Demodex Species and Culturable Microorganism Co-Infestations in Patients with Blepharitis.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. and bacterial infection in patients with blepharitis and also to investigate the relationship between culturable microorganisms and Demodex spp. in this study. The study included patients diagnosed with blepharitis (n = 128) and volunteers without ocular problems (n = 113). Eyelash sampling was performed by epilating eight lashes, which were then tested for Demodex spp. using a light microscope. The examination consisted of assessing the patient's vision with and without ocular correction and tonus in both eyes and a careful examination of the anterior segment of both eyes. Bacterial identification was performed based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical methods. The prevalence of Demodex spp. was 8.0% in patients from the control group and all patients with blepharitis. Isolated forms of Demodex spp. were detected in all infested patients in the control group and in 58% of patients with blepharitis. A total of 35% of patients with blepharitis had from three to nine forms of Demodex spp., and 7% of patients with blepharitis had more than 10 mites in every field of vision. We found a statistically significant relationship between Demodex spp. infestation and the occurrence of eye dryness and sensations of burning and tearing, redness of the conjunctiva, feeling of a foreign body, loss of eyelashes, Meibomian gland dysfunction, and cylindrical dandruff. There were statistically significant relationships between Demodex sp. infestation and the presence of hyperopia, Meibomian cysts, chronic eyelid inflammation, and the use of eyeglasses. There was also a statistically significant relationship between the occurrence of Demodex spp. and seborrheic dermatitis and diabetes mellitus. Culturable microorganisms of the ocular surface were found in 8.7% of participants who were uninfested and in all patients infested with D. folliculorum. We isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Bacillus spp. from the conjunctival sac only in patients infested with D. folliculorum. This indicates an increased probability of colonization by pathogenic bacteria in patients with demodicosis. Therefore, patients infested with D. folliculorum should undergo a microbiological examination of conjunctival swabs.

Role of Gender in the Prevalence of Myopia among Polish Schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the progression of myopia among Polish schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 4875 children from elementary schools and high schools were examined (2470 boys, aged 6-16 years, mean age 11.0, SD = 2.6 and 2405 girls, aged 6-16 years, mean age 11.1, SD = 2.6). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were reported as spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least -0.5 D. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and 2-sided Fisher's exact test. p values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was found that the SE among Polish boys is similar to the SE among Polish girls before the age of 9 years. However, in older children, lower SE values and higher prevalence of myopia were found among girls than boys, both at 9-13 years range (0.45 ± 1.05 vs 0.55 ± 1.23 D, p=0.047 and 8.30% vs 5.71%, p=0.015, respectively) and at 13-16 years range (0.32 ± 1.14 vs 0.54 ± 1.08 D, p=0.0093 and 10.37% vs 5.96%, p=0.0050), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Gender is associated with the prevalence of myopia among Polish schoolchildren ranging from 9 to 16 years of age.

Enhancement of Choriocapillaris Visualization in En Face Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Images.

BACKGROUND Visualization of the choriocapillaris vessels using swept-source optical coherence tomography is a novel technique. However, en face images obtained with current commercial equipment using this method are still unclear. Therefore, using freely available image processing software, we have been able to enhance and clearly visualize single choriocapillaris blood vessels. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 4 swept-source optical coherence tomography en face images of the choriocapillaris in 2 male patients in both eyes and processed them using Image J software. RESULTS In our study, all images displayed clearly individual choriocapillaris vessels. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of this technique significantly improves visualization of the choriocapillaris. Further studies need to be carried out in order to validate this method of enhancement.

Near-infrared fundus autoflorescence imaging in solar retinopathy.

Solar retinopathy is a rare clinical entity caused by photochemical damage to the retinal pigment epithelium layer and photoreceptors of the fovea. Here we describe a case of a 33-year-old female patient diagnosed by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence imaging for signs of damage to the melanosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium of the fovea. The patient was advised to discontinue looking at the sun with the naked eye.

The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Prevalence of Myopia in Poland.

PURPOSE: In the paper, we describe and discuss the results of epidemiological studies concerning myopia carried out in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results from the examination of 5601 Polish school children and students (2688 boys and 2913 girls) aged 6 to 18 years were analyzed. The mean age was 11.9 ± 3.2 years. Every examined student had undergone the following examinations: distance visual acuity testing, cover test, anterior segment evaluation, and cycloplegic retinoscopy after instillation of 1% tropicamide, and a questionnaire was taken. RESULTS: We have found that (1) intensive near work (writing, reading, and working on a computer) leads to a higher prevalence of myopia, (2) watching television does not influence the prevalence of myopia, and (3) being outdoors decreases the prevalence of myopia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study point to insufficiency of accommodation contributing to the pathogenesis of myopia.

The role of outdoor activity in the development of myopia in schoolchildren.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to examine whether outdoor activity influences the prevalence of myopia in schoolchildren. Materials and methods: 5601 Polish students of elementary and secondary schools (2688 boys and 2913 girls), 6­18 years of age (mean 11.9 ±3.2 years) were examined. In every student cycloplegia after 1% tropicamide was performed. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was calculated after examination of both eyes. Time spent on outdoor activity was evaluated based on a questionnaire. The obtained results were typed into an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed statistically using Statistica 10 software. Non-parametric tests were used due to the SE distribution being significantly different from normal distribution in the Kolmogorov­Smirnov test. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient (Rs) was used to evaluate the strength of the correlation between these variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: It has been established that with the increase in time spent on outdoor activity, the spherical equivalent of the examined students significantly increases, but the correlation is very weak (Rs = +0.036, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Outdoor activity slightly reduces the prevalence of myopia in schoolchildren.

Macular Pigment Optical Density and Ocular Pulse Amplitude in Subjects with Different Axial Lengths and Refractive Errors.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to: (1) investigate the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in subjects with different axial lengths (AL) and refractive errors (RE); (2) determine if there is a correlation between MPOD and OPA; and (3) evaluate whether MPOD and OPA depend on intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 140 eyes of 70 subjects - 17 men and 53 women, aged 18 to 29 years (mean: 22.5 years; SD=2.8). Every examined person underwent a thorough eye examination including: visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus examination, keratometry, auto-refractometry, and MPOD, OPA, AL, and IOP measurements. The obtained results were analyzed statistically using Statistica 10 software. P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The following refractive errors were selected: emmetropia (34 eyes), hyperopia (18 eyes), low myopia (60 eyes), medium myopia (19 eyes), and high myopia (9 eyes). It has been established that the OPA increases with the rise in the spherical equivalents (SE) (Rs=+0.38, P<0.001), while the increase in AL correlates with the decrease of OPA (Rs=-0.40, P<0.001). The increase in IOP correlates with the rise in the OPA (Rs=+0.20, P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between IOP and SE or AL. CONCLUSIONS: (1) MPOD is not correlated with the OPA in subjects with different AL and RE; (2) OPA decreases with the rise of AL; (3) OPA decreases with the fall of the SE; and (4) OPA increases with the rise in IOP.

[Medicine and politics in the lives of Kazimierz Noiszewski, Józef Pilsudski, Boleslaw Wieniawa-Dlugoszowski and Felicjan Slawoj Skladkowski]. / Medycyna i polityka w zyciorysach Kazimierza Noiszewskiego, Józefa Pilsudskiego, Boleslawa Wieniawy-Dlugoszowskiego oraz Felicjana Stawoja Skladkowskiego.

Changes in the economy in Poland in the years 1864-1914 generated changes in the structure of society. A new social stratum, the intelligentsia, was formed from the educated children of rich landowners. To meet social needs Polish universities in Cracow and Lviv opened new departments of medicine. The article presents fragments of the biographies of 4 Poles: Kazimierz Noiszewski, Józef Pilsudski, Boleslaw Wieniawa-Dlugoszowski and Stanislaw Slawoj Skladkowski to illustrate how their study of medicine affected their further activity as patriots and politicians. Kazimierz Noiszewski was an emigrant who lived and worked as an ophthalmologist in Russia. He tried to support the Polish community and Polish medical knowledge. For Józef Pilsudski and Stanislaw Slawoj Skladkowski medical studies gave freedom of thought and the opportunity to meet other patriots. Boleslaw Wieniawa-Dlugoszowski was a man of many interests, and after graduating from a medical university in Lviv, and a short stay in Paris, he became engaged in military service for his country.

Does the month of birth influence the prevalence of refractive errors?

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to examine whether the month of birth influences the prevalence of refractive errors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 5,601 schoolchildren were examined (2,688 boys and 2,913 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 11.9, SD 3.2 years). The children examined, students of elementary and secondary schools, were Polish and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. Every examined subject underwent retinoscopy under cycloplegia using 1% tropicamide. Data analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Siegel and Castellan post-hoc test or the Mann-Whitney U-test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Students born in June had significantly higher spherical equivalents than schoolchildren born in May (0.66 ± 1.17 and 0.39 ± 1.17 respectively, p = 0.0058). The Mann-Whitney U-test showed that students born in June had significantly higher spherical equivalents than schoolchildren born in any other month (0.66 ± 1.17 and 0.50 ± 1.17 respectively, p = 0.0033). Besides that, we did not observe any other association between refractive errors and the month of birth. CONCLUSION: Children born in Poland in June may have a higher spherical equivalent.

[Demodex folliculorum and demodex brevis]. / Demodex folliculorum i demodex brevis.

Demodex are cosmopolitan mites occurring in many species of mammals. Two morphologically distinct Demodex species parasitize on humans: Demodexfolliculorum (Simon, 1842) and Demodex brevis (Akbulatova, 1963). Until recently, these species have been regarded as commensals; now they are considered as parasitic organisms. In people, Demodex spp. can be found mainly in the sebaceous glands of the skin (mainly in the area of the forehead, cheeks, nose, behind ears and neck), in hearing aids, and on the scalp, covered with hair. Infection with demodex happens through direct contact with infected bed linen, towels, creams and other cosmetics. Despite the high prevalence of Demodex spp. in the human population, symptoms of demodecosis are not common, and can be found mainly in people with weakened immune systems due to aging or a number of diseases.

[Terson syndrome--a literature review]. / Zespól Tersona - przeglad pismiennictwa.

Tersone syndrome was first described in 1900 as haemorrhages in the eye that occur as a consequence of intracranial hemorrhage. The main cause of the syndrome in adults is a subarachnoid hemorrhage following the rupture of intracranial aneurysm. The pathogenesis has not been fully understood. It is believed that the increase of intracranial pressure results in the hemodynamic changes in ocular vessels. Reported symptoms include decrease of visual acuity following generalized symptoms such as headache, loss of consciousness and meningealsigns. Physical examination usually reveals vitreous hemorrhage (classic Terson's syndrome) and other forms of intraocular hemorrhage. The authors reviewed the available literature on the Terson's Syndrome. Clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and available treatment options are presented and discussed, considering the rare occurrence of this disease.

THE INFLUENCE OF READING AND WRITING ON THE PREVALENCE OF MYOPIA.

PURPOSE: In this study we decided to answer the question of whether spending more time on reading and writing leads to higher prevalence of myopia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 70 people (140 eyes)--17 men and 53 women aged 18-29 years (mean 22.5 ± 2.8) were examined. A questionnaire concerning the amount of time spent each day on reading and writing, as well as ophthalmic examination involving: visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus examination, keratometry, autorefractometry and axial length of the eyeball measurement (using IOL Master) were carried out in all participants. The refractive errors were described as spherical equivalents (SE). Hyperopia was defined to be SE higher than +0.5 Dsph, and emmetropia to be higher than -0.5 and lower than +0.5 Dsph. Myopia was defined to be with a SE lower than -0.5 Dsph. High myopia was defined as SE lower than -8, medium myopia in the range between -8 and -4, and low myopia lower than -0.5 and higher than -4 Dsph. The obtained results were typed into an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed statistically using Statistica 10 software. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: It was found that people with low myopia spent statistically more time on reading and writing than participants in the emmetropic group (5.8 ± 2.4 vs 4.1 ± 2.4 h/day, p = 0.003). A relationship between reading and writing and medium and high myopia and hyperopia was not observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Near visual work leads to higher prevalence of low myopia.

Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis in healthy and immunocompromised patients.

PURPOSE: To examine the proportion of Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis in the eyelashes of healthy and immunocompromised patients. METHODS: Eyelashes were taken from 95 patients at the Pomeranian Medical University, Clinic of Haematology, and from 1091 healthy controls. RESULTS: Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis were found in 22.9% of controls and in 20% of immunocompromised patients. In neither the control group nor the immunocompromised patients did we observe a correlation between the proportion of symptoms of blepharitis and the presence of Demodex spp. - symptoms including burning sensations, loss of eyelashes, sensitivity to light, smoke and dust, dacryorrhea (excessive flow of tears), and foreign body eye sensation. A correlation between itching eyes and Demodex spp. infection was found only in the control group. A correlation between the proportion of cylindrical dandruff in eyelashes and the occurrence of Demodex spp was found in both the control group and immunocompromised patients. CONCLUSION: Proportions of D. folliculorum and D. brevis, and also symptoms of blepharitis were similar in the control group and immunocompromised patients. Immunosuppression did not seem to increase the rate of Demodex spp. infection.

Myopia and night lighting. Investigations on children with negative family history.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate if ambient lighting at night before the age of 2 years is associated with the occurrence of myopia in a large population of Polish children. To eliminate the influence of genetic factors, only children with a negative family history of myopia were included. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 3905 students, all of whom had a negative family history of myopia were examined (1800 boys and 2105 girls, aged 6-18 years, mean age 12.2, S.D. 3.3 years). The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia with 1% tropicamide. Myopia in the subjects was defined as a spherical equivalent of at least -0.50 dioptres. The parents of all students examined completed a questionnaire on the child's family history of myopia as well as the child's exposure to light emitted by incandescent or fluorescent lamps before the age of two years. Data analysis was performed using chi-squared Pearson test; p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Sleeping until the age of two with a room light is not associated with the presence of myopia during school years (p>0.05). No differences in the use of light emitted by incandescent or fluorescent lamps on the prevalence of myopia was found (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Myopia is not associated with night light use before age of 2 years in a population of Polish children with a negative family history of myopia. Because both, the restricted population and results differ from our previous positive associations, perhaps early light exposure and family history/genetics interact in influcencing the occurance of myopia.

School phobia in children with dyslexia.

PURPOSE: Dyslexic disorders are found in many children, affecting the emotional and social sphere and producing negative consequences for school functioning of the child. The aim of the present work was to determine the impact of the type of therapy on school phobia in dyslexic children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 165 dyslexic children were examined using the questionnaire "Me and my school" developed by Elzbieta Skrzypek-Siwinska. The therapeutic experience of the children was taken into account and three groups were formed: 1) children with regular therapy; 2) children with occasional therapy; 3) children without therapy. RESULTS: Children with occasional therapy demonstrated higher levels of school phobia. These children exhibited a higher level of fear in situations when their knowledge was tested. Girls revealed a higher level of school phobia and knowledge testing fear, regardless of their therapeutic experience. CONCLUSIONS: The present study disclosed that the quality of therapy affects the emotional sphere of dyslexic children. Irregular therapy can produce serious consequences in the form of enhanced school phobia.

[Investigations on the prevalence of axial and refractive anisometropia]. / Badania nad czestoscia wystepowania anizometropii osiowej i refrakcyjnej.

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper was to describe the prevalence of axial and refractive anisometropia among students 18 years old. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out among high school students 18 years old in Szczecin, Poland. A total of 1040 students including 381 boys and 659 girls were examined. Every student underwent retinoscopy after cycloplegia using 1% Tropicamide. The differences in spherical equivalents in the right and left eye, were calculated. Students who had anisometropia >1.00 Dsph, were qualified to the next part of the studies, in which examinations using an autorefractometer, keratometer, biometric ultrasounds as well as the IOL Master were carried out. In the group of 70 students (which makes up 7% of the examined population), qualified to the next part of the examinations, a total of 20 participants (2%) declined. The remaining 50 students (5%) were divided into two groups. One group consisted of students with axial anisometropia, while the other consisted of students with refractive anisometropia. All of the collected data were stored in an electronic database using the Microsoft EXCEL computer program and analyzed with Statistica 6.1 software. In the analysis of nominal variables the Fisher exact test was used. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In the conducted studies a higher prevalence of axial anisometropia (60%) compared to refractive anisometropia (40%) was observed, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.20). No association between the type of anisometropia and gender was found in the studies. Axial anisometropia was found in 60% of boys and girls in the study group qualified to the second part of the examinations, while refractive anisometropia was found in 40% of boys and girls qualified to the next part of the examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Anisometropia in students 18 years old is caused more often by different axial length rather than by different refraction of the eye.

[Endophthalmitis in course of candidosis--a case report]. / Zapalenie wnetrza galki ocznej w przebiegu kandydozy--opis przypadku.

PURPOSE: Description of a rare case of bilateral fungal endophthalmitis in a patient and the associated diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient 28 years old was diagnosed because of bilateral deterioration in endophthalmitis. Therefore, the diagnostic possibilities were run down and material taken from the vitreous chamber were handed to determine the Candida spp. antigen using Elisa test, standardized for serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Combination therapy including drugs and surgery were performed. RESULTS: Ophthalmoscopy OP/OL showed the presence of "clusters of cotton" in vitreous body characteristic for ocular candidosis. Targeted treatment for Candida spp. with voriconazole were based on a very high concentration of mannan antigen in the resulting of the test. The final diagnosis was established after microbiological examination of material taken during vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: High level of mannan antigen Candida spp 4259.83 in vitreous body may indicate a fungal endophthalmitis. fungal endophthalmitis, ocular candidosis, endogenic infection of the eye.

The effect of progressively increased physical efforts on visual evoked potentials in volleyball players and non-athletes.

We assessed the effect of physical effort with increasing intensity on neural activity in the visual pathway in volleyball players (n = 10) and non-athletes (n = 10). Participants performed three 10-min tests of increasing intensity on a cycle ergometer. Each participant was assigned individual workloads below the lactate threshold (40% [Vdot]O(2max)), at the lactate threshold (65-75% [Vdot]O(2max)), and above the lactate threshold (80% [Vdot]O(2max)). Four recordings of visual evoked potentials were made: pre-exercise and immediately after each of the three subsequent tests. We assessed neural activity of the visual pathway by examining the amplitude and latency of the N75, P100, and N135 components of the visual evoked potentials waveform. Pre-exercise P100 wave latency was shorter (P < 0.05) in volleyball players than in non-athletes. In non-athletes, the latency of P100 following the first and second effort (40% and 65-75% [Vdot]O(2max)) was reduced compared with pre-exercise (P < 0.01). However, P100 latency increased and P100 amplitude decreased after the third test (80% [Vdot]O(2max)) in non-athletes. In contrast, no significant changes in the latency or amplitude of visual evoked potentials were observed in the athletes in the three tests. Neural conductivity in the visual pathway after exercise might be at least partially dependent on the individual's personal training adaptation status.