This study aimed to investigate the effects of commercial tattoo inks used in corneal tattooing on conjunctival microbiota. This prospective case control study consisted of 125 participants divided in the following three groups: 35 patients with corneal tattoos, 40 patients with corneal leukoma, and 50 healthy subjects. Corneal tattooing was performed in all the cases in this study using a tattoo pen machine and commercial tattoo ink. A total of 500 cultures were taken from 250 eyes of 125 individuals on chocolate and sheep blood agar. Bacteriological samples were taken from the inferior eyelid conjunctiva using a sterile cotton swab. Without any contact elsewhere, the swabs were smeared on bedside chocolate agars and 5% sheep blood agar. In tattooed eyes, bacterial growth was detected in 42.9% of the chocolate and sheep blood agar samples. In other healthy eyes of patients with corneal tattoos, 54.5% bacterial growth on chocolate agar and 57.1% on sheep blood agar were detected. No statistical difference was detected in the conjunctival microbiota of chocolate and sheep blood agar (p = 0.254, p = 0.134, respectively) in the tattooed eyes compared to the other eye of the individual. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of bacterial growth in tattooed, leukoma, or healthy eyes on chocolate and sheep blood agar (p = 0.408, p = 0.349). The growth rate of Staphylococcus epidermidis decreased by 33.3% (from 12 to 8) on chocolate agar in 35 tattooed eyes, and it decreased by 28.5% (from 14 to 10) on sheep blood agar, while gram-negative bacteria Brevundimonas diminuta, Acinetobacter lwofii, and Psychrobacter faecalis were detected in three patients. Corneal tattooing using commercial dye does not affect conjunctival microbiota. In the past 3 years, 120 patients have been tattooed with commercial tattoo ink in Istanbul Medeniyet University Göztepe Training and Research Hospital. No complications related to infection were found in the 3-year follow-up. The gram-negative bacteria detected in the healthy control group and tattooed eyes were bacteria found on normal skin or in the respiratory tract. Although some gram-negative bacteria do not cause infection, careful eye examination, follow-up, and culture are required in suspicious cases.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) on the corneal and anterior segment parameters of the eye. Materials and Methods: In this study, the anterior chamber depth, volume, angle and central corneal thickness of obese patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery were prospectively examined using Pentacam topography before and six months after surgery. Results: A total of 112 eyes of 56 individuals, including 26 males with a mean age of 38.88 ± 7.00 years and 30 females with a mean age of 40.94 ± 7.76 years, were evaluated (p = 0.310). Six months following MBS, the average body mass index (BMI) in men decreased from 45.5 kg/m² to 34 kg/m² (p < 0.001), and the BMI decreased from 47 kg/m² to 33 kg/m² (p < 0.001) in women. Central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure decreased significantly in both men and women. The anterior chamber depth, volume and angle ​​significantly increased six months after surgery (p < 0.001 for all parameters). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between postoperative BMI and anterior chamber depth, volume and angle in both sexes (p < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: This study revealed that anterior segment values, intraocular pressure, and corneal thickness may change after MBS. Caution should be exercised when evaluating for cataracts and refractive surgery after MBS. Graphical

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the conjunctival microbiota of patients requiring intravitreal injections due to diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: A total of 182 participants (46 DR, 71 AMD, 16 RVO, and 49 controls) were enrolled between August and November 2024. Conjunctival swabs were collected from both eyes under sterile conditions prior to injection and cultured on 5% sheep blood and chocolate agar. Microorganisms were identified using Vitek MS. Results: No significant differences were observed among the groups in overall microbial growth frequency (all p > 0.05). Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and polymicrobial growth were more frequently detected in DR and AMD patients, suggesting a trend toward greater microbial diversity, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: DR and AMD patients exhibited higher prevalence of gram-negative, fungal, and polymicrobial colonization. These findings underscore the importance of strict aseptic preparation, povidone-iodine disinfection, and targeted prophylactic strategies to minimize post-injection infection risk in high-risk populations.