Transverse sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a review of 52 patients and of model predictions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transverse sinus stenosis is common in patients with IIH. While the role of transverse sinus stenosis in IIH pathogenesis remains controversial, modeling studies suggest that stent placement within a transverse sinus stenosis with a significant pressure gradient should decrease cerebral venous pressure, improve CSF resorption in the venous system, and thereby reduce intracranial (CSF) pressure, improving the symptoms of IIH and reducing papilledema. We aimed to determine if IIH could be reliably treated by stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, venographic, and intracranial pressure data before and after stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis in 52 of our own patients with IIH unresponsive to maximum acceptable medical treatment, treated since 2001 and followed between 2 months and 9 years. RESULTS: Before stent placement, the mean superior sagittal sinus pressure was 34 mm Hg (462 mm H(2)0) with a mean transverse sinus stenosis gradient of 20 mm Hg. The mean lumbar CSF pressure before stent placement was 322 mm H(2)O. In all 52 patients, stent placement immediately eliminated the TSS pressure gradient, rapidly improved IIH symptoms, and abolished papilledema. In 6 patients, symptom relapse (headache) was associated with increased venous pressure and recurrent stenosis adjacent to the previous stent. In these cases, placement of another stent again removed the transverse sinus stenosis pressure gradient and improved symptoms. Of the 52 patients, 49 have been cured of all IIH symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a role for transverse sinus stent placement in the management of selected patients with IIH.

Incidence and pattern of acute anterior uveitis in Central Australia.

AIM: To investigate the incidence and patterns of acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in Central Australia and specifically to study the relative frequency of AAU in Australian Aborigines compared with that in non-Aboriginal patients. METHODS: Prospective, observational study of all patients seen by the Central Australian Ophthalmology service over an 8-month period. RESULTS: The incidence rate of AAU in Central Australia was 35.9 cases/100,000 population per year. Forty-two per cent of the 1955 patients seen during the study period were Australian Aboriginal patients; however, all but one patient with AAU were Caucasian. The difference in the incidence of AAU between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations was statistically significant (p = 0.03, Fisher's exact test). Four of the nine Caucasian patients with AAU were HLA-B27-positive. The single case of AAU in an Australian Aborigine was a recurrent episode of HLA-B27-positive AAU. A family history of this patient revealed that both her grandfathers were Caucasian. CONCLUSION: The incidence and pattern of AAU in Central Australia is comparable with that in other geographical regions. However, AAU occurs very infrequently in Australian Aborigines compared with that in the non-Indigenous population of Central Australia, further implicating the importance of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of AAU.

Outcome of phacoemulsification in patients with uveitis.

AIMS: To examine the visual outcome and identify risk factors for postoperative uveitis, macular oedema and neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with uveitis. METHOD: This is a retrospective review of the medical records of 101 eyes of 101 patients. One eye was randomly selected for inclusion in patients who had bilateral surgery. Patients with juvenile arthritis, keratouveitis and lymphoma-associated uveitis were excluded. RESULTS: At the first postoperative and final visits, visual acuity was significantly better (p<0.001), and 64.4% and 71.3% of patients, respectively, had achieved >or=2 Snellen's lines of visual improvement. The cumulative probability of doubling of the visual angle was 52% over 6 years of follow-up, and this occurred at a higher rate in the presence of preoperative retinal or optic nerve lesions (HR (95% CI) 4.49 (1.41 to 14.29)). Within 3 months after operation, uveitis was more likely to develop in female patients (OR (95% CI) 6.21 (1.41 to 27.43)) and in the presence of significant intraoperative posterior synechiae (OR (95% CI) 8.43 (1.09 to 65.41)); macular oedema was more likely to develop in patients who developed postoperative uveitis (OR (95% CI) 7.45 (1.63 to 34.16)). Nd:YAG capsulotomy occurred at a higher rate in patients aged

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing latanoprost with brimonidine in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension or normal-tension glaucoma.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of latanoprost versus brimonidine in the treatment of open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension or normal-tension glaucoma. METHOD: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials comparing latanoprost and brimondine, identified by searches including Medline, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Two reviewers independently assessed trials for eligibility and quality and extracted data. Data were synthesised (random effects model) and expressed as the absolute mean intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction difference from baseline to end point for efficacy and relative risk for adverse events. Subgroup analysis and regression were used to explore heterogeneity according to patient characteristics, trial design and quality. RESULTS: 15 publications reporting on 14 trials (1784 participants) were included for meta-analysis. IOP reduction favoured latanoprost (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 1.10 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 1.63)). Significant heterogeneity was present (chi(2)(13) = 38.29, p = 0.001, I(2) = 66.0%). Subgroup analysis showed greater WMD for studies where data were analysed from end points >6 months duration, cross-over design, open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and monotherapy. Multiple regression showed no significant association of WMD with trial duration (t(9) = 1.92, p = 0.09), trial design (t(9) = 1.79, p = 0.11), trial quality (t(9) = -0.46, p = 0.66), or monotherapy or adjunctive therapy (t(9) = -2.14, p = 0.06). Fatigue was less commonly associated with latanoprost (RR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.88). Publication bias was not evident on visual inspection of a funnel plot. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost is more effective than brimonidine as monotherapy in lowering IOP. Brimonidine is associated with a higher rate of fatigue.

Toll-like receptors in ocular immunity and the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory eye disease.

Microbial agents have an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory eye diseases, such as uveitis and keratitis. Microbial infections of the eye such as microbial keratitis, ocular onchocerciasis, bacterial endophthalmitis, viral retinitis, and other infectious uveitis are unfortunately common. In addition, microbial agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of "non-infectious" immune mediated diseases such as HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a family of pattern recognition receptors that initiates rapid host innate immune response to microbial components known as pathogen associated molecular patterns, which are unique to a given class of microbes, such as lipopolysaccharide of Gram negative bacteria. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the expression and function of TLRs in the eye, with significant implications for better understanding of ocular immunity and the pathogenesis of inflammatory eye diseases affecting the cornea, uvea, and retina.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy triggered by antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features of two cases of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) precipitated by antiretroviral treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: Two cases of LHON (from an expected four new cases a year throughout Australia) were identified in men on treatment for HIV infection. RESULTS: Two HIV-infected men were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy that included nucleoside analogues. Both patients carried the 14 484 mitochondrial DNA mutation and were distantly related (seventh cousins). Although both men presented with sequential visual loss typical of LHON and one had a known close relative affected by LHON, the correct diagnosis was delayed in both cases. The final visual outcome was profoundly reduced in both instances and cessation of antiretroviral therapy did not result in recovery of vision in one patient. CONCLUSION: Patients with a family history of LHON who require antiretroviral treatment should be warned of the high risk of severe visual loss. The underlying mechanism of antiretroviral side effects may help characterize the other trigger factors for LHON.

Long-term outcome of gold eyelid weights in patients with facial nerve palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of upper eyelid gold weight implants in managing paralytic lagophthalmos and to compare two surgical techniques for their insertion. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred four patients had a gold weight implanted for paralytic lagophthalmos between 1982 and 1996 at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Each patient had more than 2 years of follow-up of lid load function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effectiveness of gold weights in reanimating eyelid closure, mean duration of gold weight retention, reasons for removal, and complications resulting from a gold weight; these outcomes were also compared using two surgical techniques for gold weight insertion. RESULTS: One hundred three patients maintained corneal integrity. At the time of assessment, 46 patients had had their lid loads removed from their eyelids, and 58 lid loads remained in situ. Of the lid loads that were removed, 78% were because the facial nerve had recovered. The remaining 22% were removed because of cosmetic dissatisfaction (7 patients), the lid load becoming too superficial (6 patients), migration (3 patients), partial extrusion (1 patient), and ptosis resulting from too heavy a weight (1 patient). CONCLUSION: Gold weights are well tolerated and effective in managing paralytic lagophthalmos. An open surgical technique with direct suture fixation of the gold weight to the tarsal plate produced fewer complications than inserting the lid load into a prefashioned tissue pocket in the preseptal space through a small lateral skin incision.

Ophthalmologists in teaching hospitals: do we make a difference to patient outcome?

PURPOSE: To determine the type and frequency of consultations with the eye department of a major tertiary care teaching hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of the medical records of npatient consultations within the Ophthalmology Department of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital over the period from July 1995 to 30 June 1997. The consults were dvided into sx types of consultation. A determination was made of the outcome and effect on patient management of each consultation. RESULTS: There were 506 consultations over the 2-year period. For 389 patients a full ophthalmic assessment was requested and 175 of them (45%) had an ophthalmological diagnosis made or had change in management as a result of the consultation. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmological consultation is a valuable npatient consultation service that makes a significant difference in the management of patients from other medical and surgical units within the hospital.

Bilateral uveal effusion associated with scleral thickening due to amyloidosis.

A 45-year-old man with primary systemic amyloidosis was found to have bilateral uveal effusions secondary to thickened sclera according to magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits. The patient was treated with bilateral sclerectomies and vortex vein decompression, and had an excellent outcome. Light microscopy of excised sclera revealed severe infiltration of the tissue by amyloid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of amyloid infiltration of the sclera leading to uveal effusion. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000;118:1293-1295

Intravenous pulse methylprednisolone in the treatment of uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in the treatment of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Uveitis is an unusual manifestation of MS that may be severe, chronic and require systemic immunosuppression therapy. High-dose IVMP has previously been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory eye disease and MS. Eight episodes of uveitis in five patients with MS were treated over a 10-year period in an open, uncontrolled trial. Two patients had chronic anterior uveitis, one patient had bilateral panuveitis and two patients had intermediate uveitis. RESULTS: All patients responded to IVMP with evidence of a decrease in intraocular inflammatory activity and improved visual acuity (VA) within 2 weeks of commencing treatment. There were no severe ocular or systemic steroid side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous methylprednisolone is an effective, well-tolerated form of therapy for uveitis in patients with MS.

Posterior scleritis: clinical features, systemic associations, and outcome in a large series of patients.

OBJECTIVE: To document the clinical features, systemic associations, and visual outcome in a large number of patients with posterior scleritis. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: There were 137 patient records showing patients with a diagnosis of posterior scleritis who were attending or had attended the scleritis clinic at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1974 and 1996. Ninety-nine records were suitable for detailed analysis. METHODS: The medical records and B-mode ultrasound examinations were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The clinical features, systemic associations, treatment, and outcome of each patient were determined. RESULTS: Posterior scleritis occurred at all ages. The mean age at onset was 49.3 years. Posterior scleritis began before age 40 in 30% of patients and was twice as common in women as in men. The B-mode ultrasound examination showed diffuse and nodular changes in the posterior sclera. Necrotizing posterior scleritis was not identified. Twenty-nine percent of patients had an associated systemic disease that included systemic vasculidites, autoimmune diseases, and lymphoma. Such patients more commonly had nodular changes on B-mode ultrasound examination. Early treatment controlled posterior scleral inflammation and limited visual loss. Thirty-one percent of patients lost two or more lines of vision. Statistical analysis revealed that patients older than age 50 had an increased risk of having an associated systemic disease and were more likely to experience visual loss. Patients with associated systemic disease required more aggressive immunosuppressive therapy and more frequently had accompanying anterior scleritis. There was no association between unilateral, bilateral, or recurrent disease and the presence of systemic disease or visual loss from posterior scleritis. CONCLUSIONS: The B-mode ultrasound examination reveals that posterior scleritis occurs far more often than previously thought and can lead to rapid and permanent visual loss. All patients with posterior scleritis must be assumed to be at risk of visual loss. Forty percent of patients had no anterior scleral inflammation, and 9% had no detectable physical signs. All patients need to be investigated for an associated systemic disease and all require early treatment to minimize loss of vision.

Eye injuries in patients with major trauma.

BACKGROUND: A study was performed to determine the type and frequency of ocular injuries in patients with major trauma. METHODS: All patients with ocular and adnexal injuries (n = 178) among 1,119 patients admitted with major trauma (Injury Severity Score >15) to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from July 1990 to December 1997 were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen percent of the major trauma cohort had ocular or orbital trauma. Fifty-five percent of patients with injuries involving the face had ocular or orbital injuries. A range of ocular injuries was seen. Analysis of the major trauma cohort showed that motor vehicle drivers, orbital and base of skull fractures, eyelid lacerations, and superficial eye injuries were strongly associated with vision-threatening injury. CONCLUSION: Patients with major trauma and facial injuries have a high risk of vision-threatening injury. Patients with orbital fractures, base of skull fracture, eyelid lacerations, and superficial eye injuries should be assessed by an ophthalmologist as part of the early management of their trauma to determine whether an ocular injury is present.

Outcomes of cytomegalovirus retinitis following the use of ganciclovir implants.

PURPOSE: To determine the results and complications from the use of ganciclovir implants to treat patients with HIV infection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. METHODS: The present study was a retrospective review of 87 consecutive ganciclovir implant surgeries performed in 60 patients over a 3 year period. RESULTS: Based on the results of the present study, ganciclovir implants are an efficacious therapy for CMV retinitis but are associated with significant postoperative complications, including retinal detachment (12.0%), vitreous haemorrhage (7.2%) and cataract formation (6.0%). In this series, all implanted eyes responded to treatment and the mean time to progression was 252 days. Only a small number of patients developed second eye involvement (n = 9) or clinically significant CMV infection of other organ systems (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: This small retrospective study provides additional data confirming the effectiveness of ganciclovir implants and the complications from their use.

Chemokine expression and leucocyte infiltration in Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression and source of chemokines in minor salivary gland biopsies (MSGs) in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine the pattern of chemokine expression in MSGs from patients with (n=6) and without (n=5) SS, as well as to examine the phenotype of both resident and infiltrating cells expressing chemokines. RESULTS: Significant differences in the number of infiltrating mononuclear (MN) cells in patients with and without SS were noted. Ductal epithelial cells of SS biopsies expressed significantly increased levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and RANTES (Regulated upon Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted). Biopsies from patients with SS showed that MIP-1beta was expressed by 51% of infiltrating cells, while 41% expressed MIP-1alpha, whereas 22 and 7% expressed RANTES and IL-8, respectively. CONCLUSION: Chemokines expressed by ductal epithelial cells may attract circulating leucocytes, in particular CD4+ T cells, towards the site of inflammation, thereby orchestrating the influx of MN cells characteristically seen in MSGs in SS. Chemokines may be induced directly by a putative triggering agent for SS, or secondary to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by epithelial cells. These findings further implicate epithelial cells as playing a major role in the pathogenesis of SS and implicate chemokines in the leucocyte recruitment in this setting.

Spectrum of sarcoidosis involving the eye and brain.

PURPOSE: To illustrate the spectrum of sarcoidosis involving the eye and brain and the difficulties of confirming its clinical diagnosis. METHODS: The presentation of two unusual case reports of patients with ocular and cerebral involvement with sarcoidosis. RESULTS: Tissue biopsy, an essential component in the differential diagnosis, was required to confirm the diagnosis of sarcoidosis in each patient. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis remains an enigmatic disease with protean manifestations and widely differing outcomes.