Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the sub-400 corneal cross-linking protocol: initial clinical and morphological findings.

Purpose: To assess the safety and the efficacy of the "Sub-400 corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol" for progressive keratoconus (KC) in ultrathin corneas.

Methods: The study included thirty four patients with progressive KC, who underwent CXL using the "Sub-400" protocol due to intraoperative thinnest corneal pachymetry ranging from 295 to 398 μm after epithelial removal. After the epithelium was removed, the following ultraviolet A irradiation was applied at a fluence of 3 mW/cm and the duration was adjusted based on the specific corneal stromal thickness.

Clinical and surgical outcomes of tectonic corneal patch grafts : insights from a tertiary referral hospital.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the clinical characteristics, surgical indications, outcomes and long-term complications of full-thickness or lamellar corneal patch grafts for various indications.

Material-method: This retrospective study included 48 eyes of 47 patients who underwent full-thickness or lamellar corneal patch keratoplasty for treatment of corneal perforation, melting and descemetocele. Patient demographics, preoperative features, best-corrected visual acuity before and after surgery, mean follow-up time, corneal graft type, long-term complications, need for additional surgery, and anatomical success were analyzed.

Managing Ocular Surface Disease in Glaucoma Treatment: A Systematic Review.

Ocular surface disease (OSD) is a frequent disabling challenge among patients with glaucoma who use benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-containing topical glaucoma medications for prolonged periods. In this comprehensive review, we evaluated the prevalence of OSD and its management, focusing on both current and future alternatives. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria were used to assess a) the impact of active ingredients and preservatives on the ocular surface and b) the efficacy of preservative-free (PF) alternatives and adjunctive therapies.

Predicting Success in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Surgery Using Machine Learning.

Purpose: This study aimed to predict early graft failure (GF) in patients who underwent Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty based on donor characteristics.

Methods: Several machine learning methods were trained to predict GF automatically. To predict GF, the following variables were obtained: donor age, sex, systemic diseases, medications, duration of stay in the intensive care unit, death-to-preservation time (DPT), endothelial cell density of the cornea, tightness of Descemet membrane roll during surgery, anterior chamber tamponade, tamponade used for rebubbling, and preoperative best corrected visual acuity.

Machine learning based endothelial cell image analysis of patients undergoing descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery.

Objectives: In this study, we developed a machine learning approach for postoperative corneal endothelial cell images of patients who underwent Descemet's membrane keratoplasty (DMEK).

Methods: An AlexNet model is proposed and validated throughout the study for endothelial cell segmentation and cell location determination. The 506 images of postoperative corneal endothelial cells were analyzed.

Evaluation of corneal densitometry values with Pentacam in cases of ocular hypertension and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Background: Examination of corneal densitometry measurements using the Pentacam Scheimpflug imaging system in cases of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: The study included 50 eyes of 29 PEXG patients, 25 eyes of 16 OHT patients, and 76 eyes of 38 healthy control subjects followed in the glaucoma clinic. Corneal densitometry values of all cases were measured using the Scheimpflug imaging system (Pentacam, Oculus, Germany).

Optical quality of the cornea after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty surgery: early results from Türkiye.

Background: Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is increasingly favored in the treatment of endothelial dysfunction due to its benefits, which include swift visual rehabilitation and recovery, a relatively low rejection rate, and superior refractive stability. In this study, we examined alterations in corneal clarity among patients who underwent DMEK and correlated these densitometry findings with other optical parameters of corneal topography.

Methods: The study incorporated 35 eyes from 35 patients who had previously undergone DMEK surgery for pseudophakic bullous keratopathy at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital.

Corneal characteristics in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: To evaluate corneal topography and specular microscopic findings in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Methods: One hundred and two eyes of 51 patients with retinitis pigmentosa and 60 eyes of 30 healty subjects were included in our study. A detailed ophthalmological examination involving best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was performed.

Prevalence of Ocular Surface Disease and Associated Risk Factors in Glaucoma Patients: A Survey Study of Ophthalmologists.

Objectives: This survey study of ophthalmologists investigated the prevalence and clinical manifestations of ocular surface disease (OSD) in glaucoma patients, assessment methods used, risk factors, glaucoma drugs considered responsible, and treatment approaches.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire prepared jointly by the Turkish Ophthalmological Association Cornea and Ocular Surface Society and Glaucoma Society using SurveyMonkey was sent to ophthalmologists via e-mail. The distribution of parameters was compared with chi-square test and p<0.

Tear meniscus, corneal topographic and aberrometric changes after botulinum toxin-a injection in patients with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of botulinum neurotoxin-A (BTX-A) treatment on dry eye symptoms, tear meniscus, corneal topography and corneal aberrometry in patients with benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS).

Materials And Methods: This prospective study comprised of 6 patients with BEB and 20 patients with HFS. Tear meniscus height (TMH) and depth (TMD), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining score (CFSS), Schirmer I test, ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, corneal topography [corneal power of flat axis (K1), corneal power of steep axis (K2), mean corneal power (Km), astigmatism and thinnest pachymetry] and anterior corneal aberrometry [spherical aberration (SA), vertical coma (vcoma), horizontal coma (hcoma), higher order root mean square (hRMS) and total RMS] were evaluated before BTX-A treatment, 3 weeks after BTX-A treatment and 2 months after BTX-A treatment.

Evolving Techniques and Indications of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Endothelial keratoplasty has replaced traditional penetrating keratoplasty for the treatment of corneal endothelial dysfunction. It offers faster, more predictable, stable visual recovery and low rejection rates while the surgery itself is less invasive. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) is currently the gold standard for the treatment of Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, and corneal edema after cataract surgery.

COVID-19 outbreak and increased risk of amblyopia and epidemic myopia: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group.

The most common cause of vision impairment in children is amblyopia. It is defined as impaired visual acuity in one or both eyes that is present with no demonstrable abnormality of the visual pathway and is not immediately resolved by wearing glasses. After the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, widespread changes and restrictions to social and sanitary practices have presented significant issues in access to eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of Corneal Densitometry and Endothelial Layer in Soft Contact Lens Users.

Significance: Soft contact lens wear may lead to physiological changes in the cornea. Corneal densitometry is a new software tool that may detect these physiological changes by monitoring their effects on corneal transparency.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess corneal densitometry values and corneal endothelium in patients using soft contact lenses.

Impact on refractive surgery due to increasing use of personal protection equipment: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group.

Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on 11th March 2020, changes to social and sanitary practices have included significant issues in access and management of eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the fear of loss, coupled with social distancing, lockdown, economic instability, and uncertainty, have led to a significant psychosocial impact that will have to be addressed. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment such as face masks or face coverings have become a daily necessity.

Evaluation of retinal vessel density and foveal avascular zone measurements in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Purpose: To compare retinal capillary plexus vessel densities, choroidal thickness, optic disc vessel densities and foveal avascular zone measurements between normal subjects and subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using spectral-domain OCT angiography (OCTA).

Methods: Forty eyes of patients with overall OSAS, 20 eyes of patients with mild-moderate OSAS, 20 eyes of patients with severe OSAS on polysomnography and 21 controls were evaluated with the RTVue-XR Avanti OCTA (Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA).

Rethinking Elective Cataract Surgery Diagnostics, Assessments, and Tools after the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience and Beyond: Insights from the EUROCOVCAT Group.

The progressive deterioration of the visual function in patients on waiting lists for cataract surgery has a negative impact on their quality of life, especially in the elderly population. Patient waiting times for cataract surgeries in many healthcare settings have increased recently due to the prolonged stop or slowdown of elective cataract surgery as a result of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this review is to highlight the impact of such a "de-prioritization" of cataract surgery and to summarize some critical issues and useful hints on how to reorganize cataract pathways, with a special focus on perioperative diagnostic tools during the recovery phase and beyond.

The effect of conjunctivochalasis detected by anterior segment optical coherence tomography on tear function in an elderly population.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate conjunctivochalasis (CCH) and its relationship with tear meniscus and tear function in an elderly population.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, observational study included 144 eyes of 144 patients aged >65 years who were referred to our clinic for various reasons. The patients were separated into group 1 including 64 eyes of 64 patients with CCH and group 2 including 80 eyes of 80 patients without CCH.

Comparison of Corneal Densitometry Between Penetrating Keratoplasty and Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty in Keratoconus Patients.

Objectives: Our aim was to compare corneal densitometry values in keratoconic eyes undergoing deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with the "big bubble" and manual lamellar dissection techniques, as well as penetrating keratoplasty.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated the postoperative outcomes of 31 eyes treated with big bubble-deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, 23 eyes with manual lamellar dissectiondeep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and 37 eyes with penetrating keratoplasty. Corneal densitometry, best corrected visual acuity, and other corneal tomographic parameters were recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.

Early impact of COVID-19 outbreak on eye care: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group.

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a public health emergency worldwide. The scientific community has put in much effort and published studies that described COVID-19's biology, transmission, clinical diagnosis, candidate therapeutics, and vaccines. However, to date, only a few data are available on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmological care in different health care systems, its future consequences in terms of disability, and access to sight-saving cures for many patients.

Characteristics of uveitic glaucoma in Turkish patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of uveitic glaucoma (UG) in the Turkish population and investigate the primary underlying diseases.

Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective study included patients who presented to the glaucoma units of 10 tertiary ophthalmology departments in Ankara, Turkey from 15th March to 16th May 2015 and fulfilled the criteria of UG. Patients were inspected for age, sex, medical history, best corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopic findings, intraocular pressure values, and visual field results.

Accelerated corneal cross-linking with hypo-osmolar riboflavin in thin keratoconic corneas: 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of accelerated corneal cross-linking in keratoconic corneas with thinnest pachymetry values of <400 µm.

Methods: The study included 28 eyes of 24 patients. The uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities (logMAR), flattest and steepest keratometric readings, central corneal thickness at the thinnest point, corneal higher-order aberrations, and contrast sensitivity were assessed before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after corneal cross-linking.

Clinical outcomes of ocular surface in patients treated with vitamin D oral replacement.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical outcomes of the ocular surface in patients with vitamin D deficiency after oral replacement.

Methods: A total of 40 patients with vitamin D deficiency were enrolled in the study. The patients received 50,000 units of oral vitamin D weekly over a period of 8 weeks.

Efficacy of cyclic therapy with terpinen-4-ol in Demodex blepharitis : Is treatment possible by considering Demodex's life cycle?

Purpose: To describe the effectiveness of cyclic treatment with terpinen-4-ol, a tea tree oil component, on Demodex blepharitis.

Methods: The presence of Demodex was determined by eyelash rotation as proposed by Mastrota. Schirmer test, tear breakup time, ocular surface disease index, lid margin score, meibomian gland expressibility score, and Oxford grade were performed.

Comparison of optical coherence tomography angiography results of adult patients with Familial Mediterranean fever and healthy individuals.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to assess the macular ultrastructure measuring by optical coherence tomography angiography in adult patients with Familial Mediterranean fever.

Methods: Participants were 62 Familial Mediterranean fever patients and 54 healthy individuals in control group with similar age and sex. The superficial and deep vascular plexus structures covering the central fovea in an area of 6 mm × 6 mm were measured using AngioVue images taken with optical coherence tomography angiography.

Comparison study of two different topical lubricants on tear meniscus and tear osmolarity in dry eye.

Purpose: To compare the effect of single-drop administration of two different ophthalmic solutions on tear meniscus and tear osmolarity in patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease.

Methods: This prospective study comprised of 122 patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease. These patients received a single dose of either unpreserved trehalose 3%, hyaluronic acid 0.