AimTo evaluate levels of homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and nitric oxide (NO), as well as activity of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsThe levels of homocysteine, ADMA, and NO and activity of eNOS in patients who were diagnosed with wet AMD by fundus fluorescein angiography (n=30) were compared to a control group with no retinal pathology (n=30).ResultsLevels of homocysteine and ADMA were found to be significantly higher in the wet AMD group than in the control group (P<0.001), whereas NO levels and eNOS activity were higher in the control group (P<0.001). In the wet AMD group, we detected a 2.64- and 0.33-fold increase in the levels of ADMA and homocysteine, respectively, and a 0.49- and 2.41-fold decrease in the eNOS activity and NO level, respectively.ConclusionElevated levels of homocysteine and ADMA were observed in patients with wet AMD. Increased ADMA may be responsible for the diminished eNOS activity found in these patients, which in turn contributes to the decrease in NO levels, which likely plays a role in the pathogenesis of AMD.

Purpose:The aim was to evaluate central corneal thickness in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction. Methods: The study group was made up of 40 eyes of 20 patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (mean age, 40.55 Ϯ 10.7 years). Forty eyes of 20 healthy individuals (mean age, 39.25 Ϯ 11.1 years) without any ophthalmic or systemic pathology were used as a control group. The central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasonic pachymetry. Results: The mean central corneal thickness was 541.45 Ϯ 24.68 mm in the study group and 544.30 Ϯ 22.16 mm in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean central corneal thickness measurements in the meibomian gland dysfunction group in comparison with the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Central corneal thickness measurements do not differ in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction compared with healthy control subjects. Key words: blepharitis, central corneal thickness, cornea, corneal pachymetry, meibomian gland dysfunction Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a major form of blepharitis, is an extremely common, chronic condition of the eyelids. Hom and colleagues 1 reported the prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction to be 38.9 per cent in apparently normal patients presenting for routine visual examinations. It increases in prevalence to nearly 68 per cent in patients over 60 years of age.2 MGD is characterised by inflammatory changes at the lid margins and changes in the anatomy of orifices and the character of secretions of the meibomian glands.The importance of meibomian gland function has been emphasised because lipids secreted by these glands combine with the outer layers of the tear film to suppress evaporation of tear fluid and to form a hydrophobic barrier at the lid margin to prevent loss of tears. In MGD, a reduction in the quantity and changes in the composition of meibomian gland secretions result in instability and thinning of the tear film. As the aqueous component of tears evaporates, the tear osmolarity rises, and aqueous tear flow and volume decrease, initiating an inflammatory cycle.3-10 The compromised preocular tear film leads to dry eye, which also interferes with the ocular surface.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to describe the type and severity of paintball-related ocular trauma and to determine the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of ocular injury regardless of whether adequate eye protection was used.Material/MethodsA retrospective chart review identified patients treated for paintball-related ocular trauma at the Ataturk University Medical Hospital from June 2010 through March 2013. A descriptive analysis of data was performed.ResultsTen patients with paintball-related ocular trauma were identified. At the time of their first examination, 7 of these patients had visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse. One patient had a final VA of no light perception and 4 patients had a final VA of 20/200 or worse. Hyphema was noted in 7 patients, traumatic cataract in 2, iridodialysis in 2, retinal detachment in 3, and secondary glaucoma in 1. Six patients required surgery. Although all victims have used eye protection during the game, all patients were injured after they thought the game was over and had taken off their helmets or eye-protective devices.ConclusionsPaintball-related accidents result in serious ocular trauma and most of the patients require surgery. These injuries result in severe loss of VA in some patients. Uninterrupted use of proper eye protection whenever a player is in the game field, even after they believe the game has ended, may reduce the incidence of severe ocular trauma in paintball players.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate central corneal thickness in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Material/Methods The study was conducted in the Atatürk University School of Medicine between April 2011 and June 2013. The study group included 60 eyes of 30 patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Sixty eyes of 30 healthy individuals without any ophthalmic or systemic pathology were used as a control group. The central corneal thickness was measured with ultrasonic pachymetry. Results In each group, all subjects included in the study had a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/25 or better. In the study group past medical histories revealed eczema in 19 patients, asthma in 16, and atopic dermatitis in 15. During clinical examination cicatricial conjunctivitis was noted in 5 patients, giant papillae in 4, symblepharon in 2, and entropion in 2. The mean central corneal thickness was 523.45±18.03 μm in the study group (mean age: 37.05±5.7 years) and 540.30±38.91 μm in the control group (mean age: 36.55±7.1 years), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions Evaluation of corneal thickness is important in situations such as corneal refractive surgery and contact lens use, and is an essential parameter in a wide range of ocular disorders, including glaucoma and keratoconus. Therefore, ophthalmologists should be aware of the low central corneal thickness in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis.

BackgroundThe aim f this study was to evaluate the effect of capsular tension ring implantation during cataract surgery on the incidence of neodymium: YAG (Nd: YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy in myopic (axial length [AL] ≥25.00 mm) eyes.Material/MethodsIn this retrospective study, the records of the cases of 117 myopic patients who underwent cataract surgery between January 2004 and January 2011 were reviewed. A total of 153 eyes with an axial length of 25 mm or higher were included in the study with consideration of exclusion criteria mentioned below. Eyes were grouped by presence or lack of capsular tension ring (CTR+ and CTR−, respectively).ResultsThe study included 153 eyes from 107 myopic patients. Hydrophilic acrylic IOL and capsular tension ring (CTR) were implanted in 78 eyes (CTR+ group), and 75 eyes received only the hydrophilic acrylic IOL (CTR− group). Six eyes (7.6%) in CTR+ and 16 eyes (21.3%) in CTR− required Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy within 7 years. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (p=0.021).ConclusionsBecause CTRs significantly decrease subsequent need for Nd: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in myopic patients, are very inexpensive, and provide other benefits, our data suggest that the use of CTRs in myopic eyes undergoing cataract surgery with an hydrophilic acrylic IOL implantation is advantageous and should be standard practice.