Central corneal thickness and corneal curvature in pseudoexfoliation syndrome with and without glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal curvature (CC) in pseudoexfoliative (PE) eyes with and without glaucoma. METHODS: Charts of 551 consecutive patients undergoing preoperative examinations for cataract surgery between April 2006 and May 2009 in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. Fourty-eight PE patients (48 eyes; 19 with glaucoma, 29 without glaucoma) and 48 age-matched and sex-matched control patients were enrolled in the study. The CCT, CC, intraocular pressure, and axial length were measured by ultrasonic pachymeter, autorefractokeratometer, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and ultrasound biometry, respectively. The independent samples t test and paired samples t test was used for the comparisons of the groups. RESULTS: Mean CCT was significantly thinner in all PE and nonglaucomatous PE (Pseudoexfoliation syndrome "PES") eyes than in control eyes (P=0.004 and P=0.005, respectively). There was no difference in CCT between PE glaucoma (PEG) and control eyes (P=0.089). There was no difference in mean keratometry (K) and axial length in the study and control groups. In 22 unilateral PE eyes, mean CCT and K readings were insignificant between the PE eyes and fellow non-PE eyes. CONCLUSIONS: CCT was significantly thinner in eyes with PES compared with control eyes; however, difference between the PEG and control eyes was insignificant. In addition, mean K readings were not different in study and control eyes. Thinner CCT in eyes with PES, both as it is an independent risk factor and as a result of artificially lower intraocular pressure readings, may be an illuminating cause for development and rapid progression of glaucoma in the patients with PES.

Recovery of orbital fat pad prolapsus and deepening of the lid sulcus from topical bimatoprost therapy: 2 case reports and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: To report 2 cases of resolution of orbital fat pad prolapsus and deepening of the lid sulcus caused by topical bimatoprost therapy, and to review the literature. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational chart review. RESULTS: A 54-year-old man with normotensive glaucoma presented with recovery of left lower lid orbital fat pad prolapsus, deepening of the lid sulcus, and iris color and eyelash changes 8 months after initiation of bimatoprost therapy in his left eye (OS). After stopping bimatoprost, his eyelashes and the lower lid orbital fat pad partially regained their natural appearance at 2 months and 4 months, respectively. However, there was no improvement of the left upper eyelid deepening and the iris hyperpigmentation, even after 30 months. A 75-year-old man with unilateral pseudoexfoliative glaucoma had been treated with bimatoprost OS. Three months after initiation of the therapy, his examination showed recovery of the inferior and superomedial orbital fat pad prolapsus, a deep and prominent upper lid sulcus with eyelash changes, and iris hyperpigmentation OS. Five months after discontinuation of bimatoprost, the eyelashes and superomedial orbital fat pad improved. Twenty-four months later, the inferior orbital fat pad partially got its natural appearance back, but the upper lid sulcus was slightly more deep and prominent than the fellow right eye. There was no alteration in iris hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: Clinicians and patients should be aware of these possible effects of topical bimatoprost therapy. These adverse effects may not be completely reversible after discontinuation of the medication.

Effects of central corneal thickness, central corneal power, and axial length on intraocular pressure measurement assessed with goldmann applanation tonometry.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of central corneal thickness (CCT), central corneal power (CCP), and axial length (AL) on the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) using Goldmann applanation tonometry, and the effects of CCP and AL on CCT. METHODS: Charts of 147 consecutive patients undergoing preoperative examinations for cataract surgery between April 2006 and April 2007 in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. CCT, CCP, and AL were measured by ultrasonic pachymeter (Micropach Model 200P, Sonomed, Lake Success, N.Y. USA), autorefractokeratometer (KR 8800, Topcon, Tokyo, Japan), and ultrasound biometry (EZ Scan AB 5500+ Sonomed, Lake Success, N.Y. USA). Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used as indicated, and only one eye of each subject was included in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight eyes of 98 patients were included in the study. IOP and CCT were significantly and positively correlated (P<0.001), and CCT and CCP (P=0.001) were inversely correlated. Multiple regression analysis showed that the effect of CCT on IOP was statistically significant (P<0.001), but the effects of CCP and AL on IOP were not significant (P=0.614, P=0.831, respectively). IOP increased by 0.29 mmHg for each 10 microm increase in CCT. CONCLUSIONS: CCT, but not CCP or AL, significantly affected IOP readings obtained by Goldmann applanation tonometry. The effect of CCP on IOP was weak and not significant despite the significant inverse correlation between CCT and CCP.

The association of office intraocular pressure fluctuation in ocular hypertension with frequency doubling technology perimetry abnormality.

PURPOSE: To characterize intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements of ocular hypertension (OHT) patients with and without frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry test abnormalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective, observational, cross-sectional, comparative case series, one eye of 33 OHT patients was randomly chosen. All OHT patients had IOP > or = 23 mmHg in 2 out of 3 measurements on the test day, normal appearing discs and nerve fiber layer, and normal white on white standard automated perimetry (SAP). Several IOP calculations (outpatient IOP, highest office IOP, mean office IOP, office IOP fluctuation, and office IOP peak), CCT, SAP and FDT parameters were compared between OHT patients with repeatable FDT perimetry abnormality and normal FDT perimetry. RESULTS: Eight (24%) of 33 OHT patients had an abnormal FDT perimetry test. The median office IOP fluctuation (5.0 vs 2.0, P = 0.007), office IOP peak (3.2 vs 1.0, P = 0.004), and FDT pattern standard deviation (PSD) (5.03 v 3.32, P = 0.000) were significantly higher in OHT patients with repeatable FDT perimetry test abnormalities compared to OHT patients with normal FDT perimetry test. Office IOP fluctuation and office IOP peak were significantly correlated with both number of significantly depressed FDT points and FDT PSD index. CCT measurements and SAP global indices did not differ significantly in OHT patients with and without FDT perimetry test abnormality. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that currently diagnosed OHT patients who have large office IOP fluctuations and office IOP peaks are more likely to have repeatable FDT perimetry test abnormalities. These results suggest that OHT patients with large IOP fluctuations and IOP peaks are more likely to have early glaucomatous damage, and this should be taken into account when assessing the risk of conversion to primary open angle glaucoma.

Ocular surface disease index for the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire for the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients admitted to the Ophthalmology Polyclinic of the Dumlupinar University between December 2005 and April 2006 were randomly studied. The OSDI questionnaire was performed before, and the Schirmer and tear film breakup time (TBUT) tests were performed after the routine ophthalmologic examination. RESULTS: There was a significant inverse correlation between the OSDI and TBUT test scores, but no correlation between the Schirmer test scores and OSDI (r = -.296, p = .014, r = -.182, p = .138, respectively). Although there was a significant difference between the low and high OSDI having cases according to the TBUT test scores (p = .043), there was not according to the Schirmer test scores. CONCLUSIONS: The OSDI is a standardized instrument to evaluate symptoms, and can easily be performed and used to support the diagnosis of dry eye syndrome.

Treatment of two postoperative endophthalmitis cases due to Aspergillus flavus and Scopulariopsis spp. with local and systemic antifungal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is the inflammatory response to invasion of the eye with bacteria or fungi. The incidence of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery varies between 0.072-0.13 percent. Treatment of endophthalmitis with fungal etiology is difficult. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: A 71-year old male diabetic patient developed postoperative endophthalmitis due to Aspergillus flavus. The patient was treated with topical amphotericin B ophthalmic solution, intravenous (IV) liposomal amphotericin-B and caspofungin following vitrectomy. Case 2: A 72-year old male cachectic patient developed postoperative endophthalmitis due to Scopulariopsis spp. The patient was treated with topical and IV voriconazole and caspofungin. CONCLUSION: Aspergillus spp. are responsible of postoperative fungal endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis caused by Scopulariopsis spp. is a very rare condition. The two cases were successfully treated with local and systemic antifungal therapy.

The role of botulinum toxin A in augmentation of the effect of recession and/or resection surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of intraoperative botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection as an adjunct to the surgical treatment of large-angle esotropia or exotropia. METHODS: Ten patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 27+/-20 years. Of these 10 patients, 7 were esotropic and 3 exotropic. The average preoperative esodeviation was 73.6+/-16.5 prism diopters and exodeviation was 76.7+/-5.8 PD. Five units of BTA were injected intraoperatively into one of the recessed horizontal rectus muscles in all of the patients. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 14+/-10 months (range, 8 to 40 months). The average final deviation in the esotropia group was 13+/-9.6 PD of esotropia. The average final deviation in the exotropia group was 4.7+/-5 PD of exotropia. The final deviation of the 70% patients was within 10 PD of esotropia or exotropia. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the combination of BTA injection with recession may increase the expected correction of a conventional horizontal rectus muscle surgery.