Background: Myopia is a condition in which the visual images come to a focus in front of the retina of the eye. This disease is a major cause of visual disability, which presents in 108 million persons globally. Purpose: This study aims to determine the relationship between the degree of myopia, the axial length, and the choroidal thickness (CT). Methods: This is an observational analytical study that made use of a cross-sectional design. A total of 59 participants with refractive errors underwent treatment at Hasanuddin University Hospital and 116 eyes were measured and analyzed. The choroidal thickness was measured using the Enhance Depth Imaging OCT (EDI-OCT) tool, which is divided into nine observational areas. Furthermore, all data obtained were compared using statistical analysis, such as the one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test (p < 0.05). Results: There was a significant relationship between the choroidal thickness with axial length (p < 0.05) and myopia degrees (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The thickness of the choroid decreases with an increase in the axial length and degree of myopia, which further indicates that the higher the myopia degree, the thinner the choroidal vasculature.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in vitreous and serum samples, analyze the ratio, and compare among proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) subgroups. Patients and Methods: This study included 17 eyes of patients with PDR, identified as the PDR group which was divided into three subgroups (vitreous hemorrhage [VH], VH with fibrotic tissues, and tractional retinal detachment), and five control eyes (nucleus and intraocular lens drop). Vitreous and serum samples were obtained on the same day. The VEGF-A and PDGF-AB concentrations were calculated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The VEGF-A and PDGF-AB concentrations in vitreous samples were significantly higher in the PDR group (630.72 ± 342.81 pg/mL) compared with those in the control group (153.58 ± 145.85 pg/mL); however, they were not detected in serum samples. The vitreous/serum ratio of the VEGF-A concentration in the PDR group (2.1 ± 1.8) was significantly higher compared with that in the control group (0.31 ± 0.33). The VEGF-A concentrations in vitreous samples were highest in the VH group and lowest in the VH with fibrotic tissue subgroup (mean difference 536.16 pg/mL). The vitreous VEGF-A/PDGF-AB concentration ratios were also significantly different among the PDR subgroups. Conclusion: High concentrations of VEGF and PDGF in vitreous samples of PDR eyes indicate its local related activity in PDR pathology. There is a possibility of PDGF involvement in the pathogenesis of PDR. The VEGF/PDGF concentration ratios possibly play a significant role in the formation of fibrotic tissue in PDR.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious and emergency condition that may cause visual disturbance. Treatment includes pars plana vitrectomy with a tamponade such as intraocular gas or silicone oil (SO). In many countries, silicone oil is still favorable compared to intraocular gases as tamponade for reattachment of retinal detachment surgery. The application provides a higher anatomical success rate, especially in cases of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) that were previously considered untreatable. Objective assessment of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the eye with silicone oil tamponade is a challenge because of the limitations and difficulties in taking images. This study aims to assess the RNFL thickness changes in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment patients using SO tamponade and its subsequent removal conducted on a total of 35 post-operative RRD patients. Central macular and RNFL thickness, as well as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), were recorded at the time of tamponade and after the removal of the SO at 1, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. The results showed that the changes in RNFL thickness significantly decreased in the group of ≤6 months, especially in the superior and temporal quadrants, and BCVA increased after SO removal (p < 0.05). Central macular thickness was significant (p < 0.001) at the end of the visit. Improved visual acuity is associated with decreased RNFL and central macular thickness after SO removal.

Introduction . This study aimed to assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) levels within vitreous and blood serum samples of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and their relationship to the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods . Seventeen eyes of patients with RRD were included in the RRD group and divided into three subgroups: RRD without PVR, RRD with PVR grades A and B, and RRD with PVR grade C. Five control eyes (nucleus and intraocular lens drop) were included in this study. Blood serum and vitreous samples were collected during vitrectomy. VEGF‐A and PDGF‐AA levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results . The mean vitreous VEGF‐A level in the RRD group was 131.71 ± 58.25 pg/mL, and the mean vitreous PDGF‐AA level was 174.62 ± 65.17 pg/mL. Both levels were significantly higher in the RRD group compared with the control group ( p < 0.05). Vitreous VEGF‐A and PDGF‐AA levels were the highest in RRD with PVR grade C subgroup, with mean levels of 179.87 ± 21.02 pg/mL and 229.44 ± 14.09 pg/mL, respectively ( p < 0.05). The vitreous VEGF‐A/PDGF‐AA ratios in the RRD subgroups were completely different. Conclusion . Based on the tendency of VEGF‐A and PDGF‐AA levels, RRD surgery has to be performed as soon as possible prior to retinal cell death and membrane proliferative formation.

BACKGROUND Retinoblastoma (RB) is an inherited disorder caused by the RB1 gene mutation in retinal cells or germline mutation. Identifying the specific mutation is crucial for prognosis, inheritance risk assessment, and treatment planning. This study aimed to identify the germline mutation in the RB1 gene in patients with RB and their parents from the eastern part of Indonesia. METHODS This observational analytic study recruited patients with RB and their parents between 2016 and 2018 at Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia. The normal control subjects were children from the outpatient clinic at the Department of Ophthalmology, Universitas Hasanuddin Hospital. Ophthalmic examinations and peripheral blood tests were performed in RB patients, their parents, and control subjects. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes and amplified using conventional PCR. Hotspot exons 8, 10, 14, 17, and 22 were screened for mutations using the Sanger method. RESULTS There were 21 patients with RB (16 unilateral and 5 bilateral) and 14 normal subjects. Of the 184 variations detected in RB patients, 164 were also found in normal subjects. 19 intronic mutations in introns 10, 16, 17, and 21, and 1 novel missense mutation in exon 17 were identified. Parental testing revealed 8 substitutions in exon 17 and 5 intronic mutations in introns 16 and 17 of the parents. None of the variations in exons were passed to their children. CONCLUSIONS This study found a novel missense mutation in exon 17 of the RB1 gene.

Bali Medical Journal is a peer-reviewed quarterly journal published by Sanglah General Hospital in collaboration to Indonesian Physician Forum and Indonesian College of Surgeon, Bali-Indonesia.