Activation of complement in human serum by some synthetic polymers used for intraocular lenses.

Determination of the potential to activate complement can be used as one criterion in testing the biocompatibility of various synthetic polymers that are utilized in the medical field. Intraocular lenses (IOLs) made of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with PMMA loops, poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) lenses, silicone lenses, and PMMA lenses with polypropylene loops were examined in this study. The concentrations of the activation peptides C3a, C4a and C5a were measured by radioimmunoassay (r.i.a.) in human serum after incubation with and without IOLs for up to 12 h. The presence of silicone lenses caused an increase in C3a levels. In the presence of polypropylene loops, the concentrations of both C3a and C5a were significantly higher than in serum incubated alone. There was no statistically significant increase in the concentration of C4a caused by any of the materials tested. The results suggest that IOLs made from silicone or lenses with polypropylene loops activate the complement system via the alternative pathway.

Choroiditis in infantile periarteritis nodosa.

The ocular pathologic findings were determined in a case of fatal infantile periarteritis nodosa (IPN). To our knowledge, this case is the first histologically documented report of choroidal inflammation associated with this disease. Since the clinical and pathologic findings of IPN and Kawasaki's disease (KD) are identical, these findings should be sought in cases of KD.

Vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

The clinical features of two patients with vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration and the histopathological findings in one of these cases are reported. Twenty additional cases are reviewed and compared with previously reported series. In patients with vitreous hemorrhage secondary to age-related macular degeneration, the appearance of vitreal blood is often preceded by extensive subretinal hemorrhage. Although this condition may be confused with a vitreous hemorrhage accompanying choroidal malignant melanoma, the correct diagnosis is usually apparent from clinical findings and ultrasonography. In most patients the prognosis for visual improvement is poor because of macular degeneration and extensive subretinal hemorrhage. A vitrectomy to remove the vitreous hemorrhage associated with macular degeneration is rarely beneficial.

Pyogenic granulomas of the cornea.

Pyogenic granulomas are vasoproliferative, inflammatory lesions composed of granulation tissue, which occur on cutaneous or mucosal tissues, often arising secondary to other processes such as trauma or infection. Conjunctival pyogenic granulomas are not rare, but corneal involvement is very unusual and can occasionally lead to problems in the differential diagnosis of corneal masses. We report three cases of pyogenic granuloma involving the cornea. The clinicopathologic features of these cases and a review of the literature on the ocular manifestations of this condition are presented.

Complications of intraocular lenses. A historical and histopathological review.

Recent improvements in intraocular lens (IOL) design, manufacturing techniques, and surgical techniques have greatly reduced the incidence of complications following implantation, and many authors now consider IOL implantation to be among the most safe and effective major surgical procedures. However, adverse reactions are still seen--some as late sequelae of earlier IOL designs and implantation techniques and some as sequelae of more recent implantations using "state-of-the-art" lenses and surgical techniques. Complications may be due to various factors, including surgical technique, IOL design, or the inability of some eyes with preexisting disease to tolerate an implant. The authors trace the evolution of IOLs since Ridley's first implant, summarizing the modifications in lenses and surgical techniques that were made as complications were recognized. They then review the clinical and histopathological features of selected cases from more than 200 IOLs and/or globes removed due to IOL-related complications and studied in the University of Utah Ocular Pathology Laboratory. It is hoped that this review will provide insights into the pathogenesis of IOL complications, enhancing the current success of implant procedures and stimulating further basic and clinical research in this area.

Combined macular hole and cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: Cataract often develops after macular hole surgery, necessitating cataract surgery. We report a combination of macular hole surgery and cataract surgery on four eyes of four patients. METHODS: Four eyes of four patients had a full-thickness stage III or IV macular hole and some degree of cataract. Combined cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant and macular hole surgery was associated with intravitreal perfluoropropane at 15% concentration and with face-down positioning for 21 days. RESULTS: After combined cataract and macular hole surgery, the rim of subretinal fluid resolved successfully in four eyes of four patients. Twelve months after surgery, the macular hole reopened in one eye in association with the new onset of macular pucker. Best-corrected visual acuities ranged from 20/25 to 20/100 12 months after surgery, while preoperative visual acuities with best correction were 20/70 to 20/200. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, a combination of cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant and macular hole surgery offers advantages. This combined approach warrants consideration.

Intraoperative fluorescein angiography.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescein angiography is often beneficial in the evaluation and management of many retinal vascular diseases. However, vitreous blood or opacities may prevent fluorescein studies before pars plana vitrectomy. After vitrectomy, fluorescein angiography may be delayed, creating uncertainty over differentiation of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings. METHODS: The authors have modified an intraocular light source and operating microscope to perform intraoperative fluorescein angiography easily. Twenty-five patients underwent fluorescein angiography during pars plana vitrectomy. All studies were recorded using a microscope-mounted video camera for intraoperative and postoperative evaluation. RESULTS: In all cases, intraoperative angiography was performed without complication. Indications for intraoperative studies included confirmation of macular edema, delineation of avascular retina, and localization of retinal and choroidal neovascularization. All videotape recordings of procedures were of high quality, allowing easy review and interpretation. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative fluorescein angiography is an easily performed adjunctive diagnostic procedure that can aid intraoperative evaluation and treatment of selected retinal vascular disorders.

Ptosis following radial keratotomy. Performed using a rigid eyelid speculum.

Seven patients with acquired ptosis and normal levator function following anterior radial keratotomy are presented. Five of these patients then elected to undergo radial keratotomy of the opposite eye, and four had symmetrical lid fissures (mild bilateral ptosis) after bilateral surgery. Ptosis is a well-known complication of cataract extraction, but has not been reported following radial keratotomy. Unlike cataract extraction, radial keratotomy does not require anesthetic injections, bridle sutures, or conjunctival flaps. The rigid Knapp eyelid speculum used in these cases remains as the only apparent cause of eyelid trauma and subsequent ptosis. During radial keratotomy, the speculum was opened widely in order to provide good corneal exposure and avoid contact with the diamond knife. Contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle against the rigid speculum may have traumatized the lid, resulting in a levator aponeurosis disinsertion and subsequent ptosis.

A comparison of ciliary sulcus and capsular bag fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses.

We compare indications, advantages, and disadvantages of ciliary sulcus and lens capsular bag (lens capsular sac) fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs). Our findings suggest that, whenever possible, it is efficacious to implant the loops of posterior chamber IOLs within the capsular bag. This positions the lens optic and the supporting loops in the natural anatomical position, sequestered from highly vascular uveal tissue and the blood aqueous barrier. This should minimize the potential for complications that may be associated with iris-ciliary body contact. Considering the rapid increase in the number of implantations of IOLs now being performed (approximately 700,000 per year in the United States alone), a possible reduction of even 1% in clinically significant complications would make this effort worthwhile. Widespread application of in-the-bag implantation is predicated on the assumption that the surgeon is proficient with this procedure and that careful follow-up of patients does not reveal any significantly increased incidence of lens dislocation due to zonular rupture.

An analysis of semiflexible, closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lenses.

We present the pathologic and scanning electron microscopic findings from 44 semiflexible, all polymethylmethacrylate, anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs). These IOLs, which have round, small diameter, closed loops were removed following a variety of complications, including uveitis and/or the uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome, secondary glaucoma, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, cystoid macular edema, erosion into uveal tissue (with and without oval pupil), and iris neovascularization. Over 200,000 of these lens styles have been implanted. Even though the number of these IOLs accessioned in our laboratory is small, we feel this analysis documents some of the problems that may be encountered with this IOL design. Many of the complications documented in our series resulted in severe visual loss. In addition to tissue damage that appeared secondary to the mechanical tissue-to-implant interface, other causes of complications included variations in surgical technique, implantation into eyes with preexisting disease (including eyes that had undergone previous surgery), and damage to tissue that occurred during IOL removal.