Effect of Lipiflow (Thermal Pulsation) on Ocular Surface Disease Management After Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of Thermal pulsation treatment, completed one month prior to cataract surgery, as a means of eliminating or significantly mitigating the exacerbating effects of cataract surgery on dry eye patients.

Setting: Glendale, Arizona.

Design: Prospective, longitudinal, non-masked, randomized clinical investigation.

Visual Field Outcome Reporting in Neurosurgery: Lessons Learned from a Prospective, Multicenter Study of Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

Objective: Visual field (VF) outcomes are commonly reported in neurosurgical case series; however, substantial variability can exist in VF testing and outcome reporting. We aimed to evaluate the challenges of VF testing and to develop detailed recommendations for VF outcome reporting by analyzing results from an ongoing, multicenter study of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Methods: VF testing results were collected during a prospective, multicenter clinical trial evaluating patient outcomes after transsphenoidal surgery for nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (TRANSSPHER).

A retrospective analysis of intraocular pressure changes after cataract surgery with the use of prednisolone acetate 1% versus difluprednate 0.05%.

Purpose: To compare the effect of topical prednisolone acetate 1% (PA) used after routine cataract surgery to the effect of difluprednate 0.05% (DFBA) used for the same indication on intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods: An electronic query was created to gather information from all cataract surgeries between January 2010 and January 2015 within the electronic health record database at Barnet Dulaney Perkins, a multicenter, multiphysician private practice in Phoenix, Arizona.

Impossibility to eliminate observer effect in the assessment of adherence in clinical trials.

Purpose: To utilize the Travoprost Dosing Aid (DA) in the assessment of patient medication adherence, while also determining whether or not altering the functionality of the DA in three randomized subject groups can reduce observer effect.

Methods: Forty-five subjects were randomized into three groups: two with monitored DAs and one without monitoring. One group of subjects was given a DA that both monitored drop usage and had visual and audible alarms, while the other monitored group included subjects given a DA that had no alarms but continued to monitor drop usage.

Inpatient Ophthalmology Consultation for Fungemia: Prevalence of Ocular Involvement and Necessity of Funduscopic Screening.

Purpose: To determine the generalizability of recent data assessing the necessity of ophthalmic consultation for fungemic patients, we examined the prevalence, microbial profile, and treatment of fungal chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis among patients with positive fungal cultures referred for ophthalmologic consultation at a tertiary care medical center.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Methods: All inpatient ophthalmology consultations from Wills Eye Hospital at Thomas Jefferson University between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed and cross-referenced to a microbiologic database of positive fungal blood cultures.

Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis and scarring.

Purpose: Thygeson superficial punctate keratitis (TSPK), a chronic, inflammatory disease, has traditionally been taught to resolve spontaneously and without scarring. We present 4 cases with TSPK who developed sight-altering scarring after a prolonged disease course.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of cases seen at the Proctor Medical Group.

Topical fluoroquinolone use as a risk factor for in vitro fluoroquinolone resistance in ocular cultures.

Objective: To determine whether recent use of topical fluoroquinolones is a risk factor for in vitro fluoroquinolone resistance in Staphylococcus aureus ocular isolates.

Methods: Disk diffusion susceptibility testing for ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin was performed for all ocular isolates of S aureus at the Francis I. Proctor Foundation microbiology laboratory from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2008.

Subconjunctival injections and povidone-iodine washings for the treatment of giant fornix syndrome.

Purpose: Giant fornix syndrome is a chronic copiously purulent conjunctivitis seen in elderly patients with dehiscence of the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurosis. We report a case of giant fornix syndrome secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus conjunctivitis that was recalcitrant to standard treatment modalities, and we describe 2 novel interventions for this condition, which succeeded in eradicating the infection.

Methods: Case report.

Anterior uveitis associated with high-dose cytosine arabinoside.

Purpose: To report a case of anterior uveitis associated with high-dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) treatment.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: A 14-year-old girl was seen for pain, redness, and photophobia shortly after finishing a cycle of high-dose Ara-C.

Prophylaxis of postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery: current status and future directions.

Endophthalmitis is an uncommon but potentially devastating intraocular infection that can occur after routine cataract surgery. Although a broad spectrum of organisms have been shown to cause acute postoperative endophthalmitis, most cases are caused by Gram-positive bacteria, which may be introduced at the time of surgery from colonization of adjacent conjunctiva or eyelid skin. Risk factors for the development of endophthalmitis following cataract surgery include patient age, intraoperative surgical complications and poor wound construction.

An old problem, a new solution.

A 75-year-old woman with painful visual loss was diagnosed with ocular ischemic syndrome secondary to restenosis of the carotid artery following endarterectomy. She underwent carotid artery stenting, which has become an alternative to carotid endarectomy for primary carotid stenosis but is now also becoming more popular for recurrent carotid artery stenosis.

Characteristics of endophthalmitis in patients with the Boston keratoprosthesis.

Purpose: To determine the characteristics of endophthalmitis in patients with the Boston keratoprosthesis.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 4 out of 35 patients who underwent implantation of the Boston keratoprosthesis on the Wills Eye Cornea service between 2001 and 2007 and developed infectious endophthalmitis.

Results: All 4 patients had keratoprosthesis surgery due to previous corneal transplant failure.

Stepwise approach to establishing an ophthalmology wet laboratory.

Wet laboratories (wet labs) play an increasingly important role in ophthalmology surgical residency training. We summarize the necessary components in establishing and maintaining a well-functioning wet lab and offer a stepwise guide for educators to improve the quality of the wet lab experience. We present 6 key factors in creating an ophthalmology wet lab; that is, setting up the physical space, establishing appropriate faculty and curriculum, obtaining the practice eye, stabilizing the eye, preparing the eye, and funding the wet lab.