A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study of the Incidence of Major Macular Diseases That Cause Visual Impairment and Require Therapeutic Intervention in Greece: The ADVICE Study.

Purpose: This multicenter, epidemiological, cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the annual cumulative incidence of major macular diseases that cause visual impairment and require therapeutic intervention in the routine care of Greece.

Methods: The study was carried out between December 2012 and May 2015 in 20 ophthalmology clinics. Over a one-year recruitment period per study site, all treatment naïve adult patients newly diagnosed with wet age-related macular degeneration, visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema or macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion requiring therapeutic management and who had not been diagnosed or treated for the same disease in the past were enrolled after providing informed consent.

Comparison of surgically induced astigmatism among different surgeons performing the same incision.

To compare surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) of different surgeons, who perform the same main incision. Two hundred and seventy eyes underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification by four different surgeons (A, B, C, and D). A 3-step, 3.

Corneal Diameter as a Factor Influencing Corneal Astigmatism After Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal horizontal diameter [white-to-white (WTW) distance] as a factor influencing surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) and postoperative astigmatism.

Methods: A total of 330 eyes with corneal astigmatism ≤1.5 D underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification.

The role of sideport incision in astigmatism change after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To study the changes in corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery when the sideport incision is performed at a predetermined location away from the tunnel incision.

Setting: General Hospital of Piraeus "Tzaneio", Attiki, Greece.

Materials And Methods: A total of 333 eyes with corneal astigmatism ≤1.

LATE-ONSET CAPSULAR BAG DISTENSION SYNDROME: A REPORT OF TWO CASES.

Capsular bag distension syndrome is a very rare complication of cataract surgery. Most cases occur after uneventful phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and implantation of an intraocular lens in the capsular bag. The entity presents with reduction of visual acuity and myopic shift in the early-to-late postoperative period.

Case report of a neonate with ocular toxoplasmosis due to congenital infection: estimation of the percentage of ocular toxoplasmosis in Greece caused by congenital or acquired infection.

We report a case of a newborn male child with congenital toxoplasmosis. During pregnancy seroconversion occurred and positive titers of antitoxoplasmic antibodies (immunoglobulin M and G) were found in the mother, in the third trimester. She received treatment with spiramycin.

Multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy associated with steroids in a patient with myasthenia gravis.

We present a case of bilateral multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy in a 40-year-old male who suffered from myasthenia gravis and was receiving oral prednisolone. Due to the severity of the underlying disease, it was not possible to reduce the corticosteroid dose. After initial unsuccessful treatment with an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, low-fluence photodynamic therapy was performed, followed by gradual tapering of the corticosteroids.

Development of novel LOXL1 genotyping method and evaluation of LOXL1, APOE and MTHFR polymorphisms in exfoliation syndrome/glaucoma in a Greek population.

Purpose: In the Greek population of Epirus, exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliation glaucoma (XFG) occur at a high prevalence. In this study, we validate a novel lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) genotyping method, investigate the previously reported association of LOXL1 with XFS/XFG, and evaluate apolipoprotein E (APOE) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms as genetic risk factors for both conditions in our population.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 82 patients with XFG, 69 patients with XFS, 52 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and 107 controls.

Contrast sensitivity and color vision in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa and good visual acuity: correlations with SD-OCT findings.

Background And Objective: To investigate the morphological substrate of the changes in visual function in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa and good visual acuity using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Patients And Methods: A total of 30 eyes of 17 patients with retinitis pigmentosa and visual acuity of 20/40 or better underwent contrast sensitivity and color vision testing. The retinal thickness at the fovea and macula and the length of the photoreceptor inner/outer segment (IS/OS) junction were assessed by SD-OCT.

Orbital and optic nerve complications of inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aims: Extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can involve the orbit and the optic nerve. Although these manifestations are rare, they can be particularly serious as they can lead to permanent loss of vision. The aim of the review is to present the existing literature on IBD-related optic nerve and orbital complications.

Squamous cell papilloma of the conjunctiva due to human papillomavirus (HPV): presentation of two cases and review of literature.

Purpose: We describe two patients with squamous cell papilloma of the conjunctiva due to human papilloma virus (HPV) and review the literature.

Patients And Methods: Two patients with conjunctival tumors were examined and treated in the University Eye Clinic and diagnosed in the University Pathology Department, University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece. The first patient was a 48-year-old man presenting with an extended papillomatous lesion in bulbar conjunctiva covering part of the cornea of his right eye.

Bartonella and intraocular inflammation: a series of cases and review of literature.

Purpose: To present various forms of uveitis and/or retinal vasculitis attributed to Bartonella infection and review the impact of this microorganism in patients with uveitis.

Methods: Retrospective case series study. Review of clinical records of patients diagnosed with Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana intraocular inflammation from 2001 to 2010 in the Ocular Inflammation Department of the University Eye Clinic, Ioannina, Greece.

Contrast sensitivity in patients with Beta-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease under regular transfusions and treatment with desferrioxamine.

Purpose: Evaluation of contrast sensitivity in patients with beta-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease which undergo regular transfusions and chelation therapy with desferrioxamine (DFX).

Materials And Methods: We studied contrast sensitivity in 48 eyes (24 patients) with beta-thalassemia major (group A) and in 42 eyes (21 patients) with sickle cell disease (group B), compared to 60 eyes of 30 healthy individuals (control group). Contrast sensitivity was measured using B-VAT II-SG Mentor Video Aquity Tester.

Results of a modified non-penetrating deep sclerectomy in the treatment of open angle glaucoma with or without cataract.

Purpose: To present the technique of a modified deep sclerectomy, which we will call "reversed" deep sclerectomy (RDS) and the results and our observations of its use in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and with or without cataract extraction (phacoemulsification).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included 132 eyes which underwent RDS: 37 eyes (group A) with uncontrolled OAG and 95 eyes (group B) with OAG and visually significant cataract. Mean pressure preoperatively for group A was 24.

A modified deep sclerectomy with or without external trabeculectomy: a comparative study.

Purpose: To determine whether the removal of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal (external trabeculectomy) improves the effectiveness of a modified method of deep sclerectomy (DS), which we will call "reversed" deep sclerectomy (RDS).

Materials And Method: We conducted a prospective study of two groups of patients. Group A included 22 eyes of 18 patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) under maximum medical treatment, which underwent RDS - a modified method of performing DS - with the removal of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal (external trabeculectomy) and without using any implant.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis: Data from a region in western Greece.

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics and visual prognosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (JIA).

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 56 patients who met the criteria for JIA to identify those with uveitis and related complications. Patients were referred to and were examined in the Pediatric Department of the University Hospital of Ioannina, between 1995 and 2007.

Orbital cavernous hemangioma in an infant with intracranial lesions: a case report.

Introduction: Cavernous hemangiomas of the orbit are benign vascular malformations, commonly encountered in adults. Although they are infrequent in pediatric population their diagnosis and course are of a great significance, mainly because they can cause visual disturbances such as amblyopia that can ensue, and secondarily due to their cosmetic and psychological effect. Special attention is required in follow up and treatment.

Findings of an experimental study in a rabbit model on posterior capsule opacification after implantation of hydrophobic acrylic and hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses.

Purpose: Study on cell growth on the posterior capsule after implantation of hydrophobic acrylic (Acrysof SA 60 AT) and hydrophilic acrylic (Akreos Disc) intraocular lenses (IOL) in a rabbit model and comparison of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Methods: Phacoemulsification was performed in 22 rabbit eyes, and two different IOL types (Acrysof SA60 AT and Akreos Disc) were implanted. These IOLs had the same optic geometry (square edged) but different material and design.

Protein Z Plasma Levels are Not Elevated in Patients with Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

Background: Protein Z is a glycoprotein that acts as a co-factor for the inhibition of activated coagulation factor X. Protein Z circulating in abnormal levels has been associated with increased risk for acute ischemic events. Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (N-AION) is caused by acute ischemic infarction of the optic nerve head, supplied by the posterior ciliary arteries.

Shaken baby syndrome: intending to harm or attempting to help?

Purpose: To describe the role of ophthalmologists in shaken baby syndrome evaluation.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 3.

Orbital metastasis from verrucous carcinoma of the oral cavity: case report and review of the literature.

A rare case of metastatic verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the oral cavity is presented. The patient was referred to the Ophthalmology Department due to diplopia. The patient reported history of diagnosis of verrucous squamous carcinoma in the oral cavity occuring 6 years earlier that although excised presented several recurrences.

Psychiatric manifestations and personality traits associated with compliance with glaucoma treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of psychological distress and personality traits on self-rated compliance with glaucoma treatment.

Methods: One hundred patients with primary open-angle glaucoma participated in the study. General Health Questionnaire, Symptom Distress Checklist, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Defense Style Questionnaire, and Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire were used.

Primary mantle cell lymphoma of the conjunctiva: a case report.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the conjunctiva are uncommon. They are almost exclusively extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas/mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. In this study, we report an extremely rare case of conjunctival mantle cell lymphoma in a 78-year-old man, presenting as a unilateral epibulbar mass.

Angiogenesis in pterygium: study of microvessel density, vascular endothelial growth factor, and thrombospondin-1.

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to elucidate the role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of pterygium. We evaluated microvessel density (MVD), and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1).

Methods: Fifty-two surgically excised pterygia and seven normal conjunctivae were immunohistochemically studied applying the streptavidin-biotin method in paraffin-embedded tissue sections.

Artisan aphakic intraocular lens implantation in cases of subluxated crystalline lenses due to Marfan syndrome.

Purpose: To assess implantation of an Artisan aphakic intraocular lens (IOL) in cases with subluxated lenses due to Marfan syndrome.

Methods: Retrospective study of a small case series comprised of seven eyes (two children and three adults) with subluxated lenses due to Marfan syndrome that underwent lens extraction and Artisan aphakic IOL implantation. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity and endothelial cell status were the key elements of follow-up examinations.