"Phacoemulsification tip fracture and how to manage it.".

Purpose: To describe a rare complication of phacoemulsification (Phaco) cataract extraction.

Observations: A phaco tip fracture occurred during the sculpting of the nucleus in a cataract extraction surgery of a 60-year-old woman. The surgeon introduced the second instrument through the side port to retrieve the broken portion of the tip while maintaining it inside the sleeve.

Evaluation of allergic sensitization in Lebanese patients with allergic conjunctivitis.

Purpose: To describe the profile of patients with allergic conjunctivitis (AC) regarding their demographics, symptomatology and specific allergen sensitization, in a Lebanese tertiary hospital.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted at the Hôtel-Dieu de France hospital (Beirut, Lebanon) during a period of 18 months. Patients with seasonal or perennial AC presenting for ophthalmic consultation had measurements of total and specific IgE.

INTRAVITREAL DEXAMETHASONE IMPLANT IN RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA-RELATED CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA.

Purpose: To report the clinical outcome after intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and cystoid macular edema.

Methods: Multicenter retrospective case series of eyes with retinitis pigmentosa and cystoid macular edema that underwent intravitreal dexamethasone implant. Primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity in LogMAR and central macular thickness.

[Screening of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy in Lebanese population using retinography and SD-OCT: The role of telemedicine].

Purpose: Diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are nowadays a major public health threat. The aim of this study is the screening of DR and diabetic maculopathy (DM) in a primary medical care center in Lebanon. We study also the interest of retinography and of SD-OCT in a telemedicine screening program.

Effect of hemodialysis on visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and macular thickness in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis (HD) on visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and central foveal thickness (CFT) in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Materials And Methods: Forty-nine eyes from 49 chronic kidney-disease patients were analyzed. Causes of chronic kidney disease included diabetes mellitus (n=9 patients), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (n=15 patients), and other causes (n=25 patients).

Novel 'heavy' dyes for retinal membrane staining during macular surgery: multicenter clinical assessment.

Purpose:   To evaluate the feasibility of two novel 'heavy' dye solutions for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epiretinal membranes (ERMs), without the need for a prior fluid-air exchange, during macular surgery.

Methods:   In this prospective nonrandomized multicenter cohort study, the high molecular weight dyes ILM-Blue™ [0.025% brilliant blue G, 4% polyethylene glycol (PEG)] and MembraneBlue-Dual™ (0.

Azithromycin 1.5% ophthalmic solution: efficacy and treatment modalities in chronic blepharitis.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of topical 1.5% azithromycin in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic blepharitis and to compare the efficacy of two different treatment modalities.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial included 67 patients with chronic anterior and/or posterior blepharitis, followed-up for 3 months.

Clinical and molecular findings in three Lebanese families with Bietti crystalline dystrophy: report on a novel mutation.

Purpose: Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation of the cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily V, polypeptide 2 (CYP4V2) gene and characterized by retinal pigmentary abnormalities and scattered deposits of crystals in the retina and the marginal cornea. The aim of this study was to investigate the spectrum of mutations in CYP4V2 in Lebanese families, and to characterize the phenotype of patients affected with BCD.

Methods: Nine patients from three unrelated Lebanese families were clinically and molecularly investigated.

Xanthophylls and eye health of infants and adults.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids present in the eye. They cannot be synthesized de novo and are specifically concentrated in the macula. They appear to have at least two major functions: to filter out blue light and thus prevent ensuing damages to the eye and to act as antioxidants.

Evaluation of the new photosensitizer Stakel (WST-11) for photodynamic choroidal vessel occlusion in rabbit and rat eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the photodynamic potential of a new hydrosoluble photosensitizer (WST-11, Stakel; Steba Biotech, Toussus-Le-Noble, France), for use in occlusion of normal choroidal vessels in the rabbit eye and CNV (choroidal neovascularization) in the rat eye.

Methods: Occlusive and nonocclusive parameters of Stakel and verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) were investigated in pigmented rabbits. Eyes were followed by fluorescein angiography (FA) and histology at various intervals after PDT.

Electrically assisted ocular gene therapy.

Electrotransfer and iontophoresis are being developed as innovative non-viral gene delivery systems for the treatment of eye diseases. These two techniques rely on the use of electric current to allow for higher transfection yield of various ocular cell types in vivo. Short pulses of relatively high-intensity electric fields are used for electrotransfer delivery, whereas the iontophoresis technique is based on the application of low voltage electric current.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy study of the Verisyse aphakic intraocular lens combined with penetrating keratoplasty in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate anterior segment modifications after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), previous anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) removal, and Verisyse IOL (AMO) implantation over the iris or under the iris for the treatment of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) using ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France.

Methods: A prospective randomized comparative case series included 27 patients (27 eyes) with PBK who had PKP and implantation of a Verisyse VRSA54 aphakic IOL.

Amniotic membrane transplantation in severe bacterial keratitis.

Purpose: To determine whether a combination of early amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) and early topical corticosteroid treatment could be a safe adjuvant therapy during antibacterial treatment in severe bacterial keratitis (BK) for relieving pain, avoiding iatrogenic epithelial toxicity, and allowing earlier use of topical steroids.

Methods: In a prospective noncomparative case series, 12 patients with severe microscopically-proven BK were treated with immediate maximal topical antibiotics followed by AMT at 48 hours (single-layer epithelial side-down or multilayer epithelial side-up), plus topical steroid treatment at 72 hours. Pain relief (NRS-11 numeric rating pain scale) and the corneal epithelium healing were measured.

Oligonucleotide-polyethylenimine complexes targeting retinal cells: structural analysis and application to anti-TGFbeta-2 therapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to characterize oligonucleotide-polyethylenimine (ODN/PEI) complex preparation for potential transfection of retinal cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: The effect of medium preparation [HEPES-buffered saline (HBS), water] on particle size and morphology was evaluated. Cultured Lewis rat retinal Müller glial (RMG) cells were transfected using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-ODN/PEI complexes specifically directed at transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta)-2.

Nanoparticles for gene delivery to retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and potential use of poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) as vectors for gene transfer to RPE cells.

Methods: Experiments were conducted with primary bovine RPE cells and with the ARPE-19 human RPE cell line. Rhodamine loaded NPs were used to study factors influencing the internalization process by the various RPE cells: concentrations of NPs, duration of contact time, stage of cell culture and ambient temperature.

Ocular biocompatibility of a poly(ortho ester) characterized by autocatalyzed degradation.

The biocompatibility of autocatalyzed poly(ortho ester) (POE(70)LA(30)), a viscous, hydrophobic, bioerodible polymer, was investigated. POE(70)LA(30) was synthesized, sterilized by gamma irradiation, and injected in rabbit eyes at adequate volumes through subconjunctival, intracameral, intravitreal, and suprachoroidal routes. Clinical examinations were performed postoperatively at regular time points for 6 mo, and histopathologic analysis was carried out to confirm tissular biocompatibility.

Ocular drug delivery targeting the retina and retinal pigment epithelium using polylactide nanoparticles.

Purpose: To study the kinetics of polylactide (PLA) nanoparticle (NP) localization within the intraocular tissues and to evaluate their potential to release encapsulated material.

Methods: A single intravitreous injection (5 micro L) of an NP suspension (2.2 mg/mL) encapsulating either Rh-6G (Rh) or Nile red (Nr) was performed.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy for BIGH3-linked corneal dystrophy recurring after penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To determine visual results and report side effects and complications after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for BIGH3-linked corneal dystrophy recurring after penetrating keratoplasty.

Design: Retrospective noncomparative case series.

Participants: Forty-two excimer laser PTK procedures were performed in 42 eyes of 29 patients with BIGH3-linked corneal dystrophies.

Cryoextraction of episcleral Miragel buckle elements: a new technique to reduce fragmentation.

A step-by-step description of a surgical technique for episcleral Miragel buckle removal is reported. After dissection of the conjunctiva and the capsule surrounding the Miragel element, the extremity of the buckle is pulled out with a cryoprobe. The removal of Miragel episcleral buckle with the cryoprobe is a safe and effective technique with a low fragmentation rate and a reduction of the surgical risk related to the use of sharp forceps near a possibly weakened sclera.