Anterior chamber abnormalities and cataract.

Material occurring in the anterior chamber as a result of trauma may be of little or major significance. The most common finding requiring treatment is hyphema. Close observation and (often surgical) treatment is especially important in patients at high risk: those with sickle cell disease, rebleeding, and elevated intraocular pressure. Cataract is a common complication in eyes sustaining serious trauma, although its presence may be difficult to confirm during the initial repair. The diagnosis is especially crucial because of the significantly increased risk of endophthalmitis. If the surgeon is able to determine that cataract is indeed present and hinders visualization of the posterior segment, or may lead to rapid elevation of the intraocular pressure, primary lens removal should be considered because vitreoretinal injuries are expected in approximately one-half of eyes, and an early retinal examination is mandatory in all eyes with lens trauma. Because one out of two eyes have posterior capsule injury, vitrectomy methods of lens removal are commonly required. Preservation of the posterior capsule is less important than avoiding traction on the anterior vitreous, because alternative methods of intraocular lens placement offer similar functional results.

Intraocular foreign bodies.

The most important rule in treating patients with an intraocular foreign body is that the primary goal of the intervention, while typically including foreign body removal, is comprehensive anatomical reconstruction of the injured eye so that the best possible visual outcome can be achieved. If the ophthalmologist is unable to perform such surgery, the patient should be referred to a facility where the expertise and personnel are available to address all treatable tissue lesions. If the foreign body is in the posterior segment, vitrectomy is usually necessary. With appropriate management, most eyes have a good chance of regaining and maintaining useful vision.

Epidemiology and socioeconomics.

Ophthalmologists should be responsible for a systemic collection of standardized data on the occurrence of eye injuries. Such a database is the key for designing prophylactic measures to successfully prevent ocular trauma. The USEIR model, whether reporting takes place over the Internet [www.USEIRonline.org www.WEIRonline.org (worldwide)] or on paper, has proved to be an efficient epidemiological tool. Use of this model in different countries has allowed making unbiased comparisons between regions or countries, highlighting injury patterns that may be different in different geographical areas, and pinpointing areas where prophylaxis (through legislation and public campaigns) appears most effective. Participation of all ophthalmologists who evaluate/treat patients with serious eye trauma is strongly encouraged.

The Ocular Trauma Score (OTS).

Only based on a standardized terminology of ocular trauma terms, and using a very large number of injuries treated by a wide variety of ophthalmologists, could a reliable method be developed so that the functional outcome of a serious eye injury can be predicted with reasonable certainty. The authors used the databases of the United States and Hungarian Eye Injury Registries and, with a grant from the National Center for Injury Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, designed such a system.

Intracranial migration of silicone oil from an eye with optic pit.

BACKGROUND: The origin of subretinal fluid in eyes with optic pit remains controversial. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: The authors found that silicone oil, implanted into an eye that developed proliferative vitreoretinopathy after surgery for optic pit-related macular detachment, has migrated into the subarachnoid space. CONCLUSIONS: As this case shows, cerebrospinal fluid may migrate into the submacular space in eyes with optic pits.

Mutations in the gene KCNV2 encoding a voltage-gated potassium channel subunit cause "cone dystrophy with supernormal rod electroretinogram" in humans.

"Cone dystrophy with supernormal rod electroretinogram (ERG)" is an autosomal recessive disorder that causes lifelong visual loss combined with a supernormal ERG response to a bright flash of light. We have linked the disorder to a 0.98-cM (1.5-Mb) region on chromosome 9p24, flanked by rs1112534 and rs1074449, using homozygosity mapping in one large consanguineous pedigree. Analysis of one gene within this region, KCNV2, showed a homozygous nonsense mutation. Mutations were also found in 17 alleles of 10 other unrelated families with the same disorder. In situ hybridization demonstrated KCNV2 expression in human rod and cone photoreceptors. The precise function of KCNV2 in human photoreceptors remains to be determined, although this work suggests that mutations might perturb or abrogate I(KX), the potassium current within vertebrate photoreceptor inner segments, which has been shown to set their resting potential and voltage response.

Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane removal for clinically significant macular oedema.

BACKGROUND: Little has been published on internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal for clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) in eyes not improving following maximal laser treatment. METHODS: Retrospective review of the charts and intraoperative video films of 30 consecutive eyes of 27 patients undergoing vitrectomy, ILM peeling, and gas tamponade by a single surgeon. RESULTS: The average patient was 52 years old; 56% were males. The oedema was caused by diabetes in 87% of the eyes, 42% of which had proliferative disease. The oedema was diffuse in 16 eyes (53%) and cystoid (CME) in 14 (47%). In 21% of eyes, spontaneous vitreous detachment was present or the eye had already undergone vitrectomy. All but one eye had at least 6 months of follow-up (mean 12 months). The oedema resolved completely in 26 eyes (90%) and partially in 3 eyes (10%). The visual acuity improved at least two Snellen lines in 19 eyes (66%) and one line in 4 eyes (14%); the average improvement was 4 lines. The acuity was unchanged in three eyes (10%) and worsened in three eyes (10%), all due to cataract. Among the 14 eyes with CME, 11 (79%) became completely dry and the visual acuity improved in 11 eyes (79%). No ILM-related complication was encountered in any eye. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with ILM peeling is a promising approach to eyes with CSME. It appears to offer visual improvement at a much higher rate than laser therapy and with a longer-lasting effect than that of intravitreal triamcinolone. A larger study is necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.