Non-glaucomatous Optic Disc Cupping: A Brief Review

Although optic disc cupping is mostly seen in glaucoma patients, it can occur in non-glaucomatous optic neuropathies (NGON). The characteristics of NGON are cupping toxic optic neuropathies, optic neuritis, compressive ischemia, and hereditary nature. The basic components of optic disc cupping are prelaminar and laminar. Prelaminar thinning, which seemed to be non-specific, occurs in all types of retinal ganglion cell axon loss; such as compressive, ischemic, and inflammatory events; glaucoma; and aging. This form of cupping is usually shallow, with less excavation of the optic disc. Laminar type of cupping which is a clinically profound type of cupping, may damage peripapillary scleral and lamina cribrosa. Sometimes experienced clinicians cannot clearly distinguish glaucomatous from non-glaucomatous cupping. The non-glaucomatous optic neuropathy has more neuroretinal rim pallor with less excavation of the disc than in glaucoma. It also involves central visual acuity and color vision in primary levels with visual field defects aligned vertically and respecting the midline. Evaluation of the patient’s medical records, disease presentation, ocular function, and examination are also crucial. Secondary examinations, including visual field examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) or neuroimaging, facilitate the disease’s differentiation. This review presents the methods of examining a patient with an increased cup-to-disc ratio

Presumed clomiphene-induced optic neuropathy: A case report

Background: Clomiphene citrate is an estrogen receptor ligand with mixed agonistic–antagonistic properties used for the treatment of female and male infertility. Various visual disturbances and several irreversible visual outcomes have been associated with clomiphene citrate. In this report, we present a patient with presumed clomiphene-induced optic neuropathy. Case: A 33-yr-old man with acute visual loss of the right eye was referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital, Rasht, Iran in November 2018. His only medication was clomiphene citrate 100 mg daily, taken for 2 wk for fertility issues. The patient presented with a sudden decrease of visual acuity in the right eye on the 14th day of starting the treatment and subsequently developed complete loss of inferior visual field within a few days. On examination, the visual acuity was 6/20 in the right and 20/20 in the left eyes, with a right relative afferent pupillary defect and decreased red color saturation. The fundus examination revealed optic disc swelling with venous dilation in the right eye and a normal left fundus with a crowded disc (disc-at-risk). The patient was evaluated for systemic disorders, all of which were normal. Findings were suggestive of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy most likely due to clomiphene. Conclusion: As clomiphene may increase blood viscosity, it is hypothesized that reduced flow in a posterior ciliary artery in conjunction with the disc-at-risk contributes to the anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. It is advised that patients with disc-at-risk be aware of the possible non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and those experiencing visual symptoms while taking clomiphene be examined promptly for evidence of optic nerve injury. Key words: Clomiphene citrate, Optic neuropathy, Visual acuity, Ischemia

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose: Viscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Methods: In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication. Results: Fifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 ± 8.8 months (range, 6–40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 ± 2.1 and 16.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Phacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG

Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence and of heaviness of smoking index

The most widely used tests for measuring nicotine dependence is the Fagerstom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). The Heaviness of smoking index (HSI) is a shorter version of FTND. The current study aimed to asses the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the FTND and HSI for Iranian smokers. This was a descriptive- correlational study. The validity of instrument was evaluated. The internal consistency and stability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). In the current study, 230 male smokers participated with mean age 35.64( ± 7.40) years. The mean of the FTND and HIS were 2.38 (±1.05) and 1.06 (± 0.954) respectively. The Exploratory factor analysis (N=130) extracted one factor that jointly account for 42.73% of variance observed. The results obtained from confirmatory factor analysis (N=100) revealed that the data was fit to the model (χ2/df =2.0, p< 0.001, RMSEA =0.07, GFI = 0.93, CFI =0.95, NFI=0.92). The Cronbach’s alpha indicated the acceptable results (FTND= 0.71 HIS= 0.68) and the ICC corresponded to the satisfactory findings (FTND= 0.63 HIS= 0.70). The findings of this study indicated the Iranian version of the instrument had satisfactory psychometric properties and could be applied in tobacco control programs to asses nicotine dependence

Coats’-like Response Associated with Linear Scleroderma

Purpose: To present a case of linear scleroderma known as “en coup de sabre” associated with Coats’- like response. Case Report: A 12-year-old boy presented with subacute painless vision loss in the ipsilateral side of the patient’s en coup de sabre lesion. Ocular examination revealed vitreous hemorrhage with severe exudation of the posterior pole and telangiectatic vessels. Fundus fluorescein angiography indicated multiple vascular beadings and fusiform aneurysms with leakage which was consistent with a Coats’-like response. The patient was subsequently treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and targeted retinal photocoagulation. Twelve months’ follow-up showed marked resolution of macular exudation with significant visual improvement. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of the possible ophthalmic disorders accompanying en coup de sabre and careful ophthalmologic examinations should be performed in these patients. As presented in the current case, treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents and laser photocoagulation may be a beneficial option for patients with coats’-like response

Presumed Clomiphene-induced Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report

Background: Clomiphene citrate is an estrogen receptor ligand with mixed agonistic–antagonistic properties used for the treatment of female and male infertility. Various visual disturbances and several irreversible visual outcomes have been associated with clomiphene citrate. In this report, we present a patient with presumed clomiphene-induced optic neuropathy. Case: A 33-yr-old man with acute visual loss of the right eye was referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital, Rasht, Iran in November 2018. His only medication was clomiphene citrate 100 mg daily, taken for 2 wk for fertility issues. The patient presented with a sudden decrease of visual acuity in the right eye on the 14th day of starting the treatment and subsequently developed complete loss of inferior visual field within a few days. On examination, the visual acuity was 6/20 in the right and 20/20 in the left eyes, with a right relative afferent pupillary defect and decreased red color saturation. The fundus examination revealed optic disc swelling with venous dilation in the right eye and a normal left fundus with a crowded disc (disc-at-risk). The patient was evaluated for systemic disorders, all of which were normal. Findings were suggestive of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy most likely due to clomiphene. Conclusion: As clomiphene may increase blood viscosity, it is hypothesized that reduced flow in a posterior ciliary artery in conjunction with the disc-at-risk contributes to the anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. It is advised that patients with disc-at-risk be aware of the possible non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and those experiencing visual symptoms while taking clomiphene be examined promptly for evidence of optic nerve injury. Key words: Clomiphene citrate, Optic neuropathy, Visual acuity, Ischemia

Outcomes of Phaco-viscocanalostomy in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma Versus Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose: Viscocanalostomy represents an alternative to standard penetrating glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and viscocanalostomy in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) versus eyes with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG). Methods: In this prospective non-randomized comparative study, eyes with Cataract and POAG or PEXG were enrolled. Pre- and postoperative data including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and the number of antiglaucoma medications administered were recorded at each visit. All patients underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. Complete success was defined as the IOP of 21 mmHg or less without the administration of medication while a qualified success reported the same IOP parameters either with or without the administration of medication. Results: Fifty-four eyes with POAG and fifty-four with PEXG underwent phacoviscocanalostomy. The mean follow-up time was 23.36 ± 8.8 months (range, 6–40 months). The mean postoperative IOP reduced significantly in both groups, although the mean IOP reduction was significantly greater in PEXG eyes (14.7 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 7.7 mmHg) (P = 0.05). At the final follow-up visit, the mean postoperative IOP was 14.1 ± 2.1 and 16.6 ± 3.5 mmHg in the PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.001). A complete success rate of 88.9% and 75.9% was achieved in PEXG and POAG eyes, respectively (P = 0.07). The qualified success rate was 100% in the PEXG and 85.2% in POAG groups (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Phacoviscocanalostomy achieved significant IOP reduction and visual improvement in both POAG and PEXG patients. Our results indicated that in terms of IOP reduction, this procedure was more effective in treating PEXG