Autosomal dominant peripheral preretinal deposits.

Abnormal yellow-white peripheral preretinal deposits are described as an autosomal dominant disorder in ten members of a large pedigree spanning three generations. The absence of any other major vitreoretinal abnormalities or retinal function disorders suggests that this is a benign disease; the nature and origin of the preretinal deposits is obscure.

Long-term tamoxifen citrate use and potential ocular toxicity.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of abnormalities in visual function and ocular structures associated with the long-term use of tamoxifen citrate. METHODS: A single-masked, cross-sectional study involving multiple community and institutional ophthalmologic departments was conducted with a volunteer sample of 303 women with breast cancer currently taking part in a randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of tamoxifen (20 mg/day) in preventing recurrences. Participants included women who had never been on drug (n=85); women who had taken tamoxifen for an average of 4.8 years, then been off the drug for an average of 2.7 years (n=140); and women who had been on tamoxifen continuously for an average of 7.8 years (n=78). Women were evaluated by questionnaire, psychophysical testing, and clinical examination to determine any abnormalities in visual function and the comparative prevalences of corneal, lens, retinal, and optic nerve pathology. RESULTS: There were no cases of vision-threatening ocular toxicity among the tamoxifen-treated participants. Compared with nontreated participants, the tamoxifen-treated women had no differences in the activities of daily vision, visual acuity measurements, or other tests of visual function except for color screening. Intraretinal crystals (odds ratio [OR]=3.58, P=.178) and posterior subcapsular opacities (OR=4.03, P=.034) were more frequent in the tamoxifen-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Women should have a thorough baseline ophthalmic evaluation within the first year of initiating tamoxifen therapy and receive appropriate follow-up evaluations.

Choroidal neovascularization and central serous chorioretinopathy.

Three forms of choroidal neovascularization may occur associated with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Two have previously been reported and are briefly reviewed. The author presents a third, previously unreported pattern of choroidal neovascularization complicating untreated recurrent CSC.

Development of angioid streaks in association with pseudoxanthoma elasticum.

Angioid streaks were noted 6 years after the diagnosis of pseudoxanthoma elasticum in a young girl with peau d'orange discolouration of the fundi. The author discusses the evolution of angioid streaks.

Presumed photic retinopathy after cataract surgery: an angiographic study.

To ascertain the prevalence rate of presumed photic retinopathy after cataract surgery, 276 fluorescein angiograms of 147 patients were reviewed. The diagnosis was based on strict angiographic criteria. Lesions consistent with healed photic retinopathy were noted in four patients (prevalence rate of 3%). This finding is discussed and comparisons with the literature are made.

Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity among infants weighing 2000 g or less at birth.

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among 157 neonates who weighed 2000 g or less at birth and who were examined at a referral centre for critically ill newborns between January 1983 and December 1985. Overall, 24 cases (15%) of ROP were detected, 18 (75%) among neonates with a birth weight of 1000 g or less. The incidence of ROP was more than eight times higher among neonates in this birth weight category than among those who weighed between 1001 and 2000 g. Grade I ROP accounted for 16 cases (67%), grade II for 7 cases (29%). Only one case (4%) of grade IV ROP was diagnosed, in an infant who weighed 1020 g at birth.

Prevalence of ocular hemorrhage in patients receiving warfarin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Warfarin, the drug most commonly used for outpatient anticoagulation therapy, has bleeding as its main side effect. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ocular hemorrhage in patients receiving warfarin and to compare it to the prevalence in the general population. METHODS: Patients receiving warfarin therapy who were attending the anticoagulation clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Montreal between October and December 1996 received a flyer inviting them to have their eyes examined to look for "ocular bleeding." Consenting patients were examined for subconjunctival hemorrhage, gross hyphema, and vitreous and retinal hemorrhages through external ocular examination and funduscopic examination with the pupils dilated using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: Of the 1225 patients seen at the clinic 126 (10%) agreed to participate. Four patients (3%) were found to have intraretinal hemorrhage at the time of examination. All hemorrhages were visually insignificant. INTERPRETATION: The risk of retinal hemorrhage in patients without preexisting ocular disease, such as retinal neovascularization or choroidal vasculopathy, who are receiving warfarin therapy is so small that it should not deter physicians from prescribing this drug when indicated.

Efficacy of panretinal photocoagulation in central retinal vein occlusion.

This retrospective study reviews the efficacy of panretinal photocoagulation in the prevention and management of ocular neovascularization in 55 cases of central retinal vein occlusion. Differentiation of occlusions into ischemic and nonischemic forms is of critical importance, with aggressive laser treatment being warranted in the ischemic variety. The presence of ocular neovascularization may not necessarily imply a grim prognosis.