An outbreak of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is one of the most serious complications of ophthalmic surgery, which includes postoperative cataract extraction. Outbreak of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery has been reported in Thailand and other countries. OBJECTIVE: To describe an outbreak of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery that was referred to Chiang Mai University Hospital during March 2006. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational case series were made from the records of inpatients and outpatients, who had been referred for treatment of acute postoperative endophthalmitis after cataract surgery at a district hospital in northern Thailand. The surgery was conducted on two consecutive days by volunteer ophthalmologists of a non-profit foundation from Bangkok. RESULTS: In this outbreak, the authors recorded 31 endophthalmitis cases, with 33 eyes (bilateral 2 cases). Of the 33 endophthalmitis eyes, 32 occurred following extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens and one after the secondary intraocular lens implant. Microbiological investigations in the hospital were done with aqueous tapping, vitreous tapping, and vitreous from pars plana vitrectomy. Gram-positive cocci were detected from vitreous tapping in four eyes. Thirty-two cases were managed with intravitreous antibiotics, one with subconjunctival antibiotic only, and all eyes were treated with fortified topical antibiotics. Fifteen eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy Assessment of visual acuity (VA) before and after treatment showed improvement in 75.8% (25/33), decrease of VA in 9.1% (3/33), while visual acuity remained stable in 15.2% (5/33). CONCLUSION: In high-volume cataract surgery, an outbreak of endophthalmitis is always possible. Prompt and appropriate treatment can improve the visual outcome.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients with intravitreal ganciclovir.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the most common opportunistic ocular infection in AIDS patients, and frequently leads to blindness if untreated. Intravitreal ganciclovir proved to be effective in stopping the progression of the disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and complications of intravitreal ganciclovir (2 mg in 0.1 ml per injection) to control CMV retinitis. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective non-randomized interventional case series. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The participants were 363 consecutive patients with CMV retinitis treated at the CMV Retinitis Clinic, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital over the period from June 2001 to December 2003. The affected eyes received weekly intravitreal injections of 2 mg of ganciclovir until the lesions were inactive, then 2-4 weeks each time continuously or until relapse. If the lesions relapsed, then the weekly schedule was re-started. RESULTS: In 568 treated eyes at the time of last follow up, visual acuity remained stable in 343 (60%), improved in 76 (13%), and decreased in 149 (26%). Of these, 33 retinal detachments, 6 intravitreal hemorrhages, 6 endophthalmitis, and 2 cataract occurred. Bilateral disease occurred in 22% of patients who first came with unilateral involvement. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ganciclovir appeared to be a worthwhile therapeutic alternative for CMV retinitis patients with unaffordable or intolerant to systemic anti-CMV therapy, but the complications of intravitreal injections should also be recognized.

Spontaneous resorption of an insect hair in the corneal stroma: a case report.

A case of keratitis, due to an insect hair penetrating into the deep cornea, was reported. The patient felt right ocular pain while riding a motorcycle, as an insect struck into his eye. On examination, an insect hair was seen embedded into the corneal stroma with severe corneal edema, which caused a visual acuity of the right eye decreased to hand motion. The patient was treated by a topical antibiotics, cycloplegics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, without removing the hair. After a 6-week follow-up period, there was a spontaneous resorption of the hair. There was no apparent toxic sign during 6-months of follow up, and the visual acuity improved to 6/6. The insect hair could be left in the deep cornea with careful observation, and spontaneous resorption can occur.

Intravitreal foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.

To determine the visual outcome, progression, and complications of patients with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis treated with intravitrealfoscarnet (2.4 mg in 0.1 ml per injection), a retrospective study was carried out in 193 patients. Induction therapy consisted of two injections a week until the lesions were inactive. Maintenance therapy consisted of one injection a week until relapse, then re-induction was instituted. In 301 treated eyes, visual acuity remained stable in 184 (61%), improved in 16 (5%), and decreased in 101 (34%). Of these, 15 retinal detachments, 13 intravitreal hemorrhages, 3 endophthalmitis, and 2 cataract occurred. Median time of first progression was 15 weeks. Involvement of the fellow eye occurred in 35% of the patients during treatment of the first eye. Intravitreal foscarnet appeared to be a useful alternative treatment for patients intolerant or unaffordable to intravenous anti-CMV drugs, but the complications of this treatment should also be considered.

Epidemiology of the ocular complications of HIV infection in Chiang Mai.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the magnitude of ocular complications in HIV infection in Chiang Mai, and determine the signs or symptoms that indicate the risk factors for developing ocular complications in HIV-positive patients METHOD: A prospective study was carried out in newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients seen in the Ocular Infectious Disease Clinic of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from March 1, 2000 through February 28, 2001. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed on each patient together with a systemic evaluation of present illness and current medications. RESULTS: Three-hundred and ninety-five HIV-positive patients were seen for ophthalmic evaluation. Of these, 90 were in stage A (asymptomatic), 84 were in stage B (symptomatic), and 221 were in stage C (AIDS). Ocular complications were found in 44.6 per cent of the patients. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis was the most common ophthalmic complication (33%). Other ocular complications included cotton wool spot (8%), uveitis (4%), optic neuropathy (3%), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (2%). The clinical presenting symptoms, which were the indicators for ocular complications and CMV retinitis, included chronic cough, oral thrush, chronic diarrhea, weight loss, wasting, and skin disorders. Ocular symptoms, which indicated a high risk of developing CMV retinitis, included flashing, floaters, and scotoma. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular complications are common in HIV-positive patients. CMV retinitis, which is a major vision-threatening problem, represented the most common finding. It is recommended that HIV-positive patients should have their eyes examined regularly, particularly when they have the clinical presenting symptoms previously mentioned. The patients should also notice early symptoms of CMV retinitis, which includes flashing, floaters, and scotoma.

Clinical indications for penetrating keratoplasty in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, 1996-1999.

PURPOSE: To determine the leading indication for penetrating keratoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The authors retrospectively performed a chart review of the hospital records of all patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital between January 1996 and December 1999. RESULTS: A total of 45 corneal transplants were performed. The leading indications for penetrating keratoplasty, in order of decreasing frequency, were bullous keratopathy (28.9%), corneal scar (22.2%), corneal dystrophy and degeneration (20.0%), corneal ulcer (17.8%), regraft (8.9%), and trauma (2.2%). CONCLUSION: Bullous keratopathy was the leading indication for penetrating keratoplasty at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital from 1996 to 1999, followed by corneal scar. The major cause of bullous keratopathy was associated with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Ocular diseases in patients with rheumatic diseases.

To study the distribution of ocular involvement among persons with rheumatic disease, a cross-sectional survey was performed in 224 patients attending the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Of these patients, 102 presented with rheumatoid arthritis, 74 systemic lupus erythematosus, 39 systemic sclerosis, 6 mixed connective tissue disease, 2 polymyositis and 1 juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It was found that the ocular involvement probably related to diseases including dry eye (19.9%) and uveitis (0.4%). The ocular involvement was presumably related to treatment including retinopathy (7.6%), cataract (6.3%), and glaucoma (0.9%). Rapid recognition of these complications would lead to early and appropriate management, which would prevent their sequelae.