Evaluation of microvascular density and retinal vessel diameter in gestational and type 2 diabetes using swept-source OCT-A technology.

PURPOSE: To assess foveal and parafoveal retinal and choroidal microvascular changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and changes in retinal vessel caliber in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), non-pregnant female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and healthy pregnant female subjects. METHODS: The study was conducted cross-sectionally and composed of three age-matched groups: 32 near-term pregnant women with GDM (GDM group), 32 non-pregnant female patients with a recent diagnosis of DM2 (DM2 group), and 32 healthy near-term pregnant female subjects. Vessel density (VD) and vessel diameter were the main outcomes. Detailed ophthalmic examinations were performed for each participant, including swept-source OCTA measurements consisting of superficial, deep, outer retinal and choroidal vessel density. RESULTS: The average VD values in the central fovea of the superficial and deep retina were significantly lower in the GDM group (P=0.001 for both, between the three groups), whereas the mean VD in the parafoveal nasal sector of the deep retina was significantly lower in the DM2 group (P=0.008, between the three groups). There were no significant differences in the foveal or parafoveal VD measurements of the outer retina and choriocapillaris (P>0.05 for all). There were statistically significant differences in the retinal venous diameter and arterial vein ratio in the GDM and DM2 groups compared to the control group (P=0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: The microvascular density changes seen on OCTA images of pregnant women with GDM are remarkable. These changes in retinal vessels appeared to occur rapidly after the onset of the metabolic impairment or might be the reflection of previous insulin resistance as well, as in recent diabetes. Our results also suggest that these changes may be more significant in a GDM pregnant woman than in a pregnant, established diabetic patient.

Clinical and pathological diagnosis and comparison of benign and malignant eyelid tumors.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare demographic and clinical features of benign and malignant eyelid tumors from 2011 to 2018 in a tertiary medical center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted retrospectively from medical records to compare demographic and clinical characteristics and recurrence of benign and malignant eyelid tumors after obtaining institutional review board approval. A total of 428 eyelid tumors with histopathologic diagnoses were studied. Premalignant lesions were not included. The lesions were classified into two groups according to malignancy: benign and malignant eyelid lesions. RESULTS: Among the 428 histopathologically confirmed eyelid lesions, 373 (87.1%) were benign and 55 (12.9%) were malignant. The patients with malignant eyelid tumors had a higher mean age at diagnosis than patients with benign eyelid tumors (P=0.012). The most common benign eyelid tumors were squamous papilloma (17.7%), xanthelasma (11.5%), and epidermal cysts (11.3%). The most common malignant eyelid tumors were basal cell carcinomas (65.5%), squamous cell carcinomas (14.5%), and sebaceous gland carcinomas (7.3%). There was no relative gender predominance between patients with benign and malignant eyelid tumors (P=0.287). Benign eyelid tumors were most commonly located on the right side and upper eyelid (P=0.027 and 0.036, respectively). Malignant tumors had a higher rate of recurrence (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Differentiation between benign and malignant eyelid lesions is important, since it may lead to cosmetic complications and serious morbidity, particularly in patients with malignant eyelid tumors.

Vessel diameter study: intravitreal vs posterior subtenon triamcinolone acetonide injection for diabetic macular edema.

PurposeTo detect and compare the vessel diameter effect of intravitreal vs subtenon injection of triamcinolone for diabetic macular edema (DME).MethodsSixty patients with DME who underwent triamcinolone injection either intravitreally (N=30) or under the tenon capsule (N=30) were included. Non-injected fellow eyes served as control. The main outcome measures were central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), and artery-vein ratio (AVR).ResultsIn the intravitreal group, pre-injection mean CRAE (147.07 µ) decreased to 141.03 µ at 1 week and to 139.43 µ at 1 month (P<0.001) while baseline CRVE (209.61 µ) decreased initially to 198.85 µ at 1 week then to 198.49 µ at 1 month (P<0.001). In the subtenon group, pre-injection CRAE (152.18 µ) decreased to 149.49 µ at 1 week and to 147.47 µ at 1 month (P=0.017), while baseline CRVE (215.60 µ) decreased initially to 208.69 µ at 1 week then to 207.25 µ at 1 month (P=0.003). Pre-injection AVR values did not change at 1 week and at 1 month in both injection groups (P=0.66 and P=0.196, respectively). In the control group, none of the 3 parameters changed throughout the study period compared to the baseline (P>0.28).ConclusionIn eyes with DME, both intravitreal and subtenon triamcinolone injection led to a significant constriction of retinal arteries and veins.