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Ocular pulse amplitude and retina nerve fiber layer thickness in migraine patients without aura

BackgroundTo evaluate the ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), the posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA), the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, macular thickness and visual field testing in migraine patients without aura.MethodsIn this prospective, cross-sectional and comparative study 38 migraine patients and 44 age and sex matched controls were included. OPA was measured by dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), PPAA, RNFL, GCL and macular thickness were measured by Heidelberg Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and standard perimetry was performed using the Humphrey automated field analyzer.ResultsThe difference in OPA was not statistically significant between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05). In the PPAA there was no significant difference between two hemispheres in each eye (p ≥ 0.05). The RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in the temporal and nasal superior sectors in the migraine group (p ≤ 0.05). The GCL and macular thickness measurements were thinner in migraine patients but the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). There was no correlation between RNFL, GCL, macular thickness measurements and OPA values. There was no significant difference in the mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) between the two groups (p ≥ 0.05).ConclusionsMigraine patients without aura have normal OPA values, no significant asymmetry of the posterior pole and decreased peripapillary RNFL thickness in the temporal and nasal superior sectors compared with controls. These findings suggest that there is sectorial RNFL thinning in migraine patients without aura and pulsative choroidal blood flow may not be affected during the chronic course of disease.

Comparison of Corneal Layers and Anterior Sclera in Emmetropic and Myopic Eyes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the thickness of preocular tear film, corneal layers, and anterior sclera in patients with moderate to high myopia and emmetropia with anterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 31 patients with high myopia and 31 emmetropic healthy controls. Patients with myopia had axial lengths ranging from 24 to 29 mm, whereas age-matched controls had axial lengths from 21 to 23.9 mm. Patients with myopia had refractive errors from −4.00 to −11.00 diopters spherical equivalent. Preocular tear film, corneal epithelium, Bowman layer, stroma, and Descemet membrane–endothelium complex were measured in the central cornea. Anterior scleral measurements were made at distances of 1, 3, and 5 mm from the limbus. Corneal–scleral thickness was measured with the anterior segment module of spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Results: No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between patients with myopia and controls emerged regarding the thickness of preocular tear film, corneal epithelium, Bowman layer, corneal stroma, and Descemet membrane–endothelium complex. The anterior scleral thickness values of 1, 3, and 5 mm from the limbus were similar in both patients with myopia and control participants (P > 0.05). There were no significant correlations between central cornea stromal thickness and anterior scleral thickness in myopic participants (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The thickness of anterior wall structures and preocular tear film of patients with moderate to high myopia are not statistically different compared with those of healthy controls.

Impact of Valsalva maneuver on corneal morphology and anterior chamber parameters.

Purpose: Our aim was to examine the influence of the Valsalva maneuver (VM) on corneal morphology and anterior chamber parameters. Methods: This prospective observational study included 35 eyes of 35 healthy volunteers. One of the eyes of each subject was selected randomly. The keratometry (K), pachymetry, corneal volume, iridocorneal angle, anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber volume, and corneal wave front measurements (high-order aberration, low-order aberration, total root mean square) were performed with the Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: The subjects were aged between 22 and 41 years. There were 24 men (69%) and 11 women (31%). The VM did not have any significant influence on K-flat and K-average values (P > 0.05), but it decreased K-steep values significantly (P = 0.006). The VM did not have any significant impact on low-order aberrations and total root mean square parameters (P > 0.05), but it increased high-order aberrations significantly (P = 0.008). The central corneal thickness and corneal volume decreased significantly during the VM (P < 0.05). The iridocorneal angle, anterior chamber depth, and anterior chamber volume decreased markedly during the VM (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The VM has some influence on corneal morphology and anterior chamber parameters, so that it should be considered during anterior segment examinations and operations.

Optical densitometric measurements of the cornea and lens in children with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Our aim was to investigate the impact of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis on corneal and lenticular optical densitometry, pachymetry and anterior chamber depth in children.

Evaluation of Ocular and Periocular Elasticity after Panretinal Photocoagulation: An Ultrasonic Elastography Study

Abstract Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the effects of argon laser panretinal photocoagulation on ocular and periocular ultrasound elastography values in diabetic retinopathy. Also, we wanted to test the applicability of ultrasound elastography in ophthalmological practice. Materials and methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study comparing proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (study group) who had undergone panretinal photocoagulation and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients (control group). There were 15 participants (11 males and 4 females) in the study group and 16 participants (10 males and 6 females) in the control group. The ultrasound elastography measurements were done with the LOGİQ E9 Ultrasound Elastography. Results: The elastography values of vitreous, retrobulbar fat, and optic nerve were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). But, the mean retina–choroid–scleral elastography value of the study group was higher than that of the control group, which indicates increased hardness (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The argon laser panretinal photocoagulation decreases elasticity of the retina–choroid–sclera complex. The ultrasound elastography technique, that gives reproducible and consistent values, could be used effectively in ophthalmological practice.

Posterior pole asymmetry analysis and retinal thickness measurements in young relatives of glaucoma patients

The presence of a family history of glaucoma is a known risk factor for primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) in middle‐aged and older individuals. In this study, our aim was to demonstrate possible early glaucomatous alterations in young first‐ and second‐degree relatives of POAG patients by spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography. A total of 104 participants (52 relatives of POAG patients and 52 healthy individuals) were recruited in this cross‐sectional study. All the participants were between 17 years and 45 years of age. All eyes underwent testing with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, hemifield macular thickness, macular ganglion cell complex thickness, posterior pole asymmetry analysis, and retinal arteriolar caliber measurements were taken for comparison between the study and control groups. The mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was 104.9 ± 8.8 μm in the study group and 105.6 ± 7.4 μm in the control group (p = 0.68). Although whole macular thickness measurements were higher in the control group when compared with the study group (p = 0.008), the macular ganglion cell complex thickness was similar in both groups (p = 0.87). The posterior pole asymmetry analysis revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups in the aspect of consecutive black squares (p = 0.79). The mean retinal arteriolar caliber was 85.9 ± 4.8 μm in the study group and 86.0 ± 5.0 μm in the control group (p = 0.90). In conclusion, young relatives of POAG patients do not show characteristic glaucomatous damage when compared with the controls.

Macular asymmetry analysis in sighting ocular dominance

Sighting ocular dominance is the preference of one eye over the other in terms of sighting. In this study, our aim was to examine differences in interocular and intraocular macular thickness, interocular fovea‐optic disc angle, and foveal blood vessel asymmetries associated with sighting ocular dominance. Ninety eyes of 45 healthy young adults were included in this prospective, cross‐sectional, and comparative study. Sighting ocular dominance was determined by a hole‐in‐the‐card test. Macular thickness measurements were taken and posterior pole asymmetry analysis conducted with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The optic disc–fovea angle and visible foveal blood vessel counts were calculated by using the posterior pole retinal images of optical coherence tomography. The mean age of the participants was 27.3 (standard deviation [SD] 6.6) years. There were 20 males and 25 females. The mean total macular area thickness, and mean macular thickness of the superior and inferior hemispheres of the dominant and nondominant eyes were similar (p > 0.05). Macular asymmetry analysis revealed no statistically significant interocular difference (p > 0.05). In the dominant eyes, the mean optic disc–fovea angle was 5.24° (SD 1.77), whereas it was 5.49° (SD 2.58) in the nondominant eyes (p = 0.51). The number of visible blood vessels passing through the fovea was similar in the dominant and nondominant eyes (p > 0.05). These results suggested that interocular and intraocular macular thickness differences, interocular fovea–optic disc angle differences, and number of visible foveal blood vessels are not associated with sighting ocular dominance.

Comparison of visual quality between aspheric and spherical IOLs.

Purpose To determine if aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation produces the same degree of postoperative ocular aberration and contrast sensitivity as spherical IOL implantation. Methods In this randomized prospective comparative study, 60 eyes of 30 cataract surgery patients were randomly assigned to receive a spherical IOL (Rayner 620H) in one eye and an aspheric IOL (Rayner 920H) in the contralateral eye. All patients were examined at 1 month postoperatively. Primary outcomes of contrast sensitivity and ocular wavefront higher order aberrations (HOAs) were assessed. Results Aspheric IOLs (median total HOAs 0.26 root mean square [RMS]; range 0.13-0.82 RMS) produced significantly lower total HOAs than spherical IOLs (median total HOAs 0.34 RMS; range 0.18-1.08 RMS; p<0.05). Contrast sensitivity was significantly better with aspheric IOLs (median contrast sensitivity 1.8 log units; range 1.35-1.8 log units) than with spherical IOLs (median contrast sensitivity 1.65 log units; range 1.35-1.8 log units; p<0.05). Conclusions When compared with a structurally (platform and material) similar spherical IOL (Rayner 620H), aspheric IOLs (Rayner 920H) appear to significantly reduce HOAs and yield better levels of contrast sensitivity under photopic conditions.

Effect of chronic smoking on lens nucleus as assessed by Pentacam HR lens densitometry in young adults.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of chronic tobacco smoking on lens nucleus by Pentacam HR lens densitometry (LD) in young adults. Design: Prospective cross-sectional case series. Methods: Thirty subjects (23 M, 7 F) who were chronic cigarette smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day for at least 2 years) (group 1) and another 30 subjects (23 M, 7 F) who did not smoke (group 2), were included in this study. The patients were matched for age and sex between the groups. The exclusion criteria were any history of ocular surgery, any systemic disorders and any ocular diseases except for mild refractive disorders. Lens densitometry measurements were done with the Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). The Schirmer test and pachymetry measurements were also performed. Results: Mean age of the patients for both groups was 28.90 ± 8.20 years (range: 18–40 years). Mean lens densitometry (LD) measurements of Group 1 (chronic cigarette smoking group) were higher than those of Group 2 (control group) in all LD techniques; however only mean “peak” LD measurements showed a statistically significant difference between these two groups (Group 1: 8.67 ± 0.61, Group 2: 8.44 ± 0.70, p = 0.04). The mean Schirmer test value was 12.43 ± 5.60 mm in Group 1 and 13.00 ± 4.26 mm in Group 2 (p = 0.55). The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) value was 564.23 ± 34.61 µm in Group 1 and 550.47 ± 32.94 µm in Group 2 (p = 0.03). Discussion: The Pentacam HR LD seems to be an important option for the evaluation of lens nucleus in young adults, because it gives objective and quantitative data. Conclusion: Although chronic smoking increases lens nucleus density in young adults, the effect is not statistically significant when compared with the control group.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retinal vessel calibers in children with thalassemia minor

Objectives: Evaluation of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal vessel caliber measurements in children with thalassemia minor. Methods: In this cross-sectional and comparative study, 30 thalassemia minor patients and 36 controls were included. Heidelberg spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal vessel caliber measurements. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and hemoglobin values. Both the arterioral and venular calibers were higher in thalassemia minor group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is increased retinal arterioral and venular calibers in children with thalassemia minor compared with controls.