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This study describes a uniaxial elbow orthosis designed at Ankara University Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics as a custom-molded orthosis to improve elbow extension. Five children with post-traumatic elbow flexion contracture were treated using the static progressive elbow orthosis for a mean of 2.2 +/- 0.8 months. None of the patients received any physical therapy or surgical treatment for flexion contracture. At the 18-month follow-up evaluation, the median correction was measured at 35[degrees] in active extension limitation and 15[degrees] in passive extension limitation. The findings show that the elbow orthosis is a safe and effective treatment to consider for children who present with elbow flexion contracture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effects of topically applied 1% tropicamide, 2.5% phenylephrine and 1% cyclopentolate on retinal vessel calliper (VC) using optical coherence tomography (OCT)., Methods: Patients who came to the ophthalmology clinic for routine examination and whose OCT films were taken before dilatation and after 30 min of last dilatation drop were included in the study. 90 ophthalmologically healthy subjects were divided into 3 groups of 30 subject each according to the application of the drops as follows: Tropicamide group (Group 1), Phenylephrine group (Group 2), Cyclopentolate group (Group 3). The right eyes of the subjects were dilated with drops and the left eyes were taken as the control group. VC of retinal artery and vein passing through an area one-half to one-disc diameter from the optic disc margin were measured from OCT films. The mean of the sum of superior retinal artery (SRA) and inferior retinal artery (IRA) VC and the mean of the sum of superior retinal vein (SRV) and inferior retinal vein (IRV) VC before and after the drop were compared., Results: There was no statistically significant change in the mean sum of SRA and IRA VC and the mean sum of SRV and IRV VC before and after dilatation drops in all three groups., Conclusion: Dilatation drops have no statistically significant effect on retinal artery and vein VC.

Purpose: To measure the macular pigment optical density in first-degree relatives of patients with age-related macular degeneration and compare it with a healthy control group., Methods: One hundred and twenty-eight healthy subjects who were first-degree relatives of age-related macular degeneration patients were included in the study (Group 1). As the control group, 74 healthy subjects were included in the study (Group 2). The right eyes of all cases were included in the study. Macular pigment optical density was measured with a commercially available device (MPSII ® , Elektron Technology, Switzerland) using technology based on heterochromatic flicker photometry. Central foveal thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness were measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Values were compared between the two groups., Results: There were 54 males and 74 females in Group 1 and 32 males and 42 females in Group 2. The mean ± SD ages of Group 1 and Group 2 were 49.0 ± 7.6 and 41.8 ± 8.6, respectively. Mean ± SD macular pigment optical density values of Group 1 and Group 2 were 0.43 ± 0.09 and 0.47 ± 0.12 ( p  = 0.048), mean ± SD central foveal thickness were 208 ± 19 and 216 ± 8 µm ( p  = 0.014), and mean ± SD subfoveal choroidal thickness were 232 ± 29 and 250 ± 21 µm ( p  = 0.002), respectively., Conclusion: The macular pigment optical density values were significantly lower in the first-degree relatives of patients with age-related macular degeneration than in the control group. Macular pigment optical density may be a marker for the development of age-related macular degeneration in the future in the first-degree relatives of age-related macular degeneration patients. Further prospective studies with a larger number of participants will be needed to confirm our results moreover, to clarify its benefit as an early diagnostic biomarker.

Purpose: The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy on retinal layers in healthy eyes., Method: Thirty patients who were taken to outpatient HBO2 for any indication were included in the study. All patients underwent 10 sessions of HBO2; 20 healthy patients were taken as the control group. We used the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) to obtain automated measurements of thickness for each retinal layer - i.e., the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) - and to conduct foveal (central 1 mm), inner-ring (parafoveal 1 to 3mm), and outer-ring (perifoveal 3 to 6mm) retinal layer measurements. Retinal OCT scans were performed before HBO2, after the first and 10th sessions. All retinal layer thicknesses were assessed with SD-OCT software system and compared between each visit. Retinal thicknesses were calculated in the central, inner ring and outer ring subfields (nine quadrants)., Results: In SD-OCT measurements, there were no statistically significant difference before HBO2, after the first and 10th sessions in terms of foveal, inner-ring and outer-ring thickness of RNFL, GCL, IPL, INL, OPL, ONL and RPE., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that there was no change in the thickness of the retinal layers after the first and 10th sessions in healthy eyes., Competing Interests: The author of this paper declares no conflicts of interest exist with this submission., (Copyright© Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.)

Background and Objective: To investigate the reliability and quality of vitreoretinal surgery videos posted on YouTube., Patients and Methods: A search was made using the keywords "vitrectomy," "retinal surgery," and "vitreoretinal surgery" on YouTube. Total view counts, numbers of comments, likes and dislikes, publishing dates, and source of videos were recorded. Educational quality and accuracy of the video content were evaluated using the DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scoring system, and Global Quality Scores (GQS)., Results: There were 208 videos included in the study; 152 (73.1%) videos were uploaded by doctors and 56 (26.9%) videos uploaded by non-doctors. Mean DISCERN, JAMA, and GQS scores were 37.65 ± 10.49 (20-69), 0.82 ± 0.52 (0-4), 2.86 ± 0.86 (1-5), respectively., Conclusions: Vitreoretinal surgery videos on YouTube were of low quality and reliability. Those who want to use YouTube videos as a reference for vitreoretinal surgery should pay extra attention to selection of content. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2021;52:478-483.] .

Objectives: This study is an evaluation of anatomical parameters at different levels of the bony nasolacrimal duct (NLD) in healthy children of different age groups using computed tomography (CT) measurements., Methods: Bony NLD CT images of 289 patients aged 0-15 years who presented at the emergency department with various indications and underwent a brain CT scan were retrospectively evaluated. The anterior-posterior and transverse diameter at the inferior orbital margin, the narrowest diameter of the NLD, NLD length, and the orientation angle in the sagittal plane (the angle between the line connecting the distal and proximal ends of the NLD and a line drawn parallel to the nasal floor) were analyzed by age group., Results: The anterior-posterior and transverse diameters at the level of the inferior orbital margin and the NLD length recorded in sagittal CT images were statistically significantly greater in patients older than 5 years of age (p<0.05). While there was an increase in the narrowest diameter of the NLD beginning at the age of 3 years, it was not statistically significant (p=0.25). The degree of the angle between the central line and the nasal floor did not change significantly between the groups. (p>0.05)., Conclusion: A greater anterior-posterior diameter, transverse diameter, narrowest diameter of the NLD, and NLD length were observed with increasing age. The NLD anatomical parameters that we have identified in healthy children may serve as an important and useful guide in determining locations of the NLD and selecting surgical instruments of appropriate size and diameter before NLD surgery., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: None declared., (Copyright: © 2019 by Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital.)

Purpose: To evaluate topographic measurements of the anterior segment and densitometric measurements of the cornea and lens by Pentacam HR in different trimesters of pregnancy., Methods: This prospective study included 150 healthy pregnant women in their first, second, or third trimester (Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively) and 54 non-pregnant healthy women (Group 0). Topographic measurements, including central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal volume (CV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal densitometry (CD) and lens densitometry (LD), were done with the Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). The measurement results of the healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant healthy women were compared., Results: CD values were found in Group 1 to be 13.19, in Group 2 to be 13.16, in Group 3 to be 13.17 and in Group 0 to be 13.22 (p = 0.811). The mean Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 0 LD-horizontal was 5.40 ± 0.5, 5.47 ± 0.38, 5.53 ± 0.44, 5.36 ± 0.43, respectively. The mean Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Group 0 LD-vertical was 5.6 ± 0.43, 5.66 ± 0.32, 5.71 ± 0.40 and 5.5 ± 0.44, respectively. Area LD values were higher in the advanced trimester period, and the only statistically significant difference was between Group 3 and Group 0 (p = 0.025). The difference between three-dimensional (3D) and peak LD values was not statistically significant between the groups (p = 0.89 and p = 0.91, respectively)., Discussion: The Pentacam HR seems to be an important option for the evaluation of LD, CD and topographic measurements of the anterior segment in pregnancy. In the present study, CD and LD, including LD-horizontal, LD-vertical, peak and 3D values, were not significantly different between pregnant women and non-pregnant women., (Copyright © 2018 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravitreal injection of aflibercept (IVA) on blood coagulation tests in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients., Methods: Thirty-four patients with neovascular AMD (study group) and 32 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were measured at different times in patients with neovascular AMD., Results: The levels of PT and aPTT after IVA were decreased at 1 month after the first injection and 1 month after the second injection compared to the baseline measurement in the study group., Conclusions: IVA may cause a decrease in the levels of PT and aPTT at 1 month after the first injection and 1 month after the second injection although these results are not statistically significant in our study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostatic status in acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients by using a novel and automated assay determining dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis., Methods: Fifty-one patients with acute CSCR (study group) and 65 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis of acute CSCR was made clinically and using spectral-domain RTVue OCT (optical coherence tomography) (Optovue, Fremont, CA). Fluorescein angiography confirmed the diagnosis of acute CSCR in all subjects. Total thiol, native thiol, disulfide amount, and native thiol/disulfide ratio (TDR) were calculated in the blood samples., Results: Mean total thiol, native thiol, and native TDR values were lower in patients with acute CSCR (364.2 ± 14.1, 326.4 ± 13.2, 17.14 ± 1.9, respectively) than in healthy eyes (441.2 ± 16.3, 398.5 ± 16.4, 22.70 ± 2.15, respectively; mean total thiol, p = 0.017; native thiol, p = 0.011; native TDR, p = 0.031)., Conclusions: Total thiol, native thiol, and native TDR were significantly lower statistically in patients with acute CSCR when compared with healthy controls.

Purpose: To evaluate serum and aqueous humor levels of fetuin-A in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) in comparison with those of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects., Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 25 patients with PEXS and 25 control subjects who were undergoing cataract surgery without any systemic or ocular disease. Aqueous humor and serum fetuin-A levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method., Results: The mean age of the PEXS group (14 males, 11 females, n = 25) was 57.7 ± 6.9 years, and the control group (13 males, 12 females, n = 25) was 58.1 ± 5.7 years. There was no difference between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.77) and sex (p = 0.83). The mean serum fetuin-A level of the PEXS group did not differ from that of the control group (p = 0.53). The mean aqueous humor level of the PEXS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.032). There were no significant correlations between aqueous humor and serum fetuin-A levels among patients with PEXS and control group (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: Increased levels of fetuin-A in aqueous humor of patients with PEXS may show the local effect of fetuin-A on the anterior segment. With considering the wide range of possible biological functions of fetuin-A in the pathogenesis of PEXS, further studies are needed to clarify the clinical relevance of these findings.

Objective: To investigate the alterations in the ocular surface and tear film parameters 3 months after accelerated corneal collagen cross-linking (A-CXL) in progressive keratoconus (KC) patients., Methods: Twenty-six patients (33 eyes total) with progressive KC were enrolled in this study. All patients were subjected to ophthalmic surface examination, such as OSDI (ocular surface disease index) scoring, the osmolarity tear test, Schirmer test, tear film breakup time (TBUT) analysis, rose bengal (RB) and fluorescein (Fl) ocular surface staining, and conjunctival impression cytology (IC) analysis, respectively. These tests were performed at baseline and 3 months after A-CXL. Nelson's grading system was used to evaluate the cell morphology and goblet cell density., Results: No statistically significant differences in the levels of tear osmolarity, TBUT, Schirmer test, OSDI scoring, and Fl and RB staining between pretreatment and 3 months postoperatively were observed (all P values >0.05). A statistically significant increase in superior (P=0.005) and temporal (P=0.006) IC grading was seen at the postoperative third month compared to pretreatment., Conclusions: Only metaplastic changes and a reduction in the density of the goblet cells were seen in conjunctival IC, which is probably because of the toxicity of ultraviolet-A 3 months after A-CXL. However, these results do not lead to deterioration in TBUT. In this study, A-CXL has no adverse effect on ocular surface and tear function, which are important for visual quality.

Purpose: To evaluate tear film osmolarity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)., Methods: A total of 55 eyes from 55 patients with SLE and 47 eyes from 47 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were included in this study. Tear film osmolarity was evaluated with a lab-on-a-chip technique (TearLab; TearLab Corporation, San Diego, CA) in SLE patients in comparison with healthy individuals, and results were correlated to clinically available diagnostic tests for dry eye, such as tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer's test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI)., Results: The mean tear film osmolarity in the SLE patients and healthy individuals was 306.02 ± 13.27 mOsm/L and 300.74 ± 9.11 mOsm/L, respectively, which made for a statistically significant difference (p = 0.020). In the SLE group, tear film osmolarity was negatively correlated with the Schirmer's test score and the BUT value (r = -0.295 p = 0.029 and r = 0.347 p = 0.009, respectively), whereas tear film osmolarity was not correlated with OSDI score (r = -0.182 p = 0.183)., Conclusions: This study revealed that tear film hyperosmolarity and abnormal tear film function are associated with SLE.

Purpose: To investigate subfoveal and perifoveal choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: A study group of 117 patients with RA and a control group of 46 age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Subfoveal and perifoveal CTs were measured using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Perifoveal CT was measured 1,500 µm nasally and 1,500 µm temporally apart from the foveal center. Relationship between the disease activity score 28 (DAS-28) and subfoveal CT was also evaluated., Results: The mean subfoveal CT values in the study and control groups were 226.90 ± 43.61 μm and 299.74 ± 48.06 μm, respectively, which made for a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Likewise, perifoveal CT values were significantly thinner in the study group when compared with control group. DAS-28 wasn't correlated with subfoveal CT in the study group., Conclusions: CT was significantly thinner in patients with RA when compared with healthy controls.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on choroidal thickness (CT) in the subfoveal and perifoveal area as measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in patients with SLE., Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients with SLE (study group) and 58 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in the study. The subfoveal and perifoveal CT were measured by EDI-OCT., Results: The mean CT (μm) subfoveal, nasal, and temporal was 231.2 ± 57.6, 190.56 ± 30.64, and 222.65 ± 37.45 in the study group and 297.5 ± 45.1, 248.34 ± 39.67, and 286.54 ± 49.65 in the control group, respectively (p < 0.001, for all)., Conclusion: The mean subfoveal, nasal, and temporal CT values were statistically significantly lower in patients with SLE when compared with healthy controls.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 200 mg caffeine on subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) in the macular area as measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in healthy subjects., Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy individuals (study group) and 50 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in study. In the study group, participants received a 200 mg caffeine capsule and the control group consisted of subjects who received plasebo capsule. The subfoveal CT was measured by EDI-OCT before the caffeine intake and at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h and 6 h following caffeine intake., Results: SFCT after caffeine intake was significantly decreased at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 4 h compared to the baseline measurement, while the difference between baseline and 6 h was not statistically significant in the study group. There were no significant differences between the baseline and the other measurement times in the control group (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: The thinning of CT begins about 30 min after the oral ingestion of 200 mg of caffeine and lasts for about four hours.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical parameters of the cornea and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after hemodialysis (HD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and also healthy subjects., Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with ESRD undergoing HD treatment (study group) and 21 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in this prospective study. Right eyes of each subjects were included. Central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using Sirius Scheimpflug camera. Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), and Goldmann-related IOP (IOPg) were measured using ocular response analyzer. In the study group, measurements were taken just before HD and 30 minutes after HD., Results: The mean CCT, CRF, IOPg values did not differ between pre-HD, post-HD, and controls (P > 0.05). CH was found to be significantly higher in control group (10.6 ± 1.2 mm Hg) when compared with pre-HD (8.07 ± 1.8 mm Hg) and post-HD (8.8 ± 1.6 mm Hg) CH values (P = 0.0001). The mean IOPcc values did not differ pre-HD (18.5 ± 3.5 mm Hg) and post-HD (17.8 ± 3.9 mm Hg) (P = 0.39). The mean IOPcc values were lower significantly in control group (15.4 ± 2.8 mm Hg) when compared with pre-HD and post-HD values (P = 0.02 and 0.02, respectively). Significant correlations were seen between post-HD CRF and post-HD CCT (r = 0.6, P = 0.03); and post-HD IOPg and post-HD CCT (r = 0.51, P = 0.01)., Conclusions: ESRD may disrupt the biomechanical properties of the cornea. Changes in ocular response analyzer parameters should be kept in mind to evaluate accurate IOP measurements in patients with ESRD.

Purpose: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in acromegalic patients., Methods: A study group of 29 patients with acromegaly and a control group of 38 age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The study group was further divided by tumor size into two subgroups, a macroadenoma group and a microadenoma group. Serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) levels were detected at the time of ophthalmological examination in the study group. In both the study and control group, the RNFL thickness in the four quadrants was measured by optical coherence tomography. The relationship between GH and IGF-I levels and RNLF thickness was also evaluated., Results: The difference in mean RNLF thickness in all quadrants between the study and control groups was not statistically significant. In acromegalic patients with macroadenoma, the mean RNLF thickness of the inferior quadrant decreased significantly compared to both patients with microadenoma and healthy individuals (p = 0,032 and p = 0,046). GH and IGF-1 levels were not significantly correlated with the RNLF thickness in the study group., Conclusions: Excessive GH and IGF-1 levels do not affect the optic nerve or RNLF thickness, whereas the RNLF becomes thinner in the inferior quadrant in acromegalic patients with macroadenoma as a result of the chiasmal compression.

Purpose: To measure the choroidal thickness (CT) after dynamic exercise by using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT)., Materials and Methods: A total of 19 healthy participants performed 10 min of low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise (i.e., riding a bicycle ergometer) and were examined with EDI-OCT. Each participant was scanned before exercise and afterward at 5 min and 15 min. CT measurement was taken at the fovea and 1000 μ away from the fovea in the nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior regions. Retinal thickness, intraocular pressure, ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), heart rate, and mean blood pressure (mBP) were also measured., Results: A significant increase occurred in OPP and mBP at 5 min and 15 min following exercise (P ˂ 0.05). The mean subfoveal CT at baseline was 344.00 ± 64.71 μm compared to 370.63 ± 66.87 μm at 5 min and 345.31 ± 63.58 μm at 15 min after exercise. CT measurements at all locations significantly increased at 5 min following exercise compared to the baseline (P ˂ 0.001), while measurements at 15 min following exercise did not significant differ compared to the baseline (P ˃ 0.05). There was no significant difference in retinal thickness at any location before and at 5 min and 15 min following exercise (P ˃ 0.05)., Conclusion: Findings revealed that dynamic exercise causes a significant increase in CT for at least 5 min following exercise.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare topographic and biomechanical properties of corneas in patients with acromegaly with those of healthy individuals., Methods: Thirty-five patients with acromegaly (study group) and 35 healthy individuals (control group) were enrolled in this prospective study. Topographic measurements, including central corneal thickness (CCT), mean keratometry (K) value, K1, K2, surface asymmetry index, corneal volume (CV), and anterior chamber depth in the right eye of each participant were obtained using a Scheimpflug camera with a Placido disc topographer (Sirius; Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici). Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOP), and Goldmann-corelated intraocular pressure (IOPg) were measured using Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments)., Results: Mean CCT, CV, CH, CRF, and IOPg values were higher in acromegalic eyes (549.3 ± 30.2 μm, 59.1 ± 3.1 μm, 11.3 ± 1.2 mm Hg, 11.3 ± 1.2 mm Hg, and 17.5 ± 2.9 mm Hg, respectively) than in healthy eyes (531.4 ± 33.6 μm, 57.4 ± 2.7 μm, 10.4 ± 1.2 mm Hg, 10.2 ± 1.6 mm Hg, and 14.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg, respectively; CCT, P = 0.042; CV, P = 0.032; CH, P = 0.044; CRF, P = 0.035; IOPg, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: CCT, CV, CH, CRF, IOPg, and IOP with Goldmann applanation tonometry were significantly higher in acromegalic eyes. These corneal topographic and biomechanical properties, disease duration, and disease status should be considered when planning corneal refractive surgery and determining accurate intraocular pressure in patients with acromegaly.

Purpose: To evaluate the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) measured by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in eyes of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients., Methods: Fifty-six patients with CHF and 56 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were enrolled. The SFCT was measured by EDI-OCT. The ejection fraction of left ventricle (EFLV), age, intraocular pressure (IOP), axial length (AL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) were also measured., Results: Mean SFCT was 181.2 ± 80.23 μm in the study group and 283.6 ± 52.4 μm in the control group (p = 0.000). There was a statistically significant correlation between the SFCT and each of EFLV and age. SFCT value was not statistically significantly associated with AL, IOP and OPP., Conclusion: Our results suggest that SFCT is lower in eyes of CHF patients compared to age- and gender-matched healthy individuals.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chronic cigarette smoking on dry eye parameters, endothelial cells, and corneal thickness., Design: Prospective cross-sectional case series., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 49 eyes of 49 chronic smokers (smoker group) and 53 eyes of 53 age-matched, healthy non-smokers (non-smoker group) were enrolled. All participants underwent measurements of tear breakup time (TBUT), central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements with contact pachymeter and the Schirmer test with anesthesia. Corneal endothelial cells were evaluated by non-contact specular microscopy and photographed for analysis of cell density and hexagonality and the coefficient of variation in cell size., Results: The mean Schirmer score and TBUT value were significantly lower in the smoker group compared to the non-smoker group (p = 0.015) and p < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean CCT, mean endothelial cell density, endothelial cell size, SD of size, and CV of size between smokers and non-smokers (p > 0.05). However, a lower percentage of endothelial hexagonal cells were observed in smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.001)., Discussion and Conclusion: Our results suggest that cigarette smoking seems to affect the Schirmer score, TBUT value, and hexagonal cells of the corneal endothelium.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk factors in the development of pterygium in the Marmara region of Turkey as well as the efficacy of vertical interpalpebral distance, protrusion level and tear function in the development of pterygium., Materials and Methods: The cases were grouped in two as the research group consisted of patients with pterygium and the control group consisted of healthy people. A total of 294 patients with pterygium (108 bilateral, 186 unilateral) and 200 controls were included in the study. All patients and control group underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination, including tear function analysis using tear film breakup time measurement, protrusion level and vertical interpalpebral distance., Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the bilateral pterygium subgroup and control group in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p=0.733, p=0.625). When the pterygium eyes and the control group were compared in the unilateral pterygium subgroup, no significant difference was found in terms of vertical interpalpebral distance and protrusion value (p=0.533, p=0.209)., Conclusions: While UV efficiency in pterygium was obvious, protrusion value and vertical interpalpebral distance were not found to be a risk factor in the formation of pterygium., (Copyright © 2013 British Contact Lens Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the effect of a single intravitreal ranibizumab injection on retrobulbar circulation in cases with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)., Methods: In this prospective and interventional study, 32 patients with neovascular AMD were enrolled. A single intravitreal ranibizumab dose was in only 1 eye per patient. Peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, resistive index and pulsatility index values in the common carotid artery, ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, nasal posterior ciliary artery, and temporal posterior ciliary artery in both injected and uninjected healthy fellow eyes were measured using color Doppler ultrasonography at baseline and 1 week and 1 month after the injection of ranibizumab., Results: All measurements revealed no statistically significant difference among baseline, first week, and first month after injection measurements for all parameters measured in all arteries in both the injected and uninjected healthy fellow eyes., Conclusion: A single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab does not significantly affect on retrobulbar circulation of either the injected or the uninjected healthy fellow eyes with neovascular AMD.

Purpose: To quantitatively assess the parameters of anterior chamber and angle dimensions by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in nanophthalmos., Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional and comparative study, 34 eyes of 34 healthy individuals (control group) and 37 eyes of 37 patients with nanophthalmos (study group) were enrolled. A single experienced ophthalmologist imaged and measured the right eye with the Visante AS-OCT. The anterior chamber angle (ACA), angle opening distance (AOD) at 500 and 750 µm from the scleral spur, and trabecular-iris space area (TISA) at 500 and 750 µm at the nasal and temporal angles were measured., Results: Mean nasal/temporal ACA was 44.90 ± 9.09/47.07 ± 8.69° in the control group and 32.15 ± 10.30/29.77 ± 10.57° in the study group (p < 0.001). Mean nasal/temporal AOD500 and AOD750 was 0.52 ± 0.18/0.53 ± 0.15 mm and 0.71 ± 0.26/0.71 ± 0.23 mm in the control group. The mean nasal/temporal AOD500 and AOD750 were 0.33 ± 0.12/0.31 ± 0.15 mm and 0.48 ± 0.16/0.47 ± 0.22 mm in the study group. Mean nasal/temporal TISA500 and TISA750 were 0.16 ± 0.06/0.17 ± 0.05 mm(2) and 0.31 ± 0.11/0.33 ± 0.09 mm(2) in the control group. Mean nasal/temporal TISA500 and TISA750 were 0.11 ± 0.04/0.09 ± 0.05 mm(2) and 0.20 ± 0.07/0.20 ± 0.10 mm(2) in the study group. All values were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group., Conclusion: Determination of angle parameters using AS-OCT is a rapid noncontact method that is useful in patients with nanophthalmos. The findings demonstrated that nanophthalmic eyes had lower ACA parameters including ACA, AOD500, AOD750, TISA500 and TISA750 at the nasal and temporal angles.

Purpose: To compare the biomechanical properties of the cornea between topographically normal relatives of patients with keratoconus and age-matched controls., Methods: Thirty healthy individuals (control group) and 30 topographically normal relatives of patients with keratoconus (study group) were enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional comparative study. Topographical measurements including pachymetric values, keratometry values, irregularity, and inferior-superior dioptric asymmetry difference values in the right eye of each participant were obtained using Orbscan II (Bausch & Lomb Laboratories, Inc, Rochester, NY). Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal compensated intraocular pressure, and Goldmann-related intraocular pressure were also measured using the Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA)., Results: Topographic parameters were not significantly different between both groups (P > 0.05). Mean CH was 9.9 ± 1.6 mm Hg in the study group and 11.3 ± 1.0 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.001); mean CRF was 9.8 ± 1.6 mm Hg and 11.2 ± 2.1 mm Hg in the study and control groups, respectively (P = 0.013). Mean Goldmann-related intraocular pressure was 15.0 ± 4.3 mm Hg in the study group and 15.8 ± 6.7 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.603); mean corneal compensated intraocular pressure was 16.2 ± 4.7 mm Hg in the study group and 15.4 ± 5.8 mm Hg in the control group (P = 0.595)., Conclusions: The CH and CRF values were significantly lower in the relatives of patients with keratoconus than in the controls. Future studies including monitoring of these participants with topographical and biomechanical measurements may indicate the role of this study in detection of early corneal changes in relatives of patients with keratoconus.

Purpose: To report the effect of topical Cyclosporine-A (CsA) 0.05% on corneal morphologic and functional parameters in patients with dry eye., Method: In this prospective and observational study 30 eyes of 30 patients who received topical CsA 0.05% for treatment of dry eye were evaluated. Each clinical examination included a routine Schirmer I test and tear film break-up time (TBUT) was performed at baseline and after 1, 2, 3, and 6 months of treatment. All participants also underwent central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements with ultrasound pachymetry, endothelial cell density (ECD) with specular microscopy, corneal topographical evaluation with Orbscan II, and corneal biomechanical parameters with Ocular Response Analyzer measurements at baseline and after treatment., Results: The Schirmer I test and TBUT were significantly improved after treatment (for both; P<0.01). The CCT, topographical findings, ECD, and corneal biomechanical parameters were not significantly different at baseline and follow-up visits (P>0.05). No serious adverse effects were seen at follow up visits., Conclusion: The study showed that Topical CsA 0.05% caused no changes on corneal morphology and function.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy on the evaluation of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) as measured by Stratus (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) optical coherence tomography (OCT)., Design: Prospective interventional case series., Participants: We studied 98 eyes of 89 patients experiencing PCO., Methods: We performed a complete ophthalmologic examination and evaluation of RNFL as measured by Stratus OCT before and after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The patients were classified on the basis of PCO score or signal strength (SS) obtained by prelaser OCT scans., Results: The preoperative and postoperative peripapillary RNFL thicknesses were 90.24 ± 15.9 μm and 98.27 ± 14.1 μm, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative SSs were 5.4 ± 1.6, and they improved to 9.5 ± 0.5 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Prelaser and postlaser RNFL thicknesses differed significantly in eyes with preoperative SSs less than 7 (p < 0.05). Also, in patients with preoperative PCO grades higher than 2, there were significant increases in RNFL thickness after laser capsulotomy (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: RNFL thickness measured by the Stratus OCT is affected by PCO. RFNL thickness may be underestimated in eyes with preoperative PCO grades higher than 2 and in eyes with preoperative SSs lower than 7., (Copyright © 2012 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare the biomechanical properties of the cornea and intraocular pressure (IOP) between patients with Marfan syndrome and age-matched controls., Setting: Departments of Ophthalmology and Genetics, Bakirkoy Maternity and Children Diseases Hospital, and Beyoglu Eye Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: This study comprised patients with Marfan syndrome (study group) and healthy individuals (control group). The study group was subdivided into patients with ectopia lentis and patients without ectopia lentis. In the right eye of each patient, the corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldman-correlated IOP, and corneal-compensated IOP were recorded., Results: Overall, the mean CH, CRF, Goldman-correlated IOP, and corneal-compensated IOP were not significantly different between the study group and the control group. The mean CH was 9.9 mm Hg ± 1.2 (SD) in study eyes with ectopia lentis and 11.2 ± 1.5 mm Hg in study eyes without ectopia lentis (P=.016); the mean CRF was 8.2 ± 1.8 mm Hg and 11.3 ± 1.9 mm Hg, respectively (P<.001). The mean Goldman-correlated IOP was 11.7 ± 2.7 mm Hg in study eyes with ectopia lentis and 16.2 ± 4.3 in study eyes without ectopia lentis (P=.003); the mean corneal-compensated IOP was 13.5 ± 4.1 mm Hg and 15.6 ± 3.8 mm Hg, respectively (P=.07)., Conclusion: The CH, CRF, and Goldman-correlated IOP were significantly lower in the Marfan syndrome eyes with ectopia lentis than in the Marfan syndrome eyes without ectopia lentis., (Copyright © 2011 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are widely used to provide optimal ambulation in people with hemiplegia. In this study we evaluated the mechanical effects of metallic and plastic AFOs on severely hemiparetic stroke patients., Methods: Twelve hemiparetic patients were analysed on a Vicon 370 Motion Analysis System. Spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured., Results: The two types of orthoses generally had similar positive effects on hemiplegic gait parameters, increasing cadence, walking speed, single and double step length, ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel strike and swing. The metallic AFO was better at increasing the ankle dorsiflexion angle than the plastic AFO., Conclusion: Hemiplegic gait was improved by both orthoses. However, metallic AFOs provided better stabilization of the ankle, allowing improved heel strike and push-off.