Our results of pars plana vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy Proli̇ferati̇f di̇abeti̇k reti̇nopati̇li̇ olgularda pars plana vi̇trektomi̇ sonuçlarimiz

Purpose: To evaluate the results and complications of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Material and Methods: Sixty-five eyes of 53 patients with a mean age of 53.5±13.6 years who had undergone PPV for treatment of PDR complications were included in the study. In all eyes, posterior hyaloid and preretinal membranes were removed after standard PPV. Pre- and postoperative visual acuities, anterior and posterior segment findings, follow-up time and encountered complications were recorded. Results: Mean follow-up time was 13.6±9.2 months. Anatomical success was achieved in 94.4% of patients with vitreous hemorrhage, and in 83.3% of patients with fractional retinal detachment. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 81.5% of eyes, remained stable or decreased in 18.4% of eyes. The most common intraoperative complications were retinal microhemorrhages and formation of iatrogenic retinal breaks. Transient intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and re-hemorrhages were the most common complications in the early and cataract formation in the late postoperative period. Conclusion: Pars plana vitrectomy is very effective in the treatment of PDR complications, but these patients should be closely followed up for possible complications

Effects of high altitude on colour vision of climbers during an expedition to MT. Aǧri

Purpose: This study was designed to detect any altitude related changes in colour discrimination of climbers and to possibly use this test to detect acute mountain sickness (AMS) in its prodromal period. Material and Methods: Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue (FM-100 Hue) test was performed at 1640m and also at 4200m above sea level on 16 middle aged climbers (mean age: 34.12±8.7 yrs) during a climb on Mt. Agn. Total and sectorial error scores were compared between these altitudes. Results: The total error score (median±range) was 80 (16-277) at 1640m and 104 (36-216) at 4200m (p= 0.905). However, there was no statistically significant difference between this observed detoriation on FM-100 Hue test scores. Conclusion: Research on the effects of various day light conditions and longer acclimatization in larger groups of climbers from various age groups could make early-monitoring of the prodromal signs of emerging acute mountain sickness possible

A comparison of electroretinographic values of patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy with normal individuals Bi̇etti̇'ni̇n kri̇stali̇n di̇strofi̇si̇ saptanan hastalarin elektroreti̇nografi̇ deǧerleri̇ni̇n normal olgular i̇le karşilaştirilmasi

Purpose: To determine the electroretinographic responses in patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy and to compare them with normal values. Materials-Methods: After a complete ophthalmologic examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), visual field examination and electrophysiological tests were performed in 11 patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Visual field examination was performed with Goldmann perimeter and electrophysiological examination with full-field electroretinogram (ERG). ERG values of these patients were compared with normal values of age-and sex matched 15 individuals. Results: There were diffuse or focal pigment epithelial atrophies determined by FFA in all patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. Visual field examination revealed various defects except in two cases. Mean b-wave amplitudes of rod response, maximal combined response and cone response of ERG were 79.1±35.0 mV, 163.0±76.0 mV, and 69.0±27.0 mV, respectively. The values of these parameters in normal individuals were 114.8±38.7 mV, 231.1±26.4 mV and 88.0±13.9 mV, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant for all responses (for each, P< 0.05). Conclusion: ERG values are reasonably low in patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy when compared with normal values. ERG may be very useful in evaluation of visual prognosis and follow-up of these patients