[Risk factors for contact lens-related microbial keratitis: A multicenter case-control study]. / Facteurs de risque de kératites infectieuses chez les porteurs de lentilles de contact, une étude cas-témoins.

PURPOSE: Currently, the most feared complication by ophthalmologists of contact lens (CL) wear is microbial keratitis (MK), even though its incidence remains low. It is also a significant financial burden for society. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for CL-related MK especially with regard to hygiene and pattern of use, in a large, prospective, multicenter, case-control study. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was designed. The CL-related MK subpopulation (case) was compared with healthy CL wearers (control) using a 52-item anonymous questionnaire designed to determine subject demographics, lens wear history, lens type and disinfection solution, fitting, patient education, hygiene and maintenance of contact lenses, and patient history. Univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare both groups. RESULTS: The study included 497 cases and 364 controls. The risk factors associated with the greatest increased odds of CL-related MK were as follows: extended wear (OR=2.96 [1.65-5.33], P<0.001), occasional overnight lens use (OR=6.37 [4,55-8.90], P<0.001), fitting by an optician (OR=1.97 [1.38-2.83], P<0.001), absence of ophthalmologic exam (OR=6.56 [2-22], P<0.01) or no training in handling the contact lens (OR=4.47 [2.27-8.77], P<0.01), use of optician's disinfection solution (OR=5.55 [3.12-9.85], P<0.001), mixing solutions ("topping off") (OR=4.68 [2.73-8.04], P<0.001), no case replacement (OR=3.95 [2.28-6.82] P<0.01), no compliance with hygiene rules and smoking (OR=2.29 [1.67-3.14], P<0.01). The protective factors associated with the greatest reduction in OR were female gender (OR=0.49 [0.36-0.66], P<0.01), hypermetropia (OR=0.28 [0.16-0.48], P=0.01), rigid contact lens wear, fitting by an ophthalmologist, written and verbal instruction, and daily case maintenance. CONCLUSION: The knowledge of these risks factors incentivizes action at all levels to reduce the incidence of MK, from the prescriber to the patient, including the type of CL, case and contact lens solution.

[Sedated intraocular pressure and corneal thickness standards in children from birth to 10 years of age]. / Mesure de la pression intraoculaire et de l'épaisseur cornéenne centrale d'enfants de zéro à dix ans sous anesthésie générale.

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between intraocular pressure (IOP) and age is poorly studied in children. Thus, the aims of our work are to determine the IOP and central corneal thickness (CCT) standards in children from 0 to 10 years of age and to examine the possible relationship between IOP, CCT and age. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty eyes of 160 healthy subjects were examined between October 2007 and February 2009 under general anesthesia for eye muscle surgery. Three groups were analyzed: 0 to 2 years (n=30), 2 to 6 years (n=68) and older than 6-year-old (n=62). Measurement procedures included Perkins tonometry and contact pachymetry. RESULTS: The mean IOP increased progressively with age (P<0.001). Caucasian children had higher IOP than non-Caucasian children (P<0.05). Gender and side were not significantly associated with IOP. There was no significant difference in CCT between the three groups of age. None of the following parameters were significantly associated with CCT: ethnicity, gender and side. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation between IOP and CCT remains unclear during childhood. False reassurance might result if high IOP measurements are inappropriately adjusted downward in children with increased CCT.

[Study and prevention of contact lens-related microbial keratitis with a standardized questionnaire]. / Utilité d'un questionnaire standardisé dans la prise en charge et l'étude épidémiologique des kératites infectieuses sous lentilles de contact.

INTRODUCTION: microbial keratitis is a significant health concern for the one million wearers of contact lenses and their ophthalmologists, with some potentially modifiable risk factors. The number of risk factors for contact lens-related microbial keratitis has been described, but many of them still remain assumed or unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a multicenter prospective case-control study was conducted in 12 French university hospitals (Besançon, Bordeaux, Dijon, Fort-de-France, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon, Nancy, Nantes, Paris, Marseille and Strasbourg) beginning in July 2007 on contact lens wearers presenting with microbial keratitis and on healthy contact lens wearers. Patients and healthy wearers were interviewed using a 51-item anonymous standardized questionnaire to determine subject demographics and contact lens wear history. RESULTS: two hundred and fifty-six patients with microbial keratitis were included. One hundred and thirteen healthy contact lenses wearers were surveyed. Cosmetic contact lens wear highly increased the relative risk (RR) of microbial keratitis (RR, 16.5). Time since the last visit to an ophthalmologist longer than 1 year (RR, 3.4) or prescription by someone other than an ophthalmologist (RR, 7.6) also increased the risk of microbial keratitis. Education on lens care and handling was deficient (hand washing: RR, 2.2; rub and rinse: RR, 2.7). DISCUSSION: a standardized questionnaire is a powerful tool to determine risk factors for contact lens-related microbial keratitis, but also to analyze individual mistakes in contact lenses use and care.

[Serious fireworks-related eye injuries in Alsace (France)]. / Blessures oculaires graves liées à l'utilisation d'artifices de divertissement en Alsace.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to review cases of serious fireworks-related eye injuries presented in the Strasbourg (France) University Hospital ophthalmology emergency department and to analyze epidemiological and clinical data such as visual outcomes and risk factors. METHOD: A 13-year retrospective study (1994-2007) including fireworks-related ocular and adnexal injuries requiring hospitalization was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were reported; 95% were male. The mean age was 19.38 years old. There was 61.5% contusions, 33.3% eye and adnexal burns, and 15.4% of the patients suffered from a penetrating injury. More than half of the patients required emergency ophthalmic surgical procedures. Twenty-six percent of the patients had final visual acuity of 20/400 or less. CONCLUSIONS: Fireworks are a cause of severe eye injury in France. These injuries are potentially preventable, especially in young males.

[Purulent corneal melting secondary to multidrug-resistant Fusarium oxysporum aggravated by topical corticosteroid therapy]. / Fonte purulente de la cornée secondaire à une infection à Fusarium oxysporum polyrésistant favorisée par une corticothérapie topique.

Keratomycosis is a rare sight-threatening infection of the cornea. Predisposing factors in its pathogenesis are corneal trauma, mostly of plant origin, contact lenses, and overuse of topical corticosteroids. We report a case of a 44-year-old woman, with no ophthalmologic history, who developed severe keratitis 7 days after beginning topical therapy with a corticosteroid and antibiotic. Microbiological analysis revealed Fusarium oxysporum keratitis. Despite aggressive antifungal therapy with Voriconazole and Amphotericin B, she required a penetrating keratoplasty for impending corneal perforation. A second keratoplasty was performed because of corneal-transplant rejection after 6 months. There was no recurrence of Fusarium infection.

[Hemangioma of the eyelids and orbit in children: therapeutic follow-up]. / Hémangiomes orbitaires et palpébraux chez l'enfant: prise en charge thérapeutique.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the different therapeutic solutions for the management of periorbital hemangioma of infancy and childhood. MATERIAL: and methods: A retrospective study conducted between 2000 and 2006, including nine children (five girls and four boys), aged from 1 month to 9 years old. All children underwent a complete clinical evaluation, orbital ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging scans. The different histopathological forms and the different management options were analyzed: surgical excision, intralesional steroid injection, and oral steroids. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in three cases and the results are discussed. Intralesional corticosteroid injections are effective and lead to complete reduction of tumoral volume and to the disappearance of the initial symptoms. With oral steroids, regression of the tumor was noted, followed by regrowth of the hemangioma at reduction or termination of therapy; complementary therapy such as surgery or intratumoral corticoid injection was often needed. CONCLUSION: It therefore seems necessary to establish therapeutic processes adapted to the age of the child, the tumoral histology, the location of the tumor, as well as the clinical and functional impact, in order to offer the patient the best chances of healing, taking into account that surgery and intralesional corticotherapy remain the methods of choice in the treatment of periorbital hemangioma in infancy and childhood.