Choroidal thickness, ganglion cell layer and retinal nerve fiber layer: An evaluation in vitiligo patients

Aim: To evaluate the choroidal and retinal structures in vitiligo patients without periocular involvement. Methods: Choroidal and retinal images of 30 vitiligo patients and 31 healthy individuals were taken using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), in this study. The choroidal thickness (CT) was measured at the fovea and at two points 1500 μm nasal and temporal positions to the fovea in a horizontal section. Results: Subfoveal CT values were significantly lower in vitiligo patients (P = 0.037). The differences between the groups in terms of superior quadrant retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and average macular ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) values (P = 0.035 and P = 0.004, respectively) were statistically significant. Vitiligo area severity index (VASI) negatively correlated only with nasal RNFL values (r = −0.370). There was no significant correlation between other OCT parameters and VASI values (P > 0.05). Conclusion: CT and mGCIPL were found to be thinner in vitiligo patients. Progressive damage to the melanocytes in vitiligo, which play a protective role in the ocular structure, may result in these findings

Assessment of reliability and quality of YouTube videos as an information source in Retinopathy of Prematurity treatment

To assess the reliability and quality of YouTube videos as an information source in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) treatment. A YouTube search with the keyword "ROP treatment" was conducted. First 200 videos listed in the first 10 pages were evaluated. The upload sources, video length, days on YouTube, number of total views, likes, dislikes and comments were recorded. View ratio (VR), like ratio (LR) and video power index (VPI) were analyzed. Two ophthalmologists scored all videos using the DISCERN scoring system, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). Seventy-three videos were included in the study. The mean VR, LR, and VPI were 4.92±10.11, 83.88±33.98, and 4.55±9.25, respectively. The main upload sources were universities/non-profit professional organizations (36.99%) and physicians (31.51%). The 18 of the 55 videos on treatment procedures contained information on all treatment procedures, 37 videos contained information about at least one of treatment options. The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score and GQS were 42.32±17.51, 2.81±1.03, and 3.12±1.48, respectively. The category of all videos according to the mean DISCERN score was "fair". The overall quality of YouTube videos on ROP treatment was intermediate. Although one third of videos were classified as good quality, most YouTube videos provided poor quality information. Competent authorities and experts should upload carefully recorded videos with reliable and quality content on YouTube to educate and increase the awareness of parents, especially in ROP requiring treatment. [Med-Science 2022; 11(4.000): 1613-8

Investigation of alterations in retrobulbar hemodynamics and their correlation with choroidal thickness after strabismus surgery

Abstract Background To evaluate the changes in retrobulbar circulation after strabismus surgery and to assess the relationship of these changes with choroidal thickness (CT). Methods This prospective study included 26 eyes of 26 patients who underwent strabismus surgery and 15 eyes of 15 healthy individuals as control group. The patients who had single horizontal muscle surgery were included in Group 1 (n = 14); and those who had surgery on both horizontal muscles were included in Group 2 (n = 12). Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of ophthalmic artery (OA), posterior ciliary artery (PCA), and central retinal artery (CRA) were measured using Color Doppler Ultrasonography. Subfoveal CT was measured via Optical Coherence Tomography. All measurements were obtained preoperatively, at 1st week and 1st month after surgery. Results There were no differences regarding preoperative blood flow velocity parameters among the groups. OA RI increased significantly at 1st week and 1st month after surgery in Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.029 and P = 0.045, respectively). There was a significant increase in PCA PSV at 1st week in Group 1 (P = 0.002). There was no difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative CT among the 3 groups. A negative correlation between the percentage changes of CT and CRA EDV was found in Group 2 (P = 0.011). Conclusion Single and double horizontal rectus muscle surgery have a measurable effect on retrobulbar hemodynamics but these changes do not correlate with CT