Acute systemic complications of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections – a comparative study

Introduction: Macular edema is a common visual threatening complication in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. The injection of intravitreal drugs, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and corticosteroids, revolutionized the treatment of these diseases. Aim: To compare and assess the acute systemic complications of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. Materials and methods: The study population included 211 patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion who required intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and triamcinolone. In this study, 118 patients had generally received intravitreal injections with bevacizumab and the rest (93 patients) injections with triamcinolone. Experimental data, including demographic information, number of injections, the history of comorbidities, intraocular pressure, and systemic hypertension before and after injections, were recorded on specific forms following groups’ classification. In addition, the incidence of various complications was investigated during one month after the intravitreal injections. Results: In the present study, we included 211 patients (mean age 62.41±11.34 years, median - 63 years). The results showed that there was no significant correlation between the injectable drug and changes in increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (p=0.66). No significant difference was detected for systemic hypertension in any of the studied groups. On the other hand, the incidence of complications of blood sugar, facial skin redness, neurological problems of TIA and CVA, myocardial infarction, vascular problems after injection, and ocular complications were estimated to be zero, 1.4, 0, 0.8, 0, and 6.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicated a prevalence of 1.4% for systemic complications and a prevalence of 6.1% for ocular complications. Accordingly, it seems that intravitreal injections of both drugs studied in the present study are placed in the group of low complication medications

Correlation between keratometry and corneal incision before and after phaco surgery

Introduction: Cataract is a common cause of vision loss and blindness in humans. After surgical management of cataract, all efforts should be focused on reducing postoperative astigmatism thus providing an excellent vision to patients.Aim: To determine the relationship between corneal incision and refraction changes before and after phacoemulsification surgery in 300 patients undergoing cataract surgery in Khatam hospital in Mashhad, Iran from January 2017 to April 2018.Materials and methods: Three hundred patients (144 women and 156 men) with cataract undergoing phacoemulsification surgery were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Refraction, keratometry and visual acuity measurement were performed before surgery. Then, a steep-based incision in the cornea was made without stitches. A 3.2 mm corneal incision was made at two supratemporal and temporal sites. The patients were followed-up for one and six months, and one year after surgery monitoring their vision and refraction, and performing keratometric measurements.Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.7±9.54 years (age range, 42–84 years). No major complications were observed. The greatest mean of changes in corneal power was in the supratemporal incision (1.28±0.6). Keratometry had a significant relation with the incision (p<0.04).Conclusions: An incision made along the steepest meridian leads to flatness of this meridian, this effect being more pronounced at the supratemporal incision. A temporal incision is recommended in cases where there is little difference in the keratometry of the two axes

Sensitivity and Specificity of Belin Ambrosio Enhanced Ectasia Display in Early Diagnosis of Keratoconus

Purpose. Early diagnosis of keratoconus disease (KCN) is the first priority in the preoperative evaluations of refractive surgery (RS).The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between findings of Belin Ambrosio enhanced ectasia display (BAD) software and conventional corneal imaging (Orbscan and topography) in the early diagnosis of KCN. Methods. For conducting this cross-sectional study, a total of 1000 eyes were selected from 500 patients that underwent the myopic photorefractive keratectomy surgery and were compared in four study groups during the years 2017–2018. In group 1, all topography, Orbscan, and BAD criteria were normal (65.8%).In contrast, in Group 2, at least one of the topography or Orbscan criteria as well as at least one BAD criterion (12.6%) were abnormal. In Group 3, the eyes had normal Orbscan and topography criteria with at least one abnormal BAD criterion (18.5%). Also, in Group 4, the patients had at least one abnormal Orbscan or topography criterion, but all BAD criteria (3.1%) were normal. Thickness of the thinnest point (TP) of cornea was compared in Pentacam and topography. Data analysis was done by SPSS software (version 21). Results. BAD criteria were normal in 78.5% of all eyes with normal topography and Orbscan criteria (specificity). BAD criteria were also abnormal in 80.2% of eyes (sensitivity). There was also no significant difference between TP in Orbscan and Pentacam. Conclusions. BAD criteria had a relatively acceptable sensitivity and specificity, compared with conventional Orbscan and topography criteria. Thus, BAD criteria can be more effective in the early diagnosis of KCN

Microchannels Effective Method for the Extraction of Oleuropein Compared with Conventional Methods

Different methods of oleuropein extraction from olive leaf were investigated, including maceration, soxhlet, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and microchannel. In current research, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used for prediction of the optimal values of parameters affecting the extraction of oleuropein through two methods of ultrasound and microchannel. Frequency (F), temperature (T), and power of ultrasound (P) were the parameters which were studied in ultrasound method, but in microchannel system effects of pH and temperature (T), volumetric flow rate ratio of two phases (VR), and contact time (CT) of two phases were optimized. UV detector device at 254 nm was used to recognize oleuropein through comparison of the retention time of the extracts with standard compound in chromatogram. The analysis of extracts was performed using HPLC. Optimum conditions for ultrasound were obtained as follows: F=80 kHz, T = 25°C, and P=100 w. Using these optimum conditions, the extraction of oleuropein was 81.29%. Amount of oleuropein extraction by microchannel method in optimum conditions was 96.29%, which was way more than other applied methods. Microchannel system as a continuous method has many advantages including low solvent consumption, being environment friendly, short time for extraction, and high efficiency

Effect of Adding Losartan to Bevacizumab for Treating Diabetic Macular Edema

Introduction. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of visual loss and blindness in the age group of 20 to 64 years. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral Losartan adjuvant therapy in combination with intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Methods. In this randomized clinical trial, 61 eyes of 47 patients with normal blood pressure and diabetic macular edema and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were studied. Patients were randomly divided into Losartan (n = 33) and control (n = 28) groups. All patients received 3–6 intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab over 6 months. General examination including blood pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin measurements were performed in all patients. Complete ophthalmologic examination and macular OCT were performed at the first, third, and sixth months of treatment in all patients. Results. The mean age of the patients studied was 57.1 ± 7.4 years and 37.7% of the patients were male. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of initial visual acuity, central macular thickness, and frequency of injections. There was no significant difference in visual acuity and central macular thickness between the two groups at the first, third, and sixth months of treatment. Age, frequency of injection, and initial macular thickness less than 450 microns were effective in patients’ final visual acuity. Conclusion. Short-term adjuvant treatment with Losartan in patients with diabetic macular edema and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy has no greater effect than the standard treatment

Intracorneal Stromal Ring Can Affect the Biomechanics of Ectatic Cornea

Purpose. The biomechanical properties of ecstatic cornea undergo changes. This study evaluates the biomechanical changes of ecstatic cornea after implantation of two types of intracorneal stromal ring (ICR). Methods. For doing this prospective cross-sectional study, 32 patients with keratoconus (KCN) were randomly divided into two 16-member groups (group I: MyoRing, group II: KeraRing). The main inclusion criteria were transparent cornea with no scar in the central part, corneal thickness >450 µ in the incision region, keratometry within 48–52 diopters, and progressive course of corneal thinning. Biomechanics of the cornea was evaluated by “ORA” and “Corvis” devices. All of the data were recorded and analyzed before implantation of the rings and 6 months thereafter. Results. The mean ages of patients of groups I and II were 26 ± 6.55 and 33.86 ± 8.5, respectively. The postoperative change of sphere refraction was significant in both groups. However, reduction in the astigmatism was significant only in group I. In addition, the change of flat meridian keratometry (Kf) was significant before and after ring implantation in group I, unlike group II. The changes in CH and CRF parameters (ORA) were not significant in either group before and after the operation. Besides, only HRC parameter (Corvis) decreased significantly in both groups before and after the operation. Conclusion. Both MyoRing and KeraRings have positive effects on the biomechanics of cornea at least during the first year after implantation. Comparison of these two types of ICR did not show significant differences in Corvis and ORA parameters

Acute systemic complications of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections – a comparative study

Introduction: Macular edema is a common visual threatening complication in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. The injection of intravitreal drugs, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and corticosteroids, revolutionized the treatment of these diseases. Aim: To compare and assess the acute systemic complications of intravitreal bevacizumab and triamcinolone injections in patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. Materials and methods: The study population included 211 patients with diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion who required intravitreal injections of bevacizumab and triamcinolone. In this study, 118 patients had generally received intravitreal injections with bevacizumab and the rest (93 patients) injections with triamcinolone. Experimental data, including demographic information, number of injections, the history of comorbidities, intraocular pressure, and systemic hypertension before and after injections, were recorded on specific forms following groups’ classification. In addition, the incidence of various complications was investigated during one month after the intravitreal injections. Results: In the present study, we included 211 patients (mean age 62.41±11.34 years, median - 63 years). The results showed that there was no significant correlation between the injectable drug and changes in increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (p=0.66). No significant difference was detected for systemic hypertension in any of the studied groups. On the other hand, the incidence of complications of blood sugar, facial skin redness, neurological problems of TIA and CVA, myocardial infarction, vascular problems after injection, and ocular complications were estimated to be zero, 1.4, 0, 0.8, 0, and 6.1%, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicated a prevalence of 1.4% for systemic complications and a prevalence of 6.1% for ocular complications. Accordingly, it seems that intravitreal injections of both drugs studied in the present study are placed in the group of low complication medications

Five Years Pathological Evaluation of Corneal Regrafts: A Study from Southern Iran

Purpose. Corneal regrafts sometimes needed to restore the transparency after graft failure. The aim of the study is five years epidemiologic and histopathological evaluation of corneal regrafts. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, all corneal regrafts during 5 years (2012–2016) were assessed in the Khalili Ophthalmology Center at Shiraz city. Demographic data including age, area of residence, primary disease, type of graft, cause of regraft, interval between primary and subsequent grafts (IPSG), associated eye diseases or surgeries, and systemic diseases were recorded. Also, microscopic findings of corneas were reviewed. Results. Among a total of 1190 corneal grafts, 76 of them (6.38%) were regrafts. The most common type of grafting was penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The shortest IPSG was observed in fungal keratitis. Main causes of graft failure were endothelial dysfunction, infection, immunologic rejection, technical problems, and recurrence of primary disease, respectively. The most common histopathological finding in failed grafts was severe endothelial cell loss (89.8%). Also, more than half and one-third of cases had Descemet membrane changes and stromal ingrowth, respectively. Conclusion. Endothelial cell loss was the major cause of failure in our study. Also, recurrence rate in infective cases, especially fungal keratitis, was very high. Considerable presence of histopathological changes such as doubling of Descemet membrane and retrocorneal fibrous ingrowth need further investigations. Perhaps, modification in techniques of corneal grafting and assessment of donor tissue and recipient bed along with any need for longer medical treatment are the basis for future studies in order to increase graft survival

One-year epidemiological study of patients with Keratoconus in eastern Iran

Background: Keratoconus is a degenerative and progressive of corneal disease. Unlike other country, studies about epidemiology of keratoconus are limited in the Iran. Aim of the study is survey of keratoconus epidemiology in the eastern Iran. Methods: For doing the cross-sectional study, patients were evaluated at the ophthalmology center of Mashhad County, during 2015-2016 year. Firstly, medical history was obtained from all new patients. Ocular examination was done for detection of keratoconus signs including Scissor reflex, Rizzuti sign, Fischer ring, Vogt striae and any sign of previous hydrops. For all suspicious patient’s topography was done. Also, the required demographic data were recorded. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18). Results: Totally, 90 eyes from 45 patients were studied. The average age of patients was 25.1 ± 6 years and the average age of onset of the disease was 17.72 ± 7.76 years. More than half of patients (55.6%) were female. One-sided Keratoconus was found in 11.1 %. In 10 patients (10 eyes), there was history of penetrating keratoplasty due to advanced keratoconus.&nbsp