Physiologic and Psychologic Risk Factors in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Purpose: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is characterized by macular detachment due to thickened choroid, mostly affecting young men under perceived stress. Although most previous studies on CSCR have been retrospective and have focused on a single facet of the patient's personality, we conducted a prospective, intercontinental, controlled study to analyze the multifaceted personality profile in CSCR.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study.

Central cortical cleanup and zonular deficiency.

Background: Complete removal of the cortex has been advocated to prevent posterior capsular opacification but carries the risk of zonular dehiscence, hence there is a need for a safe maximal cortical cleanup technique in eyes with severe diffuse zonulopathy in subjects above age 90.

Methods: We used bimanual central cortical cleaning by elevating central fibers and aspirating them toward the periphery. Peripheral cortical fibers were removed passively only when they became loose due to copious irrigation.

Intravitreal ziv-aflibercept for macular edema following retinal vein occlusion.

Aim: To report the efficacy of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept injections in eyes with macular edema due to retinal vein occlusions (RVOs).

Methods: Consecutive patients with persistent or recurrent macular edema (central macula thickness >250 μm) due to RVO were enrolled in this prospective study. Study eyes received intravitreal injections of ziv-aflibercept (1.

Rotavirus Genotypes and Vaccine Effectiveness from a Sentinel, Hospital-Based, Surveillance Study for Three Consecutive Rotavirus Seasons in Lebanon.

Introduction: Globally, rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis (GE) in children. Longitudinal data about changes in RV genotype distribution and vaccine effectiveness (VE) are scarce. This study was conducted in Lebanon over 3 consecutive RV seasons to estimate the rate of RVGE hospitalization, identify RV genotypes, determine the seasonal and geographical variations, and calculate RV VE.

Unilateral Mu Rhythm and Associated Cortical Lesions on Brain MRI.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of occurrence of a unilateral mu rhythm and the associated neuroimaging findings on dedicated epilepsy protocol brain MRI.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the EEG reports database at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 2011 and 2014 searching for the presence of a unilateral mu rhythm. For patients with a unilateral mu rhythm, we recorded the patients' demographics, number of EEGs performed, characteristics of the mu activity, and the findings on the epilepsy protocol brain MRIs.

Awareness Campaign for the Early Detection of Growth Disorders in Public School Children in North Lebanon.

Objective: To detect and screen growth anomaly among children in North Lebanon, raise awareness on the importance of regular height check, and establish recommendations for the authorities.

Design: 18-month campaign.

Setting: 230 public schools in North Lebanon.

Collaborative Pediatric Bone Tumor Program to Improve Access to Specialized Care: An Initiative by the Lebanese Children's Oncology Group.

Background: Children with malignant bone tumors have average 5-year survival rates of 60% to 70% with current multimodality therapy. Local control modalities aimed at preserving function greatly influence the quality of life of long-term survivors. In developing countries, the limited availability of multidisciplinary care and limited expertise in specialized surgery and pediatric radiation therapy, as well as financial cost, all form barriers to achieving optimal outcomes in this population.

Progressive symmetric vertical macular wide angioid streak-like lacquer crack.

Purpose: We report an unusual case of bilateral vertical lacquer crack with no history of ocular trauma and with progressive marked enlargement and consequent visual loss.

Methods: Three-year follow-up was completed using best-corrected visual acuity, serial fundus photographs, intravenous fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

Results: We report the occurrence of lacquer crack in a 43-year-old woman with no history of trauma except for laser in situ keratomileusis surgery for mild myopia (as reported by the patient) in the past 5 years and habitual ocular rubbing.

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Anterior Chamber Ointment Globule after Phacoemulsification.

We present 2 cases of anterior chamber ointment with evidence of progressive endothelial cell loss. In both cases, an anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) was similar to an OCT of a tobramycin-dexamethasone ointment placed on a pen tip. An anterior segment OCT also demonstrated the direct contact of the globule with the corneal endothelium.

Iritis, glaucoma and corneal decompensation associated with BrightOcular cosmetic iris implant.

Purpose: NewColorIris cosmetic iris implants have a record of high ocular morbidity and are no longer in use. Newer generation of iris implants, BrightOcular, have patented posterior grooves in order to decrease iris touch and facilitate aqueous flow around the implant. However, little is known about their safety despite their implantations in 10 countries.

Dexamethasone implant in diabetic macular edema in real-life situations.

Purpose: To report outcome of eyes with recalcitrant and naive eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated with intravitreal dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex) injection.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter data analysis of eyes with DME treated with Ozurdex implant and with minimum follow-up of at least one year after the first implant. Data collected included demographic details, history of presenting illness, past treatment history, clinical examination details including visual acuity at presentation, and follow-up with imaging and treatment details.

Isolated Optic Disc Tuberculosis.

We present a healthy male subject who developed progressive visual loss in the left eye initially diagnosed as optic neuritis. Upon suspicion of infectious etiology, testing was positive for tuberculosis. There were no signs or symptoms of active systemic tuberculosis infection.

OUTCOMES OF TREATMENT OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY WITH INTRAVITREAL ANTIANGIOGENIC AGENTS.

Purpose: To report clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes from the largest case series of choroidal neovascularization secondary to central serous chorioretinopathy.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 46 eyes of 43 consecutive subjects. Collected data included demographic details, history of presenting illness, clinical examination details including visual acuity at presentation and follow-up with imaging and treatment details.

Endocrine and bone complications in β-thalassemia intermedia: current understanding and treatment.

Thalassemia intermedia (TI), also known as nontransfusion dependent thalassemia (NTDT), is a type of thalassemia where affected patients do not require lifelong regular transfusions for survival but may require occasional or even frequent transfusions in certain clinical settings and for defined periods of time. NTDT encompasses three distinct clinical forms: β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI), Hb E/β-thalassemia, and α-thalassemia intermedia (Hb H disease). Over the past decade, our understanding of the molecular features, pathophysiology, and complications of NTDT particularly β-TI has increased tremendously but data on optimal treatment of disease and its various complications are still lacking.

13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is immunogenic and safe in children 6-17 years of age with sickle cell disease previously vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23): Results of a phase 3 study.

Background: A large population of older children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is currently vaccinated with only 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). In immunocompetent adults, PPSV23 vaccination reduces immune responses to subsequent vaccination with a pneumococcal vaccine. The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13), which addresses this limitation, may offer an advantage to this population at high risk of pneumococcal disease.

Bibliometric trends in ophthalmology 1997-2009.

Aims: To track citation patterns in ophthalmic journals and contrast them with major medical and surgical journals from 1997 to 2009. In addition, we want to familiarize the ophthalmic community with bibliometrics indices.

Materials And Methods: Data retrieved from Institute for Scientific Information and related websites include 2-year journal impact factor JIF, 5-year impact, Eigenfactor score, H-factor, Article Influence score, and SCImago factor.

Ziv-aflibercept in macular disease.

Background/aims: Aflibercept is an approved therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular oedema (DME). In vitro and in vivo studies did not detect toxicity to the retinal pigment epithelium cells using the approved cancer protein, ziv-aflibercept. Our purpose is to determine if ziv-aflibercept can be used in AMD and DME without ocular toxicity, to test the stability of ziv-aflibercept, and to do a cost analysis.

Spontaneous release of epiretinal membrane in a young weight-lifting athlete by presumed central rupture and centrifugal pull.

This patient presented for surgery at the age of 32 years, 14 months after his initial complaint of metamorphopsia and visual loss in the right eye. Past tests demonstrated a whitish epiretinal membrane (ERM) with translucent stress lines over a thickened macula. Visual acuity was found on last presentation to be normal with minimal alteration on Amsler grid testing.

Schistosomiasis manifesting as a colon polyp: a case report.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis is a rare disease with a common intestinal involvement. However, colon polyps associated with Schistosoma in the absence of inflammation have rarely been reported, especially in young people; this is the first case with the following presentation.

Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 20-year-old Ethiopian woman living in Lebanon who presented with nonspecific abdominal symptoms.

Triple combination of insulin glargine, sitagliptin and metformin in type 2 diabetes: the EASIE post-hoc analysis and extension trial.

Aim: We examined the effects of adding glargine to metformin-sitagliptin (MS+G) or sitagliptin to metformin-glargine (MG+S) therapy in type 2 diabetic persons uncontrolled after 24-week MS or MG dual therapy.

Methods: Subjects with A1c≥7% on MS or MG treatment were respectively given glargine (0.2U/kg starting dose) or sitagliptin (100mg daily) for 12weeks.

Incidence of sickle cell disease and other hemoglobin variants in 10,095 Lebanese neonates.

Hemoglobinopathies are highly prevalent diseases and impose a public health burden. Early diagnosis and treatment can ameliorate the course of these diseases and improve survival. Despite purported high incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Lebanon, there are no nationwide screening programs.