Contact transcleral photodynamic cyclo-suppression in human eyes: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of contact transcleral ciliary body photodynamic treatment (CB-PDT) with verteporfin in human eyes. DESIGN: Prospective interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five glaucomatous blind eyes of 5 patients. METHODS: Verteporfin (6 mg/m(2)) was infused in bolus and then the ciliary body was irradiated transclerally with a fibre optic device. Twelve spots were placed 360° and 0.5 mm behind the sclerocorneal limbus. Laser power was 80 mW and irradiation time was 3 minutes. RESULTS: The average intraocular pressure reduction was 30% after the first month and remained below pre-treatment levels throughout a 3-month follow-up. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: CB-PDT for refractory glaucoma was safe and efficient in human eyes; larger studies are required to evaluate its possible clinical role.

Central retinal vein occlusion after uncomplicated glaucoma filtering procedure combined with phacoemulsification.

We present a case of central retinal vein occlusion after an combined phacotrabeculectomy in a patient with advanced open angle glaucoma. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms for this complication are discussed.

Myopia and visual acuity impairment: a comparative study of Greek and Bulgarian school children.

PURPOSE: To compare the proportions of school children with myopia and impaired visual acuity in Greece and Bulgaria. METHODS: A sample of 898 children, aged 10-15 years, was selected from two primary and two secondary schools in a Greek city (Heraklion), and one primary and secondary school in a Bulgarian city (Stara Zagora). Five hundred and eighty eight children were Greek (65.5%, mean age 12.5 +/- 0.08 years) and 310 Bulgarian (34.5%, age 12.4 +/- 0.07 years). VA was assessed with the habitual refractive correction. Refractive error was measured in the absence of cycloplegia using an auto-refractor. RESULTS: The percentage of children, tested with their habitual refractive correction, with decimal VA <0.5 in at least one eye was 11.7% (95% CI 9.1-14.3%) for Greek and 5.2% (95% CI 2.7-7.6%) for Bulgarian pupils. The percentage of myopic children also differed between the two countries with the proportion with myopic refractive error