PurposeTo evaluate and follow-up the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 compared to a group of healthy individuals with similar demographic characteristics.Patients and methodsThis is a prospective, noninvasive, observational case series study. For the purposes of the study, 27 eyes of diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy, 24 eyes of patients with mild retinopathy, and 25 normal age-matched subjects (control group [CG]) were examined. All participants underwent complete ophthalmological examination and imaging with GDx variable corneal compensation scanning laser polarimetry. Follow-up was 2 years for all three groups.ResultsThe mean inferior average was statistically significantly lower in both diabetic groups compared to CG at baseline examination and during follow-up. The nerve fiber indicator (NFI) was higher in both diabetic groups compared to CG, both at baseline examination and during follow-up. The NFI was 21.7±11.9 and 22.0±11.8 for the diabetic group without retinopathy, 20.8±9.6 and 21.9±9.8 for the group with mild retinopathy, and 15.3±5.4 and 15.9±5.5 for the normal subjects, at baseline and 24 months, respectively. There was no statistically significant reduction of the RNFL thickness in all three groups compared to baseline examination.ConclusionThis is the first long-term study documenting the RNFL thickness in diabetic patients in comparison with normal controls. Although the lower RNFL was found thinner in diabetics, the 2-year follow-up showed no significant reduction of RNFL thickness in all groups, indicating that RNFL damage may occur early in diabetic patients.
A 46-year-old man was referred to our department complaining of a bilateral progressive decrease in his visual acuity. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc oedema, indicative of anterior ischaemic neuropathy (AION), and a macular star in the right eye. Laboratory analysis showed low haematocrit and haemoglobin, elevated creatinine, and increased erythrocyte segmentation rate and C-reactive protein level. Physical examination revealed the presence of purpuric rash on the trunk and the extremities. During the investigation we performed a complete laboratory and imaging examination for autoimmune collagen diseases, vasculitides and infectious diseases, which were all negative. Histologic findings of renal biopsy were compatible with IgA glomerulonephritis and thus Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) diagnosis was established. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Six months later, his renal function and his visual acuity had improved, and the rash had subsided. This is a rare case of AION in a patient with HSP.
Purpose
To evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of patients treated with ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMT) or macular holes (MH) combined with VMT in a tertiary retina center.
Methods
Eleven eyes of ten patients (8 females, 2 males) with VMT (8 with VMT alone and 3 with MH combined with VMT) were included in the study. The patients were treated with a single ocriplasmin injection and examined at day 1, 7 and 28 post‐injection. Age, gender, phakic lens status, vitreomacular adhesion diameter, presence of epiretinal membrane, macular hole size, cystoid macular oedema and the status of the ellipsoid zone were recorded. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral‐domain‐optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) were performed at baseline and at each examination during the follow up period. Adverse effects were also recorded.
Results
Six eyes (54,5%) presented VMT resolution, while one out of three patients presented MH closure. All patients experienced VMT release by 7 days. Patients with VMT resolution had an increase in BCVA of +0.5 logMAR. .
Conclusions
Ocriplasmin may be considered as an effective treatment option for VMT and macular holes with VMT.
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