Can Lamina Cribrosa Indicate Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis?

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association of lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT) and lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), as determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), with visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods: Patients enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study were divided into three groups. Group 1 consisted of 25 relapsing-remitting MS patients with VEP pathology in one or both eyes. In patients with VEP pathology in both eyes, one eye was chosen randomly. Group 2 comprised 25 relapsing-remitting MS patients with no VEP pathology or optic neuritis history. A randomly selected single eye of each patient was evaluated. Group 3 consisted of 25 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers; a randomly selected single eye of these participants was examined. LCT, LCD, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements were determined in four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) by SD-OCT. Results: The three groups were similar in terms of age and sex. The mean LCT was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2, but the difference was not statistically significant (268.80 ± 36.69 µm [min-max = 222-394 µm] versus 285.80 ± 12.00 µm [min-max = 249-338 µm]; P = 0.148). The mean LCT was significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 3 (268.80 ± 36.69 µm [min-max = 222-394 µm] versus 294.80 ± 12.00 µm [min-max = 232-351 µm]; P = 0.012). There was a weak positive correlation between LCT and RNFL-inferior, RNFL-nasal, and RNFL-temporal. Conclusion: We found that the lamina cribrosa was thinner in MS patients with VEP pathology. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel finding. Our results imply that LCT could be used as an indicator of optic neuritis in MS patients.

Systemic oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with vitreomacular traction syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the systemic oxidative stress biomarkers increased in patients with vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMT). METHODS: This study compared 25 patients diagnosed with VMT with 20 healthy controls. As a biomarker of systemic oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured to evaluate the systemic oxidant status. RESULTS: Serum MDA values were significantly higher among the patients (p < 0.001). The ideal cut-off value for MDA was determined to be 22.1 µmol/L, with 80% sensitivity and 75% specificity. The between-group differences were not statistically significant for TOS or TAS (p = 0.326 and p = 0.698, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased MDA levels suggest that systemic oxidative stress may play a role in VMT.

The short term effect of trehalose and different doses of sodium hyaluronate on anterior corneal aberrations in dry eye patients.

AIM: To evaluate the short-term effect of 0.15% sodium hyaluronate (SH), 0.20% SH, and Trehalose + 0.15% SH on anterior corneal aberrations in dry eye patients. METHODS: 76 eyes of 76 dry eye patients were divided into three groups. Non-preserved 1.5 mg/mL SH was administered in group 1, non-preserved 2.0 mg/mL SH was administered in group 2, and non-preserved trehalose 30 mg/mL and 1.5 mg/mL SH was administered in group 3. Aberrometry measurements were performed before and 10 min after application of the artificial tear drop. Using the Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging system, total root mean square (RMS), lower-order aberration (LOA), higher-order aberrations (HOAs), spherical aberration (SA), trefoil, and coma aberrations were investigated. RESULTS: In each group; the RMS of total, LOA, HOAs, and spherical aberration were significantly decreased after the artificial drop instillation, compared with those of them at baseline; and in groups 1 and 2, vertical trefoil term was also significantly increased, compared with those of them at baseline. According to intergroup analyzes, there was no significant outcome. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that three artificial tears reduced the anterior corneal aberrations, in a 10-min period. The short-term effect of three artificial tears on the anterior corneal aberration was similar.

The effect of posterior vitreous detachment on aflibercept response in diabetic macular oedema.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) on aflibercept response in treatment-naïve diabetic macular oedema (DME). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. METHODS: One hundred and fifty eyes of 150 treatment-naïve patients with DME were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to their PVD status: group 1 (no PVD during injections), group 2 (PVD during injections) and group 3 (PVD already present initially). Three consecutive aflibercept injections at intervals of 1 month were applied to all patients. The efficacy of the aflibercept treatment on DME was assessed by comparing changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) values after three loading dose injections. RESULTS: After three consecutive injections, the mean reduction of CRT in groups 1, 2 and 3 were -199.6±106.9, -224.9±124.1 and -210.7±126.3, respectively. The decrease in CRT was significant in all groups (p<0.001 in all groups, paired-samples t-test); however, mean changes in CRT were similar among groups (all p>0.05, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)). The mean improvement in BCVA in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 6.6±0.9, 6.5±0.8 and 6.1±0.4 ETDRS letters, respectively. The improvement of BCVA was significant in all groups (p<0.001 in all groups, paired-samples t-test) and mean changes were similar between groups (p>0.05, one-way ANOVA). There was no significant relationship between the presence or development of PVD and the mean decrease of CRT and improvement of BCVA (for CRT r=-0.052, p=0.531 and for BCVA r=-0.078, p=0.342). CONCLUSION: In the present study, it was observed that the efficacy of aflibercept treatment in patients with DME did not depend on PVD status.

Comparison of Ranibizumab versus Aflibercept in Treating Macular Edema among Patients with Serous Retinal Detachment Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of ranibizumab and aflibercept in macular edema (ME) with serous retinal detachment (SRD) following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods: Once every month for 3 months, 33 patients were treated with ranibizumab (Group 1), whereas 30 others were treated with aflibercept (Group 2). In 9 months after that, patients were evaluated every 4 weeks and received additional injections if they met prespecified criteria for retreatment. Corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and height of SRD was measured.Results: During the first 3 months, the improvement of CFT, BCVA, and height of SRD were greater in Group 2 than Group 1. Those differences disappeared in the subsequent 9 months, and changes in CFT, BCVA, and height of SRD were similar between groups at all other visits.Conclusion: Aflibercept was more effective than ranibizumab from baseline to Month 3 in ME with SRD following BRVO.

Elevated Monocyte-to-High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio as an Indicator of Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) as a possible marker of systemic inflammation in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: A study group of 62 patients with BRVO and a control group of 60 age-matched, healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The blood lipid profile, hematology profile, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were measured. The MHR was calculated as the ratio of the monocyte count to the HDL level, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated as the ratio of the neutrophil count to the lymphocyte count. RESULTS: In patients with BRVO versus controls, the mean MHR was 14.1±5.1 vs 12.2±4.3 (p=.032), the mean NLR was 1.99±0.69 vs 2.01±0.86 (p=.889), and the mean CRP level was 3.44±2.53 mg/L vs 2.81±1.57 mg/L (p=.102). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the MHR and the NLR was 0.621 and 0.519, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the MHR and the NLR to predict BRVO was 51% and 73% vs 79% and 35%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The MHR values were higher in patients with BRVO compared with those of the control group. BRVO seems to be associated with systemic inflammation.

Monocyte to high-density lipoprotein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios in patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: To investigate monocyte to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as indicators of systemic inflammation in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: The HDL levels, hematological profiles, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of 38 patients with acute CSC (Group I) and 38 controls without CSC (Group II) were measured. Results: MHRs were significantly higher in Group I (13.30 ± 2.95) than in Group II (11.52 ± 2.42, P = 0.005), whereas NLRs, CRP values, and ESR values did not significantly differ between the groups (P = 0.726, P = 0.219, and P = 0.441, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that the MHR was an independent predictor of acute CSC (OR = 1.266, 95% CI = 1.054-1.521, P = 0.012). Conclusion: Indicating an association between increased MHRs and acute CSC, the MHR might represent simple, inexpensive, reliable biomarkers of inflammation in acute CSC.

Comparison of the balafilcon A and samfilcon A lenses on postoperative pain control and epithelial healing time after photorefractive keratectomy: a contralateral eye study.

To compare the effects of balafilcon A and samfilcon A silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses on postoperative pain control and epithelial healing time after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Seventy-four eyes of 37 patients who underwent bilateral PRK were included in this randomized clinical trial study. In the end of the surgery, a balafilcon A lens was used in one eye and a samfilcon A lens was used in the fellow eye randomly. Pain, blurred vision, epiphora, photophobia, and foreign body sensation were assessed on the first and third postoperative day using a visual analogue scale (0 = no ocular pain or discomfort, 10 = highest level of ocular pain and discomfort). For balafilcon A and samfilcon A lenses, mean scores for pain were 6.22 ± 2.81 and 3.11 ± 2.90 on first postoperative day (p < 0.001) and 1.57 ± 1.65 and 0.68 ± 0.85 on third postoperative day (p = 0.001), respectively; mean scores for foreign body sensation were 6.11 ± 2.53 and 3.19 ± 2.72 on first postoperative day (p < 0.001) and 3.16 ± 1.92 and 1.35 ± 1.43 on third postoperative day (p < 0.001), also respectively; and mean scores for epiphora were 6.46 ± 2.64 and 5.46 ± 3.40 on first postoperative day (p = 0.007) and 1.68 ± 1.60 and 1.32 ± 1.31 on third postoperative day (p = 0.065), again respectively. No significant difference in blurred vision or photophobia emerged between the lenses on first and third postoperative day after PRK. On the third postoperative day, reepithelialization was complete in 83.7% of eyes with the balafilcon A lens and 89.1% of eyes fitted with the samfilcon A lens. Wearing samfilcon A lenses after photorefractive keratectomy can significantly manage pain, decrease foreign body sensation on first and third postoperative day, and reduce epiphora on first postoperative day.

The Influence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Amplitude of Accommodation.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the amplitude of accommodation (AA) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and without diabetic retinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In two age- and sex-matched groups - one with twenty-nine eyes of 29 patients with type 1 DM, the other with twenty-nine eyes of 29 healthy individuals - retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and macular volume were determined by using optic coherence tomography in all quadrants, whereas AA was measured with the minus lens technique. The mean values of all three measurements were compared between the groups, and the effect of age, disease duration, (HbA1c and fasting blood glucose on AA were analysed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: On average, participants were 25.0 ± 3.3 years old (range 19-30) in both groups (P = 1.000), and patients had type 1 DM for an average of 13.0 ± 3.3 years. Mean AA in the right eye was 7.3 ± 1.1 D among patients and 8.1 ± 1.1 D among controls (P = .005), as well as significantly negatively correlated with age in both groups (r = -0.735, P <.001 and r = -0.819, P < .001, respectively) and disease duration among patients (r = -0.434, P = .019). In multivariable regression, age and disease duration significantly affected AA in patients, with an R2 value of 0.623 (P < .001 and P = .025, respectively). Average RNFL thickness was significantly different between the groups (P = .014). Mean macular volumes for areas 1, 3 or 5 mm in diameter were similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: AA was significantly lower among patients with type 1 DM than among healthy individuals, which suggests that the former might experience presbyopia earlier in life than the general population.

Aflibercept Treatment for Macular Edema following Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: Age-Based Responses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare responses to aflibercept treatment in age-based groups of patients with macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Eighty-five patients with macular edema following BRVO were divided into 4 groups according to their age: Group I (i.e., 45- to 54-year-olds), Group II (i.e., 55- to 64-year-olds), Group III (i.e., 65- to 74-year-olds), and Group IV (i.e., 75- to 84-year-olds). Each patient received a loading dose of 3 monthly intravitreal aflibercept injections. The treatment response was evaluated with visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography measurements of the central foveal thickness (CFT), outer nuclear layer thickness (ONLT), and photoreceptor layer thickness (PRLT) before treatment and 1 month after the first and third injections. RESULTS: In Group I (n = 19), Group II (n = 25), Group III (n = 23), and Group IV (n = 18), the mean values of VA, CFT, ONLT, and PRLT improved significantly 3 months after treatment. Whereas VA improved the most in Group I, its improvement significantly decreased in each progressively older age group, as did the reduction of the CFT, ONLT, and PRLT values, all of which were greater in groups I and II. Furthermore, age significantly correlated with changes in VA, CFT, ONLT, and PRLT across all groups. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and effectiveness of aflibercept treatment decrease in patients with macular edema following BRVO as they age, most likely due to age-related changes in posterior ocular structures.

Evaluation of the lamina cribrosa thickness and depth in patients with migraine.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, LC depth, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, in migraine patients with and without aura, by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: This single-center, case-control study included 27 migraine with aura (Group I), 35 migraine patients without aura (Group II), and 35 healthy controls (Group III). In only the right eyes of participants, RNFL thickness in all quadrants was analyzed via OCT, whereas LC thickness and depth were measured by enhanced depth imaging OCT. RESULTS: The mean age and sex distributions did not differ significantly across the groups (p = 0.460 and p = 0.941). The RNFL thickness was significantly lower in Group I (average and superotemporal, superonasal, and inferotemporal quadrants) and Group II (average and superotemporal and superonasal quadrants) when compared with Group III. Disease duration was significantly correlated with RNFL thickness on average and in all quadrants except in the superonasal quadrant in Groups I and II. Patients in Groups I and II had significantly thinner LC thicknesses and deeper LC depth than healthy participants in Group III. CONCLUSIONS: The LC and RNFL thicknesses were thinner and the LC depth was deeper in migraine patients with or without aura than in healthy individuals, and disease duration correlated significantly with RNFL thickness. Both results suggest that migraine patients are at risk of developing glaucoma.

Thickness of the Lamina Cribrosa, Retinal-Nerve Fiber Layer, and Peripapillary Choroid in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To compare the thickness of the lamina cribrosa (LC), retinal-nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and peripapillary choroid (PC) in patients with unilateral branch retinal-vein occlusion (BRVO) and healthy individuals. METHODS: The 70 eyes of 35 patients with unilateral BRVO, grouped as either affected or unaffected, and 38 right eyes of 38 healthy individuals were examined for LC, RNFL, PC thickness, and LC depth with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The unaffected eyes of patients with BRVO had a significantly thinner RNFL on average and in the inferior quadrant than the eyes of healthy controls. Mean LC thickness in BRVO-affected and BRVO-unaffected eyes was significantly thinner than in controls, and mean LC depth was significantly deeper as well. The average, superior, and inferior PC thickness in both BRVO-affected and BRVO-unaffected eyes and nasal PC thickness in the BRVO-affected eyes were significantly thinner than in the eyes of controls. CONCLUSION: Thinner LCs and PCs in both eyes of patients with unilateral BRVO and thinner RNFLs in BRVO-unaffected eyes than in the eyes of healthy controls suggest that BRVO and glaucoma have underlying pathological mechanisms and risk factors in common that lead to their development.

An Analysis of YouTube Videos as Educational Resources for Patients About Refractive Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the quality of videos on YouTube as educational resources about refractive surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, register-based study. A search of YouTube was performed for the term "refractive surgery" without any changes to the Web site's standard search preferences. The first 160 videos were recorded. Additional videos from the search engine were also searched for the other common terms "LASIK," "PRK," and "laser eye surgery." The first 50 videos for each additional term were evaluated. A total of 310 videos were evaluated regarding DISCERN score (min-max: 16-75), Journal of the American Medical Association score (min-max: 0-4), and Global Quality score (min-max: 0-5). RESULTS: Once 135 videos that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded from the sample, the remaining 175 videos were analyzed. The mean DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association, and Global Quality scores were 33.25 ± 15.34 (poor quality), 0.74 ± 0.82 (lowest quality), and 1.74 ± 0.81 (poor quality), respectively. Of the 175 videos, 77 (42%) had been uploaded by physicians, 67 (38.2%) by health channels, 16 (9.1%) by patients, and another 15 (8.5%) by medical organizations. CONCLUSIONS: Although some of the analyzed online videos contain beneficial information, YouTube videos do not generally seem to be useful as educational resources for patients about refractive surgery. Nevertheless, health care professionals should continue to assess the reliability and usefulness of medical information provided by online resources from the viewpoint of patients.

Anterior chamber characteristics assessed by rotating Scheimpflug imaging in patients with retinitis pigmentosa / Características da câmara anterior avaliadas por um dispositivo de imagem rotativo Scheimpflug em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations in patients with retinitis pigmentosa using Scheimpflug imaging and to compare the findings with those for healthy controls. Methods: This single-center, case-control study included patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who were followed up at the Department of Ophthalmology of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between February and June 2018. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with no known ophthalmologic disease formed the control group. Both patients with retinitis pigmentosa and controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments, including the measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity calculation of the spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, stereoscopic fundus examination, computerized visual field test, and electroretinography. Topographic and aberrometric values were measured using Scheimpflug-based tomography. Results: This study was performed on 52 eyes of 26 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (14 men) and 52 eyes of 26 healthy controls (11 men). The average keratometry (K avg) values for the patient and control groups were similar (43.87 ± 2.23 versus 43.61 ± 1.68; p=0.546), but the maximum keratometry (K max) value was significantly higher in the patient group (45.85 ± 2.35 and 44.69 ± 1.86; p=0.015). Patients with retinitis pigmentosa had a significantly lower central corneal thickness (518.5 ± 42.3 versus 534.1 ± 24.5, respectively; p=0.042) and maximal corneal thickness (509.1 ± 50.5 versus 530.5 ± 24.1, respectively; p=0.015). Additionally, the iridocorneal angle for the patients was significantly lower (31.6 ± 9.2 versus 35.9 ± 7.7, p=0.025). The aberrometric findings indicated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa had significantly more higher-order aberrations than those in the healthy controls (0.794 ± 51 and 0.398 ± 08, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa have different anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations compared to healthy controls. These results should be supported by further studies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo visou avaliar parâmetros do segmento anterior e aberrações corneanas em pacientes com retinite pigmentosa através de imagens de Scheimpflug e comparar os achados com os de controles saudáveis. Métodos: Este foi um estudo caso-controle unicêntrico que incluiu pacientes com o diagnóstico de retinite pigmentosa em acompanhamento no Departamento de Oftalmologia do Hospital de Treinamento e Pesquisa de Kayseri, entre fevereiro e junho de 2018. Indivíduos saudáveis pareados por idade e sexo, sem nenhum conhecimento da doença oftalmológica formou o grupo controle. Ambos os pacientes com retinite pigmentosa quanto os controles foram submetidos a avaliações oftalmológicas abrangentes, incluindo a medição do cálculo da acuidade visual melhor corrigida, o cálculo do equivalente esférico, biomicroscopia, fundoscopia estereoscópica, campimetria computadorizada e eletrorretinografia. Os valores topográficos e de aberrometria foram medidos através de tomografia baseada no sistema Scheimpflug. Resultados: O estudo incluiu 52 olhos de 26 pacientes com retinite pigmentosa (14 homens) e 52 olhos de 26 controles saudáveis (11 homens). Os valores médios da ceratometria (K avg) para grupos dos pacientes e controle foram semelhantes (43,87 ± 2,23 versus 43,61 ± 1,68, p=0,546), mas o valor máximo da ceratometria (K max) foi significativamente maior no grupo de pacientes (45,85 ± 2,35 e 44,69 ± 1,86; p=0,015). Pacientes com retinite pigmentosa apresentaram uma espessura corneana central significativamente menor (518,5 ± 42,3 versus 534,1 ± 24,5, respectivamente; p=0,042) e espessura corneana máxima (509,1 ± 50,5 verus 530,5 ± 24,1, respectivamente; p=0,015). Além disso, o ângulo iridocorneano para os pacientes foi significativamente menor (31,6 ± 9,2 versus 35,9 ± 7,7; p=0,025). Os achados da aberrometria indicaram que os pacientes com retinite pigmentosa apresentaram significativamente mais aberrações de ordem superior em comparação com os controles saudáveis (respectivamente 0,794 ± 51 e 0,398 ± 08, respectivamente; p<0,001). Conclusões: Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram que pacientes com retinite pigmentosa têm diferentes parâmetros do segmento anterior e aberrações corneanas em comparação com controles saudáveis. Estes resultados precisam ser confirmados por novos estudos.

Anterior chamber characteristics assessed by rotating Scheimpflug imaging in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations in patients with retinitis pigmentosa using Scheimpflug imaging and to compare the findings with those for healthy controls. METHODS: This single-center, case-control study included patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa who were followed up at the Department of Ophthalmology of Kayseri Training and Research Hospital between February and June 2018. Age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with no known ophthalmologic disease formed the control group. Both patients with retinitis pigmentosa and controls underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments, including the measurement of the best-corrected visual acuity calculation of the spherical equivalent, slit-lamp examination, stereoscopic fundus examination, computerized visual field test, and electroretinography. Topographic and aberrometric values were measured using Scheimpflug-based tomography. RESULTS: This study was performed on 52 eyes of 26 patients with retinitis pigmentosa (14 men) and 52 eyes of 26 healthy controls (11 men). The average keratometry (K avg) values for the patient and control groups were similar (43.87 ± 2.23 versus 43.61 ± 1.68; p=0.546), but the maximum keratometry (K max) value was significantly higher in the patient group (45.85 ± 2.35 and 44.69 ± 1.86; p=0.015). Patients with retinitis pigmentosa had a significantly lower central corneal thickness (518.5 ± 42.3 versus 534.1 ± 24.5, respectively; p=0.042) and maximal corneal thickness (509.1 ± 50.5 versus 530.5 ± 24.1, respectively; p=0.015). Additionally, the iridocorneal angle for the patients was significantly lower (31.6 ± 9.2 versus 35.9 ± 7.7, p=0.025). The aberrometric findings indicated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa had significantly more higher-order aberrations than those in the healthy controls (0.794 ± 51 and 0.398 ± 08, respectively; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrated that patients with retinitis pigmentosa have different anterior segment parameters and corneal aberrations compared to healthy controls. These results should be supported by further studies.

Amplitude of Accommodation in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of multiple sclerosis (MS) on the amplitude of accommodation (AA) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.Materials and Methods: A total of 25 MS patients with visual-evoked potential (VEP) abnormalities (MS/+VEP Group), 25 MS patients without VEP abnormalities (MS/-VEP Group), and 25 controls (Control Group) were enrolled. Only findings from the right eye of the participants were included in the analysis. Each participant underwent a pattern-reversal visual-evoked potential (PVEP) recording, an RNFL thickness analysis by optic coherence tomography (OCT) in all quadrants, and a measurement of amplitude of accommodation (AA) with minus lens technique. The AA and the RNFL thickness were compared between the groups.Results: The mean age and sex distributions did not differ significantly across the groups (p= .788, p= .906, respectively). The mean AA was 5.36 ± 0.7 D in MS/+VEP group, 6.06 ± 1.4 D in MS/-VEP group, and 6.4 ± 0.9 D in control group (p= .002). The difference in the mean AA values between MS/+VEP and control groups were significant (p = .002). AA was significantly correlated with age, P100 latency and amplitude values in MS/+VEP group (r = -0.832, p < .001; r = -0.596, p = .002 and r = 0.498, p = .011, respectively). In a multivariable regression model, age and P100 latency were significant parameters for affecting AA in patients with MS (p < .001 and p = .001). In another multivariable regression model, age and average RNFL thickness were significant parameters for affecting AA in patients with MS (p < .001 and p = .010).Conclusions: We found that the AA was lower in MS patients with VEP abnormalities compared to age-matched healthy individuals. P100 latency was a significant parameter for predicting AA in MS/+VEP group. These results suggest that MS patients with VEP abnormalities might experience presbyopia earlier in life than people without MS, probably due to the chronic demyelination of neural pathways.

Posterior segment assessment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), subfoveal and parafoveal choroidal thicknesses, peripapillary choroidal thickness (PCT), and retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: This single-center, case-control study included 45 OSAS patients and 43 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. Only the right eyes of the patients and controls were included. Each participant underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment including slit lamp examination (biomicroscopy), stereoscopic fundus examination, and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. The SD-OCT measurements were also performed in both patients and controls. RESULTS: The mean ages of the patients (females, 55.6%) and controls (females, 51.2%) were 50.09 ± 9.7 years and 50.30 ± 4.2 years, respectively. The groups were similar in terms of age and gender. Evaluation of the study parameters revealed that there were no significant differences between the OSAS patients and controls regarding IOP, RNFL thickness, subfoveal and parafoveal choroidal thicknesses, and PCT. A significant difference was found between the OSAS patients and controls regarding LCT but not regarding LCD. The mean LCT values were 213.38 ± 30.7 µm and 300.49 ± 42.6 µm for the OSAS patients and controls, respectively (p Ë‚ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicated that the lamina cribrosa was significantly thinner in the OSAS patients than in the controls. In our opinion, this finding should be supported by large-scale studies and the reason underlying the thinning of the lamina cribrosa in OSAS patients should be investigated physiopathologically.

The effect of smoking cessation on posterior ocular structures / O efeito da suspensão do tabagismo em estruturas oculares posteriores

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study evaluated changes in cho­roidal and macular thickness in healthy volunteers and chronic smokers. Methods: Thirty-three eyes of 33 chronic smokers (study group) and 33 eyes of 33 healthy controls who had never smoked were prospectively evaluated. Comprehensive ophthalmic assessment included slit lamp biomicroscopy, stereoscopic fundus examination, and intraocular pressure measurement. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure choroidal and macular thickness 1 month before smoking cessation (smoking period) and after 3 months of smoking cessation (nonsmoking period). Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.88 ± 6.52 years (range, 26-52), and the average smoking duration was 8.6 ± 2.5 years (range, 5-16). The thickness of the paracentral choroid (nasal: 1,500 mm, p=0.001 and temporal: 1,500 mm, p=0.001) had significantly decreased after 3 months of smoking cessation. The thicknesses of the subfoveal choroid in the smoking and nonsmoking periods were not significantly different (p=0.194). The mean central macular thickness was 267.21 ± 18.42 mm in the smoking period and 268.42 ± 18.28 mm in the nonsmoking period (p=0.022). Conclusions: Smoking was associated with statistically significant changes in paracentral choroidal and central macular thickness in healthy volunteers. Pathological studies should be performed to evaluate the effects of smoking on posterior ocular structures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou as mudanças na espessura da coroide e da mácula em voluntários saudáveis e fumantes crônicos. Métodos: Trinta e três olhos de 33 fumantes crônicos (grupo estudado) e 33 olhos de 33 controles saudáveis que nunca fumaram foram avaliados prospectivamente. A avaliação oftalmológica abrangente incluiu biomicroscopia de lâmpada de fenda, exame de fundo estereoscópico e medição da pressão intraocular. A tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral foi utilizada para medir a espessura da coroide e da mácula um mês antes da cessação do tabagismo (período de fumar) e após 3 meses da cessação do tabagismo (período de abstinência). Resultados: A idade média dos participantes foi de 41,88 ± 6,52 anos (faixa de 26-52 anos) e a duração média do tabagismo foi de 8,6 ± 2,5 anos (faixa, 5-16 anos). A espessura da coroide paracentral (nasal: 1.500 mm, p=0,001, temporal: 1.500 mm, p=0,001) diminuiu significativamente após 3 meses de cessação do tabagismo. As espessuras de coroide subfoveal nos períodos de tabagismo e não-tabagismo não foram significativamente diferentes (p=0,194). A espessura macular central média foi de 267,21 ± 18,42 mm no períodos de tabagismo e 268,42 ± 18,28 mm no períodos de não-fumantes (p=0,022). Conclusões: O tabagismo foi associado a mudanças estatis­ticamente significativas na espessura paracentral de coroide e macular central em voluntários saudáveis. Estudos patológicos devem ser realizados para avaliar os efeitos do tabagismo nas estruturas oculares posteriores.

The effect of smoking cessation on posterior ocular structures.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated changes in cho-roidal and macular thickness in healthy volunteers and chronic smokers. METHODS: Thirty-three eyes of 33 chronic smokers (study group) and 33 eyes of 33 healthy controls who had never smoked were prospectively evaluated. Comprehensive ophthalmic assessment included slit lamp biomicroscopy, stereoscopic fundus examination, and intraocular pressure measurement. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure choroidal and macular thickness 1 month before smoking cessation (smoking period) and after 3 months of smoking cessation (nonsmoking period). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 41.88 ± 6.52 years (range, 26-52), and the average smoking duration was 8.6 ± 2.5 years (range, 5-16). The thickness of the paracentral choroid (nasal: 1,500 mm, p=0.001 and temporal: 1,500 mm, p=0.001) had significantly decreased after 3 months of smoking cessation. The thicknesses of the subfoveal choroid in the smoking and nonsmoking periods were not significantly different (p=0.194). The mean central macular thickness was 267.21 ± 18.42 mm in the smoking period and 268.42 ± 18.28 mm in the nonsmoking period (p=0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking was associated with statistically significant changes in paracentral choroidal and central macular thickness in healthy volunteers. Pathological studies should be performed to evaluate the effects of smoking on posterior ocular structures.