The safety and efficacy of TNF inhibitors in patients with Behçet's disease: Retrospective study from eastern Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical features, disease course, and associated factors for outcome in severe/refractory BD patients receiving TNF-i treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records from a tertiary referral center in Van province in Eastern Turkey. Data were obtained from patients' charts followed up between June 2019 and June 2022. RESULTS: We included 469 BD patients (59.3% male) whose 80 patients (17%) received TNF-i treatment in the study. The mean ± standard deviation of the patient age was 36.7 ± 10.1 years and the median (IQR) disease duration was 12 (12) years. IFX and ADAwere initiated in 67.5% (n = 54) and 32.5% (n = 26) patients, respectively. Overall and first-line retention rates of TNF-i were 84.7% and 92.6% for IFX and 83.3% and 80.8% for ADA, respectively. IFX was discontinued in 9 patients which were in 2 patients due to allergic reaction and tuberculosis, 3 patients for inefficacy, one patient for heart failure, and one patient for orbital zona. Although no serious adverse event was observed with ADA, 5 patients switched to IFX due to inefficacy. Overall, 72 patients (90%) resumed TNF-i at the end of the study; TNF-i was discontinued in 3 patients (3.8%) due to severe adverse events and in 5 patients (6.2%) with prolonged remission. CONCLUSION: In our study, no case of death was observed in TNF-i receiving patients. Most patients achieved attack-free and CS-free disease and retained TNF-i treatment. TNF inhibitors appear to be safe and effective in patients with severe/refractory Behçet's disease.

A novel spot mutation leading to sialidosis type 1-myoclonus syndrome and optical coherence tomography findings / Uma nova mutação pontual levando à sialidose tipo 1 - síndrome mioclônica e seus achados na tomografia de coerência óptica

ABSTRACT This report presents the optical coherence tomography findings and a new NEU1 mutation in bilateral macular cherry-red spot syndrome associated with sialidosis type 1. A 19-year-old patient with a macular cherry-red spot underwent metabolic and genetic analyses supported by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Fundus examination revealed bilateral macular cherry-red spot. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed increased hyperreflectivity in the retinal inner layers and the photoreceptor layer in the foveal region. The genetic analysis detected a new NEU1 mutation, which caused type I sialidosis. In cases with a macular cherry-red spot, sialidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, and NEU1 mutation should be screened. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography alone is not sufficient in the differential diagnosis because childhood metabolic diseases may exhibit similar signs.

RESUMO Neste artigo, objetivamos apresentar os achados da tomografia de coerência óptica em uma nova mutação detectada no gene NEU1 em um caso de síndrome macular vermelho-cereja bilateral associada à sialidose tipo 1. Um paciente de 19 anos com um achado de mancha macular vermelho-cereja foi submetido a análises metabólicas e genéticas, apoiadas por imagens de tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (SD-OCT). Ao exame de fundo de olho, foi observada uma mancha macular vermelho-cereja bilateral. Nas imagens de SD-OCT, observou-se hiper-refletividade nas camadas internas da retina e na camada fotorreceptora na região foveal. Foi realizada uma análise genética e uma nova mutação foi detectada no gene NEU1, resultando em sialidose tipo 1. Nos casos em que é detectada uma mancha vermelho-cereja na mácula, o diagnóstico diferencial de sialidose deve ser feito e mutações do gene NEU1 devem ser rastreadas. A SD-OCT por si só não é suficiente para o diagnóstico diferencial, porque achados de aparência semelhante podem se manifestar em casos de doenças metabólicas da infância.

Corneal parameters, ocular biometers, and retinal and choroidal thickness in acromegaly patients.

BACKGROUND: To compare ocular findings of acromegaly patients with healthy individuals and investigate the relation of serum levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) along with growth hormone (GH) and pituitary tumor (adenoma) dimensions (TD) with specific ocular parameters. METHODS: The ocular parameters of acromegaly patients (n = 38) were compared with those of healthy subjects (n = 36). These parameters were intraocular pressure, keratometric (K1-K2) values, central corneal thickness (CCT), total axial length along with anterior chamber-lens-vitreous length, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, central foveal thickness (CFT), choroidal thickness (CT), ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT), and inner plexiform layer thickness (IPLT). Also investigated was whether there was a correlation between disease duration, TD, GH, IGF-I, CCT, RNFL, CFT, GCLT, IPLT, and CT. RESULTS: The lens length of the acromegaly group was increased (p = 0.014). GH and IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with CT and CCT, respectively (p = 0.041, r = 0.343) (p = 0.03, r = 0.347). Analysis of TD also found a highly negative correlation with the mean RNFL thickness of the acromegaly patients (p < 0.01, r = -0.603). The mean value of the inner parts of GCLT and IPLT was negatively correlated with TD (p = 0.041, r = -0.343 and p = 0.025, r = -0.379, respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum IGF-1 and GH levels might be determinant factors in CCT and CT, respectively. The pituitary adenoma size increasing may be prone to lead RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer thinning. Increased lens thickness was found in the acromegaly group.

The role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the evaluation of the pterygium.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the ability of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to visualize the anatomic features of the pterygium and its invasion of the corneal layers. METHODS: Seventy-five eyes of 54 patients diagnosed with pterygium were included. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations, including AS-OCT. The limbus-apex distance, vertical height at the limbus, invasion of the Bowman's and stromal layers, and other morphologic structures of the pterygium tissue were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49.67 ± 16.49 (20-85) years. The mean apex-limbus distance was 2548.37 ± 1026.32 (933-4597) µm, and the mean vertical height at the limbus was 4843.89 ± 1374.10 (1740-7784) µm. A space was observed beneath the pterygium tissue in 44 (58.67%) eyes. The mean width and height of this space were 1756.33 ± 560.22 (1009-3095) µm and 231.70 ± 85.88 (109-465) µm, respectively. Invasion of the Bowman's layer was apparent in 74 (98.67%) eyes, and invasion of the stromal layer was detected in 33 (44%) eyes. A hyperreflective layer was observed beneath the epithelial layer at the edge of the pterygium apex in 31 (41.33%) eyes. In 24 (92.31%) of the 26 advanced pterygium cases and 20 (40.82%) of the 49 early pterygium cases, a subpterygium space was found beneath the lesion (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: AS-OCT enables measurement of the actual size and thickness of pterygia, assessment of invasion of the Bowman's and stromal layers of the cornea, and evaluation of the pterygium structure. Over half of the eyes exhibited space beneath the pterygium.

A new perspective in the treatment follow-up of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis: Infiltrate thickness measurement.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings of active lesions in toxoplasma retinochoroiditis cases and to examine the changes in retinochoroidal infiltrate thickness after treatment. METHODS: A total of 21 newly diagnosed patients with ocular toxoplasmosis were included in this prospective study. A complete ophthalmologic examination and SD-OCT were performed at the first visit. The patients were followed up weekly, and the SD-OCT images were taken over the lesion at each visit for 6 weeks. The characteristics of the active retinochoroiditis focus at the first visit were determined, and the infiltrate thicknesses at all visits were analyzed. RESULTS: A statistically significant BCVA difference was observed at the first visit and at the last visit 6 weeks later (p < 0.01). The first week after treatment showed a significant decrease in infiltrate thickness (113.904 ± 86.001 µm). In the following weeks, this decrease continued more softly. The thickness change at 6 weeks was significantly reduced (16.095 ± 14.784 µm) compared with the previous ones. Weekly infitrate thickness changes were compared among themselves; a statistically significant difference was found between the 1st and 2nd weeks and the 5th and 6th weeks (p = 0.035 and p = 0.007, respectively). Detached posterior vitreous in 71% (15/21) and increased posterior vitreous thickness in 76% (16/21) of active lesion were detected. All patients had 100% (21/21) increased retinal reflectivity and disorganized retinal layers, and choroidal hypo-reflectivity was observed in 86% (18/21). CONCLUSION: SD-OCT is a useful imaging modality in the diagnosis and follow-up of ocular toxoplasmosis cases. Serial thickness measurements of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis lesions may help confirm our diagnosis and determine the need for treatment.

Comparison of both eyes anterior segment structures of patients with unilateral blunt trauma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) data in patients with unilateral blunt ocular trauma (BOT), to determine the relationship of results with hyphema development. METHODS: 21 patients who received unilateral BOT were included in the study. Healthy eyes of patients were included in the control group. Iris stromal thickness (IST), schlemm canal area (SCA) and pupil diameter were measured by AS-OCT of the participants. In addition, eyes with ocular trauma were divided into those with and without hyphema and compared in terms of these parameters. RESULTS: The mean nasal and temporal (n-t) IST was measured as 373± 40 µm and 369 ± 35 µm in BOT in comparison with 344 ± 35 µm and 335 ± 36 µm in control eyes, respectively (p = 0.000 and p = 0.001, respectively). The mean nasal and temporal (n-t) SCA was measured as 12,571 ± 880 µm2 and 12,162 ± 1181 µm2 in developed hyphema in comparison with 10,455 ± 1506 µm2 and 10,188 ± 939 µm2 in did not develop hyphema, respectively (p = 0.016 and p = 0.002 respectively). CONCLUSION: The ISTs of the traumatized eyes in the nasal and temporal quadrants were statistically thicker than the other healthy eyes. SCA in both nasal and temporal quadrants of eyes with hyphema was statistically significantly larger than the group without hyphema.

A novel spot mutation leading to sialidosis type 1-myoclonus syndrome and optical coherence tomography findings.

This report presents the optical coherence tomography findings and a new NEU1 mutation in bilateral macular cherry-red spot syndrome associated with sialidosis type 1. A 19-year-old patient with a macular cherry-red spot underwent metabolic and genetic analyses supported by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Fundus examination revealed bilateral macular cherry-red spot. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography revealed increased hyperreflectivity in the retinal inner layers and the photoreceptor layer in the foveal region. The genetic analysis detected a new NEU1 mutation, which caused type I sialidosis. In cases with a macular cherry-red spot, sialidosis should be included in the differential diagnosis, and NEU1 mutation should be screened. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography alone is not sufficient in the differential diagnosis because childhood metabolic diseases may exhibit similar signs.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment in pediatric patients with pars planitis: a single-center experience from Turkey.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) treatment (Adalimumab [ADA]) combined with immunomodulatory agents (IMAs) in the treatment of pars planitis (PP). METHODS: The patients with PP who were treated with anti-TNF-alpha agents for at least six months were qualified for the chart review. The outcome parameters were the steroid-free remission state, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central macular thickness (CMT) of the patients at the last visit. RESULTS: After a mean total follow-up time of 15.5 ± 5.8 months (8-24 months), all the cases were in steroid-free remission at the last visit. The mean BCVA increased, and the mean CMT decreased significantly at the last visit (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: ADA combined with IMAs offers effective and safe treatment modalities in the control of chronic intraocular inflammation in PP cases.

Corneal densitometry in patients with arcus senilis and its correlation with serum lipid levels.

Purpose: To evaluate corneal densitometry (CD) of patients with arcus senilis (AS) and its association with the serum lipid markers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, case-control study. The AS diagnosis was made clinically. Forty-five eyes of 45 patients with AS and 38 eyes of 38 age-matched control subjects with no noticeable AS were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent detailed ophthalmologic examination along with corneal Scheimpflug imaging with CD measurement. The evaluated serum lipid markers of the participants included total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). The Spearman correlation analysis was used to correlate the serum lipid values and the CD. P < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant. Results: The male to female ratio was 26/19 and 14/24 in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.057). The mean age was 59.56 ± 8.7 and 56.47 ± 8.6 years in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.117). The mean total CD values in the zones extending from 2 to 12 mm were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The serum HDL level was found to be significantly decreased in the study group compared to the control group (P = 0.048 and Z = -1.976). There was a significant positive correlation between the serum triglyceride level and the CD value of the outermost zone (10-12 mm) (r = 0.334 and P = 0.025). Conclusion: The CD of patients with AS was found to increase not only in the peripheral zone but also in the cornea's paracentral zone compared to the healthy controls. The serum triglyceride level should give an insight into the intensity of arcus senilis. The serum HDL levels were decreased in patients with AS.

Evaluation of Successful and Failed Filtering Blebs after Trabeculectomy Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate filtering bleb characteristics using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and analyze correlations between these parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: The study included 54 eyes of 43 patients who underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin-C. The patients were divided into two groups based on mean postoperative IOP. The criterion for surgical success was mean unmedicated postoperative IOP ≤18 mmHg. Patients with IOP values >18 mmHg were prescribed anti-glaucoma drops and classified as a surgical failure. All patients underwent AS-OCT, and maximum bleb height, maximum bleb wall thickness, and maximum fluid-filled cavity height were measured. AS-OCT bleb parameters were compared between the successful and failed groups. RESULTS: Of the 54 eyes, 37 (68.5%) were in the successful group, and 17 (31.5%) were in the failed group. Mean preoperative IOP values in the successful and failed groups were 26.9 ± 6.5 mmHg and 22.9 ± 4.9 mmHg, preoperatively, versus postoperative values of 13.3 ± 2.1 mmHg and 22.8 ± 2.8 mmHg, respectively. Mean postoperative follow-up time was 17.4 ± 9.5 months in the successful group and 19.1 ± 10.1 months in the failed group (P = 0.22). In the successful and failed groups, mean bleb height was 1473.7 ± 150.6 µm and 1165.4 ± 217 µm (P < 0.001), bleb wall thickness was 670.5 ± 119.9 µm and 538.8 ± 144.3 µm (P = 0.001), and fluid-filled cavity height was 736.5 ± 196.8 µm versus 532.5 ± 226.2 µm (P = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that higher AS-OCT values for bleb height, wall thickness, and fluid-filled cavity height were associated with greater functional success. These parameters may be helpful in determining bleb functionality.

Corneal and lens densitometry in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

AIM: To evaluate corneal and crystalline lens densitometry in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: This is a case-control study. Patients with VKC and age-gender-matched healthy controls underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination with corneal and crystalline lens densitometry measurements. Additionally, the anterior chamber parameters comprise anterior and posterior Kmean and astigmatism, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber angle (ACA), pachymeter, and corneal volume (CV). Patients who had clinically grade 0 or grade 1 VKC and with only tarsal conjunctiva involvement during the conductance of the study were included. The variables were compared statistically. RESULTS: One hundred and nine eyes were included in the study, in which fifty-one were in the VKC group. There were 25 males in the VKC group (26 female) and 22 males in the control group (36 female). A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of posterior corneal astigmatism (p = 0.02). The mean corneal pachymeter, CV, ACD, ACA, and ACV were similar in both groups (p = 0.63, p = 0.26, p = 0.60, p = 0.41, and p = 0.32, respectively). The total mean corneal densitometry in the zones extending from 6 to 10 mm and 10 to 12 mm was increased in the VKC group compared to the control group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.012, respectively). The mean crystalline lens was found to be denser in the VKC group compared to the control group (8.96 ± 1.6 vs. 8.5 ± 0.57, respectively, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Posterior corneal astigmatism is increased in VKC cases in comparison with age- and gender-matched controls. The peripheral anterior 6-12 mm annular corneal zone showed increased corneal densitometry in VKC cases compared to the healthy subjects. Additionally, the lens clarity is found to be decreased subclinically in VKC cases compared to control cases.

Effectiveness of Pulmonary Surfactant in the Treatment of Corneal Edema.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of topical surfactant and 3% sodium chloride (NaCl) in the treatment of corneal edema occurring after cataract surgery. Methods: Ninety eyes of 90 patients with no corneal disease who underwent cataract surgery were included in the study. Thirty eyes without corneal edema comprised group 1. Patients with corneal edema were divided into two groups: those treated with 3% NaCl (group 2, 30 eyes) and those treated with surfactant drop (group 3, 30 eyes). Results: The mean age was 70.8 ± 6.6 years, with no significant age difference between the groups. Preoperatively, there was no significant difference in mean central corneal thickness (CCT) or mean endothelial cell count (ECC) among the groups (P = 0.999). On postoperative day 1, CCT was significantly lower in group 1 (P < 0.001) but did not differ between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.999). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of ECC (P > 0.05). At postoperative day 7 and 14, CCT differed significantly between groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001) and between groups 2 and 3 (P = 0.001), with no significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (P = 0.474). ECC was significantly higher in group 1 (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3 (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Topical pulmonary surfactant may be a more effective treatment option than 3% hypertonic NaCl for the treatment of corneal edema that develops after cataract surgery.

In Vivo Analysis and Comparison of Anterior Segment Structures of Both Eyes in Unilateral Herpetic Anterior Uveitis.

Purpose: To compare the Schlemm's canal area (SCA) and to define iris features in patients with unilateral herpetic anterior uveitis (HAU) by using anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (AS SD-OCT).Methods: Unilateral HAU cases that had been in complete remission for ≥ 3 months were included. Two investigators analyzed the iris features of HAU. SCA in both healthy (N), and affected eyes (HAU) were compared.Results: The mean age of the participants (n = 22) was 36.3 ± 15 (17-70) years. The mean nasal and temporal (n-t) SCA was measured as 10,844 ± 4806 µm2 and 8,772 ± 3138 µm2 in HAU in comparison with 10,200 ± 4,824 µm2 and 10,045 ± 3,889 µm2 in N, respectively (p = .47 and p = .12, respectively). The most common iris features were the sectoral iridoplegia (100%) on biomicroscopy and the disorganization of the iris layers (DIL) (77%) on AS SD-OCT images.Conclusion: SCA found similar on both sides. DIL is the most common iris feature of affected eyes.

Hemicentral Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Rare Complication of Orbital Cellulitis.

A 14-year-old boy presented with acute vision loss and swelling of the right eye. An anterior segment examination revealed a relative afferent pupillary defect, severe proptosis, and ophthalmoplegia in his right eye. The fundus examination revealed inferior hemicentral retinal artery occlusion. Although the authors proceeded with systemic medical treatment, the findings did not improve. An endoscopic orbital decompression was performed. With both medical and surgical treatment, the orbital cellulitis resolved and the patient's visual acuity improved. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57:e51-e55.].

The Surgical Outcomes of Limbal Allograft Transplantation in Eyes Having Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

PURPOSE: To report the limbal allograft transplantation and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) results in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD)-developed eyes because of chemical or thermal injury. METHODS: Medical records of 18 eyes of 14 patients who had undergone keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) or living-related conjunctival limbal allograft (lr-CLAL) with or without PK and followed up at least 1 year postoperatively were evaluated retrospectively. The preoperative LSCD grade was noted in all patients. Rejection incidents, recurrence of LSCD, and corneal graft clarity along with a visual improvement during the follow-up were noted. The complications rate due to surgery or injury itself, for instance, glaucoma and cataract, were evaluated. The limbal allograft tissue survival analysis and corneal allograft survival analysis were done to reveal the differences in both the procedures. The existence of normal corneal epithelium and improvement in visual acuity were accepted as the surgical success criteria. RESULTS: In the limbal allograft transplantation group, the survival rates of the allograft tissue were 65 ± 10.7% at 1 year and 36.6 ± 11.4% at 3 years in lr-CLAL and 66.7 ± 15.7% at 12 months and 53.3 ± 17.3% at 18 months in KLAL-transplanted eyes. The survival rate of corneal allograft at the 5th postoperative year was lower in the simultaneous procedure compared to the staged procedure, but it was not statistically significant (25.7 ± 25.8% vs. 62.5 ± 17.1%, P = 0.75). The ambulatory vision was achieved in 10 eyes (56%) after a mean follow-up time of 93.8 ± 37.8 months. The visual acuity level has increased in 12 eyes (67%) in which the limbal allograft transplantation was applied. The ambulatory visual acuity level was achieved (≤1.0 logMar [20/200]) in 10 eyes (56%). In addition, two or more Snellen lines' gain in the best corrected visual acuity was observed in 12 eyes of 18 (67%) at the last follow-up, and there was not any significant difference between the KLAL and lr-CLAL. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface integrity was longer in KLAL than in lr-CLAL transplantation, but it was not statistically significant. The staged procedure was more convenient than the simultaneous procedure in terms of corneal allograft clarity maintenance in limbal allograft-employed eyes.

Comparison of the efficacy of accelerated corneal cross-linking therapy in different pediatric age groups having progressive keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To report a comparison analysis of accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) treatment for progressive keratoconus patients in different pediatric age groups. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional. METHODS: Patients with progressive keratoconus aged ≤ 18 were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-one eyes of 41 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to their age (≤ 14 years and 15-18 years). All patients underwent epithelium-off A-CXL protocol. Acquired data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 14.3 ± 1.8 (10-18) years. Twenty-five (61%) of the participants were male, and 16 (39%) were female. Twenty (49%) patients were separated into group 1 (≤ 14 years of age), and 21 (51%) were in group 2 (15-18 years). Age at presentation was found to be the only factor in anticipating the progression of keratoconus at the second postoperative year visit (p < 0.001). Progression in keratometric values was detected in seven (35%) of the 20 eyes in group 1, and one (4%) of the 21 patients in group 2 (Z = - 2.44, p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Even if proper treatment is applied, the progression of keratoconus is likely in patients younger than 14 years of age. Instead of evaluating pediatric patients as a whole, closer follow-up and early treatment may be useful in younger age groups (≤ 14 years).

Evaluation of the Initial Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Anticipating the Final Visual Outcome of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the predictive and associated factors in determining the visual outcome in patients having central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)-related macular edema (ME). METHODS: The charts of the patients who were treated due to CRVO-related visual disturbance were reviewed. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of eyes were analyzed, and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRILs), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) disruption length, hyper-reflectivity of retinal inner layer (HRIL) existence, baseline and final visual acuity (VA), subfoveal thickness (SFT), subretinal fluid (SRF), and injection numbers were noted. The regression and correlation analyses were applied. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of thirty patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 17.5 ± 11 (8-47) months. The mean baseline VA was 1.4 ± 0.7 (0.2-3.1) logMAR. A total of 87 intravitreal injections were applied for the treatment of ME during the follow-up. The initial mean central subfield thickness was 795 ± 264 (1470-398) µm. HRIL and SRF were observed in 16 and 23 eyes at the initial visit, respectively. The final mean VA was 1.2 ± 0.9 (0.1-3.1) logMAR. At the final visit, additional OCT parameters were evaluated. The mean DRIL length was 463 ± 324 µm. The mean disruption length of EZ and ELM was 367 ± 247 µm and 414 ± 327 µm, respectively. The final mean SFT was 290 ± 91 µm. SRF presence at the initial visit was found to be associated with elongated EZ and ELM disruption length at the final visit (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). On linear regression analyses, none of the baseline features (SRF, SFT, and HRIL) except baseline poor best corrected visual acuity were found to be predictive in anticipating the final visual outcome (P = 0.04). On linear bivariate analysis, the final poor visual outcome was found to be affected by EZ disruption length of ≥500 µm at the last visit (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Baseline VA was the only predictive factor in anticipating the final visual outcome. At the final visit, extensive disruption length of EZ in the subfoveal area was associated with a poor visual outcome.

The long-term surgical outcomes of conjunctival-limbal autograft procedure with or without penetrating keratoplasty in eyes with unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency.

AIM: The aim of the study is to report the results of conjunctival-limbal autograft (CLAU) transplantation and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in eyes with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) due to chemical or thermal injury. METHODS: Thirty-one eyes of the 31 patients, who had unilateral LSCD due to chemical or thermal injury, were included in the study. Bilaterally affected cases and LSCD due to Steven-Johnson syndrome and mucous membrane pemphigoid were excluded from the study. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. The surgical procedures, postoperative complications, ocular surface status, and visual outcomes were noted. RESULTS: In the CLAU group, regular corneal epithelium and ambulatory vision (≤1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [20/200]) were achieved in 81% of eyes, including 22 eyes (71%) that were assessed after a mean follow-up period of 58 months, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of corneal allograft was 33%, 4 ± 13.9 in the CLAU applied eyes. In addition, the corneal graft clarity maintenance rate was found to be higher in patients having ≥12 months duration between CLAU and PK, which is statistically significant (62% vs. 23%, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Waiting at least 1 year after CLAU transplantation to perform PK increases corneal clarity. Eyelid problems, even if the eyelids were reconstructed properly, remain a major risk factor for the development of the epithelial disorder in the early and late postoperative period in CLAU applied eyes.

Choroid vascularity index as a parameter for chronicity of Fuchs' uveitis syndrome.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) of eyes having Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS) with healthy fellow eyes (N). METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study included unilateral FUS cases and an age- and gender-matched healthy control group. Thirty-nine participants were included in the FUS group, and 24 age- and gender-matched individuals were randomly selected for the control group. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was measured using Tomey specular microscopy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to acquire the choroidal images, and binarization was applied to the images. Two blinded investigators analyzed the CVI in both eyes of the FUS cases and the right eyes of the healthy control group. RESULTS: CVI was found to be significantly decreased in FUS (p < 0.001). Additionally, ECD had a strong positive correlation with CVI (r = 0.383, p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: CVI may provide information about the chronicity of the disease.

Phototoxic maculopathy due to extreme usage of infrared illuminator-assembled night-vision handheld scope.

Night-vision handheld scopes are of wide use in military operations at dark conditions. In some cases in the battlefield, as in our case report, if there is no light coming from any source (neither from Moon nor from Stars), infrared light-emitting diode illumination can be coupled with night-vision goggles. Reflected illumination from the target is mostly blue filtered through the night-vision goggles objective lens. Retinal damage induced by unfiltered blue light and visible light has been previously reported. We described a phototoxic maculopathy induced by night-vision handheld scope assembled with infrared light-emitting diode illuminator in two soldiers who are on duty at nights for nearly two-thirds of the last year. The phototoxic maculopathy can represent with typical optical coherence tomography findings such as intraretinal hyperreflective accumulation particularly located on the surface of outer retinal segments defect or presumably in the vicinity of the light passageway. Here, we presented a unique factor causing phototoxic maculopathy.