Comparison of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant and Intravitreal Ranibizumab Efficacy in Younger Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) implants and ranibizumab (RAN) injections in younger patients with macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in a 6-month follow-up. Methods: The treatment-naive patients with macular edema secondary to branch RVO were included retrospectively. Medical records of patients who were treated with intravitreal RAN or DEX implant were evaluated before and at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months after the injection. Primary outcome measures were the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05/3=0.016, according to the Bonferroni correction. Results: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 53.82±5.08 years. Median BCVA in the DEX group (n=23) at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 6th month was 1.1, 0.80 (p=0.002), 0.70 (p=0.003), and 1 (p=0.018) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (log-MAR), respectively (p<0.05). Median BCVA in the RAN group (n=16) at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 6th months was 0.90, 0.61, 0.52, and 0.46 logMAR, respectively (p<0.016 for all comparisons). Median central macular thickness (CMT) in the DEX group at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 6th months was 515, 260, 248, and 367 µm, respectively (p<0.016 for all comparisons). Median CMT in the RAN group at baseline, 1st, 3rd, and 6th months was 432.5 (p<0.016), 275 (p<0.016), 246 (p<0.016), and 338 (p=0.148) µm. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in treatment efficacies in both visual and anatomical outcomes at the end of the 6th month. However, RAN can be considered the first choice in younger patients with macular edema secondary to branch RVO because of the lower side effect profile.

Ocular Surface Changes in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Without Thyroid Ophthalmopathy.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate ocular surface changes in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis without thyroid ophthalmopathy and elucidate the relationship between dry eye syndrome and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) in cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: This prospective study included 105 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 105 age- and sex-matched controls. The 12-item Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was administered to all patients. Both eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis and normal eyes were evaluated and compared with regard to the following parameters: Hertel exophthalmometry, palpebral fissure height, tear-film breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer 1 test, area and density scores for corneal fluorescein staining, eyelid abnormality, meibomian gland expression, meibography scores, and areas of meibomian gland loss. RESULTS: The eyes affected by Hashimoto's thyroiditis demonstrated significantly lower TBUTs (P<0.001), Schirmer 1 test scores (P<0.001), and meibomian gland expression (P<0.05) and significantly higher OSDI scores (P<0.001), corneal fluorescein staining results (P<0.05), eyelid abnormality scores (P<0.05), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05). Ocular Surface Disease Index scores were significantly positively correlated with eyelid abnormality scores (P=0.025), meibography scores (P<0.05), and areas of meibomian gland loss (P<0.05) and negatively correlated with meibomian gland expression (P<0.05). The duration of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was significantly positively correlated with MGD (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dry eye syndrome and ocular discomfort symptoms are significantly more common among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, even in the absence of thyroid ophthalmopathy. Dry eye syndrome in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is believed to result from MGD and is correlated with the duration of the thyroid disease.

The Effect of Uneventful Phacoemulsification on Intraocular Pressure and Anterior Segment Parameters in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cataract surgery on anterior segment parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP) in non-glaucomatous pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) eyes. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 65 patients who were to undergo cataract surgery; the participants were divided into 2 groups: patients with PXS (n=35) and controls without PXS (n=30). A complete ophthalmic examination, measurement of IOP (using an applanation tonometer), and evaluation of anterior segment parameters using a Sirius Scheimpflug/Placido topography device (CSO Italy, Firenze, Italy) were performed on all patients both prior to and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between groups in terms of preoperative IOP, pupil diameter, central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber volume (ACV), iridocorneal angle (ICA), or corneal volume (CV) values. A reduction in the postoperative mean IOP value was noted in both groups, with a difference of slightly >2 mmHg in the PXS group (PXS: p=0.000, control: p=0.002). Postoperatively, a statistically significant increase was observed in both groups in the ACD, ICA, ACV, and CV measurements. When comparing the preoperative and postoperative differences of the groups, the only parameter noted to be statistically significantly different was postoperative widening of the ICA. A greater degree of widening was noted in the PXS group (13.83±6.06°) compared with the control group (10.47±6.69°) (p=0.039). CONCLUSION: IOP values decreased and ACD values increased significantly following phacoemulsification in the PXS and the normal eyes. These findings support results reported in the literature. However, the results related to ICA changes are a new, previously unreported contribution. To more fully comprehend the effects of cataract surgery on patients with PXS in terms of ICA changes, prospective studies with a larger cohort are needed.

The effect of pseudoexfoliation syndrome on choroidal thickness in open-angle glaucoma / O efeito do glaucoma pseudoesfoliativo sobre a espessura da coroide em comparação com o glaucoma de ângulo abertos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the effect of pseudoex foliation syndrome on choroidal thickness as compared with healthy individuals and subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: This prospective, randomized study included 30 primary open angle glaucoma patients and 30 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients with similar demographic characteristics and 30 eyes of 30 healthy individuals comprised the control group. Regular optic nerve and macular images were obtained using a Cirrus HD spectral domain optical coherence tomography instrument, along with macular choroidal thickness measurements with enhanced depth imaging mode. Results: Age, sex, and axial length values were similar among the three groups (p>0.05). The primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma groups had comparable levels of glaucomatous damage. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness values in the primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and control groups were 271.80 ± 19.96 μm, 241.43 ± 32.47 μm, and 268.03 ± 24.50 μm, respectively. The pseudoexfoliation glaucoma group had the lowest choroidal thickness values of the three groups (p values: pseudoexfoliation-control: 0.001; pseudoexfoliation-primary open angle glaucoma: <0.001, primary open angle glaucoma-control: 0.516, independent samples t-test). Conclusion: The macular choroid was thinner in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, as compared with both healthy individuals and open-angle glaucoma patients with similar degrees of glaucomatous damage.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar o efeito do glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo sobre a espessura da coroide em comparação com indivíduos saudáveis e com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto. Métodos: Este estudo prospectivo e randomizado incluiu 30 pacientes com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e 30 com glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo, com características demográficas semelhantes e 30 olhos de 30 indivíduos saudáveis compuseram o grupo controle. Imagens da área macular e do nervo óptico foram obtidas usando um tomógrafo por coerência óptica no domínio espectral do modelo Cirrus HD, juntamente com medições da espessura da coroide na área macular através do modo de imagem de profundidade realçada. Resultados: Os valores de idade, sexo e comprimento axial foram semelhantes nos três grupos (p>0,05). Os grupos de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e de glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo tinham níveis comparáveis de lesões glaucomatosas. Os valores médios da espessura subfoveal da coroide nos grupos do glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto, glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo e de controle foram 271,80 ± 19,96 μm, 241,43 ± 32,47 μm e 268,03 ± 24,50 μm, respectivamente. O grupo glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo apresentou os menores valores de espessura de coroide dos três grupos (valores de p: pseudoexfoliativo-controle: 0,001; pseudoexfoliativo-glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto: <0,001, controle de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto: 0,516; teste de t de amostras independentes). Conclusão: A coroide na área macular era mais fina em pacientes com glaucoma pseudoexfoliativo, quando comparada com indivíduos saudáveis e pacientes com glaucoma de ângulo aberto com graus similares de lesão glaucomatosa.

The effect of pseudoexfoliation syndrome on choroidal thickness in open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of pseudoex foliation syndrome on choroidal thickness as compared with healthy individuals and subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study included 30 primary open angle glaucoma patients and 30 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients with similar demographic characteristics and 30 eyes of 30 healthy individuals comprised the control group. Regular optic nerve and macular images were obtained using a Cirrus HD spectral domain optical coherence tomography instrument, along with macular choroidal thickness measurements with enhanced depth imaging mode. RESULTS: Age, sex, and axial length values were similar among the three groups (p>0.05). The primary open angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma groups had comparable levels of glaucomatous damage. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness values in the primary open angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and control groups were 271.80 ± 19.96 µm, 241.43 ± 32.47 µm, and 268.03 ± 24.50 µm, respectively. The pseudoexfoliation glaucoma group had the lowest choroidal thickness values of the three groups (p values: pseudoexfoliation-control: 0.001; pseudoexfoliation-primary open angle glaucoma: <0.001, primary open angle glaucoma-control: 0.516, independent samples t-test). CONCLUSION: The macular choroid was thinner in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, as compared with both healthy individuals and open-angle glaucoma patients with similar degrees of glaucomatous damage.

Open Globe Injury: Demographic and Clinical Features.

BACKGROUND: Open globe injuries (OGIs) are the main cause of visual impairment worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and the visual outcome of OGIs presented to the largest Teaching Hospital in Western part of Turkey. METHODS: The study included patients presented with OGI between Jan 2009 and Dec 2013. Data including patient demographics, causes of injury, visual acuity (VA) at presentation, and final VA were collected. Ocular Trauma Scores (OTS) were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-nine eyes of 156 patients with OGIs were included. The mean age was 36.89 ±â€Š20.07 years. Significant male predominance was noted (77.6%). Domestic (28.3%) and work-related (22%) accidents were the most common causes of all OGIs. While some improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after treatment has been noted in 68 eyes (55.7%), the final BCVA was equal to or worse than the initial BCVA in 54 eyes (44.3%). According to the OTS and final BCVA associations in our study, while the eyes with OGI included in OTS category 1 and 2 (n = 84) consist of 68.8% of all the OGI cases, 48.8% (n = 41) of them were classified as having a poor visual outcome. All of the eyes in OTS category 3 and 4 cases (n = 38) (31.2% of all the OGI cases) showed good visual outcome. CONCLUSION: Some clinical features may have a potential to correctly predict final visual outcomes. Although the OTS has not been fully validated yet, it could potentially be one of the best indicators available for the prognosis in OGI.

Von Hippel-Lindau Disease: The Importance of Retinal Hemangioblastomas in Diagnosis.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a familial cancer syndrome characterized by benign or malignant tumors which may involve more than one system. Retinal hemangioblastomas are usually the initial manifestation of VHL disease and can cause vision loss. A 32-year-old man presented to our clinic with vision loss in the left eye for 2 months. He had a history of cerebral hemangioblastoma operation. Family history showed that his mother had unilateral vision loss and died because of renal cell carcinoma. Ophthalmologic examination revealed multiple retinal hemangioblastomas in both eyes. VHL gene sequencing was performed and heterozygous p.R161X mutation was detected. His sister and daughter were also found to have the same variant. A treatment and follow-up plan was initiated for the patient and affected family members. Considering VHL disease in the differential diagnosis of retinal hemangioblastomas has a very important role in the early detection of life-threatening tumors in these patients.