Efficacy of oral valproic acid in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of valproic acid (VPA) on visual function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: Thirty patients (60 eyes) with typical RP were recruited for the study. Of these, 15 patients received oral VPA (500 mg once daily) for a period of 1 year (group 1) and the remaining 15 received no treatment (group 2) and served as controls. The effect of VPA on visual function was determined in terms of visual acuity, amplitude and implicit time in multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and visual evoked response (VER) performed at presentation and at the third month, sixth month, and 1 year in both groups. Side effects of oral VPA were also monitored. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, 14 of 15 patients in group 1 had improvement in median best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from 1.8 [Range (R) 1-3] at baseline to 1.3 (R, 0.6-1.3) (P<0.001). In contrast, there was a slight decrease in median BCVA from 1.8 (0.8- 3) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at baseline to 1.83 (P=0.3) in the control arm. There was also a statistically significant increase in improvement in amplitude and latency/implicit time in mfERG and VER in this group (P<0.001). However, no such improvement was observed in the control arm. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, VPA seems to have a positive effect on the visual functions in RP patients. Long-term studies evaluating the dose modifications, genetic analysis, and change in visual fields will add to our current knowledge.

Shifting bubble-guided sutureless technique for performing descemetorhexis for retained Descemet's membrane after penetrating keratoplasty.

We describe the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of inadvertent retention of Descemet's membrane (DM) after penetrating keratoplasty, and a novel technique for its removal in a case of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy. In this technique, we use a modification of the shifting bubble technique, commonly used in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty where a viscocohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device is injected into the false anterior chamber which causes migration of the central air bubble placed in the anterior chamber peripherally and helps in confirming the correct space. The DM is then peeled in a circular fashion with the help of 23-G vitreoretinal micro forceps.

Evaluation of predictors for anatomical success in macular hole surgery in Indian population.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate outcomes and predictors for anatomical success in macular hole (MH) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of patients operated for idiopathic MH with stages II, III or IV. Patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, internal gas tamponade, and postoperative face down positioning. The primary outcome measure was anatomical closure of MH, while secondary outcome measure was postoperative external limiting membrane (ELM) continuity. Effect of MH size, duration of MH, size of ILM peel, type of gas tamponade (SF6 vs. C3F8) and macular hole index (MHI) on anatomical MH closure was also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 62 eyes operated, anatomical closure of MH was achieved in 55 eyes (88.7%). The median duration of follow-up was 8 months (range: 6-15 months). Mean BVCA improved from 0.94 ± 0.26 at baseline to 0.40 ± 0.23 logMAR at last follow-up (P = 0.01). There was a statistically significant association between size of ILM peel and anatomical closure of MH (P = 0.04). Duration of symptoms, size of MH, type of gas tamponade, MHI had no effect on anatomical closure (P = 0.22, 0.28, 0.40 respectively, Chi-square test). Postoperative continuity of the ELM was significantly associated with a shorter symptom duration (<6 months) before surgery. CONCLUSION: Acceptable anatomical closure could be attained with the defined technique. Size of ILM peel is a new predictor of anatomical success while symptom duration affects postoperative ELM continuity.