Monitoring of visual field over 6 months after active ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To prospectively report the perimetric defects during a 6-month follow-up (FU) in patients with initially active ocular toxoplasmosis (OT). METHODS: Twenty-four patients were studied, including 11 eyes with chorioretinal toxoplasmosis proven with a positive aqueous humor sample and 13 eyes with a biologically unproven, chorioretinal lesion. Automated 24-2 SITA-Standard visual fields were performed at baseline, at the first, and sixth months of FU. A composite clinical severity score was calculated from visual acuity (VA), severity of vitreitis, chorioretinal lesion size, location of the lesion in zone 1, the presence of an initial macular or papillary edema, and long-term scarring. This provided a relative cutoff level of severity. Nine eyes out of the 24 eyes were considered severe (3 unproven and 6 proven OT). RESULTS: Initial and final visual field parameters (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]) were significantly correlated (r = 0.873; p < 0.001, and r = 0.890; p < 0.001, respectively). During FU, only foveal threshold [FT] was correlated with VA at baseline (r = 0.48; p = 0.01) and at the 6-month FU visit (r = 0.547; p = 0.004). The MD initial predictive value of clinical severity was 0.739 according to the ROC curve. At baseline, severe and nonsevere OT exhibited no significant difference in term of MD (p = 0.06) and PSD (p = 0.1). During the FU, taking into account all the data, MD, PSD, visual function index [VFI], and FT were associated with the severity of toxoplasmosis (p = 0.018, 0.05, 0.016, and 0.02, respectively): the unproven group had a faster recovery of MD during FU (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Visual field parameters better reflected the chorioretinal destruction related to the toxoplasmosis lesion and the functional repercussions than VA alone. Interestingly, MD at presentation could be a discriminating factor of severity in active OT, and each visual field parameter follow-up could be a support to manage patients with active OT, especially in the severe group.

Differing presenting features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the UK and US.

AIM: Demographic factors potentially influencing the presentation and severity of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in the US vs. UK populations include obesity and ethnicity. We aimed to compare the presenting features of IIH between populations in the UK and US tertiary referral centres, to assess what population differences exist and whether these cause different presentations and impact on visual function. METHODS: Clinical data were collected on 243 consecutive UK IIH patients and 469 consecutive US IIH patients seen after 2012 in two tertiary centres. Visual function was defined as severe visual loss when Humphrey visual field mean deviation was <-15 dB, when Goldmann visual fields showed constriction or when visual acuity was <20/200. RESULTS: US patients were more commonly of self-reported black race (58.9% vs. 7.1%) than UK patients, but had a similar mean body mass index (38.3 ± 0.63kg/m2 UK vs. 37.7 ± 0.42kg/m2 US; p = 0.626). The UK cohort had lower presenting Frisén grade (median 1 vs. 2; p < 0.001) and severe visual loss less frequently (15.4% vs. 5%; p = 0.014), but there was no difference in mean cerebrospinal fluid-opening pressure (CSF-OP) (35.8 ± 0.88cmH2O UK vs. 36.3 ± 0.52cmH2O US; p = 0.582). African Americans had poorer visual outcomes compared with US whites (19.4% vs. 10% severe visual loss; p = 0.011). Visual function was weakly associated with CSF-OP (R2 = 0.059; p = 0.001), which was similar between UK and US patients. CONCLUSIONS: The UK and the US cohorts had a similar average presenting BMI. However, the worse presenting visual function in the US IIH cohort was partially attributable to differences in the black populations in the two countries.

[Pseudomonas aeruginosa unilateral endogenous endophthalmitis in a preterm infant: a case report]. / Endophtalmie endogène unilatérale à Pseudomonas aeruginosa chez un prématuré: à propos d'un cas.

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare eye disease, affecting vulnerable subjects (such as preterm or older elderly subjects), with reserved visual and sometimes vital prognosis. We present a preterm boy, born at 35 weeks and 2 days gestation, who developed a right eye Pseudomonas aeruginosa endogenous endophthalmitis secondary to a left-foot peripherical catheter-infection-associated bacteremia. He had a first intravenous antibiotic therapy associating third-generation cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone, then Ceftazidime® by intravitreous injection and a subconjunctival injection of betamethasone. Because of the development of vitreoretinal retraction, phacophagia and vitrectomy were performed. We point and discuss the severity of this disease, associated with poor visual and vital prognosis, and the importance of prompt biological diagnosis so that the appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy is chosen. Treatment is also discussed, especially the interest value of antibiotic intravitreous injection in preterm infants.

[Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis in drug misusers injecting intravenous buprenorphine]. / Endophtalmie endogène à Candida secondaire à l'utilisation de la buprénorphine par voie intraveineuse.

PURPOSE: To analyze patients presenting ocular candidiasis caused by intravenous drug addiction to buprenorphine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have listed all the cases of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis hospitalized between 1996 and 2005 in the ophthalmology department of the university-affiliated hospital of Rouen, France. Posterior vitrectomy was performed for each patient, with direct examination and bacterial and fungal cultures. The treatment was begun both with an intravitreal injection of amphotericin B and oral fluconazole, modified in the event of resistance. RESULTS: Seven men, drug addicts, all using intravenous buprenorphine users, were included in the study. The vitreal culture revealed four cases of Candida albicans candidiasis and one case of Candida tropicalis candidiasis. In two cases, oral fluconazole had to be replaced with oral voriconazole. Of the seven patients, three evolved unfavorably despite treatment. DISCUSSION: Intravenous drug use is known to be a risk factor for ocular candidiasis. However, buprenorphine does not seem to be related to endogenous endophthalmitis, since this was also observed among patients using methadone or heroine. Salivary contact during the preparation of the syringe being used for the injection of the substitute appears to be the source of the candidemia in our series and in the literature. CONCLUSION: Inappropriate intravenous use of oral buprenorphine in drug users is a significant risk factor of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis. Visual monitoring by pharmacists of the oral intake of buprenorphine seems essential. We underline the advantages of removing the vitreous in ocular candidiasis.

[Multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy as a manifestation of ophthalmological sarcoidosis]. / Epithéliopathie en plaques, manifestation ophtalmologique de la sarcoïdose?

INTRODUCTION: An ocular manifestation may be the only location of a general disease. OBSERVATION: This is the case of a young female patient who developed placoid epitheliopathy at the age of 24. Four years later, sarcoidosis was diagnosed, with multivisceral damage and severe ophthalmological impairment, as well as skin, renal, and pulmonary involvement. DISCUSSION: Sarcoidosis and placoid epitheliopathy have similar features: the substrate, certain ophthalmological manifestations, and skin disorders. A number of atypical cases of placoid epitheliopathy with inflammatory ocular signs have been described in the literature. In parallel, cases of sarcoidosis with retinal damage, in particular to pigment epithelium, have been reported. Our recommendation is to use specific tests to investigate sarcoidosis whenever placoid epitheliopathy is diagnosed, given the vital and functional risk associated with sarcoidosis.

[Meningococcus endophthalmitis without meningitidis]. / Endophtalmie à méningocoque sans méningite.

Meningococcus endophthalmitis is exceptional. We report a case of ocular damage following type C meningococcus septicemia with no meningitis. A 20-year-old man reported to the emergency unit for polyarthritis pain in various joints, associated with chills, nausea, and diarrhea without fever. Ophthalmological examination revealed uveitis. A few days later, endogenous endophthalmitis was suggested because of a worsening general condition and fever spells to 39 degrees C. A hemoculture sampled on the patient's admission 4 days earlier revealed Neisseria meningitidis positivity. Meningococcus septicemia with no meningitis was diagnosed. Before the introduction of antibiotics, meningococcus meningitis was unfortunately frequent and ocular septic embolism was not a rare occurrence. The diagnosis of meningococcemia was delayed in our patient because of the atypical symptomatology and ocular manifestations in the forefront. As with any endogenous endophthalmitis, prognosis is bleak and it should be raised whenever suspected uveitis does not react to standard treatment.

[Surgical management of nontraumatic corneal perforations: an 8-year retrospective study]. / Prise en charge chirurgicale des perforations cornéennes non traumatiques: étude rétrospective sur 8 ans.

PURPOSE: Treatment of nontraumatic corneal perforation is a difficult task. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze predisposing conditions leading to perforation, surgical treatments, and visual outcomes. METHODS: Fifty-six patients were admitted in our department for a nontraumatic corneal perforation between 1997 and 2004. Mean patient age was 69 years (range, 16-95 years) and the mean follow-up was 20.5 months (range, 6-96 months). RESULTS: The diseases associated with perforations were neurotrophic ulcer in 24 cases (43%), peripheral immunologic ulcer in ten cases (18%), dry eye in six cases (11%), and infectious keratitis in seven cases (13%). All patients had specific adapted medical treatment before surgery. As a first procedure, we used cyanoacrylate glue in 14 cases (50% anatomic success), multilayer amniotic membrane transplantation in 23 cases (100% anatomic success), conjunctival flap in six cases, peripheral lamellar graft in three cases (33% anatomic success), emergency penetrating keratoplasty in 13 cases (31% anatomic success), and one patient's eye had to be eviscerated. Several surgical procedures were necessary in 16 cases (28%), nine patients needing total conjunctival flap at the end. We were able to achieve tectonic stability in 91% of eyes and 32% of patients recovered useful visual acuity between 20/400 and 20/50. CONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective method for managing corneal perforations and usually does not need a further reconstructive procedure. Visual outcome is poor when peripheral or central keratoplasty are needed. We recommend a conjunctival flap when descemetocele or perforation recurs despite previous surgical management.

[Intraocular fluids analysis for etiologic diagnosis of presumed infectious uveitis]. / Intérêt des prélèvements intraoculaires dans le diagnostic étiologique des uvéites présumées infectieuses.

PURPOSE: To study the etiologic distribution of patients with presumed infectious uveitis who underwent ocular fluid analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed vitreous and or aqueous humor samples of patients with presumed infectious uveitis, referred to the department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital of Rouen, France, between January 1997 and June 2004. We excluded patients with postsurgical or endogenous endophthalmitis. We noted clinical features and intraocular sample analysis methods for each pathogen. RESULTS: The study included 42 patients, 24 men and 18 women, aged between 6 and 79 years (mean, 39.5 years). Uveitis was unilateral in 88% of cases and bilateral in 12%. Posterior uveitis was predominant (52%), followed by panuveitis (24%), anterior (14%), and intermediate uveitis (10%). Aqueous humor and vitreous analysis confirmed etiological diagnosis for 13 of 41 patients (31%) and three of six cases (50%), respectively. Inflammation was controlled or stabilized in all cases. The most pejorative visual outcome was observed for candidiasis and viral retinitis. Positivity of intraocular samples was variable, depending on the suspected pathogen, with results similar to those reported in other studies. DISCUSSION: Atypical features in potential infectious uveitis justify ocular paracentesis or vitrectomy, which are more efficient since molecular biological tools have become available. Sensitivity of aqueous humor analysis is high for posterior uveitis and suspicion of viral retinitis. New molecular variants applied to ocular samples will improve the etiological diagnosis of infectious uveitis, particularly for pathogens that are difficult to culture, such as fungi and bacteria.

[Infantile esotropia: comparison of surgery results when the intervention takes place before or after 30 months of age]. / Les ésotropies précoces: comparaison des résultats chirurgicaux en fonction de la date opératoire avant et après 30 mois.

OBJECTIVE: Present and compare surgery results of children with congenital or infantile esotropia, who had surgery before or after 30 months of age, in the Rouen Department of Ophthalmology between 1996 and 2000. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study included 37 patients, 23 females and 14 males, 19 in the first group who had surgery before 30 months at an average age of 24 months (15-30) and 18 in the second group who had surgery after 30 months at an average age of 56 months (38-81). Hypermetropia was found up to 2 diopters for 14 of 19 patients in the first group and 13 of 18 in the second. We noted the surgical procedure. We compared pre- and postoperative amblyopia as well as pre- and postoperative objective deviations at near and distance ranges. The exclusion criteria were follow-up for less than 3 months, esotropia emergence after 12 months of age, children aged more than 7 years at the first surgery, and children with central nervous system disorders. Finally, esthetic aspect, postoperative distance and near sensory results were evaluated. Success was defined by orthotropic position, esotropia less than 15 prism diopters, or consecutive exotropia less than 10 prism diopters. RESULTS: The mean follow-up after surgery was 30 months (3-56) for the first group and 28 months (3-67) for the second. Motor results were similar between the two groups: we found 10 out of 19 successes (esotropia (E(T)) less than 15 diopters (D) or exotropia (X(T)) less than 10 D) in the first group, and 15 out of 18 successes in the second group. There were 3 out of 19 failures (E(T) more than 20 D or X(T) more than 15 D) in the first group and 3 out of 18 in the second. Hypermetropia and preoperative deviation were not significantly different for good or bad motor results (p<0.05). A second-step surgery was performed for two children in the first group and three in the second group, and one of the three children of the second group had a third step. Sensory results were very similar with 6 of 19 cases achieving binocular union in the first group and 7 of 18 in the second one. Finally, one patient from each group presented amblyopia after surgery. CONCLUSION: In our study, as in the literature, infantile esotropia surgery can result in excellent motor alignment, while sensory results are not as good. It appears in our study that there is no significant advantage in performing surgery before 30 months for infantile esotropia. The follow-up of our patients may have been insufficient, and our definition of the semi-early surgery (before 30 months) was already too late in comparison with other studies (less than 24 months).

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) with unilateral neuroretinitis: a case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) with unusual unilateral neuroretinitis. METHODS: An 11-year-old girl who developed anterior uveitis 3 months after acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, without any etiologic factors for either nephritis or uveitis, is presented. RESULTS: Several days after the anterior uveitis, the patient presented with unilateral optic disk edema associated with a serous retinal detachment of the posterior pole, never previously described in TINU syndrome, leading to the formation of perifoveal intraretinal exudates. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of these posterior lesions, clinical course confirmed the previously reported favorable visual outcome of TINU syndrome treated with corticosteroids. It appeared that ocular impairment in TINU syndrome could be more diffuse and more extensive than previously described. As well as the whole uveal tract, the retina and the optic nerve may also be the ocular targets of the idiopathic inflammatory response in TINU syndrome.

Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) with unilateral neuroretinitis: a case report.

PURPOSE: To report a case of tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) with unusual unilateral neuroretinitis. METHODS: An 11-year-old girl who developed anterior uveitis 3 months after acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, without any etiologic factors for either nephritis or uveitis, is presented. RESULTS: Several days after the anterior uveitis, the patient presented with unilateral optic disk edema associated with a serous retinal detachment of the posterior pole, never previously described in TINU syndrome, leading to the formation of perifoveal intraretinal exudates. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of these posterior lesions, clinical course confirmed the previously reported favorable visual outcome of TINU syndrome treated with corticosteroids. It appeared that ocular impairment in TINU syndrome could be more diffuse and more extensive than previously described. As well as the whole uveal tract, the retina and the optic nerve may also be the ocular targets of the idiopathic inflammatory response in TINU syndrome. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 334-7).