Evaluation of Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Fuchs’ Uveitis Syndrome

Purpose. We aimed to investigate retinal and choroidal thickness in the eyes of patients with Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome (FUS). Methods. Fifteen patients with unilateral FUS and 20 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis HRA+OCT, 870 nm; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to obtain retinal and choroidal thickness measurements. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular thickness, and choroidal thickness of the eyes with FUS were compared with the unaffected eye and the eyes of healthy control subjects. Results. The mean choroidal thickness at fovea and at each point within the horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants at 500 μm intervals to a distance of 1500 µm from the foveal center was significantly thinner in the affected eye of FUS patients compared with the unaffected eye of FUS patients or the eyes of healthy control subjects. However, there were no significant differences in RNFL or macular thickness between groups. Conclusions. Affected eyes in patients with FUS tend to have thinner choroids as compared to eyes of unaffected fellow eyes and healthy individuals, which might be a result of the chronic inflammation associated with the disease

Analysis of Age as a Possible Prognostic Factor for Transcanalicular Multidiode Laser Dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose. To assess the prognostic value of age on the outcome of transcanalicular multidiode laser dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) in patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Methods. The medical records of TCL-DCR performed between March 2009 and September 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria include over 20 years of age, similar mean follow-up period, and similar mean duration of stenting. The main outcome is surgical success. The effect of age on success rate is also evaluated. Results. The anatomical success was 52% in Group 1 (20–30 years), 56% in Group 2 (31–40 years), 64% in Group 3 (41–50 years), 76% in Group 4 (51–60 years), and 88% in Group 5 (over 60 years). The statistical difference among Group 1 and Group 5, in terms of surgical success rate, was found to be significant (P=0.009). Additionally, the 20–30-year-old patients had a failure rate 6.76 times higher than that of the over-60-year-old patients (P=0.009; 95% CI, 1.605–28.542). Conclusion. TCL-DCR is a surgical treatment option for NLDO for which a skin incision can be avoided. The success rate of TCL-DCR for younger population is lower when compared with elderly population

Increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in the aqueous humor of patients with diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the levels of aqueous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic patient groups in comparison to normal subjects, and to correlate elevated VEGF with the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Materials and Methods: Aqueous samples were obtained from 78 eyes of 74 patients undergoing intraocular surgery and they were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Color photographs, optical coherence tomography scans, and fluorescein angiography were used to evaluate patients preoperatively. Results: A strong statistical correlation was found to exist between the level of aqueous VEGF and the severity of DR ( P < 0.001), whereas, the VEGF levels in a control group and a diabetic group without DR were not significantly different ( P = 0.985). Aqueous VEGF levels were significantly elevated in patients with proliferative DR (PDR) as compared to the control group ( P < 0.001), to diabetic patients without retinopathy (NDR) ( P < 0.001), and to diabetic patients with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) ( P < 0.001). The aqueous VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients with active PDR than in those with quiescent PDR ( P = 0.001). On the other hand, a statistically insignificant ( P = 0.065) correlation was found between elevated aqueous VEGF and the presence of macular edema in the NPDR group. Conclusions: VEGF was elevated in the aqueous humor of patients with DR compared to that in normal eyes. The aqueous VEGF level had a strong correlation with the severity of retinopathy along with a statistically insignificant difference in macular edema

Tear osmolarity and ocular surface parameters in patients with psoriasis

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate tear osmolarity, tear film function, and ocular surface changes in patients with psoriasis. Methods: At a single center, 30 eyes of 30 patients with psoriasis (group 1) and 30 eyes of 30 healthy individuals (group 2) were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer I test, tear film break-up time (TBUT) test, scoring of ocular surface fluorescein staining using a modified Oxford scale, and tear osmolarity measurement. Results: Tear osmolarity values, OSDI, and Oxford scale scores were significantly higher in group 1 (309.8 ± 9.4 mOsm, 38.9 ± 1.1, and 0.7 ± 1.1, respectively) than in group 2 (292.7 ± 7.7 mOsm, 4.2 ± 0.3, and 0.1 ± 0.3, respectively; p<0.01 for all). TBUT was significantly lower in group 1 (8.7 ± 3.6 s) than in group 2 (18.1 ± 2.8 s; p<0.001). No significant differences were detected in Schirmer I test values between the groups (16.2 ± 2.5 mm in group 1 and 16.6 ± 2.3 mm in group 2; p=0.629). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that psoriasis may influence tear osmolarity and tear film function. Patients with psoriasis showed tear hyperosmolarity and tear film dysfunction