Optical coherence tomography angiography in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the evidence for alterations of blood flow, vascular and perfusion densities in the choroid, macula, peripapillary region, and the area surrounding the optic nerve head (ONH) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) based on changes of OCTA parameters. METHODS: A systematic review of Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus, WOS, Cochrane, and Embase databases, including quality assessment of published studies, investigating the alterations of OCTA parameters in TAO patients was conducted. The outcomes of interest comprised changes of perfusion and vascular densities in radial peripapillary capillary (RPC), ONH, superficial and deep retinal layers (SRL and DRL), choriocapillaris (CC) flow, and the extent of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ). RESULTS: From the total of 1253 articles obtained from the databases, the pool of papers was narrowed down to studies published until March 20th, 2024. Lastly, 42 studies were taken into consideration which contained the data regarding the alterations of OCTA parameters including choriocapillary vascular flow, vascular and perfusion densities of retinal microvasculature, SRL, and DRL, changes in macular all grid sessions, changes of foveal, perifoveal and parafoveal densities, macular whole image vessel density (m-wiVD) and FAZ, in addition to alterations of ONH and RPC whole image vessel densities (onh-wiVD and rpc-wiVD) among TAO patients. The correlation of these parameters with visual field-associated parameters, such as Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Visual field mean defect (VF-MD), axial length (AL), P100 amplitude, and latency, was also evaluated among TAO patients. CONCLUSION: The application of OCTA has proven helpful in distinguishing active and inactive TAO patients, as well as differentiation of patients with or without DON, indicating the potential promising role of some OCTA measures for early detection of TAO with high sensitivity and specificity in addition to preventing the irreversible outcomes of TAO. OCTA assessments have also been applied to evaluate the effectiveness of TAO treatment approaches, including systemic corticosteroid therapy and surgical decompression.

Clinical effectiveness of combined whole body hyperthermia and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) versus EBRT alone in patients with painful bony metastases: A phase III clinical trial study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the response rate, pain relief duration, and time it took for pain to decline or resolve after radiation therapy (RT) with or without fever-range Whole Body Hyperthermia (WBH) in bony metastatic patients with mainly primary tumor of prostate and breast cancer leading to bone pain. MATERIALS & METHODS: Bony metastatic patients with pain score ≥4 on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) underwent RT of 30 Gy in 10 fractions in combination with WBH with nursing care under medical supervision versus RT-alone. WBH application time was 3-4 h in three fractions with at least 48-h intervals. All patients were stratified primary site, breast or prostate cancer vs others, BPI score, and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR) (BPI equal to zero with no increase of analgesics) within two months of follow-up. RESULTS: Based on this study, the RT-alone group showed the worst pain. The study was terminated after the enrollment of a total of 61 patients, 5 years after the first enrollment (April 2016 to February 2021). Finally, the CR rate in RT + WBH revealed the most significant difference with RT-alone, 47.4% versus 5.3% respectively within 2 months post-treatment (P-value <0.05). The time of complete pain relief was 10 days for RT + WBH, while the endpoint was not reached during the RT-alone arm. Pain progression or stable disease was observed in half of the patients in RT-alone group within 4 weeks after treatment. However, this score was near zero in RT + WBHT patients in two months post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: WBH plus RT showed significant increases in pain relief and shorter response time in comparison with RT-alone for patients with bone metastatic lesions.

Clinical application of biomaterials in orbital implants: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Various materials have been proposed for reconstructing orbital fractures. The materials used must meet certain criteria to ensure their suitability for restoring the structure and function of the organ. These criteria include biocompatibility, ease of application, non-toxicity, hypo-allergenicity, and non-carcinogenicity. In this study, we systematically reviewed the studies regarding the biomaterials in orbital implants and their clinical application. METHODS: A comprehensive search across various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, was conducted until April 10th, 2023. After retrieving the search results and eliminating duplicates, final studies were included after screening through defined criteria. Human and animal studies assessing the clinical application of biomaterials in orbital implants were included. The quality of the case series and controlled intervention studies were evaluated using the NIH tool, and for animal studies, the risk of bias was assessed using SYRCLE's tool. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included according to defined criteria. These studies aimed to explore the clinical application of biomaterials and examine the associated complications in orbital implants. CONCLUSION: We found that using biomaterials did not result in elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). However, we did observe certain complications, with infection, residual diplopia, and enophthalmos being the most frequently reported issues.

Orbital histiocytosis; From A to Z.

PURPOSE: Histiocytosis is one of the most challenging diseases in medical practice. Because of the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, systemic involvements, unknown etiology, and complex management, different types of histiocytosis are still a big question mark for us. Orbital histiocytosis is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of histiocytes in orbital tissues. It could affect the orbit, eyelid, conjunctiva, and uveal tract. Orbital histiocytosis can cause limited eye movement, proptosis, decreased visual acuity, and epiphora. In this study, we review the novel findings regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of different types of histiocytosis, focusing on their orbital manifestations. METHOD: This review was performed based on a search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases or relevant published papers regarding orbital histiocytosis on October 9th, 2023. No time restriction was proposed, and articles were excluded if they were not referenced in English. RESULTS: 391 articles were screened, most of them being case reports. The pathophysiology of histiocytosis is still unclear. However, different mutations are found to be prevalent in most of the patients. The diagnostic path can be different based on various factors such as age, lesion site, type of histiocytosis, and the stage of the disease. Some modalities, such as corticosteroids and surgery, are used widely for treatment. On the other hand, based on some specific etiological factors for each type, alternative treatments have been proposed. CONCLUSION: Significant progress has been made in the detection of somatic molecular changes. Many case studies describe various disease patterns influencing the biological perspectives on different types of histiocytosis. It is necessary to continue investigating and clustering data from a broad range of patients with histiocytosis in children and adults to define the best ways to diagnose and treat these patients.

Unusual orbital mucormycosis due to pecking injury: clinical characteristics and outcomes of four immunocompetent pediatric patients.

Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection caused by fungi in the order of Mucorales. Orbital mucormycosis occurs more frequently in rhino-orbital, sino-orbital, and rhino-orbito-cerebral forms of the disease, while isolated orbital mucormycosis is much less common. Herein, we present four cases of immunocompetent children who developed primary cutaneous mucormycosis, which subsequently invaded and progressed to orbital mucormycosis following direct traumatic injury caused by pecking from Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna). Given the low prevalence of orbital mucormycosis in healthy children, an unknown source of infection and delayed diagnosis followed by late therapeutic interventions could result in life-threatening conditions and serious sequelae.

One-year outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscogoniosynechialysis with and without endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscogoniosynechialysis (VGSL) with and without endoscopic cyclophtocoagulation (ECP) in primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: In this prospective interventional case series 52 eyes of 50 patients were enrolled. Twenty-seven eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and VGSL (PV group) and 25 eyes underwent the same procedure plus circumferential ECP (PVE group). All eyes were followed 1 day, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after the procedure. Intraocular pressure and antiglaucoma medications were compared between and within groups using generalized estimating equations. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was carried out to compare intensity to failure between groups. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age was 63.23 ± 6.87 years and 50% of the cases were male in the entire group. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and antiglaucoma medications were significantly reduced at all time points in comparison with the baseline in both groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in either IOP or medications at specific time points (p > 0.05). One eye in each group developed a fibrinous reaction in the postoperative period. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the intensity to failure (P = 0.169). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in IOP and medication reduction between groups. Also, the complications were comparable between groups.

Orbital histiocytosis and fibrohistiocytosis: the clinicopathological characteristics of 117 patients, over a decade of experience.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinicopathological features of a large cohort of patients with orbital histiocytoses and fibrohistiocytosis, such as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and non-LCH disorders, and correlate patients' clinical characteristics with their pathological diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective study, medical records of patients presenting to Farabi Eye Hospital, a tertiary eye care center in Tehran, Iran, from 2010 until 2022, were reviewed. Patients' demographics, chief complaint, location and laterality of the tumor, best-corrected visual acuity, presence of bone erosion on imaging, and their pathological diagnosis were retrieved. Excisional biopsy was performed and evaluated through light microscopy and immunohistochemistry study for their respective markers, including CD1a, CD68, CD207, and S100. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients with 11 pathological subtypes of histiocytoses and fibrohistiocyosis were identified, with 56.4% male and 43.6% female patients. The mean age at presentation was 23.4 years (range 1.5 months-73 years). Swelling and palpable mass were the most common chief complaints. LCH was the most common pathology (32.5%), followed by juvenile xanthogranuloma (26.5%) and adult xanthogranuloma (21.4%). Age, lesion location, and bone erosion had a statistically significant difference among the various diagnosed subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Histiocytoses and fibrohistiocytosis are diverse and rare disorders potentially involving multiple organ systems. Ophthalmic manifestations of these diseases are even more uncommon. We reviewed their orbital presentation along with their respective histopathological findings. Our results also suggested that an orbital CT scan can be of diagnostic value to discriminate LCH from other histiocytic pathologies.

Hookah is the enemy of health campaign: a campaign for prevention of hookah smoking among youth.

Hookah smoking is now a serious health threat especially for adolescents. Implementation of planned interventions can help reduce hookah smoking. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a campaign Hookah is the Enemy of Health Campaign (HEHC) based on the protection motivation theory to prevent hookah smoking among the youth in Sirjan city, in 2018. This was a pre- and post-intervention study. Participants were 280 male and female youth who were selected randomly through the health centers of Sirjan. The educational campaign was conducted during 3 months and participants were trained through interpersonal, group, organizational and community channels and mass media. Data were collected by filling out a questionnaire (containing 64 questions) by the participant before the intervention and 3 months after. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank test by SPSS20 software. The prevalence of hookah smoking was 44.3% in the target group. There was a significant change in the mean scores of knowledge and perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, response efficiency, self-efficacy, rewards, fear and protection motivation after the HEHC (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the structure of perceived cost (p > 0.05). Also, the prevalence of hookah smoking among the target group for those who had ever consumed decreased from 8.9 to 4% and for those who used it occasionally decreased from 35 to 19.4%. The HEHC was effective in reducing hookah smoking, raising knowledge and improving the constructs of the protection motivation theory among the youth of Sirjan.

Using Machine Learning to Train a Wearable Device for Measuring Students' Cognitive Load during Problem-Solving Activities Based on Electrodermal Activity, Body Temperature, and Heart Rate: Development of a Cognitive Load Tracker for Both Personal and Classroom Use.

Automated tracking of physical fitness has sparked a health revolution by allowing individuals to track their own physical activity and health in real time. This concept is beginning to be applied to tracking of cognitive load. It is well known that activity in the brain can be measured through changes in the body's physiology, but current real-time measures tend to be unimodal and invasive. We therefore propose the concept of a wearable educational fitness (EduFit) tracker. We use machine learning with physiological data to understand how to develop a wearable device that tracks cognitive load accurately in real time. In an initial study, we found that body temperature, skin conductance, and heart rate were able to distinguish between (i) a problem solving activity (high cognitive load), (ii) a leisure activity (moderate cognitive load), and (iii) daydreaming (low cognitive load) with high accuracy in the test dataset. In a second study, we found that these physiological features can be used to predict accurately user-reported mental focus in the test dataset, even when relatively small numbers of training data were used. We explain how these findings inform the development and implementation of a wearable device for temporal tracking and logging a user's learning activities and cognitive load.

The application of geographic information systems (ArcGIS) in selecting locations for installing banners and billboards in a health campaign.

In recent years, the geographic information system (GIS) application has used the latest spatial data to help researchers make the right decisions in the shortest time. This study was conducted with the aim of using geographic information systems (ArcGIS) for selecting the best location for installing banners and billboards in a health campaign. This research was an analytical and applied research conducted in Sirjan city, Iran in 2018. In this research, GIS and fuzzy logic methods were used. In order to implement the fuzzy operator in the GIS environment, initially, the main influencing criteria in location selection were determined. Then the weighted layers were put on top of each other and, by considering the sub criteria, the most suitable places to install banners and billboards were identified in the final map. The final map showed the best places to install billboards and educational banners for the 'hookah is the enemy of health' campaign. The final number of these places was 30 according to the main criteria, and the number was reduced to 25 places, after considering the sub criteria. ArcGIS can be used in selecting the best locations for installing banners and billboards in a health campaign.

The impact of educational intervention based on the health belief model on observing standard precautions among emergency center nurses in Sirjan, Iran.

Providing health care services has always been considered as a hazardous job due to a number of reasons. The risk of blood-borne viruses and the importance of their prevention has led to the formulation of principles called standard precautions (SPs). The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of an educational intervention based on the Health Belief Model constructs on the behavior of nurses in emergency centers regarding observing SPs in Sirjan, Iran. This was a quasi-experimental study. The study population included 100 emergency personnel working in health centers in Sirjan city (of Iran), who were randomly divided into two intervention (n = 50) and control (n = 50) groups. The educational intervention was conducted over two sessions each lasting for 60 min. Information was collected by a questionnaire (with 64 questions), completed in an interview conducted directly before the intervention and 3 months later. Data were analyzed using the χ2 test, t-test and paired t-test.The results showed nurses did not have enough information about SPs, but after the intervention, knowledge scores increased in both groups. In the Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, significant differences were observed in perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy, after the intervention, in the intervention group (P < 0.001), but not in the control group (P > 0.05). HBM was effective in educating SPs among emergency personnel.

Immunological Responses of Sesamia cretica to Ferula ovina Essential Oil.

The current research was performed aiming to investigate the effects of Ferula ovina essential oil on the fourth instar larval hemogram of Sesamia cretica. Four main sorts of circulating hemocytes, including prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes (GRs), and oenocytoides, were identified in the fourth instar larvae. Treatment of the larvae with the concentration of 1000 ppm of the essential oil led to an enhancement of the total hemocyte and GR count followed by a dose-dependent decrease at the concentrations of 2500 and 7000 ppm. Plasmatocyte numbers declined in all the treatments with more significant effects at increased doses. The greatest numbers of GRs, plasmatocytes, and total hemocytes were found after 48 h of treatment. The highest phenol-oxidase activity was recorded 12 h after treatment at the concentration of 2500 ppm. The highest effect on nodule formation was exerted by the concentration of 7000 ppm 12 h after treatment. The results of the present study clearly indicated that the treatment of larvae by the essential oil of F. ovina decreased the numbers of total and differential hemocyte counts although phenol-oxidase activity and the number of nodules showed no decline in the treated larvae. These results demonstrated that Ferula ovina essential oil has a significant effect on the immune ability of the studied insect and can be useful and usable for future research to practical management of this pest.

Validation and evaluation of school-based mental health literacy training program "The Guide Cymru" in Iranian adolescent students aged 13-15: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Schools are an ideal setting for enhancing mental health literacy, a crucial strategy for improving adolescents' mental health knowledge and attitudes and promoting help-seeking. "The Guide Cymru" program is an adaptation of the mental health literacy program" The Guide" that was developed in Canada. The program will be culturally adapted for 13- to 15-year-old Iranian adolescent students in the first secondary schools. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, using the stratified random sampling procedure, the whole eighth and ninth grade student body (aged 13 to 15) from Sirjan City's first secondary schools will be included in the study. Twenty first secondary schools will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: control or intervention. Finally, 562 students and 40 teachers will participate in the research. The tools of mental health literacy scale (MHLs), mental health general knowledge and attitudes related to mental disorders/illnesses are employed in this study. DISCUSSION: This trial aims to be to explore whether "The Guide Cymru", a mental health literacy program offered to students as part of the school curriculum, can decrease the stigma associated with mental health and promote help-seeking behaviors among students.

The effect of probiotics and casein supplementation on aerobic capacity parameters of male soccer players.

BACKGROUND: In the realm of sports science, nutrition is a well-established pillar for athletes' training, performance, and post-workout recovery. However, the role of gut microbiota, often overlooked, is a novel and intriguing aspect that can significantly impact athletic performance. With this in mind, our study ventures into uncharted territory, investigating the effect of probiotic and casein supplementation on the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. METHOD: A double-blinded and placebo-controlled study was conducted with 44 male soccer players (Age: 22.81 ± 2.76 yr, Height: 177.90 ± 6.75 cm, Weight: 67.42 ± 8.44 kg). The participants were subjected to the Bruce test in the beginning; then, they were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of 11 people: probiotics (PRO), casein (CAS), probiotics with casein (PRO+CAS), and placebo (PLA). PRO group was given one probiotic capsule (containing strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BP06, Lacticaseibacillus casei BP07, Lactobacillus acidophilus BA05, Lactobacillus delbrueckii BD08 bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium infantis BI04, Bifidobacterium longum BL03, Bifidobacterium breve BB02 and Streptococcus salivarius thermophilus BT01, with a total dose of 4.5 × 1011 CFU) during dinner, while the CAS group consumed 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The PRO+CAS group was given one probiotic capsule during dinner and 20 grams of casein powder 45 minutes before bed. The participants in the PLA group were given one red capsule (containing 5 grams of starch) during dinner. All participants were instructed to take the supplements only on training days, three times a week for four weeks. The maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), Ventilatory Threshold (VT), Time-to-exhaustion (TTE), Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP), Isocapnic area Time (Time-IC), Isocapnic area oxygen consumption (VO2-IC), and Hypocapnic Hyperventilation area Time (Time-HHV), after the Bruce test were Measured. All data were analyzed using SPSS Windows software, mixed repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc test at p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: The current study's findings illustrated that, after the intervention, TTE (p = 0.01) and RCP (p = 0.01) were significantly improved in PRO+CAS compared to the PLA group. No significant difference was observed between PRO and PLA (p = 0.52), PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.9), CAS and PLA (p = 0.65), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.73) in TTE. In addition, no significant difference was observed between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PLA (p = 0.40), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999), CAS and PLA (p = 0.263), CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.999) in RCP. Time-HHV was significantly higher in PRO+CAS (p = 0.000) and CAS (p = 0.047) compared to the PLA group. However, no significant difference was observed in the Time-HHV between PRO and CAS (p = 0.999), PRO and PRO+CAS (p = 0.25), PRO and PLA (p = 0.12), and CAS and PRO+CAS (p = 0.57). Additionally, all the groups had no significant differences in VO2max, VT1, VO2-IC and Time-IC. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that consuming probiotics and casein could relatively improve the aerobic capacity of male soccer players. Nevertheless, simultaneous consumption of probiotics and casein had a more pronounced effect on aerobic capacity indicators, especially TTE and Time-HHV.

Hemicentral retinal vein occlusion in a patient with a history of coronavirus disease 2019 infection: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Considering the various manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 and its imperative importance in terms of the right clinical approach and early management, we sought to present a hemicentral retinal vein occlusion case, with a history of heterozygosity of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes and potential for clotting complications as a late manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019, and provide a brief review of reported retinal vein occlusion cases in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35-year-old Iranian patient presented with a visual impairment in the left eye 4 months after recovering from coronavirus disease 2019. He reported a mild blurring of vision in the same eye a few days after admission due to coronavirus disease 2019. The ophthalmic evaluation was compatible with hemicentral retinal vein occlusion. Systemic and laboratory workups were negative except for borderline protein C activity, homocysteine levels, and heterozygosity of MTHFR genes. The patient was scheduled to receive three monthly intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injections. CONCLUSION: We present a case of inferior hemicentral retinal vein occlusion case with an MTHFR mutation with sequential loss of vision 4 months after coronavirus disease 2019 to make clinicians aware of the possibility of late ocular coronavirus disease 2019 manifestations.

Artificial Intelligence and Infectious Keratitis: Where Are We Now?

Infectious keratitis (IK), which is one of the most common and catastrophic ophthalmic emergencies, accounts for the leading cause of corneal blindness worldwide. Different pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, can cause IK. The diagnosis and etiology detection of IK pose specific challenges, and delayed or incorrect diagnosis can significantly worsen the outcome. Currently, this process is mainly performed based on slit-lamp findings, corneal smear and culture, tissue biopsy, PCR, and confocal microscopy. However, these diagnostic methods have their drawbacks, including experience dependency, tissue damage, cost, and time consumption. Diagnosis and etiology detection of IK can be especially challenging in rural areas or in countries with limited resources. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has opened new windows in medical fields such as ophthalmology. An increasing number of studies have utilized AI in the diagnosis of anterior segment diseases such as IK. Several studies have demonstrated that AI algorithms can diagnose and detect the etiology of IK accurately and fast, which can be valuable, especially in remote areas and in countries with limited resources. Herein, we provided a comprehensive update on the utility of AI in IK.

Bilateral central serous retinal detachment in a patient with nephrotic syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of considering nephrotic syndrome as a potential underlying cause of bilateral central serous retinal detachment in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and to underscore the significance of a comprehensive systemic workup in these patients. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old Iranian female patient with history of systemic lupus erythematosus presented with progressive vision loss and bilateral macular elevation. Ophthalmic examination revealed periorbital edema, chemosis, and subretinal fluid at the macula of both eyes. Optical coherence tomography confirmed the existence of subretinal fluid and serous detachment located at the macula of both eyes. On fluorescein angiography, there were no signs of subretinal leakage such as smoke stack sign or expansile dot in late phases. Laboratory tests detected hypoalbuminemia and significant proteinuria, leading to the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Treatment with prednisolone and albumin infusion resulted in improved visual acuity and resolution of subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: Nephrotic syndrome can be a rare underlying cause of bilateral central serous retinal detachment, and its association with systemic lupus erythematosus should be considered. Hypoalbuminemia in nephrotic syndrome alters fluid dynamics in the retina, contributing to bilateral central serous retinal detachment. Early recognition and management of nephrotic syndrome are essential for vision recovery and preventing long-term complications.

Short term choroidal microvascular changes following photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by focal serous detachment of the retina, primarily affecting the macula. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is the best choice for treatment of chronic and recurrent patients. In this study we aim to evaluate the early effects of the half dose protocol (3 mg/m2 verteporfine) of PDT laser treatment on the micro vasculature of choroid. METHODS: Among thirty-one patients (62 eyes), twenty eyes were in the control group and forty-two eyes received PDT laser treatment. Vision log MAR, CMT (central macular thickness), SRF (sub retinal fluid), BCT (baseline choroidal thickness), CVI (choroidal vascular index), and laser treated area were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Results show that no strong correlation was detected between the impact of laser treatment and resolution of SRF in the first week in the fovea. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the patients significantly increased from 20/63 at the beginning of the study, according to the Snellen chart, to 20/49 in the first week and 20/38 in the sixth week. PDT can significantly reduce SRF and CMT in 6 weeks compared to the control group. Although there was initially a small, non-statistically significant increase in choroidal thickness and CVI after 1 week, a dramatic decrease occurs after 6 weeks. Therefore, after 6 weeks of PDT laser, all the indicators such as SRF, CMT, choroidal thickness, and CVI significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: PDT laser can significantly reduce SRF and CMT at 1 and 6 weeks and choroidal thickness and CVI at 6 weeks in chronic CSC patients. Also, a larger laser treated area has no impact on the final outcome. Therefore, it seems that the mechanism of PDT in CSC disease is the recovery of choriocapillaris circulation.

The effect of povidone-iodine 2% eye drops in the treatment of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.

BACKGROUND: Keratoconjunctivitis is one of the most common pathologies worldwide, caused by several infectious and noninfectious factors. This study aimed to determine the effect of povidone-iodine 2% eye drops in treating adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. METHODS: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on patients referred to Farabi Eye Hospital Records of patients with adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, more than 12 years of age, and no allergy to iodine who were treated by povidone-iodine 2% eye drops four times a day were assessed. Data included demographic characteristics, family history of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, follicular conjunctivitis, petechial conjunctival hemorrhages, periauricular lymphadenopathy, and the presence of conjunctival pseudomembrane were collected from the records. Discharge decrease, injection decrease, swelling decrease, pseudomembrane formation, periauricular lymphadenopathy, and subepithelial infiltration on the 7thday of assessment by physical examination were reported. RESULTS: Patients with a mean (±standard deviation) age of 33.77 (11.01) years were assessed. At the baseline, 95 (99.0%) follicular conjunctivitis, 94 (97.9%) petechial conjunctival hemorrhages, 29 (30.2%) periauricular lymphadenopathy, and 5 (5.2%) conjunctival pseudomembrane were recorded. On the 7thday of treatment, the discharge decreased in 92.7% of patients, and the injection decreased in 90.6%. The swelling decrease was also detected in 79.2% of patients. Subepithelial infiltration was only seen in 21.9% of the study population. Results showed that 2.1% of patients had periauricular lymphadenopathy, and only 13 out of 96 patients (13.5%) had pseudomembrane formation after 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the safety, availability, and tolerability of povidone-iodine and its promising effects on patients with adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, further clinical trials assessing the impact of this drug in a longer duration of follow-up can be recommended.