Macular outer plexiform layer and outer nuclear layer thickness on spectral domain optical coherence tomography in central serous chorioretinopathy — a case of two patients

Increased thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the fovea in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) has been previously reported. However, to our knowledge only one paper has given a concrete value of the thickness of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) of the macula in a patient with unilateral CSC. Here we report the outer plexiform and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness as measured with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a patient with acute central serous chorioretinopathy in the left eye, and in a second patient with recurrent central serous chorioretinopathy in both eyes. Both patients received oral eplerenone treatment

Blepharitis and Demodex spp. infection

According to the latest reports Demodex mites appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis. Demodex mites are cosmopolitan and are present in many species of mammals. In this paper we describe two species that are found in humans: Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis. Infection occurs during direct contact with an affected person and also through contact with dust containing eggs of the parasite, through contact with bed linen, as well as cosmetics used together with an affected person. Treatment of chronic blepharitis caused by D. folliculorum and D. brevis is difficult and time consuming. Some improvement can be achieved after topical application of yellow mercury ointment, sulphuric ointment, camphor oil, crotamiton, cholinesterase inhibitors, sulfacetamide, steroids, antibiotics and antifungal drugs. Good results have been achieved with oral ivermectin and permethrin cream. However, the best results were observed after treatment with metronidazole.

Mittendorf’s dot and posterior embryotoxon — incidental findings in a patient with a potentially occludable anterior chamber angle

Mittendorf’s dot and posterior embryotoxon are both congenital abnormalities affecting the anterior segment, which arise during early foetal life. We report of a 36-year-old female patient newly diagnosed as having a potentially occludable anterior chamber angle in the right eye and coexisting Mittendorf’s dot and posterior embryotoxon. The patient elected to undergo prophylactic laser iridotomy in the affected eye. These findings may serve as additional factors to consider in the management of patients with narrow anterior chamber angles

The role of reading, writing, using a computer, or watching television in the development of myopia

INTRODUCTION. The purpose of our investigation was to evaluate in a Polish population the role of reading, writing, using a computer, or watching television in the development of myopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In total 5601 students (2688 boys and 2913 girls, 6–18 years of age, mean 11.9 + 3.2 years) were examined. The children examined were Polish students of elementary and secondary schools. In every student cycloplegia after 1% tropicamide was performed. Non-parametric tests were used due to the SE distribution being significantly different from normal distribution in Kolmogorow-Smirnov test. Spearman rank correlation coefficient (Rs) was used to evaluate the strength of correlation between these variables. General linear model was used for multivariate analysis. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS. It has been established that with the increase in time spent on reading and writing, the spherical equivalent (SE) of the examined students decreases (Rs = –0.16, p < 0.000001). It was observed that an increase in the time spent working on a computer correlates with the decrease of the SE (Rs = –0.11, p < 0.000001). No relationship between watching television and the spherical equivalent of the examined schoolchildren was found (Rs = +0.01, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS. Reading, writing, or using a computer may lead to the development of myopia. Watching television has no influence on the incidence of myopia

The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Prevalence of Myopia in Poland

Purpose. In the paper, we describe and discuss the results of epidemiological studies concerning myopia carried out in Poland. Materials and Methods. Results from the examination of 5601 Polish school children and students (2688 boys and 2913 girls) aged 6 to 18 years were analyzed. The mean age was 11.9 ± 3.2 years. Every examined student had undergone the following examinations: distance visual acuity testing, cover test, anterior segment evaluation, and cycloplegic retinoscopy after instillation of 1% tropicamide, and a questionnaire was taken. Results. We have found that (1) intensive near work (writing, reading, and working on a computer) leads to a higher prevalence of myopia, (2) watching television does not influence the prevalence of myopia, and (3) being outdoors decreases the prevalence of myopia. Conclusions. The results of our study point to insufficiency of accommodation contributing to the pathogenesis of myopia

Role of Gender in the Prevalence of Myopia among Polish Schoolchildren

Purpose. The aim of the paper was to study the role of gender in the progression of myopia among Polish schoolchildren. Materials and Methods. 4875 children from elementary schools and high schools were examined (2470 boys, aged 6–16 years, mean age 11.0, SD = 2.6 and 2405 girls, aged 6–16 years, mean age 11.1, SD = 2.6). The examined students were Caucasian and resided in and around Szczecin, Poland. The examination included retinoscopy under cycloplegia. The refractive error readings were reported as spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE of at least −0.5 D. Data analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and 2-sided Fisher’s exact test. p values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. It was found that the SE among Polish boys is similar to the SE among Polish girls before the age of 9 years. However, in older children, lower SE values and higher prevalence of myopia were found among girls than boys, both at 9–13 years range (0.45 ± 1.05 vs 0.55 ± 1.23 D, p=0.047 and 8.30% vs 5.71%, p=0.015, respectively) and at 13–16 years range (0.32 ± 1.14 vs 0.54 ± 1.08 D,  p=0.0093 and 10.37% vs 5.96%, p=0.0050), respectively. Conclusions. Gender is associated with the prevalence of myopia among Polish schoolchildren ranging from 9 to 16 years of age

Near-infrared fundus autoflorescence imaging in solar retinopathy

Solar retinopathy is a rare clinical entity caused by photochemical damage to the retinal pigment epithelium layer and photoreceptors of the fovea. Here we describe a case of a 33-year-old female patient diagnosed by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence imaging for signs of damage to the melanosomes of the retinal pigment epithelium of the fovea. The patient was advised to discontinue looking at the sun with the naked eye

The possibilities of pharmacological intervention in myopia

This paper presents and discusses the current possibilities of pharmacological intervention in myopia. A review ofthe latest literature regarding the pharmacological treatment of myopia has been presented. The results of experimental research on the potential use of: atropine, oxyphenonium, pirenzepine, chlorpyrifos,apomorphine, reserpine, 6-hydroxy dopamine, dextromethorphan, MK-801, APV, bicuculline, SR95531, CACA,TPMPA, dextrophanol, levorphanol, D- and L-naloxane, L-NAME, formoguanamine, b-xyloside, the central andperipheral antagonist of VIP, basic fibroblast growth factor, a solution of the basic amino acid salts in the form ofsuccinates, in the treatment of myopia have been described. The clinical use of pirenzepine,7-methylxanthine, andatropine has been discussed. The obtained results of experimental and clinical studies give hope that a new effective pharmacological method ofmyopia treatment can be discovered soon