Aim: We investigated the association of mean platelet volume (MPV) with the degree of retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Ninety patients with diabetic retinopathy (DRP) and

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are prone to infection because glucose in the skin, urine, mucous membranes, and tears promotes growth of microorganisms. Conjunctival flora develops soon after birth, and some saprophytic conjunctival flora play a pathogenic role when immune function is compromised, which can lead to serious infection. DM is one condition that may compromise immune status. In lacrimal function tests of DM patients, a decrease in breakup time (BUT) of lacrimal film and a decrease in Schirmer's test results were seen. In the present study, conjunctival flora in patients with DM was compared with that in controls with regard to type and duration of diabetes and results of lacrimal function tests. Seventeen patients with type 1 DM (n=34 eyes), 66 patients with type 2 DM (n=132 eyes), and 50 control subjects (n=100 eyes) were included. The control group consisted of age-matched patients with no ophthalmologic problems other than refractive error. Glycosylated hemoglobin values were measured with highpressure liquid chromatography with the Hi-AUTOA1c analyzer (Kyoto Daiichi Kagatu Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan). Type and duration of diabetes and demographic data were recorded, and routine ophthalmologic examinations were performed; the BUT of lacrimal film was determined, and the results of Schirmer's test were assessed. Microbiologic sampling was performed twice for both eyes with sterile cotton swabs. One sample was incubated in 2 mL of brain-heart infusion broth agar; the other was incubated for the presence of fungi in Sabouraud dextrose agar. Colony morphology, hemolysis, and Gram's stain, as well as catalase, oxidase, and coagulase tests were performed. No growth was observed in 12 of 17 patients (35.4%) with type 1 DM, 28 of 66 patients (21.2%) with type 2 DM, and 25 of 50 control subjects (50%). Staphylococcus epidermidis (11.79%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.7%) were the most frequently isolated organisms in the type 1 DM group, and S epidermidis (24.2%) and S aureus (21.2%) were the predominant organisms in the type 2 DM group. In control subjects, S epidermidis (22%), S aureus (12%), and Corynebacterium spp (10%) were the most frequently isolated organisms, and the number of eyes with growth of S aureus was significantly higher in the type 2 DM group than in the other groups (P<.01). Patients with diabetes are more prone to postoperative endophthalmitis than are nondiabetics, and preoperative application of antiseptic or antimicrobial agents to the conjunctiva may not sterilize the area. Impaired integrity of the posterior capsule may also increase the risk of endophthalmitis. Postoperative endophthalmitis is usually associated with gram-positive organisms (75%-80%); gram-negative organisms (15%-29%) and fungi (3%-13%) account for a smaller number of cases. A high rate of resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, and tetracycline was observed in S aureus isolates, although resistance to vancomycin was absent, rendering this molecule the most effective therapeutic option. In this study, S epidermi...

ABSTRACT.Purpose: This study examines the levels of oxidative damage in patients with cataract. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 60 patients with cataract and 60 age-and gender-matched healthy individuals to measure 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Results: A significant difference was observed in leukocyte 8-OHdG levels in patients with cataract in comparison with healthy persons (p < 0.001). Similarly, a significant difference was observed in plasma MDA levels in patients with cataract in comparison with healthy persons (p < 0.001). In addition, a significant correlation was found between levels of 8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and plasma MDA (r = 0.859, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study measured the oxidative DNA damage by measuring the 8-OHdG in the leukocyte DNA in patients with cataract. In addition, the level of MDA -a marker for lipid peroxidation -was measured to determine lipid peroxidation.

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8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and urine levels in premature infants can be useful as an indicator for ROP screening.

The results indicate that vitamin D functions as a neuroprotective component for optic nerves. Low serum 25(OH)D concentrations contribute to RNLF thinning in early-stage DR patients with VDD.

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.

When used in conjunction with eyelid hygiene, topical administration of NAC appears to be as effective as a topical steroid-antibiotic combination, betamethasone-sulfacetamide sodium therapy in patients with MGD.