Subchoroidal Release of VEGF and bFGF Produces Choroidal Neovascularization in Rabbit.

Purpose: Intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) produced florid retinal neovascularization and hemorrhage in the rabbit. This study seeks to determine whether sustained subchoroidal release of both VEGF and bFGF can induce robust choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the rabbit.

Methods: Subchoroidal implantation through the sclera of polymeric pellets containing both 15 μg VEGF and 15 μg bFGF was performed on adult pigmented male Dutch belted rabbits (N = 6) and NZW albinos (N = 8).

Topical difluprednate for treatment of serous retinal detachment and panuveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Patients with bilateral serous retinal detachments and panuveitis related to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease are commonly managed with oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and/or intravitreal injections. We present the case of a 56-year-old Hispanic man with Harada disease whose bilateral serous retinal detachments and panuveitis were treated with topical corticosteroid difluprednate alone. Functional and anatomical recoveries were assessed by fluorescein angiograms and optical coherence tomography studies over a period of 9 months.

Pars plana Ahmed valve and vitrectomy in patients with glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease.

Purpose: To assess the safety and efficacy of a modified technique for pars plana placement of the Ahmed valve in combination with pars plana vitrectomy in the treatment of glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease.

Methods: Thirty-nine eyes with glaucoma associated with posterior segment disease underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with Ahmed valve placement. All valves were placed in the pars plana using a modified technique, without the pars plana clip, and using a scleral patch graft.

Recalcitrant macular edema after intravitreal bevacizumab is responsive to an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in retinal vein occlusion.

Purpose: To test the efficacy of an intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with recalcitrant macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for 18 patients with retinal vein occlusion who received multiple bevacizumab intravitreal injections before treatment with an intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

Results: Two subgroups of bevacizumab-resistant patients were identified.

Central serous chorioretinopathy associated with topical corticosteroids in a patient with psoriasis.

Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), also known as central serous retinopathy (CSR), is a visual impairment, often temporary, usually in a single eye, which mostly affects males in the age group of 20 to 50 but may also affect women. CSC occurring after prolonged use of topical steroids in a patient with psoriasis is a novel complication in the English literature.

Observations: We describe a case of a 25-year-old male, with a 15-year history of corticoid ointment use for psoriasis, who presented with loss of vision secondary to CSR.

Scleral thickness following fluocinolone acetonide implant (Retisert).

Purpose: To evaluate whether intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide (FA) implantation (Retisert) leads to scleral thinning.

Methods: Scleral thickness was measured at the pars plana region (4 quadrants) with anterior segment OCT (Visante) in FA implanted eyes (18) with noninfectious posterior uveitis in comparison to eyes with prior vitrectomy (8), and normal eyes without prior surgery (30).

Results: Mean scleral thickness in normal (nonsurgical) eyes was 0.

Assessing the reliability of automated OCT retinal thickness measurements in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.

Background And Objective: To compare automated versus manual retinal measurement using Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) in patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients And Methods: Patients with subfoveal CNV due to AMD underwent Stratus OCT imaging. Each scan was evaluated for automated: foveal center point thickness, central subfield thickness, signal strength, and manual: central retinal thickness, central retinal/lesion thickness, CNV thickness, pigment epithelial detachment thickness, and number of correct retinal boundaries (CRBs).

The operation was a success, but the patient cannot see.

A 71-year-old African American woman presented with severe vision loss in her left eye one day following trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and retrobulbar anesthesia. She had a new left relative afferent pupillary defect and macular whitening. The optic disc appeared normal.

Comparing retinal thickness measurements using automated fast macular thickness map versus six-radial line scans with manual measurements.

Purpose: To compare automated retinal thickness values generated by the fast macular thickness maps (FMTM) and customized 6-radial line scans (RLS) versus manual retinal measurements on Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA).

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Participants: Patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), or branch/central retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Dynamic evaluation of sutureless vitrectomy wounds: an optical coherence tomography and histopathology study.

Purpose: To investigate the in vitro dynamic wound morphology of fresh 25- and 23-gauge sutureless sclerotomy wounds.

Design: Experimental study; laboratory investigation.

Participants: Sixteen eyes of New Zealand white rabbits.

Evaluation of wound closure in oblique 23-gauge sutureless sclerotomies with visante optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To investigate the in vivo real-time wound morphology of fresh 23-gauge sutureless oblique sclerotomy wounds with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Methods: Subjects underwent three-port pars plana vitrectomy with a 23-gauge trocar/cannula microincision surgical system at the Cole Eye Institute.

Lower eyelid position after transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with versus without a skin pinch.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty with or without a skin pinch on lower eyelid position.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing bilateral lower blepharoplasty using a transconjunctival approach with or without a skin pinch. Patients undergoing other surgical procedures that could affect lower eyelid position were excluded.

Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva in children: a review of the international literature 1965-2006.

Purpose: Conjunctival melanoma is rare in children. This article presents a comprehensive review and discusses the clinical significance of the published cases of malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva in children younger than 15 years.

Materials And Methods: To obtain prior reports of conjunctival melanoma in children, a systematic search of the world literature was conducted.

Prevalence of optic nerve edema in patients on peripheral hemodialysis.

Purpose: Cerebral venous hypertension with optic nerve edema has been reported in patients with peripheral arteriovenous hemodialysis shunts. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of optic nerve edema in patients with peripheral arteriovenous accesses and to evaluate the value of ophthalmic examination and surveillance in this study population.

Design: Cross-sectional observation case series.

Ocular findings in IgA nephropathy with renal failure and hypertension.

A patient with IgA nephropathy developed cotton-wool spots and serous retinal detachments. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated choroidal infarcts in both eyes from hypertensive retinopathy in acute on chronic renal failure. Plasmapheresis and hemodialysis led to visual recovery.

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and 'visual field defects' following vitrectomy: could they be related?

Background: Visual field defects after uncomplicated vitrectomy have been reported but poorly explained. We describe two cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) observed following vitrectomy. We also reviewed the literature for cases of post-vitrectomy visual field defects for evidence of optic nerve damage.

Plasma leptin levels in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome.

Purpose: To determine the range of plasma leptin levels in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome (FES).

Methods: This was a retrospective, noninterventional case series of 11 patients with FES. Charts were reviewed for patient age, sex, plasma leptin level, body mass index (BMI), presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and diabetes mellitus, and any treatments for OSA.

Etanercept (enbrel)-associated inflammatory eye disease: case report and review of the literature.

Purpose: To report a case of severe anterior uveitis flare following the administration of etanercept (Enbrel) for ankylosing spondylitis and to review the literature pertaining to inflammatory eye disease associated with the use of etanercept.

Methods: Clinical data were collected from a 52-year-old female with chronic symptomatic ankylosing spondylitis. The relationship between etanercept administration and the patient's systemic and ocular inflammation was assessed.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after uncomplicated scleral buckling surgery.

Background: To report a case of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) observed after uncomplicated scleral buckle placement.

Methods: A 57-year-old man presented with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the left eye. He underwent uncomplicated scleral buckle placement and C3F8 injection.

Fluoroquinolone therapy in Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis after lamellar keratectomy.

Purpose: To characterize a rabbit model of Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis after lamellar keratectomy and assess the effectiveness of fluoroquinolone therapy.

Setting: University Laboratory, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.

Methods: Twenty-eight New Zealand white rabbits had unilateral lamellar keratectomy with placement of 2.

Ingress of India ink into the anterior chamber through sutureless clear corneal cataract wounds.

Background: Sutureless clear corneal cataract incisions may be associated with an increased risk of endophthalmitis.

Objective: To assess the degree of ocular surface fluid ingress into the anterior chamber of cadaveric human globes with clear corneal wounds.

Methods: Self-sealing clear corneal incisions were created in 4 eyes, and intraocular pressure was controlled with an infusion cannula.

Acute endophthalmitis following cataract surgery: a systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: To determine the reported incidence of acute endophthalmitis following cataract extraction over time and to explore possible contributing factors, such as type of cataract incision.

Methods: A systematic review of English-language articles was conducted by performing a broad search of PubMed from 1963 through March 2003 using such terms as cataract extraction, endophthalmitis, and postoperative complication. Additional studies were identified from bibliographies of relevant articles and published proceedings.