Neopterin Release and Tryptophan Degradation in Patients with Uveitis.

PURPOSE: Uveitis is an intraocular inflammation affecting the highly vascularized uveal tissue. Early recognition and appropriate therapeutic intervention of uveitis are important since the condition may be associated with systemic disease and untreated uveitis may lead to blindness. Neopterin, an unconjugated pteridine, is an important biomarker of cell-mediated immunity and has a potential function in the process of inflammation. In addition to neopterin release, cellular immune activation also induces indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). In this study, the aim was to investigate possible immune changes in uveitis by determination of neopterin concentrations and tryptophan (Trp) degradation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants who attended to the ophthalmology clinic with uveitis were divided into two groups: active (n = 63) and remission (n = 41). Additionally 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. RESULTS: In total, in 104 uveitis patients, urinary and serum neopterin, kynurenine (Kyn), and Kyn/Trp were found to be statistically higher than the 30 controls (all, p < 0.05). It was observed that all of the measured parameters did not differ between active and remission uveitis groups (all, p > 0.05), except for the Kyn/Trp ratio (p < 0.05). Urinary and serum neopterin levels were positively correlated with Kyn/Trp in the uveitis patients (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it can be concluded that uveitis can cause alterations in neopterin levels and the Kyn pathway. It seems that the measured parameters can be useful markers of cellular immune response in uveitis, although they might not be used to differentiate active or remission uveitis.

Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy rates in myopic eyes after implantation of capsular tension ring.

BACKGROUND: The aim f this study was to evaluate the effect of capsular tension ring implantation during cataract surgery on the incidence of neodymium: YAG (Nd: YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy in myopic (axial length [AL] ≥25.00 mm) eyes. MATERIAL/METHODS In this retrospective study, the records of the cases of 117 myopic patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2004 and January 2011 were reviewed. A total of 153 eyes with an axial length of 25 mm or higher were included in the study with consideration of exclusion criteria mentioned below. Eyes were grouped by presence or lack of capsular tension ring (CTR+ and CTR-, respectively). RESULTS: The study included 153 eyes from 107 myopic patients. Hydrophilic acrylic IOL and capsular tension ring (CTR) were implanted in 78 eyes (CTR+ group), and 75 eyes received only the hydrophilic acrylic IOL (CTR- group). Six eyes (7.6%) in CTR+ and 16 eyes (21.3%) in CTR- required Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy within 7 years. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Because CTRs significantly decrease subsequent need for Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in myopic patients, are very inexpensive, and provide other benefits, our data suggest that the use of CTRs in myopic eyes undergoing cataract surgery with an hydrophilic acrylic IOL implantation is advantageous and should be standard practice.