The Impact of Economic and Political Factors on the 2010 Turkish Referendum

The referendum held on September 12, 2010 included fundamental changes in Turkish constitution related with the social, judicial and economic aspects. We are of the opinion that the referendum offered a general view on the reflections of government policies, since the incumbent party, Justice and Development Party (AKP), officially supported the proposed changes and the main opposition parties, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Action Party (MHP), were opposed. We tested the effects of political tendencies on the referendum results using provincial data. The results show that the “yes” votes are higher in the provinces where AKP has a stronger base, and lower in the provinces where the opposition parties, especially CHP, have stronger bases. Moreover, our analyses imply that referendum votes are higher where economic conditions are getting relatively better in the last year. However, we could not find a positive effect of public spending on the patterns of voting

The Impact of Economic and Political Factors on the 2010 Turkish Referendum

Abstract The referendum held on September 12, 2010 included fundamental changes in Turkish constitution related with the social, judicial and economic aspects. We are of the opinion that the referendum offered a general view on the reflections of government policies, since the incumbent party, Justice and Development Party (AKP), officially supported the proposed changes and the main opposition parties, Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Action Party (MHP), were opposed. We tested the effects of political tendencies on the referendum results using provincial data. The results show that the "yes" votes are higher in the provinces where AKP has a stronger base, and lower in the provinces where the opposition parties, especially CHP, have stronger bases. Moreover, our analyses imply that referendum votes are higher where economic conditions are getting relatively better in the last year. However, we could not find a positive effect of public spending on the patterns of voting

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of the patients with central serous chorioretinopathy

Objectives: In this study, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of the patients with a diagnosis of acute or chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) were investigated. Methods: Patients with symptoms and signs longer than 3 months were considered as chronic CSCR. OCT findings of acute and chronic CSCR were recorded at admission. Between the groups, following parameters were compared; visual acuity, hyper reflective dots (HRD), subretinal fluid height (SFH) presence of pigment epithelial detachment (PED), status of photoreceptor inner-outer segment (IS/OS) line. Results: When acute and chronic patients evaluated separately, in acute patients accompanied by PED had lower visual acuity and higher SRF height. In patients with chronic CSCR subretinal fluid of patients with PED was greater than the others however there were no statistically significant differences in visual acuity. Presence of HRD had no effect on the average visual acuity SRF height in patients with acute and chronic CSCR. Also IS/OS line integrity had no effect in visual acuity of the patients in our study. Conclusion: Between the groups there was no difference in terms of IS/OS line distortion, presence of HRD, PED. Height of SRF in patients with PED was higher in both groups. In addition, in acute patients with PED visual acuity was also found to be lower. J Clin Exp Invest 2014; 5 (2): 290-29

Comparison of Optical versus Ultrasonic Biometry in Keratoconic Eyes

Purpose. To compare the measurements of optical versus ultrasonic biometry devices in keratoconic eyes. Materials and Methods. Forty-two eyes of 42 keratoconus (KC) patients enrolled in the study were examined. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were noted, and detailed ophthalmological examination was performed. Following Pentacam measurements, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and axial length (AL) were obtained using the Lenstar and US biometer to determine the reproducibility of the measurements between the two devices in keratoconic eyes. The Bland-Altman method was used to describe the agreement between the two devices. Results. The Lenstar could not measure at least one of the biometric properties in one eye and did not automatically give the corrected ACD in 2/3 of our study population. The Lenstar measured CCT (average difference 5.4 ± 19.6 µm; ICC = 0.90; ), LT (average difference 0.13 ± 0.17 mm; ICC = 0.67; ), and AL (average difference 0.10 ± 0.76 mm; ICC = 0.75; ) thinner than US biometer, whereas it measured ACD (average difference 0.18 ± 0.17 mm; ICC = 0.85; ) deeper than US biometer in keratoconic eyes. Conclusion. Although the difference between the measurements obtained using the two devices might be clinically acceptable, US biometry and Lenstar should not be used interchangeably for biometric measurements in KC patients

Mean platelet volume in patients with retinal artery occlusion

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the mean platelet volume (MPV) of patients with retinal artery occlusion (RAO). Methods: Thirty-seven patients diagnosed with RAO and 32 control subjects were included in this retrospective study. Retinal artery occlusion was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination and fundus fluorescein angiography. All participants underwent complete ocular examination, and MPV, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and platelet counts were recorded. RAO patient data were compared with those of the control subjects. Results: Patients with RAO had significantly higher MPV values (7.96 ± 1.2 fL) compared with control subjects (7.33 ± 0.7 fL, p<0.001). No significant difference was found with regard to platelet count between the RAO group and the control group (262 ± 70.1 × 109/L and 251 ± 56.6 × 109/L, respectively, p=0.50). MPV was an independent predictor of RAO [odds ratio (OR)=0.50; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.28-0.89; p=0.019). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that MPV values were significantly higher in patients with RAO, suggesting that larger platelets may contribute to the pathogenesis of the RAOs

Mean Platelet Volume in Patients with Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Objective. We aimed to investigate the mean platelet volume (MPV) of the patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Methods. The medical records of 46 patients with the diagnosis of NAION and 90 control subjects were retrospectively evaluated. All participants underwent complete ocular examination including intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. Hematocrit, MPV, hemoglobin, and platelet levels of the patients with NAION were compared with those of control subjects. Results. There was no significant difference between the groups in platelet counts (p=0.76). NAION group had significantly higher MPV values (8.25±1.26 fL) than that of control subjects (7.64±1.01 fL) (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MPV is an independent predictor of NAION (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–2.28; p=0.007). The mean IOP was significantly higher in NAION group (p<0.001). IOP was also found as an independent predictor of NAION according to the regression analysis (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.08–1.48; p=0.003). Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that the MPV values were significantly higher in NAION patients, suggesting that larger platelets may contribute to the pathogenesis of the NAION

Comparison of anterior segment parameters with pentacam according to age in emmetropic eyes

Objective: It was aimed to compare anterior segment parametersobtained by rotating Scheimpflug camera systemaccording to age groups.Methods: 290 eyes of 145 emmetropic subjects wereincluded in the study. Subjects were divided in threeage groups. Group 1 comprised the subjects age up to20 years, Group 2 comprised the subjects age between21 and 40 and Group 3 comprised the subjects between41 years and older. In all subjects, flat keratometry (K1),steep keratometry (K2), mean corneal power (Km),maximum keratometry (Kmax), central corneal thickness(CCT), apex corneal thickness (ACT), thinnest cornealthickness (TCT), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and anteriorchamber depth (ACD) were obtained by using rotatingScheimpflug camera system. To eliminate operatordependent variables, automatic release mode was used.All measurements were obtained by the same examiner.Results: The study included 72 female and 73 male subjects.The mean age of the subjects was 31.37±12.29years (range, 8-65). There were no significant differencesin keratometric values between age groups. Therewas significant difference between Groups 1 and 3 andGroups 2 and 3 in the mean CCT, ACT and TCT (p<0.05).There was significant difference between the groups inthe mean ACD and ACV. There significant positive correlationbetween age and CCT (r=0.181, p=0.001), ACT(r=0.161, p=0.006) and TCT (r=0.16, p=0.006). Therewere significant negative correlations between age andACD (r=-0.376, p<0.001) and ACV (r=-0.367, p<0.001).Conclusion: In the emmetropic eyes, significant reductionwas found in ACD and ACV, while there was significantincrease in CCT, ACT and TCT by age.Key words: Corneal topography, anterior segment, emetropic eyes, pentaca

Demographic and etiologic features of adult patients with uveitis in southeastern Anatolia

Objective: To evaluate the demographic and clinicalcharacteristics of adult patients with uveitis who were admittedto our clinic between 2011 and 2013.Methods: Records of the patients older than 18 years oldwith a diagnosis of uveitis between November 2011 andMay 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Age, gender, diagnosis,affected eye, anatomical localization of uveitis,and systemic features were recorded from the patientfiles.Results: In this study 352 patients were evaluated. Themean age of the patients was 35.7±12.8 years. Of the patients177 patients (50.3%) were women and 175 (49.7%)were male. The most common etiology was detected asidiopathic uveitis. Following most common reasons wereBehcet’s disease, and toxoplasma chorioretinitis. Anterioruveitis was found to be the most common involvementsite. Panuveititis was the second most common involvementsite. 69.1% of the patients had unilateral uveitis. Themost common complications of the uveitis were found tobe the development of secondary cataracts and glaucoma.Conclusion: In our study general characteristics of patients,the etiological factors and demographic data of theuveitis patient in Southeastern of Turkey were presented.Because of a similar study has not been performed previouslyin our region, our data will be useful in earlier diagnosisand follow-up of uveitis patients.Key words: Demographic, etiology, uveiti