Recurrent Branch Retinal Artery Occlusions Revealing Susac's Syndrome.

We report a case of a 28-year-old otherwise healthy female patient who presented with blurred vision in her right eye related to multiple branch retinal artery occlusions confirmed by fluorescein angiography. Investigation revealed positive antinuclear antibodies and an interatrial septal aneurysm on transthoracic echocardiography. The patient was treated with oral prednisolone and aspirin. Two months after her initial presentation, she developed hearing loss and tinnitus. Ophthalmological examination revealed temporal inferior and nasal inferior branch retinal artery occlusions in the left eye. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multifocal T2 hyperintense lesions in cortical and subcortical areas as well as the corpus callosum consistent with Susac's syndrome. The diagnosis of Susac's syndrome should be kept in mind in young patients presenting with multiple or recurrent retinal artery occlusions even in the absence of associated systemic symptoms to not delay appropriate management.

Functional alterations of retinal neurons and vascular involvement progress simultaneously in the Psammomys obesus model of diabetic retinopathy.

To investigate the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a new diurnal animal model, we monitored clinically the DR in Psammomys obesus (P. obesus) during 7 months using electroretinography (ERG) and imaging techniques. After the onset of DR, all ERG components decreased progressively. In scotopic conditions, by 3-months of disease progression, the diabetic P. obesus displayed a significant decrease in amplitude of b-max, b-wave responses, and mixed b-waves. While mixed a-wave decreased between 4 and 7 months. Significant differences of OP2 appeared following 1 month of disease. In photopic conditions, we noticed a decrease in the a-wave at 2 months, while it took more than 5 months in b-wave amplitude. The photopic negative response (PhNR) and the i-wave amplitudes decreased following 4 and 5 months. OP1 and OP2 were the first to be altered and a significant decrease in the amplitude started after 3 months. Finally, 30 Hz-flicker and photopic S-cone were impaired after 2 and 3 months, respectively. The assessment of the eye fundus of the retina revealed an abnormal vascular architecture appeared at Months 6 and 7. In addition, we noticed exudates in the superior periphery of the retina at the same stage. The retina thickness showed a significant reduction at Month 7. Our results indicate that the clinical correlates of human DR are present in diabetic P. obesus. The depressed of ERGs, disruption of retinal architecture, and the appearance of exudates may reflect vascular and neuronal damage throughout the retina as are seen in the advanced stages of human DR.

SWEPT-SOURCE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN RICKETTSIAL RETINITIS.

PURPOSE: To report optical coherence tomography angiography findings in a patient with rickettsial retinitis. METHODS: A 29-year-old man complaining of acute blurring vision in the right eye associated with Rickettsia conorii infection underwent a comprehensive ocular examination, fluorescein angiography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. RESULTS: Funduscopy showed two large areas of retinitis in the inferior macula along the distribution of the inferotemporal artery with associated retinal hemorrhages, retinal edema, and serous retinal detachment. Fluorescein angiography showed early hypofluorescence and late staining of white retinal lesions and associated adjacent retinal vascular leakage and optic disc hyperfluorescence. Optical coherence tomography angiography showed hypointense dark areas in the superficial capillary plexus and larger hypointense areas in the deep capillary plexus, outer retina, and choriocapillaris layer. The patient was treated with doxycycline and prednisone. Six weeks after presentation, retinal changes seen at the acute phase had resolved, leading to mild residual retinal pigment epithelial changes. Fluorescein angiography showed retinal capillary nonperfusion within areas of resolved retinitis. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography findings included inner retinal atrophy, intraretinal cysts, and disruption of ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography showed well-delineated hypointense greyish areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. Visual field testing revealed the presence of a corresponding paracentral defect. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography angiography may be a valuable noninvasive imaging technique for detecting and analyzing occlusive complications associated with rickettsial retinitis.

Prevalence and causes of vision loss in North Africa and Middle East in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections.

BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in North Africa and the Middle East (NAME) from 1990 to 2015 and to forecast projections for 2020. METHODS: Based on a systematic review of medical literature, the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; PVA <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (PVA <6/12 but ≥6/18) was estimated for 2015 and 2020. RESULTS: The age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages and genders decreased from 1990 to 2015, from 1.72 (0.53-3.13) to 0.95% (0.32%-1.71%), and from 6.66 (3.09-10.69) to 4.62% (2.21%-7.33%), respectively, with slightly higher figures for women than men. Cataract was the most common cause of blindness in 1990 and 2015, followed by uncorrected refractive error. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI in the NAME region in 1990 and 2015, followed by cataract. A reduction in the proportions of blindness and MSVI due to cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma is predicted by 2020. Conversely, an increase in the proportion of blindness attributable to uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is expected. CONCLUSIONS: In 2015 cataract and uncorrected refractive error were the major causes of vision loss in the NAME region. Proportions of vision impairment from cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma are expected to decrease by 2020, and those from uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are predicted to increase by 2020.

Retinal dysfunction parallels morphologic alterations and precede clinically detectable vascular alterations in Meriones shawi, a model of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of reduced visual acuity and acquired blindness. The aim of this work was to analyze functional and vascular changes in diabetic Meriones shawi (M.sh) an animal model of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The animals were divided into four groups. Two groups were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 3 and 7 months, two other groups served as age-matched controls. Retinal function was assessed using full field electroretinogram (Ff-ERG). Retinal thickness and vasculature were examined by optical coherence tomography, eye fundus and fluorescein angiography. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine key proteins of glutamate metabolism and synaptic transmission. Diabetic animals exhibited significantly delayed scotopic and photopic ERG responses and decreases in scotopic and photopic a- and b-wave amplitudes at both time points. Furthermore, a decrease of the amplitude of the flicker response and variable changes in the scotopic and photopic oscillatory potentials was reported. A significant decrease in retinal thickness was observed. No evident change in the visual streak area and no sign of vascular abnormality was present; however, some exudates in the periphery were visible in 7 months diabetic animals. Imunohistochemistry detected a decrease in the expression of glutamate synthetase, vesicular glutamate transporter 1 and synaptophysin proteins. Results indicate that a significant retinal dysfunction was present in the HFD induced diabetes involving both rod and cone pathways and this dysfunction correlate well with the morphological abnormalities reported previously. Furthermore, neurodegeneration and abnormalities in retinal function occur before vascular alterations would be detectable in diabetic M.sh.

Multimodal imaging in a case of bilateral outer retinitis associated with mumps infection.

PURPOSE: To report the results of multimodal imaging of acute outer retinitis associated to mumps infection. METHODS: A patient with mumps-associated outer retinitis evaluated by color fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), optical coherence tomography angiography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). RESULTS: We report a case of a 12-year-old boy who developed bilateral outer retinitis related to mumps. Ophthalmoscopy showed confluent areas of outer retinitis involving the posterior pole and the periphery with a centrifugal gyrate pattern. SD-OCT revealed a marked disorganization of the outer retinal layers with multiple highly reflective spicules. FA shows diffuse late hyperfluorescence with optic disk staining. ICGA shows macular and peripheral hyperfluorescent lesions with a geographical pattern in the late phases. The patient was treated with acyclovir and oral prednisone. Four weeks after presentation visual acuity remained unchanged, and retinal changes seen at the acute phase had resolved leading to extensive retinal atrophy and optic disk pallor. SD-OCT showed atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelial and outer retinal layers. FAF revealed scattered hyperautofluorescent lesions. Electrophysiology showed generalized retinal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Mumps infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bilateral necrotizing outer retinitis in children and young adults. A multimodal imaging approach may help distinguish mumps-associated retinitis from other causes of viral retinitis and facilitate appropriate management.

Cytomegalovirus Ocular Involvement in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Cytomegalovirus remains the most common infection after kidney transplant. We report cytomegalovirus retinitis and anterior uveitis, which developed consecutively within 1 year in a kidney transplant recipient. A 25-year-old man presented 5 months after transplant with decreased visual acuity in his left eye. Fundus examination revealed bilateral areas of necrotizing retinitis with intraretinal hemorrhages. The confirmation of cytomegalovirus disease was based on clinical findings and positive polymerase chain reaction for cytomegalovirus in plasma and in aqueous humor. The patient was treated with intravenous ganciclovir for 21 days and then with valacyclovir for 3 months. The patient's symptoms improved, and fundus examination revealed resolution of retinitis with appearance of retinal scarring. One year later, the patient presented with cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis associated with increased intraocular pressure, which was treated with antiviral agents, antiglaucomatous eye drops, and trabeculectomy. Cytomegalovirus ocular involvement for our immunocompromised patient presented in 2 consecutive forms: bilateral retinitis and anterior uveitis. Early diagnosis and treatment of active cytomegalovirus retinitis and uveitis remain crucial to prevent their progression to irreversible visual impairment.

Cardiac and vascular complications of Behçet disease in the Tunisian context: clinical characteristics and predictive factors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac and vascular involvement in Behçet disease (BD), also referred as vasculo BD, is frequent. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics, predictive factors and management of vasculo BD in the Tunisian context. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 213 records of all BD patients followed between January 2004 and May 2016 in the Internal Medicine Department and who fulfilled the ISGBD criteria. We described first clinical features of BD with cardiac and vascular involvement then predictive factors were studied in univariate then multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 213 patients, 64 (30%) were diagnosed as having vasculo BD. The mean age at diagnosis was 31.5 years. About 81.25% of them were males and 18.75% females. Vascular involvement associated or not with cardiac involvement was found in 64 patients (30%). Deep venous thromboses are most common (62.5%) compared with superficial ones (23.4%), pulmonary arterial thrombosis (14.1%) or aneurysms (9.4%). Cardiac involvement is ranging from pericarditis (1.6%) to intra cardiac thrombosis (3.1%) and myocardial infarction (1.6%). Predictive factors associated with cardiac and vascular involvement in BD are male gender (OR = 3.043, 95% CI = 1.436-6.447, p = 0.004), erythema nodosum (OR = 4.134, 95% CI = 1.541-11.091, p = 0.005) and neurologic involvement (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.02-5.89, p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: Cardiac and vascular involvement in BD is frequent in the Tunisian context with a broad spectrum of manifestations ranging from vascular involvement to cardiac one. Male gender, patients with erythema nodosum or neurologic involvement are prone to develop cardiac or vascular features of BD needing therefore a close monitoring.

Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in West Nile Virus Chorioretinitis and Associated Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis.

A 65-year-old man with diabetes and a history of fever of unknown origin 2 weeks earlier complained of sudden decreased vision in the left eye. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral West Nile virus (WNV) chorioretinitis associated with occlusive retinal vasculitis in the left eye. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) of the left eye showed extensive, well-delineated, hypointense non-perfusion areas and perifoveal capillary arcade disruption in the superficial capillary plexus, as well as larger non-perfusion areas, capillary rarefaction, and diffuse capillary network attenuation and disorganization in the deep capillary plexus. OCTA may be a valuable tool for noninvasively assessing occlusive retinal vasculitis associated with WNV infection. It allows an accurate detection and precise delineation of areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion in both the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:672-675.].

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH BEHÇET UVEITIS.

PURPOSE: To describe optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings in eyes with Behçet uveitis (BU) and to compare these findings with those of fluorescein angiography (FA). METHODS: Prospective, comparative, cross-sectional study. Patients presenting with clinically active BU involving the posterior segment were evaluated using FA, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and OCTA. Optical coherence tomography angiograms were reviewed and analyzed. Foveal avascular zone areas and vessel densities were also reported. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (44 eyes) were included. Perifoveal microvascular changes were more frequently observed on OCTA than on FA (95.5 vs 59.1%; P < 0.001). Disruption of the perifoveal capillary arcade, areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion/hypoperfusion, and perifoveal capillary abnormalities, including rarefied, dilated, or shunting vessels were observed more frequently using OCTA than FA (40.9 vs 25%; P = 0.039, 86.4 vs 34.1%; P < 0.001, and 84.1 vs 36.4%; P < 0.001, respectively). Areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion/hypoperfusion were more frequently observed in the deep than in the superficial capillary plexus (81.8 vs 63.6%; P = 0.039). Capillary abnormalities and disorganization of the normal architecture of the capillary network were more frequent in the deep than in the superficial capillary plexus (P < 0.001). Foveal avascular zone area was not significantly larger in eyes with BU than in control group in both the superficial and the deep capillary plexuses (0.4 vs 0.34 mm; P = 0.23 and 0.72 vs 0.53 mm; P = 0.053, respectively). Capillary vessel density was significantly lower in eyes with BU than in control group in the deep capillary plexus (13.7 vs 17.2 mm 21; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: OCTA allows better visualization and characterization of perifoveal microvascular changes than FA in eyes with active BU. The deep capillary plexus seemed to be more severely involved than the superficial capillary plexus.

Comparative effect of topical diclofenac and topical dexamethasone on anterior chamber flare and postoperative pain following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of topical diclofenac and topical dexamethasone on anterior chamber flare and postoperative pain following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery. This prospective study included 40 eyes of 40 patients treated for RRD. Twenty-eight patients underwent scleral buckling and 12 patients underwent 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). For each surgical procedure, patients were postoperatively randomly divided into two groups: the first group received topical dexamethasone phosphate 0.1 % four times daily for 28 days; the second group received topical diclofenac sodium 0.1 % three times daily for 28 days. The inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber was measured with laser flare photometry preoperatively and 1, 7, 14, 28, and 90 days postoperatively. Pain level was evaluated with Scott's visual analog scale at day 1, 7, 14, and 28 postoperatively. For patients treated with scleral buckling, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding mean aqueous flare at day 1 (p = 0.096), day 7 (p = 0.435), day 14 (p = 0.510), day 28 (p = 0.583), and day 90 (p = 0.423). The group who received diclofenac had significantly lower pain score at days 7, 14, and 28 (p = 0.048, p = 0.017, and p = 0.028, respectively). For patients treated with PPV, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding mean aqueous flare at day 1 (p = 0.400), day 7 (p = 0.728), day 14 (p = 0.843), day 28 (p = 0.939), and day 90 (p = 0.568). Patients who received diclofenac had significantly lower pain score at days 7, 14, and 28 (p = 0.032, p = 0.030, and p = 0.023, respectively). Topical diclofenac seems to be as potent as topical dexamethasone in managing postoperative inflammatory response induced by surgery for RRD with better analgesic effect. Both of them are consequences of blood-aqueous barrier and blood-retinal barrier breakdown.

Anterior chamber aqueous flare, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and glaucoma.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate anterior chamber aqueous flare (ACAF) in Tunisian patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome with or without associated glaucoma. This is a prospective, cross-sectional, comparative study including 53 patients (88 eyes) with PEX syndrome, 48 patients with PEX glaucoma (86 eyes), and 53 healthy sex-and age-matched control subjects (106 eyes). All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination and laser flare photometry. Mean ACAF was significantly higher in the PEX syndrome group in comparison with the control group (17.96 ± 10.05 vs 7.06 ± 2.95 ph/ms; p = 10(-4)), in patients with PEX glaucoma compared to PEX syndrome without associated glaucoma (27.99 ± 15.45 vs 17.96 ± 10.05 ph/ms; p = 10(-4)), in the PEX glaucoma group in comparison with control group (27.99 ± 15.45 vs 7.06 ± 2.95 ph/ms; p = 10(-4)), and in patients with unilateral PEX syndrome in comparison with contralateral-unaffected eyes (25.72 ± 14.88 vs 8.58 ± 3.45 ph/ms; p = 0.000). For patients with PEX syndrome, a high ACAF might be a predictor for the development of glaucoma. Further investigations are needed to clarify the role of laser flare photometry in predicting the risk of glaucoma in patients with PEX syndrome.

Clinical and multimodal imaging characteristics of acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease unassociated with clinically evident exudative retinal detachment.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and multimodal imaging findings in acute Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease without clinically evident exudative retinal detachment (ERD). We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 18 patients (36 eyes), diagnosed with acute VKH disease without clinically evident ERD. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), B-scan ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography (FA), and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Of 18 patients, twelve (66.7 %) were female and 6 (33.3 %) were male. Mean age was 39 years (range, 23-60). Ten patients had been referred with an erroneous diagnosis of primary optic nerve disorder (8; 44.4 %) or isolated anterior uveitis (2; 11.1 %). Anterior chamber or vitreous inflammatory reaction was noted in 22 eyes (61.1 %), each. Fundus findings included optic disc swelling in 30 eyes (83.3 %), retinal striae in 20 eyes (55.5 %), and yellowish deep lesions in 3 eyes (8.3 %). OCT showed a shallow, localized subclinical ERD in 18 eyes (50 %), and retinal pigment epithelial folds in 23 eyes (63.9 %). B-scan ultrasonography showed diffuse, low- to medium-reflective choroidal thickening in all eyes. FA disclosed delayed choroidal perfusion in at least one eye of all patients (100 %), mild pinpoint leakage in 21 eyes (58.3 %), optic disc hyperfluorescence in 35 eyes (97.2 %) and choroidal folds in 13 eyes (36.1 %). ICGA findings included delayed choroidal perfusion in 24 eyes (66.7 %), decrease in the number of large choroidal vessels in 36 eyes (100 %), fuzzy choroidal vessels in 35 eyes (97.2 %), and hypofluorescent dark dots in 28 eyes (77.8 %). The association of bilateral optic disc edema with retinal striae and intraocular inflammatory reaction highly suggests acute VKH disease. A multimodal imaging approach including fundus photography, OCT, B-scan ultrasonography, FA, and ICGA provides important clues for the definite diagnosis and help differentiate VKH disease from primary optic nerve disorders.

Number of People Blind or Visually Impaired by Cataract Worldwide and in World Regions, 1990 to 2010.

PURPOSE: To estimate prevalence and number of people visually impaired or blind due to cataract. METHODS: Based on the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2010 and ongoing literature research, we examined how many people were affected by moderate to severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting visual acuity <6/18, ≥3/60) and blindness (presenting visual acuity <3/60) due to cataract. RESULTS: In 2010, of overall 32.4 million blind and 191 million vision impaired, 10.8 million people were blind and 35.1 million were visually impaired due to cataract. Cataract caused worldwide 33.4% of all blindness in 2010, and 18.4% of all MSVI. These figures were lower in the high-income regions (<15%) and higher (>40%) in South and Southeast Asia and Oceania. From 1990 to 2010, the number of blind or visually impaired due to cataract decreased by 11.4% and by 20.2%, respectively; the age-standardized global prevalence of cataract-related blindness and MSVI reduced by 46% and 50%, respectively, and the worldwide crude prevalence of cataract-related blindness and MSVI reduced by 32% and 39%, respectively. The percentage of global blindness and MSVI caused by cataract decreased from 38.6% to 33.4%, and from 25.6% to 18.4%, respectively. This decrease took place in almost all world regions, except East Sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSIONS: In 2010, one in three blind people was blind due to cataract, and one of six visually impaired people was visually impaired due to cataract. Despite major improvements in terms of reduction of prevalence, cataract remains a major public health problem.

Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome revealing subclinical Rickettsia conorii infection.

The purpose of this study was to report a case of Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome associated with subclinical Rickettsia conorii infection. We report a case of a 66-year-old male patient presented with unilateral persistent granulomatous conjunctivitis in the left eye and an ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy without associated systemic features. Laboratory evaluation showed a positive indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for R. conorii. The patient received a 2-week course of oral doxycycline, with subsequent complete resolution of all his symptoms. Rickettsial disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oculoglandular syndrome with or without associated systemic symptoms in any patient living in or returning from a specific endemic area.

Orbital infections: review of 28 cases.

BACKGROUND: Orbital infections (OI) are a serious disorder that may results in visual and systemic morbidity. AIM: To study epidemiologic data and outcome of OI in a tertiary eye care center. METHODS: Retrospective study of 28 patients (28 eyes) with OI. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmic examination, otolaryngology examination, and cranio-orbital computed tomography scan. All patients received parenteral probabilistic antibiotic treatment then adapted depending on the sensitivity of antibiogram and clinical evolution, associated or not to corticosteroid treatment. The mean follow-up was 14 months. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 35.9 years. Fifteen patients (54%) were male. Of 28 cases, retroseptal cellulitis was the most common, noted in 67.8% of cases. subperiosteal or orbital abscess was recorded in 28.6% of the cases. Sinusitis was the most common etiology, found in 39.3% of cases. Treatment was based on empirical broad spectrum systemic antibiotics in all cases. Surgical management was performed in 39.3% of cases. Bacteriological samples were obtained for 28.5% of patients, with Staphylococcus aureus the most frequently isolated pathogen (5 cases; 62.5%). The evolution was favorable with complete resolution without sequelae in 92.8% of the cases and improvement of visual acuity in 82% of cases. Causes of poor visual outcome were corneal perforation, cataract and retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, OI affects children and young adults. Their prognosis is generally favorable provided rapid and appropriate management.

Infectious optic neuropathies: a clinical update.

Different forms of optic neuropathy causing visual impairment of varying severity have been reported in association with a wide variety of infectious agents. Proper clinical diagnosis of any of these infectious conditions is based on epidemiological data, history, systemic symptoms and signs, and the pattern of ocular findings. Diagnosis is confirmed by serologic testing and polymerase chain reaction in selected cases. Treatment of infectious optic neuropathies involves the use of specific anti-infectious drugs and corticosteroids to suppress the associated inflammatory reaction. The visual prognosis is generally good, but persistent severe vision loss with optic atrophy can occur. This review presents optic neuropathies caused by specific viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases.

Final Diagnosis in Patients Referred with a Diagnosis of Neuroretinitis.

The purpose of this study was to determine final diagnosis of patients referred with a diagnosis of neuroretinitis. A retrospective study of 40 patients with optic disc oedema with macular star (ODOMS) referred with a diagnosis of neuroretinitis was conducted. The final diagnosis was neuroretinitis in 26 patients (65%), with most of these patients (96.1%) having unilateral involvement. Main underlying aetiologies included cat scratch disease (30.8%), rickettsiosis (19.2%), and idiopathic neuroretinitis (23.1%). The remaining 14 patients (35%) had ODOMS that had been mistaken for neuroretinitis. Of these patients, 42.8% were found to have a previously unknown malignant systemic hypertension in association with bilateral ODOMS. Neuroretinitis, usually unilateral, should be differentiated from other causes of unilateral or most often bilateral ODOMS that may masquerade as neuroretinitis, mainly malignant systemic hypertension. This is essential to avoid inappropriate work-up and management and subsequent potential visual or systemic morbidity.

Optic nerve head drusen: a comparative study of 10 MHz and 20 MHz ultrasound probes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare 10-MHz and 20-MHz ultrasonography in the assessment of patients with optic nerve head drusen (ONHD). The design of the study was prospective, comparative and cross-sectional. Ultrasonographic examination with a 10 and 20 MHz probe was performed in 45 eyes with suspected ONHD. The 20 MHz probe showed drusen in 43 eyes (95.5 %), while the 10 MHz probe revealed drusen in only 33 eyes (73.3 %, p = 0.0001). The 10 MHz probe showed surface drusen in 10 eyes (22.2 %), while the 20 MHz probe showed surface drusen in 14 eyes (31.1 %) (sensitivity 71.4 %; 95 % CI [47.6-95.1 %]). The 10 MHz probe showed buried drusen in 23 eyes (23.1 %), while the 20 MHz probe showed buried drusen in 29 eyes (64.4 %) (sensitivity 79.3 %; 95 % CI [56.6-86.2 %]). The sensitivity was 76.7 % with 10 MHz probe compared to a 20 MHz as gold standard. The use of 20 MHz probe increased the sensitivity of buried disc drusen by 1.5 times and surface disc drusen by nearly 2 times. Using the 10 MHz probe alone the false negative error rate was 83.3 %. The 20 MHz probe has shown itself to be an excellent method for the diagnosis of ONHD; it is more sensitive and reliable than 10 MHz probe and should be considered in the management of patients with clinical evidence of ONHD.

Pattern of Acute Retinal Necrosis in a Referral Center in Tunisia, North Africa.

PURPOSE: To describe the pattern of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome in a referral center in Tunisia. METHODS: Retrospective review of the charts of 12 patients (12 eyes). RESULTS: Necrotizing retinitis involved >50% of the retina in 33.3% of eyes. Polymerase chain reaction on aqueous humor sample identified herpes simplex virus-1 in 4 eyes (33.3%) and varicella zoster virus in 3 eyes (25%), and was negative in 5 eyes (41.7%). All patients received intravenous acyclovir, followed by oral antivirals. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 16 months. Retinal detachment (RD) occurred in 3 eyes (25%), but no patient developed bilateral ARN. Final visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 7 eyes (58.3%). Delay in diagnosis (p = 0.015), macular involvement (p = 0.045), development of RD (p = 0.018), and 25-50% of retinal involvement (p = 0.045) were associated with a worse visual outcome. CONCLUSION: ARN carries poor visual prognosis in Tunisia.