Selenium Protects ARPE-19 and ACBRI 181 Cells against High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), can cause severe visual loss. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a crucial role in retinal physiology but is vulnerable to oxidative damage. We investigated the protective effects of selenium (Se) on retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) and primary human retinal microvascular endothelial (ACBRI 181) cells against high glucose (HG)-induced oxidative stress and apoptotic cascade. To achieve this objective, we utilized varying concentrations of D-glucose (ranging from 5 to 80 mM) to induce the HG model. HG-induced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 and ACBRI 181 cells and the apoptotic cascade were evaluated by determining Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase-3/-9 activation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LP), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and apoptosis levels. A cell viability assay utilizing MTT was conducted to ascertain the optimal concentration of Se to be employed. The quantification of MTT, ROS, VEGF levels, and caspase-3 and -9 activation was accomplished using a plate reader. To quantitatively assess LP and GSH levels, GSH-Px activities were utilized by spectrophotometer and apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores were evaluated by spectrofluorometer. Our investigation revealed a significant augmentation in oxidative stress induced by HG, leading to cellular damage through modulation of mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS levels, and intracellular Ca2+ release. Incubation with Se resulted in a notable reduction in ROS production induced by HG, as well as a reduction in apoptosis and the activation of caspase-3 and -9. Additionally, Se incubation led to decreased levels of VEGF and LP while concurrently increasing levels of GSH and GSH-Px. The findings from this study strongly suggest that Se exerts a protective effect on ARPE-19 and ACBRI 181 cells against HG-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. This protective mechanism is partially mediated through the intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Changes in higher-order aberrations after vitrectomy for vitreomacular interface diseases.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ocular wavefront aberrations after vitrectomy in patients with vitreomacular interface diseases. METHODS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients with vitreomacular interface diseases were included in this prospective study. A Sirius topographer (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, Germany) was used to measure corneal aberrations and a Hartmann Shack aberrometer (IRX-3; Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) to measure ocular aberrations. Data were recorded at baseline and 3 months after vitrectomy. RESULTS: Eight patients were excluded due to the formation of cataract during the post-operation follow-up period. Data of 22 eyes (13 eyes with epiretinal membrane, two eyes with epiretinal membrane with vitreomacular traction, one eye with vitreomacular traction, and six eyes with macular hole) were analyzed for the study. The corneal aberrations such as coma, trefoil, spherical aberration, and root mean square of total higher-order aberrations did not significantly change after vitrectomy. The preoperative ocular aberrations such as coma 0.33 (0.14-0.47) µm, trefoil 0.28 (0.15-0.44) µm, root mean square of higher-order aberrations 0.51 (0.45-0.68) µm, root mean square of total aberrations 1.38 (1.16-2.60) µm were significantly reduced to 0.21 (0.14-0.29) µm, 0.20 (0.14-0.30) µm, 0.36 (0.21-0.52) µm, 0.15 (1.13-1.41) µm, respectively, after vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: The ocular higher-order aberrations were significantly reduced after vitreomacular surgery for vitreomacular interface diseases.

Change in Accommodation and Ocular Aberrations in Keratoconus Patients Fitted With Scleral Lenses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accommodative response to different accommodative stimulus and to determine the changes in ocular higher-order aberrations with accommodation in keratoconus patients fitted with mini scleral lenses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 15 keratoconus patients wearing mini scleral lenses (Misa Scleral Lens-Microlens, Arnhem, the Netherlands) and 15 keratoconus patients wearing rigid gas permeable lenses. Hartmannn Shack aberrometer (IRX-3; Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) was used for the evaluation of accommodation. Accommodative responses to the accommodative stimulus ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 diopters (D) with intervals of 0.5 D were recorded. Spherical, coma, trefoil aberration, and root mean square (RMS) of total higher-order aberrations (HOAs, third to sixth orders) at baseline, at 2.5 D stimulus, and at 5 D stimulus were also recorded. RESULTS: Although accommodative response to accommodative stimulus of 0.5 to 2.5 D (with 0.5 D intervals) was similar in both groups, accommodative response to accommodative stimulus of 3.0 to 5.0 D was significantly lower in keratoconus group wearing mini scleral lenses. The coma, spherical, trefoil aberrations, and the RMS of total HOAs at baseline, at 2.5 D stimulus, and at 5 D stimulus were not significantly different between the groups. However, changes in the coma and trefoil aberrations and RMS of total HOA with 2.5 D and 5.0 D stimulus were significant only in the RGP group. CONCLUSIONS: Accommodative response to increasing accommodative stimulus was found to be impaired in keratoconus patients wearing mini scleral lenses.

Protective effects of melatonin and memantine in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells against 2-ethylpyridine-induced oxidative stress: implications for age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE: To investigate the possible protective effects of melatonin and memantine (MMT) against 2-ethylpyridine (2-EP)-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in human RPE (ARPE-19) cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ARPE-19 cells were divided into seven groups. Oxidative stress was triggered by incubating the ARPE-19 cells with 30 µM of 2-EP for 24 h. Then, 200 µM of melatonin was administered over three days and 20 µM of MMT over six hours prior to the experiment. The effects of melatonin and MMT on the intracellular calcium release mechanism, reactive oxygen species production, caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor levels were measured. RESULTS: Melatonin and MMT were found to significantly decrease apoptosis levels. The intracellular calcium release was regulated by both melatonin and MMT. Further, melatonin and MMT significantly decreased both caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, as well as pro-caspase and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase expression, in ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, melatonin significantly increased the protective effect of MMT. The combination of melatonin and MMT significantly decreased 2-EP-induced oxidative toxicity and apoptosis by inhibiting the intracellular reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial depolarization levels. CONCLUSIONS: These notable findings are the first to demonstrate the synergistic protective effects of melatonin and MMT against 2-EP-induced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells.

Influence of serous retinal detachment on the outcome of ranibizumab treatment in diabetic macular oedema.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of serous retinal detachment (SRD) on the outcome of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) therapy in diabetic macular oedema (DME). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one eyes with cystoid macular oedema (CME) and SRD (study group) and 57 eyes with only CME (control group) that received pro re nata (PRN) IVR injections during a 6-month period were retrospectively evaluated. The outcome measures included changes in the central macular thickness (CMT) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and injection numbers. RESULTS: The mean initial CMT in the study and control groups was 467 ± 101 and 440 ± 89 µm, respectively. The mean BCVA in the study and control groups was 0.75 ± 0.38 and 0.59 ± 0.36 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR), respectively (p = 0.010). The study group received a mean of 2.2 ± 0.92 injections, whereas the control group received a mean of 2.54 ± 0.9 injections. The decrease in CMT was greater, but not significantly greater, in the study group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The presence of SRD resulted in a less favourable visual acuity (VA) outcome with IVR. Disruption of the ellipsoid zone and abnormality of the foveal avascular zone at the baseline examination were correlated with a lower VA. Both of the pathologies occurred more frequently in the SRD group.

Evaluation of the acute changes in objective accommodation, pupil size and ocular wavefront aberrations after cigarette smoking.

CONTEXT: The acute effects of cigarette smoking on pupil size and ocular wavefront aberrations (OWA) have been previously documented. The accommodation status of the eye is well known to be related to ocular aberrations. No previous study has evaluated the impact of cigarette smoking on the accommodation status of the eye. This study presents intriguing findings regarding the changes in objective accommodation of the eye after cigarette smoking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute changes in objective accommodation and OWA after cigarette smoking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 otherwise healthy cigarette smoker participants were included in this prospective study. All subjects smoked a single cigarette containing 1 mg nicotine. Measurements of pupil size, OWA and objective accommodation were done before and after smoking. A Wavefront Aberrometer device (Irx3, Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) was used for the measurements. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 36.6 ± 10.3 years (range 21-51 years). Pupil size did not significantly differ before (mean 5.72 ± 1.21 mm) and after smoking (mean 5.68 ± 1.14 mm) (p = 0.62). However, a significant decrease was observed in total spherical aberration (TSA) of the eye after smoking (p = 0.01). There was an increase in objective accommodation after smoking at each accommodative stimulus (range 0-5). This increment was significant at 2 D (p = 0.02) and 3 D (p = 0.03) of stimulus. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The TSA of the eye significantly decreases after smoking. Cigarette smoking also causes a significant increase in objective accommodation at 2 D and 3 D of stimulus.

Surgical outcomes of patients with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome: a case series.

The purpose of this study is to report the intermediate-term surgical outcomes of patients with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome-related glaucoma. The medical records of four patients (five eyes) surgery (Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation surgery and EX-PRESS mini shunt) were retrospectively reviewed. Median follow-up after glaucoma surgery was 24 (15-36) months. The preoperative intraocular pressure was significantly reduced from a median of 33 (22.5-36) mmHg on a median of 4 (4-5) glaucoma medications to a median of 12 (10.5-14.5) mmHg on a median of 2 (0-2) medications at last follow-up after surgery (p = 0.043 for IOP and p = 0.042 for glaucoma medications). Median preoperative visual acuity [0.016 (0.008-0.1)] did not change significantly when compared to median visual acuity at last follow-up [0.016 (0.004-0.5)] (p = 0.59). Intraocular pressure control in patients with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome is challenging and may require multiple operations and revisions. Some modifications during glaucoma drainage implant surgery and use of EX-PRESS mini shunt in certain cases could offer an advantage in these patients.

Effect of Single Intravitreal Bevacizumab on Ophthalmic and Middle Cerebral Arterial Blood Flow in Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a single intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection on blood flow parameters in the ophthalmic artery (OA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and interventional study included 15 infants with ROP who were treated with IVB. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity (MV) and resistivity index were measured using pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography (Philips En Visor C, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in the OA and MCA, before IVB injection and 1 day, 1 week and 1 month after IVB injection. RESULTS: Measurements of PSV-OA, MV-OA and PSV-MCA showed significant changes after IVB treatment (p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.02, respectively). The PSV-OA measurements at 1 week and 1 month were significantly lower than the baseline PSV-OA measurement (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively). The MV-OA measurement was significantly lower at 1 month following IVB as compared to the baseline MV-OA measurement (p = 0.03). The PSV-MCA showed a significant decline 1 day after IVB injection (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that IVB causes significant alterations in blood flow parameters in the OA and MCA predicted by Doppler ultrasonography in infants with ROP.

Ocular surface evaluation in pediatric Hashimoto's thyroiditis without thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: We aimed to assess ocular surface characteristics in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis without thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy and compare the results with those of healthy children. METHODS: Twenty-two children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Group 1) and 20 healthy children without any ocular and/or systemic disorder (Group 2) were enrolled in the study. Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, tear film osmolarity measurement (TearLab Osmolarity System, San Diego, CA, USA), Schirmer and tear film breakup time tests, meibography, and conjunctival brush cytology were performed and compared the results between the groups. RESULTS: The study group included 19 girls and 3 boys in Group 1 and 12 girls and 8 boys in Group 2 (p=0.081). Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy was not identified in any of the patients. Mean tear film osmolarity was 310.23 ± 11.98 mOsm/l in Group 1 and 313.60 ± 15.03 mOsm/l in Group 2 (p=0.424). Mean Schirmer test score was lower in Group 1 (14.91 ± 6.27) compared with Group 2 (23.60 ± 5.63) (p=0.001). Mean tear film breakup time was lower in Group 1 (11.78 ± 4.07) compared with Group 2 (15.1 ± 1.6) (p=0.013). Moreover, mean meibomian gland area loss was 25.01% ± 10.04% in Group 1 and 16.54% ± 6.02% in Group 2 (p=0.002). Conjunctival cytologic analysis in Group 1 revealed grade 0 changes in 6 patients (27.3%), grade 1 changes in 14 patients (63.6%), and grade 2 changes in 2 patients (9.1%), whereas 18 patients (90%) had grade 0 changes and 2 patients (10%) had grade 1 changes (p=0.001) in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates several ocular surface changes in children with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These findings may indicate a tendency for dry eye in pediatric Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients without clinical evidence of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

Sequential tissue plasminogen activator, pneumatic displacement, and anti-VEGF treatment for submacular hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To report the results of our sequential intravitreal (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), pneumatic displacement (PD), and IV anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)-related submacular hemorrhage (SMH). METHODS: A total of 16 eyes of 16 patients with SMH of less than 15 days duration were included in this retrospective pilot study. The tPA was applied on the day of diagnosis, and PD was performed the following day. Patients received 3 consecutive monthly IV injections of ranibizumab starting from 15 days after PD. During the follow-ups, additional ranibizumab treatment was performed if persistent macular or recurrent subretinal or intraretinal fluid hemorrhage was observed. RESULTS: The mean central retinal thickness was 489 ± 92 µm (311-621 µm) at the time of diagnosis, 324 ± 56 µm (209-409 µm) at the first month, 262 ± 48 µm (197-364 µm) at 3 months, 248 ± 40 µm (190-334 µm) at 6 months, and 253 ± 41 µm (192-356 µm) at the last control (p<0.01). The mean best-corrected visual acuity was 2.08 ± 0.79 logMAR (0.7-3.0 logMAR) at baseline, 1.41 ± 0.70 logMAR (0.56-2.50 logMAR) at the first month, 1.21 ± 0.66 logMAR (0.3-2.0 logMAR) at 3 months, 1.14 ± 0.77 logMAR (0.2-2.50 logMAR) at 6 months, and 1.09 ± 0.73 logMAR (0.3-2.50 logMAR) at the last follow-up (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential IV tPA, PD, and IV anti-VEGF treatments for SMH in patients with nAMD is effective. However, further studies are needed to establish the best treatment algorithm for SMH in patients with nAMD.

Retinal and choroidal thicknesses measured with swept-source optical coherence tomography after surgery for idiopathic macular hole.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), ganglion cell layer thickness (GCLT), retinal thickness (RT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in eyes that received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for idiopathic macular hole (IMH) and to compare these data with data from fellow eyes and healthy controls. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 49 subjects. Eighteen eyes that underwent surgery for IMH, 18 fellow eyes, and 31 eyes of the healthy controls were designated as group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. The RNFLT, GCLT, RT, and SFCT were measured by using the swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) device at last postoperative visit. RESULTS: The RNFLT was significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). The GCLT was significantly reduced in all sectors in group 1 as compared to group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). The RT was found to be significantly lower (except in central field) in group 1 than group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). The SFCT was significantly decreased in group 1 as compared to group 2 and group 3 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in the RNFLT, GCLT, RT, and SFCT was observed following PPV with ILM peeling for IMH detected by SS-OCT.

Novel Zinc Finger Protein Gene 469 (ZNF469) Variants in Advanced Keratoconus.

PURPOSE: Common polymorphic variants upstream of Zinc finger protein gene 469 (ZNF469) have been associated with central corneal thickness. Rare ZNF469 variants have been shown in keratoconus patients. The aim of the current study was to investigate the frequency of ZNF 469 gene variants in rapidly progressive advance keratoconus patients who underwent corneal transplant surgery by the age of 30, compared to their frequency in the normal Turkish population. METHODS: A search in a patient database was performed to identify patients with a rapidly progressive keratoconus requiring corneal transplant surgery by the age of 30 in at least one eye. Twenty-six advance keratoconus patients (study group) and 109 health subjects (control group) were included in the study. Blood samples were donated, and genomic DNA was extracted. The entire coding sequence of the ZNF469 gene including the 84 bp of the putative intron was amplified using PCR primers and analyzed using next generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms previously reported and registered to the dbSNP database were detected in the study group. The allele frequencies of these polymorphisms were higher in the keratoconus group compared to the control group and to the ExAC genome database. Three new missense heterozygote variants and one new synonym variant were detected in keratoconus group. According to prediction software, the P873T and Q2188H variants were shown to be non-tolerated, whereas G3424S could be tolerated. The synonymous variant R1060R is not predicted to lead to abnormal splicing by Human Splicing Finder in silico analysis. CONCLUSION: New detected ZNF 469 P873T and Q2188H heterozygote coding variants in isolated advance keratoconus patients may be associated with the disease pathogenesis.

Structure-Function Relationship Between the Bruch Membrane Opening-based Minimum Rim Width and Visual Field Defects in Advanced Glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) (global and temporal) parameters with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and visual field (VF) sensitivity on the 10-2 test in patients with advanced glaucoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study included a total of 33 eyes of 29 patients. To evaluate VF sensitivity, automated white-on-white perimetry was performed using a Humphrey field analyzer. The mean deviation (MD) and pattern SD values were used to characterize the degree of functional damage. BMO-MRW and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were obtained with SD-OCT. According to the Garway-Heath map and fovea and BMO axis, the 90 degrees temporal sector of the optic disc corresponding to the central VF was divided into upper and lower parts. RESULTS: The upper and lower temporal BMO-MRW parameters showed stronger correlations with the MD parameters of their corresponding VFs when compared with both global and temporal MRW parameters. Global and temporal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness parameters were also correlated with global MD parameters. CONCLUSIONS: BMO-MRW measurements in the upper and lower parts of the 90 degrees temporal sector of the optic nerve head by SD-OCT and their corresponding VF sensitivity on the 10-2 test were found highly correlated. These BMO-MRW measurements could offer a means of predicting the status of visual hemifields in patients who are unable to undergo VF testing. Further longitudinal studies with larger series evaluating BMO-MRW parameters with SD-OCT are also needed to monitor progression in advanced glaucoma.

Effect of Single Administration of Coffee on Pupil Size and Ocular Wavefront Aberration Measurements in Healthy Subjects.

No study has so far evaluated the impact of coffee drinking on ocular wavefront aberration (OWA) measurements. This study presents novel findings regarding the OWA of the eye following coffee intake. We aimed to evaluate the acute changes in pupil size and OWA of the eye after single administration of coffee. A total of 30 otherwise healthy participants were included in this prospective study. All subjects drank a cup of coffee containing 57 mg caffeine. Measurements of pupil size, total coma (TC), total trefoil (TF), total spherical aberration (TSA), and total higher order aberration (HOA) were performed before and at 5 minutes, at 30 minutes, and at 4 hours after coffee drinking using a wavefront aberrometer device (Irx3, Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France). The mean age of the study population was 20.30 ± 2.74 years. Pupil size did not show a significant change during the measurements (p > 0.05). A significant increase was observed in TF and HOA measurements following coffee intake (p = 0.029 and p = 0.009, resp.). Single administration of coffee results in significant increase in TF and total HOAs in healthy subjects without any effect on pupil diameter. Ultrastructural changes in the cornea following coffee intake might be of relevance to the alterations in ocular aberrations in healthy subjects.

Pupilloplasty in a patient with true polycoria: a case report.

Here we report a case of surgical pupilloplasty in an adult with true polycoria. A 44-year old man was referred to our clinic with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.5 diopters (D) in his left eye. Biomicroscopy revealed two pupils within a 2.5-mm central zone, with diameters of 1.2 and 1.1 mm. Both pupils had real iris sphincters and responded to light and chemical stimulation. Therefore, we surgically cut the bridge between the two pupils without any intraoperative or postoperative complications. One month after the surgery, BCVA had improved to 0.9 D, and the final pupil was almost round, measuring 2.7 mm in diameter.

Characteristics of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity in Infants with Birth Weight above 1500 Grams at a Referral Center in Turkey.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants with birth weight (BW) above 1500 g in Turkey. METHODS: A retrospective review of 5920 ROP records was performed in Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Diseases Training and Research Hospital. The records were obtained from ROP treatment center of the same institute between 2011 and 2016. The data comprised the demographic and clinical characteristics including, gestational age, BW, systemic risk factors, zone and stage of ROP, ROP type, treatment modality, treatment outcomes and inborn/outborn status of the babies. RESULTS: A total of 36 infants (71 eyes) with severe ROP and BW> 1500 g were retrieved. There were 30 infants (83.3%) with type 1 ROP and 6 infants (16.7%) with aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). 3 infants (8.3%) were born at our hospital whereas 33 (91.7%) were referred from outer private neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) centers. Zone I APROP was detected during the initial screening. 21 infants (58.3%) underwent laser treatment while 15 (41.7%) received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections. No unfavorable structural outcome was observed following either treatment modality. CONCLUSION: Severe ROP may occur in heavier preterm infants. Laser treatment and IVB injections were useful in selected cases. Presence of APROP at first examination suggests an earlier screening in heavier babies. Standardization of private NICU centers as well as establishing a national ROP protocol is necessary in Turkey.

Influence of the epiretinal membrane on ranibizumab therapy outcomes in patients with diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE:: To investigate the influence of the epiretinal membrane (ERM) on intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS:: This retrospective study included 56 eyes of 48 patients with DME divided into two groups: the DME with ERM (study) and only DME (control) groups. Changes in the central macular thickness (CMT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. RESULTS:: In the study group, although the CMT was significantly reduced following the first injection (p<0.001), BCVA did not improve significantly (p=0.296). However, after the first injection, the control group exhibited both a significant decrease in CMT (p<0.001) and improvement in BCVA (p<0.001). However, the improvement in BCVA in the control group was not significantly different from the outcome of the study group. CONCLUSIONS:: We observed a negative short-term influence of the ERM on IVR treatment for DME.

Evaluation of Refractive Errors and Ocular Biometric Outcomes after Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To assess ocular biometric outcomes following intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) monotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and compare these results with those of laser photocoagulated infants and with the ones with spontaneously regressed ROP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Premature infants including those who underwent IVB monotherapy (Group 1) or laser photocoagulation (Group 2) for ROP and infants with spontaneously regressed ROP (Group 3) were recruited for the study. Refractive errors and ocular biometric parameters (Axial length [AL], anterior chamber depth [ACD], and lens thickness [LT]) were measured at adjusted 1 year of age in all subjects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of spherical equivalent (SE) value between the groups (P = 0.781). The incidence of high myopia was 7.4% in Group 1 and 12.7% in Group 2 (P = 0.081). No infants exhibited high myopia in Group 3. LT was greater in Group 2 when compared to Group 1 and Group 3 (P = 0.011). Lower SE was significantly correlated to longer AL in Group 1 (r = -0.656, P = 0.015). There was a significant positive correlation between SE and ACD values in Group 2 (r = 0.391, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The study showed no significant difference of SE between the groups. High myopia was only present among the treated infants either with IVB or laser. Infants who received laser treatment significantly had thicker lenses.

In vivo biometric evaluation of Schlemm's canal with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in pseuduexfoliation glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To perform in vivo imaging of the Schlemm's canal (SC) with anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography [AS-spectral-domain (SD)-OCT] and also to measure its biometric parameters including the SC length and SC area in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) glaucoma. METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients with PEX glaucoma and 41 age- and sex-matched normal subjects were enrolled. All subjects underwent imaging with SD-OCT. The SC length and SC area were examined in the temporal sections and measured with customized software. RESULTS: The percentages of the temporal sections in which SC was observable were similar between the two groups. Mean SC length was found significantly shorter, and mean SC area was found significantly smaller in patients with PEX glaucoma than in controls (p = 0.044 and p = 0.036, respectively). Mean intra-ocular pressure (IOP) values were also similar between two groups. No significant correlations were found between SC measurements and IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment spectral-domain optical coherence tomography offers non-invasive, in vivo measurement of the SC, and it could be used for investigating the SC changes in patients with PEX glaucoma.

Ocular Surface Characteristics in Diabetic Children.

PURPOSE: To compare tear film osmolarity (TFO) and other dry eye tests between diabetic children and normal healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six diabetic children (Group 1) and 20 healthy children without any ocular and/or systemic disorder (Group 2) were enrolled in the study. Detailed ocular surface assessment including, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, TFO measurement (Tear Lab Osmolarity System, San Diago, CA, USA), corneal epithelial thickness (CET) measurement using the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) (RTVue CAM, Optovue Inc, CA, USA), tear film break-up time (TFBUT) test, Schirmer test, meibography, and conjunctival brush cytology were performed. The results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean TFO was significantly higher in Group 1 (328.8 ± 12.8) than Group 2 (313.6 ± 15.1) (p = 0.001). The mean Schirmer test score was significantly lower in Group 1 (16.7 ± 5.1) than Group 2 (23.6 ± 5.6) (p = 0.00). Cytologic analysis revealed grade 0 changes in 11 patients (42.3%), grade 1 changes in 13 patients (50%), and grade 2 changes in 2 patients (7.7%) in Group 1 whereas grade 0 changes in 18 patients (90%) and grade 1 changes in 2 patients (10%) were observed in Group 2 (p = 0.004). The TFO levels were significantly associated with HbA1c levels (r = 0.459, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The study revealed significantly higher TFO, lower Schirmer test scores and changes in conjunctival cytology in diabetic children. Altered ocular surface changes in diabetic children may be due to the result of increased TFO.