Anterior Segment Optic Coherence Tomography Changes Before and After Phacoemulsification in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to compare measurements of values such as the anterior chamber angle (ACA), thickness of the iris, thickness of the cornea, and the angle-opening distance (AOD) of eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma before and after undergoing phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). METHODS: The data of 49 eyes of 39 glaucoma patients who presented at the Cataract and Refractive Surgery Unit of the Ophthalmology Clinic of , University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Traning and Research Hospital between December 2014 and May 2016 were included in the study. All of the patients were examined with AS-OCT. All of the preoperative and postoperative data were evaluated statistically using a paired t-test and the Wilcoxon test. A statistical significance level of alpha was accepted as p<0.05. RESULTS: The AS-OCT measurements of 39 patients (22 women and 17 men) with primary open-angle glaucoma were included in the study. The median age of the total population was 67±8years. No statistically significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative measurements of the corneal thickness (p=0.480). However, there was a statistically significant difference between measurements of the ACA, AOD (500µm and 750µm), thickness of the iris curvature, anterior chamber depth, and trabecular-iris space area before and after the operation (p<0.001). Intraocular pressure (IOP) levels decreased significantly in the first and third months after surgery (p=0.019; p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study with AS-OCT imaging has confirmed after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with glaucoma, the angle of the anterior chamber grows wider. As a result, IOP decreases and becomes easier to control.

Evaluation of Anterior Segment Changes of Patients Taking Alpha1-Blockers by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy in the Drug-free Period.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare anterior segment changes in patients taking alpha-1 (α1) blockers (tamsulosin, terazosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin) for benign prostatic hypertrophy, during drug intake and drug-free period, using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, UBM was done before and after pupil dilatation in 31 phakic eyes of 19 male patients taking α1-blockers. Undilated and dilated UBM was repeated before cataract extraction, after stopping the drug for 10 days. On ideal images, pupil diameter (PD), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and angle opening distances at points 500 µm and 250 µm from the scleral spur (AOD500 and AOD250) values were noted and changes in parameters were evaluated to reveal any changes that occurred after discontinuing the drug. No patient in the study was previously or currently using any other α1-adrenergic antagonist medication. Exclusion criteria for all patients included a history of diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, chronic use of medicated eye drops, and previous ocular surgery. RESULTS: PD, ACD, ACA, AOD500 and AOD250 values measured before pupil dilatation in the drug-free period were not significantly different from those measured during α-blocker intake (p>0.05). In dilated eyes, the mean value of AOD500 was 0.35±0.08 mm during drug usage and 0.39±0.08 mm in the drug-free period. The mean value of AOD250 was 0.23±0.06 mm during drug usage and 0.26±0.07 mm after discontinuation. These increments were statistically significant (p<0.05, z=-3.699, z=-2.984). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in ACD, ACA, or PD values in dilated eyes after discontinuing α1-blockers (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The interruption of taking α1-blockers in patients who have benign prostatic hypertrophy does not seem to influence anterior segment parameters generally. However, further investigation is needed.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implants for Treatment of Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone (IVD) implants in eyes with diabetic macular edema that did not respond to previous treatment. METHODS: We included 46 eyes of 46 patients in this retrospective study. Each month, we recorded patient visual acuity with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart, central macular thickness measurements with optical coherence tomography, intraocular pressure (IOP), and posttreatment complication occurrence. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 8.95 ± 1.33 months (range, 6 to 12). Best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly in the first 4 months after IVD, but no statistically significant change was observed over the following 2 months. Although a statistically significant decrease in central macular thickness was observed in the first 3 months, the change was not statistically significant in the following 3 months. There was a statistically significant increase in IOP in the first 2 months, but no statistically significant change was observed in the following months. IOP was controlled with medication in all patients with elevated IOP. Of the 26 phakic patients, two had cataracts requiring surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of refractory diabetic macular edema that did not respond to previous treatment, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections and laser photocoagulation, exhibited improvements in visual acuity and decreases in retinal thickness after IVD implantation. Both functional and anatomical effects were observed in the first 3 months after injection. Repeat injections and frequent examination might be required for continued improvement. Side effects, such as cataracts and elevation of IOP, may require medical or surgical treatment.

Morphologic changes in the anterior segment using ultrasound biomicroscopy after cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate morphologic changes in the anterior segment using ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging (UBM) after phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation (IOL). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 68.68 ± 8.44 years (range 51-89) who had phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation were included in this prospective study. Several anterior segment parameters including aqueous depth (AQD), trabecular meshwork-iris angle (TIA), ciliary body thickness (CBT), sclera thickness (ST), trabecular meshwork-ciliary process distance (T-CPD), iris-ciliary processes distance (I-CPD), and iris thickness (IT) were measured using UBM preoperatively and at postoperative month 2. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in AQD (p<0.001) and TIA (p<0.001) at postoperative month 2. However, CBT, ST, T-CPD, I-CPD, and IT did not significantly change (p>0.05) during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of the crystalline lens results in change in the anterior segment parameters. Our results confirmed that UBM is a helpful option for the analysis of anterior segment structures both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Optic nerve head topography and retinal structural changes in eyes with macrodisks: a comparative study with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To compare optic nerve head parameters, the thicknesses of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), the macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), the ganglion cell complex (GCC), and the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) in macrodisks and normal-sized healthy disks using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 88 healthy eyes (42 macrodisks and 46 normal-sized disks) were prospectively enrolled in the study. Optic nerve head parameters as well as pRNFL, mRNFL, GCC, and GCIPL thicknesses were measured in all subjects. Optic disk areas (ODAs) >2.70 mm(2) were defined as macrodisks. All spectral domain optical coherence tomography parameters were compared between normal-sized disks and macrodisks. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 49.4±5.7 years in the normal size group and 51.55±6.3 years in the macrodisk group (P=0.65). The average ODAs were 2.23±0.29 mm(2) and 3.30±0.59 mm(2) in the normal size and the macrodisk groups, respectively. ODA (P<0.001), cup area (P<0.001), cup disk area ratio (P<0.001), horizontal cup disk ratio (P<0.001), vertical cup disk ratio (P<0.001), horizontal disk diameter (P<0.001), vertical disk diameter (P<0.001), and cup volume (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the macrodisk group. The inferior mRNFL thickness was significantly lower (P=0.042), and the GCC inferior and GCIPL inferior thicknesses were found to be lower with low significance (P=0.052, P=0.059, respectively) in the macrodisk group. Rim volume (P=0.622), total pRNFL (P=0.201), superior pRNFL (P=0.123), inferior pRNFL (P=0.168), average macular thickness (P=0.162), total mRNFL (P=0.171), superior mRNFL (P=0.356), total GCC (P=0.080), superior GCC (P=0.261), total GCIPL (P=0.214), and superior GCIPL (P=0.515) thicknesses were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Optic disk topography and retinal structures show different characteristics in healthy eyes with macrodisks. These disk size-dependent variations suggest that large optic disks may be more susceptible to glaucomatous damage.

Assessment of Anterior Segment Changes in Pseudophakic Eyes, Using Ultrasonic Biomicroscopic Imaging, after Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil or Gas Tamponade.

Objective. To evaluate the morphological changes of the anterior segment using ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM) imaging in pseudophakic patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil or gas (C3F8) internal tamponade agent injection. Method. This prospective study included pseudophakic patients with planned PPV, divided into two groups according to internal tamponade agent: those in which silicone oil was used (n = 27, Group 1) and those in which gas (C3F8) was used (n = 24, Group 2). UBM measurements were performed in the supine position before and one week after surgery. Results. In patients of Group 1, postoperative trabecular meshwork-ciliary process distance (T-CPD) and iris-ciliary process distance (I-CPD), according to preoperative values, were found to be statistically significantly reduced, and postoperative mean value of scleral thickness (ST) and intraocular pressure (IOP), according to preoperative value, was found to be statistically significantly increased. In patients of Group 2, postoperative mean values of anterior chamber depth (ACD), ciliary body thickness (CBT), T-CPD, I-CPD, and IOP, according to preoperative values, were found to be statistically significantly reduced. Preoperatively, in Group 2 patients, according to Group 1 patients, TIA and IOP were found to be statistically significantly increased. Preoperative and postoperative IOP between the measured parameters with UBM showed no statistically significant correlation. Conclusions. Gases cause more morphological changes in the anterior segment structures. It is thought that complications such as increased intraocular pressure can be seen more frequently for this reason.

Cataract Surgery after Retinal Detachment Surgery with Arruga's Sutures: Case Report.

A 56-year old female patient presented to our clinic with a complaint of low vision in her right eye. Twenty-two years earlier she had undergone a scleral buckling operation in her right eye because of retinal detachment. She indicated that vision in her right eye was good after the surgery but had recently been gradually declining. Best-corrected vision acuity was counting fingers at 1 meter in the right eye and 8/10 in the left eye. Anterior segment examination revealed stage 3 nuclear cataract in the right eye. Examination of the right eye was blurred and revealed an area of chorioretinal atrophy posterior to the equator, approximately 3 disc diameters in the peripapillary zone and about 2 disc diameters in the nasal papilla zone. Anteriorly of the equator there was an area of chorioretinal atrophy as well as a narrow, sharply demarcated, shiny 360° suture with high buckling pressure, situated intraretinally but extending into the vitreous in some places. The structure was thought to be made of polyethylene. Around the suture there were retinal atrophic changes. After detailed explanation of the possible surgical complications and after obtaining informed consent, the right eye cataract was removed by phacoemulsification and a foldable intraocular lens was placed into the capsule. During the operation, we worked under low fluid pressure and as atraumatically as possible due to the possibility of intraocular pressure changes and the risk of the suture causing retinal and blood vessel tears or passing completely into the eye and causing intravitreal hemorrhage. A month after an uncomplicated surgery, the posterior segment examination demonstrated a reattached retina and the patient's best corrected visual acuity was 6/10.

Idiopathic Isolated Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Cilioretinal artery occlusion (CLRAO) is a rare event which has been reported in association with various systemic diseases. We report a case of idiopathic isolated CLRAO treated successfully with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy. A 26-year-old man presented with sudden, painless vision loss and an inferior hemivisual field defect in the left eye. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed an occluded cilioretinal artery. After 2 weeks of HBO therapy, visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/20. The visual field defect improved.

Structural Changes in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Evaluated with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

PURPOSE: To detect early structural changes of macular ganglion cell complex (GCC), peripapillary nerve fiber layer (pNFL), and optic nerve head (ONH) topography in subjects with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) using 3-D spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT, Topcon 3D-2000). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five participants with PEX and 29 healthy control subjects were included in the study. All study participants underwent SD-OCT imaging. Macular NFL, ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL), pNFL, and ONH parameters were measured in each participant. The results were compared within the two groups. RESULTS: In eyes with PEX, the superior and total mNFL thickness; superior, and total GCL + IPL thickness; superior, inferior, and total GCC thickness; and inferior, temporal, nasal, and total pNFL thickness were significantly thinner than the control subjects. In the topographic evaluation of ONH, there was no significant difference in optic disc area (ODA), cup area, rim area, cup to disc ratio (CDR), cup volume, rim volume, linear CDR and vertical CDR between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In PEX syndrome, similar decreases of the GCC and NFL occurred, and a high correlation existed between the two. Therefore, GCC can potentially be used to detect the early stages of PEX glaucoma.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in patients with unilateral pseudoexfoliation.

AIM: To compare the anterior segment morphology evaluated using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in patients with clinical pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) in one eye and no clinical XFS in the fellow eye. METHODS: Thirty patients with unilateral XFS were included in the study. All patients underwent evaluation of their anterior segment using UBM with and without dilatation with 1% cyclopentolate. The anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), anterior chamber angle (ACA), ciliary body thickness (CBT), scleral thickness (ST), trabeculae -ciliary processes distance (T-CPD), and iris-ciliary processes distance (I-CPD) were measured using UBM scans. All results between the eyes with clinical XFS and their fellow eyes without clinical XFS were then compared. RESULTS: Before dilatation the eyes with XFS (4.350±0.531 mm) were found to have a significantly thicker lens (P=0.002) than the eyes without XFS (4.238±0.540 mm). In addition after dilatation, the eyes with XFS (4.310±0.500 mm) were found to have a significantly thicker lens than the eyes without XFS (4.160±0.480 mm) (P=0.019). The average ACD, for the group with XFS, comparing pre-dilatation (2.616±0.349 mm) and post-dilatation measurements (2.714±0.413) was found to be statistically increased (P=0.014). The average ACD, comparing pre-dilatation to post-dilatation measurements in patients without XFS (2.680±0.360), (2.720±0.500) was found to be statistically unchanged (P=0.450). DISCUSSION: Crystalline lenses tended to be thicker in the eyes with clinical pseudoexfoliation than their fellow eyes without pseudoexfoliation.

The correlation between visual acuity outcomes and optical coherence tomography parameters following surgery for diabetic epiretinal membrane and taut posterior hyaloid.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between visual outcomes and the determinants detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and/or taut posterior hyaloid (TPH) that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 participants with diabetic ERM and TPH were included in the study. All study participants underwent PPV. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and ganglion cell complex thicknesses were measured in each participant. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the OCT parameters and the visual acuity measured at the time of the OCT measurement. RESULTS: The postoperative BCVA logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) values were statistically higher than the preoperative values in the ERM group and TPH group (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). The postoperative BCVA logMAR value was negatively correlated with average RNFL, inferior RNFL thicknesses, and image quality (P=0.002, P=0.004, and P=0.006, respectively). The preoperative and postoperative BCVA logMAR value difference was not correlated with age and all of the OCT parameters measured (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that achievement of better peripapillary RNFL thickness results in better visual outcome after PPV and ERM/TPH removal.

The Efficiency of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implants in the Treatment of Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant for the treatment of macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: We included 22 eyes of 22 patients in this retrospective study. Visual acuity tested in logMAR with Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, central macular thickness (CMT) measurements, intraocular pressure (IOP), and side effects after treatment were observed monthly. RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity improved significantly in the first 3 months after the first intravitreal DEX implantation, but no statistically significant change was observed in the following 3 months. Statistically significant improvement was observed in the first 4 months after the second injection of DEX implant, but no statistically significant change was observed in the 2 following months. A statistically significant decrease in CMT was observed in the first 4 months after the first injection, but no statistically significant change was observed in the following 2 months. A statistically significant decrease in CMT was observed in the first 3 months after the second injection, but no statistically significant change was observed in the following 3 months. The IOP could be controlled with medication in all the participants with elevated IOP. Of the patients, 3 had cataracts requiring surgery. CONCLUSION: Both functional and anatomical effects of DEX implant were obvious in the first 3 months after injection. Repeated injections and frequent examination might be required. Side effects such as cataract may require surgical intervention, whereas IOP elevation may be managed by topical drops.

Efficacy and safety of Pro Re Nata regimen without loading dose ranibizumab injections in retinal vein occlusion.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab on visual acuity and anatomic results in the treatment of macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: Forty Six eyes of 45 patients who were administered intravitreal ranibizumab because of macular edema due to Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) were included in this retrospective clinical study. During monthly follow-up, the best corrected visual acuity values in terms of LogMAR with The Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart, central macular thickness (CMT), and complications were examined. Cases were classified as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), superotemporal branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), and inferotemporal BRVO. We only included RVO patients but using ETDRS chart for the vision measurement. RESULTS: In all follow-up months, there was a significant increase in BCVA in all RVO cases and in superotemporal BRVO cases after the first injection of ranibizumab. Although there was no significant increase in the 1(st) month of follow-up period compared to pre-treatment, there was significant increase in 2-6 months in inferotemporal BRVO patients. There was no statistically significant increase in 1(st) and 2(nd) month follow-up periods compared to pre-treatment; however there was a significant increase in 3-6 months in the CRVO patients. There was a significant decrease in average CMT measurements in all follow-up months compared to pre-treatment in all RVO cases, in superotemporal and inferotemporal BRVO cases. There was no significant decrease in average CMT measurements in the 1(st), 2nd, and 3(rd) months compared to pre-treatment although there was a significant decrease in 4-6 months in cases included in the CRVO patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular ranibizumab injections provided rapid, effective treatment for macular edema due to RVO with low rates of ocular and nonocular safety events. However, repeated injections and frequent follow-up intervals may be required.

Intraocular intrusion of suture material that was used as scleral buckling material.

PURPOSE: To report intrusion of encircling suture used for scleral buckling 20 years ago. METHODS: Observational case report of a patient who admitted with the complaint of floaters. The patient had surgery for retinal detachment 20 years ago. Fundus examination revealed an encircling suture material. In some locations, the encircling suture had eroded all the way through the sclera to the vitreous cavity. In these locations, it was passing through the vitreous cavity. There was no retinal detachment, inflammation, or hemorrhage. RESULTS: Prophylactic argon laser photocoagulation was performed. No complication occurred during 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: A conservative approach with close follow-up may be suitable in case of an intrusion of suture material if there are no accompanying complications.

Choroidal thickness in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study reported here was to assess choroidal thickness (CT) and central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 151 eyes from 80 patients from the retina department of Istanbul Training and Research Hospital who had type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy were studied retrospectively in this cross-sectional research. Patients were divided into three groups: mild-moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema (NPDR), mild-moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema (DME), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, 40 eyes of 20 healthy individuals comprised a control group. Choroidal thickness was measured from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-µm intervals up to 1,500 µm temporal and nasal to the fovea. The CMT measurement was obtained for each eye. Serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured. RESULTS: The study included 191 eyes, comprising 151 eyes of 80 patients and 40 eyes of 20 healthy individuals. Of the 151 patient eyes, 61 had NPDR, 62 had PDR, and 28 eyes had DME. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the groups (P>0.05). In both the PDR and DME groups, the CT was statistically significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.001, P<0.001 for the PDR and DME groups, respectively). The mean CMT in the DME group was increased significantly compared with both the NPDR and PDR groups (P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). In all three groups, serum HbA1c levels were found to be increased significantly compared with the control group (P=0.000). We found a statistically weak-moderate negative correlation between central macular and foveal CT (r=-289, P=0.000). There was a statistically strong correlation between CMT and HbA1c levels (r=0.577, P=0.483) and a statistically weak-moderate negative correlation between the central CT and HbA1c levels (r=-0.331, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Diabetes changes the CT. CT was found to be significantly decreased in the DME and PDR groups.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness in cases with age -related macular degeneration / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) between cases with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) and neovascular AMD by optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) and to evaluate the contribution of choroidal thickness (CT) measurements to the understanding of pathogenesis of neovascularization in AMD. ●METHODS: Fourty - eigth eyes of 24 patients who had neovascular AMD in one eye and non- neovascular AMD in the other eye were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study as study group. Forty eyes of healthy,age and axial length matched individuals were selected as the control group. Eyes with drusen and/ or pigmentary changes were included in the non - neovascular AMD subgroup. Eyes with subretinal or intraretinal fluid and/orlipid exudation due to the choroidal neovascularization were included in the neovascular AMD subgroup. OCT measurements were performed with RTVue 100-2 (V 5. 1, Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA) perpendicularly from the outer part of the hyperreflective line ( retinal pigment epithelial layer) to the line corresponding to the choroido-scleral junction. Choroidal thickness was measured at 7 different points, 500μ m intervals up to 1500μ m temporal and nasal to the fovea in the study group and compared statistically between subgroups. ●RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 72. 4±8. 97 (60-82)y. The mean age of healthy individuals was 71. 2±8. 8 (58- 81) y. Mean SFCT of neovascular AMD group were significantly thicker than non- neovascular AMD group (P0. 05). ln neovascular AMD group, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean SFCT and the mean temporal-nasal choroid thickness (P ●CONCLUSlON: Choroidal thickness measurements with OCT device can make a contribution to the understanding the phatophysiology of AMD and large prospective studies should be conducted to understand why SFCT was thicker in neovascular AMD.

Effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on reduced visual acuity and macular thickness secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intravitreal bevacizumab injection in the treatment of macular thickness and reduced visual acuity in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 15 eyes of 15 consecutive patients diagnosed with branch retinal vein occlusion between May 2008 and June 2011 at our institution. Detailed ophthalmologic examination, optical coherence tomography, and/or fundus fluorescein angiography was performed at diagnosis and during follow-up. A 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab injection was administered to all patients on average 2.73 (1-7) times. Visual acuity and macular thickness were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: Eleven patients were female (73.3%) and four were male (26.6%). The mean patient age was 62.6 years. The patients were followed for a mean of 11.4 (range 4-24) months. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.92 ± 0.52 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) before treatment and 0.66 ± 0.42 logMAR at the last examination. The increase in visual acuity was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.031). Mean macular thickness was 395.46 ± 106.55 µm before treatment and 302.26 ± 84.6 µm after the final treatment. The decrease in macular thickness was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab injection was effective for treatment of retinal vein branch occlusion.

Levator function in blepharoptosis surgery.

AIM: To investigate the predictive value of levator function in the outcomes of surgeries using the anterior levator resection technique in patients with aponeurotic blepharoptosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 69 eyes of 65 patients who underwent anterior levator resection between 2005 and 2011 in the ophthalmology department of a tertiary care center was performed. Levator function was assessed as perfect (10 to 15 mm; group 1), good (9 to 10 mm; group 2), and moderate (5 to 8 mm; group 3). Postoperative success rates were analyzed with respect to preoperative levator function. RESULTS: The patient group consisted of 36 females (55.4%) and 29 males (44.6%) with a mean age of 57.2 (range: 16 to 71) years and average duration of follow-up of 13.7 (range: 6 to 36) months. The rates of success in the first, second, and third groups were 84.6%, 84%, and 71%, respectively. The success rate was found to be significantly lower in the third group (p < 0.05). The overall success rate, which was 78.3%, improved to 87% after revision surgery. CONCLUSION: In patients with aponeurotic blepharoptosis with relatively better preoperative levator function, the anterior levator resection technique seems to yield more successful surgical outcomes. Preoperative assessment of levator function may help in the selection of appropriate treatment modality in these patients.

Is there a relation between histopathologic characteristics of pterygium and recurrence rates?

PURPOSE: To explore the interrelationships of histopathologic characteristics of pterygium and postoperative recurrence. METHODS: Consecutive patients with primary pterygium or recurrent pterygium treated in our tertiary center between January 2007 and January 2010 were included in the study. All the patients were surgically treated by limbal-conjunctival autograft transplantation and postoperatively followed up for at least 1 year. Histopathologic changes were classified as inflammation intensity, degree of vascularization, and fibrinoid change. The results of examination of histopathologic and clinical characteristics of pterygium were comparatively analyzed. A total of 101 consecutive patients were included in the study. Ninety eyes of 90 patients who had primary pterygium (PP group) were compared with 11 eyes of 11 patients who had recurrent pterygium (RP group). In the PP group, 7 of the 90 (7.8%) patients had evidence of recurrence, while in the RP group, 2 of the 11 (18.2%) patients had evidence of recurrence (p=0.254). RESULTS: No significant difference was found in inflammation intensity, degree of vascularization, and fibrinoid change between PP and RP groups (p>0.05). In the PP group, no significant difference was found for inflammation intensity, degree of vascularization, and fibrinoid change between patients with (7/90) and without recurrences (83/90) (p>0.05). In the RP group, no significant difference was detected for inflammation intensity, degree of vascularization, and fibrinoid change between patients with (2/11) and without recurrences (9/11) (p>0.05).
 CONCLUSIONS: No significant correlation between the histology of pterygium and recurrence rate could be established.

Intraocular and orbital metastasis as a rare form of clinical presentation of insular thyroid cancer.

Insular carcinoma of thyroid is a rare tumor, which accounts for 4 to 6% of thyroid malignancies. Clinically and morphologically it is considered to be in an intermediate position between well-differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid (papillary or follicular) and undifferentiated or anaplastic carcinoma of the thyroid. Capsular and blood vessel invasion is seen frequently, and metastases to regional lymph nodes, lungs and bones are common. The initial presentation of distant metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer is rare. Thus metastatic thyroid carcinoma rarely involves the orbit. We report a rare case of choroidal metastasis from insular thyroid carcinoma.