Radical vs conservative surgery for hydatid liver cysts:Experience from single center

AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of radical and conservative surgical interventions for liver hydatid disease.METHODS:The study comprised 59 patients in two groups who had undergone radical and conservative surgical procedures for liver hydatid disease in our department between 2004 and 2009. Preoperative diagnostic tools,medical treatments,demographic and clinical characteristics,postoperative follow-up,and recurrence were compared in both groups. RESULTS:This non-randomized retrospective studyinclud...     

Effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy without mitomycin-C for the treatment of high myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and therapeutic range of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) without mitomycin-C (MMC) to treat high myopia. SETTING: Isik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This study comprised 31 highly myopic eyes (19 patients) that had LASEK. Before primary LASEK treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after, all patients had a complete ophthalmic examination including visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and biomicroscopy. RESULTS: The mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -9.01 diopters (D) +/- 2.66 (SD) preoperatively and -1.00 +/- 1.15 D at the end of follow-up. At 24 months, the mean SE was within +/-1.00 D of the intended correction in 23 eyes (74.19%). The median uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) increased from 20/606 preoperatively to 20/28.6 at 24 months and the median best corrected visual acuity, from 20/25 to 20/22, respectively. Total higher-order and spherical aberrations increased significantly at the end of follow-up. All 14 eyes that had ablations greater than -8.62 D developed varying degrees of haze. Significant myopic regression (>1.00 D) leading to UCVA loss occurred in all eyes with a preoperative SE of -12.00 D or greater. CONCLUSIONS: The results of LASEK without MMC were excellent in eyes with up to -8.6 D of SE. All eyes with a preoperative SE between -8.6 and -12.0 D developed haze but had acceptable refractive and visual outcomes. Haze and myopic regression limited the success of LASEK in eyes with a preoperative SE of -12.0 D and greater.     

Effects of erytropoietin treatment and hemodialysis on the serum endothelin level and intraocular pressure of hemodialysis patients

Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of erythropoietin and hemodialysis (HD) on serum Endotheli-1 (ET-1) and intraocular pressure (IOP) levels in HD patients. Methods The study group was composed of 34 chronic HD patients undergoing erythropoietin (EPO) treatment, while the control group was composed of 16 chronic HD patients without EPO treatment. Serum samples for measuring levels of ET-1 were taken 1 h before and after HD. Endothelin-1 levels were determined using a commercially available Elisa kit. IOP was measured with a calibrated Goldmann applanation tonometer in the right eyes of patients 1 h before and after HD just after blood samples were taken. Results In the EPO group, serum ET-1 levels were significantly higher than those of the control group both before and after HD. Despite increased ET-1 levels in the EPO group, there was no statistically significant difference in pre- and post-dialysis IOP measurements between the erythropoietin and control groups (P > 0.05). In both the HD and control groups, the IOP levels significantly decreased following HD (P < 0.05). Conclusion EPO treatment caused an increase in plasma ET-1 concentration compared to the control group, while there was no related increase in IOP with EPO treatment. The role of ET-1 in glaucoma development must involve a mechanism other than increased IOP.     

The local vasoconstriction of infant’s skin following instillation of mydriatic eye drops

Background  

Systemic absorption of eye drops is known to occur via the nasal mucosa, cornea, and conjunctiva. Diffusion of eye drops through the skin is previously unrecognized. Here, two cases are presented in which we observed skin pallor around the eyes after instillation of phenylephrine 2.5% drops. Case 1 A 32-week gestational age premature infant had mydriatic eye drops instilled as part of retinopathy of prematurity screening. Case 2 A term newborn dysmorphic infant underwent fundus examination to rule out ocular pathology. In both cases, discoloration of periorbital skin was observed 45 min following administration of drops.