Objective: To evaluate postoperative changes in male sexual function after cataract surgery and to examine the association between improvements in visual acuity and sexual performance using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Material and Methods: This prospective observational study included 52 men with age-related cataract who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Sexual function was assessed using the IIEF, encompassing erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction. Assessments were conducted preoperatively and one month postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and demographic data were also recorded. Paired Student’s t-test was used to compare pre- and postoperative results. Results: The mean BCVA improved significantly from 0.58 ± 0.21 logMAR preoperatively to 0.14 ± 0.09 logMAR at one month (p < 0.001). Total IIEF scores increased from 35 ± 1.6 to 43 ± 1.7 (p < 0.005), indicating overall enhancement in sexual function. Significant improvements were observed in orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction (p < 0.005 for all), while changes in erectile function were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Visual improvement correlated positively with changes in total IIEF score (r = 0.52, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Cataract surgery not only restores vision but also positively influences sexual and psychosocial well-being. Improvements in sexual satisfaction, desire, and orgasmic function highlight the broader quality-of-life benefits of visual rehabilitation. Further large-scale studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association.

Purpose: To investigate the role of CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 in pterygium recurrence. Methods: A total of 18 primary and 9 recurrent pterygium samples were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining using primary antibodies against cyclooxygenase-2 and CXCR4 was performed. The cyclooxygenase-2 and CXCR4 expressing cells were calculated separately on the epithelium and stroma. In addition, a correlation between the area of pterygium and CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 levels was investigated. Results: In the primary pterygium group, cyclooxygenase-2 staining was more intense in the epithelium and more dominant in the stroma of the recurrence samples. The CXCR4 expression was more intense in the stroma of both groups. The highest CXCR4 expression was observed in the recurrent pterygium group. There was a strong correlation between the area of pterygium and CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 of stroma. Conclusions: CXCR4 and cyclooxygenase-2 may play an important role in the recurrence of pterygium.

Background/Objectives: To evaluate early postoperative changes in scleral and iris thicknesses together with corneal layer thicknesses and tomographic parameters following corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with progressive keratoconus. Methods: This retrospective study included 94 eyes of 94 patients with progressive keratoconus who underwent standard epithelium-off CXL using the Dresden protocol. Corneal tomography (Pentacam) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) measurements were obtained preoperatively and at the early postoperative follow-up (3 months ± 2 weeks). Thickness measurements of the tear film, corneal epithelium, Bowman layer, stroma, Descemet–endothelium complex, sclera (1–3 mm from the limbus), and iris (1–2 mm from the pupillary margin) were analyzed. Pre- and post-CXL values were compared using paired statistical tests, and effect sizes were calculated. Results: In the early postoperative period, scleral thickness showed a significant increase at all measured distances from the limbus, with medium effect sizes, while iris thickness demonstrated a significant decrease at all measurement points with large effect sizes (p < 0.001). Tear film, epithelial, and stromal thicknesses decreased significantly after CXL, whereas Bowman layer and Descemet–endothelium complex thicknesses remained unchanged. Pachymetric measurements revealed significant thinning at the pupil center, corneal apex, and thinnest point. No significant changes were observed in Kmax or anterior chamber depth, indicating stabilization rather than progression in the early postoperative period. Conclusions: Corneal collagen cross-linking was associated with measurable early structural changes in corneal layers and extra-corneal anterior segment tissues during the postoperative period. The observed increase in scleral thickness and decrease in iris thickness suggest that structural alterations may occur in extra-corneal anterior segment tissues following CXL. These findings support the concept that CXL influences anterior segment biomechanics in a tissue-specific manner and that extra-corneal parameters may serve as complementary markers for early postoperative assessment.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal changes in retinal layers, retinal vessel diameters, and choroidal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Methods: This retrospective study included 35 patients (70 eyes) diagnosed with unilateral CRAO between 1 January 2020 and 5 January 2024. Unaffected fellow eyes served as internal controls. OCT-based macular segmentation, retinal arterial and venous diameter measurements, and subfoveal and peripapillary choroidal thickness were assessed in the acute phase (<24 h) and at 1-month and 6-month follow-up visits. Subgroup analyses compared patients who received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with those who did not. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and chi-square tests. Results: Retinal arterial and venous diameters showed significant narrowing during follow-up (arteries: 77.91 ± 11.77 µm to 70.74 ± 15.12 µm; veins: 130.94 ± 22.54 µm to 118.57 ± 20.61 µm; both p < 0.05). Macular segmentation demonstrated marked thinning of the inner retinal layers, most prominently in the retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer (40.09 ± 26.86 to 12.51 ± 4.99 µm and 61.20 ± 25.83 to 24.26 ± 12.11 µm, respectively; both p = 0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness progressively decreased over time (from 206.40 ± 34.91 µm to 178.86 ± 28.28 µm, p = 0.009). Peripapillary choroidal thickness increased across all quadrants at 6 months, most consistently in the inferior quadrant (p = 0.001). No significant differences in retinal or choroidal parameters were observed between HBOT-treated and non-treated patients. All cases exhibited persistent vascular occlusion without reperfusion. Conclusions: CRAO is characterized by progressive inner retinal atrophy, retinal vessel narrowing, and distinct temporal changes in choroidal morphology. The relative preservation and subsequent increase in peripapillary choroidal thickness during follow-up suggest dynamic choroidal involvement despite persistent occlusion. OCT-based macular segmentation and retinal vessel analysis provide objective biomarkers for longitudinal structural assessment in CRAO. By jointly quantifying retinal layer, retinal vascular, and choroidal remodeling, these findings may also provide reference data for future studies of structural evolution in non-reperfused CRAO.

Purpose: To evaluate the thickness of anterior sclera and corneal layers in patients with systemic sclerosis.Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 41 patients with systemic sclerosis and 41 age and gender-matched healthy controls. The study and control groups were compared in terms of the thickness of anterior sclera, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, corneal stroma and Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex. The thickness measurements were obtained using the anterior segment module of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.Results: The thickness of anterior sclera, corneal epithelium, Bowman's layer, and Descemet's membrane-endothelium complex were similar in the patients with systemic sclerosis and healthy controls (P>.05). Total corneal thickness at the apex was 511.1±33.5 µm in the systemic sclerosis group and 528.4±29.5 µm in the control group (P=.015). The corneal stroma was thinner in the systemic sclerosis patients compared to the healthy controls (P=.02). Conclusions: The corneal stroma was thinner in the patients with systemic sclerosis compared to that of healthy controls, while the thickness of the anterior sclera was similar in both groups.