Crystalline lens clarity in patients treated with isotretinoin.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Isotretinoin has been the best treatment option for moderate and severe acne vulgaris since the 1980s. Some studies have shown evidence of subclinical anterior segment involvement of the eye in patients treated with isotretinoin. BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate lens clarity with the densitometry software of Scheimpflug tomography in patients treated with isotretinoin and to compare with healthy control subjects. METHODS: Thirty-seven acnepatients treated with isotretinoin who met the inclusion criteria (24 males and 13 females, mean age 22.94 ± 4.21 years) and 39 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Clinical characteristics of the isotretinoin and control subjects were recorded. Lens density was evaluated with the densitometry software of the Scheimpflug tomography device (PentacamHR, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in age, gender distribution, spherical equivalent, or anterior segment parameters measured by the Pentacam system (p > 0.05 for all). Lens density values in zones 2 and 3 were significantly higher in the isotretinoin group (p = 0.042, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with cumulative isotretinoin dose (zone 2: r = 0.384, p = 0.032; zone 3: r = 0.384, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Zone 2 and zone 3 lens density are higher in patients treated with isotretinoin when compared to healthy controls.

The Effect of Autografts from the Inferior and Superior Bulbar Conjunctiva on the Ocular Surface in Primary Pterygium Surgery: A Cytology Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using an inferior or superior conjunctival autograft in primary pterygium surgery on the postoperative ocular surface. Materials and Methods: Forty eyes of 40 patients who underwent pterygium surgery with autograft were included in the study. Cytological cell counts were performed on samples taken from the bulbar conjunctiva by impression cytology before and 1 year after the operation. Schirmer 1 test score, lissamine green conjunctival staining score, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and fluorescein corneal staining scores were evaluated. The pain levels of the patients were evaluated with visual analog scale at postoperative 1 day and 1 week. Results: Corneal and conjunctival staining, TBUT, and Schirmer test results demonstrated significant improvement in all patient groups after surgery, but there was no difference between groups (p>0.05). In both preoperative and postoperative impression cytology, the number of goblet cells in the inferior bulbar conjunctiva was higher than in the superior bulbar conjunctiva (p<0.001), while there was no such difference in epithelial cell or mucin staining. There were no significant cytological changes postoperatively in either group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Pterygium surgery with autografting improved tear function tests regardless of graft location. Goblet cell count was higher in the inferior bulbar conjunctiva than in the superior bulbar conjunctiva in both postoperative and preoperative impression cytology. However, there was no significant difference in postoperative epithelial and goblet cell counts or mucin staining between the groups before and after surgery. We think that using the inferior bulbar conjunctiva is an appropriate choice in cases where the superior conjunctiva cannot be used as a graft or when future glaucoma surgery is possible.

Could serum HMGB1 levels be a predictor associated with psoriatic arthritis?

Background/aim: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects the skin and musculoskeletal system. We hypothesized that HMGB1, an inflammatory nuclear protein, may play a role in the musculoskeletal involvement of psoriasis. Methods: Forty patients with psoriasis and 45 with psoriatic arthritis were involved in the study; the results were compared with 22 healthy controls. Serum HMGB1 levels were evaluated from peripheral blood samples. Results: Serum HMGB1 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with psoriasis regardless of joint involvement (p < 0.001). Also, HMGB1 levels were correlated with the extent of psoriasis. Conclusion: Serum HMGB1 levels may contribute to the progression of psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis and correlate with the severity of skin involvement.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that may also affect the joints. Factors leading to the progression of psoriasis to psoriatic arthritis are still a mystery despite an increasing number of animal studies and real-life data. HMGB1 is a nuclear protein that leads to an increase in molecules that increase inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6) in the body. Until now, there was no report about the relationship between psoriatic arthritis and serum HMGB1 levels. Our study aimed to find any difference in HMGB1 levels between healthy and psoriatic patients. Psoriatic arthritis patients had higher levels of serum HMGB1 than patients with psoriasis. Also, HMGB1 levels were correlated with the severity of skin involvement. Our results showed that serum HMGB1 may indicate a high risk for developing psoriasis that involves the joints. Therefore the HMGB1 level in psoriasis patients can potentially serve as a predictor associated with disease severity and the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Effectiveness of using 2D atlas and 3D PDF as a teaching tool in anatomy lectures in initial learners: a randomized controlled trial in a medical school.

BACKGROUND: Anatomy is a crucial part of medical education, and there have been attempts to improve this field by utilizing various methods. With the advancement of technology, three-dimensional (3D) materials have gained popularity and become a matter of debate about their effectiveness compared to two-dimensional (2D) sources. This research aims to analyze the effectiveness of 3D PDFs compared to 2D atlases. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled trial involving 87 Year-1 and Year-2 medical students at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. The study was conducted in two steps. In Step-1, students were randomized to watch lecture videos on liver anatomy and male genitalia anatomy supplemented with either a 3D PDF (intervention group) or 2D atlas (control group) images. Following the video lectures, a test (immediate test) was administered. In Step-2, the same test (delayed test) was administered 10 days after the immediate test. The test scores were compared between the intervention and control groups. In addition to the descriptive analyses, Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. RESULTS: In the immediate test, while there was no significant difference between the groups for the liver test (p > 0.05), 3D PDF group's scores (Median = 24.50) was significantly higher than the 2D atlas group's in the genitalia test (Median = 21.00), (p = 0.017). The effect size (Cohen's d) was 0.57. In the delayed test, there was no significant difference between the groups in the liver and genitalia tests (p > 0.05). However, the effect size in the immediate genitalia test was 0.40. Year-1 students' immediate test of genitalia performances were significantly higher in the 3D PDF group (Median = 24.00) than the 2D atlas group (Median = 19.00), (p = 0.016). The effect size was 0.76. Also, Year-1 students' 3D PDF group (Median = 20.50) presented with significantly higher performance than the 2D atlas group (Median = 12.00), (p = 0.044) in the delayed test of genitalia, with the 0.63 effect size. CONCLUSION: 3D PDF is more effective than 2D atlases in teaching anatomy, especially to initial learners. It is particularly useful for teaching complex anatomical structures, such as male genitalia, compared to the liver. Hence, it may be a valuable tool for medical teachers to utilize during lectures.

Long-term Follow-up Results of Primary Canaliculitis Patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, microbiologic profile, and treatment results of patients with primary canaliculitis. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed and treated for primary canaliculitis between May 2014 and May 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 26 patients with primary canaliculitis, including 17 females (65.4%) and 9 males (34.6%) with a mean age of 50.6±16.4 years (range: 9-80 years). Canaliculitis affected the right eye in 11 patients, the left eye in 13 patients, and bilateral involvement was seen in 2 patients. Inferior canaliculus involvement was more frequent (73%). The most common complaint was epiphora (46.1%). Five patients (19.2%) were wrongly diagnosed as chronic conjunctivitis. The time interval between the beginning of symptoms and canaliculitis diagnosis was 18.2±14.3 months (range: 1-60 months). Canaliculotomy and curettage of canalicular content with dacryolith removal were performed in 23 patients. After surgery, antibiotic irrigation of the canaliculus was added to the treatment regimen in 12 of these 23 patients. Intracanalicular antibiotic therapy was administered to the remaining 3 patients. The most cultured organism was Actinomyces (6 patients). Gemella (1 patient), Porphyromonas (1 patient), Candida parapsilosis (1 patient), Citrobacter koseri (1 patient) were also grown in culture. The follow-up time of patients was 26.2±23.7 months (range: 6-83 months). All symptoms and findings resolved in all patients in one month. In two patients, recurrence occurred at 4 and 16 months after surgical treatment. With appropriate treatment, no further recurrence was seen in either patient over 24-month follow-up. One patient presented with iatrogenic canaliculus blockage during follow-up. Conclusion: Primary canaliculitis is often overlooked and can be misdiagnosed. The most common symptom was epiphora. All patients with epiphora and chronic conjunctivitis should be examined carefully for canaliculitis.

Decreased circulating microRNA-21 and microRNA-143 are associated to pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by maladaptation of pulmonary vasculature which is leading to right ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure. miRNAs play a crucial role in the regulation of many diseases such as viral infection, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression pattern of eight human plasma miRNAs (hsa-miR-21-3p, hsa-miR-143- 3p, hsa-miR-138-5p, hsa-miR-145-3p, hsa-miR-190a, hsa-miR-204-3p, hsamiR-206, hsa-miR-210-3p) in mild-to-severe PH patients and healthy controls. METHODS: : miRNAs were extracted from the peripheral plasma of the PH patients (n: 44) and healthy individuals (n: 30) by using the miRNA Isolation Kit. cDNA was synthesized using All in-One First strand cDNA Synthesis Kit. Expression of the human plasma hsa-miR- 21-3p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-138-5p, hsa-miR-145-3p, hsa-miR-190a, hsa-miR-204- 3p, hsa-miR-206, hsa-miR210-3p, and miRNAs were analyzed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: According to our results, in PH patients hsa-miR-21-3p and hsa-miR-143-3p expression levels were decreased by 4.7 and 2.3 times, respectively. No significant changes were detected in hsa-miR-138-5p, hsa-miR-145-3p, hsa-miR-190a, hsa-miR-204-3p, hsamiR-206, and hsa-miR-210-3p expression levels between PH and control groups. In addition, considering the severity of the disease, it was observed that the decrease in miR-138, miR-143, miR-145, miR-190, mir-204, mir-206 and miR-208 expressions was significant in patients with severe PH. DISCUSSION: : In the early diagnosis of PAH, hsa-miR-21-3p and especially hsa-miR-143-3p in peripheral plasma can be considered as potential biomarkers.

Effect of fermented foods on some neurological diseases, microbiota, behaviors: mini review.

Fermented foods are among the traditional foods consumed for centuries. In recent years, awareness of fermented foods has been increasing due to their positive health benefits. Fermented foods contain beneficial microorganisms. Fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yoghurt, contain Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), such as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, and their primary metabolites (lactic acid). Although studies on the effect of consumption of fermented foods on diabetes, cardiovascular, obesity, gastrointestinal diseases on chronic diseases have been conducted, more studies are needed regarding the relationship between neurological diseases and microbiota. There are still unexplored mechanisms in the relationship between the brain and intestine. In this review, we answer how the consumption of fermented foods affects the brain and behavior of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis disease, stroke, and gut microbiota.

Effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on human trophoblast cells: Survival triggering or catastrophe resulting in death.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of intrauterine growth retardation and preeclampsia, especially implantation failure. Although in vitro ER stress studies in human trophoblast cell line have been conducted in recent years, the influence of Thapsigargin on intracellular dynamics on calcium homeostasis has not been proven. Here, the effects of ER stress and impaired calcium homeostasis on apoptosis, autophagy, cytoskeleton, hypoxia, and adhesion molecules in 2D and spheroid cultures of human trophectoderm cells were investigated at gene expression and protein levels. Thapsigargin caused ER stress by increasing GRP78 gene expression and protein levels. Human trophectoderm cells displayed different characterization properties in 2D and spheroids. While it moves in the pathway of EIF2A and IRE1A mechanisms in 2D, it proceeds in the pathway of EIF2A and ATF6 mechanisms in spheroids and triggers different responses in survival and programmed cell death mechanisms such as apoptosis and autophagy. This led to changes in the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion molecules and cell-cell interactions by affecting the hypoxia mechanism.

The effect of limbal autograft location at primary pterygium excision on anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism: a comparative prospective study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of limbal autograft location on corneal astigmatism in inferior and superior conjunctival autografted pterygium surgery. METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups as diagnosed with primary pterygium and planned to receive surgical treatment. Pterygium surgery was performed on 25 patients with superior and 25 patients with inferior limbal autograft who have similar epidemiologic features. Cornea anterior and posterior surface keratometry (K) 1, K2, Kmax, peripheric radius (Rper) (the mean radius of curvature of the 7.0-9.0 mm ring area), refractive astigmatism and axis values, were examined. Corneal irregularity indices were the index of surface variance (ISV), index of vertical asymmetry (IVA, mm), index of height asymmetry (IHA, µm), index of height decentration (IHD, µm). The data were compared pre- and postoperative and the effect of graft location on results was evaluated. RESULTS: K1 which is from the values of the cornea front face has risen after surgery both of superior and inferior groups (p = 0.011). However, no postoperative significant difference was detected in terms of the change. Otherwise, both groups have changed regarding astigmatism and Rper (p < 0.001), but no postoperative significant difference was found in terms of the change. There were not any differences between groups regarding the changes of postoperative back face values. Although there were significant decreases in ISV, IVA, and IHD values in both groups in terms of all corneal surface indices, there was no significant difference between the lower and upper groups in terms of postoperative results (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effects of pterygium surgery with limbal autograft provide significant improvement on corneal astigmatism. However, we think that the location of the conjunctiva has no effect, but in cases where the bulbar conjunctiva needs to be preserved or cannot be used, the choice of the lower bulbar conjunctiva can achieve successful results.

Evaluation of lacrimal drainage system in Pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of the obstruction of lacrimal drainage system (LDS) in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 152 eyes of 76 consecutive patients with bilateral PXF syndrome and 170 eyes of 85 age and gender-matched controls. The LDS evaluation was performed based on dye disappearance test, slit-lamp examination, diagnostic probing, and irrigation test. The presence of punctal stenosis and canalicular obstruction were considered as the obstruction of proximal LDS; and complete or incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction was considered as obstruction of distal LDS. Demographic characteristics, ophthalmologic findings, and prevalence and site of obstruction of LDS were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of obstruction of LDS was higher in the PXF syndrome group when compared to controls (21.1% vs 12.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.061). The obstruction of proximal LDS was found to be more frequent in the PXF syndrome (17.7%) group when compared to controls (10.0%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.041). There was significantly more punctal stenosis in the PXF syndrome group when compared to controls (15.1% vs 7.6%, p = 0.033). The prevalence of canalicular stenosis and obstruction of distal LDS was similar in the PXF and the control groups (p = 0.596 and p = 0.741, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of punctal stenosis was statistically significantly higher in the PXF syndrome group when compared to the controls. This association is probably related to increased local ocular surface inflammation which is triggered by the accumulation of PXF material.

The relationship between histopathological features and surgical success in primary acquired punctal stenosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathophysiology of punctal stenosis based on histopathological features, and to assess the correlation between histopathological findings and treatment outcomes in primary punctal stenosis. METHODS: A total of 43 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with primary punctal stenosis were included in this prospective study. Punctum specimens obtained by rectangular three-snip punctoplasty (TSP) were examined based on the multilayered structure of the epithelium and subepithelial histopathology. The correlation between the histopathological findings and treatment outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 61.8% of the patients were female and had an average age of 62.4 (41-81) years. Based on the histopathological examination, all 43 puncta consisted of non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelia. Subepithelial pathology demonstrated inflammation in 10 puncta (23.3%), fibrosis in 19 puncta (44.2%) and both inflammation and fibrosis in 11 puncta (25.6%). There was a moderate relationship between the presence of subepithelial fibrosis and symptom duration (r = 0.4, p = 0.03). The surgical success was 88.4% at the mean of 12.4 ± 3.5 months follow-up. The surgical success was clinically lower in the puncta with exhibited fibrosis, although it was not statistically significant (p = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Although the findings for almost all punctum specimens were consistent with fibrosis, inflammation or both, subepithelial fibrosis was detected as the most common histopathological feature. Clinically lower surgical success rates in puncta exhibiting fibrosis may be associated with a longer duration of symptoms and excessive postoperative healing response.

The Effects of Daily Digital Device Use on the Ocular Surface in Healthy Children.

SIGNIFICANCE: Digital device usage among children has increased significantly in recent years. Prolonged screen exposure can have adverse effects on the eye, especially on the ocular surface. PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the duration of screen exposure and its effect on the ocular surface in healthy children aged 10 to 18 years. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 200 healthy children. Screen exposure times of the children were ascertained, and the effect of screen exposure on the ocular surface was evaluated using tear breakup time, kerato-epitheliopathy (Oxford) score, and Schirmer test. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was used to assess subjective dry eye symptoms. Findings for subjects with a daily screen exposure time of fewer than 2 hours were compared with those reporting more than 2 hours of screen time. Statistical evaluation included the Shapiro-Wilk test, Student t test, and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 14 ± 2.6 years, and 88.5% of the participants used mobile phones or computers every day. The mean ± SD tear breakup time was 10.3 ± 4.1 seconds, and the Schirmer test score was 15.6 ± 4.7 mm. The Oxford score was 0.4 ± 1, and no corneal staining was detected in 83.5% of the subjects. The mean ± SD OSDI score was 23.5 ± 17.8, and 67.5% of subjects had a mild-to-severe ocular surface disease. When daily screen exposure times less than and greater than 2 hours were compared, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in tear breakup time, Schirmer test, Oxford score, and OSDI score. Whereas there was a statistically significant weak positive correlation (r = 0.307, P = .001) between OSDI score and screen exposure time, there was no correlation between tear breakup time, Schirmer test, and Oxford score and screen exposure time. CONCLUSIONS: Screen exposure in healthy children may cause ocular surface symptoms without causing changes in ocular surface findings.

Comparison of the two techniques for involutional lower eyelid entropion: A retrospective study.

Evaluation of the surgical outcome and the patient satisfaction between the modified Wies technique and the Jones retractor plication technique for involutional lower eyelid entropion without horizontal eyelid laxity. Patients who underwent the modified Wies technique (group 1) and the Jones retractor plication technique (group 2) for correction of involutional lower eyelid entropion without horizontal eyelid laxity between January 2014 and January 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with horizontal eyelid laxity; cicatricial, congenital or iatrogenic entropion; and less than 6 months of follow-up time were excluded. The main outcome measures were the recurrence rate, correct anatomical position of the eyelid, symptom relief, and postoperative complications for both groups. 37 patients (41 eyes) in Group 1 and 34 patients (34 eyes) in Group 2 were enrolled in the study. Mean age ± SD was 75.6 ± 8.5 years in Group 1 and 73.4 ± 7.9 years in Group 2 (p:0.255). The mean follow-up time (range) was 24.3 (6-80) months in group 1 and 25.3 (6-78) months in group 2 (p:0.818). Two patients in Group 1 and seven patients in Group 2 had a recurrence during the follow-up period (p:0.07). Based on the results of the study, it seems that the modified Wies technique may be a good alternative in suitable patients, as it has satisfactory surgical results.

The effect of smoking on corneal densitometry and endothelial cell morphology.

PURPOSE: We investigated corneal endothelial morphology and corneal densitometry in smokers and compared our results with findings observed in non-smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 100 participants (50 smokers, 50 non-smokers) aged 18-80 years in whom corneal endothelial morphology was analysed using a non-contact Tomey EM-4000 specular microscope (Tomey Corporation, Japan). The Pentacam HR system was used to measure corneal densitometry spatially in three concentric zones (from the centre to the periphery) and at three different corneal depths (from the anterior to the posterior aspects). Endothelial morphology findings and corneal densitometry values were recorded in all participants, and these results were compared between smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Endothelial morphology and corneal densitometry analysis showed significantly lower endothelial cell counts (Num) in smokers (228 cells/mm2 vs. 246 cells/mm2, p = 0.02) in addition to increased maximum cell area (Max) values (986.5 µm2 vs. 935 µm2, p = 0.04). We observed no statistically significant intergroup difference in corneal densitometry values (p > 0.05 for each zone); however, we observed a moderately positive correlation between densitometry values in the 6-10 mm concentric zone and between the all total corneal zones and number of pack-years in smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that among the morphometric corneal endothelial variables analysed in this study, only the Num value was significantly correlated with smoking. We observed no statistically significant intergroup difference in corneal densitometry values in this study; however, a positive correlation was observed between the number of pack-years and corneal densitometry findings. Therefore, as the pack-years increase, the increase in corneal densitometry values may indicate a decrease in corneal clarity, considering the possible contribution of secondary factors such as age.

Association Between Dry Eye Disease and Newly Diagnosed Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between dry eye disease and patients with newly diagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHODS: Thirty treatment-naive patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls were included in this prospective study. The Ocular Surface Disease Index, tear breakup time, Schirmer I test, corneal and conjunctival staining grade (Oxford scale), and neutrophil-to-leucocyte ratio values were obtained for all participants. RESULTS: The comparison of the patients with OCD and healthy controls showed significantly higher values in Ocular Surface Disease Index (34.8 vs. 20.8, P = 0.001), corneal Oxford scoring (0.9 vs. 0.6, P = 0.02), and conjunctival Oxford scoring (0.8 vs. 0.5, P = 0.04), with consistently lower values in the Schirmer I test (15.7 vs. 18.8, P = 0.043) and tear breakup time (9.1 vs. 12.9, P = 0.001). The mean neutrophil-to-leucocyte ratio values were significantly higher in the OCD group compared with the controls (2.4 ± 0.9 vs. 1.6 ± 0.4, respectively; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a relation between dry eye disease and patients with newly diagnosed OCD who were not using any psychiatric drug. Our findings suggest that inflammation, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of both diseases, may be responsible for this relationship.

Choroidal vascular changes in acne patients under isotretinoin treatment.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential changes in choroidal vasculature in nodulocystic acne patients under isotretinoin treatment by using choroidal thickness (CT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), and choriocapillaris (CC) flow area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included nodulocystic acne patients under isotretinoin treatment and healthy controls. All patients underwent enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) imaging to assess the subfoveal CT and submacular CVI, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging to evaluate the CC flow area. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients with acne and 23 controls were included. The mean duration of the treatment was 7.20 ± 0.79 months and the mean daily isotretinoin dose was 38.7 ± 2.8 mg in the acne group. The mean CT and CVI values were significantly higher in the acne group compared to the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.027, respectively). The cumulative isotretinoin dose was positively correlated with subfoveal CT and submacular CVI (r = 0.434, p = 0.015 and r = 0.385, p = 0.033, respectively). Regarding the CC flow area, the values for area with a radius of 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm were lower in the acne group than in the control group; however, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05, all values). CONCLUSION: After a mean 7-month course of isotretinoin treatment, subfoveal CT and submacular CVI values were significantly higher in the nodulocyctic acne patients. Whether the choroidal changes are permanent or not should be investigated in future studies.

Adjunctive Punctal Re-Dilation for Early Postoperative Cicatrization after One-Snip Punctoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: This was an assessment of one-snip punctoplasty outcomes in patients for whom adjunctive punctal re-dilatation was performed in-office for early postoperative cicatricial changes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients who underwent one-snip punctoplasty between March 2019 and February 2020 due to acquired punctal stenosis. Patients were followed up on the first, third, and seventh postoperative day, then weekly for the remainder of the first month, every 2 weeks over the next month, and then monthly. Punctal re-dilatation was performed if patients showed early clinical signs of re-stenosis. Demographic details, the number and timing of re-dilatation procedures, the timing of re-stenosis, and anatomical and functional success rates were analyzed. RESULTS: The medical records of 148 eyes of 86 patients were evaluated. A re-dilation procedure was performed in a total of 57 (38.5%) puncta showing signs of early cicatrization. The first punctal re-dilatation was performed at a mean of 17.2±11.3 days (range: 3-57 days). Re-stenosis was observed in 25 puncta (16.9%) at a mean of 5.6±3.1 weeks (range: 2-16 weeks). The anatomical success rate was 83.1% and the functional success rate was 79.1%. There were no significant differences in the anatomical and functional success rates between the patients who did and did not need adjunctive re-dilatation. CONCLUSION: In-office punctal re-dilatation may improve functional and anatomical success rates after one-snip punctoplasty by preventing recurrent punctal cicatrization.

The Role of Heredity and the Prevalence of Strabismus in Families with Accommodative, Partial Accommodative, and Infantile Esotropia

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of strabismus in families of a proband with accommodative, partial accommodative, or infantile esotropia, and to evaluate the mode of inheritance and the role of consanguineous marriages in this prevalence. Materials and Methods: Families of probands with comitant strabismus were invited to participate in the study. The family members of 139 subjects with accommodative, 55 with partial accommodative, and 21 with infantile esotropia agreed to participate. Detailed family trees were constructed. The first- and second-degree relatives were invited for a complete ophthalmological examination, and 518 individuals from 168 families were evaluated. The role of consanguinity, the presence of tropia, phoria (≥8 PD), microtropia, and hypermetropia (≥3.00 D) among first- and second-degree relatives were analyzed. Results: A non-Mendelian pattern was found in 49 families (23%), an autosomal dominant pattern in 39 families (18%), and an autosomal recessive pattern in 6 families (3%). The prevalence of consanguineous marriages among parents of probands was 18.1%, 22.6%, and 14.3% in the accommodative, partial accommodative, and infantile esotropia groups, respectively (p=0.652). The prevalence of strabismus in first-degree relatives was 58.9%, 45.5%, and 38.1%, respectively (p=0.07). The prevalence of microtropia in probands' siblings was significantly higher in the accommodative esotropia group (p=0.034). Conclusion: Sporadic cases and non-Mendelian inheritance were more frequent than autosomal recessive inheritance. Autosomal recessive inheritance was found not to be frequent in consanguineous marriages. The prevalence of strabismus and microtropia was significantly higher in families of esotropia cases than in the general population.

Evaluation of choroidal and retinal thickness measurements in adult hemodialysis patients using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of hemodialysis on retinal and choroidal thicknesses using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: In this prospective interventional study, 25 hemodialysis patients (17 male, 8 female) were enrolled. All participants underwent high-speed, high-resolution SD-OCT (λ=840 mm; 26.000 A-scans/s; 5 µm resolution) before and after hemodialysis. Choroidal thickness was measured perpendicularly from the outer edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid-sclera boundary at the fovea and at five additional points: 500 µm and 1000 µm nasal to the fovea and 500 µm, 1000 µm, and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. Two masked physicians performed the measurements. Choroidal and retinal thicknesses before and after hemodialysis were compared. RESULTS: The median choroidal thicknesses before and after hemodialysis were 182 µm (range, 103-374 µm) and 161 µm (range, 90-353 µm), respectively (P<0.001). The median retinal thicknesses were 246 µm (range, 179-296 µm) before and 248 µm (range, 141-299 µm) after hemodialysis (P>0.05). Systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and ocular perfusion pressure significantly decreased after hemodialysis (P<0.001). Intraocular pressure did not vary significantly (P=0.540). CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis seems to cause a significant decrease in choroidal thickness, whereas it has no effect on retinal thickness. This significant decrease in choroidal thickness might be due to the extensive fluid absorption in hemodialysis, which could result in decreased ocular blood flow.

Evaluation of choroidal and retinal thickness measurements in adult hemodialysis patients using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography / Avaliação de medidas de coroide e espessura da retina em pacientes em hemodiálise adultos usando tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the effect of hemodialysis on retinal and choroidal thicknesses using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods: In this prospective interventional study, 25 hemodialysis patients (17 male, 8 female) were enrolled. All participants underwent high-speed, high-resolution SD-OCT (λ=840 mm; 26.000 A-scans/s; 5 µm resolution) before and after hemodialysis. Choroidal thickness was measured perpendicularly from the outer edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid-sclera boundary at the fovea and at five additional points: 500 µm and 1000 µm nasal to the fovea and 500 µm, 1000 µm, and 1500 µm temporal to the fovea. Two masked physicians performed the measurements. Choroidal and retinal thicknesses before and after hemodialysis were compared. Results: The median choroidal thicknesses before and after hemodialysis were 182 µm (range, 103-374 µm) and 161 µm (range, 90-353 µm), respectively (P<0.001). The median retinal thicknesses were 246 µm (range, 179-296 µm) before and 248 µm (range, 141-299 µm) after hemodialysis (P>0.05). Systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and ocular perfusion pressure significantly decreased after hemodialysis (P<0.001). Intraocular pressure did not vary significantly (P=0.540). Conclusion: Hemodialysis seems to cause a significant decrease in choroidal thickness, whereas it has no effect on retinal thickness. This significant decrease in choroidal thickness might be due to the extensive fluid absorption in hemodialysis, which could result in decreased ocular blood flow.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da hemodiálise (HD) na espessura da retina (RT) e na espessura da coroide (CT) usando tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (SD-OCT). Método: Neste estudo prospectivo intervencionista foram incluídos 25 pacientes em HD (17 homens e 8 mulheres). Todos os participantes foram submetidos a SD-OCT com dispositivo de alta resolução (λ=840 mm; 26.000 A-scans/seg e resolução de 5 µm), antes e após HD. A CT foi medida perpendicularmente a partir da borda externa do epitélio pigmentar da retina até o limite coroide-esclera na fóvea e em mais de 5 pontos localizados 500 µm nasal à fóvea, 1.000 µm nasal à fóvea; 500 µm temporal à fóvea, 1.000 µm temporal à fóvea, e 1.500 µm temporal à fóvea. Dois médicos realizaram as medidas sem o conhecimento do diagnóstico. Os dados da CT e RT, antes e após a HD foram comparados. Resultados: As CTs medianas antes e após a HD foram 182 µm (variação de 103-374 µm) e 161 µm (variação de 90-353 µm), respectivamente (p<0,001). A RT foi 246 µm (variação de 179-296 µm) antes e 248 µm (variação de 141-299 µm) após a HD (p>0,05). A pressão arterial sistólica, pressão arterial diastólica, as médias de pressão arterial média, frequência cardíaca e pressão de perfusão ocular diminuíram significativamente após HD (p<0,001). A pressão intraocular não alterou significativamente (p=0,540). Conclusão: A HD parece causar uma redução significativa da CT, e não ter efeito sobre a RT. Esta redução significativa da CT pode ser devida à grande absorção de fluido durante a HD, o que pode resultar numa diminuição do fluxo sanguíneo ocular.