Association Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Glaucoma in Women.

The aim of the study was to determine whether serum vitamin D level is lower in female patients with glaucoma as compared with control group. The mechanism by which vitamin D reduces intraocular pressure is not fully clarified. Almost all tissues possess vitamin D receptor (VDR). The mice lacking VDR (VDR knockout mice) have greatly contributed to the understanding of the general vitamin D physiologic function. VDR has been found in some ganglion layer cells, external and internal nuclear layers of retina, and in retinal pigment epithelium, while VDR epitopes have also been found in the ciliary body epithelium, pointing to the role of this protein in eye physiology. The 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates expression of the genes involved in the regulation of intraocular pressure in non-human primates. Extracellular matrix can be remodeled by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. Actin disruption can lead to cell morphology alteration, trabecular meshwork relaxation and intraocular pressure reduction. This observational cross-sectional study included 90 female glaucoma subjects aged 45-55 and 50 glaucoma free female subjects as control group. Results of a pilot study conducted in 20 glaucoma subjects and 20 control subjects are presented below. All study subjects underwent history taking, complete ophthalmologic examination and serum vitamin D determination. The mean serum vitamin D level was 32.31 nmol/L in glaucoma patients and 64.17 nmol/L in control subjects. Serum vitamin D level was statistically significantly lower in glaucoma patients as compared with control group (p<0.05).

Vascular endothelial growth factor in a recipient cornea acts as a prognostic factor for corneal graft reaction development.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the recipient cornea measured at the time of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) can act as a prognostic factor for corneal graft reaction development. METHODS: The study included 25 eyes (of 25 patients) scheduled for PK. According to preoperative clinical finding, patients were divided into three groups: inflammatory with neovascularization (n = 11); inflammatory without neovascularization (n = 7); and non-inflammatory (n = 7). One half of the recipient cornea was analyzed for the levels of VEGF-A protein using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the other half was analyzed to determine the loci of VEGF-A production by immunohistochemistry. The frequencies of corneal graft reaction and rejection were recorded, together with the improvement of visual acuity. Twenty-five donor corneas obtained from cadaver eyes represented the control group (n = 25). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the levels of VEGF-A protein between the recipient corneal buttons obtained from eyes with inflammatory changes and neovascularization, and those from the non-inflammatory group and controls (p < 0.01). The level of VEGF-A was 287.74 pg/ml (standard deviation [SD] = 129.181) in the inflammatory with corneal neovascularization group, 227.64 pg/ml (SD = 85.590) in the inflammatory without neovascularization group, 115.37 pg/ml (SD = 105.93) in the non-inflammatory group, and 142.28 pg/ml (SD = 93.081) in the control group. Graft reaction/rejection rate was 54.5%/45.5% in the inflammatory with neovascularization group, 14.3%/0% in the inflammatory without neovascularization group, and 14.3%/14.3% in non-inflammatory group. Patients who developed clinical signs of graft reaction during the postoperative follow-up had a significantly higher level of VEGF-A (307.4 pg/ml, SD = 100.058) compared with those without any signs of graft reaction (182.8 pg/ml, SD = 124.987). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that both graft reaction and final graft rejection occur more often in patients with increased levels of VEGF-A in a recipient cornea at the time of PK.

Optic nerve sheath meningioma: a case report with 15-year follow-up.

Meningiomas are benign neoplastic lesions of arachnoidal cells of the meninges. These tumors may arise wherever meninges exists, such as in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, middle ear, and mediastinum. Optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSMs) are usually unilateral and occur predominantly in middle-aged females, although they may be present at any age. We present a case of a 55-year-old female with ONSM diagnosed when she was 40 years old. Diagnosis and follow-up was based on the clinical picture, CT orbit scan, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Neuroretinitis caused by Bartonella quintana.

A 57-year-old woman presented to the eye clinic for impaired vision on the left eye persisting for three months. Clinical examination revealed massive peripapillary exudate and stellate macular exudate, raising suspicion of a cat-scratch disease. Tetracycline therapy was introduced, followed by azithromycin and topical corticosteroids. Serologic testing for Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana was performed. In the first sample, Bartonella quintana IgG titer was 128, and IgM titer 20, whereas in repeat sample the respective findings were 64 and negative. Such a titer dynamics pointed to Bartonella quintana infection. The prescribed therapy resulted in vision improvement and normalization of the clinical picture. After nine months of therapy initiation, macular exudate had almost completely disappeared. Based on the patient's history, symptoms, therapeutic response and IgM pattern, the neuroretinitis must have developed secondary to Bartonella quintana infection.

Traumatic optic neuropathy - to treat or to observe?

We present a case of acute traumatic optic neuropathy in 54 year old male patient. The patient presented with acute loss of vision in the right eye due to a blunt trauma to the eye. Lid haematoma and subconjunctival hemorrhage were present. Fluorescein staining was negative, anterior chamber and lens was clear. Intraocular pressure was normal. Retina and optic nerve head appeared normal on fundoscopy. The vision was "counting fingers at 1 meter" in the right eye. Color test indicated color perception dysfunction of the right eye. Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was positive. Ocular ultrasound, orbital X ray and CT scan was normal, but visual evoked potentials test was pathologic. The consideration was made whether to treat a patient or not since there are no consensus on the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy. We decided to treat the patient immediately with the megadoses of steroids following the protocol suggested by Cerovski. The patient responded well to the treatment and recovered vision to normal.

Microincision aponeurotic ptosis surgery of upper lid.

The paper is a prospective study of 23 lids of 20 patients with upper lid aponeurotic ptosis operated using microincision technique in period 2005-2008. There were 7 males and 13 females. Age of the patients was 28-83 years (y), average 61 +/- 17 y, for female 63 +/- 13.4 y and for male 61 +/- 19 y. Inclusion criteria were: aponeurotic upper lid ptosis more than 2 mm, no other lid abnormalities, minimal dermatochalasis, no previous or concomitant lid surgery. The procedure was performed in local anesthesia through 10 mm cut. Aponeurosis was fixated to the tarsal plate with two sutures. Success was considered if operated lid height differed up to 0.5 mm of the other eye and margin-to-reflex distance was 2-4 mm in primary position. Postoperative results regarding contour, skin crease and lash position were good in all patients. Regarding height, 19/23 (83%) met criteria of 0.5 mm of the other eye and MRD 2-4 mm. In one bilateral procedure there was an asymmetry of 1 mm. Three patients with unilateral procedure had at least 1mm asymmetry comparing to the other eye. Reoperation was neccessary in two bilateral cases. Lid fold was symmetrical only in 7 patients (35%). The rest had slight to grose lid fold asymmetry. Complications were scarce, in early postoperative period there was hematoma in two patients lasting up to three weeks. Late failure was noticed in two cases 6 and 8 months postoperatively. Advantages are: less anesthetic results in less decreased levator function and more accurate assessment of eyelid position intraoperatively, less distortion of the lid due to less bleeding and edema, shorter operation time, less scarring and shortened recovery time. However it can be used only in selective cases.

Operative treatment of large periocular xanthelasma.

PURPOSE: To present our experience in operative treatment of large periocular xanthelasma. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with large periocular xanthelasma were operatively treated in our department. Ipsilateral and/or contralateral lid skin grafts harvested by blepharoplasty, alone or in combination with local flaps, were used. Forty patients (64%) had enough skin to graft the defect after primary xanthelasma removal. In 10 patients, additional local flaps were used: modified rhomboid flap in six patients, local advancement flap in two, and bi-lobed flap in two patients. In three patients (5%), a sequential approach was applied since xanthelasma were too large to be completely removed in a single-step excision. No serious complications were shown. RESULTS: Patients were followed from 6 months to 8 years. Five patients (8%) returned with recurrences 3-8 years after primary excision. CONCLUSIONS: In lack of the setting for xanthelasma laser treatment, operative approach of a single-step or sequential excision using lid skin graft combined with local flaps proved its value for large periocular xanthelasma.

[Painful ophthalmoplegia--Tolosa-Hunt syndrome]. / Bolna oftalmoplegija--Tolosa-Huntov sindrom.

Tolosa Hunt syndrome is a rare disorder caused by nonspecific inflammation in the cavernous sinus/superior orbital fissure and/or orbital apex. It is clinically characterized by alternating remissions and exacerbations, and manifested as diplopia associated with unilateral periorbital hemicranial headache. The symptoms include blepharoptosis, which is usually mild if present, bulbomotor paresis involving the pupil, and loss of sensation in the area supplied by the first division of the trigeminal nerve. Therapy for Tolosa-Hunt syndrome are systemic steroids. The course of disease in a 25-year-old man hospitalized for painful ophthalmoplegia and diplopia is presented. The history included severe pain on rightward eye movement and parabulbarly on the right, considerable defect in the area supplied by the first division of the trigeminal nerve, right hemicrania, and diplopia on looking to the left, right, upward and downward that developed after four days. A month before, the patient was observed at neurology department for severe right hemicrania. Current status included severe pain parabulbarly on the right, discrete proptosis with mild ptosis on the right eye, restricted right eye bulbar motoricity on looking nasally, nasally upward and downward, and loss of sensation in the area supplied by the first division of the trigeminal nerve. Pupilar motoricity was normal. Upon admission, neuroradiologic examination (orbit CT) and brain MR were performed, and therapy with systemic corticosteroids was initiated ex iuvantibus, in consultation with a neurologist. At 24 hours of corticosteroid therapy, the pain subsided, whereas diplopia disappeared almost completely after 5 days, now being only occasionally recorded on looking to the left and upward.

Total hearing loss and blindness caused by relapsing polychondritis and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Relapsing polychondritis is an autoimmune disease that primarily manifests as cartilaginous tissue destruction. However, the immune impairment may also involve noncartilaginous tissues such as kidneys, blood vessels, etc. The disease may occur as a primary disorder or in association with other diseases. The case of a female patient with concurrent manifestation of myelodysplastic syndrome-refractory anemia with excess blasts, and relapsing polychondritis, is presented. The diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was established ten months after the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, when the criteria for the former were met. Total hearing loss and blindness developed soon thereafter.

Ultraviolet light and pterygium.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of ultraviolet light (UV) as a causal factor of primary and pterygium recurrence. A conjuctival autograft transplantation was a surgical method of pterygium treatment. In the first group (38 eyes) were patients with primary and recurrent pterygium exposed to sun (worked outdoors), evaluating geodemographic status, and in the second group (20 eyes) were patients who were not. During 6-12 months of follow up recurrence rate after surgical removal was 27% in the first group and 10% in the second one. UV light seems to have an important role in cause of primary and recurrent pterygium.