[Surgical management of a recurrent iris stromal cyst]. / Prise en charge chirurgicale d'un kyste du stroma irien récidivant.

INTRODUCTION: Cysts of the iris stroma may be congenital or acquired. They are rare tumors of the anterior segment. We describe the case of a 51-year-old patient presenting with a recurrent iris stromal cyst. OBSERVATION: The patient presented emergently for sudden recurrence of an iris stromal cyst with decreased visual acuity. He had already undergone needle aspiration and argon laser photocoagulation of the cyst 1 year previously. A Ultrasound BioMicroscopy (UBM) examination was performed to rule out any malignant tumor of the iris or ciliary body. Surgical treatment consisted of complete removal of the external layer of the cyst with Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) forceps after marsurpialization with scissors. The postoperative course was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Cysts of the iris stroma are rare benign tumors that pose problems due to their extension into the anterior chamber and recurrence.

[Predictive factors for successful Ferrara intracorneal ring segment implantation in keratoconus]. / Facteurs prédictifs de succès des anneaux intracornéens de Ferrara dans le kératocône.

OBJECTIVE: To define predictive factors after manual implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments (Ferrara ring) for the management of keratoconus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus were implanted with Ferrara intracorneal ring segments using a mechanical procedure. We measured corneal ring implantation depth, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), as well as refractive and keratometric outcomes. Patients were separated into two groups according to the gain of at least two lines of BSCVA ("good response") or the gain of only one line of BSCVA, no change, or the loss of lines of BSCVA ("poor response"). RESULTS: After a 6-month follow-up, 41% patients experienced a gain of at least two lines of BSCVA, 31.8% a gain of only one line, 13.6% no change, and 13.6% a loss of BSCVA. The sphere reduced from 4.39 to 2.34D (p<0.01), the cylinder from 4.19 to 2.77D (p<0.01), and the mean keratometry from 51.44 to 48.74D (p<0.02). As successful predictive factors, we found the asymmetry of keratoconus (p<0.01) in relation to the steepest meridian and patients implanted with a single ring (p<0.02). CONCLUSION: Defining preoperative successful predictive factors for Ferrara intracorneal ring segments is essential to enhance postoperative outcomes.

Matrix metalloproteinase 14 overexpression reduces corneal scarring.

Once a corneal scar develops, surgical management remains the only option for visual rehabilitation. Corneal transplantation is the definitive treatment for a corneal scar. In addition to the challenges posed by graft rejections and other postoperative complications, the lack of high-quality donor corneas can limit the benefits possible with keratoplasty. The purpose of our study was to evaluate a new therapeutic strategy for treating corneal scarring by targeting collagen deposition. We overexpressed a fibril collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14)) to prevent collagen deposition in the scar tissue. We demonstrated that a single and simple direct injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus-based vector expressing murine MMP14 can modulate gene expression of murine stromal keratocytes. This tool opens new possibilities with regard to treatment. In a mouse model of corneal full-thickness incision, we observed that MMP14 overexpression reduced corneal opacity and expression of the major genes involved in corneal scarring, especially type III collagen and α-smooth muscle actin. These results represent proof of concept that gene transfer of MMP14 can reduce scar formation, which could have therapeutic applications after corneal trauma.

[Intravitreal bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular glaucoma. Report of 20 cases]. / Utilisation du bevacizumab en injection intravitréenne dans le traitement du glaucome néovasculaire. A propos de 20 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanised monoclonal antibody directed against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We report the results of bevacizumab injections in the treatment of 20 cases of neovascular glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven women and 13 men, of average age 73 years old, presented with neovascular glaucoma secondary to central retinal vein occlusion in 8 cases, proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 8 cases, central retinal artery occlusion in 2 cases, radiation retinopathy in 1 case and ocular ischemic syndrome in 1 case. Iris fluorescein angiography was performed before and two days after 2,5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was realised in 12 cases of grade 4 neovascular glaucoma in the week following the injection. Panretinal photocoagulation was conducted in all cases. RESULTS: After a 4 months and a half follow up, iris angiography revealed dramatic regression of iris neovascularisation in a few days. In grade 2 and 3 neovascular glaucoma, the single injection is sufficient to control intraocular pressure. In grade 4 neovascular glaucoma, intraocular pressure was controlled in 87,5 % of cases with one injection and one or more diode laser cyclophotocoagulation. DISCUSSION: The antiangiogenic effect of bevacizumab leads to fast reduction of the iris neovascularization with control of intraocular pressure without any surgery in grade 2 or 3 neovascular glaucoma. Panretinal photocoagulation was facilitated by improvement of corneal swelling. Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation was necessary in grade 4. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab was effective in reversing iris neovascularization in association with panretinal photocoagulation and cyclophotocoagulation.

[Severe bacterial keratitis. A clinical, epidemiologic, and microbiologic study]. / Kératites bactériennes sévères. Etude épidémiologique, clinique et microbiologique.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to report the epidemiologic and microbiologic features and to define the risk factors of hospitalized cases of bacterial keratitis in the Toulouse University Hospital Center of Ophthalmology (France). METHODS: This was a retrospective study including all cases of serious bacterial keratitis hospitalized between January 2006 and November 2007. Epidemiologic, microbiologic, and clinical factors such as age, reasons for hospitalization, visual loss, and risk factors were described. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were hospitalized during this period, with a mean age of 46 years. The two most frequent clinical features for hospitalization were the area of stromal infiltrate (63%) and central corneal localization (61%). A local risk factor was identified in 92.5% of cases in decreasing order: contact lens wear (49%), keratopathy (16%), corneal injury (12%), and corneal surgery (7%). Sixteen percent had immunodeficiency from the most part because of diabetes and Gougerot-Sjögen's syndrome. Bacterial samples were positive in 57% of cases. Gram-negative bacteria were often isolated (45%) among contact lens wearers. After 3 months, the final visual acuity improved in 85% of the eyes studied. DISCUSSION: Contact lens wear, even if it was the leading risk factor of serious bacterial keratitis requiring hospitalization, was not a negative prognosis factor in our study. CONCLUSION: Factors such as a low preoperative visual acuity, age, and the size of the initial infiltrate have a poor prognosis and immunodeficiency is the predisposing factor associated with the worst final visual acuity.

[Treatment of central retinal vein occlusion by isovolemic hemodilution]. / Traitement par hémodilution des occlusions de la veine centrale de la rétine.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of hemodilution in the treatment of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, noncomparative study of 25 patients presenting unilateral CRVO, treated with one to three hemodilution sessions. The patients were re-examined in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 12th months following treatment with measurement of visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Our study included 17 men and eight women, averaging 63 years of age (range, 35-87 years), and monitored for an average of 7 months (range, 3-12 months). After the 6th month following treatment, average visual acuity improved compared to initial visual acuity. Initial visual acuity of less than 1/10, with the existence of poorly irrigated areas in the angiography, presented negative prognosis factors. The number of hemodilutions did not produce a significant difference in final visual acuity. No serious complications due to hemodilution were observed. DISCUSSION: Treatment of CRVO is subject to debate. Some practitioners recommend against treatment, while others advocate intervention and offer laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis. Surgical vitrectomy and radial optical neurotomy, with or without injection of triamcinolone, await evaluation. Hemodilution may offer a therapeutic approach to this pathology, in which the etiopathogenesis is not yet recognized, but in which blood viscosity plays a key role. This treatment is well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Hemodilutions appear to have beneficial effects in treating CRVO, whatever the number of hemodilutions used. This study should be confirmed by a prospective study using an untreated control group.

[Automobile driving and visual aptitude in 100 patients over 60 years of age]. / Conduite automobile et aptitude visuelle chez 100 patients âgés de plus de 60 ans.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate visual capacity and automobile driving in a sample of individuals over 60 years of age based on the visual function criteria as defined in the 29 May 1997 French Journal Officiel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Drivers over 60 years of age were included in a prospective monocentric epidemiological study between January and March 2005. Binocular visual acuity and monocular visual acuity were measured in subjects with their optical corrections. Binocular or monocular visual field was tested depending on visual acuity results. Etiologies of visual acuity loss and visual field impairment of each eye were recorded in patients who did not meet the required criteria. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included (mean age, 70.7 years +/- 7.12 years). Twenty-nine patients did not meet the required criteria (29%; 95% confidence interval=[20.1;37.9]). On these 29 patients, 20 (69%; 95% CI=[52.2;85.8]) were unfit for driving an automobile with potential reversibility, whereas nine (31%; 95% CI=[14.2;47.8]) were permanently unfit from a visual point of view. CONCLUSION: The frequency with which patients ignore their poor distance visual acuity and the possibility of reversing the problem make it clear that the ophthalmologist has a role to play in detecting and informing patients.