Browsing by Publisher "TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC"

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    Expression of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Primary and Recurrent Pterygium
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Emre, S; Vatansever, SH; Türköz, E; Kayikçioglu, ÖR
    Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of different nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) in primary and recurrent pterygia and to investigate the probable role of any nitric oxide synthase on pterygium recurrence. Materials and Method: Specimens of 40 primary pterygia and 10 recurrent pterygia excised during pterygium surgery were included in the study. Also, 15 normal conjunctiva of medial limbus obtained from patients free of pterygia and removed during other ophthalmologic surgeries formed the control group. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for general histological and morphologic evaluation. The distribution of n-NOS, e-NOS and i-NOS were analyzed using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. Results: Histological evaluation of specimens revealed that the epithelium in primary and recurrent pterygia groups was thicker compared to that in the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that in both primary pterygium and control groups, immunoreactivity was positive for all NOSs in both epithelium and connective tissue. For recurrent pterygium group, NOS immunoreactivity could be detected moderately for n-NOS in the epithelium and weakly for e-NOS in both epithelium and connective tissue. However, in recurrent pterygium samples, i-NOS immunoreactivity was lacking in both epithelium and connective tissue. Discussion: These data are the first to demonstrate that NOS expression may differ between primary and recurrent pterygia. Meanwhile, continuous expression of n-NOS with suppression of i-NOS and e-NOS may be an important step in the recurrence process of pterygia.
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    Risk Factors of Peroperative Suprachoroidal Haemorrhage
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikiçoglu, OR; Emre, S; Demiray, B; Baser, E; Kurt, E; Ilker, SS
    Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate peroperative risk factors of patients who had suprachoroidal haemorrhage during different types of intraocular surgeries. Material and Method: We retrospectively evaluated general risk factors of five patients who had suprachoroidal haemorrhage. For that purpose, we reviewed the preoperative systemic and ophthalmologic recordings, performed procedures, and complications during and after the surgery from patients' files. Results: Suprachoroidal haemorrhage developed during cataract surgery with phacoemulsification in three cases, in a combined glaucoma and cataract surgery in one, and pars plana vitrectomy in one case. As surgical risk factor, one case had posterior capsular rupture, one hypermature cataract and one previous retinal detachment surgery. In the case with age-related macular degeneration and intravitreal heamorrhage, suprachoroidal haemorrhage arose during pars plana vitrectomy. Only the patient who underwent combined mini-nuc and trabeculectomy procedure had expulsive haemorrhage. As systemic risk factors all the patients were elderly, systemic hypertension, pain during the surgery, anxiety related to panic atac and prostate hypertrophy were other detected risk factors. Discussion: According to our clinical experiences, detected risk factors in our patients were in concordance with literature data. In addition to this, despite the smaller incision size trend in ophthalmic surgery, suprachoroidal haemorrhage is still an important potential complication, particularly in patients who had previous ocular surgeries or who had associated ophthalmologic or systemic risk factors.
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    Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of MRA and GPS Algorithms Using HR III Device in Glaucoma Patients
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Ulusoy, MO; Baser, EF; Seymenoglu, RG; Kayikçioglu, RO
    Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Moorfields regression analysis (MRA) and glaucoma probability score (GPS) and to measure the agreement between these two programs in classifying eyes as normal or abnormal. Materials and Methods: The study included 150 glaucoma patients followed in our glaucoma unit and 120 control subjects without glaucoma. All subjects underwent total ophthalmological examination, standard achromatic perimetry, and imaging of the optic nerve head with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT), using HRT III software, Version 3.0. The HRT parameters were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic accuracies of the two classifications were measured when the borderline was taken as either normal (highest specificity criteria) or abnormal (highest sensitivity criteria). The agreement between them was calculated using the kappa (kappa) coefficient. Results: All HRT parameters except height variation contour in our study showed statistically differences between the control and glaucoma groups (p=0.000). The parameters with the highest area under curves were GPS global score (0.817), vertical cup/disc ratio (0.816), cup/disc area (0.808), and cup area (0.783). According to the highest specificity criteria, MRA had a sensitivity of 66% and specificity of 89.1% and GPS had a sensitivity of 62.7% and specificity of 81.6%. According to the highest sensitivity criteria, MRA had a sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 68.3% and GPS had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 60.8%. A moderate agreement of 65.9% (178 eyes) with a. coefficient of 0.47 was found between MRA and GPS. Conclusion: In conclusion, GPS and MRA had a similar sensitivity, but the specificity of MRA was found to be higher than that of GPS. A moderate agreement was found between these analysis programs.
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    Neuroblastoma in a Case with Congenital Horner's Syndrome
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Ilker, SS; Kiliç, S; Sürücü, B; Özgüven, A
    Miosis, ptosis, and ipsilateral facial anhidrosis are normally present in Horner's syndrome. Pathologies which show central, preganglionic and postganglionic residence in sympathetic chain are present in its etiology. A 3-month-old girl baby was admitted to our clinic for ptosis in the left eye. Heterochromia, ptosis in the left eye, myosis and, ipsilateral anhidrosis were detected in her examination. In view of these findings, it seemed possible that her disease could be congenital Horner's syndrome. Brachial plexus injury due to birth trauma plays a major role in the etiology of congenital Horner's syndrome. There was not any birth trauma history in our patient. The patient was diagnosed to have neuroblastoma as a result of etiologic tests. In conclusion, Horner's syndrome can be the presenting sign of childhood neuroblastoma. Therefore, it is advisable to examine the oculosympathetic system in detail in order to leave out any underlying serious disorder.
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    Septo-Optic Dysplasia: A Case Report
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Bilgin, S; Ilker, SS; Türker, I; Kiliç, S
    An 18-year-old male patient was admitted with loss of vision in the right eye and blurred vision in the left eye. The right eye did not respond to the stimuli in the pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) test, and there was a significant delay in the p100 latency in the left eye. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a decrease in the calibration of both optical nerves, absence of septum pellucidum, and deformity in both frontal horns of the side ventricles. Despite the rare incidence of Septo-optik displazi (SOD), it should be considered in cases of unilateral or bilateral visual complaints, especially if optical nerve hypoplasia is also present.
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    Unintentional Staining of the Anterior Vitreous With Trypan Blue During Cataract Surgery
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikçioglu, ÖR; Mayali, H; Dogruya, S; Alp, S; Yilmazlar, AA; Kurt, E
    During phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation surgery, the trypan blue dye used to stain the anterior capsule passed into vitreous cavity and stained the anterior capsule and anterior vitreous in 6 patients. There was history of trauma in 2 patients, uveitis in 1 patient, mature cataract in 1 patient, and no risk factors in the other patients. IOL was implanted in-the-bag without problem in 5 patients. In the patient with iris and zonular defects due to trauma, a sutured IOL was implanted in the same session. The migration of trypan blue into the vitreous cavity through damaged or intact lens zonules is a rare but important complication that makes subsequent surgical steps substantially more difficult.
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    Quality of Life Instruments Used in Ophthalmology and the Turkish Translation of National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ 25)
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Toprak, AB; Eser, E; Güler, C
    To investigate the relationship between ophthalmology and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) concept. To present a general knowledge about the HRQOL instruments used in ophthalmology and to give a detailed information about the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ). We also aimed to present the translation process of NEI-VFQ into Turkish. Material and Methods: NEI-VFQ is a vision targeted HRQL questionnaire developed to assess the quality of life of patients with chronic eye disease. This instrument has been translated to Turkish by an established methodology. During the translation process validity and reliability tests were performed on a sample of 61 patients consisting of cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration (ARMD), and degenerative myopia. Medline database from 1966 to the present using the following keywords and phrases: vision impairment, visual (or vision) disability, quality of life, functional assessment, questionnaire, and visual function. Results: The Turkish version of the NEI-VFQ had a high reliability and validity. The Cronbach alpha of the questionnaire was 0.97. The instrument had the sensitivity to discriminate patients according to disease severity, There were significant correlations between the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHO-QOL) in the similar domains. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the NE-VFQ has the similar psychometric properties, reliability and validity as the original version. It can be used as an instrument to assess the effect of different therapeutic options and the effect of eye diseases to the quality of patients' lives.
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    Evaluation of Subclinical Multiple Sclerosis Patients Using Pattern Visual Evoked Potentials and Visual Field Test
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Bilgin, S; Ilker, SS; Çavdar, E; Türker, I
    Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate subclinical multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with normal visual acuity using pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) test and central 30-2 threshold visual field (VF) test. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients, 30 of which had a definitive MS diagnosis and 30 who were healthy volunteers, were included in the study. The participants were divided into the following three groups: Group 1 -optic neuritis (+) MS patients, Group 2 -optic neuritis (-) MS patients, and Group 3 - control group. Using white on white perimetry, SITA FAST central 30-2 threshold VF tests and 1 degrees-0.3 degrees PVEP measurements were performed. MD, PSD, p100 latency (ms), p100 amplitude (mu V), and central 0-10 degrees, 0-20 degrees, 0-30 degrees, 10-20 degrees, 10-30 degrees, 20-30 degrees retina sensitivities (db) were evaluated in all groups. Results: There was a significant difference in all parameters between Group 1 and Group 3 (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in p100 latency 1 degrees-0.3 degrees, p100 amplitude 0.3 degrees, central 0-30 degrees, 10-30 degrees, 20-30 degrees between Group 2 and Group 3 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the parameters except for p100 amplitude 1 degrees between Group 1 and Group 2 (p>0.05). Conclusion: The evaluation of PVEP and central 30 degrees VF can be used to monitor disease prognosis in subclinical MS patients.
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    A Retinal Detachment Case with a Delay in Diagnosis Due to Unilateral Lens Coloboma and Bilateral Ectopic Pupil
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Ilker, SS; Kiliç, S; Kurt, E; Ulusoy, O
    A 29-year-old female patient was admitted with the complaint of decreased vision in the left eye for the last 9 months. The visual acuity was 0.4 in the right eye and hand movements in the left eye. Biomicroscopic examination revealed ectopic pupils in both eyes and lens coloboma in the left eye; her right lens was normal. There was total retinal detachment in the left fundus. Optic disc, macula, and peripheral retina were normal in the right eye at her fundus examination. In our case, reduction of vision in the left eye was associated with ectopic pupil at various centers and this situation has led to delay in the diagnosis. Therefore, the importance of careful retinal examination should be kept in mind in cases in which the reduction of vision does not correlate with clinical picture.
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    Comparison of Icare Pro Tonometry and Icare one Tonometry Measurements in Healthy Eyes
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Sarigül, Ç; Kurt, E; Kayikçioglu, ÖR; Ilker, SS
    Objectives: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained with the Icare Pro tonometer used in clinical practice and the Icare One self-tonometer. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two eyes of 52 healthy, right-handed individuals with no prior intraocular surgery or ocular trauma, structural ocular pathology, or systemic disease were evaluated. IOP was first measured using the Icare Pro tonometer. The participants were then told how to use the Icare One tonometer and asked to measure their own IOP The results were analyzed statistically using SPSS v.24. Results: Of the 52 healthy participants, 16 (30.7%) were male and 36 (69.3%) were female. Their mean age was 31.6 +/- 6.3 (23-47) years. Mean IOP measured with the Icare Pro was 17.10 +/- 6.2 (11.5-25.2) mmHg, and the mean self-measured IOP with Icare One was 14.01 +/- 3.4 (7-24) mmHg. When the two methods were compared using Levene's t-test, there was a significant mean difference of -3.08 +/- 0.6 (95% confidence interval: -4.39 -1.78; p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, there was a significant difference between the IOP measurements we made using the Icare Pro and the participants' self-measured IOP using the Icare One, with the latter being relatively lower. This may be related to the fact that the participants were unfamiliar with using the Icare One. Although the Icare One is a promising tool for glaucoma patients to self-monitor their IOP, further studies are needed.
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    New Treatment Alternatives in the Management of Non-infectious intraocular inflammations: Biologic Agents
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Emre, S; Tutkun, IT
    Conventional immunosuppressive agents have been traditionally used for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis. Recent developments in genetic engineering have made it possible to synthesize proteins that target specific molecules playing role in the inflammatory response. These agents are generally in protein structure and are named biologic agents. While there is limited experience with biologics in the field of ophthalmology, they are commonly used in other disciplines such as rheumatology and dermatology. Although considerable data have accumulated in the uveitis literature regarding the use of biologic agents, including mainly interferon, infliximab, and adalimumab, their use for this indication is still off-label. Moreover, there are certain precautions that have to be taken into account, as well as important safety issues associated with their use. The purpose of this paper is to present an updated comprehensive review of biologic agents that may be used for the treatment of refractory uveitis.
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    Evaluation of the Effect of Body Position on Intraocular Pressure Measured with Rebound Tonometer
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Tekin, B; Kayikçioglu, ÖR; Kurt, E; Ilker, SS
    Objectives: It is important to determine variables that influence intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of body position on IOP. Materials and Methods: The study included 52 right eyes of 52 patients who presented to the ophthalmology department of our hospital and had no ocular disease except refractive errors. IOP was measured with an Icare PRO tonometer while patients were in sitting, standing, and supine positions, with intervals of 10 minutes between the positions. Correlations between the results were evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Thirty-six of the 52 patients were female, 16 were male. Mean age was 31.65 +/- 6.30 (23-47) years. Mean IOP values in the sitting, standing, and lying positions were 17.76 +/- 3.41 (12.70-25.60) mmHg, 17.10 +/- 3.27 (11.50-25.20) mmHg, and 18.46 +/- 4.67 (10.50-29.40) mmHg, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between measurements taken in the different positions (p=0.112, p=0.472, p=0.071). We observed that there was no relationship between age and body position (p>0.45, p>0.79, p>0.77) or between gender and position (p>0.59, p>0.69, p>0.54). Conclusion: Gender and age had no effect on IOP measured in different body positions. There were also no significant differences between IOP values measured in the different positions. Therefore, we believe the portable Icare PRO tonometer can be used for patients who are confined to bed and will provide IOP measurements that are concordant with values obtained while sitting.
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    Efficacy of Topical Brinzolamide Treatment in Posterior Microphthalmos-Related Macular Cystoid Lesions: A Case Series
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Engin, CD; Ekinci, UB; Selver, A; Saatci, AO
    The aim of this study was to report the outcome of topical brinzolamide 1% treatment on macular cystoid lesions resembling retinoschisis in 4 patients diagnosed with posterior microphthalmia. The medical records of 4 patients with a clinical diagnosis of posterior microphthalmia who had started topical brinzolamide 1% treatment were reviewed. Visual acuity, central foveal thickness, and cystoid lesion area percentage were used to evaluate treatment response. In the follow-up, there was a decrease in central foveal thicknesses and cystoid lesion area percentages in both eyes of 3 of the patients. However, 1 patient showed increases in both parameters. Visual acuity remained stable in 5 eyes and increased in 3 eyes. Topical brinzolamide treatment may have some positive effects on macular cystoid lesions in selected cases.
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    Corneal Haze and Peripheral Corneal Arcus in a Young Patient: Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyltransferase Deficiency
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Kiliç, S; Cansiz, C; Türkoglu, MS; Baser, EF
    A 23-year-old female patient applied to our clinic with the complaints of color changes in both of her corneas. Ophthalmological examination revealed 20/20 vision in both eyes. Intraocular pressure was 14 mmHg on the right eye and 12 mmHg on the left eye. Eye movements were normal and fundus examination revealed normal optic disc, macula, and peripheral retina. Biomicroscopic examination revealed diffuse haze in both of her corneas with circumferential arcus at the limbus and normal conjunctivae. Biochemical parameters were normal except for high-density lipoprotein values below 5 mg/ml, which was confirmed on repetitive tests. Together with ocular manifestations and low high-density lipoprotein values, a diagnosis of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency was made. In this article, a young patient who had low high density lipoprotein serum levels, peripheral corneal arcus, and corneal haze not affecting the visual acuity is presented.
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    Clinical Results in Patients with Combined Penetrating Keratoplasty and Vitreoretinal Surgery Using Landers Wide-field Temporary Keratoprosthesis
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Mayali, H; Kayikçioglu, Ö; Altinisik, M; Biçak, F; Kurt, E
    Objectives: To evaluate the clinical results of corn bined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with Landers wide-field temporary keraroprosthesis and penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Materials and Methods: From January 2016, traumatic eyes with coexisting corneal and vitreoretinal diseases that underwent combined keratoprosthesis/PPV/PK surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic characteristics, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP) and clinical findings of the cornea, lens, and retina were recorded during the follow-up. Cases with clear corneal graft, attached retina, normotonic IOP, and improved or stable VA were considered successful. Results: Eight eyes were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up time was 21.1 +/- 8.20 months. Surgery was performed a mean of 23 (10-40) days after trauma. Preoperative VA ranged from no light perception to counting fingers from 50 cm. Postoperatively, corneal graft was clear in 5 patients (62.5%) and retina was attached in 6 eyes (75%). Chronic hypotonia developed in 3 patients (37.5%). VA was unchanged in 3 patients and improved in 5 patients. A total of 5 cases (50%) were considered successful. Shorter interval between trauma and surgery was associated with higher likelihood of success (p=0.043). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of type or location of trauma (p= 1; p= 0.143). Conclusion: Although the functional results are not very satisfactory, the combined procedure provides a final opportunity for preserving remaining vision and anatomic reconstruction in eyes that will otherwise result in phthisis due to severe anterior and posterior segment pathologies.
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    Reply to Letter to the Editor re: Unintentional Staining of the Anterior Vitreous with Trypan Blue During Cataract Surgery
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikçioglu, Ö; Mayali, H; Dogruya, S; Alp, S; Yilmazlar, AA; Kurt, E
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    Comparison of Induced Astigmatism After Trabeculectomy and Deep Sclerectomy+Trabeculectomy Surgeries with Vector Analysis
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikçioglu, ÖR; Emre, S; Mayali, H; Baser, EF
    Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the changes in surgically induced astigmatism with time among two different glaucoma surgery techniques that have been used in cases of progressive glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Material and Method: The study group was composed of eyes which have been operated on with classical trabeculectomy (group 1) or deep sclerectomy+trabeculectomy (group 2). Each group consisted of 13 eyes of 12 patients. All eyes were examined preoperatively and postoperatively at 1. week, 1., 3. and 6. month. At these examinations, except intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal power was recorded with keratometer and corneal topographer. The magnitude of absolute astigmatism, and induced astigmatism were determined by vector analysis at each visit and were statistically compared between the study groups. Results: The mean (+/-SD) age of the patients was 56.2+/-24.0 and 52.5+/-24.3 in group 1 and 2, respectively. Preoperatively, IOP were 30.77+/-10.30 and 27.54+/-11.28 mmHg, and at 6 month of surgery decreased to 12.38+/-4.13 and 12.08+/-5.73 mmHg in groups 1 and 2, respectively. At all postoperative visits, a significant decrease in IOP was observed compared to the preoperative measurements (p< 0.05). Postoperatively at 1. week of surgery, the mean induced astigmatism values were 1.50+/-2.16 and 2.60+/-2.65D in group 1, and 1.66+/-1.32 and 2.01+/-1.95D in group 2, with keratometer and corneal topographer, respectively. The difference between the groups was not significant (p>0.05). At following visits, surgically induced astigmatism decreased in both groups with both methods and the difference never reached significant levels with time. Discussion: Glaucoma surgeries, particularly in the early period, are likely to be the reason for the changes in the corneal power. It seems that the addition of deep sclerectomy to trabeculectomy does not cause any significant change in surgically induced astigmatism.
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    Efficacy and Complications of Subtenon Depo Steroid Injections in Uveitic Patients by Subtenon Canulla
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikçioglu, Ö; Çerci, MA; Seymenoglu, G
    Purpose: Evaluation of therapoetic efficacy and complications of depo steroid injection by subtenon canulla on uveitic patient group is aimed. Method: In patients with uveitis, following 4-5mm inferotemporal conjunctival incision, 40mg of depo steroid was quickly injected to the posterior subtenon space by a subtenon canul-la. Patients were evaluated for complications during injection, visual acuity, intraocular pressure and uveitic reactions during the first and third months. Results: In the study group, 17 eyes of 15 patients with a mean age of 29.3 +/- 12.4 years were evaluated. Etiology for uveitis was Behget's disease in 6 (40.0%), intermediate uveitis in 3 (20.0%), Vogt-Koyonagi-Harada syndrome in one (6.7%), ankylosing spondylitis in one (6.7%), resistant iridocyclitis in one (6.7%) and undetermined posterior uveitis in 3 (20.0%). Initial visual acuity before subtenon steroid injection was 0.49 +/- 0.31 on Snellen chart, 0.59 +/- 0.32 on the first month and 0.68 +/- 0.37 on the third month (p=0.00 2). IOP by applanation tonometry was 14.6 +/- 3.8 mmHg at baseline, 16.7 +/- 6.0 on the first month and 13.9 +/- 3.6 mmHg on the third month (p=0.07). Two patients had TOP rise requiring therapy, one had an epileptiform contraction during injection, one had infection of the incision wound. Discussion: Posterior depo steroid injections performed with subtenon canulla had a low complication potential with high efficacy on a selected group of patients.
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    The Effect of Intravitreal Bevacizumab on Apoptosis of Rat Retina Cells
    (TURKISH OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOC) Kayikçioglu, Ö; Vatansever, S; Topçu, I; Aydemir, I; Bilecenoglu, T; Kahvecioglu, F; Emre, S
    Purpose: To investigate the apoptotic effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on rat retinal cells. Material and Method: Thirty-six male adult Swiss albino rats were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was applied 0.25 mg bevacizumab in 0.01 ml saline, and the second group received the same amount of saline intravitreally. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups. The animals were sacrificed and their globes were enucleated at the 3rd, 24th, and 72nd hours of the experiment. Enucleated eyes were preserved for histological analysis, immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Fas/Fas L, VEGF and VEGF receptors (Flt-1, Flk-1), and TUNEL staining. Results: Histological evaluation showed no sign of retinal toxicity in both groups. In TUNEL staining, TUNEL(+) cells were detected in all subgroups, but the number of positive cells was relatively lower in bevacizumab treatment group that reached statistically significant level at 24 and 72 hours of treatment (p<0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that in saline-treated subgroups, immunoreactivity was more pronounced for all apoptosis-inducing proteins compared to bevacizumab-treated group. Also immunoreactivity of VEGF was prominent in saline treated group. For VEGF receptors, staining was only positive for Flt-1 at the 3rd hour in the control group. Discussion: Bevacizumab did not have apoptosis-inducing potential compared to saline solution in short term, which was documented with TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining.