Bilateral endogenous fungal endophthalmitis

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare and severe intraocular infection which can be vision-threatening. We describe a case of bilateral fungal endogenous endophthalmitis in a 64-year-old male which was successfully treated with systemic administration of fluconazole followed by pars plana vitrectomy with an intravitreous injection of amphotericin B

Dry eye in Sjögren's syndrome – characteristics and therapy

Background Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease, and its important feature is the lymphocyte infiltration of exocrine glands, including lacrimal glands. It contributes to defects of their activity and causes that one of the main manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome is dry eye. Unfortunately, the discrimination between dry eye related and non-related to Sjögren's syndrome is difficult at the initial stages of diseases. In addition, the available agents for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye have limited efficacy. Aim The purpose of this study was to describe and emphasize differences between Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye together with the determination of novel therapeutic options for Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. Method A review of the relevant papers describing characteristics of Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and its therapy was conducted. This article is based on both pre-clinical and clinical evidences. Results On the basis of our analysis, we indicated differences between Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye and non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. Moreover, there are some novel markers that could be used in the diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. In addition, expect artificial tear, other agents e.g. hydroxychloroquine can be effective in therapy of disease. Conclusions Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye is a disorder, whose diagnosis may be difficult and mistaken for non-Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye. However, Sjögren's Syndrome-related dry eye has some specific features. In addition, the development of newer and safer therapeutic agents for Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye is needed, and therefore further clinical, randomized studies are necessary. </jats:sec

Results of Phacoemulsification with Malyugin Ring in Comparison with Manual Iris Stretching with Hooks in Eyes with Narrow Pupil

Purpose. To evaluate the results of phacoemulsification in eyes with a narrow pupil dilated with Malyugin Ring, in comparison with manual pupillary stretching with hooks. setting. Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. Materials and Methods. The examined group (group 1) consisted of 23 eyes of 23 patients whose pupil was dilated using Malyugin Ring. The reference group (group 2) consisted of 17 eyes of 17 patients whose pupil was dilated manually by stretching with hooks. All patients underwent uneventful standard phacoemulsification. Patients were examined preoperatively, 1 day, and 1 month after the surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, anterior and posterior segment of the eye, and corneal endothelial cell density were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done using nonparametric tests. Results. Mean preoperative BCVA in group 1 was 0.31±0.27 and in group 2 it was 0.26±0.26 (p&gt;0.05). In both groups there was a significant improvement in BCVA after the surgery (p&lt;0.05). Mean postoperative BCVA in group 1 was 0.75±0.30 and in group 2 it was 0.56±0.56 (p&lt;0.05). Mean corneal endothelial cell loss measured 30 days postoperatively amounted to 9.35±11% in group 1 and 13.77±8.0% in group 2 (p&lt;0.05). No serious complications were found. Conclusions. In eyes with narrow pupil, the use of Malyugin Ring makes the surgery easier and allows for better functional results and smaller corneal endothelial cell loss in comparison with manual pupillary stretching with 2 hooks. </jats:sec

Optical Coherence Tomography in the Differential Diagnosis of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Patients with MRI Nonspecific White Matter Lesions

In the differential diagnosis of nonspecific white matter lesions (NSWMLs) detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multiple sclerosis (MS) should be taken into consideration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising tool applied in the differential diagnostic process of MS. We tested whether OCT may be useful in distinguishing between MS and NSWMLs patients. In patients with MS (n = 41) and NSWMLs (n = 19), the following OCT parameters were measured: thickness of the peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (pRNFL) in superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal segments; thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL); thickness of macular RNFL (mRNFL); and macular volume (MV). In MS patients, GCIPL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.024). Additionally, in MS patients, mRNFL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.030). The average segmental pRNFL and MV did not differ between MS and NSWMLs patients (p &gt; 0.05). GCIPL and macular RNFL thinning significantly influenced the risk of MS (18.6% [95% CI 2.7%, 25.3%]; 27.4% [95% CI 4.5%, 62.3%]), and reduced GCIPL thickness appeared to be the best predictor of MS. We conclude that OCT may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of MS and NSWMLs patients in real-world settings.</jats:p