Search

Purpose. Researches have confirmed that the retinal and choroidal thickness in patients with autoimmune disease-associated uveitis displays significant changes. However, the relationships between rheumatoid factor (RF) and thickness of the retina and choroid in individuals without ocular manifestations remain unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the associations of RF with retinal and choroidal thickness. Methods. The individuals enrolled in the cross-sectional research received full ocular examinations. The participants were classified as the RF (+) group ( RF ≥ 15.0 IU/ml) and the RF (−) group ( RF < 15.0 IU/ml) according to the serum RF titers. The thickness of the retina and choroid was measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Results. The study covered 65 right eyes of 65 individuals that are RF-positive and 130 right eyes of 130 age- and sex-matched individuals that are RF-negative. The RF (+) group showed decreased choroidal thickness that achieved statistical significance only in the outer inferior and outer temporal sectors, as compared to the RF (−) group. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the retinal thickness between the two groups. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that the RF was significantly negatively related to the choroidal thickness in all areas. However, there was no significant correlation between the RF and the retinal thickness. Conclusions. Serum RF titers are closely linked with choroidal thickness before the emergence of ocular symptoms. Research into the relationships may improve our understanding of the role of serum RF in the pathogenesis of uveitis.

Purpose. To evaluate the relationships between C-reactive protein (CRP) and retinal and choroidal thickness by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods. The participants included in the prospective cross-sectional study underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. Based on the CRP values, the subjects were divided into the CRP (+) group ( CRP ≥ 8.2 mg/L) and the CRP (−) group ( CRP < 8.2 mg/L). The retinal and choroidal thickness was compared between the two groups. Results. This study enrolled 43 right eyes of 43 subjects from the CRP (+) group and 86 right eyes of 86 gender- and age-match subjects from the CRP (−) group. The choroidal thickness in the CRP (+) group was thinner than that in the CRP (−) group except for the outer nasal sector of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid. However, the retinal thickness only in the inner temporal sector showed a significant difference. According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, the CRP was significantly negatively correlated with the choroidal thickness in all sectors and the retinal thickness only in the inner temporal and outer nasal sectors of the ETDRS grid. Conclusion. CRP levels are associated with retinal and choroidal thickness. The data related to the retinal and choroidal thickness changes may help understand the pathogenesis of specific ocular abnormalities in patients with systemic inflammation.

Purpose. To assess whether to continue aspirin therapy while having uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery with different incisions. Methods. Consecutive patients having cataract surgery under topical anesthesia with different incisions between May 2016 and August 2017 were followed. 236 eyes of 166 patients on routine aspirin therapy were randomized into 2 groups: continuation group, 112 eyes; discontinuation group, 124 eyes. 121 eyes of 94 patients on no routine anticoagulant therapy were used as the control group. Patients were examined 1 day preoperatively and 1 day and 7 days postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results. Statistically, there was no significant difference about postoperative BCVA among three groups. A higher incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage was shown in the continuation group than in the discontinuation group and the control group (17.0% versus 8.1%, p=0.038; 17.0% versus 7.4%, p=0.025, resp.). Although corneal edema was greater in clear corneal incision cases than that of scleral tunnel incision cases (22.5% versus 12.0%, p=0.009), subconjunctival hemorrhage was greater in scleral tunnel incision cases (14.9% versus 6.6%, p=0.011). Subgroup analyses revealed that patients of scleral tunnel incision who continued taking aspirin had a higher incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhage compared with those who discontinued (25.5% versus 10.9%, p=0.038), but no same conclusion in clear corneal incision cases (8.8% versus 5.0%, p=0.483). Conclusions. The outcomes indicated that phacoemulsification cataract surgery under topical anesthesia could be safely performed without ceasing systemic aspirin therapy. Clear corneal incision could be a better choice in patients treated with aspirin.