Understanding the Etiopathogenesis of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy with Laboratory Findings.

Objectives: The role of inflammation and hemostasis in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was investigated by examining related blood tests. The predictive values of these laboratory indicators and their effects on prognosis were reviewed. Methods: In this study, 48 patients diagnosed with NAION and 50 healthy volunteers were included. All subjects underwent full ophthalmological examination. All patients were treated with oral corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day) for 15 days after that corticosteroid medication was reduced and stopped. Each patient was monitored at least for 12 months. The mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and red cell distribution width (RDW) values were recorded. These findings were compared with control group. Results: The mean MPV, RDW, and NLR values were significantly higher in NAION group (respectively, p<0.001, p=0.006, and p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in PDW values, but the mean PDW value was higher in the patient group compared to the control group (p=0.435). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the NLR had the strongest predictive value. This was followed by MPV, RDW, and PDW with lower diagnostic predictive values. Conclusion: MPV, NLR, and RDW were found to be elevated and have diagnostic predictive values in NAION patients. Easily accessible and simple laboratory methods could help us show systemic inflammation and ischemic events in NAION patients. As a result, inflammatory reactions besides ischemic changes may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of NAION. These biomarkers can be evaluated to ensure that patients with risk factors for the development of NAION.

Evaluation of the relationship between tear meniscus changes and quality of life outcomes after external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the effects of external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery on tear meniscus parameters and assess its relationship with improvements in quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). METHODS: This prospective study included 30 patients diagnosed with NLDO who underwent external DCR surgery. Tear meniscus (TM) parameters, including height, depth and area, were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Lacrimal symptom questionnaire (LacQ), Munk scores and Glasgow benefit inventories (GBI) were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between tear meniscus changes and improvements in QoL. RESULTS: TM height, depth and area decreased from preoperative median measurements (0.09 mm2, 0.37 mm, 0.56 mm) to postoperative median measurements (0.03 mm2, 0.21 mm, 0.30 mm) (p < 0.001). Lacrimal symptom scores and Munk scores showed a significant improvement at 3-month postoperatively (p < 0.001). The GBI scores also demonstrated a significant improvement, indicating a positive impact on the patients' QoL. (p < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was found between the change in TM parameters and LacQ lacrimal symptom scores. CONCLUSION: External DCR surgery leads to significant improvements in tear meniscus parameters and quality of life outcomes in patients with NLDO. The decreased in TM height and TM area indicates improved tear film dynamics and decreased tear volume, which positively impact the patients' ocular comfort and overall well-being. This study highlights the importance of tear meniscus evaluation as a potential market for assessing the success of DCR surgery and its impact on patients' QoL.

Outcomes of External Dacryocystorhinostomy under General and Local Anesthetics in a Tertiary Clinic.

Objectives: In our clinic, although we prefer to perform dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) under general anesthetics, we also perform it under local anesthetics for patients with a high risk of general anesthesia. Herein this study, we aimed to present our experiences in external DCR under both general and local anesthetics in a tertiary clinic. Methods: Medical records of the patients who had epiphora, were followed up in the oculoplastic section between January 2014 and December 2020 were collected. Patients who underwent external DCR were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: local and general anesthesia. All demographic characteristics of patients, previous DCR, history of dacryocystitis, surgery time, perioperative complications, and the American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) physical status score were recorded. Results: A total of 106 eyes from 82 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 57±24 years (range 18-89) and the median age was 56. Of 82 patients, 49 were female and 33 were male. 24 patients underwent bilateral external DCR. The mean surgery time for the general group and the local group was 66±12 min and 52±7 min, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the general and local groups in terms of the duration of the surgery (p=0.03). Of these, 11 patients underwent revision DCR during the follow-ups, and 7 patients were in the general group and 3 patients were in the local group. The overall success rate was 90%. Conclusion: External DCR surgery with both general and local anesthesia is a very effective technique for the treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In addition, local anesthesia may be brought to mind as an option considering less bleeding, shorter discharge time, and cost-effectivity and also to avoid perioperative and postoperative systemic complications for patients with high risks of general anesthesia.

Comparing the symmetry of upper eyelid following unilateral ptosis correction.

BACKGROUND: Margin Reflex Distance 1(MRD 1) only describes the central height of upper eyelid and relies on the examiner's experience and disregards eyelid contour abnormalities. Therefore MRD 1 may not be sufficient for an acceptable result to evaluate the outcomes of ptosis surgery. The primary purpose of this study was to assess outcomes of unilateral ptosis correction based on parameters including degree of symmetry, MRD 1, peak height of the upper lid, temporal and nasal ocular surface area, and temporal/nasal area ratio with an objective, quantitative, and repeatable method. METHODS: This study was designed as a retrospective non-randomized case-control study. Medical records of the patients with unilateral ptosis between October 2015 and December 2020 were reviewed. Patients with unilateral ptosis who underwent surgical correction and levator function of 5 mm or greater were included in the study. Two groups were defined; ptotic eye was case group and contralateral eye was control group. Data analysis was performed Image J and Matlab softwares. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 58.8 ± 12.7 years (range 15-75 years). Mean follow-up time was 19.5 ± 7.3 months (range 8-40 months). Four patients were diagnosed with congenital ptosis and 30 patients aponeurotic ptosis. Mean preoperative degree of symmetry for overall eyelid contour was 36.6 ± 27.5% (range 1-92%). Mean postoperative degree of symmetry for overall eyelid contour was 72.4 ± 16.5% (range 55-92%). Temporal/Nasal (T/N) area ratios for contralateral normal eye was 1.19 pre-postoperative, and it was 1.11 preoperatively, 1.15 postoperatively for operated ptotic eye. CONCLUSIONS: This study primarily demonstrated a quantitative, objective, and repeatable method to investigate the degree of symmetry after eyelid surgeries. Secondly, this study suggested that T/N ratio may not be a reliable parameter to evaluate the eyelid symmetry.

Fluorescence of ocular surface in a Covid -19 patient after Favipiravir treatment: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Favipiravir is used in treatment of Covid-19 patients. We aimed to share of ocular surface fluorescence in a patient after Favipiravir treatment in this case report. CASE PRESENTATION: A 20-year-old male patient declared no known systemic disease prior to Covid-19. He applied to us with blurry vision and blue light reflection after Covid-19 treatment with Favipiravir. We observed bilateral fluorescence on his eyes and fluorescence of his nails. Biomicroscopic examination was insignificant. CONCLUSION: We investigated the fluorescence of favipiravir tablets under ultraviolet light. Drug demonstrated fluorescence. We recorded the favipiravir fluorescence in-vitro. This appears to be a strong evidence in terms of the linkage between the fluorescence of the ocular surface and favipiravir.

Optical coherence tomography findings in toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the optic coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TRC). Methods: A total of 12 eyes of 12 patients with active TRC were included in the study. At baseline, at the first-month follow-up, at the sixth-month follow-up and at the 1-year follow-up, the TRC lesion OCT and macula OCT were evaluated. Results: Hyperreflectivity of the inner retinal layers and an increase in retinal thickness were observed on the OCT examinations of all the patients with an active TRC lesion. The retinal thickness decreased and the reflectivity of retinal layers was disorganized in the OCT images obtained in the follow-up period. Partial posterior hyaloid detachment (PHD) and no PHD were detected in 11 cases and 1 case, respectively. Epiretinal membrane (ERM) had developed in the adjacent region of the scar in 7 patients. With the regression of the lesion, the disruption of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and external limiting membrane (ELM) improved in the adjacent areas. In all the eyes, ERM and the PHD configuration did progress during the follow-up period. Vitreoschisis was found in 4 of the 11 patients with partial PHD. It was observed that ERM developed in all the patients with vitreoschisis. Conclusion: ERM and partial PHD were common in the TRC patients, and there was no progression during the follow-up period. Regeneration of the EZ, RPE and ELM was observed in the follow-up period.

Detection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Viral Material on Environmental Surfaces of an Ophthalmology Examination Room.

IMPORTANCE: The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a particular threat to health care professionals; however, there appear to be no objective data that demonstrate the risks of encountering individuals carrying the virus asymptomatically in the case of maintained elective examinations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the environmental surfaces of an ophthalmology examination room after visits by patients who were asymptomatic and had passed COVID-19 triage. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a quality improvement study conducted 1 week after the first officially confirmed COVID-19 case in Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey, on March 20, 2020. A triage system was used to determine the risk of COVID-19 from patients who were asymptomatic and presented for examination in an ophthalmology clinic. Real-time polymerase chain reaction testing was used to detect the presence of viral RNA material in samples from the biomicroscope stage, slitlamp breath shield, phoropter, tonometer, and door handles. The first group of samples was taken before the beginning of the examinations, and the second group of the samples was taken after the last patient had left the room. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome was the presence of viral material on surfaces in 5 circular zones with a diameter of 1 m each around where the patients sat. RESULTS: Thirty-one persons visited the room, of whom 22 underwent ophthalmic examination and 9 were companions. The mean (SD) examination time was 9 (4) minutes (range, 5-13 minutes). Seven samples were taken before examinations and 7 after examinations. Two samples that were taken after examinations were found to be positive for COVID-19, 1 from the slitlamp breath shield and 1 from the phoropter. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study showed the presence of COVID-19 viral material in a circle 1 m in diameter around where the patients sat. However, real-time polymerase chain reaction could only detect viral material, not the infectivity of these virus samples.

Effect of corneal marking features on toric intraocular lens alignment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of the corneal ink mark size, shape, and location with the corneal perimeter in terms of the corresponding corneal axis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was designed both prospective experimental and literature search. Contact lenses were used to demonstrate the spreading effect of the surgical ink mark. Open-access published corneal images with corneal ink marks were reviewed. Mark size and perimeter of both contact lenses and corneal images were performed in Image J software. RESULTS: Twenty contact lenses and 15 corneal images with 32 corneal marks, which were obtained from the literature, were included in the study. Mean degree corresponding to the ink size for the group 1 was 8.3° ± 1.2° (range 5.5-10.3), for group 2 was 11° ± 1.1° (range 8-12), for group 3 was 4.2° ± 0.7° (range 3.2-5.5), for group 4 was 4.2° ± 0.7° (range 3.2-5.5), and for group 5 was 6.3° ± 2.5° (range 2-11.5). DISCUSSION: Theoretically, it is wise to target further located ink mark from central cornea based on the 360/2π × (r2 - r1)/(r1 × r2) × M formula. It has been experimentally shown that the smaller corneal perimeter and closer mark to the central cornea may lead the more significant deviation from the targeted axis. Preoperative manual corneal marking may be more responsible for residual astigmatism than it is thought.

Assessment of tear meniscus by optical coherence tomography in patients with canalicular laceration repair.

PURPOSE: To analyze tear meniscus measurements with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with canalicular laceration repair. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive patients who underwent unilateral canalicular repair due to canalicular laceration between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. All patients had canalicular repair followed by monocanalicular or annular silicone tube intubation. Anatomic patency of canalicular system was tested with probing and irrigation, while functional patency was evaluated with Munk score. Tear meniscus measurements of all patients were obtained following tube removal by spectral OCT. Tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus depth (TMD) and tear meniscus area (TMA) of eyes with canalicular laceration repair and contralateral uninvolved eyes were compared. RESULTS: Average age of 34 patients was 32.8 ± 21.3 years (range 4-68 years). Lower canaliculus was involved in 27 (79.4%), upper canaliculus in five (14.7%), and both canaliculi in two (5.9%) patients. Mean follow-up period was 6.5 ± 5.7 months. Anatomic patency rate was 100%, and functional patency (patients free of epiphora) was 91.2%. Average TMH (317.9 ± 133.1 µm), TMD (198.1 ± 82.5 µm) and TMA (29,792.1 ± 21,285.3 µm2) values of eyes with canalicular repair were not significantly different from TMH (308.9 ± 111.9 µm), TMD (184.5 ± 61.4 µm) and TMA (26,682.5 ± 16,178.1 µm2) values of contralateral control eyes (p values: 0.758, 0.225 and 0.778, respectively). There was a strong positive correlation between TMA and Munk score (r = 0.637, p < 0.001) and moderate positive correlation between TMH (r = 521, p = 0.002), TMD (r = 0.481, p = 0.004) and Munk score. CONCLUSION: Tear meniscus measurement with OCT is a rapid, quantitative and objective tool for evaluation of canalicular patency in patients with canalicular laceration repair.

Failure in Revision Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Study of Surgical Technique and Etiology.

The aim of this study is to assess the etiologic factors of primary dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) failure according to DCR techniques and also to determine risk factors for the prediction of failure in revision external DCR. Retrospective review was performed in patients who underwent revision external DCR for previous DCR failure between 2008 and 2018. All patients underwent full ophthalmic and intranasal examination, lacrimal probing, and irrigation. Patients were classified into following groups according to previous DCR type: external, endoscopic endonasal, and transcanalicular laser DCR. Potential etiologic factors were compared between 3 groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for failure in revision external DCR. About 115 eyes from 109 patients constituted the external (50.4%), endonasal (31.3%), and laser (18.3%) DCR groups. Among 27 (23.5%) patients with intranasal pathologies, septal deviation (33.3%) is the most common finding. The commonest cause of failure was inadequate ostium size in external (37.9%), endonasal (36.1%), and laser (66.7%) DCR groups. Inadequate ostium size and cicatricial lacrimal ostium scarring were observed significantly more common in the laser (P = 0.047) and external DCR group (P = 0.043), respectively. The success rate for revision external DCR was 85.2%. Canalicular or common canalicular obstruction (P = 0.032), intranasal pathology (P = 0.003), and bilateral obstruction (P = 0.025) demonstrated a significant independent association with failure in revision external DCR. Inadequate ostium size was the most common cause of failure in primary external, endonasal, and laser DCR. Canalicular or common canalicular obstruction, intranasal pathology, and bilateral lacrimal obstruction were significant predictors of failure in revision external DCR.

THICKNESSES OF SCLERA AND LAMINA CRIBROSA IN PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

PURPOSE: To evaluate thicknesses of sclera and lamina cribrosa (LC) in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). METHOD: Thirty-two patients with CRVO (mean age 62.2 ± 11.6 years, women/men 18/14) and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included into the study. Scleral thickness was measured at scleral spur and at 1 to 3 mm from scleral spur in four quadrants (temporal, nasal, super, and inferior) using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Lamina cribrosa was measured using optic disk enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The sclera was thicker in affected eyes of the CRVO group than healthy subjects at scleral spur in four quadrants (738.7 ± 30.9 µm vs. 702 ± 30.8 µm in temporal, 700.4 ± 19.7 µm vs. 673 ± 13.7 µm in superior, 693 ± 19.3 µm vs. 665.3 ± 24.2 µm in nasal, 810.7 ± 28.9 µm vs. 784.5 ± 23.7 µm in inferior quadrants, respectively; P < 0.05 for all). Lamina cribrosa thickness in affected eyes of the CRVO group was significantly higher than that of healthy subjects (285.2 ± 12.7 µm vs. 266.4 ± 10.7 µm, respectively; P < 0.01). The correlation between scleral thickness and LC thickness was moderate at scleral spur of temporal and superior quadrants of affected eyes (r = 0.510 and r = 0.420, respectively). CONCLUSION: Thicknesses of sclera and LC are increased in the CRVO, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Increased Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness and Retinal Structure Changes on Optical Coherence Tomography in Pediatric Alport Syndrome Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of pediatric Alport syndrome (AS) patients with no retinal pathology on fundus examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients being followed up with the diagnosis of AS (Group 1) and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (Group 2) were prospectively evaluated. All participants underwent standard ophthalmologic examination, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) analysis, and horizontal and vertical scan macula enhanced depth imaging OCT (EDI-OCT). Statistical analysis of the data obtained in this study was performed with SPSS 15.0. RESULTS: Macula thickness was significantly decreased in the temporal quadrant in Group 1 compared to those of the control group (p=0.013). RNFL measurements revealed statistically significant thinning in the temporal, superior, inferotemporal, and inferonasal quadrants and in average thicknesses in cases with AS compared to the controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p=0.022, p=0.016, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean subfoveal coronial thickness (SCT) was 362.2 ± 77.8 µm in Group 1 and 256,18 ± 71.7 µm in Group 2. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean CT (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: OCT provides valuable information in identifying the structural changes and evaluation of ocular findings in patients with AS. Even if no pathological retinal findings were found in the clinical examination, structural changes in the OCT examination begin in early period of AS.

Evaluation of anatomical and functional outcomes in patients undergoing repair of traumatic canalicular laceration.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to evaluate functional and anatomical success of traumatic canalicular laceration repair. METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented at Atatürk Training and Research Hospital Eye Clinic, Izmir Katip Çelebi University Faculty of Medicine and had canalicular laceration repair performed by the same surgeon between January 2009 and December 2014 were included in the study. Demographic data, length of time between injury and surgery, and cause of the trauma, surgical method employed, and duration of follow-up were recorded. Postoperative epiphora was evaluated using Munk score. Patency of lacrimal system was assessed with canalicular irrigation. RESULTS: Thirty-five male and 6 female patients were included in the study. Mean age of 41 participants was 31.85±18.9 years (range: 1-79 years). Avulsive injury was observed in 66% (n=27), and direct (penetrating) injury in 34% (n=14). Distribution of injured canaliculi was as follows: left inferior canaliculus 63.4% (n=26), right inferior canaliculus 19.5% (n=8), right superior canaliculus 9.8% (n=4), and left superior canaliculus 7.3% (n=3). Thirty-four patients had monocanalicular tube implantation (mini-Monoka) and 10 patients had bicanalicular annular intubation using pigtail probe. Average follow-up time was 6±5.7 months. Munk score was Grade 0 in all patients. Canalicular irrigation indicated all canaliculi were patent. CONCLUSION: Recent microsurgical techniques result in successful repair of canalicular laceration.