Intrastromal corneal ring segments for keratoconus patients: up to 12 years follow up.

Purpose: Intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation is a surgical technique developed with the purpose of avoiding the progression of corneal protrusion and is considered a viable option for managing patients with keratoconus as it stabilizes or improves vision thus delaying or excluding the need of more advanced surgical intervention such as penetrating keratoplasty. However, long term follow up is still limited to determine its actual success in achieving this goal. The current project aims to provide an extended follow up reporting a mean followup of around 5 years, extending up to 12.

The Relationship between Pinguecula and Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and the presence of pinguecula and to identify other risk factors associated with pinguecula in patients attending the eye clinic at two tertiary university hospitals in Jordan.

Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional hospital-based study of 241 consecutive patients (122 patients with DM and 119 patients with no diabetes). All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, and data were collected regarding age, sex, occupational activity, presence and grade of pinguecula, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and presence of diabetic retinopathy.

Predictors of visual acuity improvement after phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess preoperative predictors of visual outcome after phacoemulsification cataract surgery in Jordan, a Middle Eastern country.

Methods: This was a retrospective longitudinal study of adult patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery from January 2019 to July 2021. For each patient, we included only the first operated eye.

Deep Learning Prediction of Response to Anti-VEGF among Diabetic Macular Edema Patients: Treatment Response Analyzer System (TRAS).

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common cause of visual impairment among patients with diabetes mellitus. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (Anti-VEGFs) are considered the first line in its management. The aim of this research has been to develop a deep learning (DL) model for predicting response to intravitreal anti-VEGF injections among DME patients.

Vision-Related Quality of Life After Vitrectomy: Cross-Sectional Study from Jordan.

Background: In the era of patient-centered medical care, using objective clinical measures to assess patient-centered outcomes in all aspects became a necessity, and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a major ophthalmic surgical procedure used for the treatment of vitreoretinal disorders aiming to improve their vision-related quality of life.

Purpose: To study the impact of PPV on visual quality of life by assessing its effect on common daily activities, to assess its association with various factors, and to explore the relations between these factors and postoperative visual function.

Methods: Vision-related quality of life for 87 patients who underwent PPV was assessed using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) by phone call interviews.

Delayed Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy for Patients During the COVID-19 Lockdown: An Ethical Endeavor.

Purpose: To assess the impact of Jordanian's Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) lockdown on visual acuity and macular thickness in patients with macular edema receiving intravitreal injections, and to assess the ethical endeavor of lockdown among serious sight threatening conditions.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients planned for intravitreal injections who did not complete the planned course before the lockdown (ie, before 20th of March 2020). Data included demographics, indication for the intravitreal injection, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and central macular thickness on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) before and after the lockdown.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms and related risk factors among diabetic patients with retinopathy attending the Jordan University Hospital.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of depressive symptoms among diabetic patients suffering from retinopathy, and to identify crucial risk factors that affect patients' quality of life and whether social support mediates the relationship between retinopathy and depression.

Methods: The sample comprises 155 participants with diabetic retinopathy recruited from the Jordan University Hospital during the year 2017. Arabic versions of all study tools were employed as follows: the Beck Depression Inventory; the short form of the health survey; the Berlin social support scale; ophthalmic examinations; patients' records; and a demographic questionnaire.

Extending the spectrum of CLRN1- and ABCA4-associated inherited retinal dystrophies caused by novel and recurrent variants using exome sequencing.

Background: Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are characterized by extreme genetic and clinical heterogeneity. There are many genes that are known to cause IRD which makes the identification of the underlying genetic causes quite challenging. And in view of the emergence of therapeutic options, it is essential to combine molecular and clinical data to correctly diagnose IRD patients.

Platelet lysate promotes re-epithelialization of persistent epithelial defects: a pilot study.

Purpose: To study the use of autologous platelet lysate prepared in a standardized method for the healing of persistent corneal epithelial defects (PED).

Study Design: Clinical and experimental investigation.

Methods: In this prospective pilot study (ClinicalTrials.

Keratoconus Asymmetry between Both Eyes Based on Corneal Tomography.

Purpose: To characterize the asymmetry between both eyes in patients with keratoconus based on corneal tomography.

Materials And Methods: All patients with keratoconus who presented to the eye clinic at Jordan University Hospital between January 2008 and November 2011 were included in the study. Using computerized corneal tomography, the keratometric values and indices of both eyes of participants with keratoconus and normal controls were compared.

Prevalence of blindness and diabetic retinopathy in northern Jordan.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy in north Jordan (Irbid) using the rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy methodology.

Methods: A multistage cluster random sampling technique was used to select participants for this survey. A total of 108 clusters were selected using probability proportional to size method while subjects within the clusters were selected using compact segment method.

Topographic characteristics of keratoconus among a sample of Jordanian patients.

Aim: To identify topographic characteristics of keratoconus in a Jordanian sample.

Methods: This study characterized 210 corneas affected with keratoconus presenting to Jordan University Hospital. Patients were diagnosed based on clinical examinations and Pentacam imaging.

Prevalence of thrombophilic genetic factors among patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of thrombophilic factors in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with RP and 50 controls matched by age and gender were tested for the presence of the following mutations: factor II (GA20210), factor V Leiden (GA1691), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (CT677), factor XIIIa (Val→Leu), β-fibrinogen (GA455), tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFRII) (M196R), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (4 G/5 G), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (GA844).

Results: The following heterozygous mutations were found in patients/controls: factor V Leiden (12/14), factor XIIIa (20/30), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 TT (48/52), β-fibrinogen GA455 (36/36), TNFRII (M196R) (40/42), PAI-1 4 G/5 G (40/48), and PAI-1 GA844 (50/52).

Ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease in Jordanian patients.

Purpose: To study the prevalence, manifestations and severity of ocular involvement of Behçet's disease in Jordanian patients.

Methods: The study population consisted of 43 patients diagnosed to have Behçet's disease through Rheumatologist's examinations conducted at Jordan University Hospital between January 2002 and July 2009. The sample involved patients who displayed ocular manifestations.

Intravitreal bevacizumab in the treatment of diabetic ocular neovascularization.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for treating diabetic retinal and/or iris neovascularization.

Methods: Consecutive, prospective, interventional case series study of 60 eyes with diabetic retinal and/or iris neovascularization. Patients had a complete ocular examination before receiving 1.

Keratoconus patients at Jordan University Hospital: a descriptive study.

Purpose: To study a sample of keratoconus patients, who were referred to Jordan University Hospital for possible penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and provide basic epidemiological analysis.

Method: A descriptive study; we reviewed the medical records of 308 keratoconus patients referred for possible PKP. The following parameters were collected and analyzed: sex predilection, age at presentation, best corrected visual acuity, severity, bilaterality of the disease, and its association with vernal catarrh.

KeraRing intrastromal corneal ring segments for correction of keratoconus.

Purpose: Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) are small arc-like implants that are being used increasingly as a minimally invasive treatment for patients with keratoconus. This study assessed the effectiveness of KeraRing implants, a type of ICRS, to treat keratoconus.

Methods: Retrospective case series descriptive study of 43 patients (55 eyes) with keratoconus who underwent KeraRing implantation from February 2008 to June 2009.