Anterior segment optical coherence tomography evaluation of corneal epithelium healing time after 2 different surface ablation methods

To compare epithelial healing time following laser epithelial keratomileusis [LASEK] and photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] with anterior segment optic coherence tomography [AS-OCT]. This prospective interventional case series study comprised 56 eyes of 28 patients that underwent laser refractive surgery in the Department of Ophthalmology, Medipol University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey, between March 2014 and May 2014. Each patient was randomized to have one eye operated on with PRK, and the other with LASEK. Patients were examined daily for 5 days, and epithelial healing time was assessed by using AS-OCT without removing therapeutic contact lens [TCL]. Average discomfort scores were calculated from ratings obtained from questions regarding pain, photophobia, and lacrimation according to a scale of 0 [none] to 5. The mean re-epithelialization time assessed with AS-OCT was 3.07 +/- 0.64 days in the PRK group, 3.55 +/- 0.54 days in the LASEK group, and the difference was statistically significant [p=0.03]. Mean subjective discomfort score was 4.42 +/- 0.50 in the PRK eyes, and 2.85 +/- 0.44 in the LASEK eyes on the first exam day [p=0.001]. The score obtained on the second [p=0.024], and third day [p=0.03] were also statistically significant. The fourth [p=0.069], and fifth days scores [p=0.1] showed no statistically significant difference between groups. The PRK showed a statistically significant shorter epithelial healing time, but had a statistically significant higher discomfort score until the postoperative fourth day compared with LASEK

Increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in the aqueous humor of patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the levels of aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic patient groups in comparison to normal subjects, and to correlate elevated VEGF with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Materials and Methods: Aqueous samples were obtained from 78 eyes of 74 patients undergoing intraocular surgery and they were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Color photographs, optical coherence tomography scans, and fluorescein angiography were used to evaluate patients preoperatively. Results: A strong statistical correlation was found to exist between the level of aqueous VEGF and the severity of DR (P < 0.001), whereas, the VEGF levels in a control group and a diabetic group without DR were not significantly different (P = 0.985). Aqueous VEGF levels were significantly elevated in patients with proliferative DR (PDR) as compared to the control group (P < 0.001), to diabetic patients without retinopathy (NDR) (P < 0.001), and to diabetic patients with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) (P < 0.001). The aqueous VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with active PDR than in those with quiescent PDR (P = 0.001). On the other hand, a statistically insignificant (P = 0.065) correlation was found between elevated aqueous VEGF and the presence of macular edema in the NPDR group. Conclusions: VEGF was elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with DR compared to that in normal eyes. The aqueous VEGF level had a strong correlation with the severity of retinopathy along with a statistically insignificant difference in macular edema.