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We analyzed 53 historical textile samples from a collection of caftans and brocades dating between the sixteenth and nineteenth century in the Topkapi Palace Museum (TPM) by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Data were collected on the type, dimensions, elemental composition, and level of corrosion. The technique is presented in this work as an efficient and micro-destructive tool for the characterization of the structure of historical metal threads. SEM-EDX analysis for different energies was performed on a selection of gold and silver threads belonging to the historical textiles. The results were interpreted via laboratory prepared samples of gilt Ag and sulfur reacted Ag at different thicknesses for Au and Ag2S layers respectively. A series of Au–Ag alloys for different Au/Ag ratios were prepared for comparative analysis. The threads were made of metal strips wound around a silk core. Metal wires and flat strips were also used. The use of differential energies allowed for differentiating strips and wires made of homogeneous silver and gold alloys from the ones coated with a thin gold layer. Analysis of EDX data revealed that the Au film thickness was very thin (10–60 nm). Formation of Ag2S layers over the thin Au film as thick as 1.5 µm was taking place. Formation of thinner Ag2S layers over non-gilt Ag suggested different reaction mechanisms for gilt and non-gilt cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo present a co-occurrence of familial isolated cherry red spot (CRS) and multiple lens opacities in all siblings from the same family without any other systemic or ocular diseases.MethodsFour siblings from the same family had bilateral punctate lens opacities and bilateral CRS at the macula.ResultsThe oldest one had left eye exotropia and amblyopia, otherwise the other siblings had no additional ocular findings. Systemic investigation, physical examination, and laboratory tests were within normal limits.ConclusionBilateral isolated CRS along with punctate lens opacities were seen in all siblings from the same family without any systemic and ocular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeWe report a novel technique characterized by sutureless scleral fixation of three-pieces foldable intraocular lens (IOL) using 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) trocars in patients with insufficient posterior capsule support.Materials and MethodsWe performed this technique on the eight eyes of the seven patients. The scleral tunnels (STs) are prepared by insertion of the 25-gauge TSV microcannulas using the trocars, and anterior vitrectomy is performed through the clear corneal paracentesis with the aid of anterior chamber maintainer (ACM). Finally, the three-piece foldable IOL haptics are incarcerated into the prepared STs.ResultsThe patients were followed up 5-8 months. None of the patients had complications such as postoperative endophthalmitis, glaucoma, IOL tilt or decentralization, and retinal detachment. Injection of a foldable IOL through a clear corneal small incision also contributes the less surgical-induced astigmatism.ConclusionThe presented novel sutureless scleral IOL fixation technique may provide minimal trauma to the surrounding tissues, good IOL stabilization decreasing the incidence of IOL tilt along with shorter operation time, and postoperative quiet eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lake pigments by means of the weld (Reseda luteola) and dyer's oak (Quercus infectoria) dye plants were prepared by using KAl(SO4)2 · 12H2O (alum), FeSO4 · 7H2O and SnCl2 · 2H2O mordants. A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with diode array detection (DAD) method was utilized for the identification of dyestuffs present in the lake pigments. The dyestuff extractions from the pigments were carried out with a solution mixture of 37% HCl:MeOH:H2O (2:1:1, v/v/v). The performed method is able to analyze and detect natural dyestuffs such as luteolin, apigenin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid present in the lake pigments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo evaluate ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), IOP values, and hemodynamic changes in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and short posterior ciliary artery in dipper and non-dipper patients.MethodsA total of 59 right eye measurements of healthy subjects with normotensive were included to the study. Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring measurement (ABPM), Doppler imaging, and OPA measurements were performed in the same day. The patients in which systolic BP decreased during the nocturnal time by 10% of the diurnal BP or more were called dippers. A patient whose nocturnal systolic BP fell by <10% or even rose was defined as non-dipper. Color Doppler imaging was used for blood flow velocity assessment of ophthalmic, central retinal, and posterior ciliary arteries. For each artery, peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities (PSV and EDV, respectively), resistive index (RI), and pulsalite index (PI) were automatically calculated by the machine. Mean IOP and OPA values were calculated after three consecutive measurements.ResultsThe mean OPA in non-dipper patients was significantly lower compared with that of dipper patients (P=0.011). There was no significant difference in IOP levels between groups. There was no significant difference in the PSV, EDV, RI, and PI in the ophthalmic, posterior ciliary, and central retinal arteries between the groups.ConclusionOur study demonstrated that OPA level in non-dippers is lower than dippers. This may give additional information about the effect of BP changes on OPA values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixed drug eruption (FDE) usually develops after oral administration and is described as a cutaneous reaction recurring at the same location each time the drug is taken. Olopatadine is both a H1 histamine receptor antagonist and a mast cell stabilizer, indicated for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Here, we report a 14-year-old male patient who developed FDE localised on the lateral side of periorbital rim bilaterally, whilst applying olopatadine 0.1% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. As far as we know, FDE due to olopatadine has not been previously reported in the literature. We deem it appropriate to report this case because FDE that results from the application of topical drugs is a rare event in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was utilised for the identification of dyestuffs in different plants such as dyers weld, gallnut, walloon oak, woad, indigo shrub and cochineal. The most important dyestuffs detected were natural yellow, green, beige, black and blue dyes which are found in historical textiles. In addition, reversed-phase HPLC with DAD was employed in the identification of natural dyes in extracts of historical silk art objects, from historical textiles and newly dyed silk fibres. The objects examined were from the 15th to 17th century Ottoman period and belong to the collection of the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul. Fibres with yellow, blue, black, beige and green colours were selected for the analysis. Dye components were identified in the extracts of 11 art objects analysed; both insect and plant dyes were detected.

Purpose: To ascertain whether the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) that occur during hypobaric hypoxic exposure are related to plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 26 healthy participants (all male, mean age 23.1 years). IOP was measured at local ground level, (792 m above sea level), then while in a chamber providing hypobaric hypoxic conditions (the subjects were exposed to a pressure equivalent to 9144 m for 1-3 min), and again after exit from the chamber. In each condition, the mean of three consecutive measurements of IOP was calculated for each eye. For BNP measurements, blood samples were drawn before the participants entered the chamber and just after they left the chamber. Results: IOP during hypobaric hypoxic exposure (18.00 ± 3.70 mmHg) was significantly greater than that before (15.66 ± 2.10 mmHg, P < 0.001) or after (16.10 ± 2.63 mmHg, P = 0.001) the exposure. IOP levels before and after the exposure were not significantly different (P = 0.136). Plasma BNP levels measured before and after exposure to hypobaric hypoxic conditions were not significantly different (P = 0.462). Conclusion: Plasma BNP levels did not change after short-term hypobaric hypoxic exposure, while the IOP increased. This increase may have been caused by some other systemic factors. As the hypobaric hypoxic conditions were reversed, IOP decreased to normal levels.

Purpose: The MEFV gene encodes pyrin, a protein linked to increased severity of symptoms in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). We consider that inflammation due to MEFV variants would increase eye inflammation and damage aqueous humor regulation. The present study is the first analysis investigating a MEFV (E148Q) variant as a marker protecting from glaucoma., Methods: In this prospective clinical analyze, we performed detailed gene sequencing focusing on 22 specific regions of the pyrin (MEFV) gene. The study involved two distinct groups: individuals diagnosed with glaucoma ( n  = 200) and control subjects without glaucoma ( n  = 100). Both groups were carefully selected to exclude individuals with symptoms or a previous diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF). The diagnosis of glaucoma for each participant was rigorously established through comprehensive direct ophthalmic examinations., Results: A significant odds ratio for protection against glaucoma was found in carriers of the subclinical E148Q allele (OR:2.22; 95%CI: 1.098-4.485). No significant differences were found for other variants. One mutant E148Q-allele could decrease the probability of glaucoma development by approximately 68,9%. We observed no differences in the genotype frequency between glaucoma and healthy for the other MEFV gene variants., Conclusion: The pyrin variant of the MEFV gene resulting in a subclinical phenotype appears to reduce the incidence of glaucoma, and heterozygous pyrin (MEFV) E148Q allele carriers confer protection against glaucoma. It is important to consider the limitations arising from the relatively small number of studies conducted on this topic.

Objectives: To analyse the entity of retinal vasculitis, including frosted branch angiitis (FBA), or retina vascular occlusion in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)., Methods: Retrospective collaborative case series using invitation by email to uveitis specialists around the Mediterranean basin. This series was combined with a literature review. Exclusion criteria included infectious diseases, Behçet's disease or other autoimmune diseases., Results: A total of 16 patients (21 eyes) had FMF and retinal vasculitis (FBA 11 patients, mild retinal vasculitis 5 patients). The mean age at onset of vasculitis was 29.5 ± 13.4 (range 9-62) with a female to male ratio of 9 to 7. In 19 eyes treated with various forms of corticosteroid and/or immunosuppression, the mean initial spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 6/194 to 6/10.5 at the last mean follow-up of 29.0 ± 34.9 months (p < 0.001). The most common FEVR mutations were M680I and M694V. In addition, retinal vascular occlusions included one case of central retinal artery occlusion and one case of branch retinal artery occlusion., Conclusion: FBA and milder forms of retinal vasculitis are associated with FMF. Therapy involves an increase in colchicine dosage in early cases, a long period of oral corticosteroid, intravitreal dexamethasone implant or periocular corticosteroid in select cases, and combination therapy with systemic immunosuppression in severe cases. FMF needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal vasculitis., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.)

This study attempts to review whether the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is transmitted through the ocular surface and examine the symptoms and signs of ocular disease. Considering that COVID-19 is transmitted by airborne droplets and close contact with infected individuals, we will also review the conditions to which eye clinics and ophthalmologists should pay attention to prevent the transmission of the disease. Although some researchers have argued that COVID-19 transmission cannot occur through the ocular surface, most of them are of the opinion that the ocular surface is a potential pathway of transmission. Until date, ocular signs and symptoms have been rarely reported in the COVID-19 patients. However, there are case reports of conjunctivitis as the first, and rarely, the only clinical symptom of the disease. In addition, low coronavirus RNA positivity can be detected in the ocular surface samples. Further laboratory and clinical investigations are needed to ascertain whether the ocular surface is one of the potential transmission pathways through which severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 can gain entry into the human body.

Purpose: To compare anterior segment parameters in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED) who underwent Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in one eye and no corneal surgery in the fellow eye., Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 28 eyes of 14 patients with FED who underwent DSAEK in one eye at least one year prior (DSAEK group) and no corneal surgery in the fellow eye (control group). Each eye was analyzed with the anterior segment optical coherence tomography, specular microscopy, and Scheimpflug imaging systems. Data were compared between the two groups., Results: The mean age of the patients was 76.9 ± 7.0 years. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean central corneal thickness (CCT), central anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber angle parameters, cylinder and keratometry values between two groups (all P -values > 0.05). The paracentral corneal thickness, corneal volume, endothelial cell density, and hexagonal cell ratio measurements were statistically significantly higher in the DSAEK group than the control (all P -values < 0.05), and anterior chamber volume in the DSAEK group was significantly less than the control ( P = 0.046). While posterior and total corneal densitometry values in the DSAEK group were statistically significantly lower than the control ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.011, respectively), there were no statistically significant differences in the anterior or middle corneal densities ( P = 0.108 and P = 0.134, respectively)., Conclusion: We found that total corneal densitometry value decreased in DSAEK group. Although DSAEK surgery did not affect the anterior chamber angle parameters, it reduced the anterior chamber volume and increased the corneal volume and paracentral corneal thickness due to the addition of the DSAEK graft., Competing Interests: There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Karadag et al.)

Inconsistent data exist regarding the diagnostic value of acanthosis nigricans (AN) or skin tags as clinical markers for obesity or diabetes. In an outpatient department-based prospective study, we designed a scoring for AN severity (SCANS) to evaluate AN and skin tags, their correlation with obesity or diabetes. Quantification of AN in six anatomic sites, in consideration of the affected skin surface areas, texture changes, number of skin tags, leads to a total severity score between 0 and 46. Among 336 adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with AN, a higher BMI was associated with AN (r = 0.299, P < .001), but not with diabetes (P = .43), as compared with 243 age- and sex-matched controls without AN. Among nondiabetics, AN scores were significantly correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.131, P = .024) and total cholesterol levels (r = 0.155, P = .04). Skin tags alone in the absence of AN were not associated with obesity (P = .333) or diabetes (P = .164). The total AN scores were positively correlated with the presence of skin tags (r = 0.132, P < .001), and the involvement of anterior neck (r = 0.668, P < .001) and axilla (r = 0.793, P < .001). Knuckles and groins were unaffected in our series. Our results indicate that combination of AN with skin tags can be used as clinical marker for obesity, but not for diabetes. Large-scale studies on patients of different ethnic background are required to further validate our proposed scoring., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Eyelid tumours mostly originated from skin and its appendeges. External carcinogens like UV radiation causes cell damages in the eyelid skin and contributes to carcinogenesis. Apoptosis is a very important mechanism to prevent these damage and probable neoplatic change., Aim: To compare caspase-3, p53 and Bcl-2 levels between patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the eyelid and healthy individuals., Material and Methods: Pathology archives from October 2012 to April 2015 were scanned for BCC biopsies of the eyelid and tissue removed during blepharoplasty and entropion procedures. A total of 36 specimens were found. The specimens were divided into two groups: BCC group and controls (consisting of eyelid tissue removed during routine blepharoplasty). The pathology specimens were then stained using p53, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 stains and the intensity of staining was graded on a 0-3 scale., Results: Samples from a total of 36 patients were included in the study. Eighteen (50.0%) patients were female. There were 13 patients in the BCC group and 23 patients in the control group. The mean age was 66.0 ±10.8 years in the BCC group, and 65.61 ±11.22 years in the control group. The caspase-3 staining was lower in the BCC group than in the control group. No significant differences were found between the BCC group and the control group in terms of p53 levels or Bcl-2 levels (both of them, p = 1.000)., Conclusions: The caspase-3 level was lower in the BCC group. This result suggests that these enzymes can play a significant role in carcinogenesis of eyelid BCC., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Termedia Sp. z o. o.)

In this paper, we describe two adult patients who presented with double lacrimal puncta: one of them was asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed, and the other complained of epiphora. In both patients, unilaterality, preference for the lower lid, and location medial to the normal punctum were common features of the accessory punctum. In the asymptomatic patient, irrigation revealed no obstruction in the punctum or the nasolacrimal drainage system. By contrast, the other patient's nasolacrimal drainage system exhibited obstruction. Therefore, dacryocystorhinostomy surgery and silicone tube intubation were successfully performed. Double lacrimal puncta may be associated with epiphora or dry eye. These manifestations can easily be missed in a routine examination. This report was written to emphasize that unilateral epiphora of dry eye symptoms may be related to supernumerary punctum or canalicular systems and can easily be diagnosed with lid eversion.

Purpose: To evaluate ocular side effects associated with systemic isotretinoin histopathologically., Methods: In this multicenter study, a total of 15 male and 15 female rats were randomly divided into 3 equal groups according to the oral dose of isotretinoin they were administered: 0 mg/kg/d (group A), 7.5 mg/kg/d (group B), and 15 mg/kg/d (group C). Biopsy specimens were taken from the globe conjunctiva, cornea, and eyelid conjunctiva. Expression levels of human beta-defensin-1, human beta-defensin-2, toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, and TLR-4 were evaluated by immunohistochemical methods., Results: The number of goblet cells in eyelid conjunctiva was significantly lower in group B than that in group A and group C (P = 0.002). The sizes of meibomian gland acini were significantly smaller in group B and group C than those in group A (P < 0.001). Fibrosis of eyelid conjunctiva was significantly higher in group C and group B than that in group A (P = 0.002). The levels of staining of TLR-4 in the cornea with group B were significantly lower compared with group C (P = 0.035)., Conclusions: Our study suggests that isotretinoin in the early period affects eyelid conjunctiva and meibomian glands without affecting the globe conjunctiva and cornea. Occurrence of the initial symptoms of isotretinoin on the eyelids, especially on the meibomian glands, suggests that the symptoms of patients occur because of evaporative dry eye.

Purpose: To evaluate causes and management of congenital corneal opacities (CCO) diagnosed in a tertiary care eye center and to compare the data with a previous study at the same institution., Methods: Computerized medical records in all patients with congenital corneal opacities diagnosed in the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. Children aged 12 years and younger at the first visit were included in the study. Patients' demographics, ocular diagnosis, laterality, associated ocular abnormalities, other ocular surgery performed prior or subsequent to the first visit, and their treatment were extracted from the medical records., Results: A total of 77 eyes in 56 patients were examined. The mean age at presentation was 32.8 ± 44.2 months, with the mean follow-up period of 26.7 ± 30.1 months. The most frequent diagnosis was Peters anomaly (53.2%), followed by limbal dermoid (13.0%), aniridia with glaucoma and microphthalmos (6.5%), sclerocornea and congenital glaucoma (5.2%), idiopathic (3.9%), Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly and Hurler syndrome (2.6%), and microcornea (1.3%). Primary keratoplasty was performed in 26 eyes, with the outcome rate in the clear cornea of 76.0% during the follow-up., Conclusion: Peters anomaly is the most common cause of congenital corneal opacities encountered at our institution. Penetrating keratoplasty is the most frequent choice of corneal surgery to treat congenital corneal opacities. Additional interventions during penetrating keratoplasty were moderately positively correlated with graft failure. This study also shows the rates of some etiologies of that changed over the recent decades in our tertiary care Cornea Service. Although Peters anomaly remains the most common presenting reason for congenital corneal opacities, its rate appears to be increasing over the recent decade. Congenital corneal opacities due to birth trauma, which is one of the preventable causes, were observed in a previous study in our clinic; however, no new cases were noted in this study.

Objective: To report a new technique for Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in aphakic and vitrectomized eyes. Case description: A 56-year-old man presented with corneal decompensation in the left eye after combined pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy for the management of a traumatic eye injury. DMEK graft and recipient bed were prepared as regular. The posterior half of the donor stroma was dissected with a crescent knife to form a temporary stromal barrier tissue. The prepared donor stromal tissue was implanted into the anterior chamber (AC) to form a barrier over the iris and pupilla. Then, the endothelial graft was safely injected into the anterior chamber and deployed by gently tapping on the corneal surface. Air tamponade was applied into the AC for 10 minutes to allow the graft to attach. Afterwards, the stromal barrier tissue was removed through the main incision and the AC was refilled with air tamponade. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications during 1-month follow-up. Conclusion: Insertion of a temporary posterior stromal tissue as a barrier over the iris and pupilla successfully provided AC stability and prevented posterior dislocation of the graft or air tamponade. This new technique was a safe and effective approach for DMEK in aphakic and vitrectomized eyes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Karadag et al.)

We describe a combined technique of trocar-assisted sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation and silicone oil injection at the same session. Two 3 mm scleral tunnels were created 2 mm away from and parallel to the limbus with the 23-gauge vitrectomy trocars entering the sclera transconjunctivally at an angle of approximately 10° at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock meridians. After the 3-piece foldable IOL was delivered to the anterior chamber through the corneal incision, the tip of one of the IOL haptics was grasped with a 23-gauge serrated retinal forceps entered through the trocar located at the 3 o'clock meridian. Then the haptic was removed from the scleral tunnel together with the trocar out of the globe. The same procedure was applied to the other haptic. A transconjunctival secure 10-0 nylon suture was placed at the scleral tunnel entry site around the haptic. The ends of the haptics were cauterized to make a flange. The resultant flanges of the haptics were pushed back and fixed into the scleral tunnels. Perfluorooctane was taken out of the eye with vitreoretinal surgery and the silicone was injected into the eye to prevent hypotonia. No complications were seen intraoperatively or postoperatively. After 1-month follow-up period, IOL was seen stabilized., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Karadag et al.)

Aim: To evaluate the clinical results, efficacy and safety of Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implant in different types of medically uncontrolled glaucoma., Methods: The study included 31 eyes of 31 patients that were unresponsive to medical antiglaucomatous therapy in whom Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation was performed. The demographic characteristics of the patients, type of glaucoma, complete ocular examination results, number of antiglaucomatous drugs before and after surgery, early and late complications of surgery, additional surgical and nonsurgical medical interventions, and success rates were investigated from the patients' files, retrospectively., Results: The mean postoperative follow-up time was 16.4±7.5mo. The preoperative mean corrected intraocular pressure (IOP) was 28.7±10.3 mm Hg and postoperative mean corrected IOP was 15.3±5.2 mm Hg ( P <0.05) at the last visit. The mean IOP reduction was 39.9% when the preoperative and postoperative values of the last visits were compared. The average number of antiglaucomatous drug use decreased from 3.9±0.3 to 1.7±1.7 postoperatively ( P <0.05). The use of antiglaucomatous medications at the last visit was more than in other studies in the literature. The most common complication was conjunctival leakage, which was seen in 7 patients. Other early complications were iris touch, intravitreal hemorrhage, hyphema, choroidal effusion, early transient hypotonia and corneal edema. One of the late complications was endophthalmitis which was seen in one case 6mo after the operation, and the other late complication was opacification of the cornea in one patient. Twelve additional surgical operations associated to Ex-PRESS surgery and 3 bleb needling have done. At the last visit, the complete success rate was 32.3% and the qualified success rate was 77.5% in all patients., Conclusion: Ex-PRESS P200 glaucoma shunt implantation may be an effective procedure for medically uncontrolled glaucoma with significantly lower use of antiglaucomatous medications.

Purpose We describe a scleral suture fixation technique for dislocated plate haptic toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Materials and methods A double-armed 10-0 straight polypropylene suture was passed into the eye from the sclera (2 mm away from the limbus). A suture needle was passed through the hole on the corner of the IOL and pulled out from the paracentesis with a 27-gauge needle. Afterward, the suture needle was reinserted from the same paracentesis and then removed from the eye with the help of a 27-gauge needle entering the eye from a nearby point to the first scleral entrance. The needle was passed through the end of the loop and pulled slightly to initiate the formation of a cow-hitch knot. The same procedure was applied to the other hole on the plate haptic. Both sutures were adjusted and fixed to the sclera with a Z suture. Results No complications were observed and at the follow-up visits, uncorrected visual acuity was 0.8 with decimal. Conclusion Axial, sagittal, and rotational stability rules are taken into consideration, scleral fixation surgery for a dislocated plate haptic foldable toric IOL is an alternative method to eliminate astigmatic refractive error.

Purpose: To report a technique of intra-scleral fixation of the iris hooks for trans-scleral capsular bag fixation in patient with zonular dialysis., Methods: Two scleral flaps, two scleral tunnels and two sclerotomies were formed. The anterior capsule was captured and pulled by the iris hooks resulting in the IOL adopting an appropriate position at which point the iris hooks extracted from the sclerotomies. The tips of the iris hooks were implanted into the scleral tunnels. Each of them was fixed with a 10.0 nylon suture to the scleral bed. The scleral flaps and conjunctiva were sutured. One of the iris hooks was seen loosened at the first-week postoperative examination but the IOL remained centralized. The loosened hook was removed., Results: No complications were witnessed during the patient's 24-month follow-up., Conclusion: Intra-scleral fixation using iris retractors in the capsular bag for patients having suffered dislocation of IOL despite the attachment of a capsular hook because of zonular dialysis can be safely implemented.

Purpose: To compare the effects of 90° and 180° conjunctival rotational autograft (CRA) techniques used in primary pterygium surgery., Methods: Forty-five patients were included in this retrospective study. Visual acuity (VA), corneal topography, and auto-refractometer measurements, as well as detailed biomicroscopic examinations, were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. During surgery, the pterygium tissue was excised then rotated 90° in Group 1 and180° in Group 2, after which it was sutured to the bare sclera. Pterygium recurrence was defined as corneal invasion ≥1 mm., Results: Group 1 consisted of 21 patients with a mean age of 45.1 ± 11.8 years, while Group 2 comprised 24 patients with a mean age of 47.9 ± 13.8 years. The pterygia in Group 1 were graded as more advanced than those in Group 2. A similar number of recurrences were observed in Group 1 (14.3%) and in Group 2 (16.7%). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the preoperative and postoperative VA and astigmatism values between the two groups. There was a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative VA and astigmatism values in Group 1 and in the postoperative astigmatism values in Group 2. Although postoperative redness was more common in Group 1, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups., Conclusion: BothCRA techniques can be successful in patients for whom it is desirable to avoid a conjunctival autograft and for patients without high cosmetic expectations.

Trocar-assisted intraocular lens (IOL) reposition surgery using a scleral fixation method was performed for a patient with a dislocated sulcus IOL. Two 3-mm-long scleral tunnels 2 mm from and parallel to the limbus were formed using a 23-gauge vitrectomy trocar transconjunctivally entering the sclera at an angle of approximately 10°. Haptics were collected using a 23-gauge serrated retinal forceps entering from the trocar cannula and externalized from the scleral tunnels together with the trocar. The same procedure was applied for the other haptic. Both haptics were pushed into the scleral tunnel and a transconjunctival secure 10-0 nylon suture was placed at the scleral tunnel entry site around the haptic. Sutures were removed 1 week later. No complications occurred intraoperatively or postoperatively. At a 10-month follow-up, IOL was stabilized. IOL reposition surgery using the trocar-assisted IOL scleral fixation method is a viable alternative to intrascleral fixation surgery.

Purpose: To investigate human beta-defensins (HBDs) and cathelicidin LL-37 (LL-37) expressions in patients with pterygium., Methods: In this retrospective consecutive case series, 26 pterygium specimens and 15 normal conjunctival specimens of 15 control subjects were in vestigated. Expressions of HBD-1, HBD-2, HBD-3, and LL-37 were assessed using immuno histochemical staining. A brown color in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of epithelial cells indicated positive staining for HBDs and LL-37. For each antibody, the intensity of the reaction (negative [-], weak [1+], moderate [2+], or strong [3+]) was determined to describe the immunoreactions., Results: The median age was 52 years in both groups. There were no significant differences in age and sex between the groups (p=0.583, p=0.355, respectively). Of the 26 pterygium specimens, 15 (57.7%) (14 weak, 1 moderate staining) showed HBD-2 expression, which was not observed in any of the control specimens. One (3.8%) pterygium and one (6.7%) control specimen demonstrated weak staining for HBD-3. HBD-2 expression was significantly higher in the pterygium specimens than in the controls (p=0.002). None of the tissue specimens had positive staining for HBD-1 or LL-37 in either group (both; p=1.00)., Conclusions: HBD-2 expression was higher in pterygium specimens than in the controls. HBD-2 expression that might be stimulated by inflammatory cytokines may be related to inflammation and fibrovascular proliferation and may play a role in pterygium pathogenesis.

Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT) performed by two examiners with four different methods at different times inter- and intra-individually., Methods: Thirty healthy people were included in the study. In these measurements, an optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR), an optic coherence tomography (OCT), a specular microscopy (SM), and a corneal topography (CT) were used. Two examiners performed the measurements in a consecutive manner. After 1-7 days of the first measurements, the second measurements were performed again consecutively. The mean of three measurements was taken in each session for all devices., Results: In OCT measurements, there was a significant difference between two examiners in both sessions (p < 0.001), while no significant differences were found between two examiners in first and second sessions in SM, CT, and OLCR measurements. When each examiner's measurements were compared to two sessions, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05, for all) except the SM measurements of the first examiner (p = 0.041). When the first measurements of two examiners were compared, the smallest values were of OCT. At the first session of two examiners, there was a significant difference between OCT and CT measurements, and between OCT and OLCR (p < 0.001, p = 0.002 for the first examiner and p < 0.001 for the second examiner, respectively)., Conclusion: Our study showed that CCT measurements made by CT and OLCR methods were almost same and highly correlated for both the examiners' measurements. CCTs measured by OCT were on average 30 μm thinner than CT and OLCR.

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment of autologous serum eye drops (ASED) on dry eyes in patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)., Methods: A retrospective chart review of 35 patients with a history of ocular GVHD following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that used ASED to alleviate dry eye symptoms was performed. Patients were categorized into three different groups. If patients had available ophthalmic data before and after starting treatment was group 1 (n = 14), had available ophthalmic data after starting treatment in group 2 (n = 10) and had available ophthalmic data before treatment or did not have any data after starting treatment in group 3 (n = 11). Data were collected on patient's age, gender, primary diagnosis, visual acuity and fluorescein corneal staining were collected on individual eyes in order to evaluate the efficacy of the ASED on alleviating dry eye-related signs and symptoms., Results: No adverse ocular effect from the ASED was found in our series (except one fungal keratitis). All patients reported either improvement (55%) or stability (45%) in their ocular symptoms upon the use of ASED. In patients with available data before and after starting treatment, the corneal staining score improved by a median of 1 (p = 0.003) and the LogMAR visual acuity had a non-significant improvement., Conclusion: In our study, ASED used by patients with ocular GVHD were both safe and effective. ASED should be considered in patients with GVHD who suffer from dry eyes.