Early retinal neurodegeneration in preclinical diabetic retinopathy: a multifactorial investigation.

Background/objectives: To investigate effects of microalbuminuria (MA), diabetes duration, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level, hypertension (HT) and/or hyperlipidaemia (HL) coexistence on retinal layers in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Subjects/methods: This cross-sectional study involved 95 (45 had MA and 50 had no MA) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) without DR and 91 age- and gender-matched non-diabetic controls. Macular and peripapillary SD-OCT measurements (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany), DM duration, HbA1c levels and presence of HT and/or HL were used for statistical analyses.

Effect of microalbuminuria on corneal endothelium in patients with diabetes without retinopathy.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of microalbuminuria on corneal endothelium in patients with diabetes without retinopathy.

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic retinopathy and 92 control subjects without diabetes. Forty-five patients had microalbuminuria and 55 subjects were microalbuminuria negative.

"Crack, Reduce, and Implant": A Safe Phaco Technique in a Case with Hard Brown Cataract.

This report describes two maneuvers in different steps of phaco surgery in a case with hard cataract, which provide debulking of the central dense nucleus and prevents posterior capsule rupture (PCR). In the current case, clear corneal incisions were created, and anterior chamber was filled with ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD). Anterior capsule was punctured, and capsulorhexis was completed.

Visual, Topographic, and Pachymetric Effects of Pediatric Corneal Collagen Cross-linking.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of pediatric corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) on corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), maximum keratometry (Kmax), and other Scheimpflug imaging system parameters during 2 years of follow-up.

Methods: The records of 29 eyes of 29 pediatric patients who underwent unilateral CXL treatment for progressive keratoconus were reviewed. Changes in CDVA, Kmax, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume, anterior chamber angle, pupil-center pachymetry, apical pachymetry, thinnest pachymetry, corneal volume, and topographic indices (index of surface variance [ISV], index of vertical asymmetry [IVA], index of height asymmetry [IHA], keratoconus index [KI], center keratoconus index [CKI], index of height decentration [IHD], and minimum radius of curvature [Rmin]) were analyzed among baseline and 1 and 2 years after the CXL treatment.

Early deterioration in ellipsoid zone in eyes with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the early effects of soft drusen on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), ellipsoid zone (EZ, photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junction), and external limiting membrane (ELM) reflectivities using optical coherence tomography (OCT) image analysis. This retrospective comparative study comprised 47 patients with non-neovascular AMD (with intact RPE, EZ, and ELM bands on OCT) and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls with normal OCT. A single masked physician performed OCT image analysis using a medical image processing software.

Impaired photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid layer reflectivity in mild diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To determine alterations in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptor inner segment ellipsoid layer (ISel), and external limiting membrane (ELM) reflectivities using optical coherence tomography (OCT) image analysis in patients with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Design: Retrospective, single-centre, controlled clinical study.

Participants: The study cohort included 42 eyes of 42 patients with mild NPDR (NPDR group) and 40 eyes of 40 healthy subjects (control group).

Diagnostic Consistency and Relation Between Optical Coherence Tomography and Standard Automated Perimetry in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Purpose: To assess diagnostic consistency and relation between spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and standard automated perimetry (SAP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: This retrospective study comprised 51 eyes of 51 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of POAG. The qualitative and quantitative SD-OCT parameters (retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses [RNFL; average, superior, inferior, nasal and temporal], RNFL symmetry, rim area, disc area, average and vertical cup/disc [C/D] ratio and cup volume) were compared with parameters of SAP (mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, visual field index, and glaucoma hemifield test reports).

Age-based analysis of choroidal thickness and choroidal vessel diameter in primary open-angle glaucoma.

We aimed to assess choroidal thickness and vessel diameter in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) with age-based analysis. Fifty-four patients with a confirmed diagnosis of POAG and 44 age-sex matched healthy subjects were included into the study. A masked physician performed measurements of largest choroidal vessel diameter and choroidal thicknesses (subfoveal, nasal, and temporal) using EDI OCT.

A combination of topographic and pachymetric parameters in keratoconus diagnosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of topographic and pachymetric parameters of Scheimpflug system in keratoconus diagnosis.

Methods: This study included 183 eyes of 183 patients with keratoconus (keratoconus group) and 131 eyes of 131 age and sex-matched healthy subjects (control group). Mean keratometry (K, front), topographic astigmatism, pupil-center pachymetry, apical pachymetry, thinnest pachymetry (TP), corneal volume and maximum K (Kmax) were obtained from the Scheimpflug imaging system.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms in age-related macular degeneration in a Turkish population.

Aim: To assess the association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene.

Methods: The patients who were diagnosed with AMD were included in this prospective study. Three SNPs (rs1413711, rs2146323, and rs3025033) of the VEGF gene were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction in the genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples of the 82 patients and 80 controls.

Optic Disc and Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Changes in Parkinson's Disease.

This study was conducted to assess optic nerve and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) changes in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and its correlation with disease duration and severity. Optic nerve parameters and RNFL thickness were measured in 24 PD patients and 25 age-gender-matched controls by Heidelberg Retinal Tomography II (Heidelberg Engineering, Dossenheim, Germany). Patients with visual acuity below 20/25 were excluded.

Optic disc topographic analysis in diabetic patients.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the optic disc (OD) topographic parameters by using Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT II) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study group consisted of 78 patients with type 2 DM (patient group) and age-sex matched 50 healthy subjects (control group). All patients and controls underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination, automated perimetry, central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement and OD topography by using HRT II.

Effects of topical cyclosporine a plus artificial tears versus artificial tears treatment on conjunctival goblet cell density in dysfunctional tear syndrome.

Objectives: The aim was to compare the effects of topical cyclosporine A and artificial tears combination with artificial tears alone in patients with dysfunctional tear syndrome (DTS).

Methods: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with DTS were enrolled in the study. The inclusion criteria for the study were Schirmer I (without anesthesia) scores below 10 mm/5 min and tear film break-up time (BUT) below 10 sec.

Photodynamic therapy for unilateral idiopathic peripapillary choroidal neovascularization in a child.

A 10-year-old girl presented with visual loss in her right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/50 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Dilated funduscopic examination revealed a yellowish elevated lesion near the optic disc with macular edema and hemorrhage on the inferotemporal vascular arcade in the right eye.

Isolated optic neuropathy in a case of Behçet's disease.

A 57-year-old male with a 1-year history of recurrent oral ulceration and papulopustular lesions presented with acute visual loss in his left eye. He had an oedematous disc without any signs of uveitis. Laboratory work-up regarding infectious diseases was negative.

Gallium-67 citrate scintigraphy and marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. Ocular MALT.

We describe marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and especially MALT lymphoma occurring in the conjunctiva. Tumors of the conjunctiva and cornea are grouped into two major categories of congenital and acquired lesions. Lymphoid tumors of the conjunctiva are acquired tumors and can occur as an isolated lesion or can be a manifestation of systemic lymphoma.

Long-term results of adjunctive use of mitomycin C in external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Objective: To assess the long-term results of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in external dacryocystorhinostomy (EXT-DCR).

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, 35 patients (40 eyes) with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction were assigned randomly into two groups. In the control group, a standard EXT-DCR procedure was performed.

Orbital color Doppler imaging in Behçet's disease with or without ocular involvement.

Purpose: To investigate the value of color Doppler imaging (CDI) of orbital vasculature in the assessment of ocular involvement in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) without clinical ophthalmologic abnormalities.

Methods: CDI of the orbital vessels were performed on 26 eyes of 13 patients who were diagnosed as having BD with ocular involvement (group 1), 65 eyes of 33 patients who had BD without ocular involvement (group 2) and 40 eyes of 20 healthy volunteers (group 3). Peak systolic (PSV) and end-diastolic (EDV) blood flow velocities and resistivity index (RI) measurements were obtained for the ophthalmic artery (OA) and central retinal artery (CRA).

Protective effect of ischemic preconditioning on retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Background: A short period of ischemia can induce remarkable tissue resistance to the deleterious effects of subsequent ischemia and reperfusion. We performed a study to investigate the effect of ischemic preconditioning on retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Methods: Ten Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups of five animals (10 eyes): one group underwent 5 minutes of ischemic preconditioning (achieved by clamping the common carotid arteries at the time of vertebral artery cauterization), and the other did not (control group).

Effects of intraoperative sponge mitomycin C and 5-fluorouracil on scar formation following strabismus surgery in rabbits.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C (MMC) on the postoperative adhesions following strabismus surgery in rabbits.

Methods: Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were used in this prospective, masked, controlled trial. Both eyes of 20 animals underwent 3-mm recession of the superior rectus muscle (SRM).

Efficacy and safety of rimexolone 1% versus prednisolone acetate 1% in the control of postoperative inflammation following phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rimexolone 1% ophthalmic suspension compared to that of 1% prednisolone acetate in the control of inflammation in eyes undergoing cataract extraction with phacoemulsification followed by posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with phacoemulsification followed by posterior chamber IOL implantation constituted the study group of this prospective, randomized, double-masked investigation. Patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups; rimexolone 1% ophthalmic suspension (27 subjects) or prednisolone acetate 1% (21 subjects).

Hyperhomocysteinemia: a risk factor for retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the plasma homocysteine levels in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in order to reveal whether hyperhomocysteinemia was a risk factor for RVO.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive patients diagnosed to have RVO of any type and 25 age- and sex-matched controls without RVO were included in this prospective case-control study. Data regarding age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, other vascular events, glaucoma, medications and smoking habits were obtained from all subjects.

Subjective visual experience and pain level during phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation under topical anesthesia.

Purpose: To investigate the subjective visual experiences and pain during the phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation under topical anesthesia, and whether these parameters change according to the stage of phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients with cataract undergoing phacoemulsification and IOL implantation under topical anesthesia were included in this study. The patients were told that they would be asked about their visual experiences and pain level, if any, during every stage of the surgery.

Basal serum nitric oxide levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and different stages of retinopathy.

Purpose: To compare the basal serum levels of nitric oxide (NO) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with the levels in nondiabetic control subjects.

Methods: The 39 patients with type 2 diabetes included in this study were divided by stage of DR into 3 groups: group A, those without DR; group B, those with background/preproliferative DR; and group C, those with proliferative DR. Eleven nondiabetic subjects made up the control group (group D).