Long-term visual and treatment outcomes of whole-population pre-school visual screening (PSVS) in children: a longitudinal, retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Background: This study reports the long-term visual and treatment outcomes in a whole-population, orthoptic-delivered pre-school visual screening (PSVS) programme in Scotland and further examines their associations with socioeconomic backgrounds and home circumstances.

Methods: Retrospective case review was conducted on 430 children who failed PSVS. Outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), severity of amblyopia (mild, moderate and severe), binocular vision (BV) (normal, poor and none), ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment modalities.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 3 (POTS3): clinical features and initial management of injuries.

Purpose: Worldwide, as many as 6 million children annually sustain ocular trauma, with up to a quarter of a million children requiring hospitalization. Management of pediatric ocular trauma differs from that in adults, both in terms of initial assessment and acute intervention, with significant variation in practice between different centers. Patterns of healing and long-term outcomes are also very different for children compared to adults.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 2 (POTS2): demographics and mechanisms of injuries.

Purpose: Pediatric ocular trauma is an important cause of visual morbidity worldwide, accounting for up to one-third of all ocular trauma admissions. It has long-term implications for those affected and significant economic consequences for healthcare providers. It has been estimated that 90% of all ocular trauma is preventable.

The UK Paediatric Ocular Trauma Study 1 (POTS1): development of a global standardized protocol for prospective data collection in pediatric ocular trauma.

Background: Ocular trauma is an important cause of visual morbidity in children worldwide. Pediatric ocular trauma accounts for up to one third of all ocular trauma admissions, with significant economic implications for health care providers. It is estimated that 90% of all ocular trauma is preventable.

Endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Background: A dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedure aims to restore drainage of tears by bypassing a blockage in the nasolacrimal duct, through the creation of a bony ostium that allows communication between the lacrimal sac and the nasal cavity. It can be performed using endonasal or external approaches. The comparative success rates of these two approaches have not yet been established and this review aims to evaluate the relevant up-to-date research.

Management of patients with Graves' orbitopathy: initial assessment, management outside specialised centres and referral pathways.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is uncommon, but responsible for considerable morbidity. A coordinated approach between healthcare professionals is required in order to meet the needs of patients. Early diagnosis can be achieved by a simple clinical assessment.

Diagnosis of Graves' orbitopathy (DiaGO): results of a pilot study to assess the utility of an office tool for practicing endocrinologists.

Context: In active Graves' orbitopathy (GO), treatment can improve the final cosmetic and visual outcome. Diagnostic delay results in significant morbidity and increases patient dissatisfaction. However, it can be challenging for endocrinologists to recognize GO and decide who should be referred for ophthalmic care.

siRNA silencing of the mutant keratin 12 allele in corneal limbal epithelial cells grown from patients with Meesmann's epithelial corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to further assess our previously reported keratin 12 (K12)-Leu132Pro specific siRNA in silencing the mutant allele in Meesmann's Epithelial Corneal Dystrophy (MECD) in experimental systems more akin to the in vivo situation through simultaneous expression of both wild-type and mutant alleles.

Methods: Using KRT12 exogenous expression constructs transfected into cells, mutant allele specific knockdown was quantified using pyrosequencing and infrared Western blot analysis, while the silencing mechanism was assessed by a modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'RACE) method. Corneal limbal biopsies taken from patients suffering from MECD were used to establish cultures of MECD corneal limbal epithelial stem cells and the ability of the siRNA to silence the endogenous mutant KRT12 allele was assessed by a combination of pyrosequencing, qPCR, ELISA, and quantitative-fluorescent immunohistochemistry (Q-FIHC).

Development of allele-specific gene-silencing siRNAs for TGFBI Arg124Cys in lattice corneal dystrophy type I.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potency and specificity of short-interfering RNA (siRNA) treatment for TGFBI-Arg124Cys lattice corneal dystrophy type I (LCDI) using exogenous expression constructs in model systems and endogenous gene targeting in an ex vivo model using corneal epithelial cell cultures.

Methods: A panel of 19 TGFBI-Arg124Cys-specific siRNAs were assessed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Further assessment using pyrosequencing and qPCR was used to identify the lead siRNA; suppression of mutant TGFBIp expression was confirmed by Western blot and Congo red aggregation assays.

Decrease in the rate of esotropia surgery in the United Kingdom from 2000 to 2010.

Background/aims: A decrease in strabismus surgery in children has been previously documented in the UK. This study aims to examine whether the incidence of strabismus surgery in children is still decreasing and, if so, the possible reasons for this.

Methods: Data on strabismus surgery from 2000 to 2010 in children in Scotland, England and Wales were obtained.

Acute-onset diplopia.

Purpose:   To investigate the clinical features of all patients with acute-onset diplopia presenting to the ophthalmology department.

Methods:   The notes of every patient who presented with acute onset (<4-week duration) diplopia to the ophthalmology clinic over a 2-year period were reviewed. Data regarding clinical features, underlying aetiology, past medical history, investigations and outcomes were extracted.

Development of allele-specific therapeutic siRNA in Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy.

Background: Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy (MECD) is an inherited eye disorder caused by dominant-negative mutations in either keratins K3 or K12, leading to mechanical fragility of the anterior corneal epithelium, the outermost covering of the eye. Typically, patients suffer from lifelong irritation of the eye and/or photophobia but rarely lose visual acuity; however, some individuals are severely affected, with corneal scarring requiring transplant surgery. At present no treatment exists which addresses the underlying pathology of corneal dystrophy.

Endonasal versus external dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Background: Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) procedures can be performed using external or endonasal approaches. The comparative success rates of these procedures are unknown.

Objectives: To compare the success rates of external and endonasal approaches to DCR.

Clues to duration of undiagnosed disease from retinopathy and maculopathy at diagnosis in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

Aims: To extrapolate, from the proportion of subjects with observable retinopathy at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in routine clinical practice, the mean duration of undiagnosed diabetes.

Methods: On 1 October 1999, there were 4313 patients with type 2 diabetes in the 41 participating practices in the Tayside region (registered with one of 166 GPs). 501 (12%; 95% CI 11 to 13%) patients were selected using a pseudo-random number allocation algorithm, and practice lists checked for recently deceased, non-residents (45 exclusions).

A national survey of the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the United kingdom.

Purpose: To survey national variation in the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, particularly the timing of intervention and the use of nasolacrimal intubation, nasal endoscopy, and assistance from an ear, nose, and throat surgeon at different stages of management.

Methods: A telephone survey was conducted of 100 ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom who were involved in the management of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. A sequential management protocol was established for each, including the nature of procedures, their timing, and the use of nasal endoscopy and ear, nose, and throat surgeons.

A systematic review of outcomes after dacryocystorhinostomy in adults.

Background: This study was designed to systematically review the clinical outcomes of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery. Data sources included PubMed for English language literature from January 1966 to December 2008 combined with a manual review of citations within article bibliographies.

Methods: Citations acquired from the targeted search were filtered independently by two researchers.

Blow-out fractures: patterns of ocular motility and effect of surgical repair.

The decision to repair an orbital blow-out fracture depends on several factors, but evidence for the optimum timing of surgery is not clear. We retrospectively studied all patients with orbital injuries who were referred to the eye department at a Scottish teaching hospital over a 10-year period from 1997 to 2006. We aimed to document the incidence and pattern of disturbances of ocular motility after blow-out fractures, and identify the rates of early and late resolution of these deficits, both spontaneously and after surgical repair.

A systematic review of outcomes following surgical decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy.

Objectives: To systematically review and compare the surgical outcomes of orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy.

Methods: Data sources used were PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane search for English-language literature from January 1990 to April 2008, combined with manual review of citations within article bibliographies. Citations acquired from the targeted search were filtered independently by two researchers.

Diabetic retinopathy: more patients, less laser: a longitudinal population-based study in Tayside, Scotland.

Objective: We aim to correlate the incidence of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy requiring laser treatment with the control of risk factors in the diabetic population of Tayside, Scotland, for the years 2001-2006.

Research Design And Methods: Retinal laser treatment, retinal screening, and diabetes care databases were linked for calendar years 2001-2006. Primary end points were the numbers of patients undergoing first or any laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy.