The findings suggest that IL-6 and IL-8 may be involved in the pathogenesis of PDR, PVR, and traumatic PVR. High proportions of RPE cells and macrophages are associated with elevated IL-6 and IL-8 levels in the vitreous of PDR and PVR patients; however, the fact that these cells are not predominant in traumatic PVR suggests that different immune response mechanisms may be active in the pathogenesis of these disorders.

Pars plana vitrectomy is found to be an effective therapeutic approach in removing intraocular foreign bodies, but the preoperative and postoperative complications determine the visual outcome.

Summary.The orbital apex syndrome can be caused by trauma. The patient presented was hit by an elbow in the right periorbital area with resulting fractures to the right zygoma and orbital floor. Examination revealed visual loss, total ophthalmoplegia, and ptosis of the right upper eyelid with hypoesthesia in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. After a week of supportive therapy and observation, the orbital floor fracture was repaired by reducing the bone fragments, and the zygomatic fracture was reduced through a Gillies incision. Over the next six months, there was complete resolution of the ophthalmoplegia, the ptosis, the loss of sensation in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, and the vision. Key words:Orbital fracture -Orbital apex syndrome Superior orbital fissure syndrome A patient with the unusual combination of zygomatic and orbital fractures and traumatic orbital apex syndrome with complete recovery is presented. According to Kurzer [7], the superior orbital fissure syndrome caused by trauma was first described by Hirschfield in 1958, and the orbital apex syndrome was first described by Kjoer in 1945. The superior orbital fissure syndrome consists of external ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, and loss of sensation in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve [1-4, 12, 14, 17]. The orbital apex syndrome is the superior orbital fissure syndrome with optic nerve involvement. It may occur from trauma [7,9], frontal pyocele [5], and sinus infections [6]. Case reportWhile riding a motorcycle, a 17-year-old male was forcefully struck by a pedestrian's elbow and fell to the ground. He was uncofisciousCorrespondence to: S. Acartfirk, MD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ~ukurova University Faculty of Medicine, 01330 Balcali, Adana, Turkey for several minutes. On arrival at the emergency room, the patient was well-oriented and cooperative. His primary complaints were right retrobulbar pain and neuralgia. On physical examination, there was hypoesthesia in the distribution of the supratrochlear, supraorbital and infraorbital nerves, with mild swelling and skin abrasions of the right temporal and frontal regions. There were step deformities of the inferior orbital rim and zygomatic arch. The eye was directed down and outwards, and the extraocular movements were limited in all directions. He was able to count fingers at two meters. There was upper lid ptosis, internal ophthalmoplegia, subconjunctival hemorrhage on the temporal side, and no direct pupillary response. The optic disc, macula and retinal vessels were normal. The left eye and side of the face were normal (Fig. 1). Both optic nerves and retinae were unremarkable. Radiographic examination demonstrated fractures of the zygoma, the medial orbital wall, and the orbital floor (Fig. 2). CT scan examination revealed no fracture involving the optic canal or retrobulbar hematoma.The patient was admitted for observation and supportive care. On the 7th hospital day, his fractures were repaired. The orbital floor was reconstruct...

A possible correlation between development of cataract and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in red blood cells and lenses was investigated. The distribution of cataract types in both G6PD-positive and G6PD-deficient patients, the incidence of G6PD deficiency in cortical cataract groups and the distribution of G6PD-deficient cases according to age were determined. The results showed that quite a high percentage of cortical cataractous patients had G6PD deficiency in both red blood cells and lenses.

Choroidal malign melanoma showing rapid progression in a boy 17 years old is presented. The patient was under therapy with methoxy psoralen + Ultraviolet A (PUVA)* for psoriasis vulgaris. He had undergone complete ophthalmologic examinations with three-month intervals from the beginning of this therapy. The tumor was detected in the seventh month, rapidly enlarging within the next twenty days, and eventually leading to enucleation. PUVA is known to be a risk factor for cutaneous malign melanoma. However, there is no reported incidence of choroidal malign melanoma in PUVA treated patients. To our knowledge, this is the only case showing the possible role of PUVA therapy as a predisposing factor in the development of uveal malign melanoma.