Optometry Australia's chairside reference for the diagnosis and management of age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over the age of 50 years in Australia. Optometry Australia has developed this AMD chairside reference in consultation with a member-based working group comprised of experienced practitioners. It provides an evidence-based approach to current best practice in the diagnosis and management of AMD. Optometrists should be competent in assessing patients with or at risk of developing AMD, so that they are able to provide evidence-based management including appropriate communication, diagnosis and referral when indicated. This AMD chairside reference covers risk factors for the development of AMD or progression to late-stage AMD; the current clinical classification of AMD; common signs and symptoms; optometric assessment including ocular imaging and biomarkers; differential diagnoses; and management of early, intermediate and late AMD. Optometry Australia's chairside reference is intended as a general guide for optometrists, and is not a formal management protocol.

Acute esotropia in heroin withdrawal: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Esotropia during opiate withdrawal is a new clinical syndrome that has only recently been reported in the literature. METHODS: Clinical case series. RESULTS: Five patients with acute esotropia during opiate withdrawal are presented. In four there was evidence of underlying hyperopia and/or other strabismogenic features. CONCLUSIONS: The precise cause of esotropia with heroin withdrawal is uncertain. Most (and possibly all) of these patients have one or more objective strabismogenic features, and these are probably a large factor in the causation.