The Effect of Mask Use on the Ocular Surface During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives:The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in Wuhan, China in October 2019 and spread rapidly all over the world, making extended mask use an inescapable rule of daily life. Literature data indicate that the use of face masks increases the symptoms of dry eye in addition to preventing the spread of COVID-19. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the clinical signs and symptoms of dry eye and the duration of mask use in healthy individuals using regular face masks.Materials and Methods:Thirty-five patients aged 20-60 years with no additional ophthalmologic pathology were included in the study. Participants were stratified by duration of face mask use: ≤6 hours/day (group 1) and >6 hours/day (group 2). The patients were assessed with the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, fluorescein ocular surface staining, and tear break-up time (TBUT) to evaluate the effect of extended mask use on the ocular surface.Results:A total of 62 eyes of 35 patients, 20 women (57.1%) and 15 men (42.9%), were included in the study. The two mask use duration groups had similar OSDI values (p=0.618). When the ocular surface staining pattern was examined according to the Oxford scale, 50% (10/20) of the eyes in group 1 were assessed as stage 1 and the other 10 eyes as stage 0. In group 2, 47.6% (20/42) of the eyes were assessed as grade 1, 11.9% (5/42) as grade 2, and 4.7% (2/42) as grade 3.Conclusion:Face mask use was shown to cause decreased TBUT and ocular surface staining even in healthy individuals. Further studies are needed to investigate changes in tear film after extended daily mask use

The Results of Surgical Treatment for Cyclotropia

Pur po se: To describe the effectiveness of oblique muscle surgery for cyclodeviations with vertical deviations. Ma te ri al and Met hod: Twenty-two eyes of 17 patients with cyclotropia were included in the study. All cases were examined pre- and postoperatively. Vertical and horizontal deviations, eye movements and oblique muscle functions were measured with prism cover test, while the degree of cyclotropia was evaluated with double Maddox rod and fundus photographs. Surgical techniques were anterior transposition of the inferior oblique muscle, inferior oblique recession, superior oblique tenotomy and superior oblique tucking. Re sults: There were 6 males and 11 females. The mean age of the patients was 17.4±9.7 years (range: 6-34 years) and the mean follow-up time was 6.9±3.1 months (range: 3-12 months). Eight patients (47.1%) presented with superior oblique palsy. Seven patients had a concomitant horizontal deviation; 29.4% of the patients had esotropia and 11.7% of the patients had exotropia. Eight eyes underwent anterior transposition of the inferior oblique muscle, 8 eyes underwent inferior oblique recession, 2 eyes underwent superior oblique tuck, and 4 eyes underwent superior oblique tenotomy. Anterior transposition of the inferior oblique muscle and inferior oblique recession were found as effective procedures in the treatment of vertical deviations and cyclotropia, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two procedures. Dis cus si on: Anterior transposition of the inferior oblique muscle and inferior oblique recession were found as effective procedures in the treatment of vertical deviations and cyclotropia. Anterior transposition of the inferior oblique muscle was found to be more effective than inferior oblique recession in the treatment of inferior oblique overaction. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 38-42

Prognostic value of metal-metal contact during nasolacrimal duct probing

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of metal metal contact during nasolacrimal duct (NLD) probing in patients with simple membranous versus complex congenital NLD obstructions (CNLDO)

Efficacy Of 180° Cyclodiode Transscleral Photocoagulation For Refractory Glaucoma

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (TS-CPC) limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation in patients with various forms of refractory glaucoma. Materials and Methods: Thirty eyes with refractory glaucoma treated with 180° TS-CPC were retrospectively analyzed for intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction and success rates. Patients’ age, gender, type of glaucoma, number of diode laser treatment sessions, postoperative complications, number of hypotensive medications required to control IOP, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. The criteria for success were defined as postoperative IOP 20% decrease in IOP with or without additional medical treatment. Results: The mean age of all patients was 51.3±26.9 years (range,1-84 years). The mean postoperative IOP level (23.9±8.5 mmHg) was significantly lower than preoperative IOP (39.2±8.9 mmHg) (p<0.001). The success rate was 66.6% after the first laser treatment and reached 86.7% following repeat laser treatments over an average follow-up period of 22.2±19.9 months. The need for topical hypotensive medications decreased from 2.8±1.0 preoperatively to 2.4±1.3 following TS-CPC (p=0.048). Two patients (6.6%) had a one-line decrease in their BCVA following TS-CPC. Transient hypotony and hyphema developed in 4 patients (13.3%). Total laser energy delivered did not correlate with either preoperative (rho=0.10; p=0.594) or postoperative IOP (rho=0.21; p=0.260). Conclusion: TS-CPC limited to 180° of ciliary body ablation is associated with a reasonable success rate and low incidence of adverse effects in patients with refractory glaucoma.PubMedScopu

A case of Biateral Extensive Persistent Pupillary Membranes with Amblyopia and Cataract

Persistent pupillary membrane represents a congenital remnant of the anterior tunica vasculosa lentis. It can be associated with other ocular pathologies. These membranes can cause deprivation or anisometropic amblyopia. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s age and the characteristics of the membranes. In this paper, we report the findings in a 21-year-old female patient with bilateral persistent pupillary membranes, amblyopia, and cataract. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2013; 43: 70-2