The correlation of hyperopia and choroidal thickness, vessel diameter and area.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of axial length and hyperopia error on macular choroidal thickness as well as choroidal vessel lumen diameter and area with EDI-OCT in short eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study includes 64 volunteers who are over 18 years of ages and applied to Eye Clinic of Ankara Training and Research Hospital. Choroidal thickness, choroidal vessel lumen diameter and areas were measured with Spectralis® OCT device using EDI technique. RESULTS: The study group included 44 volunteers with hyperopic refractive error, and control group included 20 emmetropic volunteers. Macular choroid was statistically significantly thicker in all quadrants as the hyperopia error increased (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between axial lengths and macular choroidal thicknesses in all quadrants (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in choroidal vessel lumen diameter and area between hyperopia groups for both large and small vessels (p < 0.01). The relationships between mean axial length and mean large choroidal vessel diameter and mean area measurements were negatively correlated and they were statistically significant. On the other hand, there was no such negative correlation with small choroidal vessels that have small diameter and area. CONCLUSION: Macular choroid thickens as the hyperopic error increases as well as axial length decreases in short eyes. The diameters and areas of noticeable large choroidal vessels in EDI-OCT also increase. These findings in EDI-OCT measurements may play a role in developing population nomograms, as a correcting parameter and in understanding the pathophysiology of certain diseases in short eyes.

Effect of cauterization on the subconjunctival fibrovascular reaction in rabbit eyes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate the effect of episcleral cauterization during conjunctival autograft surgery on subconjunctival fibrovascular reaction in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into Control Group (n = 12) and Cautery Group (n = 12). In the Control Group, a 4 × 4 mm free conjunctival graft was elevated, the underlying Tenon's capsule was excised, and the free graft was sutured back to its original place with 10-0 nylon sutures. In the Cautery Group, in addition to the same surgical steps, the episclera was cauterized with six gentle touches before the conjunctival graft was sutured back to its original place. The scleroconjunctival block of the operated area was excised at the first month. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosine and Masson trichrome and were evaluated using light microscopy. RESULTS: Subconjunctival collagen fibers were increased, and the fibroblast density increased more significantly in the Cautery Group than in the Control Group. The groups were similar regarding vascularization, lymphocytic, and plasmocytic infiltration. Macrophage density was normal in all animals in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our histopathological examinations indicate that cauterization seems to lead to an increase in subconjunctival fibrosis at the first postoperative month in rabbit eyes.