Optic atrophy in children: Current causes and diagnostic approach.

Background/aims: Optic atrophy is one of the leading causes of sight impairment in children. It frequently poses a diagnostic challenge, as it can be caused by many ocular and systemic conditions. We aimed to determine the current causes of optic atrophy at our centre and to describe the use of investigations, including molecular genetic testing.

Management of giant fornix syndrome with irrigation with povidone-iodine.

Giant fornix syndrome (GFS) was first described as a cause for a relapsing mucopurulent conjunctivitis. Predominantly elderly patients have enlarged superior fornices from superior aponeurosis dehiscence that permits the accumulation of protein coagulum that is colonised by bacteria. Established treatment includes the use of intensive topical antibiotic and corticosteroid.

Corneal collagen cross-linking for treating keratoconus.

Background: Keratoconus is a condition of the eye that affects approximately 1 in 2000 people. The disease leads to a gradual increase in corneal curvature and decrease in visual acuity with consequent impact on quality of life. Collagen cross-linking (CXL) with ultraviolet A (UVA) light and riboflavin (vitamin B2) is a relatively new treatment that has been reported to slow or halt the progression of the disease in its early stages.

Study of fluid ingress through clear corneal incisions following phacoemulsification with or without the use of a hydrogel ocular bandage: a prospective comparative randomised study.

Purpose: To assess the use of a hydrogel ocular bandage (HOB) on clear corneal incisions in phacoemulsification cataract surgery and determine whether HOB reduces ocular surface contaminants ingress after routine surgery.

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, thirty eyes of patients undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification were recruited consecutively and randomly assigned to have a HOB applied to the corneal incision at the end of the surgery or not. At the end of the surgery, trypan blue (TRB) was instilled on the ocular surface, aqueous fluid was aspirated from the anterior chamber (AC) and its optical density was measured using ultraviolet spectrophotometry.

Management of patients with herpes simplex virus eye disease having cataract surgery in the United Kingdom.

To standardize the management of patients with herpetic eye disease scheduled for cataract surgery, a questionnaire was sent to each fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists registered as a consultant with a subspecialty interest in cornea. Most respondents agreed that disease stability was required before cataract surgery was offered; 62.3% would operate on patients in whom the disease had been quiescent for 3 to 6 months.

Interventions for the treatment of uveitic macular edema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Uveitic macular edema is the major cause of reduced vision in eyes with uveitis.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of interventions in the treatment of uveitic macular edema.

Search Strategy: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, and Embase.

Conservative resection and adjuvant plaque brachytherapy for early-stage conjunctival melanoma.

Background: To describe the outcome of patients treated by conservative surgical excision followed by adjuvant plaque brachytherapy for early-stage primary or recurrent conjunctival melanoma.

Design: Retrospective, non-comparative, interventional case series.

Participants: We reviewed 19 eyes in 19 consecutive patients presenting with biopsy proven conjunctival melanoma with pathologic stage pT1c or less.

Primary trabeculectomy with mitomycin C: safety and efficacy at 2 years.

Purpose: To examine the rates of intermediate-term intraocular pressure (IOP) control after trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) and assess for associated complications.

Methods: Medical records of patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy with MMC at Concord Repatriation Hospital, Sydney between January 1997 and December 2005 were reviewed. All eyes with a minimum of 2-year follow up were included.

Use of antivascular endothelial growth factor for diabetic macular edema.

Background: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is one of the manifestations of diabetic retinopathy leading to loss of central vision and visual acuity. It manifests itself with swelling around the central part of the retina, the area responsible for sharp vision. Current treatment includes laser therapy and intravitreal steroids with preventative measures including diabetes control.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the nasolacrimal sac.

Tumors in the lacrimal sac are rare yet important due to their malignant and potentially lethal outcomes if there is a misdiagnosis or delay in treatment. Epithelial tumors predominate with squamous cell carcinoma. We report a transitional cell carcinoma of the lacrimal sac and management course for the patient.