Macular and Peripapillary Vascular Densities in Non-Glaucomatous Eyes of Patients with Unilateral Glaucoma.

Objectives: Our purpose was to investigate vascular alterations in the non-glaucomatous eyes of patients with unilateral primary open angle glaucoma using optical coherence tomography angiography and to evaluate the role of vascular damage in glaucoma pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 eyes of 30 patients with unilateral glaucoma (63.4±8.8 years) and 30 eyes of 30 healthy subjects (65.6±9.1 years). Three groups were formed: group A, affected eyes of unilateral glaucoma patients; Group B, non-glaucomatous eyes of unilateral glaucoma patients; and group C, healthy controls. Results: When group A was compared with groups B and C, significant differences were detected in rim area, cup volume, mean cup/disc ratio, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness parameters (p<0.001 for all). No significant difference was detected between groups B and C (p>0.05 for all). In peripapillary and macular vessel density (VD) comparisons, all parameters except intradisc VD were found to be lower in group A (p<0.0167 for all). No statistically significant difference was detected between groups B and C (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion: The VD values in eyes with glaucoma were found to be lower than in the other two groups. However, no difference was observed between the non-glaucomatous eyes of glaucoma patients and those of healthy individuals. Thus, the results did not support our hypothesis that VD alterations would be observed in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral glaucoma if the vascular pathway were responsible in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and the therapeutic properties of vitamin E: a histopathologic and flowcytometric research.

Aim of the study: Methotrexate (MTX) causes oxidative stress-related liver damage. Our objective was to investigate the protective effects of vitamin E against MTX-induced hepatotoxicity through histopathological methods and flow cytometry. Material and methods: The rats were assigned to four groups: Control (2 ml saline for 5 days), MTX (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) only on the initial day of the study), MTX + vitamin E (20 mg/kg MTX (i.p.) only on the first day, and 100 mg/kg vitamin E (i.p.) was applied for 5 days during the study), Vitamin E (100 mg/kg of vitamin E (i.p.) was given for five days). Histopathologic changes and the flow cytometric apoptotic index were evaluated for liver tissue. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparisons between groups. The statistical significance level was accepted as p < 0.05. Results: In the histopathological analysis, hepatocyte degeneration, dilatation of sinusoids, mononuclear cell infiltration, hydropic degeneration in hepatocytes, vacuolization, and pycnotic nucleus were observed in the MTX group. In the MTX + vitamin E group, hepatocyte degeneration, pycnotic nuclei, and dilatation in sinusoids were significantly lower compared to the MTX group. In the MTX group, glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes was lower compared to the control group. In the MTX + vitamin E group, glycogen accumulation in hepatocy-tes was higher compared to the MTX group. The flowcytometric apoptotic index (AI) percentage in the MTX group was 34.4% and in the MTX + vitamin E group the value was 9.4%. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that vitamin E ameliorates MTX-induced liver damage. Co-using vitamin E and MTX drugs will be beneficial for the treatment of various diseases.

Scleral Flap Wound Dehiscence with Valsalva Maneuver After Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C.

Incisional surgeries such as trabeculectomy reduce the resistance of the eye to trauma. Trabeculectomy is often performed together with mitomycin C, and late onset hypotony is already an expected complication in these eyes. This case report presents a patient who developed dehiscence of the scleral flap and hypotony maculopathy after Valsalva maneuver after 5.5 years of trabeculectomy. In a 6-month period, the patient's hypotonic maculopathy became evident, and vision was affected after this period. Thereupon, the wound site was explored, and dehiscence of the scleral flap at the temporal wound site and increased aqueous outflow were detected. Repair was done with sterile pericardium patch. Post-operative vision, intraocular pressure, and hypotony maculopathy recovered very quickly. After incisional surgeries, patients should be warned against both external trauma and minor traumas such as eye rubbing and Valsalva maneuver.

Effect of Chrysin on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in a Rat Model of Testicular Torsion.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of chrysin (CHS) on testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) injury in vivo through the mechanisms of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). METHODS: Eighteen male rats were divided into three groups of six subjects in each group: control, T/D and T/D + CHS (100 mg/kg). To evaluate the degree of oxidative stress, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined using colorimetric methods, while tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were determined using an ELISA kit. To evaluate the degree of ERS, tissue glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) levels were determined using ELISA kits. Johnsen's testicle scoring system was used for histological evaluation. RESULTS: In the T/D group, it is determined that statistically significant decreasing in the levels of TAS, SOD and Johnsen score, and increasing in TOS, MDA, GRP78, ATF6 and CHOP levels compared to control group (p < 0.05). CHS administration statistically significantly restored this T/D-induced damage (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to show that CHS prevent T/D-induced testicular damage through its ERS inhibitor activity. More comprehensive studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/08941939.2021.2015489 .

Comparison of refractive outcomes using Scheimpflug Holladay equivalent keratometry or IOLMaster 700 keratometry for IOL power calculation.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare postoperative refractive error results using Pentacam (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) Holladay equivalent keratometry readings (EKR) or IOLMaster 700 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) keratometry (K) values in IOL power calculation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 54 eyes of 31 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Preoperative biometric measurements of all patients were obtained using IOLMaster 700 followed by Pentacam measurements. IOLMaster 700 K measurements on horizontal (K1) and vertical (K2) axes and EKR measurements on 2 mm (EKR2mm), 3 mm (EKR3mm) and 4.5 mm (EKR4.5 mm) corneal zones were recorded. EKR4.5 mm value and IOLMaster 700 K values were used in Holladay-II, SRK/T, Haigis, and Hoffer-Q formulas to calculate predictive refractive error (PRE). Absolute refractive error (ARE) was calculated as the absolute difference between actual postoperative refractive error (APRE) and PRE values. RESULTS: Mean age was 72.2 ± 8.3 (51-87) years and mean IOL power was 21.5 ± 2.9 D (18-23 D). There was no significant difference between PRE values when IOLMaster 700 K measurements and EKR4.5 mm K measurements were used in Holladay-II, SRK/T, Haigis, and Hoffer-Q formulas (p = 0.571, p = 0.833, p = 0.165, p = 0.347, respectively). There was no significant difference between APRE and ARE values (p = 0.124). According to mean ARE results, the closest estimate was achieved when the IOLMaster 700 K values were used in the Holladay-II formula (p = 0.271). CONCLUSION: IOLMaster 700 K measurement and Pentacam EKR4.5 mm measurements can be used interchangeably. IOLMaster 700 K values yielded the most predictive measurement of the refractive result using the Holladay-II formula.

Peripapillary and Macular Vessel Density Measurement With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Exfoliation Syndrome.

PRECIS: Although peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLTs) and vessel density (VD) values were similar to healthy group, eyes with exfoliation syndrome had significantly lower superficial macular VDs and minimum ganglion cell analysis values. PURPOSE: To compare peripapillary and macular perfused capillary densities with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) between patients with eyes having exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and normal age-matched healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with XFS from December 2017 to January 2020 at the Glaucoma Department. Peripapillary and parafoveal superficial VDs were obtained using OCT-A. The RNFLTs and ganglion cell analysis values were compared. RESULTS: Thirty-nine eyes of 39 XFS patients (26 women; mean age, 69.0±8.1 y) and 39 eyes of 39 healthy patients (25 women; mean age, 68.0±8.6 y) were enrolled. There were no statistically significant differences in sex or age distribution, central corneal thickness measurements, refractive errors, or intraocular pressures between both groups (all P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the peripapillary VD or peripapillary RNFLT between XFS eyes and healthy eyes (P>0.05 for all). In the macular region, most superficial VD parameters were significantly reduced in the XFS group (P=0.02 for parafoveal VD, P=0.04 for both hemifields). While the average ganglion cell and internal plexiform layer (GCL+IPL) values were similar between groups (P=0.19), the minimum GCL+IPL value was lower in the XFS group than in the healthy group (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: Although structural test results, especially peripapillary RNFLT and mean GCL+IPL, were similar between the healthy and XFS groups, macular VD values were lower in XFS eyes. Our findings implicate microvascular damage can be the mechanism underlying XFS-related changes and indicate that it precedes significant structural damage.

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. RESULTS: During the study period, 4604 eyes of 2541 patients with glaucoma were screened and 145 eyes of 104 patients (4.1%) were identified as having UG. One hundred and thirty-four eyes (92.4%) had open-angle glaucoma and 11 eyes (7.6%) had closed-angle glaucoma. The mean patient age was 47 ± 16 (6-90) years. Idiopathic uveitis (54 eyes), Behçet's disease (26 eyes), Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis (21 eyes), Herpes Simplex virus infectious uveitis (14 eyes), and ankylosing spondylitis (six eyes) were the leading types of uveitis associated with glaucoma. Acute anterior uveitis was the most common type of uveitis diagnosed in 72 patients (105 eyes), whereas 21 patients (27 eyes) had panuveitis, eight patients (nine eyes) had intermediate uveitis, and three patients (four eyes) had posterior uveitis. The need for surgical intervention was 37.2% among all cases and the most common surgery was trabeculectomy in 45 eyes. CONCLUSION: UG is a vision-threatening complication commonly seen in patients with uveitis. This study demonstrates the epidemiological features and underlying etiologies of UG in the Turkish population. The most common primary causes of UG were Behçet's disease and Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis.

Artifacts and Anatomic Variations in Optical Coherence Tomography.

In recent years, ophthalmologists widely depend on optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is an objective, reliable, and repeatable structural test for both early diagnosis of glaucoma and detecting progression of the disease. Using this technology, it is now possible to take measures of various anatomic structures and layers of the optic nerve head, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, and macular area. Although OCT has these powerful capabilities in general, anatomical variations, artifacts related to the ocular pathologies, and issues with image acquisition can be present in up to one-third of scans. These anatomical variations and artifacts can be misleading to an interpreter and may lead to erroneous conclusions. This review focuses on the realization and prevention of most common anatomical variations and artifacts observed with OCT imaging. The concepts of floor effect and red and green diseases are also investigated.

Changes in ocular biometric parameters after renal transplantation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the changes in postoperative ocular biometric parameters in end-stage renal disease patients who underwent renal transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 33 eyes of 33 patients. The ocular biometric measurements which were evaluated were axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal keratometry (K1 and K2), degree of astigmatism, lens thickness (LT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). Refractive prediction error (RE) was calculated before and after renal transplantation using the same diopter (D) for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation and evaluated for potential cataract surgery. RESULTS: The study included 15 male (45%) and 18 female (55%) patients. Mean patient age was 31.55 ± 8.24 (range: 18-49 years). In the comparison of preoperative and 1-month postoperative measurements, there was a statistically significant difference in AL, LT, ACD, and CCT (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between K1, K2, and astigmatism measurements (p = 0.72; p = 0.35; p = 0.62, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in RE (p = 0.61-Holladay 2). CONCLUSION: While renal transplantation surgery does not lead to significant changes in astigmatism, predicted refractive error, corneal keratometry, or intraocular pressure, it causes significant decrease in axial length, lens thickness, and central corneal thickness and significant increase in anterior chamber depth. However, these changes do not result in significant changes in IOL power calculation in planned cataract surgery.

The Diagnostic Ability of Ganglion Cell Complex Thickness-to-Total Retinal Thickness Ratio in Glaucoma in a Caucasian Population

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the macular ganglion cell complex-to-total retinal thickness (G/T) ratio in a Caucasian population. Materials and Methods: A total of 86 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: healthy; ocular hypertension; preperimetric glaucoma; and early glaucoma. Macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC) thickness, total retinal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) in one randomly selected eye of each patient were measured with measured with Heidelberg HD spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany). G/T ratio (%) was calculated as (mGCC thickness / total retinal thickness) x100. The ability of each parameter to diagnose glaucoma was examined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis and sensitivity evaluation at a fixed level of specificity. Unpaired t test was used to compare the measured values between the healthy subjects and the different patient groups. Results: The study included 9 healthy individuals, 18 patients with ocular hypertension, 28 with preperimetric glaucoma, and 31 with early glaucoma. Total retinal thickness, mGCC thickness, RNFLT, and G/T ratio were highest in the healthy group and decreased progressively in patients with ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma. All comparisons between the groups were significant for these parameters (p<0.001 for all). Average RNFLT, average GCC, and total retinal thickness showed consistently higher AUROC than G/T ratio in the differentiation between healthy individuals and patients with ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma. Conclusion: G/T ratio does not contribute to separation of ocular hypertension, preperimetric glaucoma, and early glaucoma patients from the healthy population. Compared to the other parameters investigated, G/T had lower diagnostic value.

Relationship between primary open angle glaucoma and blood pressure.

Background: Glaucoma is commonly defined as high intra ocular pressure (≥21 mmHg) with optic neuropathy characterised by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells which is associated with characteristic structural damage to the optic nerve and visual field loss. There are several studies investigating relation between primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and both systemic hypertension and especially night hypotension. Our aim was to compare 24-h ambulatory blood pressure variability of patients with glaucoma followed-up in the eye outpatient clinic with that of patients free of glaucoma.Methods: A total of 75 patients were included in the study, 35 in the patient group and 40 in the control group. Both groups were compared for daytime, night-time, and whole day mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) readings in the ambulatory blood pressure testing.Results: Mean daytime systolic BP of the glaucoma patients was 119.5 ± 11.6 mmHg, and 128.3 ± 15.5 mmHg for control group (p = 0.008). The night-time systolic blood pressure, whole day systolic BP, and mean diastolic BP were significantly lower in patients with glaucoma (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.028, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, we identified daytime systolic BP, night-time systolic BP, and whole day systolic BP were independent risk factors for developing glaucoma.Conclusion: If the progression of the disease is noticeable in patients with glaucoma at follow-up, night-time hypotension should be ruled out with ambulatory blood pressure and if this is observed medical treatments used by the patients should be reviewed and necessary measures should be taken.

Evaluation of quality of life after implantation of a new trifocal intraocular lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vision-related quality of life (QOL) after implantation of a new trifocal intraocular lens (IOL), by using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-14 (VF-14 QOL questionnaire). SETTING: Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective noncomparative case series. METHODS: Consecutive patients who had a new trifocal IOL (PanOptix) bilaterally implanted were included in the study. The vision-related QOL was assessed 3 months after the surgery in the second eye. The VF-14 QOL questionnaire was used, with a grading scale of 0, no difficulty; 1, a little difficulty; 2, moderate difficulty; 3, quite difficult; 4, impossible to perform. A subgroup of 14 patients, with an interval of at least 3 months between the surgery in the first eye and the surgery in the fellow eye, were also interviewed 3 months after the monocular IOL implantation. In this subgroup, the QOL with monocular and binocular implantation was compared. RESULTS: The study comprised 48 patients. Reading small print, driving at night, and doing fine handwork were the most difficult tasks to perform, with the mean values of the VF-14 QOL questionnaire being 0.94 ± 0.81 (SD), 0.89 ± 0.68, and 0.64 ± 0.67, respectively. Binocular implantation was associated with improvement in vision-related QOL when compared with monocular implantation, with significant differences in doing fine handwork such as sewing (P = .02) and using a computer (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: With mean values of 1.00 or lower for each question, the results of the VF-14 QOL questionnaire indicated that patients who have the new trifocal IOL bilaterally implanted have an overall high satisfaction rate and a high vision-related QOL.

Comparison of Keratometry Obtained by a Swept Source OCT-Based Biometer with a Standard Optical Biometer and Scheimpflug Imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess agreement of a swept source-optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) based Biometer with a standard IOLMaster device and Scheimpflug Imaging (SI) to acquire keratometric measurements in cataract patients. METHODS: In this prospective comparative study, 101 eyes of 101 cataract surgery candidates, aged 24-81 years, were sequentially examined using three devices. Keratometry values at the flat (K1) and steep (K2) axis, mean corneal power (Km) and magnitude of corneal astigmatism as well as J0 and J45 vectoral components of astigmatism obtained with the SS-OCT based biometer (IOLMaster 700) were compared with those obtained with the IOLMaster 500 and SI. The agreement between measurements was evaluated by the Bland-Altman method, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Mean K1 values from the three devices were similar (p = 0.09). Mean K2 and Km values of IOLMaster 700 were higher than SI and lower than IOLMaster 500 (p = 0.04 for K2 and p = 0.02 for Km). There was a strong correlation between K1, K2, Km and magnitude of astigmatism obtained with all devices (r ≥ 0.80 and p < 0.01). The 95% limits of agreement (LoA) width for each keratometric value were highest for the comparison between IOLMaster 500 and SI and lowest for the comparison between IOLMaster 700 and 500. The mean differences (width of 95% LoA) for J0 and J45 vectoral components were 0.005 (2.19) and 0.12 (2.92) for the measurements obtained by IOLMaster 700 vs IOLMaster 500 and 0.06 (1.79) and 0.02 (1.58) for the measurements obtained by IOLMaster 700 vs SI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: With ICCs close to 1, the agreement between all devices was excellent for keratometric measurements. Mean K2, Km and astigmatism measurements from IOLMaster 700 were lower than IOLMaster 500 and higher than SI. However, the differences were quite small and are not expected to affect the final IOL power.

Circumferential Ciliary Body Cysts Presenting as Acute Pigment Dispersion and Ocular Hypertension.

PURPOSE: To report a case of circumferential neuroepithelial cyst of the ciliary body presenting with pigment dispersion (PD) and ocular hypertension. CASE REPORT: 48-year-old female patient presented with a complaint of pain in the left eye. On examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 0.9, and the intraocular pressure was 48 mmHg. Biomicroscopic anterior segment examination of the left eye revealed 4+ pigmented cells in the anterior chamber. Active PD from the pupillary region at 11 o'clock was noticed at the time of the examination. Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated 360º cystic lesions of the ciliary body in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed as neuroepithelial cyst of the ciliary body. CONCLUSION: Our case is unique as it is the first case of circumferential neuroepithelial ciliary body cyst presenting with acute PD and ocular hypertension.

Comparison of the mechanical properties of the anterior lens capsule in senile cataract, senile cataract with trypan blue application, and pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the elastic modulus, hardness, and mechanical properties of the anterior lens capsule in different types of cataract and to assess the correlation with age. SETTING: Baskent University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Prospective comparative study. METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised patients with senile cataract, Group 2 patients had pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome, and Group 3 patients had dye-enhanced cataract surgery. The capsules were analyzed using a nanoindentation device. Young's modulus of elasticity was measured by the Oliver-Pharr method and capsule hardness by the Martens method. RESULTS: The study comprised 72 patients, 24 per group. The mean Young's modulus was 7.53 GPa ± 1.07 (SD) in Group 1, 6.01 ± 1.25 GPa in Group 2, and 8.12 ± 0.98 GPa in Group 3. The capsules in Group 2 were more elastic than in Group 1 and Group 3 (P < .001). The capsules in Group 3 had lower elasticity than in Group 1, although the difference was not significant (P = .94). The mean capsule stiffness was 326.41 ± 98.40 MPa in Group 1, 210.5 ± 52.32 MPa in Group 2, and 315.54 ± 163.15 MPa in Group 3. The lens capsules in Group 2 were less stiff than those in Group 1 and Group 3 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Capsule thickness was positively correlated with increasing age in all groups. The anterior lens capsules of patients with PXF had more elasticity and less stiffness than the other groups. Intracameral trypan blue application had no effect on capsule elasticity and stiffness.

Early Clinical Features of Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome in Anterior Segment and Gonioscopy Examination.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the early signs of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) in fellow eyes of cases with unilateral PEX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fellow eyes of 34 cases with unilateral PEX were evaluated by slit-lamp and gonioscopy. Findings associated with PEX were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age was 67.8±8.1 years (range 55-86 years). Twenty-five patients (73.5%) had pigmentation in the inferior angle and 23 patients (67.6%) had Sampaolesi's line located on the inferior angle in fellow eyes. The other most common findings were loss of peripupillary ruff in 10 patients (29.4%) and pigment dispersion following pupil dilation in 14 patients (41.1%). CONCLUSION: Pigmentation in the inferior angle and Sampaolesi's line on the inferior angle seem to be the most common early findings associated with PEX. Special attention should be paid to these findings in cases with ocular hypertension for proper management.

Corneal, Scleral, Choroidal, and Foveal Thickness in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate corneal, scleral, choroidal, and foveal thicknesses in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare them with healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included consecutive female patients diagnosed with RA and healthy subjects. Corneal, scleral, choroidal, and retinal (foveal) thicknesses were obtained by using optical coherence tomography and a comparison was performed between groups for all outcome measures. RESULTS: Thirty-six eyes of 36 female patients diagnosed with RA (group 1) and 36 eyes of 36 healthy female volunteers (group 2) were included. Mean corneal, scleral, choroidal thicknesses and retinal thickness at the fovea of group 1 were 543.3±33.7 µm, 343.7±42.2 µm, 214.6±50, and 213.5±18.9 µm, respectively; in group 2, these values were 549.9±29.6 µm, 420.9±42.4 µm, 206.4±41.9 µm, and 222±15.5 µm, respectively. The comparison between group 1 and 2 with respect to corneal, choroidal, and foveal thicknesses did not reveal statistical significant differences (p>0.05). On the contrary, there was a statistically significant difference with respect to scleral thickness between the groups, with the RA patients demonstrating a thinner scleral layer (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Female patients with RA seem to demonstrate statistically significant scleral thinning when compared with healthy subjects, while there was no difference concerning corneal, choroidal, and foveal thickness.

Comparison of keratometric measurements obtained by the Verion Image Guided System with optical biometry and auto-keratorefractometer.

The aim of this study was to compare the keratometric measurements of Verion Image Guided System with an optical biometer (Zeiss IOLMaster 500, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) and an automated keratorefractometer (AKR) (Topcon KR-8900, Topcon, Japan). In this prospective clinical trial, the right eyes of 52 patients with cataract were examined (mean age 62.25 ± 12.16 years). The measurements were taken by the three systems in a random order. Keratometric data, magnitude of astigmatism, and astigmatic axis measurements from all three instruments were compared. The results were evaluated using, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots, and paired samples t tests. The mean flat/steep K of Verion, IOLMaster, and AKR were 43.22 ± 1.38D/44.23 ± 1.46D, 43.07 ± 1.26D/44.05 ± 1.34D, and 43.07 ± 1.31D/43.89 ± 1.42D, respectively. Flat K readings of Verion were higher than IOLMaster and AKR (p < 0.05 for both). Steep K readings were different for all three (p < 0.05). The magnitude of astigmatism by Verion and IOLMaster were 0.98 ± 0.65D and 0.98 ± 0.59D (p = 0.88). The mean astigmatism measured by the AKR was 0.82 ± 0.62D, less than the other two instruments (p < 0.001). Astigmatic axis measurements of Verion and AKR differed <10° in 38, between 10° and 20° in 5, and >20° in 9 eyes; the same difference was 30, 11, and 11 eyes, respectively, between Verion and IOLMaster. Although, keratometric and astigmatic results obtained from Verion were not completely interchangeable with IOLMaster and AKR, especially the agreement between Verion and IOLMaster was excellent with ICCs close to one. However, there were pronounced astigmatic axis measurement differences between three instruments.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thicknesses in Three Different Optic Nerve Head Size Groups Measured by Cirrus Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses in three different optic nerve head (ONH) size groups measured by Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January and March 2013, 253 eyes of 253 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study (mean age: 42.7±7.4 years [28-62 years]; 121 men and 132 women). The patients were divided into 3 groups according to ONH size: 77 patients in the "small ONH" group (ONH area <1.63 mm2), 90 patients in the "medium ONH" group (ONH area 1.63-1.97 mm2), and 86 patients in the "large ONH" group (ONH area >1.97 mm2). RESULTS: There were significant differences in superior (p=0.008), inferior (p=0.004) and average RNFL thickness (p=0.001) between the small, medium and large ONH groups. Positive correlations between ONH size and inferior/average RNFL thicknesses were significant but very weak (r=0.150, p=0.017 and r=0.157, p=0.013 respectively). CONCLUSION: RNFL thickness as measured by Cirrus OCT is positively correlated with ONH size and the differences in RNFL thickness were statistically significant between groups. This correlation and difference may be the result of a varying distance between the circular scan and the ONH margin.