Thickness of anterior sclera and corneal layers in systemic sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the thickness of anterior sclera and corneal layers in patients with systemic sclerosis. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included 41 patients with systemic sclerosis and 41 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The study and control groups were compared in terms of the thickness of anterior sclera, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, corneal stroma, and Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex. The thickness measurements were obtained using the anterior segment module of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The thickness of anterior sclera, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, and Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex were similar in the patients with systemic sclerosis and healthy controls (P > 0.05). Total corneal thickness at the apex was 511.1 ± 33.5 µm in the systemic sclerosis group and 528.4 ± 29.5 µm in the control group (P = 0.015). The corneal stroma was thinner in the systemic sclerosis patients compared to the healthy controls (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal stroma was thinner in the patients with systemic sclerosis compared to that of healthy controls, while the thickness of the anterior sclera was similar in both groups.

Corneal and lenticular clarity in children with inflammatory disease as assessed by Scheimpflug imaging.

BACKGROUND: Corneal and lenticular optical properties are not well-documented in pediatric patients with inflammatory diseases. Here we aimed to evaluate corneal and lenticular optical density as well as corneal morphology in children with ocular and/or systemic inflammation by Scheimpflug imaging. METHODS: Fifty-five eyes of 29 children with non-infectious uveitis, 56 eyes of 28 children with systemic inflammation without uveitis and 60 eyes of 31 healthy children were included. Corneal/lenticular optical density, corneal volume, central corneal thickness, keratometry were analyzed by Pentacam HR. Corneal endothelial cell density, hexagonal cell ratio and coefficient of variation were measured by specular microscope. RESULTS: The mean age was 12.0 ± 3.1 years, 11.9 ± 4.0 years and 11.3 ± 3.4 years whereas the female/ratio was 15/14, 15/13 and 14/17 in uveitis, systemic inflammation and control groups respectively. Uveitis type was anterior uveitis in 16 (29.1%) eyes, intermediate uveitis in 32 (58.2%) eyes and panuveitis in 7 (12.7%) eyes. Twenty-two (40%) eyes had active uveitis whereas 33 (60%) eyes had inactive uveitis. Corneal optical density was greater in uveitis group compared with other groups (p = 0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). Lenticular density and corneal parameters other than optical density were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Corneal optical density was higher in active uveitis than inactive uveitis (22/33 eyes, p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Children with uveitis had decreased corneal clarity compared with systemic inflammation group and healthy controls, while lenticular clarity was similar between the groups. Corneal endothelial parameters did not change significantly based on ocular/systemic inflammation. Scheimpflug imaging provides objective corneal and lenticular optical density measurements.

Genotype and phenotype characteristics of X-linked retinoschisis: the first report of a Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: X-linked retinoschisis is an inherited retinal disease caused by mutations in the RS1 gene; however, a genotype-phenotype correlation regarding the mutation type or location within the RS1 gene and clinical characteristics of the patients has not been established yet. This is the first report documenting the genotypes and ophthalmological findings in a Turkish population with confirmed RS1 mutations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty eyes of 25 male patients were included in the study. RS1 mutation analysis was performed by DNA sequencing. Retrospective analysis of ocular examinations and SD-OCT scans were applied. RESULTS: The major mutation was c.422 G > A (p.Arg141His, exon 5) affecting 14 patients (56%) and c.531 T > G was the only non-sense mutation out of 7 pathogenic variants. At presentation; the mean age was 24.6 ± 16.2 (4-72) years, mean visual acuity (VA) was 0.61 ± 0.32 (logMAR, 0.10-1.30). Forty-six (92%) eyes had macular, 16 eyes (32%) had peripheral retinoschisis. None of the eyes had macular scar, whereas 7 eyes (14%) had macular atrophy. The most frequent location of schisis was inner nuclear layer (37.5%). The eyes with disruption of ellipsoid zone (EZ) or external limiting membrane (ELM) had worse VA (for EZ, 0.65 ± 0.25 versus 0.45 ± 0.34, logMAR, 31 versus 17 eyes, p = .013; for ELM, 0.66 ± 0.27 versus 0.45 ± 0.31, logMAR, 30 versus 18 eyes, p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Seven different pathogenic variants in the RS1 gene were identified; with c.422 G > A (p.Arg141His) as the most frequent variant and c.531 T > G as only non-sense mutation. Having EZ or ELM disruption were the significant factors affecting VA.

Enhanced Ectasia Screening in Patients with Uveitis and Isolated Systemic Inflammatory Disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate corneal topographic alterations in patients with uveitis and isolated systemic inflammatory disease (SID). METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 44 patients with uveitis with anterior chamber inflammation (uveitis group), 39 subjects with isolated SID, and 91 healthy controls (control group). Topographic images were classified as "normal," "keratoconus (KC) suspect" and "KC" based on maps of axial curvature, corneal thickness, front and back elevation in combination with Belin/Ambrósio Enhanced Ectasia Display (BAD). RESULTS: The uveitis and SID groups had higher incidence of KC (6.8% and 10.2%, respectively) and KC suspect (45.5% and 33.3%, respectively), whereas 2.2% of the control subjects had KC and 26.4% represented KC suspect (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with uveitis with or without SID, and isolated SID without intraocular inflammation seem to be more likely to have KC and KC suspect, which might be due to systemic and/or local inflammatory background triggering pathophysiological mechanisms underlying KC.

Iris thickness measurements in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate iris alterations in diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: Sixty-nine eyes of 69 patients were recruited and three groups of patients were examined: proliferative DR (n = 25), non-proliferative DR (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 23). Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT), anterior segment iris OCT, and slit lamp digital camera photographs were taken. The thicknesses of the iris at a distance of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm from pupil margin were measured via iris OCT. Iris crypt count, furrow extent, color tone and collarette/diameter ratio were measured by means of anterior segment photography. Visual acuity, refractive error, intraocular pressure, and numbers of intravitreal injections were also recorded. RESULTS: The iris thickness measurements at 1 mm from pupil margin were significantly correlated with the macular thickness measurements (r = 0.32, p = 0.016). In the proliferative DR group, total number of injections were significantly correlated with the iris thickness measurements at 1 mm (r = 0.25, p = 0.04). The iris thickness measurements at distances 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm from the pupil margin were similar in all of the groups (p > 0.05). Iris thickness did not correlate with age, intra-ocular pressure and collarette iris ratio in all the participants (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Iris thickness is similar in diabetic patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, iris thickness near the pupillary margin is positively correlated with macular thickness.

Follow-up Findings of Non-infectious Pediatric Uveitis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to describe the demographic and clinical findings of children with uveitis at a tertiary pediatric rheumatology and ophthalmology center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 46 patients who were diagnosed with uveitis before the age of 16 years and were followed regularly for at least 6 months between January 2013 and June 2019. Demographic data, uveitis characteristics, underlying diseases, systemic treatment modalities, drug side effects, complications, and surgical intervention were evaluated. RESULTS: Eighty-three eyes of 46 patients were included in the study. The mean age at diagnosis of uveitis was 9.2±4.5 (1.6-15.6) years, and the mean uveitis follow-up period was 54±41 (6-191) months. Twenty-one patients (45.7%) had uveitis associated with rheumatologic diseases. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was the most common disease (23.9%). Visual acuity was categorized as moderately impaired in 6 eyes (7.2%), severely impaired in 4 eyes (4.8%), and blindness in 1 eye (1.2%). Methotrexate (87%) was the most frequently used systemic immunosuppressive agent in treatment. Adalimumab (73.9%) was added to treatment in resistant cases. Thirty-five patients (76.1%) had complications in at least 1 eye secondary to uveitis or uveitis treatment. Posterior synechiae (11 eyes, 13.2%) was the most common complication during treatment. CONCLUSION: In order to preserve visual acuity, pediatric uveitis should be recognized early and especially persistent/chronic cases should be started on effective systemic treatment immediately.

Corneal and anterior chamber morphology in patients with noninfectious intraocular inflammation / Morfologia da córnea e da câmara anterior em pacientes com inflamação intraocular não infecciosa

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the corneal and anterior chamber morphology in phakic eyes with noninfectious intraocular inflammation. Methods: This study included 59 eyes with active uveitis, 62 with inactive uveitis, and 95 healthy eyes. Corneal endothelial cell density, hexagonal cell ratio, coefficient of variation (CV), corneal thickness and volume, maximum keratometry, and anterior chamber volume and depth (ACD) measurements were performed using a specular microscope and Pentacam HR. Results: The mean duration of uveitis was 24.6 ± 40.5 (0-180) months. The mean number of uveitis attacks was 2.8 ± 3.0 (1-20). Coefficient of variation was significantly higher in the active uveitis group compared with inactive uveitis group (p=0.017, Post Hoc Tukey). Anterior segment parameters other than coefficient of variation were not significantly different between active/inactive uveitis and control groups (p>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that coefficient of variation was greater in active uveitis compared with inactive uveitis after adjusting for the duration of uveitis, type of uveitis, having a rheumatologic disease, and having immunosuppressive treatment (p=0.003). The duration of uveitis and number of attacks were not significantly correlated with ocular parameters (p>0.05, Spearman's correlation). The difference in parameters was not significant based on uveitis type (p>0.05). Conclusions: Coefficient of variation was higher in eyes with active uveitis than that in eyes with inactive uveitis, whereas corneal endothelial cell density and anterior chamber morphology did not significantly differ between active/inactive uveitis and control groups.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a morfologia da córnea e da câmara anterior em olhos fácicos com inflamação intraocular não infecciosa. Métodos: Esse estudo incluiu 59 olhos com uveíte ativa, 62 olhos com uveíte inativa e 95 olhos saudáveis. A densidade de células endoteliais da córnea, a proporção de células hexagonais, o coeficiente de variação, o volume e a espessura da córnea, a ceratometria máxima e o volume e profundidade da câmara anterior foram medidos com um microscópio especular e uma Pentacam HR. Resultados: A duração média da uveíte foi de 24,6 ± 40,5 (0-180) meses. O número médio de crises de uveíte foi de 2,8 ± 3,0 (1-20). O coeficiente de variação foi significativamente maior no grupo com uveíte ativa do que no grupo com uveíte inativa (p=0,017, Tukey post-hoc). Não houve diferença significativa nos demais parâmetros do segmento anterior entre os grupos com uveíte ativa, com uveíte inativa e controle (p>0,05). A análise de regressão linear múltipla demonstrou que o coeficiente de variação foi maior na uveíte ativa do que na uveíte inativa, após ajustes para a duração e tipo de uveíte e a presença ou não de doença reumática e de tratamento imunossupressor (p=0,003). A duração da uveíte e o número de crises não demonstraram correlação significativa com os parâmetros oculares (p>0,05, correlação de Spearman). A diferença nos parâmetros não demonstrou correlação significativa com o tipo de uveíte (p>0,05). Conclusões: O coeficiente de variação foi maior nos olhos com uveíte ativa do que naqueles com uveíte inativa, ao passo que a densidade de células endoteliais e a morfologia da câmara anterior não mostraram diferenças significativas entre os grupos com uveíte ativa, com uveíte inativa e controle.(AU)

Severe Intraocular Inflammation following Hydrophilic Acrylic Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation in A Case with Concealed History of COVID-19: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Purpose: To firstly present management of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) and possible postoperative endophthalmitis (POE) after implantation of a new hydrophilic-acrylic posterior chamber (PC) phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) in a case with undeclared history of COVID-19.Methods: A 21-year-old male without known disease represented severe anterior chamber inflammation (hypopyon), poor vision and corneal edema without vitreous involvement (TASS) at 24-hours after PC-pIOL implantation for unilateral high myopia (amblyopic).Results: Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.2 OS (-13 diopters). At 56-hours, vitreous was involved with visual loss indicating POE. The patient confessed that he had COVID-19 1-month ago. COVID-19 immunoglobulin M/G tests were positive, while other markers were negative. Intracameral/intravitreal antibiotics were applied. BCVA was 0.15 without hypopyon at 24-hours. Cultures were negative. Final BCVA was 0.6 with normal examination.Conclusion: TASS/POE etiology could not be demonstrated in this case, whereas COVID-19-related proinflammatory systemic background could have effect on triggering/aggravating this scenario.].

Alterations in retinal and choroidal thickness following nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE: To show alterations of retinal arteriolar caliber (RAC), retinal venular caliber (RVC), retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), peripapillary choroidal thickness (ppCT), and central macular thickness (CMT) in acute and chronic phases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: Forty-one eyes of 41 patients with NAION were included in this retrospective study. RAC, RVC, RNFLT, ppCT, and CMT measurements were performed via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in the acute and chronic phases of NAION. RESULTS: RVC, RNFLT, ppCT, and CMT were significantly thinner in the chronic phase compared to the acute phase (p < 0.001), whereas RAC remained similar throughout the visits (p = 0.26). The visual acuity difference between the acute and chronic phases was not correlated with the changes of RAC, RVC, RNFLT, ppCT, or CMT. CONCLUSIONS: RVC, RNFLT, ppCT, and CMT decreases in the chronic phase when compared to the acute phase of NAION, whereas RAC does not change significantly.

Relationship of Sighting Ocular Dominance with Macular Photostress Test Time and Thickness of the Middle Macular Layers.

SIGNIFICANCE: The mechanisms of sighting ocular dominance, which is particularly important in monovision therapies and sports vision, are not fully understood yet. Whether the macula affects ocular dominance or ocular dominance affects the macula is also a subject of interest. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of sighting ocular dominance with macular photostress test time and middle macular layer thickness. METHODS: One-hundred eyes of 50 healthy adult volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. Sighting eye dominance was decided by a hole-in-the-card test. The macular photostress test was performed by exposing the eye to the ophthalmoscope light for 10 seconds and measuring the time taken to return to visual acuity within one row of pre-light exposure acuity. The spectral-domain optical coherence tomography examinations were performed to measure thickness of middle macular layers (i.e., outer nuclear, outer plexiform, inner nuclear, and inner plexiform). Refractive error and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements were also recorded. RESULTS: The comparison of dominant and nondominant eyes in the aspect of refractive error, IOP, and macular photostress test time did not show statistically significant differences (P > .05). The thicknesses of macular outer nuclear, outer plexiform, inner nuclear, and inner plexiform layers were similar in the dominant and nondominant eyes (P > .05). In addition, macular photostress time was not statistically significantly correlated with the thickness of middle macular layers (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of middle macular layers and macular photostress recovery time are similar in dominant and nondominant eyes.

Corneal and anterior chamber morphology in patients with noninfectious intraocular inflammation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal and anterior chamber morphology in phakic eyes with noninfectious intraocular inflammation. METHODS: This study included 59 eyes with active uveitis, 62 with inactive uveitis, and 95 healthy eyes. Corneal endothelial cell density, hexagonal cell ratio, coefficient of variation (CV), corneal thickness and volume, maximum keratometry, and anterior chamber volume and depth (ACD) measurements were performed using a specular microscope and Pentacam HR. RESULTS: The mean duration of uveitis was 24.6 ± 40.5 (0-180) months. The mean number of uveitis attacks was 2.8 ± 3.0 (1-20). Coefficient of variation was significantly higher in the active uveitis group compared with inactive uveitis group (p=0.017, Post Hoc Tukey). Anterior segment parameters other than coefficient of variation were not significantly different between active/inactive uveitis and control groups (p>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that coefficient of variation was greater in active uveitis compared with inactive uveitis after adjusting for the duration of uveitis, type of uveitis, having a rheumatologic disease, and having immunosuppressive treatment (p=0.003). The duration of uveitis and number of attacks were not significantly correlated with ocular parameters (p>0.05, Spearman's correlation). The difference in parameters was not significant based on uveitis type (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coefficient of variation was higher in eyes with active uveitis than that in eyes with inactive uveitis, whereas corneal endothelial cell density and anterior chamber morphology did not significantly differ between active/inactive uveitis and control groups.

Acquired lung cysts in a premature neonate with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

We report a preterm newborn diagnosed as having congenital cytomegalovirus infection who developed lung cysts during her clinical follow-up. The lung cysts were shown in chest X-ray, and confirmed by thoracic computed tomography. A few weeks after starting ganciclovir therapy, we observed that the cystic lung changes of the patient were completely improved. No adverse effects of antiviral therapy were observed. Based on this presented patient, it should be kept in mind that congenital cytomegalovirus infection may cause lung cysts.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in a center in the Western Anatolia region in Turkey.

AIM: To demonstrate the demographic data, subgroup distributions, responses to treatment and outcomes of long-term follow-up in patients who were followed up and treated in our clinics with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and to compare these data with national and international data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files of 116 patients who had been diagnosed as having juvenile idiopathic arthritis, were initiated on treatment and presented for regular follow-up visits between January 2012 and January 2018, were examined. Their demographic findings, treatments, active/inactive disease states (on-medication and off-medication) and treatment response states were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria, the subtypes were specified as enthesitis-related arthritis (n=38), oligoarticular (n=37), rheumatoid factor (-) polyarticular (n=17), systemic (n=15), rheumatoid factor (+) polyarticular (n=5), and psoriatic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (n=4). In total, the female/male ratio was found to be 1.5. The mean delay time between the first complaint and the diagnosis was found to be 5.7±5.2 months. The patients with systemic type were diagnosed at the earliest, while the patients with polyarticular and enthesitis-related subtypes were diagnosed at the latest. Thirty-two percent of the patients were treated with methotrexate alone, and 38% were given additional biologic drugs. In both treatment groups, the time to achieve inactive disease was the shortest in the oligoarticular group and the longest in the enthesitis-related arthritis group. In the study period, 38 patients were in remission off-medication (the highest rate (53.3%) was observed in the systemic group) and 71 patients were in remission on-medication (the highest rate (70.2%) was observed in the oligoarticular group). Remission was obtained in 94% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Enthesitis which is the remarkable finding of enthesitis-related arthritis, should not be overlooked in routine physical examination. Awareness of enthesitis can contribute to the prevention of diagnostic delay in children with enthesitis-related arthritis.

Evaluation of corneal layers and anterior sclera in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome / Avaliação das camadas da córnea e da esclera anterior na síndrome de Sjögren primária

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to compare the thickness of anterior sclera, corneal layers, and pre-ocular tear film between patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and healthy individuals. Methods: Fifty-one patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 41 healthy control participants were recruited in this cross-sectional and comparative study. The thickness of the pre-ocular tear film, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were measured on the corneal apex. Anterior scleral thickness was measured at distances of 1 mm and 3 mm from the limbus. The anterior segment module of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure thicknesses of pre-ocular tear film, corneal layers, and anterior sclera. Results: Tear film thickness, Schirmer's test, and tear break up time values were significantly lower in the Sjögren's disease group than in the healthy controls (p<0.05). The thickness measurements of corneal layers and sclera were similar between the groups. Tear film thickness was moderately correlated with the Schirmer's test results (r=0.34, p=0.001), but there was no correlation between the Schirmer's test results and tear break up time (r=0.18, p=0.09). Conclusions: Pre-ocular tear film, as measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography, was thinner in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome than in the healthy controls. The thicknesses of corneal layers and anterior sclera were similar between the groups.

RESUMO Propósito: Nosso objetivo foi comparar a espessura da esclera anterior, camadas da córnea e do filme lacrimal pré-ocular entre pacientes com síndrome de Sjögren primária e indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos: Cinquenta e um pacientes com síndrome de Sjögren primária e 41 controles saudáveis foram recrutados neste estudo comparativo e transversal. A espessura do filme lacrimal pré-ocular, epitélio corneal, camada de Bowman, estroma, membrana de Descemet e endotélio foram medidos no ápice corneal. A espessura da esclera anterior foi medida às distâncias de 1 mm e 3 mm do limbo. O módulo do segmento anterior da tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral foi utilizado para mensurar as espessuras do filme lacrimal pré-ocular, camadas da córnea e esclera anterior. Resultados: A espessura do filme lacrimal, o teste de Schirmer e os valores do tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal foram significativamente menores no grupo com síndrome de Sjögren do que nos controles saudáveis (p<0,05). As medidas de espessura das camadas corneais e da esclera foram similares entre os grupos. A espessura do filme lacrimal foi moderadamente correlacionada com os resultados do teste de Schirmer (r=0,34, p=0,001), mas não houve correlação entre os resultados do teste de Schirmer e tempo de ruptura (r=0,18, p=0,09). Conclusões: O filme lacrimal pré-ocular, medido pela tomografia de coerência óptica de segmento anterior, foi mais fino em pacientes com síndrome de Sjögren primária do que nos controles saudáveis. As espessuras das camadas da córnea e da esclera anterior foram semelhantes entre os grupos.

Evaluation of corneal layers and anterior sclera in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the thickness of anterior sclera, corneal layers, and pre-ocular tear film between patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and healthy individuals. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 41 healthy control participants were recruited in this cross-sectional and comparative study. The thickness of the pre-ocular tear film, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium were measured on the corneal apex. Anterior scleral thickness was measured at distances of 1 mm and 3 mm from the limbus. The anterior segment module of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure thicknesses of pre-ocular tear film, corneal layers, and anterior sclera. RESULTS: Tear film thickness, Schirmer's test, and tear break up time values were significantly lower in the Sjögren's disease group than in the healthy controls (p<0.05). The thickness measurements of corneal layers and sclera were similar between the groups. Tear film thickness was moderately correlated with the Schirmer's test results (r=0.34, p=0.001), but there was no correlation between the Schirmer's test results and tear break up time (r=0.18, p=0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-ocular tear film, as measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography, was thinner in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome than in the healthy controls. The thicknesses of corneal layers and anterior sclera were similar between the groups.

Automated macular segmentation with spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To assess the change in the macular layers in the fellow eyes of unilateral retinal vein occlusion (RVO) patients and to evaluate whether certain layers are more affected based on RVO type. METHODS: This retrospective study included 87 fellow eyes of patients with unilateral RVO (26 central, 61 branch) and 105 eyes of 105 subjects without RVO. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used for automatized retinal segmentation. The thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cells, inner plexiform, inner nuclear, outer plexiform, outer nuclear, photoreceptor layers, overall inner retinal layers and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were documented. RESULTS: Inner plexiform layer was thinner in inferior sector in RVO group compared with the control group (p = 0.047). The subgroup analysis showed that the retina was thinner in RVO group compared with the controls without systemic diseases in some sectors of the following layers: inferior retina, RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, inner retinal layers and RPE (p < 0.05). Retinal thickness was decreased in the fellow eyes of branch RVO group compared to that in the central RVO group in the some sectors (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fellow eyes of unilateral RVO patients did not show major structural differences compared with the controls; however, they revealed significant sectoral thinning in many retinal layers when compared with the eyes of healthy subjects without systemic diseases. Central macula was thinner in the fellow eyes of patients with branch RVO compared to that in central RVO.

Quantitative assessment of macular contraction and vitreoretinal interface alterations in diabetic macular edema treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.

BACKGROUND: Macular contraction after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections for diabetic macular edema (DME) was evaluated by documenting the displacement of macular capillary vessels and epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation. METHODS: A total of 130 eyes were included in this retrospective study. The study group consisted of 63 eyes which had intravitreal anti-VEGF injections for DME, and the control group included 67 eyes without central DME. The study and the control groups were well balanced in terms of diabetes duration and HbA1c. The distances between the bifurcation of the macular capillary retinal vessels were measured, and ERM status was evaluated based on spectral-OCT findings on the initial and final visit. RESULTS: In the study group, the mean number of injections was 4.7 ± 2.6 (3-14). The mean follow-up time was 16.7 ± 7.8 months in the study group whereas it was 20.7 ± 10.9 months in the control group (p = 0.132). The change in distance measurements between the reference points on macular capillary vessels was significant in all lines except line c (p < 0.05 for lines a, b, d, e, and f) in the study group whereas it was significant in only line e in the control group (p = 0.007, paired samples test). However, when the change in macular thickness was accounted as a confounding factor, the change in distances between the references points from the initial visit to the final visit lost its significance (repeated measures ANCOVA, p > 0.05). During follow-up, the number of cases with ERM changed from 10 to 12 in the study group whereas it remained three in the control group. CONCLUSION: There was a displacement of macular capillary vessels which was associated with the change in macular thickness in eyes having anti-VEGF injections for DME. The number of ERM cases did not change significantly during the follow-up.

Correlations of Corneal Optical Densitometry, Endothelial Hexagonality Percentage, and Epithelium Thickness.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to examine the associations between the cornea morphological parameters, endothelial cell density, and anterior chamber measurements. METHODS: This observational study included 50 eyes of 50 healthy volunteers. The thicknesses of corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex, and pre-ocular tear film were measured by means of anterior segment optical coherence tomography. The keratometry (K), corneal volume (CV), corneal optical densitometry (COD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and anterior chamber volume (ACV) measurements were taken by the Scheimpflug anterior segment imaging. The corneal endothelial cell density and percentage of hexagonality were measured by specular microscopy. RESULTS: The COD was only correlated with the thickness of Bowman's layer (r = -0.30, p = 0.035). The hexagonal endothelial cell percentage was correlated with the thickness of the pre-ocular tear film (r = -0.50, p < 0.001), ACD (r = 0.40, p = 0.004), and ACV (r = 0.34, p = 0.015). The corneal epithelium thickness was associated with the ACD (r = 0.30, p = 0.034), ACV (r = 0.34, p = 0.018), K-flat (r = -0.35, p = 0.013), and K-steep (r = -0.29, p = 0.038) readings. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior chamber morphological parameters (i.e., ACV, ACD) were significantly positively correlated with the hexagonal endothelial cell percentage and corneal epithelium thickness in healthy adults.

Oxidative stress of crystalline lens in rat menopausal model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate lenticular oxidative stress in rat menopausal models. METHODS: Forty Wistar female albino rats were included in this study. A total of thirty rats underwent oophorectomy to generate a menopausal model. Ten rats that did not undergo oophorectomy formed the control group (Group 1). From the rats that underwent oophorectomy, 10 formed the menopause control group (Group 2), 10 were administered a daily injection of methylprednisolone until the end of the study (Group 3), and the remaining 10 rats were administered intraperitoneal streptozocin to induce diabetes mellitus (Group 4). Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements of the crystalline lenses were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean OSI was the lowest in group 1 and highest in group 4. Nevertheless, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in terms of OSI (p >0.05). The mean TOS values were similar between the groups (p >0.05), whereas the mean TAC of group 1 was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that menopause may not promote cataract formation.

Oxidative stress of crystalline lens in rat menopausal model / O estresse oxidativo do cristalino em modelo de rata na menopausa

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate lenticular oxidative stress in rat menopausal models. Methods: Forty Wistar female albino rats were included in this study. A total of thirty rats underwent oophorectomy to generate a menopausal model. Ten rats that did not undergo oophorectomy formed the control group (Group 1). From the rats that underwent oophorectomy, 10 formed the menopause control group (Group 2), 10 were administered a daily injection of methylprednisolone until the end of the study (Group 3), and the remaining 10 rats were administered intraperitoneal streptozocin to induce diabetes mellitus (Group 4). Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) measurements of the crystalline lenses were analyzed. Results: The mean OSI was the lowest in group 1 and highest in group 4. Nevertheless, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant in terms of OSI (p >0.05). The mean TOS values were similar between the groups (p >0.05), whereas the mean TAC of group 1 was significantly higher than that of the other groups (p <0.001). Conclusions: Our results indicate that menopause may not promote cataract formation.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o estresse oxidativo lenticular em modelos de ratas na menopausa. Métodos: Quarenta ratos albinos femininos tipo Wistar foram incluídos neste estudo. Trinta ratas foram submetidas à ooforectomia para gerar o modelo de menopausa e 10 ratas formaram o grupo controle (Grupo 1). Dentre as ratas ooforectomizadas, 10 formaram o grupo controle menopausa (Grupo 2), 10 ratas receberam injeção diária de metilprednisolona até ao final do estudo (Grupo 3) e 10 ratas receberam estreptozotocina por via intraperitoneal para induzir diabetes mellitus (Grupo 4). O estado oxidante total (TOS), a capacidade total antioxidante (TAC) e as medições do índice de estresse oxidativo (OSI) dos cristalinos foram analisados. Resultados: A média de OSI foi menor no grupo 1 e maior no grupo 4. Todavia, a diferença entre os grupos não foi estatisticamente significativa (p>0,05). Os valores médios TOS foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p>0,05), enquanto a média de TAC grupo 1 foi mais elevada do que nos outros grupos ( p<0,001). Conclusões: Nossos resultados indicam que a menopausa podem não promover a formação de catarata.