moyamoya Disease: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Homocystinuria is a hereditary disease caused by a defect in the enzymes involved in metabolizing methionine. Homocystinuria can influence many systems and may be mistaken for other diseases, including Moyamoya disease. Here, we report the case of a 10-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of Moyamoya disease who had been monitored for that for an extended period. The patient's diagnosis was changed to homocystinuria as a result of lens subluxation and cataract findings. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year-old male patient presented with vomiting, headache, lethargy, muscular weakness, and eye redness. The patient was mentally retarded, his right pupil was hyperemic, and he had muscle weakness on his left side. In addition, his blood pressure was high. The patient's history included a diagnosis of Moyamoya. A neck and cranial computed tomography (CT) angiography showed no flow bilaterally past the bifurcation of the carotid artery. The patient's bilateral internal carotid arteries were determined to be occluded. It was considered that his eye findings could be compatible with a metabolic disease. On metabolic screening, the patient's homocysteine level was very high. In addition, a heterozygous A1298C mutation was identified in MTHFR. Therefore, the patient was started on a diet free from homocysteine and methionine. In addition, his treatment regimen included vitamins B12 and B6. With these treatments, the patient's complications regressed. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of unusual vascular lesions, metabolic diseases must be considered. In homocystinuria, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Blood homocysteine levels can be returned to normal, and some complications can be prevented.

Transdermal Spirit (Methanol) Poisoning: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Methanol is a highly toxic substance and methanol poisoning results in severe health situations. Methanol poisoning occurs when it is consumed by various methods such as orally, by inhalation, and transdermally. Transdermal poisoning is rarely seen and causes severe health complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old male patient was admitted to the emergency room due to blurred vision and knee pain. He had wrapped alcohol soaked cotton around his knees because of pain, and left it for 10 hours at night. On physical examination the knees only exhibited redness. Upon funduscopic examination, signs of poisoning were not seen, but a high anion gap metabolic acidosis was shown by arterial blood gas analysis. Hemodialysis was performed for severe acidosis and the patient was admitted to the ICU. The patient was treated and discharged from the ICU without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Methanol poisoning presents to the emergency department in our country with many different situations and with varying histories. In different parts of the world, transdermal intoxication cases may be more prevalent and they may be overlooked, therefore, we aimed to present this case.

The Effects of Hemodialysis on Tear Osmolarity.

Aim. To determine the effects of hemodialysis (HD) on tear osmolarity and to define the blood biochemical tests correlating with tear osmolarity among patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Material-Method. Tear osmolarity of ESRD patients before and after the hemodialysis program was determined as well as the blood biochemical data including glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, urea, and creatinine levels. Results. Totally 43 eyes of 43 patients (20 females and 23 males) with a mean age of 53.98 ± 18.06 years were included in the study. Tear osmolarity of patients was statistically significantly decreased after hemodialysis (314.06 ± 17.77 versus 301.88 ± 15.22 mOsm/L, p = 0.0001). In correlation analysis, pre-HD tear osmolarity was negatively correlated with pre-HD blood creatinine level (r = -0.366, p = 0.016). Post-HD tear osmolarity was statistically significantly correlated with the post-HD glucose levels (r = 0.305 p = 0.047). Tear osmolarity alteration by HD was negatively correlated with creatinine alteration, body weight alteration, and ultrafiltration (r = -0.426, p = 0.004; r = -0.365, p = 0.016; and r = -0.320, p = 0.036, resp.). There was no correlation between tear osmolarity and Kt/V and URR values. Conclusion. HD effectively decreases tear osmolarity to normal values and corrects the volume and composition of the ocular fluid transiently. Tear osmolarity alteration induced by HD is correlated with body weight changes, creatinine alterations, and ultrafiltration.