Incidence of posterior capsule opacification following phacoemulsification in patients with uveitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in patients with inactive uveitis who underwent phacoemulsification with acrylic hydrophobic intraocular lens. METHODS: Thus was a retrospective review of 25 consecutive patients (31 eyes) with uveitis who underwent phacoemulsification. A group of 100 patients (140 eyes) without uveitis served as historical controls. RESULTS: In patients with uveitis, PCO occurred in 11 eyes (35.5%), 6 (19%) of which were visually significant and required treatment with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser. In the control group, PCO developed in 17 (12%) eyes which required treatment with Nd: YAG laser. The incidence of PCO was significantly higher in uveitis patients compared to the control group (P = 0.001), but the incidence of visually significant PCO requiring laser capsulotomy was not statistically significant (P = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PCO in patients with uveitis was significantly higher than those without uveitis, but the need for Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy for visually significant PCO was not statistically significant.

Large Tick (Ixodes) Infestation of the Upper Eyelid Presenting as Eyelid Mass and Preseptal Cellulitis.

A child was referred for removal of an eyelid mass. She had preseptal cellulitis and a large tick deeply embedded in the tarsus of the upper eyelid necessitating antibiotic therapy and en-bloc excision of the tick with the attached eyelid portion. Large ticks that are embedded in the eyelid are best treated surgically with en-bloc excision of the tick and its attached lid. On the contrary, for small ticks involving the very superficial skin, fine-tipped tweezers can be used to grasp the insect. Ticks are vectors of several diseases like Lyme borreliosis, hence prophylactic antibiotic treatment and close observation are recommended.

Bilateral corneal epithelial macrocysts following hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis.

A 27-year-old woman had microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for moderate bilateral hyperopia. The preoperative ophthalmologic examination was unremarkable except for minimal lissamine green staining bilaterally on the nasal conjunctiva. On the first postoperative day, the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20 bilaterally and the corneas were clear. Four days later, the patient presented with mild blur in both eyes. Examination showed diffuse bilateral epithelial cysts encompassing the central 6.0 to 7.0 mm of the flaps with overlying diffuse lissamine green staining. The UDVA was 20/30 bilaterally. Aggressive lubrication was administered. The epithelial cysts coalesced into larger ones over subsequent visits and began regressing over several months, along with improvement in vision. At 6 months, the cysts had completely resolved, the corneas were clear, and the UDVA was 20/20.

Ectropion and Conjunctival Mass in a Patient with Primary Bilateral Conjunctival Amyloidosis.

Background. Amyloidosis is a group of disorders characterized by deposition of an extracellular protein, known as amyloid, in an abnormal fibrillar form with highly characteristic histopathologic staining properties. The clinical presentation can vary from a focal, localized lesion where amyloidosis has minor clinical consequences to extensive systemic disease that can involve any organ system of the body. Ocular amyloidosis can occur as a localized lesion or as a part of a systemic disorder. Conjunctival amyloidosis is an uncommon condition that is rarely associated with systemic disease. It may be a manifestation of an immunologic disorder. Case Report. We report the case of a patient with bilateral conjunctival amyloidosis who was referred to us with the suspicion of a malignant conjunctival lesion. Examination of both eyes showed a yellow-pink mass with prominent intrinsic vessels, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and ectropion of the left lower eyelid. Diagnosis of primary localized conjunctival amyloidosis was made based on histopathologic evaluation of incisional biopsy and negative systemic work-up. Conclusion. Ocular amyloidosis is a rare disease that is slowly progressive and has a wide variety of clinical presentations. Consequently, the clinical diagnosis is often overlooked or delayed. Definitive diagnosis is achieved through histopathologic evaluation of biopsy specimen.

Efficacy and safety of low-dose topical tacrolimus in vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical low-dose tacrolimus (0.01%) solution in patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 62 consecutive patients with VKC refractory to conventional treatment were included retrospectively. Tacrolimus 0.01% ophthalmic solution was administered to patients twice daily after discontinuation of all previous topical medications. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 month to 29 months. The clinical symptoms of itching, redness, foreign body sensation, and discharge and the clinical signs of conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival papillary hypertrophy, limbal infiltration, Trantas dots, and superficial punctate keratopathy were graded as 0 (normal), 1+ (mild), 2+ (moderate), or 3+ (severe). Assessment was carried out before initiation of therapy and on the last visit after treatment. RESULTS: There were 62 patients with VKC comprising 49 male and 13 female patients. The median age was 12 years (range: 5-47 years). The mean visual acuity improved from 20/30 to 20/25 following treatment. There was statistically significant improvement in symptoms of itching (P<0.001), redness (P<0.001), foreign body sensation (P<0.001), and discharge (P<0.001). Statistically significant improvement was also observed in clinical signs of conjunctival hyperemia (P<0.001), limbal infiltration (P<0.001), Trantas dots (P<0.001), superficial punctate keratopathy (P<0.001), and conjunctival papillary hypertrophy (P<0.001). The solution form of tacrolimus was well tolerated. None of the patients developed elevation of intraocular pressure, cataract, or infectious keratitis. CONCLUSION: Low-dose topical tacrolimus 0.01% solution is effective and safe in the management of patients with refractory VKC.

Clinical manifestations and outcome of tuberculous sclerokeratitis.

AIM: To study the clinical manifestations and outcome of patients with tuberculous sclerokeratitis treated with antituberculous therapy without concomitant use of systemic steroids. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of eight consecutive patients with tuberculous sclerokeratitis. Patients were treated unsuccessfully with topical and/or systemic steroids. They underwent complete ophthalmic examination, systemic evaluation, laboratory investigations and imaging. Tuberculin skin test was done with purified protein derivative (PPD) on all patients. The diagnosis of tuberculous sclerokeratitis was made based on clinical findings of scleritis with adjacent peripheral corneal stromal keratitis, positive PPD test of 15 mm of induration or more, response to antituberculous treatment (ATT) within 4 weeks and exclusion of other causes of sclerokeratitis. Antituberculous drugs were given for a minimum of 6 months without concomitant use of corticosteroids. The outcome measure was resolution of the ocular surface inflammation of the sclera and cornea. RESULTS: Eight consecutive patients with a diagnosis of tuberculous sclerokeratitis were included. There were one male and seven female patients. The mean age was 29 years with an age range of 7-43 years. The involvement of the sclera was nodular in six patients and diffuse in two. The involvement of the cornea consisted of peripheral corneal stromal inflammation adjacent to the area of scleritis. Patients responded to antituberculous medications with complete resolution of the sclerokeratitis without topical or systemic anti-inflammatory agents. CONCLUSIONS: Antituberculous medications can lead to complete resolution of the sclerokeratitis without concomitant use of steroids, or other anti-inflammatory agents.

Elevator Muscle Anterior Resection: A New Technique for Blepharoptosis.

Blepharoptosis is a condition of inadequate upper eyelid position, with a downward displacement of the upper eyelid margin resulting in obstruction of the superior visual field. Levator resection is an effective technique that is routinely used to correct aponeurotic ptosis. The anterior levator resection is the procedure of choice in moderate blepharoptosis when there is moderate to good levator muscle function, furthermore, with an anterior approach, a greater resection can be achieved than by a conjunctival approach. The authors describe a modification in the Putterman technique with a resection done over a plicated elevator, plication that was suggested by Mustardè. The technique has been named as elevator muscle anterior resection. The elevator muscle anterior resection inspires from the Fasanella-Servat operation by the use of a clamp, making the operation simple and predictable.

Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of scleritis and episcleritis.

PURPOSE: To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in eyes with active anterior scleritis and compare the findings to those with episcleritis and normal controls. DESIGN: Prospective evaluation of a diagnostic test. METHODS: We included a total of 30 eyes of 30 patients with unilateral anterior scleral or episcleral inflammation. The contralateral 30 eyes with no active ocular disease served as controls. OCT was performed over the anterior sclera in the inflamed area on all cases. The OCT images were analyzed to determine the thickness of the sclera and the presence or absence of scleral hyporeflective areas representing intrascleral edema. RESULTS: There were 17 male and 13 female patients. The mean age was 43 years with an age range of 21-77 years. Eighteen patients had anterior scleritis and 12 patients had episcleritis. The mean transconjunctival scleral thickness was 747 µm (SD ± 68.97) with a range of 616-877 µm in normal eyes, 882 µm (SD ± 87.35) with a range of 773-1089 µm in patients with scleritis, and 825 µm (SD ± 85.57) with a range of 718-949 µm in patients with episcleritis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with active anterior scleritis showed increased thickness of the sclera and presence of intrascleral hyporeflective areas of edema by OCT compared to patients with episcleritis and normal eyes. OCT adds both qualitative and quantitative information to diagnosis and monitoring of patients with scleritis.

Isolated posterior capsular rupture following blunt head trauma.

Closed-globe traumatic cataract is not uncommon in males in the pediatric age group. However, there is a relative paucity of literature on isolated posterior lens capsule rupture associated with closed-globe traumatic cataract. We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented with white cataract 1 day after blunt trauma to the forehead associated with posterior capsular rupture that was detected by B-scan ultrasonography preoperatively. No stigmata of trauma outside the posterior capsule could be detected by slit-lamp exam, funduscopy, and optical coherence tomography. Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implant was performed 24 hours after trauma, with the patient achieving 6/6 visual acuity 1 week and 6 months after surgery. Our case is unique, being the youngest (amblyogenic age) to be reported, with prompt surgical intervention, and with no signs of trauma outside the posterior capsule.

Regression of peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane in a patient with sarcoidosis after oral steroid therapy.

Choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) may occur in patients with posterior uveitis. Treatment of patients with corticosteroids induces regression of the inflammation in the posterior pole with downregulation of many cytokines including vascular endothelial growth factors. We report herewith, a case of biopsy proven sarcoidosis that developed posterior uveitis and peripapillary CNV membrane and subretinal hemorrhage with fluid. The patient was treated with systemic steroids. She demonstrated progressive regression of the CNV membrane and complete resolution of the subretinal hemorrhage and fluids. In conclusion, control of the posterior segment inflammation is crucial in the resolution of the CNV membrane in uveitis and the intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor may not be always indicated.

Hemorrhagic retinal macrocysts, simulating choroidal melanoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhagic retinal macrocysts are extremely rare retinal lesions that can be mistaken for malignancy with subsequent enucleation. Such a case was diagnosed, by a retina specialist based on ultrasonography, as a choroidal melanoma with exudative retinal detachment and the patient was advised to have brachytherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old Caucasian boy suffered sudden visual loss in the left eye and exam revealed vitreous hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the mass as hyperintense on T1-weighted images and isointense on T2-weighted images with no enhancement after gadolinium dye. Following scleral buckle, the hemorrhagic retinal macrocyst collapsed gradually over a period of 5 weeks. The patient recovered visual acuity of 6/7.5 at the 1-year follow up. CONCLUSION: A hemorrhagic retinal macrocyst can be erroneously diagnosed as choroidal melanoma. Hints for the presence of retinal macrocysts include: egg shape; cyst wall configuration; no attachment to the choroid; and presence of retinal detachment.

Bilateral multifocal posterior pole lesions in Reiter syndrome.

Reactive arthritis is associated with conjunctivitis or iritis. Rarely reactive arthritis is accompanied by permanent visual loss from macular infarction or foveal scarring. We present the case of a rheumatologist who had a sudden onset of skin lesions, arthritis of several joints and bilateral visual loss. Most of these manifestations resolved after a course of oral corticosteroids. However he was left with decreased vision in the left eye and multiple lesions in the fovea over a follow-up of 2 years.

Recurrent vitreous haemorrhage and epidural haematoma in a child with hypofibrinogenaemia.

A 14-month-old male infant was brought by parents for redness of the right eye of 18 days duration. Exam and B-scan ultrasonography revealed total hyphema, dense vitreous haemorrhage and lens subluxation in the right eye while CT disclosed right small epidural haematoma. The left eye had neither retinal haemorrhage nor disc oedema. There was no sign of shaken baby syndrome. Fibrinogen level in the blood was very low. The parents are first-degree cousins with two family members having hypofibrinogenaemia. Vitreous haemorrhage recurred after surgical intervention resulting in phthisis and loss of vision. Hypofibrinogenaemia needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of ocular haemorrhage and vision loss.