RETINAL MANIFESTATIONS IN ADULT T-CELL LEUKEMIA/LYMPHOMA RELATED TO INFECTION BY THE HUMAN T-CELL LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS TYPE-1.

PURPOSE: To describe the retinal manifestations in adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) related to an infection by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1). METHODS: Retrospective case series of patients with ATL with retinal findings. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were diagnosed with ATL in Martinique between 1983 and 2013. Three of them showed intraocular findings related to ATL. They were bilateral deep retinal infiltrates associated with intermediate uveitis. In two cases, the ATL diagnosis was known. In the third, fluorescein angiography was remarkable for deep retinal infiltrates although fundus examination was unremarkable. The ATL cells were found in the blood of this patient. Despite chemotherapy, infiltrates progressed from the retinal periphery to the posterior pole in two patients, thus reducing visual acuity to light perception. They were associated with vasculitis. CONCLUSION: Retinal involvement in ATL is very rare. It can occur at any point during the natural course of the disease. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 carriers should benefit from a regular ophthalmic examination, and a fluorescein angiography must be performed in all patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 with vitreous cells. The presence of deep retinal infiltrates must raise suspicion for ATL in a patient with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1.

Anatomic and functional correlation of frequency-doubling technology perimetry (FDTP) in multiple sclerosis.

To study the correlation between the results of frequency-doubling technology perimetry (FDTP), visual function (visual acuity, contrast vision, standard automated perimetry (SAP)) and the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) throughout the course of multiple sclerosis (MS). Sixty-six eyes of thirty-three patients suffering from MS were chosen. Thirty-five eyes had a previous history of optic neuritis (ON group) and thirty-one eyes had no previous history of optic neuritis (non-ON group). The FDTP was performed with the N-30 screening program. Visual acuity was determined with the Snellen scale and the ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) scale, the contrast vision with the Pelli-Robson and Sloan tests and the SAP with the Humphrey 750 perimeter. The thickness of the RNFL was measured using the STRATUS OCT™ optical coherence tomography (OCT). The visual field FDTP was divided into three sectors corresponding to the three SAP sectors and to the three RNFL quadrants of the OCT. The FDTP was significantly correlated (P<0.0001) to the contrast vision and to the SAP results (mean deviation (MD) and the different sectors among themselves). In the ON group, the MD FDTP was significantly correlated to the average RNFL thickness (r=0.44, P=0.0091). A decrease of 5 decibels (dB) of the MD FDTP corresponded to a decrease of 11.7 µm of the average RNFL thickness (Y=2.34×X+87.5). The strong correlation with SAP and RNFL confirms the value of FDTP in assessing optic nerve damage throughout the course of MS.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) taking into account previous history of optic neuropathy (ON). METHODS: Thirty patients (60 eyes) with relapsing-remitting MS were selected (MS group). The MS ON group was composed of 31 eyes with previous history of optic neuropathy and the MS non-ON group of 29 eyes was without previous history of optic neuropathy. Thickness of the RNFL was measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the Stratus OCT. As for sensitivity to spatial contrast,we used Pelli-Robson and Sloan charts. Sensitivity to temporal contrast was explored using frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDTP). RESULTS: The average thickness of RNFL in the MS, MS ON, MS non-ON, and control groups were 88.2 +/= 18.9 microm, 80.81 +/- 18.4 microm, 96.7 +/- 15.8 microm, and 106 +/- 12.2 microm, respectively. The spatial contrast vision and FDTP results were less in the MS non-ON group than in the control group. The average thickness of RNFL correlated to the scores of spatial and temporal contrast vision. CONCLUSIONS: MS is accompanied by visual function alteration even in the absence of acute optic neuropathy. The important correlation between functional and anatomic aspect confirms the value of OCT to appreciate the subclinical involvement of the optic nerve. Associated with tests exploring visual function, the OCT could reveal itself pertinent in evaluation of the different therapeutics used in MS ON.

Natural history of the visual impairment of relapsing neuromyelitis optica.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features and natural history of the visual impairment of relapsing neuromyelitis optica. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients of Afro-Caribbean origin with neuromyelitis optica and 47 patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed with each ocular attack and during a remission period at least 6 months after the last attack. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of unilateral and bilateral optic neuritis and incidence of unilateral and bilateral severe visual loss, defined as visual acuity (VA) < or = 20/200. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (93%) with neuromyelitis optica were female and 2 (7%) were male. The mean age of onset was 30+/-10.5 years. Mean disease duration was 9.5+/-5.4 years. Neuromyelitis optica first manifested by an episode of optic neuritis in 23 cases (76.6%), bilateral in 4. The average number of ocular attacks per patient was 2.7+/-1.6. Twenty-one patients (70%) showed impairment in both eyes. Median times from onset to unilateral optic neuritis, bilateral optic neuritis, mono-ocular severe visual loss, and binocular severe visual loss were 0+/-0.08, 1+/-1.6, 2+/-0.8, and 13+/-3 years, respectively. Fifteen patients (50%) experienced severe visual loss in both eyes and 6 (20%) in one eye. Severe visual loss occurred in as few as 2 attacks. CONCLUSION: This study is the largest series of relapsing neuromyelitis optica in a population of African descent. Neuromyelitis optica's visual impairment is very severe; it contrasts drastically with that typically observed in multiple sclerosis. We confirmed that the prognosis for optic neuritis in patients with neuromyelitis optica is worse than the prognosis in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Outbreak of keratomycosis attributable to Fusarium solani in the French West Indies.

PURPOSE: We report an unusual increase in the number of cases of keratomycosis attributable to Fusarium solani in contact lens wearers. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: Between November 2005 and May 2006, 14 corneal abscesses were reported at the University Hospital Center of Fort-de-France. Twelve patients were contact lens wearers, and 10 used Bausch & Lomb (Rochester, New York, USA) ReNu with MoistureLoc. Corneal scrapings were collected for microbiological analyses. RESULTS: In six months, five abscesses attributable to Fusarium solani in contact lens wearers, using Bausch & Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc as contact lens solution, were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports an epidemic of keratomycosis attributable to Fusarium solani among contact lens wearers in the Caribbean, during the same timeframe as a similar epidemic in Asia and North America. We are unaware of previous report of this phenomenon and could find no reference to it in a computerized search utilizing MEDLINE.

Orbital and muscle involvement in multiple myeloma.

CASE REPORT: We report 2 cases of orbital plasmacytoma in patients with known multiple myeloma. Orbital spread with secondary maxillary sinus involvement is reported in the first case. Case 2 is the first report of immunoglobulin A kappa light chain multiple myeloma involving orbital recti muscles. Computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging aided the diagnosis, confirmed with histopathologic studies. COMMENTS: Extraskeletal spread is rare and orbital involvement is exceedingly uncommon. From a review of the literature since 1972, we conclude that the immunoglobulin G type of multiple myeloma, whether lambda or kappa light chain, may be a risk factor for orbital involvement.

Occipital infarction revealed by quadranopsia following snakebite by Bothrops lanceolatus.

We report a case of snakebite in which envenomation was manifested through impairment of the visual field. The patient, a 46-year-old man, was bitten on the right thumb by Bothrops lanceolatus. Treatment with a specific equine antivenom (Bothrofav) was administered one hour after the bite. With the exception of fang marks, the results of a clinical examination, particularly the neurologic component, were normal. The day after the bite, the patient developed an inferior left lateral homonymous quadranopsia with macular epargne. T2 magnetic resonance imaging showed a right occipital infarction. His condition improved clinically and biologically. This observation of snakebite is the first in which envenomation was accompanied exclusively by an impairment of the visual field. Envenomation by B. lanceolatus is distinct in its incidence of significant thrombotic complications at a distance from the site of the bite.

Alkali ocular burns in Martinique (French West Indies) Evaluation of the use of an amphoteric solution as the rinsing product.

PRECIS: During the 4 years of this study, we noted 66 cases of alkali ocular burns, or approximately 16 cases per year, nearly half (45.5%) of which are due to an assault. For grade 1 and 2 burns the time elapsed to reepithelialization appears to be shorter when rinsed with Diphoterine* versus physiological solution. PURPOSE: Comparison of the effectiveness of two rinsing solutions for emergency use: a physiological solution and an amphoteric solution (Diphoterine*, Laboratories Prevor, Valmondois, France). Description of the clinical and progressive characteristics of alkali burns treated at the University Hospital Center of Fort de France in Martinique (French West Indies). DESIGN: Prospective consecutive observational case series and nonrandomized comparative study. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six patients were included. The total number of burned eyes is 104. Forty-eight eyes (46%) were rinsed with physiological solution and 56 eyes (54%) with Diphoterine*. METHODS: All patients benefited from an ocular rinse with 500ml of physiological solution or Diphoterine*, followed by a complete ophthalmologic exam. The ocular injuries were classified according to the Roper-Hall modification of the Hughes classification system. The same standardized therapeutic protocol was applied and adapted to the seriousness of the burn. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, time to corneal reepithelialization, final best corrected visual acuity and complications were analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight (42.4%) patients have a unilateral burn and 38 (57.6%) patients have bilateral burns. In decreasing order of frequency, the circumstances surrounding the injury are: assaults in 45.5% of cases (n=30), work-related accidents in 32% of cases (n=31), and domestic accidents in 23% of cases (n=15). For grade 1 and 2 burns the time elapsed to reepithelialization appears to be shorter when rinsed with Diphoterine* versus physiological solution (respectively): 1.9+/-1 days versus 11.1+/-1.4 days (p=10(-7)) and 5.6+/-4.9 days versus 10+/-9.2 days (p=0.02). For grade 3 and 4 burns, there are complications in 11 cases (11.6%): 8 corneal opacities and 3 perforations. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first conducted in humans that takes into account the type of ocular rinse product used in the progressive follow-up study of injuries. The time elapsed to reepithelialization is shorter with Diphoterine* for grade 1 and 2 burns. There are not enough cases of grade 3 and 4 burns to make a conclusion. Diphoterine* seems very effective in terms of its mechanism of action and the experimental and clinical results.

Retinal vasculitis caused by adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: To report a case of lymphomatous infiltration and bilateral retinal vasculitis observed among 83 cases of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) treated in the University Hospital Center in Fort-de-France (Martinique, French West Indies) between 1984 and 2003. CASE: A complete clinical ophthalmologic examination was performed in this patient along with fluorescein angiography. OBSERVATIONS: After being checked for diffuse adenopathies, myodesopsias, and phosphenes, the 35-year-old patient was diagnosed with ATL. The ocular impairment, present since the onset of ATL as peripheral subretinal infiltrates, spread progressively and afferently to the rest of the retina in the form of an essentially venous vasculitis. Impairment of the vitreous was noted only in the end stages of disease progression. As ocular lesions progressed, the general state of the patient degraded at the same time despite chemotherapeutic measures. CONCLUSION: Among the more than 300 seropositive for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) or patients with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis treated at our hospital in the last 20 years, and among the 83 cases of ATL, only this single case of retinal vasculitis associated with HTLV-1 was observed (1/83, 1.2%) in Martinique, confirming the geographic variability of the clinical phenotype of HTLV-1 infection. The incidence of retinal vasculitis in ATL patients may signify an even worse prognosis than initially indicated.

Visual field characteristics in neuromyelitis optica in absence of and after one episode of optic neuritis.

PURPOSE: Optic neuritis (ON) observed during neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is in most cases very severe and with poor prognosis. This study's objective was to analyze visual field (VF) abnormalities observed in the absence of ON and post-ON episode. METHODS: Twenty-seven cases of both NMO and multiple sclerosis (MS) were selected. Thorough ophthalmologic exam was performed at least 6 months post-ON attack. The VF was collected using the Humphrey 750 perimeter. We used the central threshold tests 24-2 with FASTPAC strategy. The abnormalities were categorized based on the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial classification. RESULTS: After one ON, 40% of the NMO group's eyes showed total VF loss (P = 0.01), 21% showed abnormalities of neurologic aspect, and 27% showed fascicular abnormalities of which 12% were altitudinal. Given the total VF loss, the positive predictive value in favor of an NMO was 92.8% and the negative predictive value was 47.3%. CONCLUSION: Alterations of the VF during the NMO differ from those observed in the course of the MS. One ON, blinding from the first attack, must call to mind an NMO. The altitudinal deficits point to a vascular mechanism.

Treatment of optic neuritis by plasma exchange (add-on) in neuromyelitis optica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of plasma exchange (PE) in association (add-on) with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids in acute optic neuritis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and limited forms of NMO. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with optic neuritis were treated from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2010, with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids and 16 with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids plus PE. The ophthalmologic examination was performed at least 6 months after optic neuritis treatment. Visual acuity and visual field assessed with the Snellen scale and the logarithmic scale of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study were measured using standard automated perimetry and frequency doubling technology perimetry. Retinal peripapillary fiber thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Final visual acuity was 20/400 in the corticosteroid group and 20/50 in the PE group (P=.04). The gain in visual acuity was 20/200 in the corticosteroid group and 20/30 in the PE group (P=.01). A poor final visual acuity outcome (≤20/200) was found in 19 of 36 patients (53%) in the corticosteroid group and 2 of 16 patients (13%) in the PE group (P=.008). Mean (SD) thickness of peripapillary retinal nervous fibers was 63.1 (20.4) µm in the corticosteroid group and 70.3 (20.3) µm in the PE group (P=.16). The mean (SD) thickness in the temporal quadrant was 38.5 (14.1) µm in the corticosteroid group and 44.5 (12.7) µm in the PE group (P=.02). In multivariate analysis, PE treatment was the only independent factor associated with a visual acuity greater than 20/200. CONCLUSION: In optic neuritis associated with NMO, sequential treatment with pulsed intravenous corticosteroids and PE is more effective than standard monotherapy with corticosteroids on visual acuity outcome.

Pseudopapilledema in Kenny-Caffey syndrome.

A 21-year-old man with Kenny-Caffey syndrome had been observed since 1993 for hyperopia. Fundus examination revealed swollen optic disks. Further examinations (fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography) confirmed the optic nerve head elevation. The authors report a rare case of Kenny-Caffey syndrome with extreme pseudopapilledema. Although uncommon, ophthalmologists should be mindful of this disorder when a patient presents with characteristic findings because severe electrolyte disturbances may complicate the clinical course.

Nodular posterior scleritis mimicking choroidal metastasis: a report of two cases.

Posterior scleritis is a rare underdiagnosed condition that can potentially cause blindness. Its varied presentations lead to delayed or incorrect treatment. We present here the cases of two patients with nodular posterior scleritis mimicking a choroidal metastasis. Two female patients presented with a sudden unilateral visual loss associated with ocular pain. Fundus examination revealed temporomacular choroidal masses with exudative detachments that, due to angiographic presentation, were suggestive of choroidal metastasis. Systemic examinations were unremarkable. In the two cases, a local or general anti-inflammatory treatment led to the complete recovery of the lesions, which were, thus, considered nodular posterior scleritis. The diagnosis of nodular posterior scleritis has to be evoked in all patients presenting with a choroidal mass in fundus examination. It represents the principal curable differential diagnosis of malignant choroidal tumor.

Keratomycosis complicating pterygium excision.

The authors describe a case of keratomycosis that appeared after the exeresis of a pterygium. A 48-year-old patient had been referred with a red right eye associated with an abscess of the cornea along the ablation zone of the pterygium. The surgery had been performed a month beforehand. The abscess was 6 mm high and 4 mm wide. The authors instigated a treatment that included amphotericin B (0.25%) after noticing a clinical aspect evoking a fungal keratitis and finding several septate filaments on direct examination. On day 10, a Fusarium dimerum was isolated on Sabouraud agar. After 15 days of treatment, the result was favorable and the size of the ulceration as well as the size of the abscess had progressively decreased. The antifungal treatment was definitively stopped at 14 weeks. Infectious-related complications of the pterygium surgery are rare and are essentially caused by bacterial agents. Secondary infections by fungus are rare. There have been two previous cases reported: one that appeared 15 years after radiotherapy and another that appeared at 3 weeks post surgery, consecutive to the use of mitomycin C. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of a keratomycosis due to F. dimerum reported that complicated the exeresis of a pterygium without the use of an adjuvant antihealing treatment. Pterygium surgery is a common procedure; nevertheless, ophthalmologists need to be aware of the existence of potential infectious complications.

[Alternatives to mutilating surgery. ]. / Une alternative à la chirurgie mutilante.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to suggest an alternative surgery to mutilating exenteration and enucleation surgeries in the management of nonfunctional, unattractive, and painless eyes. The suggested alternative is lamellar keratectomy with conjunctiva recovery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Four patient cases in a unit with the benefit of this technique. METHODS: The surgical processes and results of the four cases were reviewed. RESULTS: Postoperative results were most satisfactory with good esthetic results and, above all, a better psychological experience of surgery. CONCLUSIONS: For a nonfunctional, unattractive, and painless eye, lamellar keratectomy with conjunctiva recovery appears to be an appealing alternative to nonconservative eyeball surgeries.

Familial bilateral polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

PURPOSE: Description of the clinical and angiographic manifestations of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in two brothers of West Indian origin. METHOD: Case reports. RESULTS: In Case 1 (82-year-old), the disease presented when the patient was 50 years old with decreased visual acuity in the right eye. Onset of symptoms in the left eye occurred 30 years later. Visual acuity was limited to good luminous orientation in both eyes. In Case 2 (78-year-old), the disease presented in the right eye when the patient was about 68 years old. Visual acuity in the right eye was reduced to good luminous orientation. Symptoms in the left eye appeared 10 years later. Visual acuity in the left eye was 20/100. In both patients, medical history was significant only for arterial hypertension. There was no intraocular inflammation or ocular hypertonicity. Indocyanine green angiography revealed hyperfluorescent polypoidal dilatations at early and intermediate phases, characteristic of PCV. CONCLUSION: These observations argue in favor of a genetic component in PCV.

Retinal peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness in neuromyelitis optica.

PURPOSE: To measure the thickness of retinal peripapillary nerve fibers throughout the course of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: This study was of a cross-sectional design, examining the thickness of the retinal peripapillary nerve fiber layer by optical coherence tomography, in patients with NMO (n = 15; 30 eyes), patients with multiple sclerosis (MS; n = 15; 30 eyes), and a control group (n = 23; 46 eyes). The thicknesses were acquired according to protocol with the fast RNFL (Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer) procedure. The study of visual function includes for each eye a determination of refraction, measurement of visual acuity, measurement of contrast vision, an analysis of color vision, and a frequency-doubling technology perimetry (FDTP). The main outcome measurements were the thickness of the retinal peripapillary nerve fibers, visual acuity, and scores of contrast vision. RESULTS: The average thickness of retinal peripapillary nerve fibers was respectively in the NMO, MS, and control group: 65.44 +/- 24.19, 83.85 +/- 24.12, and 106.24 +/- 12.46 microm (P = 0.01). The average thickness of retinal peripapillary nerve fibers correlated to visual acuity, the scores of contrast vision, the scores of FDTP, and the number of episodes per patient (r = -0.58, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to produce measurements of the thickness of retinal peripapillary nerve fibers during optic neuropathies of NMO. The optic neuropathies of NMO are also accompanied by an acute and chronic axonal loss, as clearly illustrated by the OCT.