Paracentral acute middle maculopathy: precursor to macular thinning in sickle cell retinopathy.

We present a case of paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) in a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD). Though gradual capillary loss may contribute to pathophysiology of sickle cell retinopathy as well, our case suggests that PAMM may be the precursor lesion to macular thinning commonly observed in patients with SCD. In addition, fluorescein angiography may be unable to detect these acute vascular events occurring at the deep capillary plexus.

Retinopathy of prematurity and brain damage in the very preterm newborn.

Purpose: To explain why very preterm newborns who develop retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) appear to be at increased risk of abnormalities of both brain structure and function.

Methods: A total of 1,085 children born at <28 weeks' gestation had clinically indicated retinal examinations and had a developmental assessment at 2 years corrected age. Relationships between ROP categories and brain abnormalities were explored using logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounders.

An ROP screening dilemma: hereditary cataracts developing in a premature infant after birth.

A female infant born prematurely at 23 weeks' gestational age developed bilateral hereditary cataracts at post-menstrual age 33 weeks, which precluded retinopathy of prematurity screening. The infant underwent right cataract extraction 1 week later, and retinopathy of prematurity was monitored by examining the right eye. In the seventeenth week of life (post-menstrual age 40 weeks), the cataract was removed from the left eye.

Choroidal neovascularization associated with West Nile virus chorioretinitis.

A case of late-onset choroidal neovascularization in a patient with a history of West Nile virus chorioretinitis is described. An 86-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus developed bilateral West Nile virus chorioretinitis in 2001, after which his vision improved to baseline. Approximately 5 years later, the patient was found to have choroidal neovascularization in his left eye, for which he received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.

Characteristics that distinguish accidental from abusive injury in hospitalized young children with head trauma.

Objective: To describe the clinical features that distinguish accidental from abusive head injury in hospitalized children <24 months of age.

Methods: Prospective study of children <24 months of age hospitalized for head injury between August 1, 2000, and October 31, 2002. During hospitalization, children had computed tomographic scans of the brain, serial neurologic examinations, dilated ophthalmoscopic eye examinations, evaluation by a social worker, and, in some cases, a child abuse specialist.

Factors that impact on the infection control capability of gloves.

The use of gloves can reduce the risk of cross-infection for patients and health-care professionals. This is dependent, however, on the correct type of glove being selected for the appropriate job. Care must be taken to ensure that gloves are stored and worn correctly, to reduce the chance of exposing them to factors that may damage their integrity.