Ali Akal

Improvement in levator function after anterior levator resection for the treatment of congenital ptosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical outcome of levator resection in congenital ptosis, and to assess the change in levator function (LF) after surgery, as well as its effect on surgical outcomes. Methods: The charts of patients who underwent an anterior levator resection for congenital ptosis between January 2010 and February 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative grades of blepharoptosis, margin-reflex distance, LF, and reoperation status were noted, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Results: A total of 42 eyelids of 37 patients were included of which 32 eyelids (76.2%) had severe ptosis while 10 eyelids (23.8%) had moderate ptosis. The mean follow up was 11.0 ± 7.2 months. The overall success rate after initial surgery was 78.6%, and undercorrection was the leading course of surgical failure, with a rate of 14.3% (6 eyelids) at the final visit. Lagophthalmus and/or overcorrection occurred in 7.1% (3 eyelids) at the final visit, respectively. The mean preoperative LF was 6.8 mm ± 3.1 mm, which increased postoperatively to 8.7 mm ± 3.4 mm (p < 0.05) at month 1 and 9.6 mm ± 3.8 mm (p < 0.05) at the final visit. The mean LF improvement following surgery was 2.9 mm ± 2.2 mm. Conclusions: The levator resection surgery was observed to be an effective treatment for congenital ptosis, including severe ptosis with poor LF. Levator resection resulted in substantial improvement of postoperative levator muscle functioning, which might have an additive effect on the surgical success, especially for those with poor LF.

An Evaluation of Effects of Different Mydriatics on Choroidal Thickness by Examining Anterior Chamber Parameters: The Scheimpflug Imaging and Enhanced Depth Imaging-OCT Study

Aim. To assess the effects of mydriatics commonly used in clinical practice on choroidal thickness and anterior chamber change. Methods. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded study including a single eye of the participants. The subjects were assigned into 4 groups to receive tropicamide 1%, phenylephrine 2.5%, cyclopentolate 1%, and artificial tears. At the baseline, anterior chamber parameters were assessed using a Pentacam Scheimpflug camera system, and choroidal thickness (CT) was measured using a spectral-domain OCT with Enhanced Depth Imaging (EDI) modality. All measurements were repeated again after drug administration. Results. Increases in pupil diameter, volume, and depth of anterior chamber were found to be significant (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, and p = 0.000, resp.), while decreases in the choroidal thickness were found to be significant in subjects receiving mydriatics (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The study has shown that while cyclopentolate, tropicamide, and phenylephrine cause a decrease in choroidal thickness, they also lead to an increase in the volume and depth of anterior chamber. However, no correlation was detected between anterior chamber parameters and choroidal changes after drug administration. These findings suggest that the mydriatics may affect the choroidal thickness regardless of anterior chamber parameters. This study was registered with trial registration number 2014/357.

Severe eyelid injury resulting from necrotic arachnidism in a child with leukemia.

Loxosceles spider envenomation, which is termed loxoscelism, has clinical presentations that vary from local cutaneous inflammation and necrosis to systemic loxoscelism, and may even result in death. Loxosceles species are responsible for cases of clinically significant envenomation worldwide, although these cases occur predominantly in the temperate zones. Loxosceles reclusa is reported to be endemic in the United States, and L. rufescens is indigenous to the Mediterranean region of Europe, as well as Africa and Asia. Furthermore, there is a peak of Loxosceles activity during the summer months and little activity during the winter months. Typically, a bite from the spider begins as an enlarging area of pallor with peripheral erythema, which may become larger with surrounding severe edema and erythema. The characteristic necrotic ulcer often appears later in the course of envenomation. Diagnosis is generally based on the morphologic appearance of the dermal lesion. We report a unique case of a 5-year-old female with loxoscelism who was in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She showed a severe necrotic ulcer on the upper eyelid, which resulted in a full-thickness tissue defect. We discuss the surgical management of this case. A 5-year-old female presented with erythema and severe edema of the left periorbital area accompanying ipsilateral hemifacial edema. The family reported that there was an erythematosus, tender, spotlike lesion on her upper eyelid, which enlarged dramatically over 2 days. We also learned from her medical history that the girl was in remission for acute lymphoblastic leukemia for a period of 1 year after undergoing the St. Jude Total XV chemotherapy protocol. Her vital signs were arterial blood pressure, 90/50 mm Hg; body temperature, 38.91C; pulse rate, 130 beats/min; respiratory rate, 32 breaths/min; and oxygen saturation, 98%. She had a patchy erythematous induration involving the entire eyelid of the left eye. The anterior segment structures were unremarkable. Systemic examination produced no noteworthy signs. Laboratory evaluation revealed a low white blood cell count of 0.7 10/L (neutrophils, 1.1%; lymphocytes, 55%; monocytes, 43%; eosinophils, 0.3%). The patient had a normal hematocrit of 29% and a hemoglobin concentration of 9.4 g/dL. Prothrombin time was 104 seconds, and the international normalized ratio was 0.97. The results of urinalysis were unremarkable. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging revealed soft tissue thickening. Whereas the blood cultures remained negative, culturing of wound swabs revealed the presence of Streptococcus epidermidis. As the patient was considered to have febrile neutropenia with preseptal cellulitis, she received intravenous therapy with meropenem, vancomycin, and metronidazole. However, on day 5 after admission, it was noted that the lesion on the upper eyelid had changed to a black, necrotic, crusty plaque (Fig. 1). After a meticulous

Relationship among Ocular Diseases, Developmental Levels, and Clinical Characteristics of Children with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships among vision problems, developmental levels, upper extremity functions, and qualities of life of children with cerebral palsy (CP). [Subjects] The study included 32 children, aged 4–15 years, diagnosed with diplegic type CP. [Methods] Hand function was evaluated using the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) and the Bimanual Fine Motor Function (BFMF) scale, and the severity of CP was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The developmental and mental capabilities of the children were evaluated using the Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory (ADSI) or the WISC-R test. An oculomotor examination was conducted for all patients. [Results] Positive correlations were found between GMFCS and BFMF, GMFCS and MACS, and MACS and BFMF scores (r=0.636; r=0.553; r=0.718, respectively). Significant correlations were found between upper extremity function, the severity of CP, the quality of life, and the general developmental level. There was no significant correlation between ocular disorders and clinical characteristics. [Conclusion] GMFCS, MACS, and BFMF may be useful for defining the functional status of children with CP, as they are easy, practical, and simple classification scales that conform to each other.

Evaluation of resistive index using color Doppler imaging of orbital arteries in geriatric patients with hypertension

Background and Aim: Resistive index (RI) is an indirect measurement of blood flow resistance that can be used to evaluate vascular damage in ophthalmologic disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between RI values of orbital arteries using the color Doppler imaging (CDI) in geriatric hypertensive patients with or without retinopathy. Setting and Design: Designed as a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 60 geriatric patients with hypertension (Group 1) and 30 healthy subjects (Group 2). Further, the patients with hypertension were grouped into two: Group 1a consisted of patients with retinopathy (n = 30), and group 1b consisted of patients without retinopathy (n = 30). The mean RI values of ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior ciliary artery (PCA) were measured using CDI. Results: Compared to group 2, group 1 had significantly higher mean resistive index of PCA levels (P = 0.017), whereas there were no statistical difference in mean resistive indexes of OA and CRA (both P > 0.05). Besides, there were no statistical difference in mean resistive indexes of OA, CRA, and PCA between the group 1a and group 1b (P > 0.05 for all). Mean resistive indexes of OA, CRA, and PCA were significantly correlated with the duration of hypertension (r = 0.268, P = 0.038; r = 0.315, P = 0.014; r = 0.324, P = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions: Our study indicates that RI might be a useful marker for the ocular hemodynamic of retinal vessels, provides morphologic and vascular information in hypertension and hypertensive retinopathy.

The factors affecting the development of phthisis bulbi after penetrating eye injuries

BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the development of phthisis bulbi after penetrating eye injuries. METHODS The medical records of 132 patients admitted to our clinic between 2000-2006 with the diagnosis of penetrating eye injury were collected. The records of the eight patients who developed phthisis bulbi were evaluated retrospectively. The aspects of anatomic localization, type of trauma, associated events, and development of phthisis bulbi were also investigated. RESULTS The mean age of the eight patients (5 males, 3 females) was 7.12±4.70 years (range: 2-16 years) and the mean follow-up time was 2.06±1.47 years (range: 6 months-5 years). Three of eight patients developed post-perforation endophthalmitis. Three patients had zone 2-3 scleral perforation and associated retinal detachment and the remaining two patients had proliferative vitreoretinopathy according to the trauma; all eight patients eventually developed phthisis bulbi. The mean time for the development of phthisis bulbi was 5.5±2.13 months (range: 3-10 months). CONCLUSION After penetrating eye injuries, visual prognosis and development of phthisis bulbi were affected significantly by the factors including anatomic localization, size of the injury, associated anterior or posterior segment pathologies, and endophthalmitis secondary to the trauma.BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the development of phthisis bulbi after penetrating eye injuries. METHODS The medical records of 132 patients admitted to our clinic between 2000-2006 with the diagnosis of penetrating eye injury were collected. The records of the eight patients who developed phthisis bulbi were evaluated retrospectively. The aspects of anatomic localization, type of trauma, associated events, and development of phthisis bulbi were also investigated. RESULTS The mean age of the eight patients (5 males, 3 females) was 7.12±4.70 years (range: 2-16 years) and the mean follow-up time was 2.06±1.47 years (range: 6 months-5 years). Three of eight patients developed post-perforation endophthalmitis. Three patients had zone 2-3 scleral perforation and associated retinal detachment and the remaining two patients had proliferative vitreoretinopathy according to the trauma; all eight patients eventually developed phthisis bulbi. The mean time for the development of phthisis bulbi was 5.5±2.13 months (range: 3-10 months). CONCLUSION After penetrating eye injuries, visual prognosis and development of phthisis bulbi were affected significantly by the factors including anatomic localization, size of the injury, associated anterior or posterior segment pathologies, and endophthalmitis secondary to the trauma.

Anti-inflammatory effect of lycopene on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats

Purpose: We evaluated the efficacy of lycopene, a dietary carotenoid and potent antioxidant, against ocular inflammation and oxidative stress in an experimental uveitis model. Methods: Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by a single subcutaneous injection of 200 μg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Induction of EIU was preceded by daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg lycopene for three consecutive days (Lycopene + LPS group) or equivolume vehicle (Vehicle + LPS group). A positive control group received 1 mg/kg dexamethasone pretreatment (DEX + LPS), and a negative control group received daily vehicle injection but no LPS (Vehicle Control). Twenty-four hours after LPS or final vehicle administration, eyes were enucleated, and aqueous humor was collected for measurement of the number of infiltrating cells, total protein concentration, and levels of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and oxidative stress markers. Inflammatory response severity was compared among groups clinically and histopathologically. Results: Infiltrating cell number, total protein concentration, and NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in the aqueous humor of Vehicle + LPS group rats compared to Vehicle Controls. Compared to the Vehicle + LPS group, lycopene pretreatment significantly reduced aqueous humor concentrations of oxidative stress markers, NO (0.29 ± 0.1 μM vs. 0.19 ± 0.1 μM, p=0.003), TNF-α (71.0 ± 22.3 ng/ml vs. 50.1 ± 2.1 ng/ml, p=0.043), and IL-6 (121.6 ± 3.0 pg/ml vs. 111.1 ± 5.6 pg/ml, p=0.008). Inflammatory score was also reduced (2.0 ± 0.0 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p=0.001). Lycopene reduced the infiltrating cell count and protein concentration, but differences did not reach significance. Most lycopene effects were equivalent to dexamethasone. Conclusions: Lycopene may aid in the clinical management of uveitis by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Evaluating the safety of intracameral bevacizumab application using oxidative stress and apoptotic parameters in corneal tissue

AIM To investigate the possible effects of intracameral bevacizumab on oxidative stress parameters and apoptosis in corneal tissue. METHODS In total, 30 rats were assigned randomly into the following three groups of 10 rats each: a sham group (Group 1; n=10), a control group [Group 2; balanced salt solution (BSS) was administered at 0.01 mL; n=10], and a treatment group (Group 3; bevacizumab was administered at 0.25 mg/0.01 mL; n=10). The total antioxidant status (TAS) and the total oxidant status (TOS) in the corneal tissue and blood samples were measured, and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Additionally, corneal tissue histopathology was evaluated for caspase-3 and -8 staining and apoptotic activity. RESULTS In the blood samples, the TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not significantly different (all P>0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, the TOS and OSI levels in the corneal tissues were significantly different in the bevacizumab group (all P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the sham and control groups (all P>0.05). However, compared with the sham and control groups, greater immunohistochemical staining for caspases-3 and -8 and an elevated level of apoptotic activity were observed in the bevacizumab group. CONCLUSION This study revealed that intracameral bevacizumab injections seemed to be systemically safe but may have elicited local toxic effects in the corneal tissue, as indicated by the oxidative stress parameters and histopathological evaluations.

Does moxifloxacin alter oxidant status in the cornea? An experimental study

Abstract Objective: In this experimental study, we investigated the possible effects of intracameral moxifloxacin on oxidative stress parameters and endothelial cell morphology in corneal tissue. Methods: In total, 30 rats were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 rats: the sham group (Group 1, n = 10); the control group (Group 2), where balanced salt solution (BSS) was administered at a dose of 0.01 cc (n = 10); and the treatment group (Group 3), where moxifloxacin was administered at a dose of 0.05 mg/0.01 cc (n = 10). Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in corneal tissue and blood samples were measured and the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Also, corneal tissue histopathology was evaluated with caspase-3 and caspase-8 staining. Apoptotic activity was also evaluated. Results: In blood samples, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were not statistically significantly different (all p > 0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, TOS and OSI levels in cornea tissue were significantly different in the moxifloxacin group (all p < 0.05). However, compared with the control group, no statistically significant difference was found in the sham group (all p > 0.05). Compared with the sham and control groups, apoptotic activity was higher in the moxifloxacin group, in both immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and caspase-8. Conclusions: Intracameral moxifloxacin injection seems to be safe systemically, but it may have toxic effects on corneal tissues, as suggested by oxidative stress parameters and a histopathological evaluation.

Evaluation of early results of quick-chop phacoemulsification in the patients with high myopic cataract

AIM To assess the early surgical outcomes of quick-chop phacoemulsification technique in patients with high myopia. METHODS The data of patients with high myopia who underwent quick-chop phacoemulsification were reviewed retrospectively. There were 42 eyes of 31 patients. The axial length was more than 26 mm in all eyes. All eyes underwent quick-chop phacoemulsification surgery with the placement of an intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. Postoperative visits were performed at 1, 3d; 2wk, 1mo. Early postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), preoperative and postoperative corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT) and postoperative complications were assessed. Paired sample t-test or Wilcoxon tests were used to compare data between preoperative and postoperative data. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative ECD and CCT. Retinal detachment was developed in one eye at postoperative first day. There was an iris prolapsus from side port insicion. CONCLUSION Quick-chop phacoemulsification technique is a safe surgical technique. However we can encounter some complications in high myopic eyes due to histopathological differences. Both side port and clear corneal tunnel insicion size is crucial for preventing postoperative complications. If any persistent leakage is noticed, suture should be placed.