An elevated serum level of VEGF may be a risk factor for the development of ocular disease contributing to poor visual outcome.

Melasma is a common acquired disorder of pigmentation, remains challenging despite numerous treatment modalities. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has emerged as a potential treatment for melasma. Different forms of TXA (oral, topical, and intradermal microinjections) have shown promising results. To evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral vs different dilutions of intradermal TXA in melasma. A total of 45 female patients with melasma were randomly and equally assigned to three treatment groups. Group A (oral TXA 250 mg bid), Group B (100 mg/mL intradermal TXA) & Group C (4 mg/mL intradermal TXA) every 2 weeks, treatment period was 8 weeks.At 8 weeks, a significant reduction in the mMASIwas noted in groups A, B, and C (P value .002, .003, and .005). Melanin index (MI) was significantly reduced in groups A, B, and C (P value .016, .005, and .003). Erythema index (EI) showed significant improvement in group A (P value .028), however was statistically insignificant for groups B and C. No statistically significant difference was found between the three groups as regards changes in mMASI, MI, and EI at 8 weeks. Both oral and intradermal microinjections of TXA regardless dilution appear to be effective and safe in treatment of melasma with comparable results.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Vitiligo is an acquired, multifactorial disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. An elevated homocysteine level has been described in vitiligo. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cystathionine B synthase (CBS) are major determinants of the homocysteine metabolism. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Determine serum homocysteine levels in vitiligo patients as well as the association between <i>MTHFR</i> (C677T, A1298C) and <i>CBS</i>gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo in a sample of those populations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Homocysteine levels were estimated by radioimmunoassay while <i>MTHFR</i> (C677T, A1298C) and <i>CBS</i>gene polymorphisms were detected by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 100 vitiligo patients and 80 healthy controls. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The homocysteine level was significantly higher in vitiligo patients than controls (<i>p</i> = 0.000). Significant differences in the genotype and allele distributions of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the <i>MTHFR</i> (C677T, A1298C) with the mutant genotypes are more common in the controls than patients (<i>p</i> = 0.001, 0.029, respectively). <i>CBS</i> gene mutant genotypes and alleles are more common in vitiligo patients than controls (<i>p</i> = 0.002). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> <i>CBS</i>and<i> MTHFR</i>gene polymorphisms may play a major role in the genetic susceptibility to vitiligo.

Anti-TM antibody proved to be a sensitive marker for both benign and malignant vascular neoplasms. While not as sensitive as anti-CD34, it may have some advantages in specificity that would make it a more reliable vascular tumor marker in certain situations.