Systemic risk factors of dry eye disease subtypes: A New Zealand cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To evaluate systemic risk factors of dry eye disease, aqueous tear deficiency, and meibomian gland dysfunction.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy-two community residents (222 females, 150 males; mean ± SD age, 39 ± 22 years) were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Past medical history, dry eye symptomology, ocular surface characteristics, and tear film quality were evaluated for each participant within a single clinical session.

Randomised double-masked placebo-controlled trial of the cumulative treatment efficacy profile of intense pulsed light therapy for meibomian gland dysfunction.

Purpose: To assess long-term cumulative treatment effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy in meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

Methods: Eighty-seven symptomatic participants (58 female, mean ± SD age, 53 ± 16 years) with clinical signs of MGD were enrolled in a prospective, double-masked, parallel-group, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were randomised to receive either four or five homogeneously sequenced light pulses or placebo treatment to both eyes, (E-Eye Intense Regulated Pulsed Light, E-Swin, France).

Corneal Transplantation in New Zealand 2000 to 2009.

Purpose: To quantify all minor/major adverse events in a large cohort of consecutive corneal transplants, particularly in respect to penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

Methods: All corneal transplants in the Auckland region over a 10-year period (2000-2009) were identified through the New Zealand National Eye Bank. Relevant clinical records were assessed for this period and 2 years after.

Descemet's membrane macroperforation during interface irrigation in big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

This report describes the macroperforation of descemet's membrane (DM) during irrigation of the interface following successful removal of stromal tissue in big bubble (BB) deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK). A 42-year-old woman with keratoconus underwent a BB DALK procedure. After successful formation of Type 2 bubble and removal of stromal tissue, interface irrigation was performed to remove residual viscoelastic.

A comparison of the self-reported dry eye practices of New Zealand optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to evaluate the self-reported clinical practices of New Zealand optometrists and ophthalmologists with respect to the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease. It also sought to compare these behaviours with the current research evidence base.

Methods: An anonymous survey was distributed electronically to New Zealand eye care clinicians (optometrists n = 614, ophthalmologists n = 113) to determine practitioner interest in dry eye disease, practice experience, practice modality, preferred diagnostic and management strategies, and information used to guide patient care.

Connexin hemichannel induced vascular leak suggests a new paradigm for cancer therapy.

It is 40 years since cancer growth was correlated with neovascularisation. Anti-angiogenic drugs remain at the forefront of cancer investigations but progress has been disappointing and unexpected toxicities are emerging. Gap junction channels are implicated in lesion spread following injury, with channel blockers shown to improve healing; in particular preventing vascular disruption and/or restoring vascular integrity.

Regulation of connexin43 gap junction protein triggers vascular recovery and healing in human ocular persistent epithelial defect wounds.

Transiently blocking the expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides or blocking hemichannels with connexin mimetic peptides has been shown to significantly improve outcomes in a range of acute wound models. Less is known about their likely effects in nonhealing wounds. In the eye, prolonged inflammation and lack of epithelial recovery in nonhealing corneal epithelial wounds may lead to corneal opacity, blindness or enucleation.

Publication and citation analysis of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology and Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology over a 10-year period: the evolution of an ophthalmology journal.

Purpose: To analyse the pattern of change in publication content and citations generated by a mid-ranking ophthalmology journal as it evolved from the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology (ANZJO) to its successor, Clinical 0mp; Experimental Ophthalmology (CEO).

Methods: The Science Citation Index was used to analyse the publications of ANZJO and CEO over two 10-year periods (1990-1999 and 2000-2009, respectively). Publication and citation patterns were analysed in terms of source authors, institutions and countries.

Acanthamoeba keratitis and contact lens wear.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious complication of contact lens wear that may cause severe visual loss. The clinical picture is usually characterised by severe pain, sometimes disproportionate to the signs, with an early superficial keratitis that is often misdiagnosed as herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis. Advanced stages of the infection are usually characterised by central corneal epithelial loss and marked stromal opacification with subsequent loss of vision.

Assessing the accuracy of Orbscan II post-LASIK: apparent keratectasia is paradoxically associated with anterior chamber depth reduction in successful procedures.

Purpose: To establish a relationship between the forward protrusion of the cornea (keratectasia), following successful LASIK, and anterior chamber depth.

Methods: One hundred and fifteen eyes of 59 patients who had undergone Zyoptix LASIK and 39 eyes of 21 patients who had undergone PlanoScan LASIK at the Eye Institute, Centre for Refractive Surgery, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand, were included in the study. The results of Orbscan II acquisitions, taken before and 8.

Higher-order aberrations of lenticular opacities.

Purpose: To measure and quantify higher-order aberrations induced by different types of lenticular opacities.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, and Department of Ophthalmology, Auckland Public Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: Patients with lenticular opacities were recruited from outpatient clinics of a major tertiary referral center for ophthalmology.

In vivo confocal microstructural analysis and surgical management of Brown-Mclean syndrome associated with spontaneous crystalline lens luxation.

We report 3 members of an extended family who presented with bilateral peripheral corneal edema consistent with Brown-McLean syndrome. On clinical examination, all eyes demonstrated normal central corneas and marked peripheral edema. In vivo confocal microscopy of the peripheral cornea highlighted similar observations in the 6 eyes including endothelial pigmentation, masked stromal structure due to edema, prominent nerves, and localized basal epithelial edema.