Herpetic Eye Disease Study: A Controlled Trial of Topical Corticosteroids for Herpes Simplex Stromal Keratitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of topical corticosteroids in treating herpes simplex stromal keratitis.

Methods: The authors performed a randomized, double-masked, placebo-con- trolled, multicenter clinical trial of 106 patients with active herpes simplex stromal keratitis who had not received any corticosteroids for at least 10 days before study enrollment. Patients were assigned to the placebo group (n = 49) or the steroid group (topical prednisolone phosphate; n = 57); both regimens were tapered over 10 weeks.

Episodes of microbial keratitis with therapeutic silicone hydrogel bandage soft contact lenses.

Objective: To report the therapeutic practice patterns of silicone hydrogel (SiH) bandage soft contact lenses (BSCL) and the resultant rate of microbial keratitis (MK).

Methods: A retrospective case series of patients treated with therapeutic BSCLs for ocular surface disease from January 2006 to January 2009 in a tertiary care cornea practice. All patients had a history of ocular surface disease.

Indications, visual outcome, and ectasia in clear corneal transplants 20 years old or more.

Purpose: To report the indications, visual outcome, and development of ectasia in clear corneal transplants at least 20 years or more after penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods: A computer search of all post-PK patients in the electronic medical records of the Cornea Service was done. Only patients with clear primary grafts aged 20 years or more were included.

Trends in contact lens-related corneal ulcers at a tertiary referral center.

Purpose: To evaluate the changes and trends in the number and characteristics of contact lens-related ulcers (CLRUs) and to compare the results with those of previously published series at our institution.

Methods: Medical records of all patients diagnosed with presumed bacterial corneal ulcers seen at the Cornea Service, Wills Eye Institute, between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2007, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Five hundred seven corneal ulcers were identified.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus: comparison of disease in patients 60 years and older versus younger than 60 years.

Objective: To study the clinical course of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) and to compare the demographics, treatments, and outcomes in patients aged <60 years versus patients aged ≥60 years at the time of diagnosis.

Design: Retrospective chart review of all 112 patients presenting for management of HZO from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.

Participants: A total of 112 patients (58 aged <60 years and 54 aged >60 years) at the time of HZO onset.