The HYLAN M Study: Efficacy of 0.15% High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Fluid in the Treatment of Severe Dry Eye Disease in a Multicenter Randomized Trial.

The aim of the HYLAN M study was to investigate if symptoms and/or signs of patients suffering from severe dry eye disease (DED) can be improved by substituting individually optimized artificial tear therapy by high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWHA) eye drops. In this international, multicenter study, patients with symptoms of at least ocular surface disease index (OSDI) 33 and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) of at least Oxford grade 3 were included. A total of 84 per-protocol patients were randomized in two study arms. The control group continued to use their individual optimum artificial tears over the study period of eight weeks; in the verum group, the artificial tears were substituted by eye drops containing 0.15% HMWHA. At the week 8 visit, the average OSDI of the verum group had improved by 13.5 as compared to the control group (p = 0.001). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) had improved by 0.04 logMAR (p = 0.033). CFS, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I, lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE), mucocutaneous junction (Yamaguchi score), and tear osmolarity were not significantly different between the verum and control groups (p > 0.050). We conclude that for most patients with severe DED, 0.15% HMWHA eye drops provide excellent improvement of symptoms without impairment of dry eye signs.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children 16 years of age or younger.

PURPOSE: To study the anatomical and visual outcomes and prognostic factors that may predict the outcomes of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in children. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients 16 years of age or younger who underwent retinal reattachment surgery for RRD at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital from 1996 to 2005 and the King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital from 2002 to 2006, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Good visual outcome was defined as ≥20/200. The association between two categorical variables was evaluated with the Chi-squared test or the exact test, as appropriate. Predictors for RRD and good final visual acuity were identified by conducting stepwise logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The study population comprised 148 patients (166 eyes). There were 104 (70%) males and 44 (30%) females. Mean age at presentation was 8.33 ± 3.26 years (range 1.5-16 years). The retina was reattached after one surgical procedure in 106 (63.8%) eyes and reattached in 130 (78.3%) eyes after multiple surgeries. Factors predicting recurrence after the first surgery were myopia (P = 0.028), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) at presentation (P = 0.024), and total retinal detachment (P = 0.032). Good final visual outcome was achieved in 60 (44.4%) eyes. Predictors of good visual acuity were: good visual acuity at presentation (P < 0.001); absence of PVR at presentation (P < 0.001); one quadrant of retinal detachment (P = 0.0024); macula on (P = 0.0107); absence of primary repair of a ruptured globe (P = 0.0059); no pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) (P = 0.0123); clear phakic lens at follow-up (P < 0.001); absence of postoperative complications (P < 0.001); absence of recurrence of RRD (P < 0.001); and absence of epiretinal membrane (P = 0.0088). Logistic regression analysis indicated that recurrence of RRD was associated with myopia and previous congenital cataract surgery; good final visual outcome was associated with macula on detachment and poor visual outcome was associated with recurrence of RRD and occurrence of postoperative complications and previous repair of a ruptured globe. CONCLUSION: RRD in children is usually associated with a predisposing factor, a high rate of PVR, and total retinal detachment. Despite late diagnosis and the presence of PVR, favorable anatomical and visual outcomes can be achieved.

Microsporidial keratitis: Literature review and report of 2 cases in a tertiary eye care center.

Microsporidia are getting more recognized as causative organism of ocular, gastrointestinal, renal, pulmonary, and sinus diseases, in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Ocular microsporidiosis can be isolated or may present as part of systemic infection. Recent reports showed increasing number of cases of ocular microsporidiosis in immunocompetent individuals. The ocular type occurs mainly in two forms: keratoconjunctivitis form which is mostly seen in immunocompromised individuals and stromal keratitis form seen in immunocompetent individuals. The ocular cases which present with superficial keratitis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients differ from the cases seen in immunocompetent individuals which present mainly as deep stromal keratitis. We are presenting the only two documented cases of microsporidial keratitis diagnosed over 25 years of practice in our institution. The cases are diagnosed by identification of the Acid-fast organisms. Ultrastructure and additional information on species identification in one of the cases. Both cases are eventually managed by therapeutic PKP. Diagnosis and treatment modalities are discussed based on a comprehensive literature review.