Ocular Symptoms in Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report the ocular manifestations in kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients who were examined at the ophthalmology clinic of a tertiary hospital between October 2021 and October 2022. We evaluated the ocular complaints of the patients, ophthalmological examination findings, the etiology of the underlying disease, comorbidities, posttransplant duration, and the medications used. Ocular pathologies were classified as corneal, conjunctival, lens, vitreoretinal, and optic disc pathologies for the analysis. RESULTS: Our study included 233 patients (191 kidney, 40 liver, 2 heart transplant patients). Mean age of patients was 42.94 ± 17.45 years. Among the patient group, 80.3% had at least 1 pathological ocular finding. In subgroup analysis, 12.4% of the patients had corneal pathologies, 19.3% had conjunctival pathologies, 33.0% had lens pathologies, 33.5% had vitreoretinal pathologies, and 18.9% had optic disc-related pathologies. The most common finding was dry eye, followed by cataract and vitreoretinal pathologies. The most common vitreoretinal pathology was diabetic retinopathy, followed by hypertensive retinopathy. The ocular pathology incidence in kidney and liver transplant patients was similar (P = .05). The 2 heart transplant patients did not have any ocular pathologies except refractive errors. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between posttransplant duration and ocular pathologies (P = .28). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular findings were seen in most of the kidney and liver transplant recipients. Therefore, it is required that these patients undergo routine ocular screenings in order to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment when needed.

Refractive change in pediatric patients with intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between intermittent exotropia (IXT) and refractive change and the effects of the methods applied in IXT follow-up on refractive change. METHOD: The medical records of 228 patients with IXT (group 1) and 110 patients without strabismus (group 2) who were followed between 2008 and 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Group 1 was divided into three subgroups: overminus correction (group 1A), patients who underwent surgery (group 1B), and patients who were observed (group 1C). RESULTS: Annual myopic progression was -0.21 ± 0.32 D (range, -1.26 to +1.92) in group 1 and -0.07 ± 0.30 D (range, -1.13 to +1.00) in group 2 (P < 0.001). Annual myopic progression was -0.26 ± 0.29 D (range, -1.26 D to +0.12 D) in group 1A, -0.25 ± 0.35 D (range, -1.15 D to +0.25 D) in group 1B, and -0.19 ± 0.33 D (range, -1.12 D to +1.92 D) in group 1C. There was no difference in annual myopic progression between the subgroups (P = 0.670). The annual change in myopic refraction between each of the group 1 subgroups and group 2 was statistically significantly different (P < 0.001, P = 0.023, P < 0.001, resp.). CONCLUSIONS: Myopia progression was significantly greater in children with IXT than in the normal population. Myopia progression did not vary with exotropia treatment.

Macular Imaging Characteristics in Children with Myelinated Retinal Nerve Fiber and High Myopia Syndrome.

Objectives: To investigate the macular imaging features in patients with unilateral myelinated retinal nerve fiber (MRNF) and high myopia syndrome. Materials and Methods: Six patients with unilateral MRNF and high myopia syndrome and 13 myopic controls were enrolled in this study. Spectral domain (SD) optical coherence tomography (OCT), SD enhanced depth imaging OCT, and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging results of MRNF-affected eyes were compared with the fellow eyes and myopic controls. Results: All patients had abnormal foveal reflex and/or ectopia. No significant difference in retinal thickness parameters were noted between the groups. In OCT scans, posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was observed in 4 out of the 6 MRNF-affected eyes. Regarding OCTA parameters, only a significant increase in acircularity index was noted in myelinated eyes (p=0.01). Conclusion: All patients demonstrated normal foveal contours, macular structure, and OCTA features except for a higher acircularity index. The incidence of PVD was notably increased in the myelinated eyes.

A variation of foveal morphology in a group of children with hypermetropia.

PURPOSE: During routine eye examinations, we noticed widened and flattened foveal pits with loss of normal V-shaped foveal profile and a pseudohole-like appearance in some otherwise healthy hypermetropic children. Our purpose was to describe clinical significance and multimodal imaging features of this incidental finding. METHODS: Prospectively, 25 eyes of 13 hypermetropic children with these foveal changes and 36 eyes of 19 hypermetropic children with normal foveal appearance were enrolled. The macular thickness measurements and foveal parameters including pit diameter, depth, base, and area obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Heidelberg Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), macular superficial and deep vessel density (VD) and foveal avascular zone values obtained by optical coherence tomography angiography (Avanti RTVue­XR; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA) were noted. The correlations of these parameters with visual function were evaluated. RESULTS: In the study group, significantly widened and flattened pit contours with decreased central foveal thickness (p = 0.01), and increased distance between foveal edges (p < 0.001) were observed. While the whole image superficial macular VD was similar between the groups (p = 0.74), a significant decrease in deep macular VD was observed in the study group (p = 0.01). None of these changes were correlated with visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Wider and flattened foveal pits described here represent a newly defined variation in healthy hypermetropic children. Although a correlation with visual acuity was not evident, these changes in foveal profile are shown to be related with macular microvascular changes in deep capillary plexus. Awareness of these morphologic changes will help clinicians in the differential diagnosis of macular pseudohole.

Comparison of visual performance and quality of life with a new nondiffractive EDOF intraocular lens and a trifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To compare visual performance and quality of life (QoL) following bilateral implantation of a new nondiffractive extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) and a trifocal IOL. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective comparative interventional case series. METHODS: 104 eyes of 52 patients with cataract, bilaterally implanted with a nondiffractive EDOF IOL or a trifocal IOL, were included. Outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), distance corrected intermediate visual acuity and distance corrected near visual acuity, defocus curves, QoL (Visual Function Index 14), quality of vision (Quality of Vision [QoV] index), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson chart), and binocular reading speed. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included in each group. The UDVA and CDVA were better in the EDOF group (0.05 ± 0.04 and 0.01 ± 0.04) than the trifocal group (0.13 ± 0.06 and 0.11 ± 0.07) ( P = .02 and .01). Defocus curves showed that visual acuity was better with the EDOF IOL for vergences at 0.00, -0.50, and -1.00 and better with the trifocal IOL for vergences at -2.50, -3.00, -3.50, and -4.00. Contrast sensitivity scores were similar with both IOLs ( P = .12). The overall mean QoL scores were lower in the EDOF group, indicating a better QoL ( P = .04). The QoV was better in the EDOF group with significantly less glare, halos, and blurry vision ( P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The EDOF IOL performed better at distance, and the trifocal IOL performed better at near. Overall QoL and quality of vision were better with the EDOF IOL.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Corneal Transplantation and Cornea Procurement.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in its first year on corneal transplant outcomes performed at a tertiary eye care center in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of patients who underwent corneal transplant between March 2020 and February 2021 (group A) at the Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographics, indications for transplant, type of transplant procedure (lamellar vs penetrating), follow-up duration, and postoperative complications were recorded. The same data were collected for cornea transplant patients who were seen the previous year, between March 2019 and February 2020 (group B). Data from the 2 groups were compared. In related samples, the Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis, and a P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Six corneal transplants were performed between March 2020 and February 2021 (group A), and 48 corneal transplantations were performed in the previous year (group B). There was an 80% decline in total corneal transplant numbers when compared with the previous year, and lamellar surgeries were not performed at all during the first year of the pandemic. Indications during the pandemic were mainly urgent and limited to tectonic or therapeutic causes. Postoperative follow-up regimens were impaired, and the complication rate was significantly higher during the pandemic period compared with the previous year (67% in group A vs 16% in group B) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a steep decline in transplants in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. The prominent increase in complication rates can be attributed to the late diagnosis of corneal rejections due to impaired postoperative follow-up regimens.

Posterior Pole Asymmetry Analysis in the Children with Anisometropia.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the inter and intraocular differences in posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in anisometropia, to examine the relationship between the presence of anisometropia and amblyopia and retinal thickness. Methods: Patients between ages of 5 and 16 years with anisometropia who applied to our clinic were included in the study. Macular retinal thickness measurements were evaluated by PPAA using the posterior pole algorithm of the spectral domain-OCT device. Asymmetry was analyzed both as the difference between the right and left eyes and the difference between the superior, inferior, and mean retinal thicknesses of 64 separate quadrants in the same eye. Hemispheric and right-left eye asymmetry differences analyses were performed. Results: 118 patients were included in the study(65 females and 53 males). Group 1 consisted of anisometropic patients (n=46), Group 2 consisted of anisometropic amblyopia patients (n=40), and Group 3 consisted of control group (n=32). The mean age of the patients was 9.72±5.6 years. The mean spherical equivalent difference between the two eyes of the patients was 1.7±0.6 D. When anisometropic eyes were compared with normal eyes, there was no significant difference between mean superior, inferior and total retinal thickness, and right-left eye asymmetry values (for all, p>0.05). In the asymmetry evaluation performed by counting the black boxes in the PPAA, a significant difference was found in the right-left asymmetry evaluation in anisometropic amblyopic eyes, in some quadrants and in the right-left asymmetry analysis (p<0.05). Conclusion: While no difference was found between anisometropic and normal eyes in the PPAA, there was differences in some quadrants in the anisometropic amblyopic group compared to the control group suggesting that there is an involvement in the peripheral quadrants of the macula, especially in treatment resistant amblyopic patients.

Macular Vessel Density Measurement in Pediatric Renal and Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Microcirculatory dysfunction is known to be associated with organ failure and increased mortality in transplant patients. Noninvasive monitorization of retinal structures of the eye could be a predictor for systemic microvasculature in these patients. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the retinal microvascular changes in pediatric patients who had undergone liver or renal transplant surgery, using optical coherence tomography angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of pediatric patients who had liver or renal transplant in the past 10 years were reviewed. The macular vessel density parameters were obtained by optical coherence tomography angiography (Avanti RTVue XR). The results were compared with the age-matched, sex-matched, and spherical equivalent-matched healthy participants (control group). The IBM SPSS (version 25.0) statistics program was used for data analysis. RESULTS: We included 32 eyes of 16 liver transplant patients, 20 eyes of 10 renal transplant patients, and 64 eyes of 32 healthy participants (control group). Superficial macular whole image, superficial perifoveal, and deep foveal vessel densities were found to be lower in the liver transplant group compared with the healthy control group (P = .02, P = .01, and P = .01, respectively). Superficial foveal, deep macular whole image, deep foveal, and deep perifoveal vessel densities were found to be lower in the renal transplant group compared with the healthy control group (P = .03, P = .04, P = .01, and P = .02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Macular vessel density measurements are affected in pediatric renal and liver transplant patients. In those patients, retinal optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography measurements may provide a noninvasive window to the microcirculation.

Surgical treatment of consecutive exotropia: Comparison of different surgical methods applied to one eye in one session.

PURPOSE: To compare the different surgical methods performed on a single eye in a single session and the factors that affect the success of patients having consecutive exotropia (XT) developed after esotropia surgery. METHODS: The medical data of the patients who underwent surgery for consecutive XT were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with followed of 6 months or more were divided into four groups; patients with medial rectus (MR) advancement (Group 1 = 10), MR advancement and MR resection (Group 2 = 12), MR advancement and lateral rectus (LR) recession (Group 3 = 13), MR advancement, MR resection, and LR recession (Group 4 = 14). Success results and possible risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with consecutive XT (21 female, 28 male) were enrolled in the study. The mean age of overall patients was 22.97 years at surgery for consecutive XT. The groups did not display significant differences in terms of surgery ages, gender, refraction values, visual acuity, amblyopia, inferior oblique overaction, limitation of adduction, surgical success rates, and follow-up time (p > 0.05). Patients of Group 4 had larger preoperative and postoperative deviation, while Group 1 had smaller (p < 0.05). The surgical success rates of Groups 1, 2, 3, 4 were 90%, 75%, 76.9%, and 50%, respectively (p = 0.192). Statistically, no factor was found to be effective in surgical success rates (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of consecutive XT is successful in most of the patients with numerous surgical options performed on a single eye in a single session. Patients, particularly with a high amount of deviation should be warned about the possibility of additional surgery.

Antiproliferative and Mitochondrial Protective Effects of Apigenin in an Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy In Vivo Mouse Model.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of a common dietary flavonoid apigenin on retinal endothelial cell proliferation, retinal morphological structure, and apoptotic cell death in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model to evaluate the possibility of the use of apigenin in the treatment of ocular neovascular diseases (ONDs). Methods: Ninety-six newborn C57BL/6J mice were included. Eight groups were randomized, each including 12 mice. Two negative control groups were kept in room air: the first without any injection and the second received intravitreal (IV) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which is the solvent we used. The OIR groups were exposed to 75% ± 2% oxygen from postnatal days (PD) 7 to 12. On PD 12, the mice were randomly assigned to 6 groups: 2 OIR control groups (1 received no injection, 1 received IV-DMSO), 2 IV-apigenin groups (10 and 20 µg/mL), and 2 intraperitoneal (IP)-apigenin groups (10 and 20 mg/kg). We quantified retinal endothelial cell proliferation by counting neovascular tufts in cross-sections and examined histological and ultrastructural changes through light and electron microscopy. We evaluated apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL). Results: We detected a significant increase in endothelial cell proliferation in the OIR groups. Groups receiving apigenin, both IP and IV, had significant decreases in endothelial cells, atypical mitochondrion count, and apoptotic cells compared with the groups receiving no injections. None of the apigenin-injected groups revealed cystic degeneration or cell loss. Conclusions: Apigenin suppresses neovascularization, has antiapoptotic and antioxidative effects in an OIR mouse model, and can be considered a promising agent for treating OND. Clinical trial (Project number: DA15/19).

Choroidal and Macular Thickness in Eyes with Amblyopia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess and analyze the retinal and choroidal thickness in amblyopic eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. METHODS: A total of 67 children with amblyopia and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy non-amblyopic control subjects were enrolled in the study. The 67 amblyopic children were divided into 3 groups: hypermetropic amblyopia (Group 1). microesotropia (Group 2). and myopic anisometropia (Group 3). All of the participants underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination and orthoptic assessment. The subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured at 500-. 750-. 1000-. and 15000-micron intervals nasally and temporally. Central macular thickness was also measured in the subfoveal. parafoveal inferior. parafoveal superior. parafoveal nasal. and parafoveal temporal superior. inferior. nasal. and temporal quadrants. All of the parameters of the amblyopic eyes. fellow eyes. and control eyes were compared. RESULTS: In all. 34 female and 33 male patients were studied. The mean age was 8.6±2.8 years (range: 5-12 years). Comparison of the choroidal thickness and macular thickness measurements between the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eye of the same patient within each group revealed no statistically significant differences. Comparison of the findings in the amblyopic eyes of Group 1 and Group 3 with the control group revealed that the choroidal thickness measurements were smaller in the amblyopic eyes in all quadrants. however. only the nasal quadrant measurements demonstrated a statistical significance. The subfoveal macular thickness value was also smaller in both groups when compared with the control eyes. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that amblyopia. whether anisometropic or microtropic. did not seem to significantly affect choroidal thickness.

Factors Affecting Binocular Sensorial Function in Accommodative Esotropia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was an assessment of factors related to the development and maintenance of binocular sensory function after successful alignment of accommodative esotropia (AE). METHODS: A total of 107 patients aged <12 years with ≥6 months follow-up were included in the study. The variables of age at onset of deviation, duration of deviation before treatment, the amount of uncorrected distance and near deviation, hyperopia, anisometropia, and accommodative convergence to accommodation ratio (AC/A) were evaluated. RESULTS: The study patients had a mean age of 4.9±2.5 years and a mean length of follow-up of 34.3±28 months. Anisometropia was identified in 26.1% of the participants. Anisometropic patients had a greater degree of hyperopia (mean: 5.02±2.07 D) than the patients without (p>0.05). Amblyopia was seen in 25% of the patients with anisometropia, and in 19% of those without (p<0.05). The binocular visual function of the 2 groups was not significantly different (p>0.05). The age at onset of deviation and the duration of deviation did not affect the final outcome (p>0.05 for all). The degree of initial uncorrected distance deviation had a significant effect on the development of amblyopia, fusion, and contoured stereopsis (p<0.05 for all), while the degree of near deviation without correction had a significant effect only on contoured stereopsis. CONCLUSION: The degree of uncorrected distance and near deviation had a negative impact on binocular vision and stereopsis in AE. The presence of anisometropia, age at onset of deviation, duration of deviation before treatment, high hyperopia, and high AC/A did not pose a significant risk for impaired binocular function.

The Role of Heredity and the Prevalence of Strabismus in Families with Accommodative, Partial Accommodative, and Infantile Esotropia

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of strabismus in families of a proband with accommodative, partial accommodative, or infantile esotropia, and to evaluate the mode of inheritance and the role of consanguineous marriages in this prevalence. Materials and Methods: Families of probands with comitant strabismus were invited to participate in the study. The family members of 139 subjects with accommodative, 55 with partial accommodative, and 21 with infantile esotropia agreed to participate. Detailed family trees were constructed. The first- and second-degree relatives were invited for a complete ophthalmological examination, and 518 individuals from 168 families were evaluated. The role of consanguinity, the presence of tropia, phoria (≥8 PD), microtropia, and hypermetropia (≥3.00 D) among first- and second-degree relatives were analyzed. Results: A non-Mendelian pattern was found in 49 families (23%), an autosomal dominant pattern in 39 families (18%), and an autosomal recessive pattern in 6 families (3%). The prevalence of consanguineous marriages among parents of probands was 18.1%, 22.6%, and 14.3% in the accommodative, partial accommodative, and infantile esotropia groups, respectively (p=0.652). The prevalence of strabismus in first-degree relatives was 58.9%, 45.5%, and 38.1%, respectively (p=0.07). The prevalence of microtropia in probands' siblings was significantly higher in the accommodative esotropia group (p=0.034). Conclusion: Sporadic cases and non-Mendelian inheritance were more frequent than autosomal recessive inheritance. Autosomal recessive inheritance was found not to be frequent in consanguineous marriages. The prevalence of strabismus and microtropia was significantly higher in families of esotropia cases than in the general population.

Comparison of the mechanical properties of the anterior lens capsule in senile cataract, senile cataract with trypan blue application, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the elastic modulus, hardness, and mechanical properties of the anterior lens capsule in different types of cataract and to assess the correlation with age. SETTING: Baskent University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised patients with senile cataract, Group 2 patients had pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome, and Group 3 patients had dye-enhanced cataract surgery. The capsules were analyzed using a nanoindentation device. Young's modulus of elasticity was measured by the Oliver-Pharr method and capsule hardness by the Martens method. RESULTS: The study comprised 72 patients, 24 per group. The mean Young's modulus was 7.53 GPa ± 1.07 (SD) in Group 1, 6.01 ± 1.25 GPa in Group 2, and 8.12 ± 0.98 GPa in Group 3. The capsules in Group 2 were more elastic than in Group 1 and Group 3 (P < .001). The capsules in Group 3 had lower elasticity than in Group 1, although the difference was not significant (P = .94). The mean capsule stiffness was 326.41 ± 98.40 MPa in Group 1, 210.5 ± 52.32 MPa in Group 2, and 315.54 ± 163.15 MPa in Group 3. The lens capsules in Group 2 were less stiff than those in Group 1 and Group 3 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Capsule thickness was positively correlated with increasing age in all groups. The anterior lens capsules of patients with PXF had more elasticity and less stiffness than the other groups. Intracameral trypan blue application had no effect on capsule elasticity and stiffness.

Contrast Sensitivity in Microtropic and Anisometropic Eyes of Successfully Treated Amblyopes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and compare contrast sensitivity function in the previously amblyopic and non-amblyopic "normal" eyes of patients with microtropia and anisometropia who achieved 20/20 visual acuity after occlusion therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast sensitivity was tested monocularly on both eyes of 34 successfully treated microtropic and 15 anisometropic subjects (visual acuity 20/20 in both eyes). Contrast sensitivity function was evaluated by CSV-1000E and age-matched nomograms were used (spatial frequencies of 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree [cpd]) for comparison. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 11.2±1.3 years in the microtropic group, 9.8±1.7 years in the anisometropic group (7-12 years); the mean follow-up time was 16.4±3.2 months (12 to 92) in the microtropic group and 27.7±1.8 months (12-84) in the anisometropic group. Statistical comparison of the microtropic amblyopic eyes versus non-microtropic eyes showed significant differences at spatial frequencies of 3, 12 and 18 cpd (3 cpd, t=2.8, p=0.007; 6 cpd, t=1.1 p=0.261; 12 cpd, t=2.2, p=0.033; 18 cpd, t=2.2, p=0.030). When anisometropic eyes were compared with non-anisometropic eyes, there was a significant difference only at 12 cpd (t=2.1 p=0.049). The comparison of non-amblyopic eyes versus age-matched nomograms revealed no differences at any of the spatial frequencies (p>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Contrast sensitivity was decreased in patients with amblyopia, especially in the microtropic group. The assessment of contrast sensitivity function may serve as a new parameter for termination of occlusion therapy.

Risk factors for treatment failure and recurrence of anisometropic amblyopia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with failed vision improvement and recurrence following occlusion therapy for anisometropic amblyopia in children aged 7-9 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 64 children aged 7-9 years who had been diagnosed as having anisometropic amblyopia and were treated with patching. Functional treatment failure was defined as final visual acuity in the amblyopic eye of worse than 20/32. Improvement of fewer than two logMAR lines was considered relative treatment failure. Recurrence was defined as the reduction of at least two logMAR levels of visual acuity after decreased or discontinued patching. RESULTS: Functional and relative success rates were 51.6 and 62.5 %, respectively. The most important factor for functional treatment failure [adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95 % confidence interval, CI) 11.57 (1.4-95.74)] and the only risk factor for recurrence [adjusted OR (95 % CI) 3.04 (1.13-8.12)] were the same: high spherical equivalent (SE) of the amblyopic eye. A large interocular difference in the best-corrected visual acuity was found to be a risk factor for both functional and relative failure. CONCLUSION: High SE of the amblyopic eye was the most influential risk factor for treatment failure and recurrence in compliant children aged 7-9 years.

Suramin, Genistein and Collagen Matrix (DuraGen) for Delayed Adjustment after Strabismus Surgery: Which One is Best?

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of suramin, genistein and collagen matrix for the prevention of inflammation, the reduction of fibrosis and the delay in adjustment after strabismus surgery on a rabbit model. METHODS: By using an adjustable suture technique, a recession of the superior rectus muscle (SRM) was made in 36 eyes of 18 rabbits. Three study groups were created using genistein, suramin and collagen matrix (n = 6 per group). Two control groups utilized dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (n = 6) and balanced salt solution (n = 12). The adjustments and measurements were made on days 2, 7, 14. After enucleation was done on day 21, the degree of inflammation was evaluated quantitatively in histopathological sections and immunohistochemical investigations were performed for tissue expression of cytoplasmic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), MAC 387, TGF-ß and bFGF. RESULTS: The adhesions between conjunctiva and SRM were significantly less in the collagen matrix and suramin groups (p = 0.002) and adhesions between the sclera and SRM were considerably reduced in the genistein and DMSO groups (p = 0.006) on day 7. Force exerted for adjustment was significantly less in the collagen matrix and suramin groups on day 14 (p = 0.006). Expression of b-FGF was significantly lower in the conjunctival epithelium in the suramin and genistein groups (p = 0.0001 for both). TGF-ß was significantly lower (p = 0.001) in the suramin group and VEGF expression was totally absent. MAC 387 expression was lower in the genistein and suramin groups (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Suramin, genistein and collagen matrix successfully reduce adhesions, and facilitate adjustment following recession surgery. Both suramin and genistein effectively suppress growth factor expression, while collagen matrix offers the longest time interval for adjustability after strabismus surgery.

Clear lens phacoemulsification in Alport syndrome: refractive results and electron microscopic analysis of the anterior lens capsule.

PURPOSE: To report the ocular findings of patients with Alport syndrome and the results of clear lens extraction in this patient group. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes of 15 patients with a diagnosis of Alport syndrome were included in this study. Clear corneal phacoemulsification and intraocular foldable lens implantation was performed in eyes with indeterminate refractive errors and/or poor visual acuity and anterior capsule samples were analyzed with electron microscopy. RESULTS: All patients had a history of hereditary nephritis and/or deafness as systemic involvement. Ophthalmologic examination revealed anterior lenticonus with high myopia and/or irregular astigmatism in all patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.67 ± 0.17 logMAR (range 1.0-0.4) preoperatively and 0.17 ± 0.08 logMAR (range 0.3-0.0) postoperatively. Postoperative refractive lenticular astigmatism dramatically decreased and no ocular complications arose during the follow-up period. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of the lens capsules supported the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Clear lens phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation is a safe and effective therapeutic choice for the management of uncorrectable refractive errors and low visual acuity due to anterior lenticonus in patients with Alport syndrome.

Structural consequences after intravitreal bevacizumab injection without increasing apoptotic cell death in a retinopathy of prematurity mouse model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different bevacizumab concentrations on retinal endothelial cell proliferation, retinal structures and apoptotic activity after intravitreal injection in a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) mouse model. METHODS: A total of 35 of C57BL/J6 mice were exposed to 75±2% oxygen from postnatal day 7 to postnatal day 12. On day 12, 10 mice (group C) were injected with 2.5 µg intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB), 11 mice (group D) were injected with 1.25 µg IVB, and 14 mice (group E) were injected with 0.625 µg IVB in one eye. The contralateral eyes were injected with isotonic saline (control group=group B). Four nonexposed mice served as negative controls (group A). Neovascularization was quantified by counting the endothelial cell proliferation on the vitreal side of the inner limiting membrane of the retina. Histological and ultrastructural changes were examined by light and electron microscopy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxy-UTP-nick end labelling (TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis. RESULTS: The endothelial cell count per histological section was lower in groups C (p<0.0001), D (p<0.0001) and E (p<0.0001) compared with the control group B. Histological evaluation showed no retinal toxicity in any group. Electron microscopy revealed hyperoxia-induced mitochondrial dysmorphology in group B. Mitochondrial dysmorphology displayed dose-dependent gradual increase in IVB-injected eyes. Intravitreal bevacizumab induced no significant increase in apoptotic cell death. CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab suppresses endothelial cell proliferation in a ROP mouse model. In addition to hyperoxia-induced mitochondrial dysmorphology of C57BL/J6 retina, morphological findings implicate further mitochondrial vulnerability because of bevacizumab without increase in apoptotic cell death.