Endogenous Endophthalmitis Caused by Aspergillus lentulus in an Immunocompromised Patient with Lung Cancer

A 78-year-old man with a history of lung cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and coronavirus disease 2019 infection experienced visual deterioration of two-weeks' duration in his right eye. There was multifocal, yellowish-white retinitis foci, vascular engorgement, and scattered intraretinal hemorrhages extending from posterior pole to retinal periphery in the right eye, whereas the left eye was normal. Intravitreal vancomycin, ceftazidime, clindamycin, and dexamethasone were given for endogenous endophthalmitis initially. Vitreous culture confirmed the presence of Aspergillus lentulus, and he was treated with intravitreal amphotericin-B and voriconazole injections together with systemic amphotericin-B, voriconazole, posaconazole, and micafungin therapy. During follow-up, vitreoretinal surgery was performed because of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, and he received one additional cycle of chemotherapy due to recurrence of the cancer. Although the retina was attached, enucleation was eventually required due to painful red eye. Atypical squamous cells beneath the neurosensory retina suggesting metastasis were noted on histopathological examination. Timely ocular examination is crucial for any immunocompromised patient having ocular symptoms. High level of suspicion for a fungal etiology is a must in these patients.

Is the clinical course of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy associated with oxidative damage and the dynamics of the antioxidant response?

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is known to be a decisive factor in the wide etiopathogenesis of optic neuropathy. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the interaction of optic neuropathy's clinical course with systemic oxidative damage and antioxidant response dynamics in a large series. METHODS: This case-controlled clinical study included 33 non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) patients and 32 healthy individuals. Extensive systemic oxidation profiles were statistically compared between the two groups, and correlations between the clinical and biochemical data in the study group were analyzed. RESULTS: Vitamin E and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in the study group. Significant correlations were observed in the analyses between clinical findings and oxidative stress parameters. Correlations between vitamin E and intraocular pressure (IOP), between B12 and cup-to-disk ratio (c/d), between antioxidant glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme systems, and between uric acid (UA) and age were found to be very significant. As significant correlations were found in either clinical and biochemical data or in oxidative stress parameters, correlations between vitamin E and cholesterol, MDA were found to be very significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study not only supplies significant information regarding oxidative damage and antioxidant response in NAION, but also points out the specific interactions of neuromodulators, like vitamin E, in intracellular signaling pathways and regulation mechanisms. A better reading of these connections may help improve diagnosis, follow-ups and treatment criteria and strategies.

Evaluation of the corneal biomechanical properties and corneal thickness in patients with Graves' orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal biomechanical properties and central corneal thickness in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO). METHOD: A total of 132 eyes of 66 patients with GO and 108 eyes of 54 healthy subjects were enrolled. Eyes with GO were classified as high score clinical activity score (CAS, ≥ 3) (Group 1, n = 64) and low CAS score (< 3) (Group 2, n = 68). Corneal biomechanical parameters [corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF)], Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc) levels were measured with Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, NY) and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean CH values were found as 9.6 ± 1 mmHg in Group 1, 10.2 ± 0.9 mmHg in Group 2, and 11.4 ± 1.7 mmHg in the Control Group (p < 0.001). In post hoc analysis the mean CH was significantly lower in Group 1 than Group 2 and Control Group (Group 1-Group 2, p < 0.001; Group 1-Control Group, p < 0.001). The mean CRF was found as 10.5 ± 2.1 in Group 1, 10.4 ± 2.2 in Group 2, and 10.43 ± 2.0 in the Control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in CRF measurements (p = 0.959). The mean IOPcc values were found as 17.1 ± 3.6 mmHg in Group 1, 15.8 ± 4.0 mmHg in Group 2 and 15.2 ± 4.1 mmHg in the Control Group. The IOPcc and IOPg measurements between all groups were statistically significant (p = 0.009, p = 0.027, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal biomechanical measurements were different in the GO patients with varying CAS scores compared to healthy individuals.

Adult Spinal Primary Leptomeningeal Medulloblastoma Presenting as Pseudotumour Cerebri Syndrome.

A previously well 34-year-old man presented with severe pseudotumour cerebri. Imaging showed that he had a cauda equina tumour which proved to be a medulloblastoma. There was no tumour mass in the posterior fossa so we assume that this was a primary leptomeningeal medulloblastoma. In patients with somewhat atypical pseudotumour, spinal imaging should always be considered.

Optic nerve sheath decompression saves sight in severe papilloedema: results from 81 eyes in 56 patients with pseudotumor cerebri.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of optic nerve sheath decompression (ONSD) for papilloedema in a teaching hospital in western Turkey. METHODS: The charts of 56 patients who had ONSD surgery between April 2007 and September 2019 were collated; and a total of 81 operated and 31 fellow eyes were included. Pre- and postoperative ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), colour vision (CV), visual field (VF) analysis, fundoscopic examination and demographic and medical characteristics of the patients were noted and outcomes after surgery were investigated. RESULTS: Of all study eyes, 49 (43.7%) eyes had BCVA 0.2 or less and 62 (55.3%) eyes had mean deviation (MD) below - 20.0 dB. 62 (55.3%) eyes had Frisen grade 4 or 5 papilloedema. Almost half of the eyes had severe vision loss. After ONSD, BCVA, CV and MD in both operated and fellow non-operated eyes improved significantly (p < 0.001, p = 0.009 and p < 0.001 for operated, p < 0.001, p = 0.007 and p < 0.001 for fellow eyes, respectively). Earlier surgery and higher cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure were related to better outcomes. None of the patients had major operative complications. CONCLUSION: Optic nerve sheath decompression can safely improve vision not only of the operated but also of the non-operated eye, even in cases with severe vision loss from severe bilateral papilloedema. Regardless of initial VA and VF, patients may benefit from ONSD; the earlier it is done the more likely the better outcome.

A small incision technique for repairing involutional lower eyelid entropion.

PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to describe and review our experience with Goldberg's small incision technique for use with involutional entropion. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive interventional case series with validated late surgical outcomes were reported. All involutional entropion cases with horizontal laxity of less than 8 mm were repaired with a small incision technique. Retractors were separated from the tarsus by blunt dissection made from three 4 mm horizontal incisions. Three 6-0 double-armed polyglactin sutures were used to tighten retractors and the orbicularis oculi muscle. The sutures were removed 3 weeks postoperatively or earlier if overcorrection continued during the first week of the postoperative period. Data were obtained for a postoperative follow-up period of at least 24 months. RESULTS: A total of thirty-seven lower eyelids from thirty-one patients with involutional entropion were included in the study. Primary operations were performed on 31 eyelids and reoperations on six eyelids. The mean follow-up time was 40 ± 11 months. Thirty-six (97.3%) of the eyelids had no recurrence. As overcorrection was seen postoperatively in ten eyelids (27%), a number of sutures had to be removed earlier than planned. The ectropion eventually resolved, and no recurrence was seen during follow-up in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our practice, the small incision technique has been highly effective in involutional entropion repair, with minimal complications. Although this approach does not directly address lateral canthal tendon laxity, the procedure has the advantages of being easy to learn and also that it can be combined with other procedures for tendon laxity.

Intravitreal Aflibercept as an Adjunct to Systemic Therapy in a Case of Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Associated with Sympathetic Ophthalmia.

Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) is a very rare complication in patients with sympathetic ophthalmia. We hereby report a 38-year-old man who developed a type 2 CNV in his only seeing (left) eye while under systemic steroid treatment. Systemic therapy was revised and a total of 5 intravitreal aflibercept injections (2 mg each) were administered over a period of 8 months. Good anatomic and functional outcome was noted at the last visit. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection may be an important adjunct to systemic therapy in eyes with with sympathetic ophthalmia-associated CNV.

Unilateral Acute Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in a Patient with an Already Established Diagnosis of Bilateral Optic Disc Drusen.

Optic disc drusen (ODD) are calcific deposits that form in the optic nerve head secondary to abnormalities in axonal metabolism and degeneration. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery, and vein occlusion are among the rare vascular complications of disc drusen. We reported the clinical course of a 51-year-old patient with a unilateral acute nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) who received the diagnosis of bilateral optic disc drusen five years earlier and thereby reiterated the association of ODD and acute NAION.