Blood plasma levels of microelements in patients with history of optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: To determine the concentration of microelements in the blood of patients with a history of retrobulbar optic neuritis (ON). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 36 patients (18-63 years of age) - 11 with demyelinating ON (Group 1) and 25 with isolated ON (Group 2) - all of whom had been treated for retrobulbar ON. The control group comprised 38 healthy volunteers. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, blood levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, concentrations of Cd were elevated in Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.003 and p = 0.003, respectively); Group 1 had higher levels of Cu (p = 0.02). Patients from both groups had significantly lower levels of Fe (p = 0.0003) compared with controls. No difference in the concentration of any of the microelements was found between Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: Disturbances in Cd, Cu and Fe homeostasis may be associated with the inflammatory process of ON.

The diagnostic function of OCT in diabetic maculopathy.

Diabetic maculopathy (DM) is one of the major causes of vision impairment in individuals with diabetes. The traditional approach to diagnosis of DM includes fundus ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography. Although very useful clinically, these methods do not contribute much to the evaluation of retinal morphology and its thickness profile. That is why a new technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT) was utilized to perform cross-sectional imaging of the retina. It facilitates measuring the macular thickening, quantification of diabetic macular oedema, and detecting vitreoretinal traction. Thus, OCT may assist in patient selection with DM who can benefit from treatment, identify what treatment is indicated, guide its implementing, and allow precise monitoring of treatment response. It seems to be the technique of choice for the early detection of macular oedema and for the followup of DM.

Endothelial cell markers in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

The aim of the study was the assessment of the von Willebrand antigen (vWF Ag), E-selectin, and P-selectin concentration in blood plasma of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). The group studied comprised 30 patients with PEX, aged from 50 to 86 years (mean 73, SD ± 8 years). Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, infectious disease, cancer, renal or liver insufficiency, connective tissue disease, current smoking, and hormone, antiplatelet, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, or antihypertensive drug therapy were excluded from the study. Each subject underwent a complete ophthalmological examination. Venous blood samples from the cubital vein were taken into sodium citrate solution. VWF Ag, sP-selectin, and sE-selectin concentration were determined by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MedSystems, Diagnostica Stago/Roche, R&D). Concentrations of vWF Ag, soluble E-selectin, and soluble P-selectin in blood plasma in the study group were compared with the levels in blood plasma in the control group. No significant differences were found between the groups. Our results indicate that there might be no correlation between PEX and such endothelial cell markers as vWF Ag, sP-selectin, and sE-selectin concentrations. Since the study size is limited, further investigations to confirm that there is no association between endothelial dysfunction in PEX and risk of future cardiovascular disease are necessary.

Analysis of LOXL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in Polish population with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess the possible association of lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) gene variants with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in Polish population. METHODS: The group studied comprised of 36 patients with PEX (men and women) who presented to Department of Ophthalmology Collegium Medicum UMK in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and 30 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained from each patient via peripheral venipuncture, and genomic DNA was isolated according to the standard procedures. Three LOXL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1048661 (R141L), rs3825942 (G153D) and rs216524 were genotyped in patient sample. RESULTS: The significant association with PEX was found for the G allele of rs3825942 (p = 0.0047) and for the T allele of rs216541 (p = 0.021). The haplotype (GGT) consisting of all three risk alleles was significantly overrepresented (87.5%) in patients with PEX. CONCLUSION: Single nucleotide polymorphisms in LOXL1 are associated with PEX in Polish population which confirms the association previously reported for Icelandic, Swedish, Indian and other populations.

[Temperament evaluation of patients with central serous retinopathy, preliminary report]. / Ocena temperamentu chorych z centralna surowicza retinopatia. Doniesienie wstepne.

PURPOSE: To assess differences in temperament in patients with central serous retinopathy and healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 patients diagnosed with acute central serous retinopathy was put to the questionnaire: Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory. RESULTS: Lower scores in novelty seeking (NS) (t = -2.43; p < 0.05) scale and its NS2 (t = -2.12; p < 0.05), and NS3 (t = -2.66; p < 0.05) subscales, as well as higher scores in harm avoidance HA4 subscale in CSR patients, were found. CONCLUSIONS: There is a different profile, regarding temperament and character in patients with central serous retinopathy, as compared to healthy subjects.

[Changes in the colour vision and contrast sensitivity in diabetic patients without retinopathy]. / Zaburzenia widzenia barwnego i wrailiwosci na kontrast u chorych z cukrzyca typu II bez cech retinopatii.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to examine the colour vision and contrast sensitivity of the patients with type II diabetes, without retinopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 25 patients with diabetes without retinopathy or any other ocular diseases (50 eyes were tested). The control group was represented by 15 healthy people. Both anomaloscopic test, Rayleigh (red-green axis) and Moreland (blue-yellow axis) were used to test colour vision. Contrast senstivity was measured in spatial frequency of 2, 4, 6, 12 and 18 cycles/degree by using Gratings Contrast Sensitivity Test. RESULTS: The contrast sensitivity was lower in the spatial frequency of 6, 12 and 18 cycles/degree. The colour vision changes were observed (especially in the blue-yellow axis) more often than in healthy people. CONCLUSIONS: The colour vision examination and contrast sensitivity measurement in patients with diabetes without retinopathy can detect visual function disturbances in the early, subclinical stage of the disease.

[Glaucoma in patient with pituitary tumor--case report]. / Jaskra u chorego z guzem przysadki--opis przypadku.

Ocular hypertension and visual field loss would usually be thought sufficient to suspect glaucoma. A case is presented which illustrates the continuing need for vigilance in circumstance of an apparently straightforward diagnosis has been made.

[Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children and youth--chosen epidemiological features]. / Przedarciowe odwarstwienie siatkówki u dzieci i mlodziezy--wybrane cechy epidemiologiczne.

PURPOSE: To assess chosen epidemiological features (risk factors) of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in young patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of patients aged up to 18 years with rhegmatogenous retinal: detachment hospitalized in the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medical Sciences of Bydgoszcz--in the period between 1993-2003. Studied group comprised 37 patients aged from 2 to 18 years. Excluded were the patients with retinopathy of prematurity. RESULTS: Mean age in the group studied was 12.6 (SD=3.6) years, over 80% were male. In 88.9% at least one risk factor was found--the most common of which was history of trauma (52.7%). Myopia was diagnosed in 27.7% of cases, in 8.3% patients cataract surgery had been performed prior to retinal detachment. In 8.3% of patients in group studied revealed congenital structural abnormalities. One patient (2.8%) had toxocariasis. Bilateral retinal detachment occurred also in one patient. The macula was detached in 75% and total retinal detachment was present in 38.8% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The most common risk factor in the group studied was history of nonsurgical trauma. Prevalence of macular detachment was noted.

Axial length measurements after cataract surgery in adults.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of the study was to check the difference in eye axial length before and after cataract surgery and to find out the possible correlation with refraction changes. The axial length was measured by ultrasound before and after cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. Keratometry measurements were also performed. The study comprised 32 eyes. The mean difference in axial length was 0.53 mm. The mean difference in keratometry was 0.37 D. There was no correlation between these values. CONCLUSION: The changes in axial length are not due to corneal curve changes. Perhaps in pseudophakic eyes different ultrasound velocity should be used.

[Astigmatism after cataract surgery]. / Niezbornosc po operacji zacmy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative astigmatism after cataract surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studied group consist of 135 patients subjected to cataract surgery; 75 patients (75 eyes) had extracapsular cataract extraction with 12 mm corneoscleral incision (group I); 30 patients (30 eyes) had phacoemulsification with 3.5 mm corneal incision (group II); 30 patients (30 eyes) had phacoemulsification with 3.5 mm tunnel incision (group III). Astigmatism was measured on the 6th day and 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: Mean astigmatism on the 6th postoperative day was 4, 19 D (SD = 1.20) for group I, 2.50 D (SD = 0.47) for group II and 1.79 D (SD = 0.61) for group III. The differences between all the groups were statistically significant. The astigmatism assessed 2 years after surgery returned to preoperative values and there was statistic difference only between group I and III. CONCLUSION: Two years after cataract surgery astigmatism is comparable with the preoperative values irrespective of the operation technique.

[Senile and presenile cataract: comparison of patients operated in the year 1990-2000]. / Zacma starcza i przedstarcza--porównanie pacjentów operowanych w 1990 i 2000 roku.

PURPOSE: To compare some epidemiological features (e.g. mean age) of patients operated for senile and presenile cataract in the year 1990 and 2000. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data of 106 consecutive patients with senile or presenile cataract operated in May 1990 and 110 patients operated in April and May 2000, were compared. Some cataract risk factors were analysed: cataract in family, diabetes, steroid therapy, refractive error, rural residency, outdoor occupation, smoking., visual acuity and age of patients. RESULTS: There was significantly higher age (69 vs. 60 years) and lower number of patients with very low visual acuity (less than 0.1) in group undergoing cataract surgery in 2000. We did not noted significant differences regarding sex, cataract in family, presence of diabetes, steroid therapy, myopia, rural residency, outdoor occupation, smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In 10 years period increase of age and decrease in number of patients with very low visual acuity in group operated for senile and presenile cataract could be observed.

[Late results of endothelial cell loss after cataract surgery]. / Odlegle wyniki utraty komórek sródblonka po operacji zacmy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate endothelial cell loss rate after cataract surgery in 5 years-long period. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The studied group comprised 115 patients (66 females and 49 males) who had undergone senile and presenile cataract surgery. Mean age was 60 years (SD = 90). In 60 patients extracapsular cataract extraction and in 55 phacoemulsification have been performed. Mean central corneal thickness was measured before and 2 days after cataract surgery. Mean central endothelial cell density was assessed preoperatively, as well as 1, 3, 6 months and 2, 5 years after operation. RESULTS: Mean endothelial cell loss was: 76% 1 month after surgery, and 97% 3 months, 110% 6 months, 124% 2 years, 140% 5 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced endothelial cell loss could be observed even 2 years after surgery. 5 years postoperatively physiological loss rate is attained. Initial postoperative increase in central corneal thickness is an important marker of subsequent endothelial cell loss.