No abstract

Aim: To evaluate the functional and anatomic efficacy of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and investigate the association between central macular thickness (CMT) and total macular volume (TMV) in real-life settings.Material and Method: In this retrospective, observational, longitudinal study 38 eyes of 23 consecutive patients with center-involving DME were included. A loading phase of three monthly intravitreal anti-VEGF injections was initiated, followed by anti-VEGF injections if needed as per clinicians’ discretion. Results: Mean Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters gained was 3.2 letters at month 12. The reduction in the mean of CMT and TMV were 60 μm and 1.33 mm3 respectively at the end of 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was negatively correlated with CMT (r=-0.573, p < 0.01) and TMV (r=-0.533, p < 0.01) initially. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the CMT and the TMV initially (r=0.765, p < 0.01) and month 12 (r=0.937, p < 0.01). Baseline TMV was found to be more predictive of treatment response at the 9th month than baseline CMT. Conclusion: It is demonstrated that TMV may be a suitable biomarker in the assessment of treatment response of the macular region when regarded as a complete three-dimensional macular unit instead of central vertical thickness only. Although the present study contributes to a better understanding of managing DME in real-life settings, further prospective, and controlled investigations are needed.

Türk göz hekimlerinin COVID-19 pandemisi ile ilgili algı ve tutumları. Öz Amaç: Üçüncü basamak bir referans göz hastalıkları hastanesinde görev yapan Türk göz hekimleri arasında, COVID-19 ile ilgili algı ve tutum düzeylerini araştırmak. Gereç ve Yöntem: Mart 2021'de, sosyodemografik form ve 52 çoktan seçmeli soru içeren ankete dayalı kesitsel bir çalışma yapılmıştır. Sorular, üç kavramın algısını ayrı ayrı değerlendirmeye yönelikti: Hastalık, COVID-19'un nedenleri ve COVID-19'un kontrolü. Yanısıra, COVID-19'dan kaçınma tutumlarını ve COVID-19 aşısına yönelik tutumları değerlendirmeyi hedefleyen sorulara da yer verildi. Bulgular: Toplam 43 (15 erkek ve 28 kadın) göz hekimi çevrimiçi anketi tamamladı. Göz hekimleri arasında tehlikelilik ve bulaşıcılık algısı güçlüydü. COVID-19'un nedenlerine ilişkin algı alt boyutlarındaki puanlar orta-ılımlı düzeydeydi. Aşağıdakiler arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklar ortaya çıktı: Asistan hekimler ve öğretim üyeleri arasında Makro Kontrol’de (p=0.02), Kontrol Edilebilirlik’te (p=0.38) ve COVID-19 Kontrolü Algısı’nda (p=0.022); erkekler ve kadınlar (p=0,009) ile asistan hekimler ve öğretim üyeleri (p=0,023) arasında COVID-19'dan Davranışsal Kaçınma Tutumları’nda; asistan hekimler ve öğretim üyeleri arasında COVID-19 Aşısına Yönelik Tutumlar’da (p=0.034). Sonuç: COVID-19, göz hekimlerince tehlikeli ve bulaşıcı olarak algılandı. COVID-19'un Kontrolü Algısı, öğretim üyelerinde, asistan hekimlere göre daha güçlüydü. Kadın ve öğretim üyesi katılımcılarda, COVID-19'dan Davranışsal Kaçınma tutumları daha yüksekti. Öğretim üyeleri, COVID-19 aşısına karşı asistan doktorlardan daha az olumsuz tutum sergiledi. Bu değerlendirmeler, hem COVID-19 pandemisinde hem de gelecekteki salgınlarda, hastalıkla mücadelede, yolumuza ışık tutabilir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Algı, COVID-19, oftalmologlar, pandemi, tutum.

Aim: To evaluate the implementation of virtual learning in ophthalmology training during the time of COVID-19 through the perspective of clinicians. Material and Method: A survey among physicians, who are actively involved in Ophthalmology-related training, was conducted. The expert survey comprised 29 questions and two parts addressing the application of virtual learning and the efficacy of webinars in increasing the clinical and surgical skills in Ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 42 Turkish ophthalmologists participated in the study. In the pre-pandemic period, lectures (92.9%), grand rounds with case studies (71.4%), and videos (61.9%) were among the first choices of the participants. A statistically significant increase in the use of e-learning modalities (p < 0.001 for all estimates) except for e-class with uploaded educational material was detected during the pandemic. Zoom® was recognized as the most used platform for virtual teaching. A statistically significant (p=0.034) decrease in time spent on surgical training was detected during the pandemic. 81% thought that webinars are good or very good in strengthening clinical skills within diagnosis and treatment. Also, 78.6% stated that webinars are good or very good in increasing surgical skills and management of complications. 64.3% supported webinars to be maintained even after the termination of the pandemic. Conclusion: A considerable experience provided by virtual learning methods, especially webinars, may change conventional education practices and will also serve to build the foundation for teaching during future disasters and beyond.