Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska

Dr. Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska

Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Chair and Department of Ophthalmology, District Railway Hospital,
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
EWEdward Wylęgała
Edward Wylęgała
Background: The present study determined the mean reference values of the anterior segment parameters of the selected eye using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in healthy Caucasian participants. Methods: A total of 166 volunteers (age 54–79 years), women (n = 92) and men (n = 74), were analyzed. One eye of each subject was randomly selected for anterior segment imaging. The anterior segment of the eye was scanned with CASIA2. The analyzed anterior segment parameters were divided into three groups, namely parameters of the cornea, lens, and angle. Results: The OCT (e.g., Ks, Kf, pKf, pKs, and central corneal thickness) and Fourier parameters of the cornea were significantly different between females and males. The iridocorneal angle was the smallest in the upper quadrant for all distance from the apex of the angle (250, 500, and 750 µm). Conclusions: Therefore, SS-OCT enables the analysis of parameters of the cornea, anterior chamber, lens, and iridocorneal angle, highlighting its clinical utility. Sex-specific differences in the analyzed parameters should be taken into account during the diagnosis of corneal diseases. The configuration of the filtration angle is an important marker during glaucoma diagnosis and drainage implant surgery. Measurements with CASIA 2is characterized by very good repeatability.

12 January 2022 in Tomography
Verified
Journal Article
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KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Slawomir TeperSlawomir Teper
Slawomir Teper
MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
EWEdward Wylęgała
Edward Wylęgała
Background: The present study examined the relationships among macular microvasculature, retinal structure, and epiretinal membrane (ERM) and explored the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography (OCTA) in idiopathic ERM assessment. Methods: The study sample comprised 276 eyes of 276 patients. A total of 154 eyes with ERM and 122 normal (control) eyes were analyzed. Only one eye of each participant was randomly selected for posterior segment imaging. Each patient underwent OCT and OCTA. Images were analyzed with AngioTool 0.6. Results: Foveal avascular zone was significantly smaller in the ERM group (p = 0.044). Average retinal thickness and foveal thickness were significantly higher in the ERM group (both p = 0.001). Moreover, 64 (41.5%) patients exhibited no metamorphopsia, while 46 (29.8%) and 44 (28.7%) patients exhibited moderate and extensive metamorphopsias, respectively. Meanwhile, FAZ was negatively correlated with central retinal thickness in the ERM group. The vessel area (p = 0.0017) and vessel percentage area (p = 0.044) were significantly greater in the ERM group. Conclusions: Changes observed in the superficial plexus in OCTA are related to the severity of metamorphopsia and can be further evaluated to support decision making regarding the surgical management of idiopathic ERM.

5 January 2022 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
EWEdward Wylęgała
Edward Wylęgała
Background: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a systemic, age-related disorder characterized by the production and accumulation of pseudoexfoliation material. To date, detailed characteristics have not been published regarding the iridocorneal angle and cornea in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome determined through swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods: A total of 150 eyes of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (ages 69–86 years) and 166 eyes in a control group (ages 54–79 years) were analyzed. Results: The central corneal thickness in the PEX group was 549.56 μm and was slightly (insignificantly) higher than that of the control group (540.56 µm). The anterior chamber of the eye was visibly shallower in patients with PEX syndrome than in those of the control group (2.49 mm vs. 3.07 mm; p < 0.001). The Fourier analysis parameters of the cornea showed multiple differences between the PEX and control groups. With respect to iris area, the parameters showed statistically significant differences between the PEX and control groups in all four quadrants of the eye. No statistical significance was found in the PEX group for the iridocorneal angle parameters, or corneal and lens parameters depending on gender and age. Conclusions: PEX syndrome is characterized by a significant impact on the anterior eye segment, including higher anterior and posterior keratometric values, lower anterior chamber depth, higher iris thickness, and narrower angle parameters. The characteristic anterior eye segment features of PEX syndrome can be detected using SS-OCT, which could potentially assist clinicians in properly managing the disease.

17 December 2020 in Journal of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Slawomir TeperSlawomir Teper
Slawomir Teper
EWEdward Wylegala
Edward Wylegala
Purpose. To describe the findings of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in a case of bilateral acute microcystic epitheliopathy after daily soft contact lens wear. Methods. IVCM and AS-OCT were used in the course of the bilateral epitheliopathy of a 23-year-old patient at the acute stage of the disease and at recovery after four days of treatment. The images were analyzed and compared. Results. On AS-OCT of the right eye, general hyperreflectivity and the increased thickness of the central corneal epithelium to 150μm with numerous hyporeflective small, oval cysts were revealed and resolved completely at day 4 after diagnosis and treatment. AS-OCT scans of the left eye revealed oval shaped, hyperreflective material within the corneal epithelium. IVCM of both eyes showed numerous microcysts of different sizes filled with hyperreflective material mostly within superficial epithelial layers. Epithelial cells showed a polymorphism along with disruption of a cytoarchitecture. Basal epithelial cells and anterior stroma showed inflammatory changes. Posterior corneal stroma and endothelium presented normal morphology. Conclusions. Microcystic keratitis appeared as localized microcystic inflammation of epithelium on AS-OCT, which was confirmed by IVCM. Both IVCM and AS-OCT are helpful diagnostic instruments in case of cystic inflammation of corneal epithelium.

2 February 2021 in Diagnostics
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ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
ECEdyta Chlasta-Twardzik
Edyta Chlasta-Twardzik
MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
EWEdward Wylęgała
Edward Wylęgała
This study focused on defining the characteristic features of keratometry and pachymetry elevation maps based on swept source optical coherence tomography (SS OCT) in Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) eyes with a coexisting cataract. 70 eyes of 35 patients diagnosed with FECD and a coexisting cataract and 70 control eyes were included in this prospective, controlled, observational, cross-sectional study. Features characteristic of intermediately affected eyes included an increased corneal thinnest thickness (CTT) (p = 0.01), 3 and 6 mm asymmetry (p < 0.0001), higher order Fourier indices (p < 0.05 and p ≤ 0.0001, respectively), chord µ, and a posterior Ectasia Screening Index (pESI) (p < 0.01). The lack of agreement between the anterior and posterior elevation map and a significant area of negative values in the posterior map were detected. In advanced FECD eyes, our study additionally revealed decreased posterior keratometry steep (Ks), keratometry flat (Kf), keratometry average (AvgK), eccentricity (Ecc), an increased corneal apex thickness (CAT), and decreased 3 and 6 mm posterior spherical indices (p < 0.0001 for all of the above). Characteristic features of subclinical FECD, independent of the corneal thickness, can be detected by SS OCT and should be considered during the preoperative assessment of patients with a coexisting cataract.

28 October 2020 in Journal of Ophthalmology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KUKlaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Klaudia Ulfik-Dembska
Slawomir TeperSlawomir Teper
Slawomir Teper
MDMichał Dembski
Michał Dembski
ANNA NOWIŃSKAANNA NOWIŃSKA
ANNA NOWIŃSKA
EWEwa Wróblewska-Czajka
Ewa Wróblewska-Czajka
EWEdward Wylęgała
Edward Wylęgała
This study aimed to analyze the frequency, drug susceptibility, and drug resistance of pathogens causing microbial keratitis (a corneal inflammation) in the Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. Despite intensive treatment, severe inflammation causes irreversible blindness in 7 of cases and eye loss (evisceration or enucleation of the eyeball) in 1 of cases at our hospital. The choice of a targeted drug depends on the culture result and drug resistance of the microorganism. This was a retrospective observation study. Conjunctival swabs and corneal scrapes were collected between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, in the tertiary reference center for keratitis. The collected data included the type of material received, culture result, and antimicrobial susceptibilities. Of the 2482 samples analyzed, 679 were positive and 1803 were negative. Of the total pathogens isolated, 69.9 were Gram-positive bacteria, 20.8 were Gram-negative bacteria, and 7.1 were fungi. A significant increase in the number of Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and a partial increase in the number of Gram-negative beta-lactams-resistant bacteria were observed. All fungal species were sensitive to amphotericin B, 82.81 were sensitive to voriconazole, and 56.25 were sensitive to fluconazole. Dual drug therapy (levofloxacin and tobramycin) was the first-line treatment. Drug susceptibility testing of the cultured microorganisms is necessary to initiate targeted treatment. Increased drug resistance was observed in this study. In the present study, most bacteria were sensitive to fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin therapy remains the recommended empirical treatment in microbial keratitis. According to our study, voriconazole remains a first-line antifungal drug, when a fungal infection is suspected.