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Hülya Güngel, Zeynep Kayaarasi Öztürker, Sibel Zirtiloğlu, Kadir Eltutar Ophthalmology Department, Istanbul Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between visual outcomes and the determinants detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and/or taut posterior hyaloid (TPH) that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Materials and methods: A total of 30 participants with diabetic ERM and TPH were included in the study. All study participants underwent PPV. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), macular RNFL, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and ganglion cell complex thicknesses were measured in each participant. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the association between the OCT parameters and the visual acuity measured at the time of the OCT measurement. Results: The postoperative BCVA logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) values were statistically higher than the preoperative values in the ERM group and TPH group (P=0.001 and P0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that achievement of better peripapillary RNFL thickness results in better visual outcome after PPV and ERM/TPH removal. Keywords: diabetic epiretinal membrane, taut posterior hyaloid, retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, optical coherence tomography

Erkan Ünsal, Kadir Eltutar, Sibel Zirtiloğlu, Nurhan Dinçer, Sezin Özdoğan Erkul, Hülya GüngelDepartment of Ophthalmology, Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, TurkeyPurpose: The aim of the study reported here was to assess choroidal thickness (CT) and central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with diabetic retinopathy.Materials and methods: A total of 151 eyes from 80 patients from the retina department of Istanbul Training and Research Hospital who had type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy were studied retrospectively in this cross-sectional research. Patients were divided into three groups: mild–moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema (NPDR), mild–moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema (DME), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, 40 eyes of 20 healthy individuals comprised a control group. Choroidal thickness was measured from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-µm intervals up to 1,500 µm temporal and nasal to the fovea. The CMT measurement was obtained for each eye. Serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured.Results: The study included 191 eyes, comprising 151 eyes of 80 patients and 40 eyes of 20 healthy individuals. Of the 151 patient eyes, 61 had NPDR, 62 had PDR, and 28 eyes had DME. There was no statistically significant difference in age between the groups (P>0.05). In both the PDR and DME groups, the CT was statistically significantly decreased compared with the control group (P

Hulya Gungel,1 Ozen Ayranci Osmanbasoglu,1 Cigdem Altan,2 Deniz Oygar Baylancicek,3 Isil Basgil Pasaoglu2 1Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic, 2Beyoglu Eye Education and Research Hospital, 3Kudret Eye Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey Aim: The objective of the study reported here was to evaluate the effect of ranibizumab on retinal circulation times and vessel caliber and to analyze the correlation of these factors with visual acuity (VA) prognosis in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Subjects and methods: This prospective cohort study included 52 eyes of 46 patients (mean age 73.5 years [standard deviation 7.7]; 28 males, 18 females). The study parameters were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) (pre- and posttreatment: for 3 months after the last injection), retinal circulation times, diameter of retinal arteriole (DRA), and diameter of retinal vein (DRV) (pre- and posttreatment: after a loading dose of three consecutive injections of ranibizumab with a 4-week interval in the initial phase). The pretreatment, posttreatment measurements, and their differences were recorded for analyses. The injections were repeated when needed. Eyes were grouped into one of two groups according to VA recovery: Group 1, cases showing significant recovery of VA (n=21, 37%), and Group 2, cases showing preservation of VA (n=22, 42%) and deterioration of VA (n=11, 21%). Differences were compared statistically in and between groups. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken to determine the correlation of these parameters with VA recovery.Results: There was a significant reduction in DRA (P=0.007) and CMT levels (P=0.001) in both study groups after treatment. When the two groups were compared, the differences in pretreatment values of DRA (P=0.001), DRV (P=0.017), CMT (P=0.039), and mean BCVA (P=0.00) were found to be statistically significant. Posttreatment changes in DRA (P=0.013) and mean CMT (P=0.010) were found to be factors related to VA recovery by logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: Our findings reveal that ranibizumab treatment is associated with decrease in DRA, CMT, and significant improvement in VA recovery. Further, taking into account the cases in which VA was preserved, when needed, ranibizumab should be re-injected after the loading dose. Keywords: vessel caliber, prognosis, central macular thickness, retinal vein diameter, retinal arteriole diameter

Purpose: To investigate diabetic retinopathy (DR), plasma long pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and taurine levels, and systemic factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)., Materials and Methods: Patients with type 2 DM were categorized based on the presence of DR and maculopathy. Retinal findings (retinopathy, maculopathy, flame-shaped hemorrhage, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities, neovascularization of the optic disc, neovascularization elsewhere, and soft exudate); laboratory findings (fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c], Taurine, PTX-3); systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were analyzed., Results: In this study, 39 patients with a mean age of 59.5 ± 8.1 years were included. The mean taurine level was significantly lower ( p = .025) and HbA1c values were significantly higher ( p = .0001) in patients with and without DR, respectively. In patients with varying severity of DR, a significant difference in the plasma taurine level was found ( p = .0001). The mean PTX-3 level decreased with the severity of retinopathy; however, there was no significant difference in levels among the grading groups ( p = .732). Taurine and PTX-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with maculopathy ( p = .001 and p = .022, respectively) and significantly higher in patients with grade 0 maculopathy than in those with grade 1, 2, or 3 maculopathy ( p = .023, p = .01, and p = .01, respectively). Patients with flame-shaped hemorrhage had significantly lower PTX-3 levels ( p = .009) and higher SBP and DBP levels ( p = .003, p = .023) than those without the hemorrhage., Conclusions: No significant relation between PTX-3 level and severity of DR was found. HbA1c, taurine, and PTX-3 levels in patients with vision-threatening DR symptoms were significantly different from those without these symptoms. Management of systemic blood pressure and glycemic control is mandatory in the follow-up of DR, and increasing the plasma taurine levels can prevent vision loss.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is mainly caused by metabolic factors, vascular inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of DR with inflammatory and biochemical alterations in type 2 diabetics., Methods: A total of 89 diabetic patients with retinopathy [(DR (+) (n = 30)], without retinopathy [(DR (-) (n = 32)], and 27 control subjects were involved in the study. Demographic properties, biochemical values, ophtalmologic evaluation, C-reactive protein (CRP), and pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) levels were recorded., Results: There was significant difference between controls, DR (-) and DR (+) groups with regard to serum PTX-3 levels. Control group had the lowest and DR (+) group revealed the highest PTX-3 levels. Severity of retinopathy was not related with CRP or PTX-3 levels. Duration of diabetes was longer, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) were significantly higher in DR (+) subjects than DR (-) subjects. Multivariate analysis revealed that PTX-3 level and SBP were the variables that had a significant effect on DR (P = 0.002, OR = 1.61, and P = 0.021, OR = 1.06, respectively)., Conclusions: Plasma PTX-3 levels may be a valuable predictor of DR-like factors such as duration of diabetes, hypertension, and UACR. Although inflammation has an important role in DR, we think that biomarkers reflecting inflammation is not sufficient to predict development and progression of DR; but follow up with PTX-3 levels along with ophthalmological evaluation may be useful. A single determination may not reflect the variations over time, so repeat measures may provide knowledge if PTX-3 is just a biomarker or has a causal role.

To report an outbreak of Fusarium solani endophthalmitis after uneventful cataract surgeries performed on the same day in the same operating room. Nine patients underwent phacoemulsification at 4th Clinic of Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul. Cefuroxime axetyl was injected intracamerally from the same vial to all patients at the end of surgery. All patients developed acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Presentation, cultural studies, treatment, clinical responses and risk factors were evaluated. Cultural and DNA sequence findings revealed F. solani. Antifungal therapy was begun and pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens and capsule extraction were performed. Corneal involvement was correlated with old age and systemic disease. Fusarium solani should be considered in acute postoperative endophthalmitis. This infection can be controlled with early and aggressive combined antifungal and surgical treatment. The patients with corneal involvement had poor prognosis. It is important to use solutions prepared separately for each patient., (© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and success rate of high-pressure irrigation (HPI) applied under topical anesthesia in outpatient treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction., Methods: HPI was applied under topical anesthesia to 39 eyes of 32 consecutive patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. If obstructive symptoms persisted after the first attempt, treatment was repeated within 1 month. Patients were divided in two age groups: 7 to 12 months and 12 to 18 months. The two groups were compared in terms of the number of attempts needed to resolve the obstruction., Results: Thirty-nine eyes that had failed conservative treatment underwent high-pressure irrigation. The overall success rate was 31 of 39 (79.48%) at the first attempt; complete success (8/8, 100%) was achieved at the second attempt. The success rate in the younger group was 18 of 22 (81.8%) at the first attempt and 4 of 4 (100%) at the second attempt. The success rate in the older group was 13 of 17 (76.5%) at the first attempt and 4 of 4 (100%) at the second attempt. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the number of attempts needed to relieve the symptoms (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in massage times and age between cases resolved at the first and second attempts (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: HPI can be attempted as an alternative second-step treatment or as a transition procedure between conservative and invasive methods. HPI has the advantage of being less invasive than other secondary methods, and its application under topical anesthesia seems to be safe and effective.

Purpose: To investigate whether structural changes occur in silicone oil that has been left in the eye for different periods and to research the relationship of emulsification with the time during which silicone oil is left in the eye, glaucoma, and wide relaxing retinotomy., Methods: Samples of silicone oil were randomly removed from the eyes of 22 patients. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and spectroscopy were used to identify any changes in the silicone oil. The relationship between spectroscopically determined emulsification with time spent in the eye, glaucoma, and wide relaxing retinotomy was investigated statistically., Results: GPC revealed that no change was found in the 1,000-centistoke silicone oil model after it had been removed from the eye. Spectroscopy identified absorption peaks belonging to water in addition to those belonging to the functional groups. The relationships between emulsification and time spent in the eye and glaucoma were found to be statistically insignificant, while that between emulsification and wide relaxing retinotomy was statistically significant., Conclusion: Intravitreally applied silicone oil undergoes no structural change. Wide relaxing retinotomy constitutes a risk factor for silicone oil emulsification, which can occur earlier than expected and before it can be observed clinically.