Detection of coronavirus in tear samples of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: To assess the presence of viral RNA in conjunctival secretions and tears of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients in terms of a possible ocular transmission route and also to examine whether a difference between the patients with and without ocular surface positivity existed. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of 70 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in Haseki Training and Research Hospital with SARS-CoV-2 from February 1 to April 1, 2021, was performed. Tears and conjunctival secretions were collected within 24 h of nasopharyngeal sample collection and examined for SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The clinical data, results of blood tests and nasopharyngeal and conjunctival swabs, and CT findings were evaluated for all patients. RESULTS: Seventy patients (37 males, 33 females) were included in this study. Tear-conjunctival samples from eight patients (11.42%) yielded positive PCR results although these eight patients had no eye symptoms or conjunctivitis. In patients with positive conjunctival PCR results, cycle threshold values for conjunctival samples were higher than those for nasopharyngeal samples. All findings (except gender) were similar between patients with either positive or negative conjunctival swab samples. All patients with positive conjunctival swab samples were male; however, the male ratio in patients with negative conjunctival swab samples was only 46.77%. CONCLUSION: In our study, the rate of conjunctival swab PCR positivity was 11.42%. It appears that even in the absence of ocular symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 virus may be present on the ocular surface; therefore, the ocular surface may be a significant viral transmission route.

Relationship between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Aortic Distensibility in Peripheral Arterial Disease Patients.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between aortic distensibility (AD) and aortic stiffness B index (ASBI) with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured with HD-OCT in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six PAD patients and 22 age-matched healthy control were enrolled. Subjects with PAD were classified into two groups. Patients with diabetes (DM) or hypertension (HT) comprised group I (n = 18) and without DM or HT comprised group II (n = 8). Color Doppler imaging was performed on all patients and PAD was diagnosed by using the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness values between control and PAD patients and correlations between RNFL thickness and aortic stiffness parameters (AD and ASBI) were evaluated. RESULTS: The inferior-nasal and inferior-temporal quadrant were the thickest in healthy subjects and the PAD group. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness significantly decreased in superior-nasal, temporal, inferior-nasal quadrants in group I than healthy subjects (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p < 0.001). Temporal and inferior-nasal quadrant thicknesses were statistically significantly thinner in group II than controls (p = 0.02, p < 0.001). The nasal RNFL quadrant was significantly thinner in group I than group II (p = 0.014). The correlation between RNFL thickness and aortic elasticity parameters in each group was not found to be significant. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Isolated PAD without DM or HT may lead to localized RNFL loss in temporal and inferior-nasal quadrants. Aortic elasticity parameters did not seem to be correlated with RNFL thickness in PAD. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kumova D, Aktas Z, Eyiol A, et al. Relationship between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Aortic Distensibility in Peripheral Arterial Disease Patients. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2021;15(2):86-90.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in IL23R-IL12RB2 (rs1495965) Are Highly Prevalent in Patients with Behcet's Uveitis and Vary Between Populations.

Purpose: To test the frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-10, IL23R-IL12RB2 genes in patients with Behcet's uveitis. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 89 Israeli and Turkish patients, and from healthy control subjects of different origins. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and genotyped. Results: The risk allele, A, in rs1800871, of IL-10 gene was highly prevalent in Behcet's uveitis and healthy control samples alike; highest among the Turkish groups. Prevalence of G allele, in rs1495965, in the IL23R-IL12RB2 gene was high in Behcet's uveitis patients, and among healthy Turkish and Israelis of Middle Eastern origin, while lower among the other Israeli control group (77.9%, 78.9%, 27.8%, respectively, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the differences between populations and may account for the increased prevalence of the disease among Turkish and Israelis of Middle Eastern origin. Further studies are required to map other healthy and affected populations.

Pharmacologic Management of Pressure-Induced Stromal Keratopathy after LASIK.

PURPOSE: To emphasize the importance of anticipation of pressure-induced stromal keratopathy (PISK) in eyes with a previous history of LASIK. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old man developed LASIK-related pressure-induced stromal keratopathy after uneventful phacoemulsification (Phaco) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in his left eye. With immediate discontinuation of the steroid drops and initiation of antiglaucoma medication, his visual acuity, interface edema, and haze improved rapidly. One year later, during Phaco with IOL implantation in his other eye, with anticipation of a similar LASIK-related pressure-induced stromal keratopathy, a very brief course of soft steroid therapy was given together with antiglaucoma medication. Intraocular pressure elevation was avoided, and no interface edema or haze was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates that the risk for LASIK-related pressure-induced stromal keratopathy may be reduced with appropriate precautions.

Modified 360-degree Suture Trabeculotomy for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma: 12-Month Results.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the 12-month results of a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy (ST) technique in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The modified 360-degree ST was performed on 20 eyes of 20 consecutive patients with XFG resistant to maximal topical treatment. In 8 patients, ST was combined with phacoemulsification. The main outcome measures were the surgical success rate, the mean postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the operative complications. RESULTS: The baseline IOP (26.55 ± 8.91) and medications (3.15 ± 0.81) decreased significantly to 10.90 ± 2.73 mm Hg and 0.30 ± 0.80, respectively, at 12 months postoperatively (P<0.001). The magnitude of IOP reduction was 58.9%. Complete and qualified success rates were 68.4% and 94.7%, respectively. The entire circumference of Schlemm's canal was opened successfully in all cases. Hyphema, perforation of the trabeculodesmetic window, posterior synechia, peripheral anterior synechia, and a transient elevation of the IOP were noted. The results are comparable to our 6-month results and other previously published results for circumferential trabeculotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The modified 360-degree ST provides a feasible choice in patients with XFG with a reasonable rate of complications. The 12-month success rates are promising. It can also be combined effectively with the current cataract surgery.

Efficacy of Modified 360-degree Suture Trabeculotomy for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the success and safety of a modified 360-degree suture trabeculotomy (ST) technique in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (XFG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The modified 360-degree ST was performed on 15 eyes of 15 patients with XFG resistant to maximal topical treatment. In 6 patients, ST was combined with phacoemulsification. Main outcome measures were the surgical success rate, mean postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), the number of antiglaucoma medications, and the operative complications. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8 months (range 6 to 12 mo). Baseline IOP decreased from 27.53±9.38 mm Hg on 3.26±0.70 medications to 12.86±2.72 mm Hg (P=0.01) on 0.20±0.56 medications (P=0.01) at 6 months postoperatively accounting for a 52.82% reduction. The complete and qualified success rates were 77% and 100%, respectively, at the sixth month. The entire circumference of the Schlemm canal was successfully opened in all cases. Hyphema (in all cases), intraoperative iris prolapse (in 3 cases), transient elevation of the IOP (in 1 case), posterior synechia (in 2 phakic cases), and peripheral anterior synechia (in 1 case) were noted. There was not a trend for lower IOP after combined phacomodified 360-degree ST in this small group. CONCLUSIONS: The modified 360-degree ST appears to be a valuable option for the surgical treatment of XFG. Future studies are needed to explore the remote side effects and the long-term effects of this procedure on IOP.