RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Today, limited and controversial data are available on predictive markers for diabetic retinopathy. Choroidal thickness (CT) is an unstable parameter affected by many factors. Also, previous studies had conflicting findings on choroidal thickness. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of choroidal vascularity index (CVI), a relatively new marker, in evaluating choroidal vascular status and its relationship with diabetic retinopathy (DR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 124 subjects, 84 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 40 healthy controls, were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: those without DR and those with non-proliferative DR (NPDRP). All subjects underwent enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), and CT values were noted. To measure CVI, luminal (LA) and stromal areas of the choroidal images were binarized using Image J program. CVI was defined as the proportion of LA to total choroid area (TCA). Demographic and laboratory data of the patients were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: CVI were found to be lower in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients. CVI values in 3 groups were as follows: 67.9% ± 1.8 (healthy controls), 66.1% ± 2.4 (no DR), and 63.2% ± 2.6 (NPDRP) (p < 0.001). All groups were similar in terms of CT values (p = 0.296). The cut-off value for CVI in predicting retinopathy was 64.7%. Hypertension and current smoking were found to be more frequent in diabetic patients with CVI < 64.7% compared to those with CVI > 64.7%. CONCLUSIONS: CVI tends to be lower in diabetic patients with or without DR compared to healthy controls. Moreover, patients with DR have a lower CVI than those without DR. CVI can be considered an early and sensitive biomarker for the onset of DR.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate episcleral venous fluid wave (EVFW) during GATT surgery in patients with advanced stage open angle glaucoma and to investigate its relationship with the severity of glaucoma. METHODS: In all, 34 eyes of 28 open angle glaucoma patients who underwent GATT surgery were included into study. The extent of EVFW was evaluated using surgical records of patients and it was defined as number of clock hours. Correlations between the extent of EVFW and GAAT surgical outcomes as determined by intraocular pressures (IOP) and postoperative antiglaucoma medication needs were investigated. The impact of preoperative maximum IOP on EVFW was also evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between IOPs and the extent of the EVFW at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th months follow-up visits. 10 of (%29.4) 34 eyes required antiglaucoma medications after the surgery. Mean extents of EVFW in patients who needed and did not need medications during follow-ups were 2.6 ± 1.0 (1-4) and 5.9 ± 1.5 (3-8) clock hours and the difference was statistically significant. Cutoff value of <4.5 clock hours for the EVFW (sensitivity 79.2%, specifity 100%) was found to be associated with the need for additional antiglaucoma medication. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of EVFW might be a valuable prognostic indicator for the surgical success of GATT since trabeculotomy is circumferential in this surgical technique making all collector channels accessible.