Pulsed mode versus near-continuous mode delivery of diode laser photocoagulation for high-risk retinopathy of prematurity.

OBJECTIVE: To compare structural and functional outcomes and efficiency of diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) when delivered in a pulsed mode versus a near-continuous mode. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 138 patients who underwent diode laser photocoagulation for threshold ROP using either pulsed or near-continuous delivery. Laser-related complications and structural and functional outcomes were analyzed. Prospectively, time efficiency and total energy used were evaluated in nine infants with bilateral symmetric high-risk prethreshold ROP in which one eye of each infant was randomized to pulsed and the fellow eye to near-continuous delivery. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups with regards to prevalence of posterior disease (Zone 1 or posterior Zone 2) (p = 0.11), postoperative vitreous haze (p = 0.60), postoperative complications (p = 0.38), retinal detachment (p = 0.90), strabismus (p = 0.73), amblyopia (p = 0.69), or refractive error (p = 0.95). Mean time for treatment was 23 minutes using pulsed delivery versus 14 minutes per eye with near-continuous delivery (p < 0.001). The mean total power used per eye with pulsed mode delivery was 1.5 x 10(5) W versus 1.1 x 10(5) W with near-continuous delivery (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: No differences in complications, functional outcome, or structural outcome were found between using pulsed mode and near-continuous mode diode laser delivery for high-risk ROP. Near-continuous laser delivery, in our hands, was more time-efficient and used less total power.

Corneal thickness in children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine normal central and paracentral corneal thickness measurements in the pediatric population and to determine if these measurements are consistent across different pediatric age groups and different racial groups. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. METHODS: Pachymetry measurements were performed on 198 eyes of 108 children. The measurements were taken centrally as well as at four paracentral sites 3 mm from the corneal center at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. The two-tailed t test was used for comparison of the continuous means for values of corneal thickness. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine differences among age and ethnic groups RESULTS: The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was 549 +/- 46 microm. Paracentral corneal thickness mean values, as measured 3 mm from the corneal center, were as follows: superior, 575 +/- 52 microm; nasal, 568 +/- 50 microm; inferior, 568 +/- 51 microm; and temporal, 574 +/- 47 microm. The mean CCT values were significantly thinner than at each of the mean paracentral points (P < .05 for each comparison, paired t test). Paracentral corneal thickness measurements demonstrated no significant differences between locations (P > .05, variance analysis). The mean CCT +/- SD for each age group was as follows: 6 to 23 months, 538 +/- 40 microm; 2 to 4 years, 546 +/- 41 microm; 5 to 9 years, 566 +/- 48 microm; and 10 to 18 years, 554 +/- 35 microm (ANOVA P = .012). ANOVA performed on central pachymetry values demonstrated no significant differences among racial subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric central and paracentral corneal thicknesses increase slowly over time and reach adult thicknesses at 5 to 9 years of age.

Involution of threshold retinopathy of prematurity after diode laser photocoagulation.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the process of involution of threshold retinopathy of prematurity after transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Neonates with threshold retinopathy who underwent diode laser photocoagulation of the peripheral avascular retina. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done of the weekly examination records of infants treated for threshold disease. Features that were studied included the presence of residual stage 3 neovascularization, plus disease, and development of retinal detachment (RD). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Timing of full involution and/or development of an RD. RESULTS: Of 262 eyes of 138 infants treated, full involution without RD was seen in 8%, 43%, 64%, 73%, and 86% of eyes at postoperative weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9+/-3, respectively. Retinal detachments were diagnosed cumulatively in 0%, 1.5%, 4.2%, 6.5%, and 14% of eyes at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9+/-3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Full involution of laser-treated threshold retinopathy of prematurity required more than 2 weeks in more than half of treated eyes. Most RDs were not detected until > or =3 weeks after treatment.

Successful implementation of a protocol for photorefractive keratectomy in children requiring anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To describe a protocol for treating children with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) under general anesthesia and to review intraoperative and postoperative complications. SETTING: Institutional academic practice. METHODS: Nine patients between 3 years and 9 years of age were treated with PRK under general anesthesia for anisometropia with unilateral high myopia or high hyperopia and amblyopia of the affected eye. Induction of anesthesia and the surgical procedure were carried out in separate rooms. The laser beam was centered on the entrance pupil, and eye position was monitored throughout the procedure. Specific precautions were taken before and during the procedure to prevent unwanted effects of inhalational anesthetic agents on laser performance. RESULTS: All children did well, with no anesthesia-related or treatment-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our protocol for PRK under general anesthesia was effective and efficient in children who were unable to cooperate for the procedure using local anesthesia. It can be adapted for laser in situ keratomileusis and other refractive surgical procedures in children and uncooperative adults.

SubTenon's infusion of steroids for treatment of orbital hemangiomas.

PURPOSE: To introduce an alternate technique for the treatment of infantile orbital hemangiomas. DESIGN: Non-comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seven consecutive children with orbital hemangiomas. INTERVENTION: Posterior subTenon's steroid infusion using a blunt-tip cannula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical stabilization, improvement, or resolution. RESULTS: Significant and sustained involution of the hemangiomas occurred in all cases. No local or systemic complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The results of subTenon's steroid infusion for the treatment of orbital hemangiomas in children are encouraging and may be associated with fewer intraoperative risks compared with direct intralesional injection.

Epithelial healing and ocular discomfort after photorefractive keratectomy in children.

OBJECTIVE: To document the rate of healing of the corneal epithelial defect created by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the degree of discomfort experienced by children treated with PRK. SETTING: Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA. METHODS: Ten patients between 3 and 10 years of age were treated with PRK for severe anisometropia. All had anisometropic amblyopia refractory to conventional therapy with glasses or contact lenses and occlusion therapy. The size of the corneal epithelial defect was documented daily until the defect healed completely. Postoperative discomfort was documented daily using a pain-assessment scale until the epithelial defect healed completely. RESULTS: Two children were treated with PRK for hyperopic anisometropia; the rest were treated for myopic anisometropia. Cumulatively, the corneal epithelium had healed completely by day 3 in 6 patients (60%), by day 4 in 9 patients (90%), and by day 5 in all patients. The mean healing time was 3.5 days. Patients experienced mild discomfort on the day of surgery and on the first postoperative day. They had minimal pain on day 2. After day 2, no patient reported pain or other discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal epithelial defect created by PRK healed promptly and was associated with minimal postoperative discomfort in children treated with the protocol described.

Acquired cataracts after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of acquired cataract after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity at our institution. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-three infants (293 eyes) with threshold retinopathy of prematurity. INTERVENTION: Transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Acquired cataract formation. RESULTS: One cataract (0.003%) in 293 eyes occurred after transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation. This cataract consisted of peripheral cortical punctate lenticular opacities that were not progressive or visually significant. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of acquired cataract after transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity is low. Transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation may be safer than argon laser photocoagulation for treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

Use of augmented rectus muscle transposition surgery for complex strabismus.

PURPOSE: Full tendon rectus muscle transposition surgery augmented with posterior fixation sutures has been shown to be effective in the treatment of abducens palsy and Duane's syndrome. The purpose of this study is to summarize our experience with the use of this procedure and a three fourths partial tendon transposition modification of this procedure for a variety of complex vertical and horizontal paralytic eye movement disorders. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative interventional consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients with paralytic strabismus. INTERVENTION: Full tendon rectus muscle transposition procedure augmented with posterior fixation sutures (13 patients) or a three fourths partial tendon transposition augmented with posterior fixation sutures (5 patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of diplopia in the primary position and improved ocular alignment. RESULTS: Comparing preoperative to postoperative status, presence of primary position diplopia decreased from 64% to 14%, anomalous head posture decreased from 56% to 6%, and primary position alignment improved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Full tendon rectus muscle transposition surgery augmented with posterior fixation sutures and the vessel-sparing three fourths partial tendon transposition modification of this technique are effective for the treatment of a variety of complex vertical and horizontal paralytic ocular motility disorders.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension with unique strabismus due to third and fourth cranial neuropathies.

PURPOSE: To report an atypical case of Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) with bilateral trochlear nerve palsies and an oculomotor nerve palsy. DESIGN & METHOD: Case report and literature review. RESULTS (CASE REPORT): A 42 year old man was treated for SIH. His neurological symptoms resolved following neurosurgical treatment with the exception of diplopia due to bilateral trochlear nerve palsies and a pupil-sparing oculomotor nerve palsy. The cranial nerve palsies are believed to be secondary to brainstem ischemia and compression occurring during the acute phase of events. They did not spontaneously improve, but were treated successfully with eye muscle surgery. CONCLUSION: SIH is a rare disease that has been associated with a variety of symptoms and signs including cranial neuropathies. A diagnosis of SIH should be considered in a patient presenting with headache, diplopia secondary to cranial neuropathy and typical radiologic features. This is the first reported case in which bilateral trochlear nerve paresis has been reported in association with this condition.