Evaluation of nailfold videocapillaroscopy in central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a diagnostic tool to evaluate micro-vasculature. The presence of choroidal vasculopathy is apparent in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at assessing capillaroscopic nailfold findings in patients with CSCR. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study assessing NVC findings in CSCR in the literature. METHOD: Sixty-one patients with CSCR who met the inclusion criteria, and 82 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included to the study. A videocapillaroscopy device with 200× magnification was used for capillaroscopic assessment. RESULTS: The mean age was 48.79 ± 11.15 years in the patient group (13 female, 48 male) and 49.38 ± 9.02 years in the control group (17 female, 65 male). The age and gender were comparable in the patient and control groups (p = 0.727 and p = 0.933, respectively). The capillary count was found to be decreased in the patient group compared to control group. No significant correlation was found between capillary count and choroidal thickness (p = 0.551; r = -0.081). In the patient group, the frequencies of major capillaroscopic findings including capillary ectasia, aneurysm, micro-hemorrhage, avascular area, tortuosity, neo-formation, bizarre capillary, bushy capillary, meander capillary and extravasation were found to be increased in the patient group. However, no significant correlation was detected between capillaroscopic findings and disease type and presence of attacks. CONCLUSIONS: This is first study in which nailfold capillary assessment was performed in patients with CSCR, and we detected major capillaroscopic changes. These findings suggest that CSCR can be a systemic microvasculopathy. Further studies are needed to clarify the diagnostic and prognostic value of capillaroscopy in CSCR.

Oculoplastic approach to congenital cutis laxa syndrome.

UNLABELLED: Cutis laxa is a rare congenital or acquired disorder of elastic tissue, characterized by loose skin with folds and multiple internal organ involvement, which may cause life-threatening complications. We present a patient with cutis laxa syndrome who had cross eyelids with esotropia. Bilateral lateral canthal tendon repositioning and bilateral medial rectus recession procedures were performed in a single session. The patient had acceptable eyelid and globe cosmesis after the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

The association between genetic polymorphism of glutathione peroxidase 1 (rs1050450) and keratoconus in a Turkish population.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential associations between keratoconus and catalase rs1001179, superoxide dismutase 2 rs4880, and glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 gene polymorphisms in a Turkish population. METHODS: The study group included 121 unrelated keratoconus patients and 94 unrelated healthy controls. Blood samples (200 ml) were collected from all patients and controls to isolate genomic DNA. Genotyping was performed to identify rs1001179, rs4880, and rs1050450 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated; their associations with keratoconus risk were assayed, and the association with keratoconus risk and demographic factors was examined. RESULTS: Glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 polymorphism was present in 41% cases compared with 29% controls (OR=1.66; 95% CI=1.11-2.50; p=0.014). No association was observed between catalase rs1001179 and SOD2 rs4880 polymorphisms and keratoconus (for all, p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated possible relationships between rs1050450, rs1001179, and rs4880 polymorphisms and keratoconus susceptibility. We found a possible association between glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 polymorphism and an increased risk of keratoconus. However, the genotype and allele frequencies were identical in the catalase rs1001179 and superoxide dismutase 2 rs4880 polymorphisms. Further studies are needed to analyze the effect of such variations in identifying keratoconus susceptibility.

Acute effect of cigarette smoking on pupil size and ocular aberrations: a pre- and postsmoking study.

Aim. To evaluate the acute effects of cigarette smoking on photopic and mesopic pupil sizes and wavefront aberrations. Methods. Cigarette smoker volunteers were recruited in the study. Photopic and mesopic pupil sizes and total ocular aberrations were measured before smoking and immediately after smoking. All volunteers were asked to smoke a single cigarette containing 1.0 mg nicotine. Pupil sizes and total ocular aberrations were assessed by optical path difference scanning system (OPD-Scan II ARK-10000, NIDEK). Only the right eyes were considered for statistical analysis. The changes of pupil size and total ocular aberrations after smoking were tested for significance by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Results. Mean photopic pupil size decreased from 3.52 ± 0.73 mm to 3.29 ± 0.58 mm (P = 0.001) after smoking. Mean mesopic pupil size was also decreased from 6.42 ± 0.75 mm to 6.14 ± 0.75 mm after smoking (P = 0.001). There was a decrease in all the measured components of aberrations (total wavefront aberration, higher-order aberration, total coma, total trefoil, total tetrafoil, total spherical aberration and total higher-order aberration) after smoking; however the differences were insignificant for all (P > 0.05). Conclusion. Our results indicate that pupil constricts after smoking. On the other hand, smoking does not alter ocular aberrations.

Eyelid tumors: clinical data from an eye center in Ankara, Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to explore the distribution of eyelid tumors in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, from a histopathological point of view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 1,502 patients who had eyelid surgery because of tumoral lesions were retrospectively reviewed after obtaining institutional review board approval. A total of 1,541 lesions with histopathologic diagnosis were included. Inflammatory tumoral lesions were excluded. The lesions were categorized into three groups according to the origin: epidermal, adnexal tumors and 'others', including melanocytic, neural and vascular lesions. RESULTS: Of the total of 1,541, 908 lesions were epidermal in origin. Only 22 (1.5%) were malignant, and 6.0% was premalignant lesions such as actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease. Twenty-one of 22 malignant lesions were basal cell carcinoma. There was only one patient with squamous cell carcinoma and no sebaceous cell carcinoma. Among the benign tumors (92.5%), squamous papilloma was the most frequent (21.8% of all lesions). The other frequent lesions were nevus (17.6%), seborrheic keratosis (17.3%), hydrocystomas (10.6%), xanthelasma (7.6%) and epidermal cysts (7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study are in accordance with published literature. The absence of sebaceous cell carcinomas needs to be stressed.

The association between genetic polymorphism of glutathione peroxidase 1 (rs1050450) and keratoconus in a Turkish population / A associação entre o polimorfismo genético da glutationa-peroxidase 1 (rs1050450) e pacientes com ceratocone em uma população turca

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate the potential associations between keratoconus and catalase rs1001179, superoxide dismutase 2 rs4880, and glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 gene polymorphisms in a Turkish population. Methods: The study group included 121 unrelated keratoconus patients and 94 unrelated healthy controls. Blood samples (200 ml) were collected from all patients and controls to isolate genomic DNA. Genotyping was performed to identify rs1001179, rs4880, and rs1050450 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotype and allele frequencies were calculated; their associations with keratoconus risk were assayed, and the association with keratoconus risk and demographic factors was examined. Results: Glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 polymorphism was present in 41% cases compared with 29% controls (OR=1.66; 95% CI=1.11-2.50; p=0.014). No association was observed between catalase rs1001179 and SOD2 rs4880 polymorphisms and keratoconus (for all, p>0.05). Conclusions: This study evaluated possible relationships between rs1050450, rs1001179, and rs4880 polymorphisms and keratoconus susceptibility. We found a possible association between glutathione peroxidase 1 rs1050450 polymorphism and an increased risk of keratoconus. However, the genotype and allele frequencies were identical in the catalase rs1001179 and superoxide dismutase 2 rs4880 polymorphisms. Further studies are needed to analyze the effect of such variations in identifying keratoconus susceptibility.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar as possíveis associações entre o ceratocone e os polimorfismos rs1001179 da catalase, rs4880 da superóxido-dismutase 2 e rs1050450 da glutationa-peroxidase 1 rs1050450 em uma população turca. Métodos: O grupo de estudo incluiu 121 pacientes com ceratocone não relacionados e 94 controles saudáveis também sem pa rentesco. Amostra de sangue (200 mL) foram coletadas de todos os pacientes e controle para isolar o DNA genômico. A genotipagem foi realizada para identificar rs1001179, rs4880 e rs1050450 utilizando a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) em tempo real. As frequências de genótipos e alelos foram calculadas, suas associações com o risco de ceratocone foram avaliadas, e a associação com risco de ceratocone e fatores demográficos foi examinada. Resultados: O polimorfismo da glutationa-peroxidase 1 rs1050450 estava presente em 41% dos casos, comparado com 29% dos controles (OR=1,66, IC 95%=1,11-2,50; p=0,014). Não foi observada associação entre o ceratocone e os polimorfismos rs1001179 e SOD2 rs4880 da catalase (para todos, p>0,05). Conclusões: Este estudo avaliou possíveis relações entre os polimorfismos rs1001179, rs4880 e suscetibilidade a cerato cone. Encontramos uma possível associação entre po limorfis mo da glutationa-peroxidase 1 rs1050450 e um risco aumentado de ceratocone. No entanto, o genótipo e as frequências alélicas foram idênticas nos polimorfismos rs1001179 da catalase e superóxido-dismutase 2 rs4880. Mais estudos são necessários para esclarecer o efeito dessas va riações na detecção da sus cetibilidade ao ceratocone.

Color vision versus pattern visual evoked potentials in the assessment of subclinical optic pathway involvement in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Optic pathway involvement in multiple sclerosis is frequently the initial sign in the disease process. In most clinical applications, pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) is used in the assessment of optic pathway involvement. OBJECTIVE: To question the value of PVEP against color vision assessment in the diagnosis of subclinical optic pathway involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 20 multiple sclerosis patients without a history of optic neuritis, and 20 healthy control subjects. Farnsworth-Munsell (FM) 100-Hue testing and PVEPs to 60-min arc and 15-min arc checks by using Roland-Consult RetiScan® system were performed. P 100 amplitude, P 100 latency in PVEP and total error scores (TES) in FM 100-Hue test were assessed. RESULTS: Expanded Disability Status Scale score and the time from diagnosis were 2.21 ± 2.53 (ranging from 0 to 7) and 4.1 ± 4.4 years. MS group showed significantly delayed P 100 latency for both checks (P < 0.001). Similarly, MS patients had significantly increased total error scores (TES) in FM-100 Hue (P < 0.001). The correlations between TESs and PVEP amplitudes / latencies were insignificant for both checks (P > 0.05 for all). 14 MS patients (70%) had an increased TESs in FM-100 Hue, 11 (55%) MS patients had delayed P 100 latency and 9 (45%) had reduced P 100 amplitude. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.944 for FM-100 Hue test, 0.753 for P 100 latency, and 0.173 for P 100 amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Color vision testing seems to be more sensitive than PVEP in detecting subclinical visual pathway involvement in MS.

Doxorubicin-induced cataract formation in rats and the inhibitory effects of hazelnut, a natural antioxidant: a histopathological study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether hazelnut prevents doxorubicin-induced experimental cataract in rats. MATERIAL/METHODS: Seventy-five 4-week-old male Wistar albino rats were randomized into 5 equal groups. Beginning from 6 weeks of age, the groups were treated with intraperitoneal injections of saline solution or doxorubicin (DR) for 4 weeks. Group 1 received saline solution (0.5 ml/200 g) weekly, groups 2 and 4 a cumulative dose of 6 mg/kg (1.5 mg/kg/week) of DR, and groups 3 and 5 received a cumulative dose of 12 mg/kg (3 mg/kg/week) DR. All the rats were fed ad libitum with a 24% protein rodent chow. Groups 4 and 5 were additionally fed 5 g/day hazelnut. At the end of the tenth week the rats were sacrificed and cataract development was investigated histopathologically. The groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: All control lenses (group 1) were macroscopically clear. Cataractous changes were noted in 7 eyes (47%) in group 2 and in 10 (67%) in group 3 (p=0.01). Groups 3 and 5 had cataractous changes in 4 (27%) and 5 (33%) eyes, respectively (p=0.001). The cataract development ratio was different between groups 2 and 4 (p=0.013), while there was no such difference between groups 3 and 5 (p=0.053). Histopathological findings suggesting cataractogenesis were eosinophilic degeneration, cortical lens-fiber cell swelling, and the retention of nuclei in central fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Hazelnut prevented doxorubicin-induced cataract in low doses. Since it has no known harmful effect on healthy cells, it may be beneficial in humans.