The differences between patient and optometrist experiences of contact lens hygiene education from the perspective of a Scottish university teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Contact lens related keratitis is a frequent presentation to acute ophthalmology services. Patients often do not recall being counselled regarding the safe use of contact lenses therefore fail to comply with guidance. This study aimed to identify the content and format of advice given to patients with contact lens keratitis concerning appropriate hygiene practices, determine their compliance with this and finally characterise optometrist practices regarding contact lens advice provided to patients. METHODS: All adult patients presenting with contact lens related keratitis to the acute ophthalmology clinic were asked to complete a survey. Information was collected on lens type, format of advice received and compliance. Community optometrists were asked to complete an electronic survey on their contact lens review practices and routine patient education. RESULTS: All patients surveyed recalled counselling on initiation of contact lenses; however 12% (6/50) were given no advice on return visits. This advice was in written format for 20% (10/50) of patients on initiation increasing to 32% (16/50) on renewal. Many patients slept (22%), showered (44%) or swam (36%) in lenses. 92% cleaned their contact lenses appropriately, but cases were washed infrequently (19% of cases cleaned < monthly) or with tap water (27%). All optometrists surveyed claimed to provide advice to patients in either written or verbal format for new and returning contact lens users. 49% (16/33) of optometrists gave written advice to patients on initial contact lens fitting, but only 1/33 continued with written advice for repeat customers. CONCLUSION: This study identified that although most patients were informed of appropriate hygiene requirements, compliance was poor. Optometrists regularly provide verbal advice but do not routinely offer written support and there is a mismatch between patient recollection and self-reported optometrist practice. It is suggested that patient education needs greater emphasis and both verbal and written information should be regularly provided on initial review and follow up assessments.

Case-control study of risk factors for acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To determine risk factors for the development of acute corneal hydrops in keratoconus in the UK in a case-controlled study. METHODS: Between November 2009 and December 2010, we prospectively identified 73 individuals who developed acute corneal hydrops. We then identified 174 controls from nine regions in the UK with keratoconus who had not had hydrops. For cases and controls we recorded demographics and clinical features. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Univariate analysis suggested strong associations between the odds of hydrops and each of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (OR 4.08, 95% CI 1.45 to 11.49, p=0.008), asthma (OR 2.70, CI 1.34 to 5.47, p=0.006), atopic dermatitis (OR 3.13, CI 1.50 to 6.56, p=0.002), learning difficulties (OR 7.84, CI 2.86 to 21.46, p<0.001), previous hydrops (OR 40.2; CI 6.2 to ∞, p<0.001), black ethnicity (OR 2.98, CI 0.98 to 8.99; p=0.05), visual acuity in the worse eye (OR 8.76 CI 3.86 to 19.88; p<0.001) and minimum keratometry of ≥48 D prior to the hydrops (OR 4.91, CI 1.07 to 22.6, p=0.041). The use of a contact lens correction was also found to be associated with the odds of hydrops (OR 0.08; CI 0.03 to 0.19, p<0.001). Multiple variable regression indicated that having vernal keratoconjunctivitis (adjusted OR (AOR) 15, 95% CI 1.30 to 173.7; p=0.03), asthma (AOR 4.92, CI 1.22 to 19.78; p=0.025), visual acuity in worse eye (AOR 4.11, CI 1.18 to 14.32; p=0.026) and a high keratometry value (AOR 4.44, CI 0.85 to 23.18; p=0.077) were independently associated with the odds of hydrops in subjects with keratoconus. CONCLUSION: Some individuals with keratoconus are at high risk of developing acute corneal hydrops. These patients could be managed more aggressively to reduce their risk of developing this complication of their disease.

Heat killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an adjuvant for the induction of vaccine-mediated immunity against infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The use of novel vaccine delivery systems allows for the manipulation of the adaptive immune systems through the use of molecular adjuvants that target specific innate pathways. Such strategies have been used extensively for vaccines against cancer and multiple pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the current study we used heat killed non-pathogenic recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing M. tuberculosis antigen Rv1886c (fbpB, mpt59, Ag85B) as a delivery system in conjunction with its ability to stimulate innate immunity to determine its ability to induce immunity. We established that the recombinant yeast induced activated antigen specific T cells are capable of reducing the mycobacterial burden. Inoculation of the recombinant yeast after vaccination with BCG resulted in a systemic alteration of the phenotype of the immune response although this was not reflected in an increase in the reduction of the mycobacterial burden. Taken together the data suggest that heat killed yeast can induce multiple cytokines required for induction of protective immunity and can function as a vehicle for delivery of M. tuberculosis antigens in a vaccine formulation. In addition, while it can enhance the effector memory response induced by BCG, it had little effect on central memory responses.

Proton beam therapy for the treatment of uveal melanoma in Scotland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In Scotland, uveal melanomas are primarily treated with eye-preserving modalities with a low primary enucleation rate. Proton beam therapy (PBT) is reserved for those not suitable for brachytherapy. The authors' aim was to review the outcome of Scottish patients undergoing treatment for uveal melanoma with PBT. METHOD: All ciliary body or choroidal melanomas treated initially with PBT between 1 January 1993 and 30 March 2008 were identified. Data were gathered from retrospective review of case notes, database information, PBT planning data, ultrasound and pathology reports. RESULTS: 147 patients were identified. The mean age was 62.3 years, 94.6% were choroidal melanomas. 97.8% of all treated melanomas were of medium or large size. Enucleation during follow-up occurred in 22.4%. Mean time to this was 23.8 months and main reasons were suspected recurrence (48%) and neovascular glaucoma (42%). Metastatic death occurred in 9.5%, the mean time to this was 28.9 months. The actuarial 5-year eye retention rate was 71.3% and disease-specific survival rate was 87.7%. CONCLUSION: PBT is reserved for the treatment of mainly medium-sized and large-sized uveal melanomas in Scotland. The eye retention and disease-specific survival rates confirm its suitability as an eye-preserving primary treatment in these patients. It is evident that PBT is a conservative treatment option for uveal melanoma, including those of larger size.

Presence of free radicals in intracameral agents commonly used during cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND: Free radicals are known to cause cellular damage and are present in ophthalmic preparations. Corneal defence mechanisms are bypassed in intra-ocular surgery. We evaluated commonly used intracameral agents to ascertain the presence of free radicals and investigate the possibility of anterior segment and endothelial toxicity. METHODS: Samples of 19 commonly used intracameral preparations were analysed for total free radical presence on an Instrument Laboratory IL600 using a Randox Kit for Total Antioxidant Status (RANDOX Laboratories Ltd, Crumlin, UK). RESULTS: Free radical concentrations for the 19 intracameral agents ranged from 0 to 3.59 mmol/l, with median value of 0.34 mmol/l (mean value 0.933±1.19 mmol/l). Phenylephrine had the highest presence of free radicals, which were considerably higher than those for 0.5% hydrogen peroxide at all tested dilutions. Other notable results included cefuroxime (0.61 mmol/l), 2% undiluted lidocaine (0.34 mmol/l) and bevacizumab (0.59 mmol/l). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that free radicals are present in intracameral surgical agents and some are in the order of 0.5% hydrogen peroxide. The risks of endothelial damage must be considered when using multiple intracameral preparations in complicated cataract surgery. Free radicals in intracameral preparations may be a contributing cause in cases of toxic anterior segment syndrome.

The increasingly iatrogenic indications for mitomycin C trabeculectomy over 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: The success of trabeculectomy can be adversely affected by certain risk factors. In these cases, the outcome can be improved by the intraoperative use of mitomycin C (MMC). We aimed to investigate the impression that this operation was being performed more often in our unit and that the risk factors were changing. DESIGN: Retrospective review. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved 107 MMC trabeculectomies during the 2 separate study periods. METHODS: Operating theatre logbooks were used to identify patients who had undergone MMC trabeculectomy during 2 separate periods of 32 months, 10 years apart. Patient characteristics, the indication for surgery (previously failed trabeculectomy; aphakic/pseudophakic glaucoma; uveitic, developmental, or rubeotic glaucoma; post-vitreoretinal (VR) surgery glaucoma; postkeratoplasty glaucoma; and other), and follow-up data regarding intraocular pressure control were recorded. RESULTS: In the later period, 71 MMC trabeculectomies were performed, compared with 36 in the earlier period, a significant rise (p < or = 0.05). The most obvious change in indication was an increase for postkeratoplasty and post-VR surgery glaucoma, which accounted for 77.1% of the additional operations. Intraocular pressure control at 1 year following surgery was good, particularly in the later period, with 88.8% controlled with the addition of topical medication where necessary. Complications in both periods were rare. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of MMC trabeculectomies has doubled over a 10-year period in our unit. Postkeratoplasty and post-VR surgery glaucomas are increasingly contributing to the caseload of complex glaucoma in our hospital. These cases may be managed effectively with MMC trabeculectomy.