Evaluation of peripapillary choroidal vascularity index in young smokers.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to compare the peripapillary choroidal vascularity index (CVI) between young smokers who smoked less than 5 packs/year and non-smokers.Methods: The study included 52 smokers and 67 non-smokers, and comprehensive eye examinations were performed on all participants. Axial lengths (AL) were measured, and peripapillary enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images were obtained and evaluated using the Open Source ImageJ software. The CVI, total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) quadrants were compared between the two groups.Results: The mean age of the smokers was 23.76 ± 1.84 years, and for non-smokers, it was 23.98 ± 2.18 years. The mean peripapillary CVI for smokers was 0.65 ± 0.08, and for non-smokers, it was 0.67 ± 0.03. No statistically significant difference in CVI was observed between the two groups. However, statistically significant differences were found in the temporal inferior (TI), temporal superior (TS), nasal inferior (NI), and nasal superior (NS) quadrants of the RNFL between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the number of packs/year and CVI values in the smoking group (r = 0.031, p = 0.826).Conclusion: The study revealed no significant difference in CVI among young smokers who smoked less than 5 packs/year compared to non-smokers. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the TI, TS, NI, and NS quadrants of the RNFL in early-age smokers.

Retrospective validation of the postnatal growth and retinopathy of prematurity (G-ROP) and Colorado retinopathy of prematurity (CO-ROP) models in a Turkish cohort.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) and Colorado Retinopathy of Prematurity (CO-ROP) models in predicting the risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants at a tertiary ROP diagnostic and treatment center. METHODS: The G-ROP and CO-ROP models were applied to the study group using the data obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of both models were then calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six infants were included in the study. When the G-ROP model was applied to the study group, the model`s sensitivity at detecting any stage ROP was 88.7%, while it was 93.3% for the treated group. The specificity of the model was 10.9% for any stage ROP, and 11.7% for the treated group. For the CO-ROP model in the same study group, the sensitivity at detecting any stage ROP was 87.3%, while it was 100% for the treated group. The CO-ROP model's specificity was 40% for any stage ROP, and 27.9% for the treated group. When cardiac pathology criteria were introduced to both models, the sensitivity of the G-ROP and CO-ROP models increased to 94.4% and 97.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the G-ROP and CO-ROP models are simple and effective models for predicting any degree of ROP development, but that they are unable to be 100% accurate. When the models were modified by introducing cardiac pathology criteria, it was observed that they began to produce more accurate results. Studies with larger groups are needed in order to assess the applicability of the modified criteria.

The effect of platelet-rich fibrin on wound healing following strabismus surgery.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on post-operative wound healing following strabismus surgery in a rabbit model. METHODS: Nine New Zealand white rabbits were involved in the study. One of these nine rabbits was kept in control without having any operation. Both eyes of eight rabbits underwent superior rectus muscle (SRM) resection. After resection of SRM, PRF was applied to SRM of the right eyes. In the left eye, SRM was not wrapped with PRF and served as a control. The rabbits were sacrificed and enucleated 6 weeks after the surgery. Inflammation and vascular proliferation were assessed by staining with haematoxylin-eosin. Scar and fibrosis were examined by the Masson trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of inflammation (p = 0.535), vascularization (p = 0.602), and fibrosis (p = 0.745) between the eyes. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF demonstrated no significant difference (p = 0.745). However, significant staining for α-SMA was detected in PRF-treated eyes compared with control eyes (p = 0.037). CONCLUSION: Consistent with the hypothesis that PRF facilitates wound healing as a biocatalyst, there was only a significant difference for α-SMA related to myofibroblast activity which is important for wound remodelling. Future comprehensive studies are needed to extend these results.

Regional analysis of segmented-macular structure in patients with myopic anisometropia.

PURPOSE: To compare intraretinal layers between the eyes in patients with myopic anisometropia, and evaluate the relationship between the layers with spherical equivalent (SE) and axial length (AL). METHODS: In this retrospective study, the more myopic (MM) and fellow (F) eyes of 41 patients with myopic anisometropia, and 38 emmetropic (± 0.50 diopter) control (C) eyes were inclueded. Intraretinal layer segmentation was performed by optical coherence tomography. Global volumes of retinal layers and their thicknesses in nine macular regions were compared. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship with SE and AL in each layer. RESULTS: Total retinal, ganglion cell (GCL), inner nuclear (INL), and outer plexiform (OPL) layer volumes in MM eyes were less than in C eyes, while INL and OPL were less than in F eyes. There was no difference in the fovea, except for the retinal pigment epithelium. In MM eyes, only INL and OPL were thin in at least one perifoveal and parafoveal quadrant compared to F eyes. Only INL and OPL thicknesses were significantly correlated with both SE and AL in all perifoveal quadrants. In contrast to the thinning found in MM eyes, the only layer in which thickening was detected to compare to C eye was nerve fiber layer (NFL), which correlated positively with SE and negatively with AL. CONCLUSION: While the fovea is less affected by myopia, thinning becomes remarkable in the perifoveal quadrants. Despite thinning in many layers, especially INL and OPL, NFL thickening may be seen due to myopia.

Dry Eye and Dry Nose Caused by the Effect of Allergic Rhinitis on Tear and Nasal Secretion Osmolarity.

OBJECTIVE: Allergic rhinitis is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction of immunoglobulin E in the rhino-ocular mucosa. This study was planned to demonstrate in patients with allergic rhinitis to evaluate changes in tear, nasal secretions, and blood osmolarity compared to healthy individuals. METHOD: Forty allergic rhinitis patients, 25 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections, and 26 healthy participants were included in the study. Positive patients with allergic symptoms and skin prick test results were included in the allergic rhinitis group. Tear, nasal secretion, and blood osmolarity values were examined for the 3 groups. RESULT: In patients with allergic rhinitis, tear and nasal secretion osmolarity values were significantly higher in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and those of the healthy participants (P = .001, P = .038). In blood osmolarity measurements, there was no statistical difference between the groups (P = .489). In patients with allergic rhinitis, Schirmer test results were significantly shorter than patients who had acute upper respiratory tract infection and those of the healthy participants (P = .001, P = .001). Patients with allergic rhinitis and acute upper respiratory tract infections had significantly shorter Schirmer test results than in healthy participants (P = .001, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Tear osmolarity was increased in allergic rhinitis patients, and this was thought to lead to dry eye findings. In the presence of allergic rhinitis, nasal secretions were found more hyperosmolar than tears. Nasal secretion osmolarity was higher in allergic rhinitis patients than in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and control group.

Fluorescein angiography as a primary guide for reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy for the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the results of fluorescein angiography (FA)-guided reduced-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), with the hypothesis that indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) guidance is avoidable in some cases. METHODS: This retrospective study includes a consecutive nonrandomized series of chronic CSCR cases. All eyes were examined with FA and the ones that had discrete active leakage areas or points had undergone reduced-fluence PDT. RESULTS: The study included 45 eyes of 41 patients with a mean age of 48.8 ± 10.7. The main duration of last chronic CSCR episode was 13.0 ± 11.9 months. Thirty-nine (86.7%) out of 45 consecutive eyes had active leakage area(s) on FA, which enabled them to be treated with PDT. Remaining six eyes had undergone ICGA examination and had received an ICGA-guided PDT. In FA-guided eyes, the mean BCVA improved from 0.44 ± 0.25 Snellen lines to 0.63 ± 0.32 lines in the last control visit (p < 0.001). Both central macular thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly in treated eyes. Thirty-eight eyes (97.4%) in FA-guided group and six eyes (100.0%) in ICGA-guided group had total resorption of subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: This study provides basis to support the hypothesis that FA-guided half-fluence PDT may be justified as an alternative method of treatment in appropriate cases of chronic CSCR without compromising the therapeutic success.

Autologous Platelet-Rich Fibrin in the Treatment of Refractory Macular Holes.

PURPOSE: To describe a novel method for the treatment of refractory macular holes. METHODS: Two case reports on the use of autologous platelet rich fibrin (PRF), followed by sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade to facilitate closure of refractory macular holes. RESULTS: Macular holes were succesfully closed within a week in both cases. Best corrected Snellen visual acuities improved from counting fingers to 0.16 in the first case, and from 0.05 to 0.2 in the second case. No complication occurred during or after the procedures. CONCLUSION: The use of autologous PRF seems to be a safe and effective alternative method for the treatment of refractory macular holes. Further experience and studies are required to assess the value of autologous PRF in the management of challenging macular hole cases of different etiologies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of autologous PRF in the treatment of macular holes.

A novel tool reflecting the role of oxidative stress in the cataracts: thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

We investigated serum and aqueous humor thiol/disulfide (T-D) homeostasis in patients with cataracts versus healthy controls. In total, 56 patients with cataracts and 49 healthy controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Serum total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT), and disulfide (DS) concentrations were determined using a novel automated measurement method. Additionally, DS/TT, DS/NT and NT/TT percentage ratios were compared between the groups. In comparison with the control group, serum NT levels and aqueous humor TT and NT levels were significantly lower (p < .05, p < .05 and p < .001, respectively), whereas serum and aqueous humor DS levels were significantly higher in cataract patients (p < .01 and p < .001). DS/TT and DS/NT ratios were significantly higher and the NT/TT ratio was lower in cataract patients in serum (p < .005) and aqueous humor samples (p < .001). In conclusion, serum T-D homeostasis may be useful as biochemical markers, indicating the role of oxidative stress in the development of cataracts. Further studies are needed to confirm the pathophysiological role of T-D homeostasis in cataractogenesis.