Does corneal tattooing affect the conjunctival microbiota?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of commercial tattoo inks used in corneal tattooing on conjunctival microbiota. METHOD: This prospective case control study consisted of 125 participants divided in the following three groups: 35 patients with corneal tattoos, 40 patients with corneal leukoma, and 50 healthy subjects. Corneal tattooing was performed in all the cases in this study using a tattoo pen machine and commercial tattoo ink. A total of 500 cultures were taken from 250 eyes of 125 individuals on chocolate and sheep blood agar. Bacteriological samples were taken from the inferior eyelid conjunctiva using a sterile cotton swab. Without any contact elsewhere, the swabs were smeared on bedside chocolate agars and 5% sheep blood agar. RESULTS: In tattooed eyes, bacterial growth was detected in 42.9% of the chocolate and sheep blood agar samples. In other healthy eyes of patients with corneal tattoos, 54.5% bacterial growth on chocolate agar and 57.1% on sheep blood agar were detected. No statistical difference was detected in the conjunctival microbiota of chocolate and sheep blood agar (p = 0.254, p = 0.134, respectively) in the tattooed eyes compared to the other eye of the individual. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of bacterial growth in tattooed, leukoma, or healthy eyes on chocolate and sheep blood agar (p = 0.408, p = 0.349). The growth rate of Staphylococcus epidermidis decreased by 33.3% (from 12 to 8) on chocolate agar in 35 tattooed eyes, and it decreased by 28.5% (from 14 to 10) on sheep blood agar, while gram-negative bacteria Brevundimonas diminuta, Acinetobacter lwoffii, and Psychrobacter faecalis were detected in three patients. CONCLUSION: Corneal tattooing using commercial dye does not affect conjunctival microbiota. In the past 3 years, 120 patients have been tattooed with commercial tattoo ink in Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital. No complications related to infection were found in the 3-year follow-up. The gram-negative bacteria detected in the healthy control group and tattooed eyes were bacteria found on normal skin or in the respiratory tract. Although some gram-negative bacteria do not cause infection, careful eye examination, follow-up, and culture are required in suspicious cases.

Aphakia treatment with sutureless scleral fixation or retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens implantation: visual acuity, anterior segment and keratometry outcomes.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of anterior segment parameters using the Scheimpflug corneal topography 1 year after surgery in patients who underwent sutureless scleral fixation intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation using the modified Yamane technique and retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens (RPIOL) implantation. METHODS: A total of 60 eyes from 57 patients who underwent sutureless SFIOL implantation and 57 eyes from 52 patients who underwent RPIOL implantation were included. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior-posterior corneal astigmatism, and keratometric values were assessed using the Scheimpflug corneal topography (Pentacam HR, Germany). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative UCVA and BCVA between the sutureless SFIOL and the RPIOL group (p = 0.236, p = 0.293, respectively). While there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP between the two groups (p = 0.223), a statistically significant decrease in IOP was observed in both groups (p < 0.001). While there was no statistical difference between the sutureless SFIOL group and the RPIOL group in terms of spherical value (p = 0.441) and spherical equivalence (p = 0.237), there was a statistically significant difference in cylindrical value (p < 0.001). While there was a statistical difference in anterior astigmatism (p < 0.001), there was no statistical difference in posterior astigmatism (p = 0.405). There was no statistical difference in terms of ACV, ACD, and ACA between the sutureless SFIOL and the RPIOL group (p = 0.812, p = 0.770, p = 0.401, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, although there was a statistical difference in cylindrical value and anterior corneal astigmatism between the sutureless SFIOL and RPIOL groups, vision was not affected. According to this study, sutureless SFIOL and RPIOL are two successful methods in terms of visual acuity, anterior segment, and keratometry outcomes in aphakic patients after phacoemulsification.

Aesthetic corneal tattooing/keratopigmentation using tattoo pen machine: choosing suitable method and color.

PURPOSE: This article aims to present the corneal tattooing method and how using a tattoo pen machine can improve aesthetic appearance in patients with corneal leukoma. METHODS: In this study, 42 patients were evaluated who had no visual potential and who had undergone colored corneal tattooing using an automatic tattoo pen machine for aesthetic purposes. The procedure was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The commercially available tattoo ink that has traditionally been used on human skin (brown, green, and black) for years was used for all the patients in this study, and 252 corneal photographs (with a Topcon slit lamp imaging device at 16 magnifications, i.e., 16 ×) taken within the last 2 years were evaluated retrospectively. Red, green, and blue (RGB) and hue, saturation, and lightness (HSL) values of the tattooed areas, such as pupils and iris, in corneal photographs were determined online using the Color Code Finder program. The RGB and HSL values of the pupil and iris were compared before surgery on the first day and first week, first month, third month, and twelfth month after surgery. RESULTS: In the first postoperative month, the mean pupil lightness (L) and iris L values were found to have increased by 10.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Between the first month and the first year, the L value of the mean pupil and that of the iris increased by 1.7% and 5.2%, respectively. The increase in the RGB value of the mean pupil in the first month was statistically significant (p = 0.02). The highest increase in RGB values of the iris was observed in the first week and first month (p = 0.113). This result shows that the majority of fading occurred in the first month. After the first month, the increase in the L value in the black-colored pupil was less than that in the brown- or green-colored iris. These results show that light colors fade faster and more. CONCLUSION: Esthetically, corneal leukoma causes severe psychological problems. Many patients are unable to use prosthetic contact lenses. Evisceration surgery has many complications, and limbal stem cells are used in evisceration surgery. Corneal tattooing using a tattoo pen machine is an easy, practical, and repeatable method used for aesthetic purposes. Successful results require the use of appropriate methods, ink, and ophthalmologist's experience. All patients in this study had a more aesthetic appearance than the preoperative white eye. Further studies are needed to develop a colored aesthetic tattooing method with a tattoo pen machine.

Bacterial contamination of multi-use antibiotic steroid eye ointments and drops.

PURPOSE: This comprehensive prospective study aimed to investigate the bacterial contamination of antibiotic steroid eye ointments and drops frequently used by eye patients. METHOD: In this comprehensive prospective study, a total of 410 multi-use topical eye medications containing 15 different ingredients from 22 pharmaceutical companies used by 185 patients were analyzed. Four groups were formed as follows: group 1: antibiotic ointments (n: 109); group 2: antibiotic drops (n: 103); group 3: steroid ointments (n: 67); and group 4: steroid drops (n: 131). Topical multi-use eye drops and ointments used by patients at home for at least 1 week were randomly collected. The caps and contents were separately bacteriologically examined in a chocolate agar medium. RESULTS: Our study detected bacterial contamination in 23 containers (5.6%) of the total 410 topical drugs. According to the groups, bacterial contamination was detected in 10 of 67 (14.9%) steroid ointments, 6 of 109 (5.5%) antibiotic ointments, 4 of 131(3.1%) steroid drops, and 3 of 103 (2.9%) antibiotic drops. While the bacterial contamination rate in ointments was 9.1%, this rate was 3% in drops. The difference between them was statistically significant (p = 0.015). According to the post-hoc pairwise comparisons, the difference between steroid drops and steroid ointment (p = 0.0023) was statistically significant. Among all drugs, contamination was detected in 12 of the 93 (12.9%) containers used after keratitis, conjunctivitis, and inflammatory conditions. It was determined that preservatives statistically reduced bacterial growth on the cap. The preservatives did not have a statistically significant effect on the bacterial contamination of the contents compared to the caps. While all contaminations were detected in illiterate and primary school graduates, no contamination was seen in the drugs used by any secondary school or university graduate. CONCLUSION: Our study detected contamination in all topical ophthalmic drug groups. Contamination rates were found to be higher in ointments and steroids. Bacterial contamination was also seen in drugs containing preservatives. We should be careful in the use of topical medications. We do not recommend the bilateral use of ointments and drops in infected eyes, such as those with keratitis, or after intraocular surgeries, such as those for cataracts.

Anatomical Factors Which Influence the Formation of Peroneal Tendon Tears: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

This study aims to investigate the anatomical factors that are effective in the formation of peroneal tendon tears comparing with the control group. The patients with ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to pain on the lateral side of the ankle were retrospectively analyzed using the clinical archive between July 2015 and January 2020. Peroneal tendon tears, peroneal tubercle type and size, presence of peroneal quartus, presence and type of retromalleolar groove, retromalleolar groove area, lateral malleolus type, presence of os peroneum, peroneus brevis-lateral malleolus distance (PBLMD), and accompanying pathologies in coronal, axial, and sagittal planes MRI were evaluated. PBLMD was measured as 27.1 ± 12.3 mm in Group 1. With PBLMD, it was measured as 39.6 ± 11.68 mm in Group 2. There was a significant relationship between low-lying peroneus brevis muscle and peroneal tear (p < .001). Peroneal tendon tear was more common in patients with peroneal quartus muscle (p < .001). There was a relationship between the retromalleolar groove type and the presence of peroneal tear (p = .004). More peroneal tears were observed in the concave retromalleolar groove type. The presence of concave type retromalleolar groove, peroneus quartus, and low-lying peroneus brevis muscle was found to be associated with peroneal tendon tears.

Ensuring sustainability in the reverse supply chain in case of the ripple effect: A two-stage stochastic optimization model.

The devastating impact of the ripple effect increases the importance of the reverse supply chain (RSC) design to ensure sustainability in the long-term. That being the case, in this study, a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer optimization model is proposed to design an RSC network under uncertainty sourcing from the ripple effect (i.e. external side of RSC) by considering the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainability. The environmental and economic disruptions of the ripple effect are represented by the increase in the carbon emission levels and the distance of roads, and the decrease in the capacity of facilities, respectively. Accordingly, a set of scenarios is considered based on the disruption levels (low- and high-impact) in case of the ripple effect. Furthermore, an α -reliability constraint is integrated into the model to further analyze the occurrence of scenarios. The model allows us to make integrated operational and strategic decisions by placing an emphasis on the carbon emission levels (i.e. environmental dimension) and the total cost (i.e. economic dimension). To obtain some remarkable insights, the proposed model is validated through computational experiments based on data extracted from a real case. The computational results show that the ripple effect increases the emission level and total cost up to 40%. For this reason, it suggested that the regulations regarding WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) should be prepared by considering sustainability in the entire RSC network. Besides, it is realized that the centralized distribution strategy leads to a more resilient RSC network design.

Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, and intraocular pressure measurements in eyes implanted with a small aperture corneal inlay.

PURPOSE: To compare the postoperative corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) of eyes implanted with a small aperture corneal inlay versus fellow eyes. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent small aperture corneal inlay (KAMRA; AcuFocus, Inc., Irvine, CA) implantation were retrospectively reviewed. There were two groups: the implanted and non-implanted. Main outcome measures were CH, CRF, Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), and Goldmann applanation tonometry measurements performed preoperatively and at postoperative week 1 and months 1, 3, and 6. RESULTS: The study included 68 eyes of 34 patients. CH was higher in the implanted group when compared with the non-implanted group at postoperative week 1 (12.2 ± 3.1 vs 10.9 ± 1.7 mm Hg; P = .007) and month 1 (12.3 ± 2.5 vs 10.9 ± 1.8 mm Hg; P = .001). CRF was higher in the implanted group when compared with the non-implanted group at postoperative week 1 (11.9 ± 2.9 vs 10.7 ± 1.6 mm Hg; P = .003) and month 1 (12.5 ± 2.5 vs 10.4 ± 1.8 mm Hg; P < .001). IOPcc was higher in the implanted group when compared with the non-implanted group at only the first postoperative month (17.1 ± 3.5 vs 14.3 ± 2.9 mm Hg; P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences in Goldmann applanation tonometry or IOPg measurements between the two groups (P > .05). At the 3-month postoperative visit, all parameters had returned to baseline and there was no change at the 6-month visit. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the KAMRA corneal inlay does not induce a permanent change in CH or CRF. A transient increase in both was seen in the early postoperative period.

Corneal sensation after corneal refractive surgery with small incision lenticule extraction.

PURPOSE: To compare effects of small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (F-LASIK) on corneal sensation and dry eye parameters. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, contralateral-eye study, 28 patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism in both eyes were enrolled. One eye of each patient was treated by SMILE, and the fellow eye was treated by F-LASIK. Mean outcome measures Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, Schirmer test with anesthesia, tear breakup time, and tear film osmolarity were evaluated preoperatively as well as 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Corneal sensation was reduced after both SMILE and F-LASIK surgeries 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery (p < 0.05 in both groups). Corneal sensation was significantly lower after F-LASIK than after SMILE at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months (p < 0.01 for all points). Dry eye parameters such as tear breakup time, Schirmer test, and tear film osmolarity did not change significantly in any of the procedures and were not significantly different between the procedures at any follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study revealed that, although both F-LASIK and SMILE procedures changed the corneal sensation 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery, they did not affect the dry eye parameters at any point.

Evaluation of the effect of unilateral and bilateral inferior oblique myectomy on fundus torsion in primary and secondary inferior oblique overaction.

OBJECTIVE: This article evaluates the effects of unilateral and bilateral inferior oblique myectomy (IOM) on fundus torsion in primary and secondary inferior oblique overaction (IOOA). METHODS: This study analyzed 230 OCT images of 53 eyes of 32 patients who had undergone IOM by a single surgeon in the last two years. The disc-foveal angle (DFA) was calculated by digitally measuring the angle between the horizontal line passing through the geometric center of the optic disc and the curved line connecting the fovea to the geometric center of the optic disc. DFA was classified into intorsion, normal torsion, and extortion. The DFA was measured from the OCT images before the operation in the first week, first month, third month, and sixth month. RESULTS: When all the patients in our study were evaluated together, IOM statistically reduced the mean DFA in the third month (p=0.00). The DFA was higher in the secondary IOOA group than in the primary IOOA group (p=0.24). Bilateral IOM statistically significantly reduced DFA in the third month (p=0.00) and decreased the DFA difference between the two eyes in the third month (p=0.583). Unilateral IOM increased the DFA, rather than decreasing it, in the first week in operated eyes (p=0594) and increased the DFA difference between the two eyes after surgery (p=0.477). When we evaluated the localization of the macula as an intorsion, normal intorsion, or extortion, the extortion decreased from 36 to nine in the third month after bilateral IOM, and intorsion was seen in only two. Unilateral surgery did not significantly change fundus torsion in primary IOOA, and it caused intorsion in 3 of 6 (50%) operated eyes in secondary IOOA. CONCLUSION: Although unilateral IOM provides a clinical improvement in secondary IOOA, it increases the difference in DFA between both eyes and causes intorsion in 50% of patients. Masked IOOA was detected in 3 of 11 (27.3%) patients who underwent unilateral IOM. When deciding on unilateral surgery, the possibility of increased DFA difference between both eyes, intorsion in the operated eye, and masked IOOA in the other eye should be considered.

Ocular surface lesions in clinical grades of Bell's phenomenon.

Background: Bell's phenomenon, also known as the palpebral oculogyric reflex, is a critical reflex that protects the cornea. We developed an innovative, simple, and practical grading scale for Bell's phenomenon that includes the inverse Bell's phenomenon. Using this scale, we investigated the characteristics of Bell's phenomenon among asymptomatic individuals in different age groups and examined the frequency of ocular surface lesions in asymptomatic and symptomatic participants with different grades. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we randomly included 330 eyes of 165 asymptomatic, healthy, White Turkish individuals who attended the outpatient eye clinic, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.4, in the control group. These were categorized into four age groups: 4 - 20 years, 21 - 40 years, 41 - 60 years, and > 60 years. Eighty eyes from 40 patients with ocular surface lesions and absence of grade + 2 Bell's phenomenon were included in the symptomatic group. Bell's phenomenon was classified into five grades: grade + 2 (strong positive), grade + 1 (weak positive), grade 0 (no Bell's phenomenon, no eye movement), grade -1 (weak inverse), and grade -2 (strong inverse). Results: We detected higher frequencies of grade + 2, + 1, and 0 in individuals aged 4 - 40, 41 - 60, and > 60 years, respectively. There was a significant difference between age groups in the frequencies of different grades (P < 0.001). Pairwise analysis revealed a significantly lower frequency of grade + 2 in the age group > 60 years compared with the 4 - 20 and 21 - 40 year groups (both P < 0.05). Grade + 2 was the most frequent in both sexes. We detected grade 0 in 27.1% of men and 22.1% of women in the control group, with no significant difference in the frequencies of different grades between sexes (P > 0.05). We observed significant differences between grades with respect to the frequency of ocular surface lesions (P < 0.001). Pairwise analysis revealed a significantly higher frequency of ocular surface lesions in asymptomatic individuals with grade 0 and all four other grades (all P < 0.001). However, the frequency of ocular surface lesions was comparable between sexes (P > 0.05). Of the 40 symptomatic individuals, 28 (70%), 5 (12.5%), 4 (10%), and 3 (7.5%) had grade 0, + 1, -1, and -2, respectively. The number of symptomatic patients was higher in grade 0 (n = 28) than in other grades (grade + 1, -1, and -2: n = 12 patients), and these individuals had a higher frequency of ocular surface lesions (n = 38 lesions) than others (grade + 1, -1, and -2: 7 lesions). Conclusions: Using a simple, practical grading scale for Bell's phenomenon that includes inverse Bell's phenomenon, we observed that inverse Bell's phenomenon is a reflex that may be present in healthy individuals and could have a protective effect on the eye, although not to such a degree as a strong Bell's phenomenon. Our observations imply that bilateral conjunctival calcifications/Vogt's limbal girdle may be associated with grades 0 and + 1 Bell's phenomenon. Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the frequency of Bell's phenomenon in the general population using this innovative, simple, practical grading scale, and to identify the protective or injurious effect of each grade on the ocular surface.

A cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Turkish version of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS-MTP-IP) for the hallux.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to translate and culturally adapt the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux Metatarsophalangeal (MTP)-Interphalangeal (IP) scale, which is used for the clinical assessment of patients with hallux valgus (HV), into Turkish and to evaluate its validity and reliability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 2022 and October 2022, a total of 67 patients (18 males, 49 females; mean age: 51.5±15.9 years; range, 18 to 68 years) with HV deformity and able to communicate in Turkish were included. Following the translation of the AOFAS hallux MTP-IP scale into Turkish, its cultural appropriateness was confirmed. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), using data collected by two orthopedists. Agreement among test-retest evaluations was conducted using the Bland-Altman analysis. The construct validity of the scale was determined by the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Content validity was confirmed by the floor/ceiling effects. RESULTS: The Turkish AOFAS hallux MTP-IP had an excellent intra-rater reliability of 0.971. The intra-rater reliability of the pain, function, and alignment subscales ranged from 0.904 to 0.978. The inter-rater reliability was 0.913 for the total score, while ranging from 0.838 to 0.918 for the subscales. The total score of the AOFAS hallux MTP-IP had a high correlation with the physical domains of the MOXFQ and SF-36, while weaker correlations with mental domains were observed. No floor/ceiling effect was observed for the overall Turkish AOFAS hallux MTP-IP. CONCLUSION: The Turkish translated and culturally adapted AOFAS hallux MTP-IP scale is a valid and reliable measure, ensuring its use in assessing the clinical status of Turkish patients with HV deformity.

Is it useful to do OCTA in coronary artery disease patients to improve SYNTAX-based cardiac revascularization decision?

BACKGROUND: To investigate retinal and optic disk microcirculation using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in order to predict related outcomes based on the SYNergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score (SS) system in coronary artery disease patients. METHODS: 104 patients were grouped based on coronary angiography results: 32 chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) patients, 35 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, and 37 healthy controls. The SS system determined atherosclerosis degree and lesion-related mortality risk, followed by scoring as SYNTAX I score (SS-I) and SYNTAX II score (SS-II). Patients were further subdivided into SS-I, SS-II percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and SS-II coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) groups. Following a thorough ophthalmological examination, an OCTA Angio Retina mode (6 × 6 mm) automatically quantified retinal and optic disk microcirculation. RESULTS: The mean ages did not differ significantly among groups (p = 0.940). The outer retinal select area varied significantly among groups, with the highest values found in ACS patients (p = 0.040). Despite non-significant differences between SS-I patients and healthy controls, the former had lower capillary plexus vessel densities in all regions and in foveal vessel density 300 µm around foveal avascular zone (FD-300) (p>0.05). Vessel densities were lowest in SS-II PCI≥28.5 patients, particularly in whole (p = 0.034) and parafoveal (p = 0.009) superficial capillary plexus, and in FD-300 (p = 0.019). Vessel densities were lowest in SS-II CABG (p = 0.020), and perifoveal (p = 0.017) deep capillary plexus, and in FD-300 (p = 0.003). The outer retina flow area increased the most in SS-II CABG≥25.1 patients (p = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: Using OCTA, a non-invasive imaging technique, to assess retinal and optic disk microcirculation appears to have the potential to yield significant clinical results in the early diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular diseases.

Efficacy of corneal collagen cross-linking using a custom epithelial debridement technique in thin corneas: a confocal microscopy study.

PURPOSE: To examine the corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) effect with a customized epithelial debridement technique in thin corneas using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal microscopy. METHODS: Two patients with keratoconus who underwent a customized epithelial debridement technique (preserving the epithelium in thinner corneal regions where the deepithelialized corneal thickness was <400 µm) and subsequent CXL were examined by anterior segment OCT and in vivo confocal microscopy 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Anterior segment OCT showed the demarcation line in the peripheral deepithelialized corneal areas, but it was not detectable in the central corneal regions corresponding to the cone where the epithelium was preserved. In vivo confocal microscopy analysis revealed total loss of keratocytes together with the intense honeycomb-like stromal edema in the anterior ∼320 µm of the cornea in the deepithelialized areas. This effect was mild under the intact epithelium with preservation of keratocytes and only a mild increase in stromal reflectivity. CONCLUSIONS: In this confocal microscopy study, the corneal stroma under the intact epithelium seemed to be spared from the collagen CXL effect by the customized epithelial debridement technique.

Refractive and visual outcomes after Intacs vs ferrara intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation for keratoconus: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive, topographic, optical, visual acuity, and quality outcomes of two types of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) in the treatment of keratoconus. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 16 eyes that had been implanted with Intacs ICRS (Addition Technology Inc) (Intacs group) and 17 eyes implanted with Ferrara ICRS (Ferrara Ophthalmics Ltda) (Ferrara group) were evaluated. Pre- and postoperative examinations included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA, respectively), manifest refraction, slit-lamp examination, topography, and ocular wavefront analysis. Contrast sensitivity measurements under photopic, scotopic, and scotopic with glare conditions were performed 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: One year postoperatively, a significant decrease was noted in spherical equivalent refractive error of 3.76 ± 0.39 diopters (D) and 3.42 ± 0.88 D and keratometry of 3.43 ± 0.24 D and 3.28 ± 0.78 D in the Intacs and Ferrara groups, respectively; and increase in mean UDVA and CDVA in Snellen lines of 0.18 ± 0.04 and 0.21 ± 0.05, respectively, in the Intacs group and 0.21 ± 0.09 and 0.26 ± 0.08, respectively, in the Ferrara group (P<.01 for all). The postoperative increase in UDVA and CDVA and decrease in keratometry readings were not significantly different between groups (P>.05 for all). Mean higher order aberrations decreased in the Intacs group and increased in the Ferrara group (P>.05 for both). Postoperatively, a significant decrease was noted in scotopic contrast sensitivity when glare was introduced in the Ferrara group, which was positively correlated with pupil diameter (r(15)=0.50, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Both ICRS types provided comparable refractive, topographic, and optical quality outcomes. Eyes with Ferrara ICRS experienced greater decrease in scotopic contrast sensitivity under glare, which was significantly correlated with pupil diameter.

Transconjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy: scarless surgery without endoscope and laser assistance.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel external dacryocystorhinostomy technique with transconjunctival approach to avoid facial scarring without the use of endoscope and/or laser. METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series, 25 eyes of 22 patients with epiphora due to primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included. Lower eyelid conjunctival inferomedial vestibular incision was used to access the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa. Bone apertures were created with burr and rongeurs, and saccal and nasal flaps were anastomosed. Bicanalicular silicone intubation was done. Conjunctival wound edges were apposed and left unsutured. Intraoperative difficulties and complications are noted. Patients were followed up postoperatively for an average period of 11 months. Criteria for success were relief of epiphora and patency to irrigation. RESULTS: In 12 (48%) eyes, the surgeries were completed without complications with the formation of both the anterior and posterior flaps. Epiphora resolved in 18 of 19 eyes (94.7%) in which transconjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy could be completed. In 7 eyes (28%), only anterior flaps could be sutured. The authors needed to convert to external dacryocystorhinostomy in 6 patients (34%) during whose surgeries the nasal mucosa could not be exposed adequately via the transconjunctival route. Epiphora and failure to irrigation started in one eye (5.3%) at the postoperative fourth month and required reoperation. No complications occurred, except granuloma formation at the conjunctival incision site in 2 eyes (10.6%) and a 1-mm-long lower eyelid margin laceration in one eye (5.3%). Epiphora resolved in the remaining 6 eyes that underwent external DCR. CONCLUSION: Transconjunctival dacryocystorhinostomy, which is performed without endoscope and/or laser assistance, has a high success rate comparable to external DCR and does not leave a visible facial scar.

Which procedure has more effect on macular thickness: primary posterior continuous capsulorhexis (PPCC) combined with phacoemulsification or Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy?

To compare the effect of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and primary posterior continuous capsulorhexis (PPCC) combined with phacoemulsification on macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in adults. This prospective comparative interventional study included 32 eyes of 30 patients who underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and 33 eyes of 33 patients who underwent cataract surgery with PPCC. Detailed ocular examinations, including macular thickness measurements by OCT, were performed in all patients preoperatively and postoperatively on the 1st day, 1st week, and 1st, 3rd and 6th months. No significant differences were found in macular thickness between the two groups in preoperative and postoperative follow-up. No cystoid changes were observed in OCT during the postoperative period in both groups. Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and PPCC combined with cataract surgery are safe and effective procedures that are not associated with an increase in macular thickness.

Central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, and pupil diameter measurements using Visante OCT, Orbscan, and Pentacam.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the agreement among three different optical methods in measuring anterior chamber depth (ACD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and pupil diameter. METHODS: One hundred eyes of 50 healthy patients (25 men, 25 women) were enrolled in the study. Mean patient age was 25 years (range: 21 to 32 years). Exclusion criteria were history of any intraocular or corneal surgery, contact lens wear, corneal anomalies, and spherical refraction >5.00 diopters (D) or cylindrical refraction >2.00 D. All measurements were done by the same operator under mesopic light conditions and repeated using three different optical methods: Visante optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec), Orbscan (Bausch & Lomb), and Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH). RESULTS: Mean CCT as measured by Visante OCT, Orbscan, and Pentacam was 529+/-30.5 microm, 554+/-32.7 microm, and 552+/-29.3 microm, respectively. Mean ACD values were 2.94+/-0.34 mm, 2.84+/-0.33 mm, and 2.98+/-0.33 mm, respectively. Mean pupil diameter measurements were 4.87+/-1.09 mm, 4.0+/-0.67 mm, and 3.05+/-0.59 mm, respectively. The Visante OCT measured CCT thinner and Orbscan measured ACD shallower than the other two methods. All three methods measured pupil diameters significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: This study found some statistically significant but clinically insignificant differences among the optical methods assessed. The differences are small and do not influence decisions for refractive surgery in clinical practice.

Macular thickness changes after phacoemulsification combined with primary posterior curvilinear capsulorhexis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in central macular thickness measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after cataract surgery combined with primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC). METHODS: Forty-six eyes of 40 consecutive patients who had uneventful phacoemulsification and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation surgery with primary PCCC, taking place between August 2005 and January 2006 in Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, were enrolled. Patients with a history of previous ocular surgery, eye trauma, uveitis, or glaucoma, or any systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, were excluded from the study. None of the cases had macular pathology before surgery. OCT was performed in all patients preoperatively and postoperatively on the first day, first week, and first, third, and sixth months. RESULTS: Significant quantitative changes from the preoperative examination were observed in the postoperative first week, first month, and third month (p<0.05). The difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative sixth month central macular thickness was not statistically significant (p=0.20). The greatest change in mean macular thickness was noted in the first month visit. No patient developed cystoid macular edema. CONCLUSIONS: Because primary PCCC does not have an adverse effect on macular integrity, this procedure may be preferred especially in patients with a high risk of posterior capsular opacification.

Management of ocular complications of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH) is a multisystem disorder, characterized by the T-cell-mediated autoimmune process directed against melanocytic antigens in the ocular, nervous, auditory and integumentary systems. The ocular hallmarks of the disease involve severe bilateral panuveitis associated with exudative retinal detachment. CASE REPORT: We report a pediatric case of probable VKH Syndrome with isolated ocular findings, in which bilateral vitritis, papillitis and serous retinal detachments involving the macula with intra-retinal edema and choroideal thickening were detected. INTERVENTION: Subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection was performed in addition to systemic corticosteroid and cyclosporine treatments. Evolution Prompt improvement was seen in the ocular manifestations of VKH syndrome, which persisted for at least 4 months. Subtenon corticosteroid injection, together with systemic corticosteroid and cytotoxic treatment, prevented the ocular complications of invasive intraocular treatment modalities, and at the same time reduced the systemic corticosteroid dosage. CONCLUSION: We recommend use of ocular invasive treatment modalities in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome only if the disease progression cannot be controlled. If systemic medications fail to stop the progression of the disease activity, subtenon injections may be considered before intraocular treatment modalities.

Acute, chronic, and combined pulmonary responses to swimming in competitive swimmers.

The combined effects of swimming on the inspiratory muscles and pulmonary functions are not well known. The aim of the present study was to determine the acute, chronic, and combined effects of swimming on the pulmonary functions and respiratory muscles of competitive swimmers. Thirty males (15 in the experimental group [EG] and 15 in the control group [CG]) participated in this study. The EG subjects participated in an 8-week swim training program and performed 1 day before and after an 8-week 100-m swimming event. Pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle strength were measured immediately before and after the swimming event in the EG and before and after an 8-week period in the CG. The obtained data were analyzed using repeated measures one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference, and independent- and paired-sample t-tests. Swimming exerted negative acute effects (p < 0.05) and positive chronic effects (p < 0.05) on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions. Further, the negative acute effects decreased the combined effects of the chronic and acute effects of swimming on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions (p < 0.05). The results indicated that swimming exerts negative acute, positive chronic, and combined effects on respiratory muscle strength and pulmonary functions.