Treatment outcomes for maculopathy secondary to retinal vein occlusion in Afghanistan.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) in Afghanistan.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all RVO cases that underwent intravitreal ant-VEGF injection at the two leading hospitals in Kabul. The main outcome measures were visual acuity and central retinal thickness as determined by optical coherence tomography.

PHOTORECEPTOR DAMAGE IN TERSON SYNDROME.

Purpose: To describe photoreceptor damage in patients with Terson syndrome as a potential cause for inconsistent clinical outcomes.

Methods: Clinical evaluation and retinal imaging in six patients.

Results: Four patients were women and two men, with an average age of 46.

Surgical outcomes in only eye cataract surgery.

Introduction: Performing cataract surgery in the setting of only one seeing-eye has significant benefits but also potential negative consequences for both patient and surgeon. This study investigates the surgical outcomes in patients undergoing cataract surgery on their only seeing-eye.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted in a single tertiary centre of all adult patients who had undergone cataract surgery on their only eye, where the fellow eye had a vision of 1.

Analysis of Early Cone Dysfunction in an In Vivo Model of Rod-Cone Dystrophy.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a generic term for a group of genetic diseases characterized by loss of rod and cone photoreceptor cells. Although the genetic causes of RP frequently only affect the rod photoreceptor cells, cone photoreceptors become stressed in the absence of rods and undergo a secondary degeneration. Changes in the gene expression profile of cone photoreceptor cells are likely to occur prior to observable physiological changes.

A Novel Achromatopsia Mouse Model Resulting From a Naturally Occurring Missense Change in Cngb3.

Purpose: A local colony of inbred mice (129S6/SvEvTac origin), in isolation for over a decade, were found to have absent light-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) responses. We investigated the inheritance and genetic basis of this phenotype of cone photoreceptor function loss.

Methods: An affected 129S6/SvEvTac colony animal was outcrossed to a C57BL/6J mouse and intercrossed to investigate inheritance in the F2 generation.

A quality of life survey in patients with long-term silicone oil or phthisis bulbi.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine whether there is any difference in the quality of life of patients with a blind eye with long-term silicone oil compared to without.

Method: Patients with either long-term silicone oil in situ (N = 17), defined as a period greater than 6 months duration with no plan for future removal, or those with a phthisical, non oil-filled eye were identified (N = 13). Two validated questionnaires (NEI VFQ-25 and the FACE-Q) that cover indicators for visual function, pain and cosmesis were sent to all patients in the two cohorts.

Transplanted photoreceptor precursors transfer proteins to host photoreceptors by a mechanism of cytoplasmic fusion.

Photoreceptor transplantation is a potential future treatment for blindness caused by retinal degeneration. Photoreceptor transplantation restores visual responses in end-stage retinal degeneration, but has also been assessed in non-degenerate retinas. In the latter scenario, subretinal transplantation places donor cells beneath an intact host outer nuclear layer (ONL) containing host photoreceptors.

Unsutured phakic implantation of a black intraocular lens in the sulcus to treat leukocoria.

Unlabelled: We describe a 40-year-old woman with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, secondary chronic exudative retinal detachment, and white cataract with consequent leukocoria. Because the cataract was contracted and calcified, a black Morcher 85F poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL was implanted in the ciliary sulcus anterior to the lens to prevent posterior capsule rupture and potential destabilization of the retinal detachment with a risk for phthisis. Excellent centration of the black IOL was achieved with good cosmetic outcome and without postoperative uveitis or glaucoma.

Cone photoreceptor neuroprotection conferred by CNTF in a novel in vivo model of battlefield retinal laser injury.

Purpose: To develop a reproducible laboratory model to simulate a battlefield foveal laser injury and to test potential neuroprotective effects of a single injection treatment that might be administered in a military setting.

Methods: Frequency-doubled 532-nm Nd:YAG laser was used to induce a threshold retinal injury bilaterally in transgenic reporter mice that have fluorescent cones. Intravitreal injection of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) was then administered to the lasered eye and compared with a contralateral sham injection of saline.

Treatment of a lacrimal pneumocele with punctal plug insertion.

A 37-year-old man presented with symptoms of air and mucus reflux from the right medial canthus on blowing his nose. Examination showed crepitus in the region overlying the right lacrimal sac, and he was able to produce bubbles in his conjunctival lake on instillation of topical 2% fluorescein. Dacryoscintigraphy showed symmetrical slow passage of tracer from the lacrimal sac in the nasolacrimal duct indicating delay at the postsac level.

Scleral contact lens usage in patients with complex blepharoptosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of scleral contact lenses (ScCLs) as an alternative or as an adjunct to surgical correction for the management of complex ptosis.

Methods: A retrospective case-note review was used to determine the subjective function and cosmetic acceptability of the lenses. Digital photographs were taken, both with and without the lens in place; analytic software was used to assess the vertical height of the palpebral aperture (PA) and the upper margin-reflex distance.

Risk of iatrogenic peripheral retinal breaks in 20-G pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To estimate the frequency and risk factors for entry site and other peripheral iatrogenic retinal breaks in eyes undergoing standard 20-G 3-port pars plana vitrectomy.

Design: Single-center, retrospective, interventional case series.

Participants: A total of 645 eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy at Moorfields Eye Hospital during the period June 1, 2005, to June 1, 2006, for indications excluding rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Systemic tuberculosis presenting with acute transient myopia: a case report.

Introduction: Transient myopia has been reported to occur in a number of conditions, either ocular in origin or associated with an underlying systemic cause. We present a rare case of this abnormality occurring in the setting of systemic tuberculosis.

Case Presentation: A 29-year-old Indian woman presented with sudden onset blurred distance vision and fever.

Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with orbital cellulitis.

The authors describe the case of a 48 years old woman who presented with a one week history of a painful, swollen left eye with proptosis and diplopia. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed features of left orbital cellulitis, and blood tests and urinalysis confirmed the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The infection resolved following a course of intravenous antibiotics and with glycaemic control.

Implantation of the black diaphragm intraocular lens in congenital and traumatic aniridia.

Objective: To evaluate the biometry accuracy, visual outcomes, and long-term changes in intraocular pressure after implantation of the black diaphragm intraocular (BDI) lens in cases of aniridia.

Design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

Participants: Forty eyes of 35 patients with aniridia (15 eyes of congenital origin and 25 as a result of trauma).

Visual improvement after long-standing central serous macular detachment associated with an optic disc pit.

Background: Approximately 50% of cases of congenital optic disc pits are associated with serous macular detachment. Long-standing serous detachments (over 1 year) with poor initial presenting acuity are usually associated with cystic degeneration of the macula and loss of pigment from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium, with resultant poor visual outcome.

Methods: A 43-year-old male presented with an optic disc pit and associated serous elevation of the macular region with cystic changes at the fovea.

Sub-Tenon's block complicated by subconjunctival cilia.

We describe an unusual case of symptomatic eyelash entrapment in the subconjunctival space following a sub-Tenon's block. This case emphasizes the need for vigilance in patients reporting a persistent foreign-body sensation following surgery with this common modality of anesthesia.

Ocular features of Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

Sjogren-Larson syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive neurocutaneous disorder characterized by a triad of intellectual disability, spastic diplegia or tetraplegia and congenital ichthyosis with associated ocular features, which include pigmentary changes in the retina. The usual presentation of crystalline maculopathy is from the age of 1-2 years onwards. Herein, a case of Sjogren-Larson syndrome in a 25-year-old woman is presented to highlight the ocular findings.