Australian general practice trainees' exposure to ophthalmic problems and implications for training: a cross-sectional analysis.

INTRODUCTION Eye conditions are common presentations in Australian general practice, with the potential for serious sequelae. Pre-vocational ophthalmology training for General Practitioner (GP) trainees is limited. AIM To describe the rate, nature and associations of ophthalmic problems managed by Australian GP trainees, and derive implications for education and training.

Severe acute endogenous endophthalmitis with Staphylococcus epidermidis in a systemically well patient.

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a devastating intraocular infection caused by haematogenous spread of bacteria or fungi, usually in people with immune deficiency. This case report is unusual as a systemically well patient with normal immune function and no identifiable locus of infection rapidly developed a fulminant endogenous endophthalmitis from an organism which does not usually produce aggressive virulence determinants. Endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis is an ongoing diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for ophthalmologists as it is relatively rare, often initially presents as uveitis, and requires a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy presenting with rubeotic glaucoma.

A 78-year-old man with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I (Met30), presented with rubeotic glaucoma 9 months following an uncomplicated vitrectomy for vitreous amyloidosis. There was retinal neovascularization and extensive retinal vascular closure. In the preceding 9 months, episodes of 'uveitis' and high intraocular pressure are thought to be due to amyloid protein released into the aqueous leading to trabecular meshwork obstruction and high intraocular pressures, thus compounding the ocular ischaemia created by amyloid vascular closure.