Treatment of corneal neovascularization with topical aflibercept in a case of exposure keratopathy following cerebellar astrocytoma surgery.

In this report, we report the case of a 7-year-old boy with corneal neovascularization due to exposure keratopathy following cerebellar astrocytoma surgery. Corneal surface healing was achieved with topical treatment and therapeutic contact lens, after which topical steroid was administered for stromal haze and corneal neovascularization. After 2 months of steroid therapy failed, corneal neovascularization responded well to topical aflibercept administration, showing complete regression.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Age-related Macular Degeneration and Refractive Error, Socio-demographic Features, and Biochemical Variables in a Turkish Population.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and refractive error and axial length, as well as the socio-demographic characteristics and biochemical variables that may affect this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 196 eyes of 98 patients over 50 years of age who were diagnosed with AMD at our clinic were included in this cross-sectional study. Early and late AMD findings were categorized according to the age-related eye disease study grading scale. Objective refractive error was measured by autorefractometer, confirmed by subjective examination, and spherical equivalent was calculated. Refractive errors of -0.50 D to 0.50 D were classified as emmetropia, <-0.50 D as myopia, and >0.50 D as hyperopia. Axial length was measured by ultrasonic biometry and values ≤23.00 mm were classified as short, >23.00 and <24.00 mm as normal, and ≥24.00 mm as long axial length. Demographic, systemic, and biochemical parameters of all patients were also investigated. RESULTS: Hypermetropic refractive error and shorter axial length were significantly more common than the other groups (p<0.01). No differences were observed between early and late stage groups in terms of refractive error and axial length. Patients with myopia had significantly lower values for total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and proportion of smokers. Rates of oral nutritional supplement use and fish consumption were significantly higher in the early AMD group. The most common comorbidity among the AMD patients in our study was essential hypertension. CONCLUSION: Hyperopic refractive error and shorter axial length were found to be associated with AMD. Longitudinal studies including larger patient numbers are needed to elucidate the causal and temporal relationship between hyperopic refractive error and AMD.

Comparison of ranibizumab and subthreshold micropulse laser in treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE:: To compare the effects of intravitreal ranibizumab injection and yellow (577 nm) subthreshold micropulse laser treatment in patients with macular edema following non-ischemic branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS:: The medical records of 51 patients who underwent intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injection or subthreshold micropulse laser for the treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion were retrospectively reviewed. Subthreshold micropulse laser was administered with a 10% duty cycle, 100 µm spot diameter, 200 ms exposure time. The patients received an injection or laser treatment at baseline and were, then, retreated as needed and were followed for 12 months. The mean best corrected visual acuity changes over the follow-up and the decrease in the mean central macular thickness were evaluated. RESULTS:: A total of 27 and 24 patients were assigned to intravitreal ranibizumab and subthreshold micropulse laser subgroups, respectively. The mean number of treatment was 3.81 of intravitreal ranibizumab group and 1.5 of subthreshold micropulse laser group (p < 0.05). The subgroups were similar with regard to the mean score of best corrected visual acuity at baseline, at 1, 6, and 12 months (p > 0.05). The decrease in the mean central macular thickness was significant in both intravitreal ranibizumab and subthreshold micropulse laser groups at 1, 6, and 12 months than that of values at baseline (p < 0.05). No new ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION:: Our study results showed that intravitreal ranibizumab or yellow subthreshold micropulse laser treatment for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion was not found to be superior to each other for reducing macular thickness and increasing visual acuity for 1-year period. Based on these results, subthreshold micropulse laser may be a useful alternative approach in the treatment of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

Effects of long-term computer use on eye dryness.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of long-term computer use on tear production and evaporation. METHODS: In this study, 30 eyes of 30 people using computer for 8 hours a day were taken as the study group. In the control group, 30 eyes of 30 healthy individuals who did not spend 1 hour using computer on a daily basis were evaluated. The cases were examined at 8 am and 5 pm. The Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. The Schirmer test results, which measure the parameters of tear production, were 16.80±2.04 and 15.50±2.06 mm (p>0.05) in the study group, and 17.28±1.52 and 17.16±2.53 in the control group. The TBUT measurements were 9.15±2.93 and 6.80±1.11 sec in the study group. It was observed that the evening TBUT decreased (p<0.05). The TBUT measurements were 15.80±3.15 sec and 15.20±1.92 sec (p>0.05) in the control group. The OSDI scores were 26.7±3.36 and 28.3±1.19 in the study group, and 25.0±4.48 and 27.3±2.27 in the control group. CONCLUSION: As a result, it was found that a long-term computer use did not change the Schirmer test results significantly, but there were statistically significant changes in the tear break-up time (TBUT) results of the evaporative type eye dryness. According the our study results, long-term computer usage may cause an evaporative-type dry eye disease.

Topography and Higher Order Corneal Aberrations of the Fellow Eye in Unilateral Keratoconus.

OBJECTIVES: Comparison of topography and corneal higher order aberrations (HOA) data of fellow normal eyes of unilateral keratoconus patients with keratoconus eyes and control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 196 patients with keratoconus were reviewed. Twenty patients were identified as unilateral keratoconus. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), topography and aberration data of the unilateral keratoconus patients' normal eyes were compared with their contralateral keratoconus eyes and with control group eyes. For statistical analysis, flat and steep keratometry values, average corneal power, cylindrical power, surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), inferior-superior ratio (I-S), keratoconus prediction index, and elevation-depression power (EDP) and diameter (EDD) topography indices were selected. RESULTS: Mean age of the unilateral keratoconus patients was 26.05±4.73 years and that of the control group was 23.6±8.53 years (p>0.05). There was no statistical difference in BCVA between normal and control eyes (p=0.108), whereas BCVA values were significantly lower in eyes with keratoconus (p=0.001). Comparison of quantitative topographic indices between the groups showed that all indices except the I-S ratio were significantly higher in the normal group than in the control group (p<0.05). The most obvious differences were in the SRI, SAI, EDP, and EDD values. All topographic indices were higher in the keratoconus eyes compared to the normal fellow eyes. There was no difference between normal eyes and the control group in terms of spherical aberration, while coma, trefoil, irregular astigmatism, and total HOA values were higher in the normal eyes of unilateral keratoconus patients (p<0.05). All HOA values were higher in keratoconus eyes than in the control group. CONCLUSION: According to our study, SRI, SAI, EDP, EDD values, and HOA other than spherical aberration were higher in the clinically and topographically normal fellow eyes of unilateral keratoconus patients when compared to a control group. This finding may be due to the mild asymmetric and morphologic changes in the subclinical stage of keratoconus leading to deterioration in the indicators of corneal irregularity and elevation changes. Therefore, these eyes may be exhibiting the early form of the disease.

Differences in pain experience and cooperation between consecutive surgeries in patients undergoing phacoemulsification.

The purpose of this study is to compare pain experience and cooperation between consecutive surgeries in patients undergoing phacoemulsification in both eyes, using sub-Tenon's local anesthesia without sedation. In this study, 268 patients with bilateral senile cataracts were recruited. All operations were performed without sedation, using a clear corneal phacoemulsification technique and sub-Tenon's local anesthesia, by one of four surgeons. The first surgery was performed on the eye with the higher grade cataract. The other eye was operated on within 3 months by the same surgeon (mean interval 1.9 ± 1.1 months). All patients were asked to grade their pain experience during induction and maintenance of anesthesia and also during the phacoemulsification surgery, using a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain) administered after the surgery. The cooperation of the patient was graded from 0 (no event) to 3 (markedeye and head movement and lid squeezing) by the attending surgeon. The VAS scores and cooperation scores of the patients were the outcome measurements. The mean pain score was 2.11 ± 0.79 in the first eye and 3.33 ± 0.80 in the second eye during the administration of sub-Tenon's anesthesia, and 1.50 ± 0.60 in the first eye and 2.10 ± 0.57 in the second eye during the phacoemulsification surgery. The patient cooperation score was 1.60 ± 0.75 in the first surgery and 2.08 ± 0.72 in the second surgery. The differences between the first and second surgeries were statistically significant for all outcome measures (p < 0.01). Patients who previously underwent phaco surgery in one eye experienced more pain and showed worse cooperation during the phaco surgery in the second eye, especially if there was a short time between the surgeries, viz., less than 3 months. Therefore, if the surgeon has difficulty in the first operation gaining the patient's cooperation, the surgeon must be careful: if contralateral eye surgery is required, the addition of sedation/analgesia should be considered or the surgery postponed for a while to abolish the influence of recent memory on the patient's subsequent pain experience.

Comparison of effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Kinesio Taping added to exercises in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Although there are several studies of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and exercise in myofascial pain syndrome, there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping (KT) and TENS in myofascial pain syndrome patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare the early and late effects of TENS and KT on pain, disability and range of motion in myofascial pain syndrome patients. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients were divided into three groups randomly as TENS+Exercise, KT+Exercise and exercise groups. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and cervical contralateral lateral flexion were employed in the evaluation of the patients performed before treatment, after treatment and 3rd month after treatment. RESULTS: The VAS, pain threshold, Neck Disability Index and contralateral lateral flexion values were improved in all groups both in after treatment and 3rd month after treatment (p< 0.01). In the comparison of after treatment vs. before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in KT group compared to the TENS and control group (p= 0.001), in the TENS group compared to control group (p= 0.011). In the comparison of 3rd month and before treatment evaluations, VAS score was decreased in the TENS group compared to control group (p= 0.001) and in the KT group compared to the control group (p= 0.001). There was no significant difference between TENS and KT groups. All other parameters did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: TENS and KT added exercises can decrease pain severity and increase pain threshold, function and cervical range of motion in myofascial pain syndrome patients. Addition of TENS or KT to the exercise therapy resulted in more significant improvement compared to exercise therapy alone with a more pronounced improvement in KT group compared to the TENS group in the early period. Because KT was found to be more effective in decreasing the pain and had the advantage of being used in every 3 days, it seems to be beneficial in acute painful periods in myofascial pain syndrome patients.

Factors affecting the results of the functional dexterity test.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to identify which demographic and anthropometric features affect performance (time) on the functional dexterity test (FDT). METHODS: One hundred fifty-two healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 80 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, height, weight, and dominant hand) and anthropometric (the girths of the first 3 fingers) variables were recorded, and the FDT (net time and total score) was performed. RESULTS: Hand dexterity (time) was slower in participants aged 60 years (35.7 ± 9.4 seconds) and older compared with those aged 40-59 (27.1 ± 7.2 seconds) years and 20-39 (23.9 ± 4.9 seconds) years (P < .001 for both) in dominant side. DISCUSSION: There was no significant difference between males (29.1 ± 9 in dominant hands and 30.9 ± 9.5 in nondominant hands) and females (27.9 ± 8.4 in dominant hands and 30.8 ± 8.1 in nondominant hands) in all groups in terms of FDT net time. The factors associated with hand dexterity were age in dominant hands (R2 = 0.321) and age and thickness of the second and third fingers in nondominant hands (R2 = 0.282). CONCLUSION: FDT scores increased with increasing age for both dominant and nondominant hands. Finger thickness, especially in nondominant hands, should be taken into account while evaluating FDT scores because of its negative effect on dexterity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.

Comparison of astigmatism correction using either peripheral corneal relaxing incisions or toric intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and short-term stability of toric intraocular lenses (tIOL) and peripheral cornea relaxing incisions (PCRI) during phacoemulsification. METHODS: Patients with preexisting corneal astigmatism had cataract surgery either with tIOL (AcrySof Toric) (39 eyes of 35 patients) or standard intraocular lens (AcrySof) + PCRIs (38 eyes of 33 patients). Patients were retrospectively evaluated for manifest refraction, corneal topography, and uncorrected and corrected visual acuities preoperatively and at postoperative 1 and 6 months. The Alpins vectorial method was used to analyze the target induced astigmatism (TIA) and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), magnitude of error (the difference between the magnitude of SIA and TIA) (ME), and correction index. RESULTS: Mean preoperative corneal astigmatism was 2.21 ± 1.32 D in the tIOL group and 2.24 ± 0.96 D in the PCRI group; the difference was not significant. The decrease in astigmatism was significant in both groups at last follow-up (64% tIOL group, 32% PCRI group, p<0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The mean remaining refractive astigmatism was significantly higher in the PCRI group than in the tIOL group at 1-month (1.42 ± 1.22, 0.89 ± 0.68, respectively) and 6-month follow-ups (1.75 ± 1.37 D, 0.92 ± 0.72, respectively) (p<0.01). The mean ME was significantly lower (-0.35 versus -0.88) with a higher correction index (0.96 versus 0.56) in the tIOL group at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Both tIOL implantation and using PCRI were effective methods to reduce preoperative astigmatism at the time of the cataract surgery. However, tIOLs provided better remaining astigmatism with a more stable refraction than PCRI.

Posterior Subtenon's Capsule Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of posterior subtenon's triamcinolone injections versus grid laser photocoagulation (GLP) combined with posterior subtenon's triamcinolone injection in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, 42 eyes with DME that showed a decrease in visual acuity (VA) were included. The first group consisted of 22 eyes that received a posterior subtenon's injection of 40 mg of triamcinolone acetonide under topical anesthesia. The second group of 20 eyes received macular GLP applied 1 month after subtenon's triamcinolone acetonide (STTA) injection. All patients were evaluated at baseline and 1 day; 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks; and 3 and 6 months after injection. In some patients, injections were repeated after 3 months. The main outcome measures were VA, central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure, cataract progression, and frequency of complications. RESULTS: The mean baseline CMT for Group I was 456.85 ± 56.90 µm. The mean baseline CMT for Group II was 455.66 ± 57 µm. In the first group, mean CMTs for second week, 8th week, 12th week, and 6th month were 258.15, 276.50, 280.05, and 433.30 µm, respectively. In the second group, mean CMTs for second week, 8th week, 12th week, and 6th month were 261.42, 272.76, 284.71, and 291.76 µm, respectively. Before treatment, in the first group, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measured using a Snellen chart was 0.19, while the first week, third, and sixth month BCVA means were 0.59, 0.57, and 0.41, respectively. Before treatment, BCVA in the second group was 0.17, while the first week, third, and sixth month means were 0.61, 0.64, and 0.60, respectively. Treatment complications included cataracts in 4 eyes and glaucoma in 1 eye. CONCLUSION: There is a temporary therapeutic effect of posterior subtenon's triamcinolone injection without laser photocoagulation. GLP improves VA and reduces the risk of recurrent macular edema after posterior STTA injection.

Comparison of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide theraphies for diffuse diabetic macular edema.

AIM: To compare therapeutic effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) versus intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections for bilateral diffuse diabetic macular edema (DDME). METHODS: Forty eyes of 20 patients with bilateral DDME participated in this study. For each patient, 4 mg/0.1 mL IVTA was injected to one eye and 2.5 mg/0.1 mL IVB was injected to the other eye. The effects of injection for diabetic macular edema (DME) were evaluated using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) by applanation tonometer. Patients underwent eye examinations, including BCVA, CMT, and IOP at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection. During the follow-up, second injections were performed to eyes which have CMT greater than 400 µm at 12wk for salvage therapy. RESULTS: BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection was 0.71±0.19, 0.62±0.23, 0.63±0.12, 0.63±0.13, 0.63±0.14 and 0.61±0.24 in the IVTA group and 0.68±0.25, 0.61±0.22, 0.60±0.24, 0.62±0.25, 0.65±0.26 and 0.59±0.25 in the IVB group, respectively. CMT (µm) at pre-injection, 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24wk after injection was 544±125, 383±96, 335±87, 323±87, 333±92, 335±61 in the IVTA group and 514±100, 431±86, 428±107, 442±106, 478±112, 430±88 in the IVB group respectively. Reduction ratios of mean CMT were 29% at 1wk, 38% at 4wk, 40% at 8wk, 38% at 12wk, and 38% at 24wk in the IVTA group. Second IVTA injections were performed to the 6 eyes (30%) at 12wk. Reduction ratios of mean CMT were 16% at 1wk, 17% at 4wk, 14% at 8wk, 7% at 12wk, and 16% at 24wk in the IVB group. Second IVB injections were performed to the 15 eyes (75%) at 12wk. CONCLUSION: This study showed earlier and more frequent macular edema recurrences in the eyes treated with bevacizumab compared with the ones treated with triamcinolone acetonide. Triamcinolone acetonide was found to provide more efficient and long-standing effect in terms of reducing CMT compared with the bevacizumab.

Effect of 10-Week Supervised Moderate-Intensity Intermittent vs. Continuous Aerobic Exercise Programs on Vascular Adhesion Molecules in Patients with Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: Abnormal expression of cellular adhesion molecules may be related to endothelial dysfunction, a key feature in chronic heart failure. This study compares the effects of 10-wk supervised moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise (CAE) and intermittent aerobic exercise (IAE) programs on markers of endothelial damage, disease severity, functional and metabolic status, and quality-of-life in chronic heart failure patients. DESIGN: Fifty-seven patients between 41 and 81 yrs with New York Heart Association class II-III chronic heart failure and with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%-55% were randomized into three groups: nonexercising control, CAE, and IAE, which exercised three times a week for 10 wks. Endothelial damage was assessed by serum markers of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and nitric oxide; disease severity was measured by left ventricular ejection fraction and N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide; metabolic status was evaluated by body composition analysis and lipid profile levels; functional status was evaluated by cardiorespiratory exercise stress test and 6-min walking distance; quality-of-life was assessed with Left Ventricular Dysfunction-36 and Short-Form 36 questionnaires at the baseline and at the end of the 10th week. RESULTS: Significant decreases in serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 or serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in IAE and CAE groups after training were found, respectively. Resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure, peak systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 6-min walking distance, and the mental health and vitality components of Short-Form 36 improved in the CAE group, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction and 6-min walking distance improved in the IAE group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Both moderate-intensity CAE and IAE programs significantly reduced serum markers of adhesion molecules and prevented the change in VO2 in patients with chronic heart failure.

Contact Lens-Related Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Accompanying Dacryoadenitis.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, by presenting four cases, we aimed to discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy, and methods for prevention of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and to emphasize that inflammatory dacryoadenitis can be seen together with it. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of four eyes of four wearers of hydrophilic soft contact lenses who developed AK. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs, disease course, and confocal microscopy results. In cases with dacryoadenitis, in addition to clinical findings, magnetic resonance imaging was used to establish the diagnosis. RESULTS: All of the cases were using their contact lenses without supervision of an ophthalmologist under inappropriate conditions such as swimming in a pool and during steam bath. The diagnosis was established, and the treatment was performed within the standard protocol for AK. Two of the patients had low visual acuity at the level of counting fingers with corneal scar, cataract, and glaucoma, whereas the other two healed with fewer complications and achieved better vision. Two of the 4 cases (50%) presented with dacryoadenitis accompanying the AK. Lacrimal gland swelling improved in conjunction with symptoms of keratitis without specific treatment for dacryoadenitis in these two cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the improvements in diagnostic tests and treatment strategies for AK, the role of prevention becomes apparent because of the bad prognosis of this serious complication; thus, contact lens wearers should be aware of the importance of using lenses under ophthalmologist's supervision. In addition, we would like to emphasize that AK may be frequently associated with lacrimal gland inflammation.