High-throughput screening of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in pterygium.

PURPOSE: Pterygium is a hyaline degenerative disease of the conjunctiva characterized by the progression of fibrovascular connective tissue from the bulbar conjunctiva to the cornea. The mechanism of pterygium formation is still not fully understood. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are a group of ion channels with distinct characteristics. Recent indications suggest TRP channels may play a significant regulatory role in pterygium development, but previous studies have mainly focused on in silico analysis. Accordingly, in the present study, we aimed to decipher the expression signatures and role of TRP channels in pterygium development. METHODS: The study encompassed a cohort of 45 patients matched for age and gender distribution, comprising 30 individuals with primary pterygium (PP) and 15 individuals with recurrent pterygium (RP). The control group consisted of unaffected conjunctival tissue obtained from the same set of patients. High-throughput screening of differentially expressed TRP channels in pterygium tissues was achieved with the help of Fluidigm 96.96 Dynamic Array Expression Chip and reactions were held in BioMark™ HD System Real-Time PCR platform. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases were found in the expression of 21 genes, mainly TRPA1 (p = 0.021), TRPC2 (p = 0.001), and TRPM8 (p = 0.003), in patients with PP, and in TRPC5 (p = 0.05), TRPM2 (p = 0.029), TRPM4 (p = 0.03), TRPM6 (p = 0.045), TRPM8 (p = 0.038), TRPV1 (p = 0.01) and TRPV4 (p = 0.025) genes in RP tissues. CONCLUSION: Collectively, TRP channel proteins appear to play pivotal roles in both the development and progression of pterygium, making them promising candidates for future therapeutic interventions in patients afflicted by this condition.

High-throughput screening of cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of genes in primary and recurrent pterygium.

Pterygium is a common degenerative disease characterized by fibrovascular outgrowth towards cornea. Around 200 million people have been reported to be affected by the pterygium in the world. Although the risk factors for pterygium are well documented, the molecular pathogenesis of pterygium seems to be very complex and remains highly elusive. However, the common sense for the development of pterygium appears to be deregulation of growth hemostasis due to aberrant apoptosis. In addition, pterygium shares many features with human cancers, including dysregulation of apoptosis, persistent proliferation, inflammation, invasion, and relapse following resection. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) monooxygenases are a superfamily of heme-containing enzymes with a wide range of structural and functional diversity. In the present study, we aimed to identify significant expression signatures of CYP gene in pterygium. For the study, a total number of 45 patients (30 primary and 15 recurrent pterygium) were included. For the high-throughput screening of CYP gene expression, Fluidigm 96.96 Dynamic Array Expression Chip was used and analyzed with BioMark™ HD System Real-Time PCR system. Remarkably, CYP genes were identified to be significantly overexpressed in both primary and recurrent pterygium samples. Most prominent overexpression was observed in CYP1A1, CYP11B2 and CYP4F2 in primary pterygium and CYP11A1 and CYP11B2 in recurrent pterygium. Consequently, present findings suggest the significant involvement of CYP genes in the development and progression of pterygium.

The radioprotective effect of Nigella sativa on nitrosative stress in lens tissue in radiation-induced cataract in rat.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and radioprotective effects of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) and thymoquinone (TQ) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation (IR) of rats with a single dose of 5 gray (Gy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the experiment. The rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group A received total cranium IR plus NSO (1 g kg(-1) d(-1)) orally through an orogastric tube. Group B received total cranium IR plus TQ (50 mgkg(-1) d(-1)) daily by intraperitoneal injection. Group C received 5 Gy of gamma IR as a single dose to total cranium plus 1 ml saline. Group D1 just received 1 ml saline. Group D2 just received dimethyl sulfoxide. Group D3 did not receive anything. RESULTS: At the end of the 10th d, cataract developed in 80% of the rats in IR group only. After IR, cataract rate dropped to 20% and 50% in groups which were treated with NSO and TQ, respectively, and was limited at grades 1 and 2. Nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels in the radiotherapy group were higher than those of all other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results implicate a major role for NSO and TQ in preventing cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in the lenses of rats, wherein NSO were found to be more potent.

Association transient receptor potential melastatin channel gene polymorphism with primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Genetic factors are shown to have a role in the development of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genetic polymorphisms of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channel genes on the risk of POAG in a Turkish population. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from the leukocytes of the peripheral blood, and 26 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the TRPM channel genes were analyzed in 179 patients with POAG and in 182 healthy controls of similar age by using the BioMark HD dynamic array system. RESULTS: There were marked changes in the genotype (TT, 26.8%; CT, 66.7%; CC, 6.5%) and allele (T, 60.1%; C, 39.9%) frequencies for the TRPM5 gene rs34551253 (Ala456Thr, in exon 9) polymorphism in patients when compared to the controls (TT, 11.3%; CT, 74.6%; CC, 14.1%, p = 0.0009; T, 48.6%; A, 51.4%, p = 0.0063). However, no associations with the other 25 polymorphisms studied were found. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the involvement of TRPM channel gene variations in the risk of incident POAG. This study demonstrated that the TRPM5 gene rs34551253 (Ala456Thr) polymorphism may be associated with increased risk of developing POAG in the Turkish population.

Comparison of intravitreal vancomycin and daptomycin application in experimental methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endophthalmitis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To compare bactericidal activities of daptomycin and vancomycin in an experimental rabbit model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) endophthalmitis. METHODS: The right eyes of 19 New Zealand rabbits weighing 2 to 2.5 kg were used. Each eye was inoculated with 1000 colony-forming units (cfu) of MRSA into the vitreous cavity. 24 h after the inoculation, the rabbits were randomly distributed into three groups: control group (n = 5) was given 0.1 ml of balanced saline solution, daptomycin group 2 (n = 7) was given 0.2 mg/0.1 ml daptomycin and vancomycin group 3 (n = 7) was given 1 mg/0.1 ml vancomycin intravitreally. Clinical examination scores were recorded and vitreous aspirates were obtained for microbiological analysis on days 2 and 3 after MRSA inoculation. Rabbits were sacrificed, and the eyes were enucleated for histopathological examination. RESULTS: There was no difference between the daptomycin group, vancomycin group and control in terms of the clinical grading of endophthalmitis 24 h after the inoculation. In all treatment groups, mean number of cfu and histopathological scores were significantly lower compared to the control group. There was no difference between the daptomycin and vancomycin group in terms of the histopathological and clinical examination scores. Culture negativity achieved on day 3 was 71.4% and 57.1% in the daptomycin treatment group and the vancomycin treatment group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although both daptomycin and vancomycin are effective in treatment of experimental MRSA endophthalmitis, daptomycin has superior bactericidal activity 72 h after inoculation.

Cyclosporine a 0.05% eye drops for the treatment of subepithelial infiltrates after epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the treatment with topical 0.05% cyclosporine A (CsA) in patients with subepithelial corneal infiltrates (SEI). METHODS: We reviewed 16 patients (22 eyes) before and after the treatment with 0.05% CsA eye drops. All patients had been treated previously with topical corticosteroids without any improvement and also they had to stop the medication secondary to intraocular pressure elevation. The objective data recorded included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), evaluation of corneal subepithelial infiltrate scores (CSIS), intraocular pressure (IOP) prior to treatment and the last follow-up visit. RESULTS: Six males (37.5%) and 10 females (62.5%), mean age of 35.2 ± 16.6 years, were included. The patients' average topical CsA use duration was 5.1 ± 3.5 months (1 - 13 months). The average follow up time of the patients was 9.2 ± 4.7 months (4 - 22 months). One patient, although he didn't have a 0 scale of SCIS, did not show up for follow up examinations after six months. The mean BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) before and after the treatment were 0.15 ± 0.15 and 0.07 ± 0.07 respectively, CSIS 1.68 ± 0.89 and 0.23 ± 0.53 respectively, IOP 18.50 ± 3.82 and 16.86 ± 2.76 mmHg respectively. There were statistically significant improvements in BCVA (p=0.002), reduction of CSIS (p=0.002) and reduction of IOP (p<0.001) prior to treatment and the last follow-up visit. 18 eyes (81.9%) showed clinical improvement and 4 (18.1%) had decreased SEI which did not fully disappear during the treatment period. The eyes which reached CSIS score 0 (18 eyes) were treated with CsA for 1 - 13 months; while the eyes which had clinical improvement but had not CSIS score 0 (4 eyes) were decided to discontinue of CsA treatment in last follow-up visit. There were recurrences in 2 eyes 3 months after the treatment. Patients reported reduction in the severity of symptoms after the treatment. Most of the patients reported no foreign body sensation, glare, or other side effects with topical CsA treatment. Overall, patients noted an improvement in vision and satisfaction with topical 0.05% CsA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Topical 0.05% CsA is a safe and effective alternative treatment in patients with SEI who do not respond to other treatment modalities or have undesired side effects from topical steroids.

The role of resistin in Behçet's disease: a Turkish experiment.

The objective of this study was to assess the role of resistin, a proinflammatory cytokine potentially involved in Behçet's disease (BD), and to determine its relationship with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), another important inflammatory cytokine known to be involved in BD. Forty-five persons diagnosed with BD were enrolled into this study, 25 of whom were being followed or had recently been diagnosed with clinically active BD, whereas the remaining 20 were previously diagnosed and had clinically inactive BD for the previous 3 months. Thirty persons were recruited as a healthy control group. Patients' C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), resistin, and TNF-α levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Resistin and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in patients with BD (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05) than in the control group. The major interest of this study was to investigate the role of resistin in patients with BD. An elevated resistin level was associated with activation of BD. Elevated TNF-α and resistin levels could be determined simultaneously, and the presence of these two cytokines together suggests that resistin plays an important role in the pathogenesis and activation of BD.

An unusual case of hydroa vacciniforme with ocular involvement.

Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a sporadic, rare and idiopathic chronic photodermatosis characterized by recurrent vesicles and crust formation on a sun-exposed skin, typically resulting in vacciniform or varioliform scarring. Herein, we report on a 18-year-old boy who presented with rare ocular involvement in HV.

Ophthalmic manifestations of 107 cases with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To present various ophthalmologic disorders in a clinical series of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome cases. METHODS: This is a prospective clinical study performed between 2002 and 2005. One hundred seven HELLP patients attended in either Departments of Ophthalmology or Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean age was 25.5 (22-36 years). Mean levels were 2.5 gravidity, 1.3 parity, 55,200/mm3 platelet counts, 308.7 U/l aspartate transaminase, 255.4 U/l alanine transaminase, and 1711.6 U/I lactate dehydrogenase. Four patients died (3.7%) despite the proper treatments. Cortical blindness was observed in 3 cases (2.7%), serous retinal detachments in 4 (3.7%), and mild hypertension changes in 18 (16%). CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic complications are possible during and after this syndrome. Almost all ophthalmologic changes recover after delivery by cesarean section, nevertheless, it is essential that ophthalmologists should be aware of retinal disorders when this fatal complication of pregnancy is encountered.

Unusual presentation of triple A syndrome mimicking Sjögren's syndrome.

Triple A syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by alacrima, achalasia, and adrenal insufficiency. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder manifested primarily by diminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretions, resulting in symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth, the so-called "sicca complex". However, a variety of other manifestations also can occur, which can be termed "nonexocrine manifestations". One of the frequent nonexocrine manifestations is dysphagia. In this paper, we present an unusual form of Triple A disease mimicking Sjögren's syndrome, which leads to a challenging diagnosis.

A comparison of two conjunctival rotation autograft techniques in primary pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 90° and 180° conjunctival rotational autograft (CRA) techniques used in primary pterygium surgery. METHODS: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and auto-refractometer measurements, as well as detailed biomicroscopic examinations, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, the pterygium tissue was excised then rotated 90° in Group 1 and180° in Group 2, after which it was sutured to the bare sclera. Pterygium recurrence was defined as corneal invasion ≥1 mm. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 45.1 ± 11.8 years, while Group 2 comprised 24 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The pterygia in Group 1 were graded as more advanced than those in Group 2. A similar number of recurrences were observed in Group 1 (14.3%) and in Group 2 (16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the preoperative and postoperative VA and astigmatism values between the two groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative VA and astigmatism values in Group 1 and in the postoperative astigmatism values in Group 2. Although postoperative redness was more common in Group 1, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. CONCLUSION: BothCRA techniques can be successful in patients for whom it is desirable to avoid a conjunctival autograft and for patients without high cosmetic expectations.

A New Surgical Treatment Option for Chronic Total Oculomotor Nerve Palsy: A Modified Technique for Medial Transposition of Split Lateral Rectus Muscle.

PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical modified procedure in patients with chronic total oculomotor nerve palsy and to evaluate the results of this procedure. METHODS: Eight eyes of 6 consecutive patients who underwent strabismus surgery due to chronic total oculomotor nerve palsy were enrolled in the study. The lateral rectus muscle was split into two halves and disinserted from the sclera. The upper half of the muscle was passed under the superior rectus muscle and the inferior half of the muscle was passed under the inferior rectus muscle. The two halves of the muscle were moved to the medial rectus muscle insertion area and were sutured to sclera near the insertion. Additional medial rectus resections were made in the undercorrected patients. RESULTS: The mean age was 21.8 ± 12.1 years (range: 11 to 42 years). Postoperatively, 4 of 6 patients had stable horizontal deviations; 1 had orthophoria, 2 had 10 prism diopters (PD) of exotropia, and 1 had 10 PD of esotropia. However, 2 cases had 25 and 30 PD of undercorrection. Additional medial rectus resections were made in these undercorrected patients and horizontal deviations reduced to 15 and 20 PD of exotropia, respectively. The mean primary position horizontal deviation, which was 74.1 ± 10.2 PD before the surgeries, reduced to 10.8 ± 6.6 PD after the surgeries (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The authors described a new and relatively simple modified surgical procedure for the treatment of chronic total ocular nerve palsy and reached satisfactory outcomes. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53(3):150-154.].

Toxic anterior segment syndrome following deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

We present the case of a 31-year-old patient with toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) that developed after undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). She had keratoconus, and despite wearing hard contact lenses for many years in the left eye, her vision had deteriorated; therefore, DALK was performed on this eye. The preoperative visual acuity (VA) was finger counting at 3 m. Routine DALK was performed using the "big-bubble" technique. The corneal entry incision was hydrated at the end of the surgery, which was terminated by air injection into the anterior chamber. On postoperative day 1, VA was at the level of hand movements, and the cornea was edematous. Topical high-dose dexamethasone and oral steroids were initiated considering the diagnosis of TASS. Subsequently, the patient's VA increased, and the corneal edema decreased. We believe that the use of re-sterilized cannulas may have been the likely cause of TASS. Although DALK can be performed without interfering with the anterior chamber, one should keep in mind that TASS may occur in response to the solution used to hydrate the incision site and the air injected into the anterior chamber.

Toward Novel Diagnostics for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma? An Association Study of Polymorphic Variation in Ras Homolog Family Member (A, B, C, D) Genes RHOA, RHOB, RHOC, and RHOD.

The annual economic burden of visual disorders in the United States was estimated as $139 billion. The World Health Organization has listed glaucoma in the top 10 priority eye diseases. Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a common subtype, with a lack of clinical tools for early diagnosis. The Rho GTPases belong to the Ras superfamily of proteins; the RhoA immunostaining in the optic nerve head in human glaucoma is reportedly increased. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the Ras Homolog Family Member A, B, C, and D genes (RHOA, RHOB, RHOC, and RHOD, respectively). In a total sample of 361 unrelated subjects (179 patients with POAG and 182 age- and sex-matched healthy controls), RHOA (rs6784820, rs974495), RHOB (rs62121967), RHOC (rs11102522), and RHOD (rs61891303, rs2282502) polymorphisms were characterized by the BioMark HD dynamic array system with real-time polymerarse chain reaction. Among these candidate genetic markers and considering the Bonferroni correction, RHOA rs974495 polymorphism was significantly associated with POAG (p = 0.0011), with the TT genotype increasing the disease risk 4.9 times (95% CI 1.630-15.023). The allele and haplotype distributions of the above RHO candidate polymorphisms did not diplay a significant association. This is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to identify a significant genotypic association between POAG and RHOA gene rs974495 polymorphism. These observations warrant replication in independent samples in the pursuit of precision medicine for rapid and early glaucoma diagnosis, and molecular targets for innovation in therapeutics of this common eye disease.

Investigation of the Rho-kinase Gene Polymorphism in Primary Open-angle Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Genetic factors are shown to have a role in the development of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of genetic polymorphisms of Rho-kinase (ROCK) genes on the risk of POAG in a Turkish population. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of the peripheral blood, and 8 single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ROCK1 and ROCK2 genes were analysed in 179 patients with POAG and in 182 healthy controls of similar age by using BioMark HD dynamic array system. RESULTS: Neither genotype distributions nor the allele frequencies for the ROCK1 (rs35996865) and ROCK2 [rs2290156, rs965665, rs10178332, rs2230774 (Thr431Asn), rs2230774 (Thr431Ser), rs6755196, and rs726843] gene polymorphisms showed a significant difference between the groups. There were also no marked associations between the haplotype frequencies and POAG. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine the involvement of ROCK1 and ROCK2 gene variations in the risk of POAG development. This study demonstrated that the polymorphisms studied are not associated with the increased risk of development of POAG in the Turkish population.

The effects of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquinone, propolis, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester on radiation-induced cataract.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and radioprotective effects of propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), Nigella sativa oil (NSO), and thymoquinone (TQ) against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation of rats with single dose of 5-Gy cobalt-60 gamma rays. METHODS: A total of 74 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 8 groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of Nigella sativa oil, thymoquine, propolis, or caffeic acid phenethyl ester administered by either orogastric tube or intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied. RESULTS: Chylack's cataract classification was used in the study. At the end of the tenth day, cataracts developed in 80 % of the rats in the radiotherapy group. After irradiation, cataract rate dropped to 20 % in NSO, 30 % in propolis, 40 % in CAPE, and 50 % in TQ groups and was limited to grade 1 and grade 2. Cataract formation was observed the least in NSO group and the most in TQ group. In the irradiated (IR) group, superoxide dismutase activity was lower, while glutathione peroxidase and xanthine oxidase activities and malondialdehyde level were higher compared with the other groups. Total superoxide scavenger activity and nonenzymatic superoxide scavenger activity were not statistically significant in IR group compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings obtained in the study might suggest that propolis, CAPE, NSO, and TQ could prevent cataractogenesis in ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in the lenses of rats, wherein propolis and NSO were found to be more potent.

Using liquid crystal glasses to treat ambyopia in children.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of liquid crystal glasses (LCG) in the treatment of children with monocular amblyopia. METHODS: A total of 14 amblyopic eyes of 14 children with monocular amblyopia were enrolled in the study. LCG with appropriate refractive correction were ordered for each patient. Each patient was examined with the new LCG before treatment and monthly thereafter. The parents were informed about the use, care, and charging of the glasses. Best-corrected visual acuity was measured as Snellen decimal notation and converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 7.4 ± 1.4 years. Ten patients (71%) had anisometropic amblyopia; 2 (14%), strabismic amblyopia; and 2 (14%), mixed amblyopia. The mean follow-up period was 4.0 ± 1.2 months (range, 3-7 months). The mean duration of using LCG was 8.2 ± 2.5 hours daily (range, 4-12 hours). All of 14 patients used the LCG as suggested. The mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity of the amblyopic eyes was 0.6 ± 0.3 at baseline, improving to 0.3 ± 0.2 at final follow-up (P < 0.001). No side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that LCG wear improved visual acuity in children with monocular amblyopia. Additional studies are needed to determine whether this effect is due to the LCG on/off feature or to refractive correction alone.

Peripapillary choroidal thickness in healthy Turkish subjects.

AIM: The objective of the study reported here was to investigate the normal peripapillary choroidal thickness (CT), measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), in healthy Turkish volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 57 eyes of 57 healthy Turkish subjects were enrolled. Each participant underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and peripapillary CT measurement using EDI-OCT. RESULTS: The mean age of the 25 female and 32 male patients in the study was 30.9±10.6 years (range, 18-56 years). The mean peripapillary CT at the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal sites was 225±57, 183±47, 220±57, and 233±59 µm, respectively. The inferior peripapillary CT value was significantly lower than the peripapillary CT values (P<0.001 for all), whereas no significant differences were found between the superior, nasal, and temporal peripapillary CT values. CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed that Turkish people had significantly lower peripapillary CT values in the inferior quadrant than in the superior, nasal, and temporal quadrants.

Association between penetrating eye injuries and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is an association between penetrating eye injuries and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. METHODS: 45 children aged 3-18 years who were treated due to penetrating ocular injuries (patient group) and 75 control subjects (control group) were enrolled in the study. The symptoms of ADHD were evaluated by the Turkish adapted and validated form of the Conner Parent Rating Scale (CPRS). RESULTS: The mean age was 8.9±4.1 years in the patient group and 9.7±3.7 years in the control group. All subscale scores of CPRS were higher in the patient group compared with the control group (all p<0.05). Gender-specific analyses showed that the boys of the patient group had significantly higher mean scores of all subscales, including inattentiveness, hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, compared with the boys of the control group (all p<0.05). However, the girls of the patient group had higher mean scores of only the conduct disorder subscale (p<0.05) compared with the girls of the control group. Three of 45 patients (6.6%) and 0 of 75 control subjects (0%) had a history of previous ocular trauma (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between penetrating eye injuries and inattentiveness, hyperactivity, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in boys, and conduct disorder in girls. An appropriate evaluation of ADHD symptoms may prevent vision loss due to penetrating eye injuries in children. In addition, evaluation by a child psychiatrist of children presenting with penetrating eye injuries may prevent repetition of injuries.

Effects of corrective surgery on social phobia, psychological distress, disease-related disability and quality of life in adult strabismus patients.

BACKGROUND: Corrective surgery is done for ocular alignment and disrupted facial expression in some cases of adult strabismus patients. The effects of corrective surgery on the presence of social phobia (SP) diagnosis, the severity of social anxiety symptoms, the disease-related disability and the quality of life (QoL) among strabismus patients have not been thoroughly studied yet. METHODS: The study sample was composed of patients who had undergone corrective surgery for strabismus. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations made by using standardised measures of social phobia diagnosis (DSM-IV-TR) and severity (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)), disability (Sheehan Disability Scale) and quality of life (short form-36). RESULTS: Preoperatively, SP diagnosis was detected in 17 of 31 (54.8%) patients, whereas postoperatively 6 of 31 (19.4%) patients had SP (p=0.001). Participants showed a significant decrease in all subscale scores and total score of both LSAS and HADS compared with their preoperative scores. Significant improvements were observed in QoL and disability scores as well. CONCLUSIONS: Adult strabismus patients seem to gain benefits from corrective surgery not only for their ocular misalignment but also for social anxiety levels that may be associated with improvements in their QoL and disability levels.