Search

Purpose: To evaluate the role of viral infections in the pathogenesis of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: The study included 48 patients diagnosed with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy surgery. Prior to dacryocystorhinostomy surgery, nasal swab sample was taken from the inferior meatus at the same side. During dacryocystorhinostomy, tissue biopsy sample (2 × 2 mm) was taken from the junction area of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Following nucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction was performed. Results: The patients consisted of 9 (18.8%) men and 39 (81.2%) women with a mean age of 51.0 ± 14.3 years. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction showed viral genome in the nasal swabs of 10 (20.8%) patients, including coronavirus 229E (three cases), coronavirus HKU1 (two cases), respiratory syncytial virus (two cases), coronavirus OC43 (one case), coronavirus NL63 (one case), and adenovirus (one case). In the dacryocystorhinostomy samples, viral genomes were detected in four (8.3%) cases, including respiratory syncytial virus (two cases), coronavirus HKU1 (one case), and adenovirus (one case). There was a statistically significant agreement between nasal mucosal swab and dacryocystorhinostomy biopsy samples in terms of respiratory syncytial virus positivity (kappa = 1.000, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Although the viral genome was detected in the samples, a direct relationship between viruses and pathogenesis of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction could not be revealed because of the low number of positive results. However, considering the profibrotic characteristics of specific viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus, viral infections may be one of the many predisposing factors of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

To compare the clinical findings and the cytological grade of the disease before and after 6 months of topical cyclosporine A treatment in patients with dry eye.: This single-center prospective study was performed at the Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara University School of Medicine, between January 2007 and June 2008.Forty-five patients with dry eye (with 5 mm/5 minutes or less Schirmer test) were included in the study. Patients were treated with cyclosporine A 0.005% ophthalmic emulsion (RESTASIS) twice daily in addition to lubricant eyedrops 5 times a day. Schirmer test values, tear breakup time (BUT), and impression cytology (goblet cell density, nucleus to cytoplasmic ratio, and epithelial cell morphology) were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months.Before and after 6 months of the treatment with topical cyclosporine A, the median Schirmer test scores were found as 3.00 and 4.00 mm, respectively. The median BUT score at baseline was 4.00 seconds, and after treatment, the median score was 5.00 seconds. There were statistically significant differences in the median Schirmer and BUT values between, before, and after 6 months of treatment (P0.05). The mean cytological grade according to Nelson grading system was 1.84 at baseline and 1.51 after treatment with topical cyclosporine A for 6 months. Statistically significant improvement in cytological grades after treatment was observed (P0.05).Treatment of patients with dry eye for 6 months with topical cyclosporine A resulted in an increase in Schirmer test results, an increase in BUT scores, and an improvement in cytological grade of the disease.

To compare the thickness of the ciliary bodies of eyes with unilateral high axial myopia with their relatively normal fellow eyes.A total of 19 patients with unilateral high axial length (AL) were included in the study. Mean patient age was 28.4+/-10.4 (11-44) years. All eyes underwent ultrasound biometry to measure the AL, and ultrasound biomicroscopy to measure the anterior chamber depth, ciliary body thickness (CBT), and ciliary process thickness (CPT), ciliary muscle thickness (CMT). The results were compared between each subject's high myopic eye and relatively normal fellow eye.The mean AL was 27.24+/-1.52 mm (range: 25.16-30.21 mm) in high myopic eyes and 23.64+/-0.86 mm (range: 22.47-25.10 mm) in normal fellow eyes. The median +/-95% confidence interval of CBT, CPT, and CMT was 1.350+/-0.034, 0.626+/-0.072, and 0.698+/-0.057 mm, respectively, in high myopic eyes and 1.211+/-0.050, 0.535+/-0.064, and 0.644+/-0.065 mm, respectively, in normal fellow eyes. The anterior chamber depth, CBT, CPT, and CMT were significantly higher in myopic eyes compared with their relatively normal fellow eyes (P0.05). CMT significantly increased with age in both groups (P0.05). There was no significant correlation between age and CBT in both the groups (P0.05).The CBT, CMT, and CPT are significantly higher in eyes with unilateral high axial myopia than in their relatively normal fellow eyes.

Purpose: To report the ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) findings of anterior segment tumors and simulating conditions. Methods: Thirty-five patients underwent UBM. Of those, 16 had histopathologically or cytopathologically diagnosed tumors, and 19 had clinically diagnosed lesions. Results: The study material comprised 13 iris pigment epithelial (IPE) cysts, 7 ciliary body melanomas, 4 iris melanomas, 4 iris nevi, 3 intraocular invasions of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 2 ring melanomas of the anterior chamber angle, 1 medulloepithelioma and 1 pars plana cyst. On UBM, all IPE cysts presented as cystic lesions with a thin cyst wall and no solid components. All ciliary body melanomas showed low to medium reflectivity, with cavitation in one case and extraocular extension in another. Iris melanomas presented as anterior (stromal) iris lesions with medium to high internal reflectivity. There was irregularity and convex bowing of the posterior iris plane in iris melanomas, a feature not seen in iris nevi. Intraocular invasion of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma was evidenced as areas of medium to high reflectivity in the ciliary body and iris, loss of the acute angle shape and highly reflective spots in the anterior chamber. Conclusions: UBM was particularly useful in the diagnosis of IPE cysts, in the visualization of small ciliary body melanomas, in the differentiation of iris melanomas from iris nevi and in the demonstration of intraocular invasion from conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.

To evaluate the corneal sensitivity and nerve morphology in dry eyes.A total of 32 eyes of 16 patients (10 Sjogren's syndrome and six non-Sjogren's syndrome) and 19 eyes of 10 age-matched controls were studied. Sensitivity of the central cornea was measured by the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. The morphology of corneal nerves was studied by in vivo confocal microscopy (ConfoScan 2.0, Fortune Technologies Srl, Vigonza (PD), Italy). Sub-basal epithelial nerve plexus, subepithelial nerve plexus, and stromal nerves were localized and evaluated for the number of nerves, thickness, reflectivity, and tortuosity for each frame.The mean corneal sensitivity of dry eye patients (5.6 mm/grs/S) was found significantly lower than that of the control (5.0 mm/grs/S) group (P0.01). Although the subepithelial nerves were thicker in dry eyes (mean: 6.38+/-1.18 microm) than control eyes (mean: 5.72+/-1.27 microm), this difference was not significant (P0.05).Decreased corneal sensitivity is not associated with morphological changes of corneal nerves in dry eyes.

Purpose To evaluate and measure the thickness of the levator aponeurosis by ultrasound biomicroscopy in congenital dysmyogenic and aponeurotic blepharoptosis. Methods Forty-four upper eyelids of 22 patients who had unilateral blepharoptosis were evaluated by ultrasound biomicroscopy. The patients ranged in age from 13 to 69 years (mean, 35.4 +/- 20.2 years). Fourteen patients were male and 8 patients were female. Seven patients had congenital dysmyogenic blepharoptosis and 15 patients had aponeurotic blepharoptosis. Imaging was performed with a 50-MHz transducer. The thickness of the levator aponeurosis was measured centrally at the upper border of the tarsus. Results The levator aponeurosis was imaged in all eyelids except for one eyelid with aponeurotic blepharoptosis. The mean thickness of the levator aponeurosis was 0.39 +/- 0.10 mm in the ptotic eyelid and 0.42 +/- 0.09 mm in the control eyelid of the patients with congenital dysmyogenic blepharoptosis (p = 0.043). The mean thickness of the levator aponeurosis was 0.26 +/- 0.05 mm in the ptotic eyelid and 0.36 +/- 0.04 mm in the control eyelid of the patients with aponeurotic blepharoptosis (p = 0.001). The thickness of the levator aponeurosis was correlated with the palpebral fissure height (p = 0.013, r = 0.644) in aponeurotic blepharoptosis. The thickness of the levator aponeurosis was correlated with the levator function (p = 0.033, r = 0.795) in congenital dysmyogenic blepharoptosis. Conclusions The thickness of the levator aponeurosis can be measured with ultrasound biomicroscopy. The most common pathology in aponeurotic blepharoptosis is thinned-out aponeurosis. The levator aponeurosis of the ptotic eyelid is thinner than the normal eyelid in congenital ptosis.

Objective To investigate the visual acuity and binocular function results achieved in children who had monocular cataracts removed before 8 years of age. Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants Clinical records of 171 patients who underwent a unilateral cataract removal between January 1986 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. Seventy-four eyes were included in the study: 19 congenital, 11 developmental, 19 posterior lenticonus, 19 traumatic, and 6 complicated cataracts. Patients with less than 2 years of follow-up; eyes with cataracts resulting from retinoblastoma; prematurity; and those associated with dense corneal scars, lens dislocation, and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous were excluded. Intervention Visual acuity was measured by means of age-appropriate tests such as the fixation pattern, Allen object recognition cards, isolated optotypes with the Sheridan Gardiner test, and Snellen letters. Sensory fusion was assessed with the Worth 4-dot test, and stereo acuity was assessed with the Titmus stereo test. Main outcome measures Cataracts were classified regarding type, extent, age at onset, duration of the opacity, age at surgery, method of removal, development of secondary membrane , form of optical rehabilitation, and presence of strabismus. Visual acuity levels between 6/6 and 6/12 were considered "good." Fusion of the Worth 4-dot test at distance and near, and presence of stereo acuity of 100 seconds of arc or better were considered "good" binocular function. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to define factors that correlated with achieving good visual outcome. Results Visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 27 (36.5%) eyes. However, good binocular function was achieved in only 11 of these 27 patients. Results of univariate analysis showed that later age at onset of cataract and absence of strabismus were significant for good visual acuity and binocular function. The presence of strabismus increases the risk of not achieving good visual acuity by 5.45-fold. Conclusions Good visual acuity and binocular function can be achieved after removal of monocular cataracts in visually immature children. Patients with strabismus at presentation or during the follow-up period have the least chance of achieving a good sensory result.

PURPOSE To evaluate the risk factors for posterior capsule rupture with or without vitreous loss (PCR +/- VL) in extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). METHODS The charts of 2794 consecutive patients who had ECCE with or without intraocular lens implantation between January 1992 and December 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. Probable risk factors included age, sex, operated eye (right or left), presence of diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, history of vitreous loss in the other eye (if operated), type of cataract, axial length of the eye, preoperative visual acuity, glaucoma, presence of pseudoexfoliation, preoperative shallow anterior chamber and experience of surgeon (resident, general ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon). We compared 192 patients who had PCR +/- VL with complete data and 275 randomly selected patients who had no complications, using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-four patients (9.09%) had PCR and 197 (7.05%) had PCR + VL. The surgeon's experience (p < 0.0005), glaucoma (p < 0.005), type of cataract (p < 0.005), presence of pseudoexfoliation (p < 0.05) and systemic hypertension (p < 0.05) were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Patients with risk factors such as glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation, traumatic cataract and systemic hypertension should be operated by experienced surgeons.

Purpose. To estimate the incidence and the factors that may play a role in the etiology of eyelid malpositions after cataract extraction. Methods. We followed up 124 patients for six months after cataract extraction. Palpebral aperture, levator function, height of the upper lid crease, lower eyelid laxity and position of the punctums were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Post-cataract ptosis was defined as a 2 mm or greater drop in the lid margin after correcting for any change in the fellow eye. Results. None of the patients developed ectropion or entropion, but five (4%) developed punctal ectropion after surgery. The incidence of post-cataract ptosis was 7.3% at six months. Age, sex, preoperative measurements of levator function, lid crease and dermatochalasis were not predictive for the development of ptosis at six months. However, there was a significant difference in the preoperative palpebral fissure width between the patients with ptosis and those without (pConclusions. Several factors are involved in the development of post-cataract ptosis. Temporary ptosis may be related to the myotoxicity of the local anesthetic. The presence of ptosis on the first postoperative day is the best predictor for the development of ptosis at six months.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of the transillumination technique for precisely locating the ciliary sulcus in transscleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) by determining the haptic positions with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Numune Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Methods Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to determine the haptic positions in eyes with ab externo transsclerally fixated PC IOLs. Eyes were randomly assigned to a control group, in which transscleral fixation of a PC IOL was performed, or an endoilluminator-assisted group, in which transscleral fixation was combined with transillumination. Results The study evaluated 33 eyes of 28 patients ranging in age from 16 to 81 years. The control group comprised 19 eyes (17 patients) and the endoilluminator-assisted group, 14 eyes (12 patients). All haptics were easily visualized with UBM. The UBM examination showed that the rate of haptics located in the sulcus was statistically significantly higher in the endoilluminator-assisted group (64%) than in the control group (24%) ( P = .001). There was no significant difference in either group in the rate of precise sulcus location between the straight needle and the 28-gauge insulin needle ( P >.05). Conclusions Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed the difficulty in reliably suturing the haptics in the ciliary sulcus, even with the use of a transillumination technique. However, the results suggest that the transillumination technique is a safe and easy procedure and helps the surgeon identify the ciliary sulcus during transscleral fixation of PC IOLs more precisely than without the use of transillumination.

To evaluate the results of lacrimal probing in children at or older than 1 year of age with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.Fifty eyes of 38 children (24 males, 14 females) with congenital epiphora who underwent nasolacrimal duct probing were evaluated in a prospective study. The age of the patients was between 12 and 101 months (mean: 33 months). Success of probing was defined as complete resolution of preoperative symptoms and signs. The mean follow-up was 8 months (3-28 months).The success rate of probing was 88% (44/50 eyes). Residual epiphora was observed in 6 eyes of 4 patients (12%). Age of the patient, gender, the frequency of epiphora before probing and the unilaterality or bilaterality of epiphora did not correlate with the success of probing (p0.05).Nasolacrimal duct probing is advocated as a primary treatment in children younger than 9 years of age before proceeding to more complex treatment options. Unsuccessful probing may result from the selection of nonmembranous obstructions rather than the increased age of the patients.

To evaluate the incidence of secondary membrane formation, factors that lead to its development, and the frequency of procedures to treat these membranes in children after cataract surgery.Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.Clinical records of 152 patients (190 eyes) who had cataract extraction between January 1986 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up was 6 years (range 2 to 13 years). Cataract surgery was performed through a limbal incision in all cases. Twenty-eight eyes had a primary posterior capsulectomy, and 120 eyes had posterior capsulectomy combined with an anterior vitrectomy. In 42 eyes, the posterior capsule was left intact. Nineteen eyes received a primary intraocular lens (IOL), 15 eyes received a secondary IOL, and 156 eyes were rehabilitated with spectacles or contact lenses.Seventy-two eyes (37.9%) developed secondary membrane a mean of 8.9 months postoperatively (range 3 weeks to 53 months). Membranes occurred in 78.6% of eyes with an intact posterior capsule, 42.9% with posterior capsulectomy, and 22.5% with combined posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy. Secondary membrane formation was associated with not performing a posterior capsulectomy with anterior vitrectomy (P.001) and the presence of a primary IOL (P.001). Younger age at surgery increased the chance of secondary membrane formation in patients who had posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy (P.01).The younger the child at cataract surgery, the greater the risk of secondary membrane. Primary posterior capsulectomy combined with an anterior vitrectomy decreased but did not eliminate the incidence of secondary membrane.