An evaluation of corneal topographic changes in a large series of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To evaluate corneal topographic indices and the prevalence of keratoconus in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to compare these with normal individuals.

Methods: One-hundred twelve consecutive patients with VKC and 112 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in this prospective study. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and complete ophthalmic examinations were performed for all participants.

Comparison of HIF-1α and survivin levels in patients with diabetes and retinopathy of varying severity.

Purpose: This study measured serum hypoxia--inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) and survivin levels in patients with diabetes and investigated their association with the severity of retinopathy.

Methods: This study included 88 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent routine eye examinations. Three groups were created.

Assessment of Tear Meniscus Dimensions Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in Vitamin D Deficiency in a Pediatric Population.

Background: To investigate of the effect of vitamin D (Vit-D) deficiency on the tear film in children and compare it with that of healthy subjects.

Methods: This prospective and cross-sectional study comprised 75 eyes of children who had Vit-D deficiency (Group 1) and 85 eyes of age- and gender-matched healthy children (Group 2). The tear-film break-up time (TF-BUT) and Schirmer test values, as well as the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, were recorded for the participants in all groups.

Comparison of vitamin D levels between patients with pterygium and healthy subjects.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare vitamin D (VD) deficiency frequency among patients with pterygium to that of healthy subjects and to investigate the VD deficiency among patients with pterygium.

Methods: One-hundred eight pterygium patients and 94 healthy subjects were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from groups during the same time interval and the samples were saved.

Expression of Vitamin D Receptor and Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) in Patients with Pterygium.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the role of vitamin D receptor in the pathogenesis of pterygium. The vitamin D receptor eexpression levels in pterygium tissue, blood vitamin D levels, and frequency of selected vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (BsmI, FokI, and TaqI) were compared between patients with pterygium and healthy participants.

Methods: The study included patients with pterygiumeee (n=50) and healthy volunteers (n=50).

Evaluation Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography of the Effects of Malnutrition on Ocular Parameters in Pediatric Patients.

Significance: We determined decreases in choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in all quadrants. Our findings show that the choroid and RNFL are affected before the emergence of ocular symptoms in malnourished children.

Purpose: We aimed to determine whether the RNFL, a component of the neuronal structure, and the choroid, supplying the retina, are affected in children with malnutrition using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Assessment of Patient Pain Experience During Intravitreal Ranibizumab and Aflibercept Injection.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the pain scores of the patients during intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept based on patient feedback.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-two eyes of 72 patients, who had not previously undergone any intravitreal injection procedures, were included in this study. Thirty-eight patients received ranibizumab, and 34 patients received aflibercept injections.

Evaluation of amalgam-related retinal neurotoxicity with optical coherence tomography findings.

Purpose: To evaluate the neurotoxic effect of amalgam dental fillings on plasma mercury (Hg) levels and retino-choroidal layers measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Materials/methods: Study participants included 56 cases with amalgam dental fillings and 44 healthy controls. All participants were examined in terms of detailed ophthalmic examination, oral examination, and body mass index (BMI).

Evaluation of white matter hyperintensities and retinal fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner-plexiform layer, and choroidal layer in migraine patients.

The aim of our study is to assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner-plexiform layer (IPL), and choroidal layer in migraine patients with white matter lesion (WML) or without WML, using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). To our study, 77 migraine patients who are diagnosed with migraine in accordance to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 beta and 43 healthy control are included. In accordance to cranial MRI, migraine patients are divided into two groups as those who have white matter lesions (39 patients), and those who do not have a lesion (38 patients).

Evaluation of Anterior Segment Parameter Changes Using the Sirius after Uneventful Phacoemulsification.

Purpose: To investigate changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal volume (CV), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), central corneal thickness (CCT), horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), pupil diameter (PD), and intraocular pressure (IOP) after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation.

Methods: A total of 132 eyes of 132 patients (87 men and 45 women) that underwent uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation were prospectively studied. The mean age of the patients was 63.

Choroidal Thickness in Children with Beta Thalassemia Major.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in choroidal thickness in children with beta thalassemia major (β-TM).

Methods: Thirty-five patients with β-TM and 38 healthy children aged between 3 and 16 years participated in the study. After complete eye examinations were conducted on the participants, choroidal thickness measurements were performed using optical coherence tomography.

Conservative Surgical Management of a Grade III Corneal Dermoid.

Purpose: To present a rare, unique, grade III corneal dermoid treated with conservative surgical management.

Methods: An 8-month-old boy was admitted to our clinic with a lesion on the central cornea of the right eye and a corneal mass in the left eye. The mass had a skin-like surface and protruded to the outside of the palpebral fissure.

Assessment of patient pain experience during intravitreal 27-gauge bevacizumab and 30-gauge ranibizumab injection.

Purpose: To compare pain scores of patients during intravitreal 27-gauge bevacizumab and 30-gauge ranibizumab injection procedures.

Methods: Seventy eyes of 70 patients who had not previously undergone intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy were included in this study. Thirty-five patients received ranibizumab and 35 patients received bevacizumab.

Biometric and intraocular pressure change after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in ocular biometric parameters with optical biometry and intraocular pressure (IOP) by Goldmann tonometry after uneventful phacoemulsification in normotensive eyes.

Methods: This prospective study was composed of 117 eyes of 117 patients who had undergone uncomplicated phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation. The measurements were obtained preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively.

Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements Obtained by RTVue OCT, Lenstar, Sirius Topography, and Ultrasound Pachymetry in Healthy Subjects.

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement results obtained by RTVue OCT, Lenstar, Sirius topography, and ultrasound pachymetry (UP) (OcuScan RxP Ophthalmic Ultrasound System, Alcon Laboratories) in healthy subjects.

Materials And Methods: 256 eyes of 128 healthy subjects were included in the study. CCT measurements were obtained from the eyes for each subject using the UP, Lenstar, Sirius topography, and RTVue OCT instruments.

Comparison of Intraocular Pressure Measurements Obtained by Icare PRO Rebound Tonometer, Tomey FT-1000 Noncontact Tonometer, and Goldmann Applanation Tonometer in Healthy Subjects.

Purpose: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained by Icare PRO rebound tonometer (RT), Tomey FT-1000 noncontact tonometer (NCT), and Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) in healthy subjects, and to investigate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) on IOP measurements.

Methods: A total of 132 eyes of 66 healthy subjects were included in the study. All IOP measurements were applied in a sitting position and always in the same order (RT, NCT, and GAT).

Short-term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on cornea and anterior chamber.

Purpose: To determine the short-term effects of single-dose intravitreal bevacizumab injection on central corneal thickness (CCT), simulated keratometry (Sim K), anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA) and intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized, interventional clinical trial.

Materials And Methods: Forty-three eyes of 43 patients aged between 41 and 78 years (average 62 ± 13 years) received an intravitreal injection of 2.

What is the importance of Demodex folliculorum in Behçet's disease?

Demodex folliculorum is an obligate parasite and commonly detected in patients with immune system deprivation. This study is planned to document the Demodex folliculorum prevalence among patients with Behçet's disease (BD). The patients who referred to the ophthalmology clinic were included in the study.

Sub-Tenon's Steroid Irrigation for Treatment of Intraorbital Capillary Hemangioma.

A four-month-old male infant underwent sub-Tenon's steroid irrigation for treatment of orbital capilary hemangioma that was causing exposure keratopathy risk to the left eye from progressive proptosis. The temporal inferior sub-Tenon's space was irrigated with a mixture of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/ml) and betamethasone sodium phosphate (6 mg/ml) by a blunt-tipped sub-Tenon's cannula. We describe this procedure as irrigation because reflux of the mixture from the incision was permitted.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor is elevated in CSF of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a recently defined retinal trophic factor and anti-angiogenic factor for the eye, is also present in the CNS and is a motor neuron protectant. We asked whether PEDF levels in CSF are altered in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Pigment epithelium-derived factor protein was detected by quantitative western blot analysis with a PEDF-specific antiserum.

Preclinical testing of neuroprotective neurotrophic factors in a model of chronic motor neuron degeneration.

Many neurotrophic factors have been shown to enhance survival of embryonic motor neurons or affect their response to injury. Few studies have investigated the potential effects of neurotrophic factors on more mature motor neurons that might be relevant for neurodegenerative diseases. Using organotypic spinal cord cultures from postnatal rats, we have demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) significantly increase choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, but brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4/5), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) do not.

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) protects motor neurons from chronic glutamate-mediated neurodegeneration.

Although pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a neurotrophic factor that may aid the development, differentiation, and survival of adjacent neural retinae, the wider distribution of PEDF mRNA in the central nervous system suggested to us that this factor could have pleiotropic neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects on nonretinal neurons. We examined the distribution of PEDF mRNA and its transcript in the spinal cord. By immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis using an antihuman PEDF antiserum of known specificity, we found that PEDF protein is present in spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, and skeletal muscle and that its mRNA appears concentrated in motor neurons of the human spinal cord.

Neuroprotective utility and neurotrophic action of neurturin in postnatal motor neurons: comparison with GDNF and persephin.

Neurturin and persephin are recently discovered homologs of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Here, we report that neurturin, like GDNF, increases the choline acetyltransferase activity of normal postnatal motor neurons, induces neurite outgrowth in spinal cord, and potently protects motor neurons from chronic glutamate-mediated degeneration. Persephin, in contrast, does not appear to have neurotrophic or neurite-promoting effects on mature motor neurons and may instead worsen the glutamate injury of motor neurons.

Properties of the novel intermediate filament protein synemin and its identification in mammalian muscle.

We examined specific properties of highly purified synemin (230 kDa), recently identified as a novel intermediate filament (IF) protein, from avian smooth muscle. Soluble synemin in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5, appears as approximately 11-nm-diameter globular structures by negative-stain and low-angle shadow electron microscopy.

Differential expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR1alpha by neurons and axons in the cochlear nucleus: in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

mGluR1alpha is a metabotropic glutamate receptor involved in synaptic modifiability. A differential expression in specific neuronal types could reflect their different connections and response properties in central auditory processing. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we studied mGluR1alpha receptor expression throughout the cochlear nucleus.