Vision rehabilitation in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Vision rehabilitation services are important but underutilized resources for patients with glaucoma. Glaucoma and its impact on vision can affect patients' abilities to read and drive, two activities of daily living that are associated with quality of life and functional independence. In this review, we provide an overview of low vision, discuss barriers to vision rehabilitation, and outline various strategies and interventions to optimize visual function and quality of life in patients with glaucoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have shown that glaucoma negatively impacts reading, driving and overall quality of life. Decreased visual acuity, visual field loss and reduced contrast sensitivity play a role. Low vision services and interventions can help patients maximize visual function and improve their quality of life. Barriers to receiving these services exist at multiple levels and an increased awareness and integration into routine ophthalmic care are needed to deliver comprehensive care. SUMMARY: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of low vision. Ophthalmologists who treat glaucoma often tend to focus on objective measures to monitor progression and disease severity, but the functional impact of glaucoma should also be addressed. Low vision services can benefit patients, particularly for reading and driving, and should be considered as an essential component of patient care.

Macular Findings in Carriers of Ocular Albinism With a Novel GPR143 Mutation.

This case series details macular findings in three female siblings who were found to be carriers of a previously unreported splice mutation in GPR143 (X-linked ocular albinism [OA1]). Presumed lyonization is responsible for both the subtle and varied findings in OA1 carriers, even among siblings, and especially in patients with darker skin pigmentation. In this series, we used green-light autofluorescence to reveal subtle subfoveal involvement and used optical coherence tomography angiography to uncover previously unreported narrowing of the foveal avascular zone, consistent with foveal hypoplasia. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:460-463.].

Ultra-widefield retinal imaging: an update on recent advances.

The development of ultra-widefield retinal imaging has accelerated our understanding of common retinal diseases. As we continue to validate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of pathology in the retinal periphery, the ability to visualize and evaluate these features in an efficient and patient-friendly manner will become more important. Current interest in ultra-widefield imaging includes the development of potential biomarkers of disease progression and indicators of preclinical disease development. This article reviews the current ultra-widefield imaging systems and recent advances in their applications to clinical practice with a focus on diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, uveitis, and pediatric retina.

Ophthalmologic findings in the Cornelia de Lange syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a congenital disorder characterized by multisystem abnormalities, including distinct ophthalmologic findings. In recent years, advances in molecular genetics have begun to provide new insight into the characterization of these clinical features and the genetic basis of the syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 37 articles that were identified through an electronic search in PubMed and through the reference lists of previously conducted reviews. Studies of 30 or more patients were used to report frequencies of common and less common findings. Genotype-phenotype studies were used to provide additional information when available. RESULTS: Ocular anomalies are present in most patients with CdLS. Common findings include long eyelashes, synophrys, hirsutism of the eyebrows, peripapillary pigment ring, and myopia. Less common findings include hyperopia, ptosis, blepharitis, short palpebral fissure length, down-slanting palpebral fissures, mild microcornea, strabismus, nystagmus, and optic nerve abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive summary of the ophthalmologic findings in CdLS. Mutations in certain genes may be associated with specific ocular abnormalities, although future genotype studies are needed to further characterize these relationships.

Retinal Findings in Young Children With Increased Intracranial Pressure From Nontraumatic Causes.

OBJECTIVES: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) has been suggested in legal settings as an alternative cause of retinal hemorrhages (RHs) in young children who may have sustained abusive head trauma. We assessed the prevalence and characteristics of RHs in children with increased ICP. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter study of children <4 years old with newly diagnosed increased ICP as determined by using direct measurement and/or clinical criteria. Infants who were premature, neonates, and suspected survivors of abusive head trauma were excluded on the basis of nonocular findings. Fundus examinations were performed; extent, number, and type of RH in each of 4 distinct retinal zones were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-six children (27 boys) were studied (mean age 15.4 months; range 1-43 months). All of the children had elevated ICP that required intervention. One child had papilledema. No child (0%; 95% confidence interval: 0%-6.4%) or eye (0%; 95% confidence interval: 0%-3.3%) was found to have an RH. Causes of increased ICP included hydrocephalus, intraventricular hemorrhage, congenital malformations, malfunctioning shunts, and the presence of intracranial space-occupying lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Although acute increased ICP can present in children with a pattern of peripapillary superficial RHs in the presence of papilledema, our study supports the conclusion that RHs rarely occur in the absence of optic disc swelling and do not present beyond the peripapillary area in the entities we have studied.

Diagnosis and management of Cornelia de Lange syndrome: first international consensus statement.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is an archetypical genetic syndrome that is characterized by intellectual disability, well-defined facial features, upper limb anomalies and atypical growth, among numerous other signs and symptoms. It is caused by variants in any one of seven genes, all of which have a structural or regulatory function in the cohesin complex. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have improved molecular diagnostics, marked heterogeneity exists in clinical and molecular diagnostic approaches and care practices worldwide. Here, we outline a series of recommendations that document the consensus of a group of international experts on clinical diagnostic criteria, both for classic CdLS and non-classic CdLS phenotypes, molecular investigations, long-term management and care planning.