Understanding the Etiopathogenesis of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy with Laboratory Findings.

Objectives: The role of inflammation and hemostasis in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was investigated by examining related blood tests. The predictive values of these laboratory indicators and their effects on prognosis were reviewed. Methods: In this study, 48 patients diagnosed with NAION and 50 healthy volunteers were included. All subjects underwent full ophthalmological examination. All patients were treated with oral corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day) for 15 days after that corticosteroid medication was reduced and stopped. Each patient was monitored at least for 12 months. The mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) values were recorded. These findings were compared with control group. Results: The mean MPV, RDW, and NLR values were significantly higher in NAION group (respectively, p<0.001, p=0.006, and p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in PDW values, but the mean PDW value was higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p=0.435). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the NLR had the strongest predictive value. This was followed by MPV, RDW, and PDW with lower diagnostic predictive values. Conclusion: MPV, NLR, and RDW were found to be elevated and have diagnostic predictive values in NAION patients. Easily accessible and simple laboratory methods could help us show systemic inflammation and ischemic events in NAION patients. As a result, inflammatory reactions besides ischemic changes may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of NAION. These biomarkers can be evaluated to ensure that patients with risk factors for the development of NAION.

Vitreoretinal interface anomalies in patients with a history of toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate vitreoretinal interface anomalies over time in patients diagnosed with toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis (TRC) and progression of the chronic disease. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. METHODS: The clinical records of 36 patients with TRC were studied retrospectively. All patients underwent standard ophthalmological examinations and optical coherence tomography (optical coherence tomography: OCT). Vitreoretinal interface changes and retinal layers in the macula and lesion area were evaluated. RESULTS: The fovea was involved in 9 (25%) patients. OCT of the scar region showed retinal layer thinning and disorganization in all cases. Complete posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was detected in 9 (25%) cases, incomplete PVD in 22 (61%) cases and no PVD in 5 (13.8%) cases. In 23 (63%) of the 36 patients with inactive TRC lesions, an epiretinal membrane (ERM) was detected by follow-up OCT, i.e., in 14 (60%) patients with incomplete PVD, 8 (34.7%) with complete PVD, and 1 (4%) with no PVD. Vitreoschisis was found in 5 of 22 patients with incomplete PVD; an ERM developed in 4 of these 5 patients. No ERM developed only in the macula, i.e., independent of the TRC scar region. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreoretinal interface anomalies are common in patients diagnosed with TRC, including those with incomplete PVD. We observed no progression of vitreoretinal interface anomalies during the follow-up of patients diagnosed with TRC.

Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for Postvitrectomy Macular Edema: A Retrospective Cohort of Patients with Postvitrectomy Macular Edema Treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical findings and the efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal implant in patients with postvitrectomy macular edema. METHODS: The records of 14 patients diagnosed with postvitrectomy macular edema unresponsive to first-line treatment, treated with intravitreal dexamethazone implant injection and followed at least 6 months between October 2011 and May 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent standard ophtalmological examination, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and intraocular pressures (IOPs) were recorded at baseline, at first and sixth months after the injection. RESULTS: The mean BCVA, which was 0.2 ± 0.14 logMAR at baseline significantly increased to 0.44 ± 0.2 logMAR at first month (P = 0.05) and to 0.4 ± 0.22 logMAR at sixth month of intravitreal dexamethazone implant injection (P = 0.01). CMT was also significantly decreased to 368.3 ± 90.4 µm at first month and to 323 ± 84.6 µm at sixth month from pre-injection value of 520.7 ± 90.3 µm (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). IOP significantly increased from was 15 ± 2.1 mmHg at baseline to 20.6 ± 5.4 mmHg at first month of intravitreal dexamethazone implant injection (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Dexamethazone implant treatment may reduce CMT and improve BCVA in cases with postvitrectomy macular edema. IOP should be regularly screened in these cases.

Anterior Segment Findings in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the anterior segment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare them with those of healthy reproductive-age female volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 50 right eyes of 50 women with PCOS (group 1) and 50 right eyes of 50 healthy women (group 2). Intraocular pressure, Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time and central corneal thickness were evaluated in all subjects. Correlations between serum hormone (estradiol and testosterone) levels and observed findings were also investigated. RESULTS: Mean central corneal thickness values were significantly higher in the PCOS group (p=0.001). The mean intraocular pressures values were similar between the two groups (p=0.560). Schirmer's test results and tear film break-up time values were significantly lower in the PCOS group (p=0.001 and p=0.001 respectively). Serum estradiol levels were moderately positively correlated with mean central corneal thickness (r=0.552), weakly positively correlated with intraocular pressure (r=0.351) and weakly negatively correlated with tear film break-up time (r=-0.393). Serum free testosterone levels were weakly correlated with intraocular pressure (r=0.342) and central corneal thickness (r=0.303), and showed weak negative correlations with Schirmer's test results (r=-0.562) and tear film break-up time (r=-0.502). CONCLUSION: PCOS leads to physiological and structural changes in the eye. Dry eye symptoms were more severe and central corneal thickness measurements were greater in patients with PCOS. Those are correlated serum testosterone and estradiol levels.