Atherogenic indices in non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy.

AIM: To evaluate the atherogenic indices and the relationship with visual acuity and bilateral sequential involvement in patients with non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: A total of 65 patients with NAION and 48 age-sex matched healthy individuals were included in this retrospective study. The demographic characteristics and laboratory findings of the patients and control subjects were obtained from the electronic medical records. The atherogenic indices were calculated using the lipid parameters. The association between visual acuity, bilateral sequential involvement, and atherogenic indices was investigated. RESULTS: The mean age was 63.8±12.5y in the NAION group and 64.7±10.1y in control group (P=0.707). Although there were no significant differences in terms of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) between two groups (P=0.089, 0.091), all the non-traditional serum lipid ratios were significantly higher in NAION group (P<0.05). In the NAION subgroup analysis, with visual acuity≤20/200 had higher TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), LDL-c/HDL-c, and non-HDL-c/HDL-c values than the patients in the NAION group with visual acuity >20/200 (P=0.032, 0.025, 0.032, respectively). The values for the atherogenic indices were higher in NAION patients with bilateral sequential involvement in comparison to those with unilateral involvement (P=0.271, 0.127, 0.197, 0.128, 0.127, respectively). CONCLUSION: The study reveals a relationship between NAION and the non-traditional lipid ratios. Atherogenic indices may predict the visual loss severity and second eye involvement in patients with NAION.

Serum Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). METHODS: Fifty-six patients with NAION and 60 age-sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. Demographic characteristics and laboratory findings of the patients and the controls were obtained from the electronic medical records. NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII were calculated and compared between the groups. Cutoff values were also determined. RESULTS: Neutrophil, monocyte and platelet counts were higher in the NAION group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mean NLR and SII were higher in the NAION group than in the control group (p = 0.004 and p = 0.011, respectively). In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the areas under the curve for NLR were 0.67, and NLR >1.79 predicted NAION with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 59%. The areas under the curve for SII was 0.66, and SII of >417 predicted NAION with a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 49%. There was no significant difference in PLR and MLR between the groups (p = 0.105 and p = 0.347, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that NAION patients had increased NLR and SII levels compared with control subjects. Elevated NLR and SII might serve as readily available inflammatory predictors in NAION patients.

Monocyte to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio in Patients with Arteritic and Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the monocyte to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) in patients with arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (A-AION) and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION). A total of 98 subjects were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: 16 patients with A-AION regarded as group one; 41 patients with NA-AION regarded as group two and 41 healthy subjects regarded as the control group. The MHR was calculated in all participants and compared between the patient and control groups. The mean age of subjects with A-AION, NA-AION and the control group were 75.9 ± 8.9 years, 67.1 ± 9.2 years, and 66.6 ± 6.7 years, respectively. Baseline clinical characteristics, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, were similar among groups. The mean MHR was significantly higher only in the A-AION group compared with the NA-AION and control group (p < .001), whereas there was no difference between NA-AION group and control group (p = .110). On receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve was 0.755, and the best cut- off value was 12.2 with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 80%. An elevated MHR ratio is significantly associated with A-AION and MHR might be used to differentiate A-AION from NA-AION.

The effect of pregnancy on tear osmolarity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of pregnancy on the lacrimal system through tear osmolarity measurement and the Schirmer test. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study consisted of two groups of 30 women between 20 and 40 years old; the women in the study group were in their first trimester of pregnancy, and the women in the control group were not pregnant and did not have any diseases other than refractive error. Tear osmolarity measurement with the TearLab osmolarity system and tear function test Schirmer 1 were carried out on one, randomly chosen eye of each participant. The pregnant women's measurements were repeated on the same eye in their last trimester. RESULTS: The study group's first trimester tear osmolarity measurement was 304.9 ± 8.0 mOsm/L, while their last trimester tear osmolarity measurement was 300.2 ± 7.1mOsm/L and the control group's was 306.3 ± 6.2 mOsm/L. There was a statistical difference between the study group's first and last trimester results and between the study group's last trimester and the control group's results (p < 0.05). The Schirmer test results were 18.1 ± 6.3 mm for the study group's first trimester, 16.6 ± 6.9 mm for the last trimester and 21.3 ± 9.0 mm for the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between the study group's last trimester results and the control group's Schirmer test results (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both the tear osmolarity values and Schirmer values were found to decrease significantly towards the end of pregnancy. These results suggest that decrease in both test results may play a protective role in the ocular surface during pregnancy.

Methanol-induced toxic optic neuropathy with diffusion weighted MRI findings.

We report a 52-year-old man with methanol intoxication who showed optic nerve damage as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). He was admitted to the hospital with blurred vision after the consumption of alcohol (600-700 ml of cologne). He was treated with intravenous ethanol, NaHCO3 and hemodialysis. On admission, a brain and orbital MRI was performed. Bilateral mild contrast enhancement was detected on the contrast-enhanced images in the retrobulbar segment of the optic nerves (RBONs). Also, diffusion-weighted images showed restricted diffusion in the RBONs. Diagnosis was considered as methanol-induced optic neuropathy based on the MRI findings of the optic nerves.

Papillophlebitis associated with the use of oral contraceptive: a case report.

We present a 20-year-old female patient with papillophlebitis in the right eye. Minimal expansion of the blind spot and nasal peripheral defects in the right eye visual field were detected. The patient was using ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate for ovarian cyst and menstrual irregularity. An improvement in the patient's visual field began within a week after cessation of ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate. Ophthalmoscopic findings resolved completely in the sixth week. This situation suggests that female sex hormones or thromboembolic process caused by them may be responsible for the pathogenesis of papillophlebitis. But the exact mechanism in the pathogenesis of papillophlebitis is still controversial.

Effects of Birth Weight on Anterior Segment Measurements in Full-Term Children Without Low Birth Weight by Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of birth weight on ocular anterior segment parameters in full-term children without low birth weight using the Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The right eyes from 110 healthy children, 3-6 years of age, were scanned with the Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer. A total of 78 eyes were measured in full-term children with birth weight of >2500 g. Central, paracentral, pericentral, and the thinnest corneal thicknesses; anterior and posterior keratometry (average, steep, flat); axial curvatures; asphericity of cornea; anterior chamber depth and volume; and iridocorneal angle values were measured. Axial length, lens thickness, and vitreous length were obtained by ultrasound biometry. RESULTS: The mean age of children was 55.86 ± 12.52 (mean ± SD) months. Mean birth weight and gestational age were 3426.3 ± 545 g and 39.4 ± 1.2 weeks, respectively. Although lens thickness, vitreous length, axial length, and anterior chamber volume were moderately correlated with birth weight (P < .05), there was no relationship between birth weight and anterior chamber depth. With the exception of pericentral corneal thickness, all regions of corneal thicknesses were correlated with birth weight (P < .05). Birth weight was negatively correlated with anterior curvature (P < .05) and had no relationship to posterior curvature. While central and paracentral axial curvatures correlated with birth weight (P < .05), pericentral axial curvature did not. CONCLUSION: Preschoolers who were born heavier had thicker cornea and lens, longer axial length, and flatter corneal curve. The thicknesses and axial curves of central cornea within 7 mm may be particularly associated with birth weight.

Paralytic strabismus and papilloedema caused by dural sinus thrombosis after bee sting.

A patient that developed paresis of the sixth cranial nerve and bilateral papilloedema after the bee sting to the periocular area is presented. Magnetic resonance venography showed a unilateral transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis. The patient was successfully treated with anticoagulation and intracranial pressure lowering treatment.

Papillophlebitis: Treatment of Vision Loss Due To Subretinal Fluid with Intravitreal Ranibizumab.

There are no specific treatment protocols for papillophlebitis, which is basically a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) occurring in young adults. The present report is that of a 14-year-old girl, who presented with blurred vision in her right eye. Although her visual acuity (VA) was initially 20/20, there were venous engorgements, blurry disc margins, and a substantial collection of subretinal fluid. She was diagnosed with papillophlebitis. When, 2 weeks later, her VA had decreased to 20/200, she was administered intravitreally injected ranibizumab. One week post-injection, her VA had returned to normal (20/20) and the subretinal fluid had diminished markedly. Intravitreal ranibizumab injection appears to be an effective treatment modality for this condition.

Optic neuropathy secondary to inflammation of sphenoidal sinuses and Onodi cell polyps: a case report.

An inflammation or injury to optic nerve anywhere its pathway by extrinsic lesions causes the optic neuropathy. These lesions are more effective in confined spaces like optic canal, orbital apex. We present a 61 year old woman with optic neuropathy due to lesion in an Onodi cell. In this case patient presented with progressive loss of vision in her right eye within a few days. Computed tomography (CT) revealed mucosal thickening and inflammatory signs in right sphenoid sinus and presence of Onodi cell in that side. Magnetic Resonance Imaging confirmed compression to the optic nevre. Systemic antibioterapy and endoscopic sinus surgery was performed. Postoperatively, the visual acuity and control CT views were better than initial findings. Histopathologic evaluation revealed polyps in Onodi cell. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the Onodi cell pathologies that caused compressive optic neuropathy.

Is symptomatic atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease a risk factor for normal-tension glaucoma?

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of glaucomatous optic disk appearance between patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic stroke and healthy individuals with normal intraocular pressures (IOP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 46 patients with ischemic stroke with evident lacunar infarction or large vessel atherosclerosis, and 93 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals, all with normal IOP, were included. Patients and controls were examined for the presence of high cup-to-disk ratios (> 0.5). RESULTS: Seven patients (15.22%) in the ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) group and 3 controls (3.23%) had glaucomatous optic disk appearance. All subjects with glaucomatous optic disk appearance in the control group and 3 patients in the study group had visual field defects in concordance with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG). The incidence of glaucomatous optic disk appearance was significantly higher in the group with symptomatic atherosclerotic CVD. CONCLUSION: Atherosclerotic CVD is a risk factor for having glaucomatous optic disk appearance. Symptomatic atherosclerosis involving the brain vasculature may also affect the eye and lead to NTG. Patients with ischemic strokes due to large artery atherosclerosis or small artery occlusion must be examined and followed for NTG.

Visual evoked potentials in guillain-barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute demyelinating polyneuropathy with various clinical features. Optic neuritis occurs in rare cases. In this study we determined the incidence and patterns of visual evoked potential (VEP) abnormality in GBS in association with ophthalmologic findings. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with a diagnosis of GBS were included in the study. The correlation between pathologic VEPs and categories of neurologic deficit and electrophysiological findings were examined statistically. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 19 to 77 years. Five cases (16%) had abnormal VEPs. All five of these patients exhibited increased P100 latency differences between the two eyes. Other abnormalities were prolonged p100 latency, increased interocular amplitude difference, and distorted p100 configuration. Pathologic signs on ophthalmologic examination were observed in 80% of patients with abnormal VEPs. VEP abnormality was never present in pure axonal forms. There was no significant correlation between pathologic VEP and cerebrospinal fluid protein level or categories of neurologic deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Involvement of the optic pathways is not a frequent finding in GBS. When present it is always asymmetric and generally accompanied with pathologic findings on ophthalmologic examination. VEPs may be abnormal in different clinical variants of GBS, and especially in demyelinating forms.

Tear secretion and ferning patterns among premature and full-term newborns.

In this study, we aimed to assess the quality and quantity of tears among premature and term newborns. Tear ferning and Schirmer's tests were conducted over the first 10 days of life. Correlations between tear ferning patterns, Schirmer's scores, post-conceptional age, and birth weight were evaluated. Forty-six newborns (23 preterm, 23 term) were enrolled, with a mean post-conceptional age of 36.6 weeks and a mean weight of 2598.2 g. Mean total, basal and reflex Schirmer's test results were 13.5 mm, 6.7 mm and 6.8 mm, on the right and 14.0 mm, 7.1 mm and 6.9 mm on the left eye, respectively. Median ferning score was 2 (range 1-3) bilaterally. Schirmer scores were correlated with ferning capacity and post-conceptional age. Our study shows that newborns secrete moderate quantity, good quality tears. Ferning capacity, Schirmer scores and post-conceptional age are correlated.

The Boston Scleral Lens in the treatment of pediatric patients.

PURPOSE: To report the use of a custom-designed, fluid-ventilated, gas-permeable scleral lens in the treatment of patients under 13 years of age. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients under 13 years of age who were fitted with the Boston Scleral Lens at the Boston Foundation for Sight from January 1996 through June 2006. Age, sex, ophthalmic diagnosis, systemic diagnosis, prior surgical intervention, complications, lens fit and wearing failures, and duration of lens use are reported. RESULTS: Boston Scleral Lenses were fitted in 47 eyes of 31 patients referred after failure of conventional therapy. Patients ranged in age from 7 months to 12.92 years (mean, 7.75 years) at time of fitting. There were 16 girls and 15 boys in this group. The mean duration of documented scleral lens use was 24 months (range, 0-85 months). A broad range of refractive and ocular surface disorders was treated with this modality, with the vast majority of patients having ocular surface disease (27/31, 87%) rather than refractive disorders (4/31, 13%). Congenital corneal anesthesia syndromes and Stevens-Johnson syndrome each accounted for over one-third of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Boston Scleral Lens is a custom-designed, fluid-ventilated, rigid gas-permeable scleral lens that vaults the cornea retaining a pool of oxygenated artificial tears over the corneal surface. The Boston Scleral Lens is a treatment option, after failure of conventional therapy, for a broad range of ocular surface and refractive disorders in the pediatric age group. Pediatric ophthalmologists should be aware of this treatment modality, particularly in the management of severe ocular surface disease.

Bilateral horizontal Vogt's striae in keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To report a keratoconus case with bilateral horizontal Vogt's striae. METHOD: The clinical findings of the patient and the development of the direction of striae are discussed. RESULTS: Vogt's striae, defined as vertical stress lines, are rarely horizontal. One patient with unilateral horizontal stress lines on his left eye has been reported in the literature. Our patient has horizontal Vogt's striae in both eyes. CONCLUSION: Horizontal Vogt's striae may be seen in keratoconus as a rare slit-lamp biomicroscopic finding.

A case of orbital dirofilariasis in Northern Turkey.

A 29-year-old male patient presented with complaints of a localized mass behind his right lower eyelid that had been present for the last 6 months. Ophthalmologic examination was completely normal except for a 2 cm x 2 cm painless mass localized on the inferior orbital rim behind the right lower eyelid. An excisional biopsy was planned, and an anterior orbitotomy was performed by a lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis. Premature rupture of the cyst occurred during dissection, disclosing a thin white parasite surrounded by copious purulent material. The parasite and surrounding cyst were submitted to laboratory for evaluation. The parasite was typed as Dirofilaria repens (13 cm, female). The patient remained symptom-free over the 4 months of postoperative follow-up. Detection of the first human case of orbital dirofilariasis in Northern Turkey, in a patient with no history of travel to any endemic areas, has raised questions about the parasite's zoonotic characteristics.

Necrotizing scleritis due to varicella zoster infection: a case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case with necrotizing scleritis due to varicella-zoster infection. METHODS: The patient records were evaluated. The present literature was investigated using MEDLINE. A six-year-old boy with varicella infection was admitted to our clinic with redness, pain, and lid edema on the right eye. Slit lamp examination revealed lid edema, purulent secretion, conjunctival injection and chemosis, and inferotemporal scleral necrosis. Sclera was avascular and the conjunctiva was spontaneously detached from sclera in the necrotic region. RESULTS: Systemic and topical acyclovir treatment was started and a rapid improvement achieved in signs and symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic manifestations of varicella infection are potentially blinding especially in the absence of appropriate diagnosis and medical intervention. Distinctive skin eruptions are specifically helpful in the early diagnosis of the disease.

Conjunctival necrosis due to subconjunctival injection of betamethasone in treatment of graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty.

A rare side effect of betamethasone applied subconjunctivally is described. A 51-year-old man who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty in his left eye 2 months previously developed graft rejection and was treated by subconjunctival injection of betamethasone. Within 2 weeks, the patient complained of conjunctival hyperemia and irritation. Biomicroscopic examination revealed conjunctival and subconjunctival necrosis with white necrotic tissue at the subconjunctival corticosteroid injection site. Simple debridement and primary wound closure of the involved area resulted in complete healing. Ophthalmologists should be aware that subconjunctival injection of betamethasone may cause conjunctival necrosis.