A Survey of the Management of Diabetic Macular Oedema in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: There is minimal information about the availability of treatment for Diabetic macular oedema (DMO) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The principal aim of this survey was to determine the 'real world' management of DMO amongst ophthalmologists working in SSA.

Methodology: Questionnaires were distributed to members of retinal and ophthalmological societies in SSA.

The past, present and future management of sickle cell retinopathy within an African context.

Sickle cell retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition that affects young people in the working age group. This review looks at the past, present and future management of sickle cell retinopathy within an African context. After Sickle cell disease was first reported in 1910, some reports from Africa were pivotal in describing the retinal changes associated with the disease.

What Effect Does Ethnicity Have on the Response to Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Aims: To compare, in a single urban population, the visual outcomes of ranibizumab monotherapy in "White" (W) and "Non-White" (NW) patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Procedures: Prospective data was collected from 434 eyes of 217 patients with wet AMD patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab. Baseline and monthly LogMAR visual acuities were obtained.

Visual outcomes of age-related macular degeneration patients undergoing intravitreal ranibizumab monotherapy in an urban population.

Aim: To compare the visual outcomes of an urban population with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) undergoing ranibizumab monotherapy to the results from major clinical trials.

Procedures: Prospective data was collected from 164 wet AMD patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab. Visual acuities were obtained with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart.

First do no harm..

It is common when practising ophthalmology that we forget to treat the patient as a whole person. We are taught in medical school to take a complete history and to perform a thorough examination before ordering specific investigations. However sometimes, despite our clinical experience, we are tempted to take inappropriate shortcuts.