Posterior Pole Asymmetry Analysis in the Children with Anisometropia.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the inter and intraocular differences in posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA) with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in anisometropia, to examine the relationship between the presence of anisometropia and amblyopia and retinal thickness. Methods: Patients between ages of 5 and 16 years with anisometropia who applied to our clinic were included in the study. Macular retinal thickness measurements were evaluated by PPAA using the posterior pole algorithm of the spectral domain-OCT device. Asymmetry was analyzed both as the difference between the right and left eyes and the difference between the superior, inferior, and mean retinal thicknesses of 64 separate quadrants in the same eye. Hemispheric and right-left eye asymmetry differences analyses were performed. Results: 118 patients were included in the study(65 females and 53 males). Group 1 consisted of anisometropic patients (n=46), Group 2 consisted of anisometropic amblyopia patients (n=40), and Group 3 consisted of control group (n=32). The mean age of the patients was 9.72±5.6 years. The mean spherical equivalent difference between the two eyes of the patients was 1.7±0.6 D. When anisometropic eyes were compared with normal eyes, there was no significant difference between mean superior, inferior and total retinal thickness, and right-left eye asymmetry values (for all, p>0.05). In the asymmetry evaluation performed by counting the black boxes in the PPAA, a significant difference was found in the right-left asymmetry evaluation in anisometropic amblyopic eyes, in some quadrants and in the right-left asymmetry analysis (p<0.05). Conclusion: While no difference was found between anisometropic and normal eyes in the PPAA, there was differences in some quadrants in the anisometropic amblyopic group compared to the control group suggesting that there is an involvement in the peripheral quadrants of the macula, especially in treatment resistant amblyopic patients.

Factors Affecting Binocular Sensorial Function in Accommodative Esotropia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was an assessment of factors related to the development and maintenance of binocular sensory function after successful alignment of accommodative esotropia (AE). METHODS: A total of 107 patients aged <12 years with ≥6 months follow-up were included in the study. The variables of age at onset of deviation, duration of deviation before treatment, the amount of uncorrected distance and near deviation, hyperopia, anisometropia, and accommodative convergence to accommodation ratio (AC/A) were evaluated. RESULTS: The study patients had a mean age of 4.9±2.5 years and a mean length of follow-up of 34.3±28 months. Anisometropia was identified in 26.1% of the participants. Anisometropic patients had a greater degree of hyperopia (mean: 5.02±2.07 D) than the patients without (p>0.05). Amblyopia was seen in 25% of the patients with anisometropia, and in 19% of those without (p<0.05). The binocular visual function of the 2 groups was not significantly different (p>0.05). The age at onset of deviation and the duration of deviation did not affect the final outcome (p>0.05 for all). The degree of initial uncorrected distance deviation had a significant effect on the development of amblyopia, fusion, and contoured stereopsis (p<0.05 for all), while the degree of near deviation without correction had a significant effect only on contoured stereopsis. CONCLUSION: The degree of uncorrected distance and near deviation had a negative impact on binocular vision and stereopsis in AE. The presence of anisometropia, age at onset of deviation, duration of deviation before treatment, high hyperopia, and high AC/A did not pose a significant risk for impaired binocular function.

Choroidal and Macular Thickness in Eyes with Amblyopia.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess and analyze the retinal and choroidal thickness in amblyopic eyes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. METHODS: A total of 67 children with amblyopia and 31 age- and gender-matched healthy non-amblyopic control subjects were enrolled in the study. The 67 amblyopic children were divided into 3 groups: hypermetropic amblyopia (Group 1). microesotropia (Group 2). and myopic anisometropia (Group 3). All of the participants underwent a detailed ophthalmologic examination and orthoptic assessment. The subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured at 500-. 750-. 1000-. and 15000-micron intervals nasally and temporally. Central macular thickness was also measured in the subfoveal. parafoveal inferior. parafoveal superior. parafoveal nasal. and parafoveal temporal superior. inferior. nasal. and temporal quadrants. All of the parameters of the amblyopic eyes. fellow eyes. and control eyes were compared. RESULTS: In all. 34 female and 33 male patients were studied. The mean age was 8.6±2.8 years (range: 5-12 years). Comparison of the choroidal thickness and macular thickness measurements between the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eye of the same patient within each group revealed no statistically significant differences. Comparison of the findings in the amblyopic eyes of Group 1 and Group 3 with the control group revealed that the choroidal thickness measurements were smaller in the amblyopic eyes in all quadrants. however. only the nasal quadrant measurements demonstrated a statistical significance. The subfoveal macular thickness value was also smaller in both groups when compared with the control eyes. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that amblyopia. whether anisometropic or microtropic. did not seem to significantly affect choroidal thickness.

Subconjunctival bevacizumab in the impending recurrent pterygia.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection(s) in the treatment of impending recurrent pterygia. Twenty-three eyes of 23 patients who developed impending recurrence after pterygium surgery with conjunctival autografting and were treated with subconjunctival bevacizumab injection(s) (2.5 mg/0.1 mL) were included in the study. Anterior segment photographs were taken prior to and at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after the injection, and at the end of the follow-up period. Image analysis was performed using an image processing and analysis software program. Recurrence rate and complications were recorded. The mean age and follow-up time of the patients were 51.2 ± 6.2 (31-60 years) and 16.8 ± 3.1 (12-22 months), respectively. The average number of injections was 2 ± 0.78 (1-3). Sixteen eyes required re-injection (two injections in nine eyes, three injections in seven eyes), due to progression of vascularization. There were significant differences between size percentage of lesions before injection and at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after the injection (p < 0.05 for all). Corneal recurrence developed in only one patient and no ocular or systemic side-effects of bevacizumab were observed. Repeated injections of bevacizumab may help to prevent the high recurrence rate of residual impending pterygium, due to its adjuvant role in decreasing lesion size, especially in the first year after surgery.

Clear lens phacoemulsification in Alport syndrome: refractive results and electron microscopic analysis of the anterior lens capsule.

PURPOSE: To report the ocular findings of patients with Alport syndrome and the results of clear lens extraction in this patient group. METHODS: Twenty-three eyes of 15 patients with a diagnosis of Alport syndrome were included in this study. Clear corneal phacoemulsification and intraocular foldable lens implantation was performed in eyes with indeterminate refractive errors and/or poor visual acuity and anterior capsule samples were analyzed with electron microscopy. RESULTS: All patients had a history of hereditary nephritis and/or deafness as systemic involvement. Ophthalmologic examination revealed anterior lenticonus with high myopia and/or irregular astigmatism in all patients. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.67 ± 0.17 logMAR (range 1.0-0.4) preoperatively and 0.17 ± 0.08 logMAR (range 0.3-0.0) postoperatively. Postoperative refractive lenticular astigmatism dramatically decreased and no ocular complications arose during the follow-up period. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of the lens capsules supported the diagnosis of Alport syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Clear lens phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation is a safe and effective therapeutic choice for the management of uncorrectable refractive errors and low visual acuity due to anterior lenticonus in patients with Alport syndrome.

The results of pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for endophthalmitis after intravitreal injections.

To report the role of early vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade in acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection. Medical records of eight patients who presented with acute endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of different drugs were retrospectively reviewed. Initial treatment consisted of vitreous tap with cultures and injection of intravitreal antibiotics, with the patients subsequently undergoing pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade within 24 h following initial vitreous tap. The mean time to presentation was 1.7 days (1-3 days). The initial best-corrected visual acuity was hand motion to 0.05 before treatment and 0.05-0.8 (Snellen) after treatment. Vitreous cultures were obtained from all patients, of which four were culture positive. Endophthalmitis was controlled in all patients. There was no retinal detachment or phthisis bulbi during the follow-up period (1-4 years). Acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection occurs rapidly and requires urgent treatment. If intravitreal antibiotics fail to control inflammation, early pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade would be an appropriate option.

Anterior segment complications after phacovitrectomy in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate early and late postoperative anterior segment complications of phacovitrectomy and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with cataract and coexisting vitreoretinal disease in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Baskent University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: The records of 189 consecutive patients with cataract and posterior segment pathology necessitating phacovitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patient profile, indications for surgery, preoperative findings, intraoperative and postoperative course, and postoperative outcome were evaluated. Phacoemulsification was performed through a clear corneal incision with IOL implantation prior to 23-G pars plana vitrectomy. RESULTS: There were 97 (51.3%) diabetic and 92 (48.6%) nondiabetic patients. The most common indications for surgery were vitreous hemorrhage (57; 58.7%), tractional detachment (35; 36%), and premacular hemorrhage (5; 5.1%) in diabetic patients, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (40; 43.4%), macular hole (22; 23.9%), epiretinal membrane (20; 21.7%), and vitreomacular traction (10; 10.8%) in nondiabetic patients. Early (within 4 weeks) postoperative complications included elevation of intraocular pressure, fibrinous uveitis, corneal edema, and development of posterior synechia. Long-term (after 4 weeks) complications included migration of silicone oil into the anterior chamber, posterior capsule opacification, and decentered IOL. The ratio of fibrinous uveitis, posterior synechia, and posterior capsule opacification was found higher in the diabetic group (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined vitreoretinal surgery and phacoemulsification is safe and effective in treating vitreoretinal abnormalities coexisting with cataract in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Diabetic patients should be monitored more carefully for fibrinous uveitis and posterior synechia in the early postoperative period and for posterior capsular opacification in the late postoperative period.

The inner diameter of the optic disc pit decreases with pars plana vitrectomy.

To report a patient with optic disc pit who showed decreased inner diameter of the optic disc pit along with resolution of recurrent macular detachment after pars plana vitrectomy. Pneumatic retinopexy and peripapillary laser photocoagulation was performed in a 28-year-old female with optic disc pit and serous macular detachment. Two months after the initial therapy, serous macular detachment recurred. Then, pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the posterior hyaloid was performed, and intraocular perfluoro-octane (C3F8) tamponade was used. Fundus photography and ocular coherence tomography were obtained at each visit. The patient was followed up for 1 year. Visual acuity was 20/400 (Snellen) at first presentation, improved to 20/40 at 2 weeks after pneumatic retinopexy and peripapillary laser treatment. Then, 2 months later visual acuity decreased to 20/200, improved to 20/40 at 2 weeks after the vitreoretinal surgery, and stayed stable during the 1-year follow-up. It was also noticed on clinical examinations as well as fundus photographs that the inner diameter of the optic disc pit had decreased significantly. Vitreous traction plays an important role in the formation of serous macular detachments with optic disc pits. In these patients, pars plana vitrectomy and posterior hyaloid removal may be an effective treatment for reduction of the inner diameter of the optic pit and resolution of the serous macular detachments.

Laser photocoagulation in intermediate uveitis associated with retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: To describe cases of pars planitis associated with retinoschisis, in which laser photocoagulation was carried out. METHODS: Retrospective review. RESULTS: Three pars planitis cases were associated with retinoschisis and underwent laser photocoagulation. All cases were idiopathic. Retinoschisis was located in the inferior retinal quadrants in all cases and all of them were in bullous formation. None of the cases developed retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: As well as posterior vitreous detachment, or peripheral retinal tears, retinoschisis may accompany pars planitis. Laser photocoagulation of the pars plana is effective in these cases both as a treatment and to prevent sight-threatening complications like retinal detachment.

Late capsular block syndrome presenting with posterior capsule opacification.

PURPOSE: To assess the results of posterior neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy in patients with late postoperative capsular block syndrome (CBS) with decreased vision because of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). SETTING: Baskent University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey. DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Patients with CBS who had phacoemulsification and foldable hydrophilic or hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens implantation with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis were retrospectively reviewed. Transparent to slight milky fluid had collected in the capsular bag. Capsular block syndrome was undiagnosed before the PCO developed. The CBS was treated with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, after which the change in refraction, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), complications, and inflammation rate were evaluated. Follow-up examinations were at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 6 months. RESULTS: The mean time between cataract surgery and laser capsulotomy was 48 months ± 10.27 (SD) (range 28 to 66 months). The Nd:YAG capsulotomy was successful in all eyes. Capsulotomy did not change the refraction in 14 eyes (93.3%). One patient (6.6%) had a change of +0.75 diopter. After capsulotomy, the logMAR CDVA improved in 13 cases (mean 0.26 ± 0.18; range 0.0 to 0.7) and did not change in 2 cases. There were no complications, inflammation, or significant IOP changes. CONCLUSIONS: Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy in patients with PCO associated with late CBS increased visual acuity without a significant change in refraction or IOP. Capsular block syndrome may be asymptomatic and remain undiagnosed for a long time after cataract surgery before PCO develops.

Severe corneal changes following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: To report a series of severe corneal changes following intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) for age-related macular degeneration. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the corneal changes that developed after the procedure in 1200 (460 patients) intravitreal injections of bevacizumab. RESULTS: Five significant corneal changes (1.1%) occurred in these patients within the 1st postinjection week. The severe corneal changes included corneal infiltrative keratitis (n = 2) and corneal stromal edema and descemet folds (n = 3). The findings depended on clinical examination and biomicroscopic and confocal evaluation. In terms of causality assessment, no rechallenge was possible. The appropriate treatment was applied and recovery was achieved in all patients during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may cause corneal changes. The safety and effects of bevacizumab on the cornea should be evaluated in detail.