Saudi Arabian retinopathy of prematurity national telemedicine program: Achievements and challenges.

The Saudi Arabian Retinopathy of Prematurity National Telemedicine programme (SAROP) is a product of the National Committee for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). The program includes ROP telescreening, diagnosis, and management of cases requiring treatment. Digital retinal images and filled ROP software requests were uploaded from 20 level-3 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital server and the ROP telemedicine website.

Managing Challenges of Phacoemulsification in Vitrectomized Eyes: A New Technique.

Aim: This study aimed to describe a novel approach to manage the challenges of phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes.

Methods: Intraoperative titrated intravitreal injection of balanced salt solution (BSS) through pars plana was done using a 30G needle hooked to a 1 cc syringe to build up the vitreous pressure.

Results: Five eyes of five patients who had previous vitrectomy were given intraoperative injection.

Practical guidelines for screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in Saudi Arabia.

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of bilateral blindness in childhood. Early detection and effective treatment can prevent blindness. Efficient and timely screening examination of the retina by an experienced ophthalmologist who deals with preterm neonates with ROP is the mainstay in the management of this disease.

Recent advances in understanding the biochemical and molecular mechanism of diabetic retinopathy.

One of the major complications in patients with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness worldwide. It takes several years before any clinical signs of retinopathy appear in diabetic patients, which gives an ample opportunity for scientists to uncover biochemical and molecular mechanism implicated early in the development and progression of the disease. During the past few decades, research progress has been made in investigating the pathophysiology of the disease; however, due to nonavailability of human retinal samples at different stages of the disease and also due to lack of a proper animal model of DR, the exact molecular mechanism has not been elucidated, making therapeutic a difficult task.

Outcomes of Retreatment after Aborted Laser In Situ Keratomileusis due to Flap Complications.

Purpose: To determine the refractive outcomes and complications of retreatment after aborted primary laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) due to flap complications.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 50 retreated eyes that had flap complications during primary LASIK at the Eye Consultants Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed for patients with at least 3 months follow-up post retreatment.

Intraoperative flap complications in laser in situ keratomileusis with two types of microkeratomes.

Purpose: To determine the incidence and types of intraoperative flap complications in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) encountered with the Hansatome microkeratome and the Moria microkeratome.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, all patients with intraoperative flap complications who were treated between June 1999 and July 2008 at the Eye Consultants Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were identified and reviewed.

Results: Of the 4352 subjects who underwent bilateral primary LASIK procedure, intraoperative microkeratome complications were detected in 89 eyes of 83 patients.

Visual outcome and complications of pars plana vitrectomy for dislocated intraocular lenses.

Objective: To report factors predicting the visual outcome and complications in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) to manage dislocated intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Clinical data recorded from the patient charts include, demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative, with emphasis on visual acuity, interval between IOL dislocation and pars plana vitrectomy, surgical method and complications.

Comparison of central corneal thickness measurements using Pentacam and ultrasonic pachymetry in post-LASIK eyes for myopia.

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements obtained using the Pentacam Scheimpflug system with those obtained using DGH ultrasound pachymetry (UP) in post-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eyes for myopia.

Methods: In a prospective study, measurement agreement was assessed in 143 eyes of 72 post-LASIK patients using both the Pentacam and UP at the Eye Consultants Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results: The mean CCT was 522 +/- 42.

Incidence, management, and visual outcomes of buttonholed laser in situ keratomileusis flaps.

Purpose: To describe the incidence, management, and visual outcomes of buttonholed laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flaps.

Setting: Private practice, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This retrospective review identified eyes that developed buttonholed flaps during LASIK.

Posterior microphthalmos with uveal effusion managed by lamellar sclerotomies.

A 21-year-old male with bilateral low visual acuity since childhood was diagnosed with posterior microphthalmos. He underwent scleral windows surgery for one eye. Although visual acuity didn't improve significantly due to amblyopia, the papillomacular fold flattened and reduced in size postoperatively.

The relationship between central corneal thickness and degree of myopia among Saudi adults.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and myopia among Saudi adults.

Methods: In a prospective study, the CCT of 982 myopic eyes and 158 emmetropic eyes as a control group was measured using ultrasound pachymetry at the Eye Consultants Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Result: The mean myopic spherical equivalent (SE) was -3.

Risk factors for acute retinopathy of prematurity.

We prospectively studied the risk factors and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in 195 consecutive preterm infants. Birth weight and duration of mechanical ventilation were the only factors that were significantly associated with the incidence of ROP. While indomethacin increases the risk of developing ROP, maternal antenatal steroids have a protective effect against the development of severe stages of ROP.

Risk factors for acute retinopathy of prematurity.

We prospectively studied the risk factors and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in 195 consecutive preterm infants. Birth weight and duration of mechanical ventilation were the only factors significantly associated with the incidence of ROP. While indomethacin increases the risk of developing ROP, maternal antenatal steroids have a protective effect against the development of severe stages of ROP.

Comparison between central corneal thickness measurements by oculus pentacam and ultrasonic pachymetry.

Purpose: To compare the accuracy of central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements by the oculus pentacam scheimpflug system, with those obtained with the DGH ultrasound pachymeter (UP) and to assess the agreement between the two devices.

Methods: In a prospective study, measurement agreement was assessed in 984 eyes of 492 healthy subjects using both oculus pentacam and ultrasonic pachymetry at the Eye Consultants Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Result: In the measurement agreement experiment, the mean CCT was 552.

Expression of angiogenic and fibrogenic factors in proliferative vitreoretinal disorders.

Purpose: To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the retina of human subjects with diabetes mellitus, and CTGF, CD105, and gelatinase B in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) epiretinal membranes.

Methods: Twelve donor eyes from six subjects with diabetes mellitus, 10 eyes from five nondiabetic subjects, 14 PDR membranes, and five PVR membranes were studied by immunohistochemical techniques. In situ zymography was used to examine gelatinolytic activity in four PDR membranes.

Retinopathy of prematurity at a University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To prospectively study the incidence and nature of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study was carried out the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One hundred and ninety-five consecutive preterm infants with a birth weight of 2000 g or less were screened for ROP.