[The effect of brimonidine on postoperative hypertonia after an extracapsular cataract extraction]. / L'effet de la brimonidine sur l'hypertonie postopératoire après une extraction extracapsulaire de la cataracte.

PURPOSE: We conducted a prospective study to determine the effect of topical administration of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes during the first 24 hours after an extracapsular cataract extraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a placebo-controlled study, we randomized 40 consecutive normotensive eyes undergoing extracapsular cataract surgery into two treatment modalities. Twenty eyes (group A) received placebo and 20 eyes (group B) were given brimonidine tartate 0.2% drops twice the day before and twice on the day of the operation. IOP was measured at baseline (prior to surgery) and then 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean postoperative IOP was higher in the placebo group than in the brimonidine group at every time point studied. In both groups, peak elevation of mean IOP was recorded 6 hours after surgery. At that time, mean IOP was significantly higher in the placebo group (36.2+/-4.0 mmHg) than in the brimonidine group (24.7+/-3.8 mmHg) (p<0.001). A gradual reduction in IOP followed, yet with significantly higher values than those found preoperatively, even 12 hours after surgery (p<0.001). It was only the brimonidine group that achieved a near-to-normal mean IOP 24 hours after surgery (p>0.05). Four of the placebo group patients compared to 1 of the brimonidine group patients had an IOP higher than 40 mmHg 6 hours after surgery and therefore received additional therapy. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic treatment with brimonidine tartrate 0.2% drops twice a day for 2 days is effective in reducing IOP spikes throughout the first 24 hours after an extracapsular cataract extraction.

[Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy associated with central retinal vein occlusion]. / Vasculopathie choroïdienne polypoïdale idiopathique associée à une occlusion de la veine centrale de la rétine.

We present the case of a 54-year-old man with a previous history of central retinal vein occlusion in the right eye, who developed an idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in the right eye and an epiretinal membrane in the left eye. The patient's medical history disclosed arterial hypertension controlled with medical treatment. Although idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy has been associated with several conditions, this is the first time that this entity has been described in the literature in association with central retinal vein occlusion.

Does identification of the causal organism of corneal ulcers influence the outcome?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether identification of the causal organism in corneal ulcers influences their outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 114 patients, 72 males and 42 females aged 6-89 years, admitted to this eye clinic during the years 1994-2000 on account of an infectious corneal ulcer. Their examination included a detailed history, visual acuity measurement, and biomicroscopy in everyday follow-up. The ulcers were classified according to their severity and outcome. We assessed the cases where cultures had been done, reviewed the results, and searched for a possible correlation between the outcome and the fact of culturing the ulcer and identifying the causal organism. RESULTS: Of the 114 corneal ulcers studied, 23 were mild, 49 moderate, and 42 severe. Fifty (44%) had not been cultured, but 64 ulcers (56%) had been cultured, with a positive result in 37 cases (58%), Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species being the most common organisms found. In moderate and severe ulcers, there was a tendency to a higher proportion of successful outcome for cultured ulcers, but with no significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a tendency towards favorable results in culture-positive corneal ulcers, the influence of the detection of the organism on their outcome has not been proved. The role of the initial broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy remains important.

Corneal complications following abuse of topical anesthetics.

PURPOSE: To describe corneal complications in three patients following abuse of topical anesthetics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe one case with bilateral corneal perforation, another with unilateral corneal perforation and a third case of chronic keratitis following excessive use of topical anesthetics. RESULTS: Two patients continued to instill topical anesthetic drops despite all recommendations to stop. The result was a bilateral corneal perforation in the first case and a large unilateral descemetocele in the second. The third patient who had chronic toxic keratitis discontinued the anesthetic drops and after the appropriate treatment the cornea returned to normal. Corneal grafting and conjunctival flaps were used to seal the corneal perforation but the long-term anatomical and functional results were very poor. CONCLUSIONS: The initial presentation of this rare clinical entity creates difficulties in reaching a correct diagnosis. A presumed acanthamoeba keratitis is the first choice among many similar conditions. Thus abuse of topical ocular anesthetic drops should be included in the differential diagnosis of cases of chronic keratitis as it may masquerade as acanthamoeba keratitis. A current or past history of psychiatric and mental disorders or psychoactive substance abuse is important in the diagnosis. Functional and anatomical results after appropriate treatment are usually poor. Psychiatric counselling is extremely helpful and is in fact mandatory in the management of these patients.

[Bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization in a patient with multiple sclerosis]. / Néovascularisation rétinienne périphérique bilatérale chez un malade de sclérose multiple.

We present the case of a 32-year-old man suffering from multiple sclerosis who had developed bilateral peripheral neovascularization of the retina. The main disease had been diagnosed 10 years before, whereas in his ophthalmic history the patient reported an incident of retrobulbar optic neuritis in his left eye occurring 3 years before. The patient was referred to our clinic in order to investigate the cause of a sudden loss of vision in his left eye. Ophthalmic examination and fluorescein angiography revealed the presence of a bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization with an intravitreous hemorrhage in the left eye. Systemic clinical and laboratory investigation were negative for other causes of retinal neovascularization except multiple sclerosis, which is associated with periphlebitis in 10% of cases. Chronic retinal ischemia may lead to retinal neovascularization.

Evaluating the management of diabetic retinopathy in a teaching center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the management of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the teaching center of the University Eye Clinic of Patras in Greece. METHODS: From 1989 to 1999, 302 patients with type I (5.3%) and type II (94.7%) diabetes mellitus (DM) were examined. Standard examination and treatment protocols were employed. Examinations and laser treatment were done by trainee specialists, under the supervision of the head physician (N.Ph), during their rotation in the retina and vitreous disorders outpatient department. RESULTS: At baseline examination, 17.9% of the eyes had no DR, 71.7% had nonproliferative DR, and 10.4% had proliferative DR. In 34.4%, no laser treatment followed. The other 65.6% underwent focal and/or grid laser and/or panretinal photocoagulation and/or vitrectomy. At the final examination, DR was still the same in 63.1% of the eyes, progression had occurred in 34.1%, and regression in 2.8%. Type I DM patients' eyes had a higher prevalence of proliferative DR at the final examination than type II DM eyes. There was also a significant correlation between progression of DR and duration of DM, insulin treatment for DM, and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). CONCLUSIONS: Having applied standard examination and treatment protocols, the efficacy of the management of our diabetic patients was consistent with international standards, even though patients were treated mostly by doctors in training.

[Effect of squatting on sub-foveal blood flow defect in pseudophakic eyes operated by cerclage]. / Effet du squatting sur le débit sanguin sous-fovéolaire dans les yeux pseudophaques opérés par cerclage.

UNLABELLED: ZIEL: To investigate the relationship between velocity (Velch), blood volume (Volch) and blood flow (Fch), and the mean ocular perfusion pressure (PPm) in the foveal region, and to determine how the regulatory capacity of the choroidal circulation is affected after an encircling buckle procedure. METHODS: We investigated both pseudophakic eyes of 6 patients (age range 56-79 years) in a masked study. Subjects presenting eye diseases (glaucoma, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy) as well as systemic diseases were excluded from the study. All subjects had in one eye a successful management of retinal detachment with an encircling buckling; the second eye was considered as control. Measurements of Velch, Volch and Fch were obtained by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) at baseline and during isometric exercise (squatting). RESULTS: In the operated eyes, Velch and Fch increased significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05) during the PPm raise, which was not the case for Volch (ANOVA, p > 0.05). In the control eyes, all hemodynamic parameters remained unaffected by the PPm increase (ANOVA, p > 0.05). The response of Velch and Fch was significantly different (ANCOVA, p < 0.002) between operated and control eyes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that encircling buckle does affect subfoveal choroidal blood flow regulation, which may explain a possible macular dysfunction in the operated eyes.

Contrast sensitivity after extracapsular and intracapsular cataract extraction.

Contrast sensitivity function after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation has been mainly correlated to the type or the material of the intraocular lens. Our purpose was to identify other possible factors, like posterior capsule, to contrast sensitivity alterations after cataract surgery, comparing patients operated for cataract by techniques that mainly differed on the posterior capsule's integrity. The intraocular lens implanted was either a posterior or an anterior chamber one, always monofocal and made of PMMA. We measured contrast sensitivity function at four spatial frequencies in two groups of operated individuals (group A and B) and in one group of healthy control individuals. Each group consisted of 42 eyes. Group A comprised eyes with intact, clear posterior capsule and posterior chamber monofocal intraocular lens. Group B comprised eyes with ruptured or removed posterior capsule and anterior chamber monofocal intraocular lens. Control group comprised healthy control eyes. A pair matched design was used to compare contrast sensitivity values among the individuals of the three groups. No statistically significant differences in contrast sensitivity values were found when group B patients were compared to healthy controls (p >0.05). Patients of group A exhibited contrast sensitivity function impairment at intermediate and high spatial frequencies when compared to patients of group B (p <0.05) and to controls (p <0.01). It seems that intact posterior capsule provides inferior visual function, in spite of relatively good visual acuity and apparently satisfactory results.