Australasian ophthalmology: trans-Tasman ties.

Links between Australian and New Zealand ophthalmology began with peripatetic surgeons who worked in both countries. Links continued with the Intercolonial Medical Congresses which began in 1887. Ophthalmologists from both countries were involved in the founding of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 1927.

Outbreak of diffuse lamellar keratitis caused by marking-pen toxicity.

Purpose: To examine the evidence that a series of cases of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was caused by a type of marker pen.

Setting: Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: During a 10-week period, 522 consecutive LASIK procedures were performed using a 60 Hz IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp.

Presumed late diffuse lamellar keratitis progressing to interface fluid syndrome.

We report an unusual case of presumed late-onset unilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis of uncertain etiology in a 23-year-old man who presented with elevated intraocular pressure following uneventful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). After treatment with topical corticosteroid therapy, the condition progressed to interface fluid syndrome. Isolated pockets of fluid were clearly demonstrated at the level of the LASIK flap interface on slitlamp biomicroscopy and in Pentacam Scheimpflug images.

Multifocal lamellar keratitis following laser in situ keratomileusis.

Over a period of approximately 7 months, multiple subepithelial spots were noted in one or both corneas of some patients examined 2 to 6 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The lesions appeared identical to adenovirus keratitis. The eyes were quiet, had good vision, and no patient had a history of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.

Assessing the accuracy of Orbscan II post-LASIK: apparent keratectasia is paradoxically associated with anterior chamber depth reduction in successful procedures.

Purpose: To establish a relationship between the forward protrusion of the cornea (keratectasia), following successful LASIK, and anterior chamber depth.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen eyes of 59 patients who had undergone Zyoptix LASIK and 39 eyes of 21 patients who had undergone PlanoScan LASIK at the Eye Institute, Centre for Refractive Surgery, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, were included in the study. The results of Orbscan II acquisitions, taken before and 8.

Visual, refractive, and subjective outcomes after photorefractive keratectomy for myopia of 6 to 10 diopters using the Nidek laser.

Purpose: To analyze the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia of 6.0 to 10.0 diopters (D) using the Nidek laser and compare them with those in other series, including LASIK, and to analyze the subjective aspects of vision.

Comparison of photorefractive keratectomy for myopia using 5 mm and 6 mm diameter ablation zones.

Background: We compared the 5 mm and 6 mm ablation zones of the Summit Omnimed in the treatment of myopia in 2 eyes of the same patient.

Method: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients with myopia less than 6 diopters (D) has one eye treated with a 5 mm ablation zone and the other eye with a 6 mm ablation zone. Minimum follow up was 6 months.

Excimer laser surgery for myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Photorefractive keratectomy using the Summit Excimer Laser has been carried out on 1333 eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism which have been followed up for six months or longer. Of those, 607 have been followed up for one year. Of the eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism of up to 3 dioptres spherical equivalent, at one year 85.

Transverse keratotomy combined with spherical photorefractive keratectomy for compound myopic astigmatism.

This is a report of a study of 40 eyes in which transverse keratotomy was performed in conjunction with spherical photorefractive keratectomy. The preoperative range of myopia was -1.50 to -13.

The management of intraocular foreign bodies.

This study of 69 cases of retained intraocular foreign body confirms that eyes with anterior segment foreign bodies fare better than those with posterior segment foreign bodies, that eyes with smaller foreign bodies fare better than those with larger, and that the magnet is the safest method of removal. There is no evidence to support primary vitrectomy in every case of posterior segment foreign body. Computerised tomography is the best method of localisation, but a foreign body can be missed on computerised tomography, and a plain x-ray is still the best method of detection.

Infection after retinal detachment surgery.

In 250 consecutive retinal detachment operations performed by the author, there were 14 cases (5.6%) of infection of the scleral buckle. The commonest infecting organism was Staphylococcus aureus.

Closed-system intra-ocular surgery: the first six years in Auckland.

The advent of the combined infusion-suction-cutting and illuminating instruments has opened up new possibilities in intra-ocular surgery. Tissue can now be removed from the interior of the eye through small water-tight incisions, with maintenance of the normal ocular pressure during surgery. In the posterior segment of the eye, opaque vitreous can be removed and replaced.

Vitrectomy in the management of endophthalmitis.

Four cases of endophthalmitis were managed with pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics. All four cases made a good structural recovery, but the only cases which regained good vision were the two which had vitrectomy within three days of the first signs of endophthalmitis. The vitreous aspirate in all four cases showed polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but in only one case were organisms cultured.