Comparison of efficiency of intravitreal ceftazidime and intravitreal cefepime in the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis.

In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of cefepime in the treatment of experimental Pseudomonas aeruginosa endophthalmitis. We compared the findings with the standard dose of ceftazidime (1 mg/0.1 ml). Thirty-six New-Zealand White rabbits were divided into 6 equal groups and were treated with different methods (Group 1 = sham, Group 2 = 0.5 mg/0.1 ml cefepime, Group 3 = 1 mg/0.1 ml cefepime, Group 4 = 2 mg/0.1 ml cefepime, Group 5 = 1 mg/0.1 ml ceftazidime, Group 6 = control). The eyes of rabbits in each group were examined clinically on 1 st , 3 rd , and 6 th day of the experiment. At 6 th day, 0.1 ml vitreous humor aspirates were obtained and plated for quantification on the blood agar and the results were expressed as colony-forming unit/ml. Subsequently, the eyeballs were enucleated and the histopathological evaluation was performed. Our findings denoted beneficial effects of cefepime in treatment groups (especially, in Groups 3 and 4). Intravitreal cefepime may be an alternative drug in the treatment of P. aeruginosa endophthalmitis.

Protective effects of ebselen on sodium-selenite-induced experimental cataract in rats.

PURPOSE: To determine whether ebselen has a protective effect or antioxidative potential in a sodium-selenite-induced experimental cataract model. SETTING: Firat University, Elazig, Turkey. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly divided into a control group, a sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group, and an ebselen-treated group; each group contained 7 rat pups. Rats in the control group received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) intraperitoneally only and rats in the sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group received 30 nmol/g body weight sodium selenite subcutaneously and DMSO intraperitoneally 10 days postpartum. Rats in the ebselen group received 30 nmol/g body weight sodium selenite subcutaneously 10 days postpartum and were treated with 5 mg/kg body weight ebselen once a day for 4 consecutive days. Cataract development was assessed weekly for 3 weeks by slitlamp examination and graded using a scale. Reduced glutathione (GSH), total nitrite, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in lens supernatants were measured at the end of 3 weeks. RESULTS: In the control group, all lenses were clear. In the ebselen-treated group, the mean cataract stage was significantly lower than in the sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group (P = .022). The GSH levels were significantly lower in the sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group than in the control and ebselen groups (P < .001). The MDA levels were lower in the ebselen group than in the sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group (P < .001). The mean total nitrite level was significantly lower in the sodium-selenite-induced-cataract group than in the ebselen group (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Ebselen had a protective effect on cataract development in a sodium-selenite-induced experimental model. The protective effect of ebselen appears to be due to inhibition of oxidative stress. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

The effect of photodynamic therapy on retrobulbar blood flow parameters.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on retrobulbar blood flow parameters. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with choroidal neovascular membrane of at least four MPS disc area in one eye due to age-related macular degeneration scheduled for PDT were recruited. Peak systolic and end diastolic velocity of ophthalmic, central retinal and posterior ciliary artery of both eyes were measured with colour Doppler imaging and resistivity index were computed before, at the first and fourth weeks following PDT. RESULTS: Following PDT, the mean peak systolic velocity of posterior ciliary artery increased significantly to a value of 31.90 +/- 13.44 at the first (P = 0001), then returned to an insignificant value of 29.95 +/- 13.03 at the fourth week (P = 0.360), when compared with pre-PDT mean measurement (30.16 +/- 13.15). Resistivity index of posterior ciliary artery also increased significantly to a value of 0.740 +/- 0.77 at the first (P = 0.046), then returned to an insignificant value of 0.666 +/- 0.14 at the fourth week (P = 0.407), when compared with pre-PDT mean measurement (0.709 +/- 0.90). All the other measured data (peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, resistivity index of ophthalmic and central retinal artery; end diastolic velocity of posterior ciliary artery of the treated eyes; all colour Doppler imaging measurements of untreated eyes) did not show any significant change at the first and fourth week following PDT, when compared with the pre-PDT values. CONCLUSION: The peak systolic velocity and resistivity index of the posterior ciliary artery appear to increase in the first week and return to their baseline values at the fourth week following PDT.

Annular and central heavy pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in the pigment dispersion syndrome: pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in the pigment dispersion syndrome.

PURPOSE: To report annular and central heavy pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule in a case of pigment dispersion syndrome. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 36-year-old female with bilateral pigment dispersion syndrome presented with progressive decrease in visual acuity in the right eye over the past 1-2 years. Clinical examination revealed the typical findings of pigment dispersion syndrome including bilateral Krunkenberg spindles, iris transillumination defects, and dense trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Remarkably, annular and central dense pigmentation of the posterior lens capsule was noted in the right eye. CONCLUSION: Annular pigment deposition on the posterior lens capsule may be a rare finding associated with pigment dispersion syndrome. Such a finding suggests that there may be aqueous flow into the retrolental space in some patients with this condition. The way of central pigmentation is the entrance of aqueous to Berger's space. In our case, it is probable that spontaneous detachment of the anterior hyaloid membrane aided this entrance.

Central retinal artery occlusion in an ANCA negative Churg-Strauss syndrome patient.

PURPOSE: To describe a central retinal artery occlusion in a patient with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) negative Churg-Strauss syndrome. METHODS: Review of clinical and laboratory findings of a 44-year-old woman with ANCA negative Churg-Strauss syndrome that developed sudden vision loss in left eye. RESULTS: Left central retinal artery occlusion was diagnosed by retinal whitening, a cherry-red spot, and delayed arterial filling on fluorescein angiography. Perinuclear ANCA and cytoplasmic ANCA were negative. CONCLUSION: Central retinal artery occlusion can occur in ANCA negative Churg-Strauss syndrome. Patients with this diagnosis should be considered for prophylactic high dose corticosteroid, regardless of their ANCA status.