Geleophysic dysplasia associated with bilateral angle closure glaucoma.

In this case report, we present occurrence of bilateral angle closure glaucoma in a 9-year-old girl with geleophysic dysplasia. Bilateral YAG laser iridotomy was applied, but intraocular pressure (IOP) remained at high levels, necessitating bilateral trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. On her follow-up examinations for 3 years, IOP remained in the mid-20s with no need for further intervention or antiglaucoma medication. There are few reports describing the ocular findings of geleophysic dysplasia in literature. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing an application of glaucoma surgery and its results at geleophysic dysplasia.

Topical cyclosporine A administration after pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rate of topical cyclosporine A (tCsA) (Restasis, Allergan) in preventing the recurrence of pterygium excision and conjunctival flap rotation technique in patients applying to our clinic and diagnosed with pterygium. METHODS: A total of 56 eyes with primary pterygium in 56 patients were examined and operated with pterygium excision and conjunctival flap rotation technique between October 2008 and September 2009. A total of 26 eyes of these 56 patients were treated with tCsA (Restasis, Allergan) for 6 months during the postoperative period and assigned as the treatment group. The other 30 eyes of 56 patients were assigned as the control group. The operated patients were followed up for approximately 11 months. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, and pterygial size. The largest percentage of the patients were farmers (30.3%). The pterygium recurred in 8 (14.2%) of 56 patients; 2 of them were in the treatment group (7.7%) and 6 of them were in the control group (20.0%). There was not any complication threatening vision among operated patients. Recurrence rates between the control and treatment group were statistically significant (p<0.05). The complication and postoperative compliance rates were lower in the treatment group than the control group. The difference between preoperative and postoperative Schirmer I test results among the treatment and control group was statistically significant (p<0.05). The Schirmer I test results increased after tCsA treatment for patients assigned to the treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that tCsA (Restasis, Allergan) can be used safely and effectively after pterygium surgery to obtain lower rates of recurrence.

Decompression retinopathy and possible risk factors.

PURPOSE: To discuss the underlying mechanisms in decompression retinopathy. METHODS: Report of two cases. RESULTS: Retinal hemorrhages secondary to decompression retinopathy occurred following combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy with mitomycine-C (MMC) in one eye of a case of congenital glaucoma and pars plana vitrectomy-lensectomy in a case of vitreous condensation secondary to pars planitis. Both cases were operated under general anesthesia. Postoperative hypotony did not take place in either eye. The same surgical procedure was performed on the other eye of the patient with congenital glaucoma 1 week apart. Postoperative decompression retinopathy was not seen in this eye despite hypotony was recorded. CONCLUSION: Valsalva manoeuvre, hypotony and other factors may play a role individually or in combination in the pathogenesis of decompression retinopathy.

Retrieval of a mispositioned Ex-PRESS glaucoma device.

The purpose of this article was to report the misposition and subsequent retrieval of an Ex-PRESS (Optonol Ltd., Neve Ilan, Israel) glaucoma drainage device implanted in an eye with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. The formation of excessive fibrosis at the site of the implant, which was partly dislocated into the anterior chamber, was observed. The Ex-PRESS drainage device was removed from the anterior chamber and the intraocular pressure was relieved through trabeculectomy at the superotemporal part of the globe. The results suggest that trabeculectomy is a practical approach to alleviate intraocular pressure in the case of failed glaucoma drainage devices.

Effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy without mitomycin-C for the treatment of high myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and therapeutic range of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) without mitomycin-C (MMC) to treat high myopia. SETTING: Isik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This study comprised 31 highly myopic eyes (19 patients) that had LASEK. Before primary LASEK treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after, all patients had a complete ophthalmic examination including visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and biomicroscopy. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -9.01 diopters (D) +/- 2.66 (SD) preoperatively and -1.00 +/- 1.15 D at the end of follow-up. At 24 months, the mean SE was within +/-1.00 D of the intended correction in 23 eyes (74.19%). The median uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) increased from 20/606 preoperatively to 20/28.6 at 24 months and the median best corrected visual acuity, from 20/25 to 20/22, respectively. Total higher-order and spherical aberrations increased significantly at the end of follow-up. All 14 eyes that had ablations greater than -8.62 D developed varying degrees of haze. Significant myopic regression (>1.00 D) leading to UCVA loss occurred in all eyes with a preoperative SE of -12.00 D or greater. CONCLUSIONS: The results of LASEK without MMC were excellent in eyes with up to -8.6 D of SE. All eyes with a preoperative SE between -8.6 and -12.0 D developed haze but had acceptable refractive and visual outcomes. Haze and myopic regression limited the success of LASEK in eyes with a preoperative SE of -12.0 D and greater.

Trapezoid-quadrilateral technique of frontalis suspension with synthetic material.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new method of frontalis suspension (FS) to prevent recurrences, undercorrection, and cosmetic problems, and to share our experiences in treatment of congenital ptosis using the trapezoid quadrilateral technique (TQT) and synthetic materials. METHODS: Twenty-four eyes of 18 patients, admitted to Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital 3rd Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey, between January 2002 to December 2004, were operated with a new method. All the patients had congenital ptosis, and they were 2-27 years old. Twelve of them were female and 6 of them were male. In this new method, the upper eyelid is fixed to the frontalis muscle from 2 points. RESULTS: The visual axis was open, and there was good symmetry between both eyes at the end of a mean of 14 months follow-up. There was granuloma formation in both eyes of one patient, exposure keratopathy in both eyes of another patient, and recurrence of ptosis in one eye of one patient. CONCLUSION: The TQT of FS with synthetic material does not cause any esthetic deformity and produces a balanced lifting in the upper eyelid. Therefore, we propose that it could be the preferred method in FS procedures performed with inorganic materials.

Effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTINGS: Isik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This retrospective study included 24 eyes of 15 patients who had retreatment by LASEK for residual refractive errors after myopic LASIK. All patients had examinations that included slitlamp biomicroscopy, subjective and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, corneal topography, and pachymetry preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: The patient cohort comprised 9 men and 6 women. The median spherical equivalent (SE) of attempted correction for retreatment with LASEK was -1.25 diopters (D). The median follow-up after LASEK was 11.5 months (range 6 to 16 months). At the end of the follow-up, the median SE of the refractive error was -0.38 D. The median UCVA increased from 20/45 before LASEK to 20/25 at the last follow-up visit, which was statistically significant (P<.001). After LASEK, significant postoperative haze developed in 5 eyes. In all 5 eyes, the estimated ablation depth was more than 40 mum and the SE of attempted correction was -2.00 D or greater. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy retreatment in eyes with myopic regression after LASIK resulted in a significant improvement in UCVA that was comparable to the improvement after flap lifting. An SE of attempted correction greater than -2.00 D was associated with a significant rate of haze.

Plasma homocysteine levels and vitamin B status in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the plasma levels of homocysteine and vitamin B (B6, B12 and folate) in patients with Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), retinal vein occlusion with pseudoexfoliation (PEX+RVO) and in normal individuals. METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Third Eye Clinic, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, between August 2004 and February 2005. Twenty cases with PEXS (Group 1), 20 cases with PEXG (Group 2), 16 cases with PEX+RVO (central or branch retinal vein occlusion) (Group 3) and 20 normal individuals (control group) were included in the study. Those who use vitamin supplements or drugs affecting the plasma homocysteine levels were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Plasma homocysteine levels were 17.6+/-4.4 mmol/l in Group 1, 18.5+/-4.5 mmol/l in Group 2, 22.2+/-6.0 mmol/l in Group 3, and 14.0+/-3.1 mmol/l in the control group. It was highest in Group 3 (p<0.001). The ratio of hyperhomocysteinemia was calculated as 35% (Group 1), 45% (Group 2), 68.7% (Groups 3) and 15% (control). These values were statistically higher in the groups with PEXS than in the control group (p=0.009). We did not find any statistically significant difference between the groups with respect to the levels of vitamin B6 and B12 (p>0.05), but the level of folate was lowest in Group 3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolic vasculopathy in patients with PEXS and PEXG. Therefore, vitamin B supplementation should be considered in these patients when hyperhomocysteinemia is detected.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Endophthalmitis after cataract extraction.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical course, treatment response, and prognosis of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia endophthalmitis following cataract extraction. METHODS: The clinical records of six cases of S. maltophilia endophthalmitis after cataract extraction were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected for surgical characteristics, disease course, culture growth, antibiotic sensitivity of the pathogen, response to treatment, and final visual acuity. RESULTS: Four patients underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with phacoemulsification (PHACO) and intracapsular intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. One case was complicated by inadvertent posterior capsular tear during PHACO and IOL implantation. One patient underwent a combined extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation and trabeculectomy, but vitrectomy was also performed because of cortical material loss into the vitreous cavity after a capsular tear. Symptoms began between postoperative days 1 and 19. All patients underwent a vitreous tap and intravitreal injections of antibiotics. Medical therapy alone was sufficient in five patients to treat the infection. One patient had four episodes of recurrence. Pars plana vitrectomy with subsequent capsulectomy and IOL extraction were performed in this patient to complete remission. CONCLUSION: S. maltophilia should be considered a pathogenic organism possibly causing endophthalmitis after PHACO+IOL implantation. The clinical picture resembles acute bacterial endophthalmitis. When the pathogen has settled in the capsular bag, the infection may persist and become refractory to medical treatment.

Causes of uveitis in a referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings in a referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical records of patients in our uveitis department were reviewed retrospectively and 419 eyes of 300 consecutive patients were included in the study. Cases of uveitis due to postoperative endophthalmitis, perforating injuries, and foreign bodies were excluded from the study. The data, including sex, age, clinical presentation, disease course and outcome, ocular involvement, etiology, and associated systemic findings, were entered into a computer database. Pearson chi-square statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data whenever necessary. RESULTS: The study subjects consisted of 162 males and 138 females, with a female to male ratio of 1:1.17 and an average age of 35.7 years. Anterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis with 43.6%, followed by posterior uveitis (26.6%), panuveitis (20.6%), and intermediate uveitis (9%). Idiopathic uveitis (28.3%) was the most frequent cause of uveitis diagnosed, followed by Behçet's disease (26%) and rheumatic diseases (9%). In 215 (71.7%) out of 300 patients, a specific cause of uveitis with associated systemic findings was identified. Uveitis was attributed to an infectious etiology in only 41 patients (13.6%) of the entire study population. COMMENTS: The etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings may vary depending on the geographic distribution of patients and local factors. These results represent those of patients with uveitis referred to hospitals in central Anatolia.