Ocular surface changes in patients treated with oral antidiabetic drugs or insulin.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare ocular surface changes in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with either oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) or insulin. METHODS: Forty eyes of 20 patients treated with OAD, 40 eyes of 20 patients treated with insulin, and 10 nondiabetic controls seen at Ministry of Health Ankara Educational and Research Hospital, 1st Eye Clinic, were studied. All subjects underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, Schirmer test, tear film break-up time analysis, and conjunctival impression cytologic analysis. Patients treated with OAD or insulin and a control group were compared for tear function parameters, goblet cell density, and squamous metaplasia grade. The relation between status of retinopathy and ocular surface disorder and serum HbA1c levels of diabetic patients were also noted. RESULTS: The tear film break-up time values were significantly lower in patients treated with OAD (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Schirmer test results of the 3 groups. Goblet cell density and squamous metaplasia grade were similar in all groups. The median grade was grade 1, in which epithelial cells are slightly larger, more polygonal, have eosinophilic staining cytoplasm, and goblet cells are decreased in number. Status of retinopathy did not seem to relate to ocular surface disorder. The serum HbA1c level of diabetic patients treated with insulin or OAD was similar (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Precorneal tear film stability was worse in patients treated with OAD; however, impression cytology analysis and Schirmer test results were similar in all groups.

Genetic Polymorphism of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Behçet's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the genetic association between single nucleotide mutation in mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase and a Behçet's disease (BD) population by using molecular techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-three BD patients (45 males, 48 females; mean age 33.15±8.99 years; range 17 to 65 years) and 125 controls (58 males, 67 females; mean age 28.33±7.31 years; range 18 to 62 years) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The genotypic distributions in BD patients and controls were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between BD patients and controls in terms of genotypic distribution. Frequencies of alanine (Ala)/Ala, Ala/valine (Val), and Val/Val were 14.0% (n=13), 45.2% (n=42), and 40.9% (n=38) in BD patients and 21.6% (n=27), 53.6% (n=67), and 24.8% (n=31) in controls, respectively (p=0.033). CONCLUSION: The Val/Val genotype of the manganese superoxide dismutase gene is associated with the physiopathology of BD in a group of Turkish patients.

Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation for Uveitic Glaucoma Secondary to Behçet Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of patients with uveitic glaucoma secondary to Behçet disease (BD) who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 14 eyes of 10 patients with uveitic glaucoma associated with BD who underwent AGV implantation at a tertiary referral center. Treatment success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) between 6 and 21 mm Hg with or without antiglaucoma medication, without further additional glaucoma surgery or loss of light perception. The main outcome measures were IOP, best-corrected visual acuity measured with Snellen charts, and number of glaucoma medications. RESULTS: Mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 18.2±6.6 months (range, 6 to 31 mo). Of the 14 eyes, 10 (71.4%) were pseudophakic and 5 (35.7%) had primary AGV implantation without a history of previous glaucoma surgery. At the most recent follow-up visit, 13 of the 14 eyes had an IOP between 6 and 21 mm Hg. Mean IOP was significantly reduced during follow-up, as compared with preoperative values (P≤0.005). The cumulative probability of surgical success rate was 90.9% at 18 months based on Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The mean number of antiglaucoma medications required to achieve the desired IOP decreased from 3.4±0.5 preoperatively to 1.0±1.1 postoperatively (P≤0.05). Visual acuity loss of >2 lines occurred in 4 eyes (28.5%) due to optic atrophy associated with retinal vasculitis. Temporary hypotony developed during follow-up in 4 eyes (28.5%) at first postoperative week. CONCLUSIONS: For the management of uveitic glaucoma associated with BD, AGV implantation is a successful method for glaucoma control but requires additional surgical interventions for high early hypotony rates.

Intraoperative floppy-iris syndrome: comparison of tamsulosin and drugs other than alpha antagonists.

BACKGROUND: To determine and compare the incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) features in patients using tamsulosin, and other chronic medications. METHODS: We prospectively studied patients who underwent phacoemulsification (PE) between March 2006 and October 2007 on use of tamsulosin or a single medication like antihypertansive (AH), antiaggregant (AAg), antipsycotic (AP) or oral antidiabetic (OAD). Patients were grouped as tamsulosin users (Group 1), previous tamsulosin users (Group 2), chronic medication users (AH, AAg, AP or OAD) (Group 3) and patients with no medication (Group 4). Comparison of pre and postoperative visual acuities, intraocular pressures, intraoperative posterior capsular rupture (PCR) rates and grades of IFIS among groups were evaluated. RESULTS: We studied 1567 eyes of 1530 subjects. Twenty five eyes in the study demonstrated IFIS (1.6%). Five cases were included in Group 1 and IFIS incidence was 80%, while it was 60% in Group 2 (n = 5), 1 % in Group 3 (n = 1099), 1.7% in Group 4 (n = 421). IFIS incidence was significantly higher in Groups 1 and 2 compared to Groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.001). There was no difference between Groups 1 and 2 (p = 1.0) and between 3 and 4 (p = 0.29). Most cases (72%) had all three signs of IFIS. Complete IFIS was seen in one patient in Groups 1 and 2, whereas it was seen in all IFIS patients of Groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.001). Incidence of PCR was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Tamsulosin was found to be the drug which was most likely to be associated with IFIS, but IFIS was also observed in patients chronically using losartan, aspirin, chlorpromazine and metformin. Although, IFIS incidences were found to be similar between chronic users of these drugs and those using no medications at the time of surgery, new studies in the future will introduce the predisposing factors and the possible mechanisms of IFIS with these medications.

Clinical outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation in patients with corneal and conjunctival disorders.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in management of corneal and conjunctival diseases in large clinical series. METHODS: 130 patients who had undergone AMT between February 2004-March 2011 were evaluated. The cases were selected from two main groups: corneal (105) and conjunctival disorders (25). Results were analyzed by ANOVA test defining the outcomes as success, recurrence, and failure. P values less than 0.1 were defined as significant. The success criteria of the corneal group was complete re-epitelization of cornea in the first month and formation of a deep anterior chamber. The success criteria of conjunctival disorders was regarded as complete re-epitelization by the fifteenth day of follow-up. RESULTS: The cornea healed satisfactorily 85.7% of the corneal group and the success rate of conjunctival group was 92% (p=0.524 for success and p=0.245 for recurrence). There was not a significant difference between subgroups (p=0.167 for cornea subgroups and p=1.00 for conjunctiva subgroups). Corneal epithelial defect rapidly healed and there was significant visual acuity improvement after AMT (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: AMT is effective to promote corneal healing in patients with persistent epithelial defect and appeared to be helpful after surgery to release pain. It can be successfully used as an alternative to conjunctival autograft for conjunctival surface reconstruction.

Comparison of sutures and cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives for wound repair in a rat model of corneal laceration.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cicatricial repair of a corneal artificial perforation in rats with 10-0 nylon suture, N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) adhesive, or NBCA + methacryloxysulfolane (NBCA-MS) adhesive through microscopic and histological assays. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups each containing 5 rats: (1) control group (corneal trauma without suturing and tissue adhesives), (2) suture group, (3) NBCA group and (4) NBCA-MS group. A central full-thickness 2-mm laceration was performed in the left eyes of the studied rats in all 4 groups. The presence of corneal edema, corneal neovascularization and tissue adhesive/suture were evaluated. On the 21st day, the rats were sacrificed and histological examination was performed to determine irregularity of corneal layers, superficial epithelization, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and neovascularization. RESULTS: Tissue adhesives were as effective as suturing in closing full-thickness corneal wounds and no difference in postoperative healing was observed clinically. As for the histological results, suture-treated eyes had persistent corneal irregularity that can limit visual acuity and may also lead to astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS: The use of tissue adhesives constitutes a viable alternative clinical procedure to conventional sutures. Possible influences on astigmatism are hypothetical, as no objective measure of astigmatism was performed in the test animals.

Demographic, clinical, and ocular features in patients with late-onset Behçet disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate demographic, clinical, and ocular features of patients with late-onset Behçet disease (BD). METHODS: The study included 26 patients with late-onset BD. Onset of their first symptoms was before age 40. They fulfilled the diagnostic criteria after age 40. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 had uveitis and group 2 had no uveitis. Clinical and demographic features of the groups were compared. Ocular manifestations in group 1 were also evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (53.8%) had uveitis and 12 patients (46.2%) had no ocular involvement. The incidence of genital ulcer was higher in group 1. Twelve patients (18 eyes) had anterior uveitis and 2 patients (4 eyes) had panuveitis. The incidence of anterior uveitis was higher in females. The incidence of panuveitis was higher in males. CONCLUSIONS: As compared to potentially devastating posterior uveitis, anterior uveitis is more often encountered in patients with late-onset BD. Hence, with respect to ocular involvement, the prognosis is better.

Actinomyces canaliculitis and its surgical treatment.

The objective of this article is to describe four rare cases of Actinomyces israelii canaliculitis and their surgical treatment in a case series consisting of four cases of Actinomyces israelii canaliculitis. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively. All four patients presented with epiphora, recurrent conjunctivitis, swelling around the superior canaliculus, and mucopurulent punctal discharge persisting despite medical treatments. Two patients with large canalicular dilation were treated with canaliculoplasty and the other two patients with minimal canalicular dilation were treated with one-snip punctoplasty. The specimens that were evacuated were sent for microbiological and histopathological examinations. The results showed that Actinomyces israelii was isolated in all patients. After medical and surgical treatment, the patients experienced resolution of signs and symptoms. The disease did not recur during the 2-4-year follow-up period. In conclusion Canaliculoplasty with canalicular intubation and one-snip punctoplasty may be safe and efficacious techniques in largely dilated canaliculum and mildly dilated canaliculum, respectively, with no demonstrable risk of post-treatment epiphora in patients with Actinomyces canaliculitis.

Penetration of topically applied diclofenac and ketorolac into the aqueous humour and subretinal fluid: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of intraocular penetration of diclofenac sodium and ketorolac tromethamine into the aqueous humour and subretinal fluid. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty eyes scheduled for retinal detachment surgery and 17 eyes scheduled for cataract surgery. METHODS: Patients with retinal detachment were randomly assigned to receive either topical ketorolac (n = 11) or topical diclofenac (n = 9). Subretinal fluid samples were collected 30-60 minutes after the administration of the last dose. In addition, 17 patients with cataract were randomly assigned to receive topical ketorolac (n = 9) or topical diclofenac (n = 8). The aqueous humour samples were collected 30 minutes after the administration of the last dose. Drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography fluorescence. RESULTS: The mean diclofenac concentration in the subretinal fluid was 42.31 (SD 24.89) ng/µL. Ketorolac was undetectable in the subretinal fluid in all patients who received it because ketorolac tromethamine levels were under the limit of detection. In the aqueous humour, mean diclofenac concentration was 4.98 (SD 4.56) ng/µL, and mean ketorolac concentration was 20.17 (SD 12.21) ng/µL. Topical administration of diclofenac sodium yielded 8.4 times greater drug concentration in the subretinal fluid than in the aqueous humour. Aqueous humour concentrations of ketorolac were higher than those of diclofenac (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The concentration in the subretinal fluid of topically applied diclofenac was higher than that of ketorolac; and topical ketorolac penetrated into the aqueous humour better than diclofenac did. This suggests that diclofenac can be used more effectively in events related to posterior segment and ketorolac in anterior segment events.

Correlation between optical coherence tomography results and the Scoring Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) score in patients with ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE: To correlate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the Scoring Tool for Assessing Risk (STAR) threshold in patients with ocular hypertension (OH). METHODS: The study included 92 patients with OH. They were divided into low-risk (n=32), moderate-risk (n=36), and high-risk (n=24) groups according to STAR criteria. RNFL and ONH OCT protocols were used to evaluate all study participants. Major parameters for RNFL analysis were average RNFL thickness, superior quadrant, nasal quadrant, inferior quadrant, temporal quadrant, and segmental thickness per 12 o'clock hour position. ONH parameters were vertical integrated rim area (VIRA), horizontal integrated rim width (HIRW), disc diameter, disc area, cup area, rim area, cup-to-disc (C/D) area ratio, horizontal C/D ratio, and vertical C/D ratio. RESULTS: The highest area under receiver operating characteristics curves for distinguishing the high-risk group from the other groups were vertical C/D ratio (0.88), C/D area (0.88), VIRA (0.87), and HIRW (0.81) for ONH parameters, and inferior (0.82) and 6 o'clock hour position (0.77) for peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior average, 6 o'clock hour position analyses for RNFL measurement, and VIRA, HIRW, C/D area, and vertical C/D ratio for ONH measurement were the best parameters for STAR staging in patients with OH.

Late-onset Behçet's disease: demographic, clinical, and ocular features.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and ocular features of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) who had first symptom onset after 40 years of age and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria afterwards. METHODS: This retrospective study included 42 patients with initial BD symptom onset after 40 years of age who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria afterwards, according to the International Study Group for BD. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of ocular involvement: group 1 had uveitis and group 2 did not have uveitis. The ocular characteristics of patients in group 1 were further examined according to age groups. Group 1A included patients between 40-50 years of age, and group 1B included patients older than 50 years of age. Clinical and demographic features of uveitic and non-uveitic patients were compared. Ocular manifestations, treatment protocols, and ocular complications in uveitic patients were noted. The ocular characteristics of group 1A and group 1B were further evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (61.9%) had uveitis (group 1) and 16 (39.1%) had no uveitis (group 2). There was no significant difference between groups according to sex, age at initial admission, age at the time of initial symptom of BD, and period between initial symptom and the diagnosis of BD. The most frequent initial manifestation was oral ulcer in both groups. No statistical difference between the groups was detected with regard to the mean age of onset of each symptom. Anterior uveitis (73.1%) was the most frequent type of uveitis followed by panuveitis (19.2%) and sclerouveitis (7.7%). Uveitis was bilateral in 80.8% of patients. The incidence of anterior uveitis was higher in group 1B than in group 1A (P = 0.023). Cataract was the most common ocular complication, followed by macular edema sequelae, glaucoma, optic disc paleness, and branch retinal vein occlusion. CONCLUSION: Late-onset BD usually affects both genders equally, and the prognosis of ocular involvement is usually good. The incidence of panuveitis decreases as age increases, while the incidence of anterior uveitis increases. Ocular involvement is usually bilateral and there is no correlation between gender and uveitis type.

Focal posterior pole viral retinitis.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features of an atypical form of viral retinitis in immunocompetent patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective noncomparative case series. The charts of 8 patients diagnosed with and treated for focal posterior viral retinitis were reviewed. Clinical and demographic features were evaluated. All the patients had extensive laboratory tests, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography of macula, and polymerase chain reaction of vitreous. RESULTS: All the patients were referred to our Uveitis Service from other hospitals, as their uveitis symptoms deteriorated in spite of treatment. The mean age of 4 male and 4 female patients was 32.1 years (range, 22-42 years). The mean follow-up period was 10 months (range, 6-18 months). All of the patients had unilateral disease. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of vitreous specimen was positive for herpes simplex virus-1 in 5 patients and varicella zoster virus in 3 patients. Retinitis resolved after systemic acyclovir treatment in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Viral etiology must be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis of atypical retinitis. It can be a milder form of viral retinitis like focal viral retinitis, as mentioned in this study. The prognosis of this disease is better than the other forms of necrotizing retinopathies involving a larger area of retina.

Prevalence of pinguecula and pterygium in patients with thyroid orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of pinguecula and pterygium in patients with thyroid orbitopathy (TO) and to evaluate its correlation with clinical findings. METHODS: All patients underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination, including tear function analysis using tear film breakup time (BUT) measurement. For patients with TO, lid retraction, Hertel exophthalmometry, and clinical activity scores were also measured. All patients were evaluated for the presence of pinguecula and pterygium. RESULTS: The groups were age (P = 0.15) and gender matched (P = 0.2). The prevalence of pinguecula was significantly higher in group 1 (196 patients, 98%) than in group 2 (23 patients, 46%) and group 3 (64 patients, 32%) (P < 0.001). In group 1, lid retraction was significantly correlated with pinguecula prevalence (P < 0.001), whereas there was no correlation between pinguecula prevalence and BUT values (P = 0.624), clinical activity score levels (P = 0.325), or exophthalmometer findings (P = 0.155) In groups 2 and 3, pinguecula was seen more frequently in patients with subnormal BUT measurements (P < 0.001). Pterygium was seen at very low rates in all groups and analysis could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: Pinguecula was seen more frequently in patients with TO than in both control groups. Lid retraction was the only clinical factor determined with significant impact on the prevalence of pinguecula in patients with TO. Impaired tear function did not influence pinguecula prevalence in patients with TO, in contrast to both control groups. Increased exposure to UV light because of lid retraction may be the major underlying causative factor on pinguecula prevalence in patients with TO, compared with tear dysfunction in both control groups.

The impact of Nd:YAG capsulotomy on foveal thickness measurement by optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To measure the foveal thickness change after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy by optical coherence tomography (OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients who had posterior capsule opacification underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. OCT of the foveal region was performed preoperatively and postoperatively (on days 1 and 7 and months 1, 3, 6, and 12). The preoperative and postoperative measurements were compared. RESULTS: The foveal thickness did not significantly change in the first year after laser treatment. Cystoid macular edema developed in only 1 patient (2%). Patient age and gender, time between surgery and laser capsulotomy, total laser shots, total laser energy, or mean laser energy per shot did not affect the foveal thickness. CONCLUSION: Foveal thickness does not change in the first year after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, as determined by OCT.

Molecular identification of adenoviral conjunctivitis in Turkey.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was isolation of adenoviruses by cell culture and identification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analyses in patients clinically diagnosed with viral conjunctivitis in Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Conjunctival swabs from 34 patients with acute conjunctivitis were tested using cell culture isolation and PCR for adenovirus detection. PCR-positive samples were sequenced and typed. RESULTS: The positive results of adenovirus were 26.5% (9 of 34) by the PCR method and 20.6% by culture isolation. Nine samples positive at PCR were identified by phylogenetic analyses as human adenovirus 8 (HAdV-8) (4 of 9), HAdV-3 (3 of 9), HAdV-4 (1 of 9), and HAdV-B (1 of 9). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed types of adenoviruses in patients with ocular infection that occurred in this region of Turkey for the first time. Furthermore, sequence-based typing method is an efficient, accurate, and rapid means of diagnosis and typing of the adenovirus and has significant clinical and epidemiologic implications. HAdV-8 was major type for acute conjunctivitis in Ankara, Turkey. Further studies are required to reveal the major types of HAdVs that cause ocular diseases in this region of the world.

Incidence and prognosis of ocular hypertension secondary to viral uveitis.

This retrospective study was designed to estimate the cumulative incidence of glaucoma in viral uveitis. Seventy-six consecutive patients with viral stromal keratouveitis were divided into two groups according to the etiologic agents herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratouveitis (n = 58) and herpes zoster virus (HZV) keratouveitis (n = 18). The groups were evaluated for the incidence and prognosis of ocular hypertension. Etiologic agents were determined with the help of clinical observation supported by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor. All patients received oral acyclovir therapy for at least six months and topical prednisolone in tapered doses. There was no significant difference in the recurrences of HSV and varicella zoster virus (VZV) keratouveitis between groups (P = 0.431). The total incidence of secondary glaucoma was 13.1%. Most of the patients responded to antiviral and antiglaucomatous therapy. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C was performed in only two patients. Secondary glaucoma can be regarded as a frequent complication of viral uveitis. As it has a good prognosis, surgical intervention is rarely required.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in chronic renal failure without diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) without diabetes mellitus by using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Sixty-six eyes of 33 patients with CRF were evaluated. Eighteen patients have been treated with hemodialysis (group 1) and 15 patients have been treated with peritoneal dialysis (group 2). The RNFL thicknesses were assessed before and after the hemodialysis in group 1. None of these patients had diabetes mellitus. Forty eyes of 20 age-matched normal control subjects were assessed in group 3. An RNFL thickness protocol was used to acquire circular scans of 3.4 mm in diameter around the optic nerve. For each eye, RNFL thicknesses were evaluated in 4 quadrants. All of the measurements were automatically calculated by the existing OCT software. All normal subjects and CRF patients underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic examination. The mean and quadrantal RNFL thickness values in patients with CRF were compared with the control group. RESULTS: The mean RNFL thickness values in patients with CRF were statistically significantly lower than the control group. Differences between the RNFL thickness values in group 1 and group 2 and the predialysis and postdialysis measurements were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The RNFL thickness in CRF without DM, which was measured by OCT-3, was found to be significantly decreased. The presence of CRF can be a source of false positive results and lead to overestimation of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

The effect of clinical severity and eyelid rash on ocular involvement in primary varicella infection.

PURPOSE: To describe ocular manifestations in primary varicella infection and their relationship to systemic severity and the associated eyelid rash. METHODS: One hundred consecutive children with primary varicella were examined prospectively. The cases were classified as mild, moderate, and severe according to the severity of clinical presentation. Excluding the presence of eyelid rash, children with ocular findings were assigned to group 1 (G1), and those without ocular findings were assigned to group 2 (G2). Patients in G1 were also evaluated according to the nature of ocular manifestations and the course of uveitis. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of patients had ocular involvement (G1) and 79% had no ocular involvement (G2). While chickenpox had a mild course in 85.7% of patients in G1 and 88.6% of patients in G2, all others had a moderate course. None of the children had a severe course. A varicella eyelid rash was present in 28.6% of patients in G1 and 13.9% in G2. Among ocular findings, 38.1% of patients had conjunctivitis, 57.1% had anterior uveitis, and 4.8% had disciform keratouveitis. There was no significant association between severity of chickenpox and severity of ocular involvement (p=0.712). There was also no relationship between eyelid rash and ocular involvement (p=0.787). CONCLUSIONS: There is neither an association between the severity of chickenpox and the severity of ocular involvement nor an association between the presence of a varicella eyelid rash and the development of uveitis. As the prognosis regarding sequelae of ocular involvement in varicella infection is good, only those patients with ocular signs and symptoms need be referred by pediatricians for an ophthalmologic examination.

Ocular involvement in brucellosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the ocular findings associated with brucellosis. DESIGN: Cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty-two patients with the diagnosis of brucellosis. METHODS: Ocular manifestations of 132 patients with brucellosis admitted to the Uveitis-Behçet Service of Ophthalmology Department at the Ankara Education and Research Hospital in Turkey between May 1992 and May 2006 were evaluated prospectively. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on clinical signs, Brucella agglutination tests, and blood cultures. RESULTS: Ocular involvement was detected in 21% of brucellosis patients. The most frequent manifestations were anterior uveitis (41%) and choroiditis (32%), followed by panuveitis (9%), papilledema (9%), and retinal hemorrhages (9%). Forty-one percent of these patients were in the acute stage and 59% were in the chronic stage of brucellosis. Interestingly, all the patients with anterior uveitis were in the acute stage and all the other patients with choroiditis, papilledema, and retinal hemorrhages were in the chronic stage. All patients responded well to systemic antibiotic treatment along with topical or systemic corticosteroid treatment. No recurrence of ocular manifestations was detected during the follow-up period, after completion of a 2-month systemic antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Because ocular involvement of brucellosis is frequent in endemic regions, detailed ophthalmic examination of all patients with brucellosis should be done routinely. Ocular brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all forms of uveitis or choroiditis in endemic regions, and these patients should undergo serologic screening for brucellosis.