Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi (Apr 2014)
Asteroid Hyalosis – A beautiful marker of an ugly disease
Abstract
Purpose: Asteroid Hyalosis (AH) is the name given to the condition in which calcium soaps gets deposited on vitreous fibrils in eyes. It gives a beautiful shiny star-like appearance in the black vitreous on ocular ultrasound (B Scan). Its asymptomatic nature, unilateral occurrence and unexplained association with diabetes, are points to ponder. Our previous prospective double blind study was continue further to understand the utility of AH as a harbinger of diabetes in otherwise unsuspected individuals. Material and Methods: In the study period from 2011 to 2013; 400 non diabetic patients and 200 known diabetic patients, between 40-55 years of age were assessed by B mode ultrasonography for the presence of AH. Results: The overall incidence of AH in our study was 12.75 % in non-diabetic population and 59.5% in diabetic population. We found that the ultrasound demonstration of AH is 88.51% sensitive and 40.81 % specific to identify presence of diabetes and it has a positive predictive value of 69.31 % and a negative predictive value of 70.17 %. Conclusion: Individuals with diagnosed diabetes have high incidence of AH. Occurrence of AH is more common in individuals who are prone to develop diabetes. So ocular ultrasound should be included in the routine annual health screening programs. Multicentric studies to evaluate the cause–effect relationship are warranted before this dictum becomes a universal doctrine. [Cukurova Med J 2014; 39(2.000): 323-328]
