An analysis of the relationship between ABCC8 and KCNJ11 gene polymorphisms and diabetic retinopathy in Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) occurs due to high blood glucose damage to the retina and leads to blindness if left untreated. KATP and related genes (KCNJ11 and ABCC8) play an important role in insulin secretion by glucose-stimulated pancreatic beta cells and the regulation of insulin secretion. KCNJ11 E23K (rs5219), ABCC8-3 C/T (rs1799854), Thr759Thr (rs1801261) and Arg1273Arg (rs1799859) are among the possible related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The aim of this study is to find out how DR and these SNPs are associated with one another in the Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 176 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without retinopathy (T2DM-rp), 177 DR patients, and 204 controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and genotypes were determined by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: In the present study, a significant difference was not found between all the groups in terms of Arg1273Arg polymorphism located in the ABCC8 gene. The T allele and the TT genotype in the -3 C/T polymorphism in this gene may have a protective effect in the development of DR (p = 0.036 for the TT genotype; p = 0.034 for T allele) and PDR (p = 0.042 and 0.025 for the TT genotype). The AA genotype showed a significant increase in the DR group compared to T2DM-rp in the KCNJ11 E23K polymorphism (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, the T allele and TT genotype in the -3 C/T polymorphism of the ABCC8 gene may have a protective marker on the development of DR and PDR, while the AA genotype in the E23K polymorphism of the KCNJ11 gene may be effective in the development of DR in the Turkish population.

The long-term effects of topical latanoprost 0.005% treatment on pupillary functions: A 2-year longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effects of topical latanoprost 0.005% treatment on pupillary functions in early-stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes using automated pupillometry. METHODS: This prospective study involved 20 eyes of 20 treatment-naive subjects with early-stage POAG. After comprehensive ophthalmic examination, static and dynamic pupillometry measurements were performedbefore treatment, at the 1st follow-up visit (1.10 ± 0.30 months) and the 2nd follow-up visit (25.85 ± 10.26 months) after treatment initiation. Dynamic parameters included resting diameter (mm), amplitude (mm), latency (ms), duration (ms), and velocity (mm/s) of pupil contraction and dilation. Static pupillometry parameters were pupil diameter (PD, mm) in high-photopic, low-photopic, mesopic and scotopic conditions. RESULTS: The velocity of pupil dilation significantly decreased during the 1st visit (p = 0.008) and the 2nd visit (p = 0.0003) of treatment compared to the pre-treatment visit. The resting PD was also significantly higher after the 1st visit (p = 0.003) and the 2nd visit (p = 0.001) compared to the pre-treatment visit. However, the difference in resting PD measured between the 1st and 2nd visits did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.065). There were no significant changes in other dynamic parameters (p > 0.05 for all). Additionally, a mild, but not significant, mydriatic effect was observed in PD measurements under scotopic, mesopic and low photopic lighting conditions after follow-up. None of the static and dynamic parameters correlate with age, changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) or mean deviation (MD) values of visual field tests. CONCLUSION: The long-term topical latanoprost 0.005% treatment in early-stage POAG has a slight mydriatic effect on the pupil. Further longitudinal clinical studies with larger patient cohorts are necessary to better understand the effects of latanoprost on pupillary functions.

A Rare Association: Neovascular Glaucoma Accompanying Anterior Chamber Synchysis Scintillans

Synchysis scintillans, also known as cholesterolosis bulbi, is a degenerative eye pathology characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol crystals in the vitreous. It is typically observed bilaterally but can rarely be unilateral. It can be triggered by severe trauma, chronic inflammation, chronic retinal detachment, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, Coats' disease, and retinoblastoma. In this report, we present a case with an uncommon association of anterior chamber synchysis scintillans and neovascular glaucoma.

The Assessment of Radial Peripapillary Capillary Vessel Density in Adult Children of Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: The observed decrease in radial peripapillary capillary vessel density among adult children of individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma, in comparison to controls, suggests the possibility of early microvascular alterations in the eyes of these at-risk individuals. PURPOSE: To compare the radial peripapillary capillary vessel density (RPCVD) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness values of eyes between healthy adults with a maternal or paternal history of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and age-matched healthy controls without a family history of POAG. METHODS: RPCVD values and RNFL thicknesses in the peripapillary region and 4 quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal) were evaluated using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) among 30 adult children of patients with POAG and 30 age-matched healthy controls without a family history of POAG. RESULTS: The mean whole image RPCVD (51.6±1.7% vs. 49.8±1.7%, P=0.0006) and average RPCD (54.7±1.7% vs. 53.2±2.1%, P=0.006) values were significantly lower in the adult children of patients with POAG compared to age-matched healthy controls without a family history of POAG. There was no difference in terms of RNFL thickness values in any region. CONCLUSION: Despite having similar RNFL thickness values to the control group, the observation of lower RPCVD in the eyes of adult children of POAG patients may indicate potential early vascular alterations. The result of the present study encourages further longitudinal studies to determine the potential importance of the underlying vascular alterations in these high-risk individuals.

Evaluation of Static and Dynamic Pupillary Functions in Early-Stage Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

PRCIS: The dynamic parameters of the pupil, evaluated with an automated pupillometry device, differ in newly diagnosed early-stage primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients compared with healthy individuals, and this may guide us in early diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma. INTRODUCTION AND AIM: To quantitatively determine static and dynamic pupillary functions in treatment-naive, newly diagnosed early-stage POAG patients and compare them with healthy controls. METHODS: Forty eye of forty subjects with early POAG were compared with 71 eye of 71 age- matched and sex-matched healthy controls in terms of static and dynamic pupillary functions in this prospective and cross-sectional study. Static and dynamic pupillary functions were obtained with an automated pupillometry device. Static pupillometry parameters are pupil diameter (mm) in high photopic (100 cd/m 2 ), low photopic (10 cd/m 2 ), mesopic (1 cd/m 2 ), and scotopic (0.1 cd/m 2 ) light conditions. Dynamic pupillometry parameters are resting diameter (mm), amplitude (mm), latency (ms), duration (ms), and velocity (mm/s) of pupil contraction and dilation. Measured data were evaluated and compared with t test for independent groups. RESULTS: Duration of pupil contraction was lower, ( P =0.04) latency of pupil dilation time was longer, ( P =0.03) duration of pupil dilation was shorter ( P =0.04) and velocity of pupil dilation was lower ( P =0.02) in the POAG group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of static pupillometry characteristics and the resting pupil diameter ( P >0.05 for all values). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dynamic pupillary light responses may be affected in early-stage POAG compared with the normal population. Longitudinal studies with larger series are needed to better understand the quantitative changes in dynamic pupillometry functions in early-stage POAG.

Real Life Multicenter Comparison of 24-Month Outcomes of Anti-VEGF Therapy in Diabetic Macular Edema in Turkey: Ranibizumab vs. Aflibercept vs. Ranibizumab-Aflibercept Switch.

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with aflibercept (AFB) or ranibizumab (RNB) only, and after switching from RNB to AFB. This was a retrospective, real-world, multicenter (7 cities) 24 month study. Overall, 212 eyes in the AFB group, 461 in the RNB group, and 141 in the RNB to AFB group were included. The primary endpoints were differences in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline to the final visit. The secondary outcomes were the percentage of eyes that achieved ≥10 letters gain and ≥10 letters loss in vision at month 12 and 24, and the percentage of eyes that achieved a thinning of ≥20% in CMT at month 3 and month 6. The results showed that VA did not significantly differ at baseline (AFB: 0.62 ± 0.38, RNB: 0.61 ± 0.36, RNB to AFB: 0.61 ± 0.38), at checkpoints, or at the final visit (AFB: 0.46 ± 0.38, RNB: 0.5 ± 0.37, RNB to AFB: 0.53 ± 0.36) (p > 0.05). Though the mean CMT at baseline was significantly thicker in the RNB to AFB group (479 ± 129.6 µm) when compared to the AFB (450.5 ± 122.6 µm) and RNB (442 ± 116 µm) groups (p < 0.01), similar measurements were obtained after 12 months. The percentages of eyes that gained or lost ≥10 letters in the AFB, RNB, and RNB to AFB groups at year 1 and 2 were similar, as was the percentages of eyes that demonstrated ≥20% CMT thinning at month 3 and 6. Our study showed similar visual improvements in non-switchers (AFB and RNB groups) and switchers (RNB to AFB group) through 2 years follow-up, however, AFB patients required fewer injections, visits, or need for additional treatments.

Is the Pupil Involved in Duane Syndrome? Static and Dynamic Pupillometry Characteristics.

Objectives: Duane syndrome (DS) is typically characterized by abduction and/or adduction deficiency accompanied by eyelid and ocular motility disturbances. Maldevelopment or absence of the sixth nerve has been shown to be the causative factor. The aim of the present study was to investigate static and dynamic pupillary characteristics in patients with DS and compare the results with those of healthy eyes. Materials and Methods: Patients with unilateral isolated DS and no history of ocular surgery were enrolled in the study. Healthy subjects with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 1.0 or higher were assigned to the control group. All subjects underwent complete ophthalmological examination and pupillometry measurements (MonPack One, Vision Monitor System, Metrovision, Perenchies, France) including static and dynamic pupil evaluation. Results: A total of 74 patients (22 with DS and 52 healthy subjects) were included in the study. The mean age of the DS patients and healthy subjects was 11.05±5.19 and 12.54±4.05 years, respectively (p=0.188). There was no difference in sex distribution (p=0.502). Mean BCVA differed significantly between eyes with DS and healthy eyes, and between healthy eyes and the fellow eyes of DS patients (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in any static or dynamic pupillometry parameters (p>0.05 for all). Conclusion: In the light of the results of the present study, the pupil seems to be not involved in DS. Larger studies including more patients with different types of DS in different age groups or comprising patients with non-isolated DS may reveal different findings.

Static and dynamic pupillary features in graves' ophthalmopathy.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pupillary characteristics may be affected in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). However, small changes cannot be observed with clinical examination. Ophthalmologists and optometrists should be aware that dynamic pupillometry may have an important place in the quantitative assessment of pupillary characteristics in this patient population. BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the static and dynamic pupillary responses of hyperthyroid and euthyroid GO patients and healthy control subjects. METHODS: The study enrolled 20 hyperthyroid patients with GO (Group 1), 20 euthyroid patients with GO (Group 2) and 40 control subjects with normal thyroid function tests and no known illness (Group 3). Following detailed ophthalmological examination, static and dynamic pupillometry measurements were performed. Dynamic pupillometry measurements including resting diameter, amplitude of pupil contraction, latency of pupil contraction, duration of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilation, duration of pupil dilation, and velocity of pupil dilation were undertaken. Static pupillometry measurements including scotopic, mesopic, low-photopic, and high-photopic pupil diameters (PD) were undertaken. Data from the right eyes of the participants were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Regarding the dynamic pupillary measurements, the latency of pupil contraction value was significantly higher (p = 0.007), and the velocity of pupil dilatation was significantly lower (p = 0.004) in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Group 3. In static pupillary measurements, there were statistically significant differences between the GO group (Group 1 and 2) and Group 3 with regard to scotopic (p = 0.002), mesopic (p = 0.002), and low-photopic PD (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Scotopic, mesopic and low photopic PD, latency of pupil contraction and velocity of pupil dilatation values were significantly different in both hyperthyroid and euthyroid GO patients when compared to healthy control subjects.

Prevalence of Serous Macular Detachment in Recurrent Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of serous macular detachment (SMD) accompanying recurrent cystoid macular edema (CME) in patients initially treated for CME secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with accompanying SMD, and discuss the factors that affect the prevalence. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 71 patients with RVO-associated CME and SMD who achieved complete anatomical resolution after treatment with either a single dexamethasone implant or three loading doses of ranibizumab and developed recurrent CME during follow-up. Results: Initial treatment was a single intravitreal dexamethasone implant in 45 patients (63.4%) (Group 1) and three loading doses of intravitreal ranibizumab in 26 patients (36.6%) (Group 2). The mean time to CME recurrence was 4.7±0.8 months (range, 4-7 months) and was similar in both groups (p=0.984). At the time of CME recurrence, SMD was present in 41 patients (57.7%) and absent in 30 patients (42.3%). SMD was present in 27 (60.0%) of the 45 Group 1 patients and 14 (53.8%) of the 26 Group 2 patients (p=0.613). SMD was present in 48.8% of branch RVO and 71.4% of central RVO patients at the time of recurrence (p<0.001). Conclusion: SMD accompanied recurrent CME in only 57.7% of patients previously treated for CME and SMD and seems to be more frequent in patients with central RVO. Initial intravitreal treatment choice of either ranibizumab or dexamethasone implant did not affect the prevalence of concurrent SMD in patients with recurrent CME.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in diabetic macular edema: real-life outcomes from a multicenter study in Turkey over 36 months.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to report the visual and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME) in a real-world clinical setting from Turkey over 36 months. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multicenter (7 sites) study. The medical records of 1072 eyes (both previously treated and naive eyes) of 706 consecutive patients with visual impairment due to center-involving DME treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections between April 2007 and February 2017 were reviewed. The eyes were divided into mutually exclusive three groups based on the duration of follow-up (12, 24, or 36 months). Primary outcome measures were changes in visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) from baseline to final visit in each cohort, frequency of visits and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. As secondary endpoints, VA outcomes were assessed in subgroups stratified by baseline VA [<70 ETDRS letters and ≥70 ETDRS letters] and loading dose status of anti-VEGF injections. RESULTS: VA increased by a mean of 8.2 letters (12-month cohort, p < 0.001), 5.3 letters (24-month cohort, p < 0.001), and 4.4 letters (36-month cohort, p = 0.017) at final visits. The eyes with <70 VA letters achieved more significant VA improvement at final visits in all cohorts compared with eyes with >70 VA letters (p < 0.001). The mean decreases in CMT from baseline to last visits at 12-, 24-, and 36- month cohorts were -100.5 µm, -107.7 µm, and -114.3 µm, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean number of injections given were 4.6, 2.3, and 1.8 during years 1 to 3, respectively. Patients who received loading dose showed greater VA gains than those who did not in all follow-up cohorts. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that anti-VEGF treatment improved VA and CMT over a follow-up of 36 months. Although these real-life VA outcomes following anti-VEGF therapy for DME were similar to other real-life studies, they were inferior to those noted in randomized controlled trials, mainly due to undertreatment.

The Effect of ChromaGen Contact Lenses on Corneal Clarity: A Corneal Densitometry.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ChromaGen contact lens (CCL) on corneal clarity, expressed through the measurement of corneal densitometry (CD) values. Methods: This study included 22 eyes of 22 patients with congenital red-green color vision deficiency who were admitted to our clinic for the CCL trial. After a detailed ophthalmological examination and CD measurement with Pentacam HR (Oculus Optikgerate GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), the most appropriate CCLs were defined through pseudoisochromatic plates and inserted for 2 h. The CD measurement was repeated after the removal of the CCL. Comparison was made of CD values before and after the insertion of the most appropriate CCL. The after-CCL/before-CCL ratio was calculated, and the effect of CCL type on this ratio was investigated. Results: The after-CCL values were higher in the anterior, central, posterior, and total thickness of the 0-2 mm concentric zone (p=0.044, p=0.040, p=0.021, and p=0.032, respectively) when compared to the before-CCL values. There was no statistically significant difference between before-CCL and after-CCL values in any layer of the 2-6, 6-10, and 10-12 mm concentric zones (p>0.05, for all). After-CCL/before-CCL ratios were similar in the Magenta2 (M2), Magenta3 (M3), and Violet3 (V3) types of CCLs (p>0.017). Conclusion: Usage for 2 h of CCL was observed to increase CD values in all layers of the 0-2 mm concentric zone irrespective of the type of CCL. Further studies with longer follow-up are required to determine the long-term effects and detect differing effects of CCL with different base curves.

Evaluation of lacrimal drainage system in Pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of the obstruction of lacrimal drainage system (LDS) in patients with pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 152 eyes of 76 consecutive patients with bilateral PXF syndrome and 170 eyes of 85 age and gender-matched controls. The LDS evaluation was performed based on dye disappearance test, slit-lamp examination, diagnostic probing, and irrigation test. The presence of punctal stenosis and canalicular obstruction were considered as the obstruction of proximal LDS; and complete or incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction was considered as obstruction of distal LDS. Demographic characteristics, ophthalmologic findings, and prevalence and site of obstruction of LDS were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of obstruction of LDS was higher in the PXF syndrome group when compared to controls (21.1% vs 12.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.061). The obstruction of proximal LDS was found to be more frequent in the PXF syndrome (17.7%) group when compared to controls (10.0%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.041). There was significantly more punctal stenosis in the PXF syndrome group when compared to controls (15.1% vs 7.6%, p = 0.033). The prevalence of canalicular stenosis and obstruction of distal LDS was similar in the PXF and the control groups (p = 0.596 and p = 0.741, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of punctal stenosis was statistically significantly higher in the PXF syndrome group when compared to the controls. This association is probably related to increased local ocular surface inflammation which is triggered by the accumulation of PXF material.

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 pupillary dynamics of patients with physiological anisocoria.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate static pupillometric measurements and making inter-ocular comparative analysis in healthy subjects for demonstrating the prevalance of physiological anisocoria in various lighting conditions and to compare the variations of the dynamic pupillometric measurements of the patients with physiological anisocoria. METHODS: Automatic quantitative pupillometry system was used to measure pupillary diameters in low mesopic (0.1 cd/m2), high mesopic (1 cd/m2), low photopic (10 cd/m2) and high photopic (100 cd/m2) conditions. After inter-ocular comparison of these data, the prevalance of physiological anisocoria was detected in four different lighting conditions. The inter-ocular dynamic pupillometric parameters (amplitude, latency, duration and velocity of pupil contraction; latency, duration and velocity of pupil dilation) of these patients were further analysed. RESULTS: After inter-ocular comparison of pupillary diameters of 195 participants [96 females (49.2%) and 99 males (50.8%)] with a mean age of 38.4 ± 18.9 years (range 7-78 years), six (3.1%) participants under high photopic; 11 (5.6%) participants under low photopic; 25 (12.8%) participants under high mesopic, and 34 (17.4%) participants under low mesopic illumination levels exhibited physiological anisocoria. The mean relative amplitude of anisocoric small pupils' contraction was lower than the mean relative amplitudes of pupil contraction of both isocoric and anisocoric large pupils (p = 0.021, p = 0.035, respectively). The mean velocity of anisocoric small pupils' contraction was lower than the mean velocity of anisocoric large pupils' contraction (p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The mean contraction amplitude and contraction velocity of smaller pupils was lower when compared to fellow larger pupils of anisocoric patients.

The relationship between retinal microcirculation and right heart catheterization and echocardiography findings in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible alterations of retinal microcirculation associated with right-sided intracardiac pressures in patients with IPAH. METHODS: Twenty patients with IPAH and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Hemodynamic data were obtained from the most recent right heart catheterization. Echocardiographic examination was performed within 24 h of ophthalmological examination. For the right eyes of all participants, high-resolution scans of chorioretinal microvascular networks at different depths of the retina were captured via OCT angiography. RESULTS: The perfusion of the superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP and DCP), and choriocapillaris (CCP) flow area were significantly lower than those in healthy control subjects (p < .05 for all). In IPAH group, PVR and mPAP were correlated significantly with the perfusion measurements at SCP and DCP (r = .461, r = .626 and r = .625, r =0.730, respectively, p < .05). sPAP and TRV were positively correlated with the perfusion measurements at SCP and DCP (r = .600, r = .662 and r = .670, r = .655 p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The positive correlation of retinal perfusion at SCP and DCP with right-sided echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements unveiled that retinal microcirculation is affected by the pressure alterations in the pulmonary circulation of IPAH patients.

Treatment of neovascular age related macular degeneration during COVID-19 pandemic: The short term consequences of unintended lapses.

AIM: To investigate the short-term effects of COVID-19 pandemic related unintended treatment lapses on neovascular age related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 140 patients who had at least one anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection for nAMD within 12 months before COVID-19 pandemic and who had at least 3 months of unintended lapse for control visits during pandemic were recruited and underwent a detailed opthalmological examination and optical coherence tomography imaging. RESULTS: Of these 140 eyes, 113 (80.7%) were active with presence of either intraretinal and/or subretinal fluid and necessitated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections; and 20 (14.3%) of them complicated with subretinal hemorrhage. The mean interval of clinical visits and intravitreal antiVEGF injections were found to be prolonged during COVID-19 pandemics, which demonstrates a statistically significant lapse for both (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003 consecutively). The decreased visual acuity due to lapse was positively correlated with number of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at last 6 months before COVID-19 pandemic (r = 0.217, p = 0.010) and central subfoveal thickness at first post-COVID-19 visit (r = 0.175, p = 0.038); and negatively correlated with follow-up duration (r = -0.231, p = 0.006) and number of control visits (r = -0.243, p = 0.004). Fifteen (16.9%) of the 89 patients who had drusen in the fellow eye before COVID-19 pandemic evolved to nAMD with an accompanying subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: Unintended lapses during COVID-19 pandemic resulted with poor functional and structural outcomes for nAMD patients, especially for those at the beginning of the treatment period and who still have an unstable clinical course.

Evaluation of the neuronal and microvascular components of the macula in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether abnormal retinal microcirculation correlates with retinal neuronal changes in untreated diabetic eyes without macular edema. METHODS: This study enrolled 29 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR), 18 patients with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 15 patients with moderate NPDR, 14 patients with severe NPDR, 27 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and 25 healthy control subjects. Pattern electroretinography (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) tests were performed. RESULTS: Differences in the mean values for the area, acircularity index, and perimeter of foveal avascular zone were statistically significant between the healthy control group and the diabetic patients (P < 0.05 for all). P50 and N95 amplitudes were statistically significantly lower in the PDR group compared to diabetic patients without DR, control, and moderate NPDR groups (P < 0.05 for all). The whole retina vessel densities in superficial and deep capillary plexus were lower in the PDR group compared to the diabetic patients without DR and control group (P < 0.05 for all). There were statistically significant positive correlations between the amplitudes of the P50 and N95 waves with the vessel densities. CONCLUSION: The existence of significant correlations between PERG and OCT-A parameters in diabetic patients has shown that vascular and neuronal changes in the macula affect each other in diabetic patients.

Evaluation of pupil responses and anterior chamber parameters in overactive bladder syndrome before and after antimuscarinic treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the static and dynamic pupillometric responses and anterior chamber parameters in overactive bladder (OAB) patients before and after solifenacin succinate treatment and to compare these results with those of healthy control subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty OAB patients who were planned to be treated with solifenacin succinate and 40 control subjects without any systemic or ocular diseases were included in the study. Following detailed ophthalmological examination, Pentacam imaging in order to detect anterior chamber angle, depth and volume; and static and dynamic pupillometry measurement in order to detect high-photopic (100 cd/m2), low-photopic (10 cd/m2), mesopic (1 cd/m2) and scotopic (0.1 cd/m2) pupil diameters, amplitude of pupil contraction, latency of pupil contraction, duration of pupil contraction, velocity of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilation, duration of pupil dilation and velocity of pupil dilation were performed at baseline and at the first month of treatment. Data from the right eyes of the participants were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Baseline low- and high-photopic pupil diameters, duration of pupil contraction, latency of pupil dilatation and velocity of pupil dilatation values were significantly higher; and velocity of pupil contraction and duration of pupil dilation values were lower in the OAB group compared to the control group (P < 0.05 for all). One-month treatment with oral solifenacin succinate revealed higher scotopic and mesopic pupil diameters (P = 0.042, P = 0.031, respectively). Also, latency of pupil contraction was found to be increased and velocity of pupil dilatation was found to be decreased compared to pretreatment (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, respectively). We did not find any significant change in anterior chamber angle, depth and volume measured with Pentacam HR compared to pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OAB also have pupil abnormalities which probably reflect an underlying autonomic disorder that affects the bladder and pupils. One-month treatment of solifenacin succinate may lead to enlargement of pupil diameters under low illumination conditions and may lead to changes in dynamic pupillometric responses compatible with antimuscarinic treatment. Systemic antimuscarinic therapy has no effect on anterior chamber depth and intraocular pressure.

Is choroidal vascularity index a useful marker in different stages of idiopathic epiretinal membranes?

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the choroidal vascularity index in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane at different stages. METHODS: This prospective study included 125 eyes of 125 patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane and 62 eyes of 62 healthy control subjects. In this study, epiretinal membrane stages were defined based on the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography staging system. The choroidal vascularity index was measured as the ratio of the luminal area to the stromal area in the central 1500 µm after binarization on enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography images. Data on epiretinal membrane stages, choroidal vascularity index, and best-corrected visual acuity were noted. RESULTS: Of 125 eyes with epiretinal membrane, 38 (30.4 %) had stage 1, 32 (25.6 %) had stage 2, and 55 (44 %) had stage 3 disease. Visual acuity was better in eyes with stage 1 or 2 epiretinal membrane than those with stage 3 epiretinal membrane (p < 0.001). The mean choroidal vascularity index was 2.29 ± 1.02 in the control, 2.23 ± 0.98 in the stage 1 epiretinal membrane, 2.22 ± 0.91 in the stage 2 epiretinal membrane, and 2.23 ± 1.11 in the stage 3 epiretinal membrane group. There was no significant difference between epiretinal membrane subgroups and the control group regarding the choroidal vascularity index (p = 0.81). CONCLUSION: From the results obtained in the present study, the choroidal vascularity index was not effected by either the development or the progression of idiopathic epiretinal membrane.