Evaluation of peripapillary choroidal vascularity index in young smokers.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to compare the peripapillary choroidal vascularity index (CVI) between young smokers who smoked less than 5 packs/year and non-smokers.Methods: The study included 52 smokers and 67 non-smokers, and comprehensive eye examinations were performed on all participants. Axial lengths (AL) were measured, and peripapillary enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) images were obtained and evaluated using the Open Source ImageJ software. The CVI, total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) quadrants were compared between the two groups.Results: The mean age of the smokers was 23.76 ± 1.84 years, and for non-smokers, it was 23.98 ± 2.18 years. The mean peripapillary CVI for smokers was 0.65 ± 0.08, and for non-smokers, it was 0.67 ± 0.03. No statistically significant difference in CVI was observed between the two groups. However, statistically significant differences were found in the temporal inferior (TI), temporal superior (TS), nasal inferior (NI), and nasal superior (NS) quadrants of the RNFL between the two groups (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between the number of packs/year and CVI values in the smoking group (r = 0.031, p = 0.826).Conclusion: The study revealed no significant difference in CVI among young smokers who smoked less than 5 packs/year compared to non-smokers. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in the TI, TS, NI, and NS quadrants of the RNFL in early-age smokers.

Compare of optic coherence tomography parameters in recreational synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol use and healthy control.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retinal thickness (RT), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), and choroidal thickness (CT) changes in synthetic cannabinoid (SC) users. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated the RT, RNFLT, and CT values of 56 SC users and 58 healthy controls. The individuals using SCs were referred to us by our hospital's forensic medicine department. Retinal and choroidal images were obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Measurements (one subfoveal, three temporals, three nasal) were taken at 500 µm intervals up to 1500 µm using the caliper system. Only the right eye was used for subsequent analysis. RESULTS: Mean ages were 27.7 ± 5.7 years in the SC-user group and 25.4 ± 6.7 in the control group. Subfoveal Global RNFLT was in the SCs group 102.3 ± 10.5 µm and 105.6 ± 20.2 µm in the control group (p = 0.271). Subfoveal CT was in the SC group mean of 316.1 ± 100.2 µm and in the control group mean 346.4 ± 81.8 µm (p = 0.065). RT, T500 (283.3 ± 36.7 µm, 296.6 ± 20.5 µm, p = 0.011) and N1500 (355.1 ± 14.3 µm, 349.3 ± 18.1 µm, p = 0.049) were significantly higher in the SC group than in the control group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Analysis of OCT findings of individuals who had been using SC for more than one year revealed no statistically significant difference between RNFLT and CT, although N1500 was significantly higher in RT. Further studies in the field of OCT are important to explore the pathology of SC.

The Effects of Long-term Growth Hormone Treatment on Ocular Findings.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the long-term changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), axial length (AxL), peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT), peripapillary ganglion cell layer - inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness, and peripapillary choroidal thickness (ChT) after rhGH replacement treatment in paediatric patients with IGHD, compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty-two children with IGHD including 12 girls and 10 boys were enrolled in the study group, and 30 (16 girls, 14 boys) healthy children composed the control group. A detailed ophthalmological examination was performed for each participant. ACD, CCT, AxL, peripapillary RNFLT, GCL-IPL thickness and ChT measurements were performed before the rhGH replacement treatment and in the 12th month of the post-treatment period, as well as the corresponding visits in the control group. AxL ultrasound pachymetry (CCT), peripapillary RNFL thickness, peripapillary RNFLT, GCL-IPL thickness, and peripapillary ChT parameters were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean age of the groups were similar (p = 0.143). 12-month CCT, ACD, and AxL measurements of the study group showed significantly higher results than the pre-treatment measurements (p = 0.005, p = 0.024, and p = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, the mean RNFLT and ChT measurements of the study group obtained from all sectors were significantly higher in the 12th-month visit (p < 0.001 for both) other than the RNFLT, and GCL-IPL thickness measurements (p > 0.05 for all). However, all these parameters were similar at pre- and post-treatment visits in the control group (p > 0.05 for all). The mean pre-treatment values of all these parameters were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all), other than the RNFLT, GCL-IPL thickness measurements (p > 0.05 for all), while the mean post-treatment values of all these parameters in both groups were similar at month 12 (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: GH replacement treatment in childhood may play an important role in the development of the neural retina and can be effective on the anterior segment, RNFLT and ChT measurements.

Visual evoked potential changes following Botox administration in patients with blepharospasm.

PURPOSE: To examine visual evoked potential (VEP) changes following botulinum toxin type A (BTA) administration in patients with blepharospasm. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with blepharospasm receiving BTA administration were included in the study. Three groups, a control group and two study groups (patients examined 14 days after BTA administration-Study Group 1, and patients examined 28 days after BTA administration-Study Group 2) were evaluated. Dilated fundus examinations were performed following detailed ophthalmological examinations and VEP tests. Keypoint (Dantec, Denmark) and ISCEV criteria were adopted for pattern VEP (PVEP) recording. BTA was applied in the form of local injections at a total 15-30 units, at 2.5-5 units per injection. RESULTS: A mean 19.4 ± 3.2 units of BTA was used for each eye. N70 (ms), P100 (ms), and P100 (uV) values were statistically significantly lower in both study groups following drug administrations compared to the control group (p < 0.001 for all). Significant positive correlation was observed between increased P100 amplitudes and age in the control group (p = 0.008, r = 0.200). Significant negative correlation was observed between the BTA units used and decreased P100 amplitudes in both study groups 1 and 2 following drug administrations (p = 0.017, r = - 0.180 and p = 0.043, r = - 0.153, respectively). CONCLUSION: VEP may be an important method in the diagnosis and follow-up of blepharospasm and in determining the success of drug administration and additional therapeutic requirements.

Ocular blood flow and retinal, choroidal, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children with familial Mediterranean fever with at least five attacks.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate ocular blood flow and, retinal, choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with patients who had at least five attacks. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with FMF and 56 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Each participant's choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal thickness (RT) measurements were performed in the foveola and at horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants within 500-µm intervals up to 1.500 µm from the foveola using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography as well as the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT). Disc boundaries were determined manually by identifying seven points on the inner edge of the scleral ring. Following complete ophthalmological evaluation, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistivity index (RI) values in the central retinal artery (CRA), ophthalmic artery (OA), and nasal posterior ciliary artery (NPCA) were measured using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) in the left eyes of the patients diagnosed with FMF and the controls. The results were subsequently compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of all RNFLT quadrant and RT measurements. All CT measurements were thinner in patients with FMF than in the controls (For Central and Temporal_1500 p = 0.01; For Temporal_500, Nasal 500 and Nasal_1000 p < 0.001; Temporal_1000 p = 0.002) except than the Nasal_1500 point. For nasal_1500 p = 0.121). The PSV and EDV values in the OA, CRA, and NPCA were significantly lower in patients with FMF compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). In contrast, the RI values of all arteries were significantly higher than in the control group (Regarding OA, CRA and NPCA RI, p = 0.003, p = 0.039, and p = 0.039, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the idea that chronic inflammation and frequent attacks in FMF may have an effect on decreased ocular blood flow and choroidal thinning.

Comparison of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure measured with two different tono/pachymeter devices in non-glaucomatouse children.

PURPOSE: The goal of this research is to compare the intraocular pressure (IOP) and the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) values obtained from the measurements with Nidek NT-530P and Canon TX-20P devices with the values obtained by ultrasound pachymetry (UP) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) in children. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted with 119 healthy children. The measurements were repeated three times for each eye. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the correlation between the measurements obtained from different devices. The Bland-Altman plot was used to analyze the agreement between two different devices graphically. The measurements were taken in the same order in all subjects: TX-20P, NT-530P, UP, and GAT. RESULTS: The mean age of the children was 10.1 ± 3.2 (6-17) years. The mean CCT values for the eyes were 568.90 and 569.68 (TX-20P), 571.44 and 566.37 (NT-530P), 564.77 and 564.67 µm UP, (right and left, respectively). The highest correspondence observed for CCT was between UP and NT-530P devices (ICC, 0.982, the left eye). The mean IOP measurements for Canon TX-20P, NT-530P, and GAT were 16.5 ± 3.2, 16.3 ± 3.2, and 16.8 ± 3.6 mmHg for the right eyes, respectively, while those for the left eyes were 16.6 ± 3.1, 16.2 ± 3.3, and 16.8 ± 3.7 mmHg. The highest correspondence was noted between measurements obtained using GAT and Nidek NT-530P devices (ICC, 0.945, in the left eye). CONCLUSION: Tono/pachymetry devices in the healthy children are provides significant agreements with the gold standard methods for IOP and CCT measurements.Clinical Trial Registration number: 2016-94.

Effects of topical azithromycin, moxifloxacin, and povidone iodine on conjunctival bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection / Os efeitos da azitromicina tópica, moxifloxacina e iodopovidona na flora bacteriana conjuntival em injeções intravítreas

ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare effects of 5% topical povidone iodine with prophylactic topical azithromycin and moxifloxacin on bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection. Methods: A total of 132 patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with azithromycin or moxifloxacin, or no treatment (control group). In total, 528 specimens were obtained at the time of admission, 4 days before intravitreal injection, 4 days after intravitreal injection, and 8 days after intravitreal injection. Samples were immediately sent to the microbiology laboratory for incubation. Results: The microorganism observed most frequently was coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (23.8%). When the results of samples obtained on Day 4 before injection were assessed, growth of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was significantly lower in the moxifloxacin group, compared with controls (p=0.049). Acinetobacter baumannii continued to grow after administration of azithromycin (p=0.033). When the results of four days after intravitreal injection were evaluated, growth of coagulase-ne gative Staphylococcus was higher in controls, compared with patients who received azithromycin or moxifloxacin (p=0.004). Eradication rate was significantly higher in the moxifloxacin group than in the control group (p=0.001). Samples obtained on Day 8 after intravitreal injection showed similar levels of bacterial growth in all groups (p=0.217). Conclusion: Moxifloxacin was more effective than 5% povidone iodine in controlling the growth of conjunctival bacterial flora. Use of moxifloxacin in combination with 5% povidone iodine resulted in a synergistic effect.

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar os efeitos de iodopovidona tópico a 5% com azitromicina e moxifloxacina profiláticas sobre a flora bacteriana em pacientes submetidos à injeção intravítrea. Métodos: Um total de 132 pacientes foram aleatoriamente designados para receber tratamento com azitromicina ou moxifloxacina ou nenhum tratamento (grupo controle). No total, 528 amostras foram obtidas no momento na admissão, 4 dias antes da injeção intravítrea, 4 dias após a injeção intravítrea e 8 dias após a injeção intravítrea. As amostras foram imediatamente enviadas para o laboratório de microbiologia para incubação. Resultados: O microorganismo mais frequentemente observado foi o Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo (23,8%). Quando os resultados das amostras obtidas no dia 4 antes da injeção foram avaliados, o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi significativamente menor no grupo mo xifloxacina, em comparação com os controles (p=0,049). Acinetobacter baumannii continuou a crescer após a administração de azitromicina (p=0,033). Quando os resultados de 4 dias após a injeção intravítrea foram avaliados, o crescimento do Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo foi maior no controle, em comparação com pacientes que receberam azitromicina ou moxifloxacina (p=0,004). A taxa de erradicação também foi significativamente maior no grupo moxifloxacina do que no grupo controle (p=0,001). As amostras obtidas no dia 8 após injeção intravítrea mostraram níveis semelhantes de crescimento bacteriano em todos os grupos (p=0,217). Conclusão: A moxifloxacina foi mais eficaz do que 5% de iodopovidona no controle do crescimento da flora bacteriana conjuntival. O uso de moxifloxacina em combinação com 5% de iodopovidona resultou em um efeito sinérgico.

Effects of topical azithromycin, moxifloxacin, and povidone iodine on conjunctival bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection.

PURPOSE: To compare effects of 5% topical povidone iodine with prophylactic topical azithromycin and moxifloxacin on bacterial flora in patients undergoing intravitreal injection. METHODS: A total of 132 patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with azithromycin or moxifloxacin, or no treatment (control group). In total, 528 specimens were obtained at the time of admission, 4 days before intravitreal injection, 4 days after intravitreal injection, and 8 days after intravitreal injection. Samples were immediately sent to the microbiology laboratory for incubation. RESULTS: The microorganism observed most frequently was coagulasenegative Staphylococcus (23.8%). When the results of samples obtained on Day 4 before injection were assessed, growth of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was significantly lower in the moxifloxacin group, compared with controls (p=0.049). Acinetobacter baumannii continued to grow after administration of azithromycin (p=0.033). When the results of four days after intravitreal injection were evaluated, growth of coagulase-ne gative Staphylococcus was higher in controls, compared with patients who received azithromycin or moxifloxacin (p=0.004). Eradication rate was significantly higher in the moxifloxacin group than in the control group (p=0.001). Samples obtained on Day 8 after intravitreal injection showed similar levels of bacterial growth in all groups (p=0.217). CONCLUSION: Moxifloxacin was more effective than 5% povidone iodine in controlling the growth of conjunctival bacterial flora. Use of moxifloxacin in combination with 5% povidone iodine resulted in a synergistic effect.

Association of ABO blood groups and Rh factor with retinal and choroidal thickness.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate if ABO blood group and Rh factor have an effect on retinal and choroidal thickness. METHODS:: This study was designed prospectively. Retinal nerve fiber layer, retinal, and choroidal thicknesses were measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Retinal and choroidal thickness measurements (one subfoveal, three temporal, and three nasal) were obtained at 500-µm intervals up to 1500 µm with the caliper system. RESULTS:: In this study, 109 male and 151 female, 260 individuals in total were included. There were 125 subjects in group A, 29 in group B, 34 in group AB, and 72 in group O. Rh factor was positive in 194 subjects and negative in 66. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding age (p = 0.667). The groups did not show any statistical difference in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. There was significant difference found for mean retinal thickness at temporal 1000 µm when four groups were compared (p = 0.037). No statistically significant difference was detected for the remaining retinal and choroidal sectoral regions. The groups did not statistically significantly differ concerning Rh factor (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION:: Although we found a significant difference in retinal thickness in the temporal retina between group B with group A and group O, we suggest that both blood group and Rh factor have no effect on retinal and choroidal thickness.

Evaluation of Intraocular pressure, Corneal thickness, and Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. METHODS: In this prospective study, 103 patients with OSAS (study group) and 37 healthy subjects were enrolled. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations. Mean outcome measures were intraocular pressure by Goldmann applanation tonometry, CCT measurement using ultrasound pachymeter and peripapillary RNFL thickness measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The differences between the mean values of RNFL thickness in all quadrants were similar in both groups and were not statistically significant (p=0.274). The IOP and CCT measurement averages of all patients with OSAS were lower than the control group. However, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no correlation between the apnea-hypopnea index, lowest oxygen saturation (LAST) or Body Mass Index (BMI) and the peripapillary RNFL thickness, IOP or CCT when OSAS group was divided by severity. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that peripapillary RNFL thickness, IOP or CCT did not differ significantly between OSAS and control groups. We also found no correlation between apnea severity (AHI), lowest oxygen saturation (LAST) and BMI and RNFL, CCT and IOP.

A Comparison of Three Different Photoscreeners in Children.

PURPOSE: To compare the results obtained from three non-cycloplegic handheld photorefractometers with cycloplegic autorefractometry (Topcon KR-8100; Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) measurement in children. METHODS: The refractive status of 238 eyes in 119 healthy children was assessed. The values acquired using photorefraction with the non-cycloplegic PlusoptiX A12 (Plusoptix GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany), Retinomax K-plus 3 (Righton, Tokyo, Japan), and Spot Vision Screener (Welch Allyn, Skaneateles Falls, NY) devices were compared with those obtained from the cycloplegic Topcon KR-8100. The agreement between the measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean age was 10.1 ± 3.2 years (range: 6 to 17 years). The mean spherical value for the right eyes was 0.38 diopters (D) (range: -4.50 to 6.25 D) for the Plusoptix A12; 0.45 D (range: -4.50 to 6.25 D) for the Spot Vision Screener; -1.15 D (range: -8.75 to 6.50 D) for the Retinomax K-plus 3; and 0.62 (range: -4.50 to 6.00) for the Topcon KR-8100. The mean spherical equivalent value for the right eyes was 0.41 D (range: -4.50 to 7.90 D) for the Plusoptix A12; 0.18 D (range: -4.75 to 6.13 D) for the Spot Vision Screener; -1.30 D (range: -10.50 to 6.38 D) for the Retinomax K-plus 3; and 0.67 D (range: -4.00 to 6.00 D) for the Topcon KR-8100 (for the right eyes). CONCLUSIONS: The photorefractometer method was beneficial in the measurement of refractive errors of school-aged children. The PlusoptiX A12 photorefractometer method may eliminate the need for cycloplegia in the detection of refractive errors in children. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2018;55(5):306-311.].

Comparison of central corneal thickness with four different optical devices.

BACKGROUND: To compare the consistency between the average scores of the contact central corneal thickness measurements from ultrasound pachymetry devices still gold standard, such as iPac® and Echoscan US-500, and noncontact measurements via Pentacam HR and Sirius topography. METHODS: This prospective study, subsequently admitted to the ophthalmology department, 76 healthy individuals were performed. The measurements were repeated three times for each eye, and average scores were statistically analyzed on the same day and almost at the same time. While measuring the eyes, Pentacam HR, Sirius topography, iPac®, and Echoscan US-500 were used, respectively. The inter-rater agreement of measurements from the devices was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient, and 95% Confidence Interval and p values demonstrating statistically significance were also presented. In the graphical assessment of the agreement, the Bland-Altman graph was used. RESULTS: Among 76 study participants, 43 (56.6%) were composed of women, and age level was 38.6 ± 12.5 years, ranging between 18 and 69. It was observed that the highest agreement was between the measurements obtained from Echoscan US-500 and iPac® devices, but the agreement between the measurements of different devices was higher than 0.90. Bland-Altman graphics were also investigated; the results of four different devices were seen to be consistent with one another. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the devices we compared in the study can be used as alternatives to one another due to the higher consistency between CCT measurements provided with through UP devices of Echoscan US-500 and iPac®, and Pentacam HR and Sirius topography devices. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2016/112.