Nurgül Örnek

Intravitreal Bevacizumab Treatment for Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema

AIMS The aim of this study was to report the short-term clinical and angiographic outcomes after an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab in eyes with refractory diabetic macular edema. METHODS Patients who had been treated with both grid-laser photocoagulation and intravitreal trimacinolone acetonide injections for diabetic macular edema received intravitreal bevacizumab (0.125 mg/0.05 mL). Snellen visual acuity testing and fluorescien angiography were performed before and 1 month after the injection for each patient. RESULTS Seventeen (17) eyes of 16 patients were included in the study. All patients completed 6 weeks of follow-up. Visual acuity improved in 12 eyes (70%) and remained the same in 5 eyes (30%). Eight (8) eyes (47%) revealed a marked improvement of macular edema, 6 eyes (35%) revealed mild improvement, and 3 eyes (18%) had no change. None of the patients developed local or systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Intravitreal injection of bevacizumab may be effective in the treatment of refractory diabetic edema unresponsive to laser photocoagulation and an intravitreal triamcinolone injection.

Corneal Sensitivity and Tear Function in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract Purpose: To measure corneal sensitivity and tear function in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and to compare them with age and sex-matched controls. Methods: Twenty patients with Alzheimers disease (AD), 20 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), 30 patients with Parkinsons disease (PD), 10 patients with Friedreichs ataxia (FA) and 21 patients with epilepsy (EP) who were recruited from the Kırıkkale University Neurology Department during 2012 were included in this prospective study. Five groups of age and sex-matched subjects were selected as controls. Corneal sensitivity was measured using a Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer. Tear function tests included tear break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmers 1 tests. Results: Compared to their controls, mean corneal sensitivity was significantly reduced in AD, MS, PD and EP patients (all p < 0.05), mean TBUT level was significantly shorter in patients with AD and MS (all p < 0.05) and mean Schirmers 1 test score was significantly lower in EP patients (p < 0.05). When all groups were compared with each other, reduction of mean corneal sensitivity in AD and PD groups were significantly more than in FA and MS groups (overall p = 0.034). Mean TBUT levels in AD, MS and PD groups were significantly shorter than in FA and EP groups (overall p = 0.001). Mean Schirmers 1 test scores in AD and PD groups were significantly lower than in MS, FA and EP groups (overall p = 0.040). Conclusions: Neurodegenerative diseases may be associated with reduced corneal sensitivity and abnormal tear function.

Peripapillary and macular retinoschisis in a patient with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

A 55-year-old man was admitted with a 2-year history of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. The best-corrected visual acuities were 10/10 in both eyes. Pseudoexfoliation material was noted on the iris and the lens capsule. Fundus examination evidenced cup-to-disc ratio of 0.7 OD and 0.9 OS with peripapillary atrophy. Gonioscopy revealed open angles. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated peripapillary retinoschisis extending to the nasal macula in the left eye and optic nerve head was almost fully excavated. Coexisting retinoschisis in a patient with glaucoma may interfere with the reliability of retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell complex analysis and may change the treatment plan and follow-up intervals.

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on retrobulbar blood flow of patients with diabetic macular edema.

Purpose To determine the effect of intravitreal bevacizumab on retrobulbar blood flow of patients with diabetic macular edema. Methods Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistance, and pulsatility indices of central retinal artery (CRA), nasal posterior ciliary artery (NPCA), temporal posterior ciliary artery (TPCA), and ophthalmic artery (OA) were assessed by color Doppler ultrasonography in injected and uninjected eyes of 37 patients at baseline and at day 1 and day 7 after the injection. Results At day 1 after the injection, peak systolic and end diastolic velocities of the CRA and NPCA in the injected eyes and peak systolic velocity of NPCA in the uninjected eyes decreased significantly (p<0.05, p = 0.025, respectively). Peak systolic and end diastolic velocities were not significantly different in the injected and uninjected eyes at day 7 after the injection (p>0.05). In the injected eyes, there was no significant change in resistance and pulsatility indices (p>0.05), but a decrease in resistance index of NPCA and resistance and pulsatility indices of TPCA occurred in uninjected eyes at day 7 after the injection (p = 0.016, p = 0.023, and p = 0.025, respectively). Conclusions Intravitreal bevacizumab affects retrobulbar blood flow in injected and uninjected eyes of patients with diabetic macular edema.

Anesthetic effectiveness of topical levobupivacaine 0.75% versus topical proparacaine 0.5% for intravitreal injections.

Background and Purpose: Today no method of topical anesthesia for intravitreal injection administration has been proven to make the patient comfortable yet. We compared the efficacy of topical levobupivacaine 0.75% and proparacaine 0.5% in patients undergoing intravitreal injections. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized study comparing two agents for topical anesthesia in intravitreal injections. Ninety-six consecutive patients were enrolled into two groups to receive either topical levobupivacaine 0.75% (n=48) or proparacaine 0.5% (n=48). Patients were asked to score their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS) immediately following the injection. The average of these scores was used as the primary outcome. The surgeon performing the procedure scored his perception of the patients’ pain using the Wong-Baker FACES scale. Results: Mean VAS pain scores for two groups were found to be 44.77 ± 16.42 and 34.18 ± 14.83, respectively. Mean VAS pain score in the proparacaine group was significantly lower than that in the levobupivacaine group (P= 0.003). Mean Wong-Baker FACES scores for the two groups were 1.08 ± 0.49 and 1.10 ± 0.30, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between levobupivacaine and proparacaine groups (P=0.824). Conclusions: Topical proparacaine 0.5% was more effective in preventing pain during intravitreal injections.

Optical coherence tomography and visual field findings in patients with Friedreich ataxia.

Background: To investigate the optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field findings in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA). Methods: Ten eyes of 10 patients with genetically confirmed FRDA were included in this study. Twenty-two eyes of 22 age- and sex-matched volunteers served as controls. All eyes were examined with spectral domain OCT (Retinascan Advanced RS-3000; NIDEK) and Humphrey Field Analyzer (HFA II 750; Zeiss-Humphrey Systems). Results: OCT measurements of the average peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, average peripapillary retinal thickness (RT), and foveal RT showed a statistically significant reduction in patients with FRDA (P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference in choroidal thickness. OCT measurements of horizontal cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio, vertical C/D ratio, and average cup area were significantly increased in patients with FRDA. Visual acuity was significantly correlated with age at onset (P = 0.021) and average RNFL value (P = 0.045). There was a significant correlation between foveal thickness and disease duration (P = 0.014). Mean RNFL thickness was significantly correlated with the severity of neurological involvement (P = 0.039). Visual field testing (VFT) revealed a generalized reduction of sensitivity in the patients. Conclusion: Patients with FRDA may have a measurable degree of retinal thinning as determined by OCT and a generalized reduction of sensitivity in VFT. Combining structural and functional findings may be used in the follow-up of patients with FRDA.

Comparison of the antimicrobial effect of heavy silicone oil and conventional silicone oil against endophthalmitis-causing agents.

Purpose: To conduct an in vitro experimental study comparing the effectiveness of conventional silicone oil and heavy silicone oil against endophthalmitis-causing agents. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of conventional silicone oil (RS OIL 5000) and heavy silicone oil (heavySil 1500) was tested. The antimicrobial effects of both silicone oils were determined by the growing capability of the microorganism. Results: The number of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans decreased to zero levels at the second day of inoculation in heavy silicone oil. In conventional silicone oil, the microorganisms survived longer than in heavy silicone oil. Conclusion: Heavy silicone oil seems to be more effective than conventional silicone oil against endophthalmitis-causing agents.

Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity in rosacea patients

Purpose To assess corneal and conjunctival sensitivity in rosacea patients. Methods A total of 55 patients with rosacea and 37 control subjects participated in the study. Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity was determined by Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Subjective symptoms of ocular dryness were evaluated using Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Schirmer’s I test (ST), tear breakup time (tBUT) and ocular surface staining with fluorescein were carried out to measure objective signs. Results The mean corneal and conjunctival sensitivity did not differ significantly between rosacea patients and controls (all p > 0.05). Schirmer’s I test and tBUT were significantly reduced (p = 0.004 for OD and p < 0.001 for OS) and grade of ocular surface staining was significantly high (p = 0.018 for OD and p = 0.038 for OS) in rosacea patients. Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity did not show significant correlation with ST, tBUT, ocular surface staining (Oxford Schema), duration of rosacea and OSDI score. Conclusions Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity did not change significantly in rosacea.

Effect of 1% brinzolamide and 0.5% timolol fixed combination on intraocular pressure after cataract surgery with phacoemulsification.

AIM To evaluate the effect of brinzolamide-timolol fixed combination on intraocular pressure (IOP) after cataract surgery. METHODS The study included 92 eyes of 87 patients who underwent cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Patients scheduled for phacoemulsification were assigned to 1 of 2 groups. The treatment group received 1 drop of brinzolamide-timolol fixed combination immediately after surgery, and the control group received no treatment. The IOP was measured preoperatively and at 2h and 24h postoperatively. RESULTS The mean IOP change was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 2h postoperatively. The difference between the mean IOP values of the two groups at 2h postoperatively was found to be statistically significant. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, the mean IOP change was still higher in the control group when compared to the treatment group. CONCLUSION The fixed combination brinzolamide-timolol can effectively reduce IOP after cataract surgery.

Corneal Endothelial Cell Density and Morphology in Different Trimesters of Pregnancy.

Objectives: To evaluate corneal endothelial cell density (CD) and morphology in different trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: This prospective study included 66 (66 eyes) pregnant women. The patient group was divided into three subgroups comprised of 22 women in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. An age-matched group of 22 (22 eyes) volunteers served as controls. Corneal measurements were performed using specular microscopy (Noncon Robo SP8000, Konan Medical). Central corneal thickness (CCT) and CD, hexagonal cell ratio (HEX), and coefficient of variation (CV) of the corneal endothelial cell layer of the patients were measured at each trimester. Results: Central corneal thickness did not change significantly during the pregnancy compared to controls (P>0.05). Endothelial CD was decreased in the first trimester and increased in the second and third trimesters, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Hexagonal cell ratio was decreased significantly in the first trimester (P<0.05). There was an increase in the second and third trimesters, which was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Coefficient of variation was increased significantly in the first trimester and showed a significant decrease in the second and third trimesters (P<0.05, respectively). Endothelial CD had a significant positive correlation with CV and HEX had a negative correlation with CV in the second trimester (r=0.438, P=0.041 and r=−0.822, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Central corneal thickness and endothelial CD did not change significantly throughout the pregnancy. Hexagonal cell ratio and CV showed a significant but transient increase in the first trimester.