Long-term Effects of Uncomplicated Traumatic Hyphema on Corneal and Lenticular Clarity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effects of uncomplicated traumatic hyphema on endothelial morphology, anterior segment structure, and corneal and lenticular densitometry. METHODS: In this retrospective comparative study, eyes with a history of uncomplicated traumatic hyphema were compared with the healthy contralateral unaffected eyes. The corneal endothelial cell properties were captured using specular microscopy. Anterior segment analysis, corneal densitometry (12-mm corneal diameter), and lens densitometry measurements were performed using the Pentacam imaging system. RESULTS: Measurements were obtained at a mean follow-up of 49.5 ± 15.8 months after injury. The average endothelial cell density was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (2,506.6 ± 294.0 cells/mm² vs. 2,665.7 ± 195.0 cells/mm², p = 0.020). There was no difference between the groups in respect of polymegathism and pleomorphism (p = 0.061 and p = 0.558, respectively). All the investigated corneal tomographic and angle parameters were similar in both groups (all p > 0.05). The corneal densitometry values in all concentric zones and layers showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05 for all). The lens zone 1 densitometry value was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (9.6% ± 1.1% vs. 8.9% ± 1.2%, p = 0.031). No difference was observed in zone 2 and 3 (p = 0.170 and p = 0.322, respectively). The degree of hyphema was not correlated with endothelial cell and lenticular clarity loss (p = 0.087 and p = 0.294, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Even if traumatic hyphema is not complicated, long-term outcomes indicate endothelial cell loss and increased lenticular density.

Quantitative investigation of the effect of surgically induced hypoparathyroidism on cataract development.

INTRODUCTION: Although cataract formation is known in hypoparathyroidism, lens clarity and its correlation with clinical parameters have not been investigated quantitatively before in patients with hypoparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to compare the crystalline lens clarity of patients with surgically induced hypoparathyroidism and healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty female patients with surgically induced hypoparathyroidism and 38 age-matched healthy female subjects were enrolled in this study. Scheimpflug corneal topography was performed to measure lens density (LD) and thickness (LT). Serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and disease duration were recorded. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the hypoparathyroidism and control groups in the Pentacam densitometry zones 1-2-3, LT, and average and maximum LD (p > 0.05 for all). Nine blue-dot-like, two cortical, and two posterior subcapsular cataracts were detected in the hypoparathyroidism group. The frequency of total and blue-dot-like cataracts was significantly higher in the hypoparathyroidism group than in the control group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.002, respectively). In the hypoparathyroidism group, a significant correlation was observed between the maximum LD and the hypoparathyroidism duration (ß = 0.420, p = 0.017), and the maximum LD and serum PTH level (ß = -0.332, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: The clarity of the crystalline lens may decrease in surgically induced hypoparathyroidism patients depending on the disease duration and PTH levels. Additionally, this study detected an increased frequency of blue-dot-like cataract in the patient group, which may be due to the effect of hypoparathyroidism.

The Effect of Pathological Retinal Changes on Retinal Capillary Circulation in Myopic Patients.

Objectives: Myopia is a common ocular disorder worldwide, leading to degenerative changes in the retina which is highly susceptible to vascular impairment. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of pathological retinal changes on the retinal capillary structures using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in myopic patients. Methods: Thirty-two patients with high myopia (HM), 29 patients with pathological myopia (PM), and 38 healthy subjects with emmetropia (EM) were enrolled in this study. OCTA was performed to measure the following parameters: Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area; FAZ perimeter; FAZ acircularity index (AI); and superficial, deep, and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel densities. Axial length (AL), spherical equivalent, and anterior chamber depth were evaluated. Results: Significant differences in the mean AL values were observed between the EM group and the other groups (p<0.001 for all); however, no significant differences were observed between the HM and PM groups (p=0.135). Significant differences in FAZ parameters, except for AI, were found among the three groups (p<0.05 for all). In all regions, except for the fovea and inside disc, the capillary plexus vessel densities were significantly lower in the PM group than in the other groups and were lower in the HM group than in the EM group (p<0.05 for all). Conclusion: Significant differences identified in capillary densities between the HM and PM groups, both of which present similar AL measurements, suggest that pathological retinal findings have significant effects on retinal perfusion independent of the effect of AL.