[Bilateral retinal vascular occlusion during antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a case report]. / Occlusion vasculaire rétinienne bilatérale au cours du syndrome des antiphospholipides. A propos d'un cas.

PURPOSE: Antiphospholipid syndrome is defined by the association of at least one clinical event (arterial and/or venous thrombosis, fetal loss) and antiphospholipid antibodies. It can be isolated or associated with systemic lupus disease. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate that an ocular vascular event can reveal the disease and that its diagnosis is important because this disease generally affects young people and may endanger ocular and vital prognosis. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a 20-year-old female treated for systemic lupus erythematosus for 2 years, who stopped her medical treatment and presented a sudden bilateral loss of vision. Fundus examination and fluorescein angiography revealed severe bilateral retinal vascular occlusion. Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was confirmed with the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies. With medical treatment, there was initially a small functional improvement and then a general degradation in 3 months, followed by the death of the patient secondary to severe pulmonary emboli. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Central retinal artery or vein occlusion in a young patient must suggest the diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. The bilateralism of vascular occlusion is considered a severe factor because of its consequence on functional ocular and vital prognosis, where it can sound the alarm to the extension of thrombotic events to other vessels in the body. Antiphospholipid syndrome must be studied in cases of severe retinal vascular occlusion in young patients. Its diagnosis is important because the risk of recurrent thrombotic events may endanger functional and vital prognosis.

[Inferior branch retinal artery occlusion in a young adult revealing rheumatismal valvular disease]. / Oblitération de la branche inférieure de l'artère centrale de la rétine chez un adulte jeune révélatrice d'une valvulopathie rhumatismale.

INTRODUCTION: Inferior branch retinal artery occlusion is uncommon in young adults. Through a case report and data from the literature, we describe the clinical, fluorescein angiography, and progressive details of this disease. CASE REPORT: A 26-year-old man suddenly presented superior scotoma in the left eye. He underwent a full ophthalmologic examination, which showed visual acuity limited to 5/10 P4 and ischemia of the inferior retina at the fundus exam. Fluorescein angiography of the left eye revealed delayed filling of the inferior branch retinal artery. The ophthalmologic exam of the right eye was normal. RESULTS: The search for an etiologic explanation revealed double rheumatismal mitral and aortic valvular disease, which was referred to and treated in appropriate department. The condition has progressed slowly but favorably over 2 months, with visual acuity reaching 6/10 P3. DISCUSSION: Branch retinal artery occlusion commonly occurs in older adults. When it happens to the young adult, it may be dangerous and often reveals cardiac embolic disease, particularly rheumatismal valvular disease. CONCLUSION: Branch retinal artery occlusion in the young adult remains a rare and dangerous disease where the prognosis depends on the degree of artery repermeabilization and on the etiology of the thromboembolic disease.

[Bilateral optic neuropathy in a case of primary Gougerot Sjögren's syndrome]. / Une neuropathie optique bilatérale au cours du syndrome de Gougerot Sjögren primitif.

INTRODUCTION: Primary Sjögren's syndrome is frequently characterized by a sicca syndrome without associated connective tissue disease. Association with an optic neuropathy is uncommon. CASE REPORT: We report a case of optic neuropathy in a 59-year-old woman known to have primary Sjögren's syndrome confirmed clinically and histologically 2 years ago. She suddenly presented an initial bilateral visual loss. The ophthalmological exam noted a visual acuity of 1/10 in the right eye and limited to light perception in the left eye, with bilateral optic ischemic neuropathy more developed in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography showed, signs of ischemic neuropathy. The diagnosis of Horton disease was suspected, but subnormal blood velocity and a negative biopsy of the temporal artery confirmed the diagnosis of optic neuropathy associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome. General steroid therapy improved optic neuropathy in the right eye but was ineffective in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Optic neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome is rare but must be considered the most common ophthalmological manifestation of the disease. Visual prognosis depends on the rapidity of diagnosis and therapy.

[Epibulbar osseous choristoma: two case reports]. / Ostéome épibulbaire: à propos de 2 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Epibulbar osseous choristoma is a congenital tumor consisting of normal tissue arising in an abnormal location. CARE REPORTS: We report two cases of epibulbar osseous choristoma discovered in 7- and 3-year-old girls. FIRST CASE: A calcified tumor was located regarding the temporal bulbar conjunctiva of the left eye. The rest of the ophthalmological examination was normal. Second case: During strabismus surgery, we unexpectedly discovered a white calcified mass located on the superior temporal part of the right eye. In both cases, a total excision was performed. Histopathological examination of the excised choristoma confirmed the diagnosis. DISCUSSION: Epibulbar osseous choristoma is a small unique nodule usually located on the superior temporal quadrant of the eye. Rarely reported in the literature, most cases are not recognized clinically and the diagnosis is essentially histopathological. CONCLUSION: Epibulbar osseous choristoma is a rare benign childhood tumor with an essentially histopathological diagnosis.

[Dermoid cysts: epidemiological, clinical and pathological studies]. / Kystes dermoïdes: études épidémiologique, clinique et anatomopathologique.

We retrospectively analyzed 31 cases of dermoid cysts surgically treated between January 1992 and October 2000. Mean patient age was 18.9 years. The preseptal localization predominated, with 29 cases. Two cases of intraorbital localization required orbitotomy. The surgical result was excellent.

[Retinal vasculitis in Crohn's disease: a case report]. / Vascularites rétiniennes au cours d'une maladie de Crohn.

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Numerous extra-intestinal complications can affect different organ in the body (kidneys, eyes...). Posterior ocular manifestation is rare and retinal vasculitis is exceptional. OBSERVATION: We present a case of a 55-year- old men in whom Crohn's disease was diagnosed in 1985 and considered severe treated by corticosteroid end then by immunosuppressive therapy. He lost his right eye few years ago. He presented a sudden loss of vision of the good eye. Physical examination found visual acuity reduced to light perception without sign of anterior inflammation. Ophthalmoscopic examination found different retinal vasculitis involving veins, papillitis, cystoid macular oedema; all these findings were confirmed by fluorescein angiography and OCT. Corticosteroid treatment with a dose of 1mg/Kg/day was instituted with precaution of use and a wide follow up with favourable evolution during 9 months. CONCLUSION: Retinal vasculitis is rare during Crohn's disease. It can be a severe ocular lesion and causes therapeutic and prognosis problems, especially in a patient with only one functional eye.

[Central retinal vein occlusion and internal carotid artery hypoplasia: a case report]. / Occlusion de la veine centrale de la rétine et hypoplasie de l'artère carotide interne: à propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Retinal vein occlusion is usually encountered in the elderly and is often associated with systemic vascular disease. It is rarer in young subjects and requires a serious etiological search to best adapt the treatment. OBSERVATION: We report the case of a central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in a 26-year-old patient who had no pathological history, discovered at a sudden decline of vision in the right eye, reduced to light perception. Fundus examination and retinal angiography showed an edematous CRVO. Radiologic imaging revealed a narrowing of the right carotid canal, probably congenital, and a reduction in the size of the right common carotid artery and internal carotid artery. Progression was favorable without treatment, and visual acuity improved to 8/10. CONCLUSION: The etiological investigation in retinal vein occlusion in young people must be exhaustive. The visual prognosis is variable and may depend on the etiology.

[Cortisone glaucoma: epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic study]. / Glaucome cortisonique: étude épidémiologique, clinique et thérapeutique.

INTRODUCTION: Cortisone glaucoma is a secondary glaucoma induced by local or oral steroids used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study including 43 eyes of 23 patients (three patients were monophthalmos). We present epidemiological and clinical features with evaluation of functional damage (visual acuity, visual field), and therapeutic results with a follow-up period ranging from 2 to 10 years. RESULTS: Topical steroids were incriminated in 15 of 23 cases (self-medication), whereas general steroids (for chronic diseases) were used by eight patients. Visual function was seriously affected (visual acuity<1/10 in 23/43 eyes at the first visit with pronounced visual field abnormalities). Surgery was necessary in 16 of 43 eyes (deep sclerectomy with or without implant, trabeculectomy). DISCUSSION: Cortisone glaucoma is rather frequent in Tunisia where conjunctival allergy and self-medication are common. Young adults are concerned, making it a high surgical risk usually requiring surgical devices such as a T Flux implant. CONCLUSION: Cortisone glaucoma is a serious complication of steroid therapy that usually affects young adults. The disease is usually detected late, explaining the severe functional damage.

[Etiopathogeny of intraocular pressure modifications in uveitis]. / Etiopathogénie des modifications de la pression intraoculaire au cours des uvéites.

Uveitic glaucoma is a secondary form of glaucoma. Treatment is essentially medical, based on antiglaucomatous medications and immunomodulatory therapy. Therefore, some patients may need filtrating surgery to control intraocular pressure. Understanding the cellular and biochemical modifications of aqueous humor that occur during intraocular inflammation and identification of anatomical modifications of the iridocorneal angle, trabecula, pupil, and ciliary body allow physicians to adapt management depending on the different clinical patterns of uveitic glaucoma. We propose a general review of the role of inflammatory mediators and etiopathogenic mechanisms involved in uveitic glaucoma.

[Trabeculectomy for the management of uveitic glaucoma]. / La trabéculectomie dans la prise en charge du glaucome uvéitique.

PURPOSE: To report middle-term results of trabeculectomy in patients with uveitic glaucoma resistant to medical therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen eyes of 14 patients with uveitic glaucoma resistant to medical therapy were treated by trabeculectomy without antimetabolites from 1994 to 2001. The patients'mean age was 48.1 years (range, 23-63 years). All had their uveitis controlled for at least 3 months before surgery by an anti-inflammatory therapy. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 52.1 months. Success was obtained in 11 eyes (64.7%). It was complete in five eyes (45.5%) and relative in six eyes (54.5%). Failure was noted in six eyes (35.3%), which were treated with a second filtering surgery. Intraocular pressure was reduced from a mean preoperative value of 34.2 mmHg to a mean postoperative value of 18.6 (45.6% reduction). Antiglaucomatous medication was reduced from a mean of 2.8 medications preoperatively to 1.1 medications (60.7% reduction). Postoperative complications included three cases of lens opacity, two cases of hyphema, two cases of transitory hypotony, one case of flat anterior chamber, and one case of inflammation relapse. CONCLUSION: In the absence of failure risk factors except inflammation, trabeculectomy without antimetabolites can be successful in uveitic glaucoma not controlled by medical therapy, with good results even at the middle term.

[Deep sclerectomy for the management of uveitic glaucoma]. / Sclérectomie profonde non perforante dans le traitement du glaucome uvéitique.

PURPOSE: To report middle-term results of deep sclerectomy in uveitis patients with glaucoma who are resistant to medical therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight eyes of eight patients (mean age, 56.9 years; range, 46-67 years) with uveitic glaucoma resistant to medical therapy underwent deep sclerectomy without antimetabolites between 1994 and 2001. All patients had their uveitis controlled before and after surgery by anti-inflammatory therapy. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 42.2 months. Intraocular pressure was reduced from a mean preoperative value of 32.3 mmHg to a mean postoperative value of 15.2 (52.9% reduction). Success was obtained in seven eyes (87.5%). It was complete in four eyes (57.2%) and relative in three eyes (42.8%). Failure was noted in one eye (12.5%), controlled later by trabeculectomy. Antiglaucomatous medication was reduced from a mean of 2.9 medications preoperatively to 0.6 medications (79.3% reduction). Postoperative complications included one case of lens opacity and one case of hyphema. CONCLUSION: The low rate of surgical complications and the lack of failure risk factors except inflammation and long-term use of antiglaucomatous medication may explain the high success rate of deep sclerectomy in this study.