Evaluation of the effects of environmental factors and eating habits on exfoliation syndrome and glaucoma in a Turkish population.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the possible effect of environmental factors and eating habits on patients with the exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and exfoliative glaucoma (XFG) in a Turkish population. METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to 1,000 individuals, including 290 patients with XFS, 210 patients with XFG, and 500 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants. Sociodemographic characteristics, home type and warming methods, living and working conditions (indoor-outdoor), dietary habits based on the the guidance of Turkey Dietary Guidelines, (Determination of Nutritional Status Report and Turkey National Nutrition and Health Survey) and using sunglasses were evaluated. The chi-square test, Student t test, and analysis of variance were used for the statistical analysis with SPSS v. 23.0 software. RESULTS: The case-control groups were matched during data collection, and age and sex distribution in groups was analyzed; however, no difference was found. The average years and hours spent outdoor were statistically different between case and control groups (P < 0.05). The disease risk among individuals wearing sunglasses was 2.74 times less than that among those who did not wear sunglasses. Individuals born in the city had 1.46 times lower risk. Also, living out of the city until the age of 12 years increased the risk of getting the disease 1.36 times. In addition, while living in an apartment decreased the risk of disease, using a stove increased. The control groups had more healthy eating habits than the case groups. CONCLUSION: This case-control study showed that time spent outdoors, wearing sunglasses, home type, heating method, and eating habits might be associated with XFS and XFG.

New Onset Isolated Granulomatous Dacryoadenitis During Etanercept Therapy.

Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) biological agents can rarely cause sarcoid-like granulomatosis. A 20-year-old woman presented with a 1-month history of painful left upper eyelid swelling. She was on subcutaneous etanercept and methotrexate for 1 year for juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Imaging showed diffuse enlargement of the left and minimal enlargement of the right lacrimal gland. There was no finding in favor of sarcoidosis on systemic evaluation. Incisional biopsy of the left lacrimal gland revealed non-caseating granulomatous dacryoadenitis. The findings showed significant regression 1 month after cessation of Etanercept therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this report illustrates the first case of an isolated granulomatous dacryoadenitis during TNF-α antagonist therapy.

Serum Apelin and Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels in Patients With Exfoliation Syndrome or Exfoliative Glaucoma.

PRéCIS:: Apelin and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations, affecting the nitric oxide pathway, were different in the patient group compared with the control subjects. These 2 molecules may have potential effects in vascular pathologies and their possible role in predisposition to vascular comorbidities in exfoliation syndrome (XFS) or exfoliative glaucoma (XFG). PURPOSE: To evaluate apelin and ADMA levels in serum samples from patients with XFS or XFG compared with healthy control subjects. METHODS: Serum ADMA and apelin concentrations were evaluated from 36 and 32 XFS patients; 27 and 24 XFG patients; and 34 and 30 healthy controls, respectively. Subjects without systemic disease (including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, obesity) were included in the study and body mass index was calculated in all participants. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to determine serum apelin and ADMA concentrations. Independent sample t test, χ test, analysis of variance test, and Pearson test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean serum apelin levels of XFG, XFS, and control group were 1063.3±373.4, 1196.7±433.7, and 1343.3±405.1 ng/mL, respectively. Patients with XFG demonstrated significantly lower level of apelin versus controls (P=0.034). Mean serum ADMA concentration was significantly greater in XFS subjects (2.05±0.98 µmol/L) compared with normal controls (1.57±0.58 µmol/L) (P=0.042). No association was detected between ADMA and apelin concentrations and age, sex, and body mass index for both XFS and XFG groups. CONCLUSIONS: Significant alterations in serum levels of apelin and ADMA may suggest potential effects in vascular pathologies and a possible role in predisposition to vascular comorbidities in XFS/XFG.

Complement Factor I Gene Polymorphism in a Turkish Age-Related Macular Degeneration Population.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of Complement Factor I (CFI) rs10033900 and rs2285714 polymorphism frequencies in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and healthy controls in a Turkish population. METHODS: A total of 111 eyes of 111 AMD patients and 96 eyes of 96 healthy controls, only one eye of individuals, were included in the study; however, 2 patients' and 4 controls' samples were excluded as analyses could not be performed for rs10033900 polymorphism. The AMD patients and control group (>50 years) lacked corneal, lenticular, vitreal opacity. However, these patients did not have any retinal diseases apart from AMD. Venous blood samples of patients were collected. Central macular thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), presence of reticular drusen, epiretinal membrane, and pigment epithelial detachment were investigated using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography, and the largest diameter of atrophic areas measured. Drusen properties were documented from fundus photographs. The lesion width was calculated by using fundus fluorescein angiography. RESULTS: There was no difference between patient and control groups and polymorphism distributions. The frequency of the CT allele was higher in patients with dry-type AMD with retinal pigment epithelial abnormality (p = 0.041). SCT was significantly thinner in TT allele carriers with rs2285714 polymorphism (p = 0.030). No significant relationship was found between the other parameters and polymorphism distributions. Con-clusion: CFI rs10033900 and rs2285714 polymorphisms in a Turkish population were not associated with AMD.

Efficacy of 180° Cyclodiode Transscleral Photocoagulation for Refractory Glaucoma

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TS-CPC) limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation in patients with various forms of refractory glaucoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty eyes with refractory glaucoma treated with 180° TS-CPC were retrospectively analyzed for intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and success rates. Patients' age, gender, type of glaucoma, number of diode laser treatment sessions, postoperative complications, number of hypotensive medications required to control IOP, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. The criteria for success were defined as postoperative IOP <21 mmHg or >20% decrease in IOP with or without additional medical treatment. Results: The mean age of all patients was 51.3±26.9 years (range,1-84 years). The mean postoperative IOP level (23.9±8.5 mmHg) was significantly lower than preoperative IOP (39.2±8.9 mmHg) (p<0.001). The success rate was 66.6% after the first laser treatment and reached 86.7% following repeat laser treatments over an average follow-up period of 22.2±19.9 months. The need for topical hypotensive medications decreased from 2.8±1.0 preoperatively to 2.4±1.3 following TS-CPC (p=0.048). Two patients (6.6%) had a one-line decrease in their BCVA following TS-CPC. Transient hypotony and hyphema developed in 4 patients (13.3%). Total laser energy delivered did not correlate with either preoperative (rho=0.10; p=0.594) or postoperative IOP (rho=0.21; p=0.260). Conclusion: TS-CPC limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation is associated with a reasonable success rate and low incidence of adverse effects in patients with refractory glaucoma.