Unintentional macular injury following high-energy cosmetic laser calibration.

Unwelcome hair has become a significant issue encountered in our society by young people, particularly young women. Hair removal has been achieved through various methods, both mechanical, with intense pulse light therapy and laser photoablation of hair follicles using various energy delivery systems. There is a relative paucity of clinical trials comparing the safety and efficacy of various hair removal modalities. A comparative study between alexandrite, diode, and intense pulsed light (IPL) was conducted and found similar safety profile across all three modalities. Several adverse effects have been noted as a result of this therapy. Laser-assisted hair removal can lead to ocular anterior segment and/or retinal injury. A laser beam directed toward the eye may easily penetrate both the eyelid or the cornea and cause catastrophic ocular injury. Unfortunately, regulation and licensing of the use of laser-assisted hair removal devices has not yet been well elucidated nor standardized across Australia. There are few cases in the literature reporting retinal burns following inadvertent laser injury, with even fewer directly involving the macula. We report a case of unilateral anterior uveitis and a macular defect following inadvertent laser exposure, leading to photophobia and pain, and reduced visual acuity.

Sibling Ethambutol Optic Chiasmopathy.

Ethambutol is utilised in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The authors report two siblings who developed the adverse effect of ethambutol-induced optic chiasmopathy, with recovery following cessation of ethambutol. Discussion explores potential genetic predisposition to development of this condition and its resolution. Ethambutol optic neuropathy (EON), Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), and other optic neuropathies of mitochondrial origin share a common pathophysiology. Consequently, the authors postulate treatments utilised in LHON, including vitamin B supplementation and idebenone, may have benefit in EON. This article presents concepts for further research, suggesting a potential genetic susceptibility to EON and its treatment.

Ockham's razor revisited: decreased visual acuity secondary to keratoconus in a patient with intracranial hypertension.

Both intracranial hypertension and keratoconus may be associated with visual impairment. The authors present a case of a young female with poor right vision that did not improve despite treatment of her intracranial hypertension. Ophthalmic consultation diagnosed keratoconus as the cause.

Brimonidine-induced anterior uveitis and conjunctivitis: clinical and histologic features.

Brimonidine tartarate is a selective alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist that is indicated for use in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Since its introduction in 1997 there have been a small number of case reports concerning granulomatous anterior uveitis as a late adverse reaction to long-term brimonidine therapy. We report a case of bilateral anterior uveitis and granulomatous papillary conjunctivitis in a 78-year-old gentleman after 2 years of brimonidine therapy. Cessation of brimonidine lead to rapid termination of uveitis. The histologic features of the conjunctiva are described. This has not been previously reported.

Pars plana vitrectomy for the management of retained lens material after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the management and outcomes of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for retained lens material after cataract surgery; and to evaluate risk factors for poor visual outcome, retinal detachment, raised intraocular pressure (IOP), and cystoid macular edema (CME). DESIGN: Retrospective interventional consecutive case series. METHODS: setting: Institutional and Clinical practice. study population: Patients with retained lens material after cataract surgery who underwent vitrectomy at Sydney Eye Hospital between July 1, 1998 and October 31, 2003. intervention: Standard three-port PPV/lensectomy. main outcome measures: Final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal detachment, raised IOP, and CME. RESULTS: A total of 223 eyes of 223 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 20.5 months after vitrectomy. Final BCVA was 6/12 or better in 159 patients (71.3%). Retinal detachment occurred in 20 patients (9%), with 11 diagnosed before or during vitrectomy, and nine occurring after vitrectomy. Ten patients (5.0%) developed raised IOP and 42 (23.2%) developed CME. Poor final visual acuity was associated with retinal detachment (P = .0026), and with poor visual acuity at presentation (P = .030). There was a significant association between retinal detachment and a long interval (>30 days) between cataract surgery and vitrectomy (P = .00047) and between retinal detachment and younger age (P = .0070). CONCLUSIONS: Visual acuity results in this study compared favorably with previously published reports. Although the overall rate of retinal detachment was low, it was significantly higher in those with a delayed interval between cataract surgery and vitrectomy, and was significantly associated with a poorer visual outcome.

Retinoblastoma in New South Wales 1975 to 2001.

PURPOSE: To examine the epidemiology of retinoblastoma in New South Wales (NSW), from 1975 to 2001, comparing the incidence with other parts of the developed world. METHODS: Examination of medical files for patients presenting to NSW retinoblastoma treatment centers between 1975 and 2001. Comparisons to international data were made. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-eight patients [63 (49.2%) male and 65 (51.8%) female] presented. The mean annual incidence of retinoblastoma in NSW was 8 per million children aged 0 to 6 years, per year. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of retinoblastoma in NSW is similar to other parts of the developed world.

Paediatric uveitis: a Sydney clinic experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to retrospectively review uveitis cases at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, since its inception in 1997 to 2001, including patients presenting at the Camperdown, Sydney, campus between 1989 and 1997 attending Westmead for further care. Comparison is made with international centres. METHODS: Information was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Forty patients (53 eyes) presented, of whom 23 (57.5%) were female and 17 (42.5%) were male (mean age 6.7 years). Of 53 eyes, 35 (66%) had anterior uveitis, three (5.7%) intermediate uveitis, seven (13.2%) posterior uveitis and eight (15.1%) panuveitis. Twenty-seven (67.5%) patients had disease unilaterally and 13 (32.5%) bilaterally. Twenty-four (60%) cases were idiopathic. Seven (17.5%) cases were associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, three (7.5%) with herpes zoster, two (5%) with herpes simplex, two (5%) with toxocara, one (2.5%) with toxoplasma, and one (2.5%) with ulcerative colitis. Complications included cataract in 14 (26.4%) eyes; band keratopathy in four (7.5%) eyes; macular scarring in three (5.7%) eyes; and glaucoma in four (7.5%) eyes. Last measured acuity was 6/6 for 19 (35.8%) eyes, < or =6/18 for 15 (28.3%) eyes and <6/60 for eight (15.1%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Despite small numbers, the comparisons of this study with some international studies, and its contrasts with other studies, are due to similarities and differences amongst these studies with respect to factors of referral bias, and the aetiological basis of disease.

Cervical ependymoma presenting with brainstem and cerebellar signs: case report.

This case report demonstrates cervical spinal cord pathology which presented with brainstem and cerebellar signs consequent to the peritumoural oedema that extended rostrally to the pontomedullary junction. A Medline search of the literature back to 1960 failed to produce any previous report of a cervical ependymoma presenting with brainstem and cerebellar signs purely consequent to oedema. This case highlights the need to look further afield when presented with the scenario of clinical features of a brainstem lesion with only oedema apparent on cranial imaging. It indicates the need to include cervical imaging well below the foramen magnum in these circumstances.

Questioning the need for routine bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture in patients with retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: This study assesses the value of routinely investigating children with retinoblastoma with bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture, staging investigations not without risk and trauma to the patient, emotional stress on parents and financial cost to the community. METHODS: Medical files and specimens were obtained and examined for patients with retinoblastoma presenting to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Camperdown and the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, from 1975 to 2001. RESULTS: In total, 123 patients presented; 62 (50.4%) were boys and 61 (49.6%) were girls. Of these 123 patients, 74 (60.2%) had unilateral disease, 46 (37.4%) involving the left eye and 28 (22.8%) involving the right eye. There were 47 (38.2%) patients with bilateral disease, and two (1.6%) with trilateral disease. Mean age of presentation was 17.9 months (23.1 months for unilateral subjects; 10.3 months for bi-lateral subjects; 3.5 months for trilateral subjects). There were 13 (10.6%) with a positive family history. Of 74 unilateral subjects, 70 (94.6%) required enucleation and four (5.4%) were salvaged. Of 47 bilateral subjects, 13 (27.7%) did not require enucleation, 27 (57.4%) required unilateral enucleation and seven (14.9%) required bilateral enucleation. Both trilateral subjects died. Of all 123 subjects, 112 (91.1%) had bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture performed during initial assessment, and none showed evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Given the small but significant risks associated with these procedures, the results of this study cannot support bone marrow aspiration and lumbar puncture as routine investigations in all patients presenting with retinoblastoma, suggesting a more limited usage of these investigations is warranted.