OCT-Angiography of deep and superficial retinal vascular density changes in diabetes without diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To analyze the vascular density values (VD) in the superficial and the deep retinal network and in all perimacular sectors of diabetic eyes without clinical retinopathy, comparing them to that of healthy, nondiabetic control eyes. We investigated the factors that may influence these values. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study including diabetics without diabetic retinopathy and healthy control subjects. All subjects underwent OCTA examination (RTVue-XR Avanti; Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA). The scanned area was 3×3mm and centered on the fovea. In the superficial and deep capillary plexus, we evaluated the total VD, parafoveal, temporal, nasal, superior and inferior sectors, as well as the superior and inferior hemi-sector VD. The sectors with the greatest area under the curve (AUC) were determined. We evaluated the correlation between certain risk factors and VD values. RESULTS: VD values in all sectors of the superficial capillary plexus layer and deep capillary plexus layer in the diabetic group were significantly lower than in the control group. Among all the parameters, the superficial total VD and superficial parafoveal VD had the greatest AUC (0.992 and 0.991 respectively). The sector with the greatest AUC was the temporal sector in both the SCP (0.990) and DCP (0.976). Age, creatinine clearance and hyperlipemia correlated with vascular density. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial and deep retinal VD are both decreased in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy. Our results suggest that OCTA might be a promising tool for diabetic retinopathy screening. Quantitative microvascular changes might precede clinical damage.

Relationship between OSDI score and biomicroscopic ocular surface damages in glaucomatous patients treated with preserved antiglaucomatous eye drops.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to identify factors that may influence the OSDI score, in particular, ocular surface damage in patients on preserved glaucoma eye drops. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 155 glaucoma patients treated with preserved glaucoma eye drops. They all completed the "Ocular Surface Disease Index" (OSDI) questionnaire and underwent complete ophthalmological examination with precise evaluation of the status of the ocular surface. The assessment included Shirmer I testing, tear break up time (TBUT), eyelid, conjunctival and corneal examination with fluorescein and lissamine green staining. We analyzed factors that may influence the OSDI score and its relationship with the biomicroscopic signs. RESULTS: Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) was used in 80% of cases. The OSDI score was≥13 in 61.3% of cases and classified as severe in 22.6% of cases. The biomicroscopic signs of ocular surface disease were at least minimal in 87.1% of cases. The severity of the OSDI score was statistically associated with patient age (P<0.001), treatment duration (P<0.001), multiple medications (P=0.011), and use of BAK (P=0.004). Blepharitis (P=0.013), Meibomian gland dysfunction (P=0.039), corneal neovascularization (P=0.025) and superficial punctate keratitis (SPK) (P=0.044) were retained as predictors of a pathological OSDI score. A disparity between the severity of symptoms and biomicroscopic signs was noted. CONCLUSION: Symptoms and clinical signs are complementary for assessment of the various aspects of ocular surface disease. OSDI score is correlated with ethnicity, glaucoma treatment duration, number of medications, BAK use and clinical ocular surface changes, especially SPK.

Outcomes of intermittent exotropia surgery.

PURPOSE: To study the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of intermittent exotropia and to describe our therapeutic choices as well as their results and prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study including 57 cases of intermittent exotropia. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination with a sensory-motor assessment. Surgery was performed by the same surgeon, and the vertical component was addressed surgically at the same time as the exotropia. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 21.0. RESULTS: Our patients were classified as basic exotropia in 46 cases (80.7%), divergence excess in eight cases (14.1%), and convergence insufficiency in three cases (5.2%). Amblyopia was found in 26% of cases. The preoperative maximum angle of deviation was 36.5DP±9.1DS and a vertical component was found in 16 patients (28%). The most common was V pattern (8 patients). The mean age at the time of surgery was 14.8 years old. After a single surgery, we obtained motor success in 78.9% of the patients. Three patients were re-operated, with an overall motor success of 84.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Motor and sensory success may be achieved in intermittent exotropia. Rigorous, early management is necessary, even if tropic episodes are still rare. The rate of early consultation among children is still low in our country; thus, a national strabismus screening program must be established to obtain the best results.

Headache associated with refractive errors: Characteristics and risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our work was to study the characteristics of Headache associated with refractive errors (HARE)1, and to search for the correlation between headaches characteristics and some risk factors. We aimed also to assess the impact of these headaches on the quality of life of patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative study including 90 patients followed between August 2019 and January 2020. These patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 including patients presenting headaches due to uncorrected ametropia, and group 2 including control subjects. We studied HARE characteristics, the influence of certain risk factors (profession, triggers factors, characteristics of ametropia, and orthoptic abnormalities) on them, their evolution after one month of treatment, and their impact on patients' quality of life with the HIT-6 score. RESULTS: Headaches due to ametropia were mainly chronic (20.9±15.76 months on average) progressive (100% of cases), daily (90% of cases) predominantly during the second half of the day (82% of cases). They were moderate (64% of cases), with a fronto-orbital topography in 52% of cases. Headaches were compression-type in 36% of cases (18 patients) and pressure-type in 64% (32 patients). The multivariate study retained prolonged screen working (P=0.013), combined ametropias (P=0.001), moderate hyperopia (P=0.01) and astigmatism (P=0.03) to be risk factors of HARE. Headaches induced a substantial to major impact on the quality of life in 68% (34 patients had a score greater than 55), the latter is significantly influenced by the presence of high myopia. After optical correction and orthoptic treatment, we noted an improvement in headache in 100% of cases. The multivariate analysis did not identify any independent factor that impact the evolution of headache at one month. CONCLUSION: HARE may influence life quality; it needs an appropriate treatment based on risk factor management. A healthy lifestyle in addition to adequate refractive error correction is essential in children and, sometimes in adults. Oculomotor abnormalities treatment leads to improve long term results.

Outcomes of surgery in patients with sensory exotropia.

INTRODUCTION: Sensory exotropia is often due to profound amblyopia. Surgery essentially aims to improve aesthetic appearance and quality of life. Our goal was to discuss clinical features of sensory exotropia as well as surgical indications and outcomes. METHODS: Medical records of 43 patients who underwent sensory exotropia surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient had an ophthalmological examination and a complete sensorimotor assessment. All surgeries were performed by the same surgeon. We studied the influence of certain prognostic factors on motility outcomes, such as age of onset of strabismus, gender, delay of surgical management, degree of amblyopia, angle of deviation, and amount of recession/resection. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 2.3 years. All of our patients had severe amblyopia. An abnormal retinal correspondence with no fusion or stereopsis was noted in all subjects. The mean angle of deviation was 44.5 PD±12.4 SD preoperatively. The alignment success rate after a single procedure was 65.1%. Eight patients developed recurrent exotropia and were reoperated, with a final alignment success rate of 74.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory exotropia is characterized by a large angle of deviation and an altered sensory status. The overall goal of surgery is to improve the patient's aesthetics and quality of life by treating the maximum angle of deviation. Surgical outcomes are often satisfactory for the patients, but certain complications may occur, such as diplopia, enopthalmos, and recurrences.

Central serous chorioretinopathy: Professional repercussions among agents of the internal security forces.

PURPOSE: To describe the relationship between central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and stress in addition to the transient and permanent professional repercussions of this condition among security forces agents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, descriptive study of 22 CSCR patients. All patients were interviewed to establish their job status, a stressful triggering event, the number of consultations, absenteeism, the duration of episodes, the number of days off, exemption from certain activities and professional reclassification. All of our patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination and ancillary testing (OCT optical coherence tomography, fluorescein retinal angiography) to establish the positive diagnosis and to determine the clinical form. RESULTS: During their daily activity, all patients were armed and worked night security duty. They all reported a stressful event just before the onset of the disease. The average visual acuity was 4/10 P6 all forms combined; with a visual acuity between 1 and 2/10 for the chronic form. Visual impairment was associated with absenteeism (mean length of time off was 1.13 months per episode), exemptions from carrying arms or night duty in 36.36% of cases, with professional reclassification in 22.7% of patients. CONCLUSION: CSCR affects psychology and alters the quality of life of patients who are generally young and professionally active. This can interfere with work performance and cause temporary or permanent disability.

Oculomotor palsy in diabetics.

INTRODUCTION: Oculomotor palsy is one of the most frequent neuro-ophthalmologic complications of diabetic patients. It generates less interest in the literature than the other ocular manifestations. Our goal was to study the clinical, epidemiological, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of oculomotor palsy in the diabetic. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 24 diabetic patients with oculomotor palsy. The ophthalmological examination emphasized ocular motility. We performed an orthoptic assessment and a Hess-Lancaster test. Neuro-imaging was ordered in case of IIIrd and IVth nerve involvement, bilateral involvement, multiple ocular cranial nerve palsy or associated optic neuropathy. Treatment consisted of glucose management and alternating monocular occlusion or prisms for the diplopia. Data were entered and analyzed on SPSS 11.5 software. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 58.5±11.9 years. Binocular diplopia was the main symptom. The oculomotor palsy involved the VIth nerve in 50% of cases and was bilateral in two cases. Three patients also had an optic neuropathy. The mean duration of diabetes was 11.7±11 years; poorly controlled diabetes was found in 75% of cases and an association with diabetic retinopathy was noted in 56% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Long-standing uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and elevated hematocrit are the most common risk factors. The VIth nerve is commonly involved. Certain characteristics of the pupillary light reflex can help to differentiate an ischemic insult from an aneurysmal injury to the IIIrd nerve.

[Prognosis of primary malignant tumors of the conjunctiva]. / Le pronostic des tumeurs malignes primitives de la conjonctive.

PURPOSE: To discuss possible factors that could influence the prognosis of primary malignant conjunctival tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of 79 patients followed for primary malignant conjunctival tumors between January 1997 and July 2011. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 61.1 years; male/female ratio was 2.59. The mean tumor size was 13.9 mm. The histological type was invasive squamous cell carcinoma in 43 cases (54.4%), epithelial dysplasia in 11 cases (13.9%), carcinoma in situ in 7 cases, conjunctival malignant melanoma in 5 cases, conjunctival lymphoma in 4 cases and other rare tumors in 9 cases. We performed an excisional biopsy with a safety margin in 89.8% of cases, associated with cryotherapy in 46.6% of cases. Enucleation was performed in two cases and orbital exenteration in 5 cases. We noted tumor recurrence in 33.3% of patients after an average period of 9.5 months. Radiation therapy was indicated in 44 cases (55.7%). The mean follow-up of our patients was 42 months. Tumor recurrences were statistically associated with a history of xeroderma pigmentosum (P=0.012), a diagnostic delay more than 11 months (P=0.001), caruncular location (P=0.004), tumor size greater than 10mm (P=0.044), scleral extension (P=0.011), initial treatment limited to excisional biopsy (P=0.033) and histopathologic involvement of the margin of the tumor resection (P=0.008). CONCLUSION: A better understanding of the prognostic factors of primary malignant conjunctival tumors is essential for management and may improve the prognosis of these tumors.

[Post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma management: report of 73 cases]. / Prise en charge thérapeutique d'une hypertonie oculaire post-kératoplastie transfixiante : à propos de 73 cas.

PURPOSE: To report our experience in the therapeutic management of post-penetrating keratoplasty glaucoma. INTRODUCTION: Post-penetrating keratoplasty (PK) glaucoma is a true threat to visual prognosis. Therapeutic modalities are many, but the absence of a well-defined decision tree and the variable results of the various techniques renders management very difficult. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 73 eyes of 71 patients undergoing a penetrating keratoplasty. Patients who developed post-operative ocular hypertension were treated first with eye drops. In the case of failure, surgical procedures were recommended including trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage devices. The intraocular pressure (IOP) assessed with applanation tonometer, side effects and graft failure were monitored. RESULTS: The first medical treatment used for all patients was a betablocker, which allowed control of intraocular pressure in 80.6 % of eyes. Ahmed glaucoma valve was used in two cases with success and without graft failure. Trabeculectomy was necessary for five patients, three of whom developed immunological graft rejection within 6 to 9 months. We also observed that late ocular hypertension was statistically related to anatomic graft failure, independently of other preoperative factors. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although hypotensive medication is still the first treatment for ocular hypertension after penetrating keratoplasty, a surgical procedure is sometimes required. Glaucoma drainage devices and trabeculectomy are widely practiced, leading to good outcomes, with the risk of rejection lower in cases involving mitomycin C. Cyclodestructive procedures should be reserved for surgical failures with significant visual loss.

[Compressive optic neuropathy secondary to a pituitary macroadenoma]. / Neuropathie optique compressive secondaire à un macroadénome hypophysaire.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary adenoma is a common benign tumor representing 8 to 10% of intracranial mass lesions. The compressive optic neuropathy associated with a pituitary adenoma can be clinically indistinguishable from glaucomatous optic neuropathy. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man with no significant past medical history had noticed a rapid decrease in visual acuity for 6 months. Funduscopic examination revealed glaucoma-like bilateral, asymmetric optic cupping. Brain MRI examination revealed a pituitary tumor compressing the optic chiasm. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of a compressive optic neuropathy associated with a pituitary adenoma can be difficult, since it often simulates chronic glaucoma. However, several features should alert the clinician to the possibility of a compressive optic neuropathy and prompt neuroimaging, in order to obtain earlier diagnosis and treatment.