Long-term results of accelerated corneal collagen crosslinking in paediatric patients with progressive keratoconus: 10-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the 10-year visual, refractive, and tomographic outcomes of epithelium-off accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (ACCL) in paediatric patients with progressive keratoconus (KC) and to compare the stages in terms of re-progression. METHODS: Patients under 18 years of age with progressive KC who underwent ACCL between 2010 and 2012 and completed at least 10 years of follow-up were included in this retrospective study. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refractive errors, and corneal tomography parameters were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 5, and 10 years postoperatively. The effect of stage and age on re-progression was analysed. RESULTS: The study included 175 eyes of 97 patients (mean age: 14.46 ± 2.17 years). Improvement in UDVA and CDVA was observed in all postoperative periods compared to the preoperative period (each p-value < 0.05). The increase in spherical equivalent (SE), flattening of keratometry values, and decrease in thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) were statistically significant in the tenth year compared to preoperatively (each p-value < 0.05). Re-progression was observed in 16 eyes (9.14%). Haze was observed in 13 eyes (7.43%), 4 of which were permanent. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 3 eyes (1.7%) and a second ACCL in 3 eyes (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS: ACCL is an effective and safe long-term strategy to prevent progression of KC in paediatric patients. In the light of this study with a 10-year follow-up re-progression rate of 9.14%, long-term follow-up of patients after ACCL for possible re-progression and the need for re-CCL or keratoplasty may be recommended.

Evaluation of Aqueous Flare in Graves' Ophthalmopathy and its Relationship with Thyroid Hormones, Antibodies, and Clinical Activity Score.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess intraocular inflammation in patients with active and inactive Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) using an aqueous laser flash meter and to assess its relationship with thyroid hormones, antibodies, and clinical activity score (CAS). Methods: Forty patients (29 females and 11 males) were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to CAS; patients with CAS <3 (inactive) were included in Group 1 and patients with CAS ≥3 (active) were included in Group 2. The laser flare meter was used to measure the flare of aqueous humor. Each patient's ocular findings, thyroid hormone, and antibody levels were also recorded. Results: The mean age of patients was 46.88±11.79 years in Group 1 and 44.50±12.59 years in Group 2 (p=0.555). The mean CAS was 0.88±0.65 in Group 1 and 3.57±0.85 in Group 2 (p<0.001). The mean aqueous flare was 6.5±2.2 ph/ms in Group 1 and 7.0±6.4 ph/ms in Group 2 (p=0.73). Hertel exophthalmometry, intraocular pressure (IOP), antithyroglobulin antibody, and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were similar in both groups (each p>0.05). There was no correlation between aqueous flare value and CAS, Hertel exophthalmometry, IOP, thyroid hormone, and antibody levels (each p>0.05). There was a significant correlation between CAS and antibody levels (each p<0.05). Conclusion: Flare values that are not much above the normal range may be an indication that intraocular inflammation is not elevated in GO patients. This suggests that the damage to the blood-aqueous barrier in these patients is not severe enough to increase intraocular inflammation.

The Effect of Combining Scleral Buckle Surgery with Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Treatment of Recurrent Retinal Detachment Secondary to Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Objectives: The objectiove of the study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and PPV combined with scleral buckle (SB) in vitrectomised cases with recurrent retinal detachment (RD) and to analyze the effects of adding SB to the procedure. Methods: Patients with recurrent RD due to grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were included in this retrospective comparative case series. Patients who underwent re-PPV with or without SB were included and two groups (re-PPV; re-PPV+SB) were compared in terms of anatomical and functional success. Results: Sixty-five cases were included in the study: 32 underwent re-PPV and 33 underwent re-PPV+SB procedures. Reattachment was achieved in 59.4% of the re-PPV group versus 81.8% of the re-PPV+SB group (p=0.047). Although preoperative BCVA was worse in the re-PPV+SB group (p=0.005), postoperative BCVA at the last visit was similar in both groups (p=0.065). Conclusion: In the treatment of recurrent RD with grade C PVR, combining the SB procedure with PPV contributes to anatomical and functional outcomes.

Treatment of tissue necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a patient with pseudomonas endophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis: a case report.

Purpose: This report presents the treatment of tissue necrosis after evisceration with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in a patient with pseudomonas endophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis. Methods: A 49-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with severe pain and vision loss after cataract surgery 3 days before, and pars plana vitrectomy 2 days before for endophthalmitis, in another hospital. Examination findings included limbal perforation, orbital cellulitis findings, and loss of light perception in the right eye. The patient, who received evisceration surgery and antibiotic treatment, showed loosening of the conjunctival sutures and necrosis in the conjunctiva, tenon, and sclera on the 9th postoperative day. The necrotic tissues were surgically debrided and the patient was referred to HBOT. Results: With HBOT and antibiotherapy, signs of inflammation regressed, healing on the conjunctival surface was accelerated, and prosthesis was suitable for use. Conclusions: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment method that plays an active role in the healing of necrotic tissues by increasing the oxygenation and vascularization of the tissue.

Evaluation of the reliability, utility, and quality of the lid loading videos on YouTube.

PURPOSE: It is aimed to determine the utility, reliability and quality of the lid loading videos on YouTube, a video sharing platform. METHODS: A YouTube searches were made with the keywords 'Eyelid Loading,' 'Gold Weight Implantation,' 'Lid Loading for Lagophthalmos' (without user login, cleared search history, in incognito tab). A total of 75 videos were recorded. Length of videos (seconds), number of views, uploaded source (doctor/health institution/medical channel), number of subscribers, number of likes, time since uploading (days), video content (surgical/theoretical information), type of narration (verbal narration/subtitle) were recorded. DISCERN, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and Global Quality Scores of the videos were evaluated and recorded by two experienced oculoplastic surgeons (KSC, HT). RESULTS: After the exclusion criteria, the remaining 46 videos were included in the study. The mean DISCERN score was 25.17 ± 6.88 (very poor quality), the JAMA score was 0.79 ± 0.63 (very poor quality), and GQS was 2.84 ± 1.03 (medium quality). Thirty videos (65.2%) had verbal narration, and 16 videos (34.8%) had subtitled narration. The DISCERN score and GQS were significantly higher in the videos with verbal narration compared to the narration with subtitles (p < 0.05). All three scores were positively correlated with each other. There was also a positive correlation between video length, number of subscribers, and DISCERN score. CONCLUSIONS: The videos about lid loading on YouTube are of poor reliability, accuracy, and educational quality. The duration of the video and the type of narration can be kept in the foreground when choosing the video. Experts must review the content that is uploaded to websites like YouTube.

The relationship between systemic disorders and anatomical outcomes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty / A relação entre distúrbios sistêmicos e resultados anatômicos para ceratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anatomical outcomes and medications of patients with systemic diseases who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty with donor factors. Methods: Sixty nondiabetic donors of endothelial grafts and 60 patients who underwent operation by a single surgeon were included in this retrospective study. The patients' data, including the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, antidiabetic-antihypertensive medications, and intracameral tamponades and anatomical outcomes, were recorded. The donor data were obtained from eye bank records. Results: Eighteen patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus (30%) and 34 had hypertension (56.6%). Among the patients with diabetes mellitus, 13 were receiving a single-agent antidiabetic drug, 4 were receiving dual oral antidiabetic therapy, and 1 was receiving insulin therapy. Among the hypertensive patients, 11 had monotherapy and 23 had dual antihypertensive therapy. Postoperatively, 35 patients (58.3%) had an endothelial attachment, 8 (13.3%) received reinjection, 7 (11.7%) required re-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, and 10 (16.7%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty. The mean donor age was 51.2 ± 14.1 years. The most common cause of donor death was cardiopulmonary arrest (36/60 cases; 60.0%). Regression analysis revealed that the presence of diabetes mellitus significantly disrupted graft attachment (p=0.034), while the presence of hypertension, antidiabetic and antihypertensive medication use, and the type of tamponade used in the patients, and the age, sex, cause of death, and specular endothelial cell count of donors were not statistically significantly associated with graft attachment (p>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the anatomical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery were affected by recipient and donor factors. The presence of diabetes mellitus in the recipient significantly negatively affected graft attachment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a associação de desfechos ana tômicos com doenças sistêmicas e medicamentos em casos submetidos à ceratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet e fatores relativos aos doadores. Métodos: Foram incluídos neste estudo retrospectivo enxertos obtidos de doadores não diabéticos e 60 casos operados por um único cirurgião. Foram registrados os dados dos casos, incluindo a presença de diabetes mellitus e hipertensão, medicamentos antidiabéticos e anti-hipertensivos, tamponamentos intracamerais e desfechos anatômicos. Os dados dos doadores foram obtidos dos prontuários do banco de olhos. Resultados: Dezoito casos tinham diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (30%) e 34 tinham hipertensão (56,6%). Entre os casos de diabetes mellitus, 13 estavam em uso de uma medicação antidiabética de agente único, 4 estavam em terapia antidiabética oral dupla e 1 estava em insulinoterapia. Entre os hipertensos, 11 estavam em monoterapia e 23 em terapia anti-hipertensiva dupla. No pós-operatório, 35 pacientes (58,3%) submeteram-se a uma fixação endotelial, enquanto 8 casos (13,3%) receberam reinjeção, 7 casos (11,7%) necessitaram de ceratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet e 10 casos (16,7%) foram submetidos a uma ceratoplastia penetrante. A média de idade dos doadores foi de 51,2 ± 14,1 anos. A causa mais comum de morte do doador foi parada cardiorrespiratória (36/60 casos; 60,0%). A análise de regressão revelou que a presença de diabetes mellitus causa distúrbios significativos na fixação do enxerto (p=0,034), enquanto a presença de hipertensão, o uso de medicamentos antidiabéticos e anti-hipertensivos, o tipo de tamponamento usado, a idade, o sexo, a causa da morte e a contagem de células endoteliais especulares dos doadores não demonstraram associações estatisticamente significativas com a fixação do enxerto (p>0,05). Conclusões: Os resultados anatômicos da cirurgia de ceratoplastia endotelial da membrana de Descemet são afetados por fatores do receptor e do doador. A presença de diabetes mellitus no receptor teve um significativo impacto negativo na fixação do enxerto.

Comparison of corneal, endothelial, and anterior segment parameters in eyes with and without pigment dispersion.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the differences of central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal endothelial cell morphology, and biometric parameters of the anterior chamber and iridocorneal angle in pigment dispersion syndrome (PDS), pigmentary glaucoma (PG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and healthy group. METHODS: Twenty- three eyes in the PDS group, 39 eyes in the PG group, 33 eyes in the POAG group, and 45 eyes in the healthy control group were included in this cross-sectional retrospective study. Corneal endothelial cell density, the coefficient of variation in the cell area, hexagonality, and central corneal thickness (CCT) were obtained by specular microscopy (CEM 530, NIDEK, Japan). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle parameters and CCT were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss AG, Germany). RESULTS: The mean CCT via specular microscopy (SM-CCT) was measured at the thinnest value in the PG group (531.20 ± 34.91 µm) and the thickest in the control group (569.13 ± 37.52 µm). CV value was higher in PG (34.65 ± 6.84) and POAG group (34.27 ± 9.93) and lower in control group (28.82 ± 5.18) (p = 0,005). The mean AS-OCT-CCT was the thinnest in the PG group (513.61 ± 39.94 µm), and the thickest in the control group (547.04 ± 36.72 µm) (p = 0.001). All parameters of the iridocorneal angle were larger in the PDS and PG groups (p < 0.001). In the correlation analysis of the glaucomatous eyes, a negative correlation between the C/D ratio and SM-CCT and AS-OCT-CCT (p = 0.037, p = 0.017, respectively) and a positive correlation between the pRNFL thickness and AS-OCT- CCT (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: CCT values obtained with both SM and AS-OCT were found to be significantly thinner in PG cases. CV, which is the measure of polymegatism, was found to be significantly higher in PG cases.

The relationship of distance learning with ocular surface disorders in students in the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular surface disorders in students whose daily screen time increased due to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Eighty-eight eyes of 44 cases were included in this cross-sectional study. The distance learning students with complaints of redness, stinging, and increased blinking were evaluated. Biomicroscopic examination findings, spherical equivalent, keratometry values, and average daily average screen time were recorded. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) survey and non-contact tear film breakup time (BUT) assessment (Topcon CA-800) were performed. RESULTS: Forty-four cases between 15 and 25 years old were evaluated; 25 were girls (56.8%), 19 were boys (43.2%), and the mean age was 19.2 ± 3.9 years (15-25). The mean daily screen time was 4.9 ± 0.9 h. The mean non-contact BUT was 3.18 ± 2.0 s (1.24-8.80 s), and the spherical equivalent was -1.39 ± 1.79. Punctate epitheliopathy was present in 33 eyes (37.5%) on biomicroscopic examination. The mean OSDI score was 37.12 ± 20.30 (10-75) points. A significant positive correlation was present between daily average screen time, punctate epitheliopathy (r = 0,341; p = 0,001), and OSDI score (r = 0,510; p < 0,001). There was also a significant positive correlation between the OSDI score and punctate epitheliopathy (r = 0.754; p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the non-contact BUT and punctate epitheliopathy, OSDI score, or daily screen time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ocular surface disorders in students can be associated with increasing daily screen time due to distance learning.

The relationship between systemic disorders and anatomical outcomes after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of anatomical outcomes and medications of patients with systemic diseases who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty with donor factors. METHODS: Sixty nondiabetic donors of endothelial grafts and 60 patients who underwent operation by a single surgeon were included in this retrospective study. The patients' data, including the presence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, antidiabetic-antihypertensive medications, and intracameral tamponades and anatomical outcomes, were recorded. The donor data were obtained from eye bank records. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus (30%) and 34 had hypertension (56.6%). Among the patients with diabetes mellitus, 13 were receiving a single-agent antidiabetic drug, 4 were receiving dual oral antidiabetic therapy, and 1 was receiving insulin therapy. Among the hypertensive patients, 11 had monotherapy and 23 had dual antihypertensive therapy. Postoperatively, 35 patients (58.3%) had an endothelial attachment, 8 (13.3%) received reinjection, 7 (11.7%) required re-Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, and 10 (16.7%) underwent penetrating keratoplasty. The mean donor age was 51.2 ± 14.1 years. The most common cause of donor death was cardiopulmonary arrest (36/60 cases; 60.0%). Regression analysis revealed that the presence of diabetes mellitus significantly disrupted graft attachment (p=0.034), while the presence of hypertension, antidiabetic and antihypertensive medication use, and the type of tamponade used in the patients, and the age, sex, cause of death, and specular endothelial cell count of donors were not statistically significantly associated with graft attachment (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, the anatomical outcomes of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery were affected by recipient and donor factors. The presence of diabetes mellitus in the recipient significantly negatively affected graft attachment.

Assessment of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) as indicators of inflammation and to compare these parameter levels between iERM and control subjects. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 36 patients who underwent vitrectomy-ERM peeling and 39 patients who had cataract surgery. We obtained blood samples from all individuals who participated in the study to investigate these parameters. RESULTS: Seventy-five subjects were included in this study: 36 in the iERM group and 39 in the control group. The mean neutrophil and MPV levels were significantly higher in iERM subjects than in control subjects. The mean lymphocyte level was lower in the iERM group. The mean NLR, PLR, and MPV levels were higher in iERM subjects than in control subjects. CONCLUSION: The higher NLR, PLR, and MPV levels found in patients with iERM may indicate that subclinical systemic inflammation may associate with iERM.

Comparison of the lamina cribrosa parameters in eyes with exfoliation syndrome, exfoliation glaucoma and healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare lamina cribrosa (LC) parameters obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) of eyes with exfoliation syndrome (PXS), exfoliation glaucoma (PXG) and healthy subjects. METHODS: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 206 eyes of 206 subjects were included. The Bruch's membrane opening distance (BMOd), the anterior and posterior borders of the LC (LC thickness) and the anterior laminar depth (ALD) were imaged using the enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode of SD-OCT. RESULTS: There were 96 eyes in the PXG group, 55 eyes in the PXS group, and 55 eyes in the control group. The LC thickness was the thinnest in the PXG group (151.10 ± 51.18 µm), followed in the PXS group (158.76 ± 49.62 µm), and the thickest in the control group (181.00 ± 39.10 µm) (p = 0.002). In PXG cases where LC was observed in the deepest location, the ALD value was highest (423.92 ± 111.75 µm) in the PXG group, followed by the control group (403.08 ± 63.56 µm), and PXS group (357.43 ± 80.87 µm) (p < 0.001). The BMOd values were largest in the PXG group (1542.43 ± 152.99 µm), followed by the control group (1506.52 ± 169.09 µm) and PXS group (1435.74 ± 141.06 µm) (p < 0.001). In the PXG group, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, BCVA, and cup to disc (C/D) ratio were also statistically different from the other groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found thinner LC thickness in PXG and PXS cases relative to the control group. Although its severity is associated with the diagnosis and severity of glaucoma, LC thinning can be encountered as an isolated condition in the presence of exfoliation.

Comparison of the Lamina Cribrosa Measurements Obtained by Spectral-Domain and Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose/Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to compare the lamina cribrosa (LC) measurements obtained by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT) in the same eye and we also investigate how the differences in measurement will change in the presence of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG). Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients from one institution have accepted. Detailed medical case histories and clinical examination, optic nerve head imaging using the SD-OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and SS-OCT (Triton; Topcon Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) for patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and healthy volunteer. Results: Fifty-three eyes of the 30 patients (13 female, 17 male) were included in the study. Twenty-nine of eyes were healthy and 24 of eyes had pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. The mean age was 62 ± 7.3 years (range, 50-86 years). The difference between the mean Bruch's membrane opening distance measured by SD-OCT (1504.7 ± 154.2 µm) and by SS-OCT (1568.6 ± 193.3 µm) was statistically significant (p = .009). The difference between LC depth and LC thickness measurements between two OCT devices were not statistically significant. There was a negative correlation between the difference of two devices Bruch's membrane opening distance measurements and the cup/disc ratio (p = .007). Conclusion: Generally accepted belief is that lamina cribrosa visibility would be worse in healthy subjects who have thick prelaminar tissues, and better in individuals with glaucoma who had suffered the loss of prelaminar tissue. The difference between Bruch's membrane opening distance measurements taken with two devices was greater in normal eyes, and this difference was decreasing in glaucomatous eyes in our study. The Lamina Cribrosa measurement values shall not be directly compared between SD-OCT and SS-OCT.