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PURPOSE To report on AIDS patients having combination antiretroviral therapy whose cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis remained inactive after discontinuation of anti-CMV maintenance therapy. METHODS We describe the course of CMV-retinitis in 3 patients with AIDS after initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS After cessation of anti-CMV therapy no relapse of CMV-retinitis has been observed for up to 18 months. Two of the patients developed new CMV-retinitis in the first months after initiation of combination therapy, nevertheless after further improvement of immunological parameters retinitis remained stable without anti-CMV therapy. CONCLUSION The sustained immunological effects of combination therapy are possibly sufficient enough to provide protection against CMV-retinitis.

To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.In a prospective case series, nine patients with macular oedema due to BRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.Preoperative mean BCVAs were 1.3 +/- 0.8 for distance vision, and 1.1 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in reading acuity was observed until 1 month (0.7 +/- 0.4, p = 0.02). No significant reduction in mean macular thickness was observed.Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to BRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for only 1 month.

To assess satisfaction with photocoagulation treatment in diabetes patients and to investigate how it relates to patient-related characteristics and patients' visual ability. Further, to observe the interaction between physician and patient and suggest ways to improve the patient-provider relationship and, thereby, treatment satisfaction.This open longitudinal study included 123 diabetes patients undergoing first photocoagulation treatment for diabetic maculopathy or proliferative retinopathy. The Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) was completed by all patients. Communication, scheduling and adherence scores were defined for each physician-patient pair. Outcome measures were: the patient's overall satisfaction with laser treatment; the patient's degree of satisfaction in relation to visual results; communication, scheduling and adherence scores, and visual acuity results.The level of satisfaction after initial photocoagulation treatment was high; 46.4% of patients with proliferative retinopathy and 53.1% with maculopathy scored 31 or higher. Although 69.5% of all patients reported that their expectations of treatment corresponded to their final 9-month visual results, only 8.7% of these patients reported an improvement in visual acuity after 9 months. The number of unwanted actions performed by the patients during treatment were significantly related to the number of unclear instructions given by the physician (Fisher's exact test P0.01).A high level of satisfaction was observed, despite the minimal improvements in visual acuity. Attempts to further improve patient satisfaction might focus on improved education of patients on the possible benefits of laser treatment, greater care in communicating information during treatment, additional nursing support, and additional clerical time to communicate with patients before each appointment.

To evaluate the visual outcomes (visual acuity [VA] and visual function) after phacoemulsification cataract surgery in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR), and assess patient satisfaction with final surgical outcome.This prospective study comprised 74 eyes of 74 patients with different stages of DR. One surgeon (AW) performed all cataract surgery in a standardized fashion. Patients were assessed using the VF-14 (Visual Function-14) questionnaire. The following groups of patients were compared: those with no apparent retinopathy; those with mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR); those with severe NPDR, and those with proliferative DR (PDR). Visual acuity and visual function questionnaire (VF-14) responses were recorded preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, during which the non-operated fellow eye showed no progression in retinopathy.Improvements in visual outcomes were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 compared to groups 3 and 4 (Tukey-Kramer, p0.001). Comparisons between groups 1, 2 and 3, 4 showed significant differences in improvements in VA (Tukey-Kramer, p0.01), yet no statistically significant differences in functional (VF-14) improvements emerged between these groups.Patients with more advanced levels of DR showed no functional improvements despite improvements in VA. This emphasizes the relevance of patient education prior to surgery. In particular, it should be explained to patients with more advanced DR that, although surgery may be required, their functional improvement may be limited.

To evaluate treatment of macular oedema due to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.In a prospective case series, 13 patients with macular oedema due to non-ischaemic CRVO received an intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Examination included assessment of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for distance and reading, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), fluorescein angiography and high resolution imaging by optical coherence tomography, preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively.Preoperative mean BCVA was 0.9 +/- 0.4 for distance vision and 1.0 +/- 0.3 for reading acuity, respectively. A significant improvement in distance VA (0.5 +/- 0.3, p0.001) and reading acuity (0.7 +/- 0.3, p = 0.03) was observed until 3 months and 6 months, respectively. Mean macular thickness was significantly reduced until 9 months postoperatively.Intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide led to a significant improvement in mean VA in patients with macular oedema due to CRVO. However, the significant effect was not permanent and persisted for a maximum of 6 months.