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To evaluate alterations in treatment burden and course of exudative age-related macular degeneration in patients who contracted endophthalmitis from intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections.Retrospective study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center examining frequency of anti-VEGF injections, activity of choroidal neovascularization, and visual acuity before and after endophthalmitis treatment.Twenty-one patients meeting inclusion criteria were identified, of whom 7 (33%) patients did not restart anti-VEGF treatment 12 months after endophthalmitis because of quiescence of exudative age-related macular degeneration without significant visual acuity loss (P0.05). Patients who resumed anti-VEGF treatment exhibited 32% and 38% decreases in injection frequency by 12 and 24 months after endophthalmitis, respectively (P0.05). On first optical coherence tomography follow-up, 10 patients exhibited quiescence of choroidal neovascularization activity, although there were no measurable changes in macular thickness (P0.05). No differences in post-endophthalmitis exudative age-related macular degeneration progression or treatment burden were observed when factoring adjuvant intravitreal steroid therapy, culture results, nor choroidal neovascularization subtypes.Endophthalmitis resolution is associated with a decrease in choroidal neovascularization activity and a reduction of anti-VEGF treatment burden in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retina specialists use lidocaine gel as a topical anesthetic. We determined the antibacterial interaction between povidone–iodine (PI) and lidocaine gel using corneoscleral tissue as a solid phase medium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five pieces of corneoscleral tissue in five trials were inoculated with 1.000 colony-forming units of bacteria isolated from endophthalmitis. Inoculated corneal tissue were overlaid with nothing (control), lidocaine gel, 5% PI, lidocaine gel over 5% PI, and 5% PI over lidocaine gel for 5 minutes prior to placement in growth liquid medium at 37°C. Growth was monitored for 48 hours. RESULTS: Application of lidocaine gel prior to 5% PI application provided for the growth of the five bacterial isolates, whereas 5% PI prior to lidocaine gel prevented growth. CONCLUSION: Using corneoscleral tissue, PI and lidocaine gel appear to have an antagonistic interaction when lidocaine gel is applied initially prior to 5% PI, preventing bactericidal activity of PI. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2021;52:S13–S16.]

Scleral buckling is a method of reattaching the neurosensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium when retinal detachment occurs. While the buckle procedure has high success rates in terms of reattaching the retina, the forces created by encircling and segmental buckles can alter the biomechanical properties of the eye and many of its structures, including axial length, corneal power, astigmatism, corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, anterior chamber depth, ocular volume, ocular rigidity, and ocular blood flow. This chapter delves into the biomechanical changes induced by scleral buckling.

Purpose To compare rates of peripheral retinal changes in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants with at least intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with control subjects without intermediate age-related changes (large drusen). Design Cross-sectional evaluation of clinic-based patients enrolled in AREDS2 and a prospective study. Participants Participants from prospective studies. Methods The 200° pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were captured on the Optos 200 Tx Ultrawide-field device (Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland) by centering on the fovea and then steering superiorly and inferiorly. The montaged images were graded at a reading center with the images divided into 3 zones (zone 1 [posterior pole], zone 2 [midperiphery], and zone 3 [far periphery]) to document the presence of peripheral lesions. Main Outcome Measures Peripheral retinal lesions: drusen, hypopigmentary/hyperpigmentary changes, reticular pseudodrusen, senile reticular pigmentary changes, cobblestone degeneration, and FAF abnormalities. Results A total of 484 (951 eyes) AREDS2 participants with AMD (cases) and 89 (163 eyes) controls without AMD had gradable color and FAF images. In zones 2 and 3, neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA) were present, ranging from 0.4% to 6% in eyes of cases, respectively, and GA was present in 1% of eyes of controls. Drusen were detected in 97%, 78%, and 64% of eyes of cases and 48%, 21%, and 9% of eyes of controls in zones 2 and 3 superior and 3 inferior, respectively ( P P Conclusions Peripheral retinal changes are more prevalent in eyes with AMD than in control eyes. Drusen are seen in a majority of eyes with AMD in both the mid and far periphery, whereas pigment changes and features of advanced AMD are less frequent. Age-related macular degeneration may be more than a "macular" condition but one that involves the entire retina. Future longitudinal studies of peripheral changes in AMD and their impact on visual function may contribute to understanding AMD pathogenesis.

Aims To measure peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFL) by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients who underwent successful retinal detachment repair with silicone oil tamponade. Methods Sixty patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for retinal detachment were prospectively enrolled in a study. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured with a Cirrus HD-OCT at 7, 30, 90 and 180 days postoperatively, using an Optic Disc Cube 200×200 protocol. The fellow eye of each study patient served as a control. Median peripapillary RNFL thickness in silicone oil filled eyes was compared with control eyes. Results The median RNFL thickness in the group of vitrectomised eyes was significantly higher compared with control eyes at every visit. The analysis of variance showed that the median thickness in vitrectomised eyes differed between visits (F=4,3023; p=0.006). There was no time-related trend for RNFL thickness in this group. The analysis of variance of RNFL thickness in the fellow, unoperated eyes showed no difference between visits (F=2,3426; p=0.075). Conclusions In patients with silicone oil tamponade, peripapillary RNFL was significantly thicker in comparison with fellow unoperated eyes over a 6-month period. Trial registration number NCT 01255306.

BACKGROUND We review a three-year series of cases with pneumatic retinopexy (PR), specifically evaluating failures and suggesting a new mechanism of failure. METHODS One hundred and thirty-five consecutive patients who underwent PR for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were included. The primary outcome measure was the characteristics of PR failures. Secondary outcome measures included preoperative clinical characteristics. RESULTS Seventy-five percent of the patients had successful results with PR; 100% were ultimately reattached with additional surgery. All but 1 failure (97%) occurred within the first postoperative month and 85% occurred by postoperative Day 10. The most common cause of failure was a new detachment from a new break (23 of 35 failures). Risk factors for failure included presenting visual acuity worse than 20/60 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.89), male gender (OR = 1.52), age >60 years (OR = 1.32), >2 breaks (OR = 1.28), pseudophakia/aphakia (OR = 1.20), and detachments after trabeculectomy (OR = 2.43). Lattice degeneration, high myopia (>-6.00 diopters), left eye, detachment after cataract surgery or yttrium aluminum garnet capsulotomy had minimal influence on outcome (all OR < 1.10). CONCLUSION Characterization of PR failures will improve patient selection. We have named a new complication secondary to a patient performing the steamroller maneuver five times the "pneumatic pump."

To describe the occurrence of cystoid macular edema (CME) in the setting of central foveal thickness (CFT) under 250 μm as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).Stratus OCT was used to measure CFT in a total of 90 eyes from 46 patients with RP. Cross-sectional OCT images were also evaluated for CME, which was defined as cystoid changes in the macula seen on at least two linear scans.CME was identified in 13 of the 46 patients or in 22 of 90 eyes by OCT. In eyes with macular edema, CFT ranged from 224 to 718 μm (mean = 339 ± 137 μm). In eyes without macular edema, CFT ranged from 99 to 273 μm (mean = 184 ± 40 μm). Bilateral CME occurred in 9 of 13 patients (69%). CFT was considered "normal" in 7 of the 22 eyes (32%) with CME. Two patients had bilateral CME with normal CFTs, under 250 μm.We demonstrate the occurrence of CME in RP patients without associated thickening, which has not been described. This concept likely is applicable to other diseases with retinal thinning.

Reverse thermal gels have numerous biomedical implications, as they undergo physical gelation upon temperature increases and can incorporate biomolecules to promote tissue repair. Such a material is developed for the sustained release of bevacizumab (Avastin), a drug used to treat age-related macular degeneration. The polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-(serinol hexamethylene urethane) (ESHU), forms a physical gel when heated to 37 °C and shows good cytocompatibility with ocular cells. ESHU is capable of sustaining bevacizumab release over 17 weeks in vitro, and the release kinetics can be altered by changing the drug dose and the ESHU concentration. These results suggest that ESHU is biologically safe, and suitable for ocular drug delivery.

To compare rates of peripheral retinal changes in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants with at least intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with control subjects without intermediate age-related changes (large drusen).Cross-sectional evaluation of clinic-based patients enrolled in AREDS2 and a prospective study.Participants from prospective studies.The 200° pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were captured on the Optos 200 Tx Ultrawide-field device (Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland) by centering on the fovea and then steering superiorly and inferiorly. The montaged images were graded at a reading center with the images divided into 3 zones (zone 1 [posterior pole], zone 2 [midperiphery], and zone 3 [far periphery]) to document the presence of peripheral lesions.Peripheral retinal lesions: drusen, hypopigmentary/hyperpigmentary changes, reticular pseudodrusen, senile reticular pigmentary changes, cobblestone degeneration, and FAF abnormalities.A total of 484 (951 eyes) AREDS2 participants with AMD (cases) and 89 (163 eyes) controls without AMD had gradable color and FAF images. In zones 2 and 3, neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA) were present, ranging from 0.4% to 6% in eyes of cases, respectively, and GA was present in 1% of eyes of controls. Drusen were detected in 97%, 78%, and 64% of eyes of cases and 48%, 21%, and 9% of eyes of controls in zones 2 and 3 superior and 3 inferior, respectively (P0.001 for all). Peripheral reticular pseudodrusen were seen in 15%. Senile reticular pigmentary change was the predominant peripheral change seen in 48% of cases and 16% of controls in zone 2 (P0.001). Nonreticular pigment changes were less frequent in the periphery than in the posterior pole (46% vs. 76%) and negligible in controls.Peripheral retinal changes are more prevalent in eyes with AMD than in control eyes. Drusen are seen in a majority of eyes with AMD in both the mid and far periphery, whereas pigment changes and features of advanced AMD are less frequent. Age-related macular degeneration may be more than a "macular" condition but one that involves the entire retina. Future longitudinal studies of peripheral changes in AMD and their impact on visual function may contribute to understanding AMD pathogenesis.

Purpose: To explore the association of angiographic nonperfusion with anterior segment and posterior segment neovascularization in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Methods: An imaging database at one institution was searched for the diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion. Ultra wide field fluorescein angiograms were graded for image quality, the presence of retinal neovascularization, and the quantity of nonperfusion; an ischemic index (ISI) was calculated. Charts were reviewed to exclude eyes with previous treatment and to determine which eyes had anterior segment or posterior segment neovascularization on the day of the angiogram. Time from onset to presentation could not accurately be ascertained. Results: In a 39-month period, there were 69 eyes that met inclusion criteria. The mean ISI was 25% (SD, 26%; range, 0-100%), and 15 eyes (21%) with neovascularization had a mean ISI of 75% (range, 47-100%) compared with eyes without neovascularization that had an ISI of 6% (range, 0-43%). Ischemic index significantly correlated to neovascularization, and eyes that had evidence of neovascularization had an ISI >45% (P Conclusion: Ultra wide field fluorescein angiography provides visualization of nonperfusion in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion. Eyes with neovascularization on the day of the angiogram were found to have significantly larger areas of retinal nonperfusion compared with eyes without neovascularization. A prospective study is indicated to know if early treatment of peripheral retinal nonperfusion in CRVO improves outcomes.

Aim To assess the efficacy of pegaptanib as maintenance therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NV-AMD) patients after induction therapy. Methods A phase IV, prospective, open-label, uncontrolled exploratory study including subjects with subfoveal NV-AMD who had had one to three induction treatments 30–120 days before entry and showed investigator-determined clinical/anatomical NV-AMD improvement. Lesions in the study eye were: any subtype, 12 or fewer disc areas; postinduction centre point thickness (CPT) 275 μm or less or thinning of 100 μm or more (optical coherence tomography); visual acuity (VA) 20/20–20/400. Intravitreal pegaptanib 0.3 mg was administered as maintenance every 6 weeks for 48 weeks with follow-up to week 54. Booster treatment additional unscheduled treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration, was allowed in the study eye at the investigators9 discretion for clinical deterioration. Results Of 568 enrolled subjects, 86% completed 1 year of pegaptanib. Mean VA improvement during induction (49.6 to 65.5 letters) was well preserved (54-week mean 61.8 letters). Mean CPT was relatively stable during maintenance (20 μm increase during the study). Fifty per cent did not receive unscheduled booster treatment to week 54; 46% did have one such booster (mean 147 days after maintenance initiation). Conclusions An induction-maintenance strategy, using non-selective then selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, could be considered for NV-AMD. This approach may have particular relevance for patients with systemic comorbidities who require long-term anti-VEGF therapy for NV-AMD.

Purpose: To report on a novel treatment strategy in an eye with a retinal angioma and macular edemaMethods: Wide-angle angiography was used to characterize the lesion and response to theraphy, while the treatment combined laser photocoagulation with the indirect laser delivery system, and intravitreal injections of pegaptanib and bevacizumab. Treatment was rendered over 21 months’ time.Results: The treatment resulted in graduate resolution of marked macular edema and exudation, with a gain in visual acuity.Conclusion: A combination of laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF theraphy can be effective in the treatment of macular exudation and edema from a retinal angioma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To determine the prophylactic and therapeutic value of a single subthreshold 810-nanometer laser treatment in patients with high risk drusen as a manifestation of dry age-related macular degeneration in both eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Prophylactic Treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration study enrolled 1,278 eyes of 639 participants who were 50 years or older with at least 5 drusen 63 µm or more in diameter in each eye. Treatment consisted of the placement of an annular grid of 48 extrafoveal, subthreshold 810-nm diode laser applications centered at but sparing the foveola in one eye of each participant, with the fellow eye serving as a control. Development of choroidal neovascularization and change in best-corrected visual acuity were compared between treated and untreated eyes. RESULTS Subthreshold laser treatment did not decrease the incidence of choroidal neovascularization in treated versus untreated eyes. A modest visual acuity benefit in treated eyes was found at 24 months (1.5 letter difference; P = .04) and in the treated eyes of participants with a baseline visual acuity between 20/32 and 20/63 (4.0 letter difference; P = .0034). However, this treatment effect was not sustained at 3 years. CONCLUSION A single subthreshold 810-nanometer laser treatment to eyes of participants with bilateral high risk drusen is not an effective prophylactic strategy against choroidal neovascularization. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2009;40:530-538.] AUTHORS From the UPMC Eye Center (TRF, PMB), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the Shiley Eye Center (WRF), University of California–San Diego, La Jolla, California; and the W. K. Kellogg Eye Center (DCM), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Accepted for publication December 19, 2008. Supported by Iridex Corporation, Mountain View, California, and the sources listed under the individual center descriptions found at the end of the article; the Eye and Ear Foundation of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., New York, New York; and unrestricted funds from several participating centers. Presented in part at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, October 15-18, 2005, Chicago, Illinois, and the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, April 30-May 4, 2006, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The authors thank photographic readers Cheryl Hiner, Columbia, MD, Rosemary J. Brothers, Madison, WI, and Linda Huang, MD, and Maria Palaiou, MS, Pittsburgh, PA; the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee voting members Donald J. D’Amico, MD, Mark W. Johnson, MD, J. Richard Landis, PhD, and nonvoting ex-officio member, Dr. Musch; and Giorgio Dorin for his contribution to the manuscript. The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein. Address correspondence to Thomas R. Friberg, MS, MD, UPMC Eye Center, 203 Lothrop Street, Suite 824, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. doi: 10.3928/15428877-20091030-01

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) device is a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography system that allows faster data acquisition than the previous generation StratusOCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), which is a time-domain device. The authors compared images from both units to determine the clinical usefulness of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography technology in patients with macular diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six consecutive patients were imaged with both the Cirrus HD-OCT and the StratusOCT devices and the images were compared. RESULTS Cirrus HD-OCT images were typically more useful than StratusOCT images for assessing fine architectural details in macular pathology. The Cirrus HD-OCT software also facilitated a better understanding of three-dimensional data volumes. CONCLUSIONSCommercially available spectral-domain optical coherence tomography is a clinically useful tool for visualizing and understanding macular diseases and offers benefits not inherent in previous generation machines. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2009;40:25-31.] AUTHORS From the UPMC Eye Center (PMB, LK, TRF), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh; and the Department of Bioengineering (LK), Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Accepted for publication May 8, 2008. Supported by grant NIH RO1-EY013178-8 from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. The authors have no financial or proprietary interests in the materials presented herein. The authors thank Hiroshi Ishikawa, MD, for his assistance. Address correspondence to Thomas R. Friberg, MD, UPMC Eye Center, 203 Lothrop Street, Suite 824, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Background and Objective:A prototype ultrawide field angiographic system and conventional technology were compared.Patients and Methods:Thirty subjects with diabetic retinopathy were imaged in three centers by conventional (Topcon Inc., Paramus, NJ, or Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) and ultrawide field (Optos P200A; Optos Inc., Dunfermline, Scotland) digital fluorescein angiography units. A calibrated grid was digitally placed on the images to facilitate measurements. Main outcome measures were field of view and the number of grid sectors displaying retinal ischemia and neovascularization. Secondary measures were image quality and patient satisfaction scores.Results:The P200A provided a significantly greater visual field extent of 8.7 ± 1.6 disc diameters (DD) compared to the conventional systems (3.4 ± 0.76 DD) (P < .001). Retinal ischemia was better revealed (16.9 ± 15 vs 3.4 ± 4.26 sectors) with the prototype, but image quality was superior with the conventional system. Patient satisfaction scores did not differ between systems.Conclusion:A prototype ultrawide angle imaging system displayed significantly more diabetic retinal pathology in a single image than conventional systems.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of different surgical strategies on the postoperative outcomes of retinal detachments (RDs) associated with macular holes (MHs) in high myopia. Design Prospective, noncomparative case series. Participants The study included 120 phakic, highly myopic eyes (mean degree of myopia, −22.2±4.80 diopters) with RDs and MHs that underwent surgical repair. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 60 eyes with a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Mean preoperative visual acuity (VA) was 20/200±20/500. Group 2 consisted of 60 eyes with posterior vitreous schisis (PVS). The mean preoperative VA was 20/152±20/333. The minimum follow-up was 6 months. Intervention The surgical approach was chosen on the basis of the clinical characteristics. Twenty-five eyes of group 1 underwent pneumoretinopexy (group 1A), whereas 35 eyes of group 1 were repaired with vitrectomy (group 1B). Forty-nine eyes of group 2 underwent pars plana vitrectomy (group 2A), whereas 11 eyes of group 2 underwent scleral buckling of the macula (group 2B). Main outcome measures Anatomic attachment of the retina and VA. Results Retinal reattachment at 6 months was achieved in 23 of 25 (92%) eyes of group 1A, 31 of 35 (88.5%) eyes of group 1B, 45 of 49 (91.8%) eyes of group 2A, and 8 of 11 (72.7%) eyes of group 2B. A significant ( P Conclusions Different surgical approaches can be used to repair myopic RD associated with an MH. The choice between different surgical techniques may depend on vitreoretinal relationships, the extent of chorioretinal atrophic areas, and presence of posterior staphyloma. In our study, eyes with a PVD had significantly better visual outcomes than detachments in eyes with PVS.

An insulin-dependent diabetic woman of 42 years received a combined pancreas and kidney transplant five years prior to referral to our clinic for ophthalmic consultation. Her systemic immunosupression included oral steroids and she subsequently developed huge bilateral central serous retinal detachments affecting both posterior poles and the temporal midperiphery of the left eye. Her vision was reduced to count fingers (CF) in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography (FA) revealed diffuse mild retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) staining in both eyes. As an empiric treatment grid laser photocoagulation with an 810 nm diode laser (Iridex Corp., Mountain View, California) was performed with complete resorption of subretinal fluid in both eyes and visual improvement to 20/70 in the right eye and 20/200 in the left eye at 18 months post-treatment. In patients diagnosed with atypical central serous retinal detachment whose fluorescein angiogram displays widespread RPE damage and in whom systemic steroids are medically necessary, diode grid laser photocoagulation may be a reasonable treatment option.

* BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A non contact scanning laser-based retinal imaging system produces a 200° wide-field panoramic image of the fundus through the novel use of a large elliptical mirror. The authors investigated whether accurate diagnoses could be made from these images alone. * PATIENTS AND METHODS: Images were obtained from both eyes of arbitrarily selected patients and were retrospectively reviewed by retinal specialists. Each physician made a diagnosis, suggested the follow-up interval, and determined whether any intervention was needed based solely on image review. Diabetic retinopathy was categorized as background retinopathy only, preprolìferative retinopathy, maculopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. The results of the image review were then compared with the results of clinical examination, and the sensitivity and specificity of the review were calculated. * RESULTS: The correct overall diagnosis was made by the two specialists in 87% and 77% of cases, respectively; the specificity and sensitivity each averaged 76%. Follow-up interval recommendations from image review matched those made on clinical examination in 86% of cases. Diabetic retinopathy was correctly identified as a general diagnosis with a sensitivity of 94% and the follow-up recommendations corresponded to the clinical recommendations in 82%. Sixty-two percent of the images were judged to be of good quality or better, with only 6.4% deemed unreadable. Iris color did not influence image quality. * CONCLUSION: The non-contact scanning laser-based retinal imaging system provides images of sufficient resolution and clarity to make accurate general diagnoses in a high percentage of cases. Its use as a screening device for specific diseases is feasible and merits further study. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2003;34:488497.]

Central retinal vein occlusion is a common retinal disease with usually severe complications. At present no safe treatment exists promoting the recovery of lost vision. Several surgical approaches to modify the natural course of the disease have been proposed in recent years. These options include laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis, the injection of tissue plasminogen activator into a retinal vein, optic nerve decompression, and vitrectomy for macular edema. Even though all the proposed treatments have not yet been supported by randomized clinical trials, these techniques can be considered as innovative in an area where no effective treatment is available. Larger clinical trials are required to assess both the effectiveness and complication rate of surgical treatments designed to reverse the natural evolution of central retinal vein occlusion.

Four patients (age range 54-82, 1F 3M) diagnosed with non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy experienced acute worsening of visual function after instillation of phenylephrine for dilated funduscopic examination. They experienced decreased visual function immediately or shortly after administration of topical mydriatic drops given in preparation for funduscopy. In all cases one drop each of 2.5% phenylephrine and 0.5-1% tropicamide was used. Three patients had classical risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and had a contralateral "disc-at-risk". The female and youngest patient had ischemic optic neuropathy presumed secondary to lupus erythematosus. The time from acute visual loss to presentation to neuro-ophthalmic care ranged from 1-6 days. The time of onset of the decline in visual function varied from 45 minutes (patient with lupus) to 12 hours after instillation of mydriatic drops. Visual acuity at diagnosis ranged from 20/40-20/400. Phenylephrine is a mydriatic with vasoconstrictive properties, which may be absorbed through the cornea, thus yielding non-negligible intraocular concentrations. Vasoconstriction of the watershed posterior ciliary capillary beds may result in further precipitating infarction of already compromised circulatory territories in edematous optic nerves. Because phenylephrine is a known vasoconstrictor in vivo and in vitro, it is more likely to cause deleterious vasoconstriction and an acute decline in visual function in patients with acute ischemic optic neuropathy than tropicamide. The routine practice of using phenylephrine to prepare patients for funduscopic assessment should be re-examined, particularly in patients with ischemic optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictors of drusen reduction in eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) treated with subthreshold infrared (810 nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation. Additionally, to determine the relationship of laser-induced drusen reduction and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 18 months after laser treatment. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Fifty patients (100 eyes) with bilateral nonexudative ARMD were enrolled at two centers. One eye of each patient was randomized to the observation; the other eye was treated with 48 subthreshold (invisible end point) applications of infrared (810 nm) diode laser in a macular grid pattern. The eyes that received subthreshold laser treatment were compared with the eyes that received no treatment. The baseline fundus characteristics (number, size, and distribution of drusen, as well as focal hyperpigmentation) from two macula areas (central 1500 μ diameter, pericentral 1500 μ ring area) on stereo color photographs, the number of laser-induced lesions, and the area of laser induced retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lesions on fluorescein angiography 3 months after treatment were studied as predictors of major drusen reduction (≥ 50% drusen reduction from baseline) 18 months after laser treatment. BCVA at baseline and 18 months later was compared in observation eyes and in laser-treated eyes. RESULTS: Eighteen months after randomization, 24 (48%) of 50 eyes treated with subthreshold laser had major drusen reduction compared with three (6%) of 50 observation eyes ( P = .00001). At 3 months post-treatment in laser-treated eyes with major drusen reduction, the mean number of laser-induced lesions on fluorescein angiography was 30.7 and the mean area of RPE change was 0.81 mm 2 compared with 14.8 laser-induced lesions and 0.35 mm 2 area of RPE change in eyes without major drusen reduction ( P = .0001 and P = .0003, respectively). At baseline, fundus characteristics were not significantly different between observation eyes and laser-treated eyes or between the major drusen reduction group and the nonmajor drusen reduction group. At 18 months after treatment, BCVA was not significantly different in laser-treated eyes and in observation eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Subthreshold infrared (810 nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation in eyes with nonexudative ARMD significantly reduced drusen 18 months after laser treatment. Both the number of subthreshold laser lesions and the area of RPE changes visible on fluorescein angiography 3 months after treatment appeared to be predictors for major drusen reduction 18 months after treatment. However, it remains to be determined whether laser-induced drusen reduction is beneficial for visual acuity or reduces the incidence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in eyes with nonexudative ARMD.

PURPOSE: To report a case of primary hyperoxaluria in which choroidal neovascularization developed bilaterally. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 22-year-old man with a history of type I primary hyperoxaluria complained of a slow but progressive loss of vision in both eyes for the preceding 8 months. The clinical, fluorescein, and ocular coherence tomography findings are reported. RESULTS: Fluorescein angiography confirmed the presence of choroidal neovascularization in both eyes at the edge of previous macular scars. Ocular coherence tomography scans were obtained to better characterize the clinical pathology. CONCLUSION: In a patient with type 1 primary hyperoxaluria, the presence of choroidal neovascularization in both eyes outside but adjacent to an area of previous macular scarring is reported. These findings are in harmony with the assumption that mechanical factors from the oxalate deposition promote choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of subthreshold (invisible after placement) and threshold (barely visible after placement) 810 nm laser photocoagulation in the treatment of clinically significant diabetic macular edema. Methods. A grid of subthreshold laser spots was used to treat patients with diabetic edema. Retrospectively, the results of treatment of 20 eyes of 20 patients were compared to the results of treatment of 120 eyes of 120 patients using a grid of threshold laser lesions. Results. At six months, 60% of subthreshold treated eyes and 75% of threshold treated eyes showed anatomic resolution of macular edema. Improvement or stabilization of visual acuity was achieved in 85% of threshold or subthreshold treated eyes. Conclusion. Gentle grid treatment of regions of diabetic macular edema was effective in ameliorating the edema and limiting visual loss. Subthreshold laser was less effective in promoting resolution of edema compared to threshold lesions, though the difference was not significan...

* BACKGROUND: Although pneumatic retinopexy was introduced for the repair of primary retinal detachments, we have had excellent long-term success in employing this technique along with laser photocoagulation following failure of routine scleral buckle surgery in nonvitrectomized eyes over the last 10 years. * PATIENTS AND METHODS: We categorized a consecutive series of 40 eyes that failed primary scleral buckling surgery and had at least six months followup. Eyes were separated into two groups: those with 1) subretinal fluid persisting or developing during the first 14 days after surgery or 2) those accumulating subretinal fluid at least 14 days after initially successful anatomic reattachment of the retina. * RESULTS: In these groups, 36 of the 40 eyes (90%) were successfully reattached using outpatient pneumatic retinopexy alone. Complications were limited to the production of new retinal breaks in 5 patients. The 4 pneumatic retinopexy failures were all subsequently treated successfully with either scleral buckle revision or vitrectomy. * CONCLUSION: We believe that laser pneumatic retinopexy repair of recurrent retinal detachments following scleral buckle and without significant proliferation vitreoretinopathy (PVR) should be considered ahead of conventional surgical intraoperative techniques. Laser pneumatic retinopexy may be a very successful procedure for the treatment of recurrent retinal detachments after failed scleral buckle surgery. In a consecutive series of 40 eyes with recurrent retinal detachment, we were able to repair 36 with pneumatic retinopexy alone. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 2001;32:13-18]

PURPOSE: To report a case in which intravitreal silicone oil migrated along the intracranial portion of the optic nerve and into the lateral ventricles of the brain after the repair of a retinal detachment secondary to cytomegalovirus retinitis. METHODS: A 42-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in his left eye secondary to a cytomegalovirus infection of the retina. The detachment was repaired using 5000 cs intraocular silicone oil for a long-term tamponade. Subsequently, the affected eye developed glaucoma, which was poorly controlled. Fifteen months after the retinal surgery, he developed a peripheral neuropathy that was thought to be AIDS related. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head were performed to investigate the neuropathy. RESULTS: The patient was found to have a foreign substance within his lateral ventricles that shifted with position and was identical with respect to its imaging properties to the remaining intraocular silicone oil. Additional material was found along the intracranial portion of his optic nerve. CONCLUSION: Under certain circumstances, intraocular silicone oil may migrate out of the eye, along the intracranial portion of the optic nerve, and into the lateral ventricles of the brain.

Purpose: To report an atypical presentation of ocular toxoplasmosis and to demonstrate the utility of wide-field angiography in delineating peripheral retinal pathology.Methods: Case Report.Results: A 17-year-old male presented with acute unilateral papillitis and retinochoroiditis. Laboratory testing supported reactivation of congenitally acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection. Wide-field fluorescein angiography showed extensive retinal vasculitis. The patient was treated with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Ocular inflammation resolved over a two-week period. There was no documented visual loss.Conclusion: Wide-field fluorescein angiography details ocular pathology otherwise unnoticed on traditional posterior pole fluorescein angiography. Documentation of extensive vasculitis associated with ocular toxoplasmosis can assist with management decisions.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) was initially conceived as a long-term multicenter, prospective study of the clinical course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and age-related cataract. Data on progression rates and risk factors from the study will increase understanding of the clinical course of both conditions, generate hypotheses about etiology, and aid in the design of clinical trials of potential interventions. In addition to collecting natural history data, AREDS includes a clinical trial of high-dose vitamin and mineral supplements for AMD and a clinical trial of high-dose vitamin supplements for cataract. The clinical trials were initiated largely because of the widespread public use in the United States of commercially available pharmacologic doses of vitamins and minerals to treat these two eye conditions and the absence of definitive studies on the safety and efficacy of their use. Important design issues for the clinical trials include: defining cataract and AMD, estimating event rates, determining the type and dosage of vitamins and minerals to be tested for each condition, and identifying the parameters necessary for monitoring safety and efficacy. This paper describes the AREDS design, including the study rationale and operational structure, and the approach adopted to combine, for two diseases, clinical trials with a natural history study. Control Clin Trials 1999;20:573–600

Objective This pilot study collected preliminary information on the effectiveness and safety of infrared (810-nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation in patients with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Results from this pilot study were used in designing a larger, multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Design A multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Participants A total of 229 eyes of 152 patients with AMD were enrolled in the pilot study. Seventy-five patients with 1 eye eligible (75 eyes) were enrolled in the unilateral arm of the study; 77 patients with both eyes eligible (154 eyes) were enrolled in the bilateral arm of the study. In the unilateral study arm, 32 eyes were randomized to the observation group, 27 eyes were treated with visible endpoint burns, and 16 eyes were treated with invisible endpoint (subthreshold) lesions. In the bilateral study arm, 77 eyes were in the observation group, 36 eyes were treated with visible burns, and 41 eyes were treated with subthreshold (invisible) lesions. Intervention Eyes were treated with infrared (810-nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation using either visible burns or subthreshold (invisible) lesions and compared to eyes receiving no treatment. Main outcome measures Reduction of drusen, change in visual acuity, and rate of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) membrane formation. Results At 12 months after treatment, 62% of eyes treated with visible burns had a clinically significant reduction in drusen, whereas this proportion (65%) was reached in 18 months for eyes treated with subthreshold lesions. At 24 months' follow-up, treated eyes had a significant reduction in drusen compared to observation eyes ( P P Conclusions Infrared (810-nm) diode laser macular grid photocoagulation in patients with nonexudative AMD significantly reduces drusen levels ( P P

* BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Some patients with macular disease, because of physical infirmity or disability, cannot be treated with laser photocoagulation using a typical slit lamp delivery system. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the binocular indirect ophthalmoscope could be used to deliver treatment to the macula when photocoagulation would otherwise be very difficult, if not impossible, to perform. * MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten eyes of 10 patients who could not sit for slit lamp laser delivery were treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope laser photocoagulation over a 36 month period. Eight had subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and 2 patients had clinically significant macular edema (CSME) from diabetes mellitus. Argon laser photocoagulation was delivered to the choroidal neovascular membrane in patients with exudative AMD, and a grid treatment was given to eyes with diabetic macular edema. * RESULTS: Six of 8 patients with exudative AMD were successfully treated with eradication of the CNV. Two required retreatment within 6 months of original treatment. Both patients with CSME had resolution of their edema at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Best corrected visual acuity did not change by more than 2 Snellen lines in any patient with CNV and 1 Snellen line in patients with CSME. No complications of treatment were encountered. * CONCLUSION: In certain circumstances, laser photocoagulation of the macula using the indirect ophthalmoscope laser delivery system should be considered when more conventional treatment strategies cannot be implemented. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1999;30:518-522.]

Drusen are deposits located deep in the sensory retina that are seen characteristically in eyes with macular degeneration (AMD). As multiple large drusen are a risk factor for the development of visual loss from AMD, laser strategies to cause drusen to resorb have been devised. Two large, randomized controlled trials using laser photocoagulation prophylactically for the treatment of AMD are underway to determine the efficacy of such treatment.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine whether the 810-nm diode wavelength using a rectangular waveform is clinically effective in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration and to determine whether macular edema secondary to branch vein occlusion or diabetic retinopathy can be effectively treated with this laser using the micropulse waveform. Design: Review of consecutive nonrandomized patients whose eyes were treated with the diode laser over a 30-month period. Participants: Fifty-three patients with an initial presentation of choroidal neovascularization located subfoveally (77%), extrafoveally (17%), and juxtafoveally (6%); 14 patients with macular edema from a branch vein occlusion; and 59 patients with diabetic macular edema, 40 of which were treated for the first time. Intervention: Ablative rectangular wave laser photocoagulation was applied to the choroidal neovascular membranes and very light threshold treatment was applied in a macular grid to treat retinal edema. Microaneurysms were not targeted. Main Outcome Measures: Anatomic resolution of macular edema or choroidal neovascularization and visual acuity. Results: Sixty percent of eyes treated for choroidal neovascularization had no persistence or recurrence at 6 months, and 72% achieved visual stabilization. In 8% of eyes, some localized bleeding occurred during photocoagulation. Clinical resolution of macular edema from branch vein occlusion occurred by 6 months in 92% of eyes, and 77% had stabilization of visual acuity. At 6 months, 76% of newly treated patients with diabetic macular edema and 67% of previously treated patients had clinical resolution of their edema. Vision was improved or stabilized in 91% and 73% of newly treated and retreated patients at 6 months, respectively. Conclusions: The micropulsed 81O-nm diode laser is clinically effective in the treatment of macular edema from venous occlusion and diabetic retinopathy, and the rectangular (normal) mode diode laser can be used in many eyes with choroidal neovascularization.

This study validates the use of residence time distribution (RTD) functions in human subjects to assess changes in retinal flow by using the widely recognized model of flow changes due to oxygen breathing. Changes in retinal blood flow may provide important information for clinical decision-making in several populations, including those with diabetic retinopathy, sickle cell disease and retinitis pigmentosa. Normal volunteer subjects were studied before and after oxygen breathing. After i.v. injection, relative fluorescence was obtained using scanning laser ophthalmoscopy/image processing in all vessel branches (average, 17). For each experiment, 64 frames (2/s) were digitized and were normalized using the RTD method. Vessel diameters were measured using densitometry techniques on fundus photos, where the diameter data made it possible to weight each vessel according to relative cross-sectional area to obtain a true mean circulation time (MCT). MCT increased for the group of subjects when breathing oxygen compared to normal air (P = 0.001), representing a decrease in retinal blood flow. Average MCT increased 2.82 +/- 2.51 s for all subjects, with an increase of 2.93 +/- 2.26 s in repeat trials for one subject. The proposed method uses information from all retinal vessels and allows the assessment of overall, as well as selected, regional retinal flow. It is more comprehensive than previous methods analysing single vessel flow. This method will be potentially useful for assessing hemodynamic changes in the retina associated with a wide range of eye disease.

PURPOSE We assessed the in vivo release profile of bevacizumab from and biocompatibility of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-(serinol hexamethylene urethane), or ESHU, a thermoresponsive hydrogel administered intravitreally for drug delivery. METHODS The technical feasibility of injection was assessed quantitatively via mechanical testing. For in vivo studies, New Zealand White rabbit eyes were injected intravitreally with 0.05 mL of either: ESHU dissolved in 25 mg/mL bevacizumab, ESHU dissolved in PBS, or 25 mg/mL bevacizumab. Clinical examination included IOP measurements and examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy for signs of inflammation. Additionally, eyes were examined histologically following euthanasia. To quantify bevacizumab release, aqueous humor samples were obtained via anterior chamber paracentesis and ELISA was used to determine the concentration of drug weekly. In vitro cytotoxicity testing also was performed using bovine corneal endothelial cells. RESULTS The ESHU was injected easily through a 31-gauge needle, was well tolerated in vivo, and caused minimal cell death in vitro when compared to other common materials, such as silicone oil. The long-term presence of the gel did not affect IOP, and there was no evidence of inflammation histologically or through indirect observation. The ESHU sustained the release of bevacizumab for over 9 weeks and maintained a drug concentration that averaged 4.7 times higher than eyes receiving bolus bevacizumab injections. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating sustained bevacizumab release in vivo from an intravitreally injected hydrogel formulation, suggesting that this delivery system may be a promising candidate for ocular drug delivery.

Background and Objective: The shape of the treatment pulse of the diode laser (810 nm) can be easily altered electronically in contrast to ion laser photocoagulators. We investigated whether changes in laser pulse shape influenced the subjective pain response in patients undergoing retinal photocoagulation when only topical anesthesia was used. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Twenty consecutive patients required peripheral retinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy or extensive retinal breaks. Three diode pulse waveforms including a square wave, shaped-wave, and an envelope of micropulses were compared to one another. Power was adjusted so that each waveform delivered the same total energy. The patients subjectively ranked the intensity of any pain they experienced for each group of lesions. Responses were compared to one another using an analysis of variance. Results: 40% of patients found the standard square wave pulse to be significantly more painful (P < 0.05) than the shaped pulse mode and 30% found the square wave significantly more painful (P < 0.05) than the micropulse mode. Conclusion: Modification of the laser pulse waveform may ameliorate pain induced by diode laser photocoagulation of the retinal periphery. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PURPOSE To determine if histamine receptor stimulation mediates increased blood-retinal barrier (BRB) permeability in patients with diabetic retinopathy, as it does in experimental diabetes. METHODS Fourteen patients with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes and mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were treated with combined astemizole, 20 mg, and ranitidine, 600 mg, or an identical placebo for 6 months in a double-masked fashion. Blood-retinal barrier permeability was measured by vitreous fluorometry at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS Permeability was significantly reduced in the group treated with antihistamines (P < 0.05) compared with the placebo group. There were no concomitant significant changes in systemic arterial blood pressure or HbA1c values. CONCLUSION These pilot data suggest that histamine receptors influence permeability of the BRB in human diabetes. Further studies of the effects of antihistamines on diabetic retinopathy are warranted.

Background: Isolation of bacteria from vitreous biopsy often guides therapy in suspected endophthalmitis. Therapeutic vitrectomy provides an additional source of culture material. The authors compared the ability of these two techniques to isolate organisms from patients with acute endophthalmitis. Methods: In a large ophthalmic microbiology laboratory during a 4-year period, the authors analyzed 206 microbial culture results from patients with suspected endophthalmitis. Results: Two hundred six cases were evaluated. While cultures of vitreous biopsy specimens obtained using a needle and syringe were positive in 91 (53.8%) of 169 patients, culturing the contents of the vitrectomy cassettes produced positive cultures in 29 (74.8%) of 39 patients. Both techniques were performed on 23 patients. Vitreous biopsy allowed isolation of the causative organism in 43% of these patients, whereas vitrectomy was 76% successful. Both comparisons were significant at the P Conclusion: Culturing the contents of the vitrectomy cassette significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining a positive culture compared with merely culturing a vitreous biopsy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between drusen counts and drusen area in eyes with age-related macular degeneration, and to correlate drusen areas between fellow eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Digital images from 378 patients (756 eyes) were analyzed using a validated drusen detection algorithm. Total drusen area and the number of drusen of various sizes (small: < 62 microns, intermediate: 63–124 microns, large: 125–249 microns, etc) were recorded for the central 1,000- and 3,000-micron diameter macular regions. Correlations were assessed using structural equation models. RESULTS: For the 1,000-micron region, the number of intermediate drusen was more highly correlated to total drusen area than the number of large drusen (R = 0.91 vs 0.82); this difference was statistically significant. The correlation coefficients for drusen area between fellow eyes was 0.73. CONCLUSION: The number of large drusen does not correlate better with total drusen area than drusen of other sizes. The number of large drusen is not necessarily a good surrogate for total drusen area.

Purpose To use longitudinal quantitative morphologic and visual acuity (VA) data to investigate the risk of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) event occurrence in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Prospective observational study. Participants A total of 513 participants (844 eyes) followed longitudinally in one center enrolled in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) or the Prophylactic Treatment of AMD Study (PTAMD). Methods We assessed images of previously obtained fundus photographs for the presence of macular pigmentation, drusen area, and drusen distribution (number and size), and fellow eye CNV status at baseline. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity at each visit and the age of each subject were obtained. We used a longitudinal logistic mixed-effects model with random intercepts fitted to event occurrences to assess risk on a per eye basis. Main Outcome Measures Odds ratios for CNV event. Results Thirty-one subjects (6.0%) had events. Only VA changes over time and follow-up interval showed statistically significant effects. Several statistical models that included VA at the previous visit were used. In 2 models, 3 categories of VA were used: ≤75 letters, >75 and ≤85 letters, and >85 letters. Two categories were used for follow-up: ≤3 years versus >3 years or ≤1 year versus >1 year. In the first model with categorization at 3 years, a decrease in acuity from the >85 letter category to ≤75 letters increased the odds of CNV by 16.9 times ( P = 0.022). In the model with categorization at 1 year, a decrease in acuity from the >85-letter category to ≤75 letters increased the odds of CNV by 21.4 times ( P = 0.0175). Differences between the follow-up intervals were significant ( P = 0.043) and indicated a more than 7-fold increase in the odds. Changes in morphologic features of the macula did not show significant effects. Conclusions A decrease in VA to ≤75 ETDRS letters in an eye with an initial ETDRS baseline acuity of >85 letters increases the likelihood of CNV by approximately 20-fold. This likelihood also increases with aging. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Fundus imaging has become an integral part of the retinal examination. Several techniques of fundus imaging are available for clinicians and researchers. The scanning laser ophthalmoscope is an innovative system that is greatly improving fundus imaging because of the advantages it offers over traditional fundus photography. A specialized scanning laser ophthalmoscope is able to produce a picture of essentially the entire retina in a single image through a nonmydriatic pupil. Wide-field imaging and angiography can be used to diagnose disease, to aid in management decisions, and to follow the effectiveness of treatment for many retinal diseases. Wide-field angiography delineates a larger area of the retinal circulation than traditional fluorescein angiog­raphy. Expert analysis of wide-field images provides a reliable assessment of the patient’s fundus and provides sufficient detail to enable the ophthalmologist to detect subtle pathological changes such as retinal tears, holes, and hemorrhages. Currently, the scanning-laser ophthalmoscope has been accepted as a supplement to a clinical retina examination but not as a replacement for it. Wide-field images are currently being validated as a screening tool for certain retinal pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachments. Wide-field imaging has special advantages in following the progression of certain choroidal diseases, specifically, large or peripheral nevi, tumors, and metas­tases. New techniques are being developed and pioneered that combine wide-field imaging with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope with different technologies, such as optical coherence tomography and indocyanine-green angiography that catapult this technology to an even higher level in delineating retinal pathology.

To report a case of an unusual retinopathy in an otherwise healthy 25-year-old marathon runner.Case report.A 25-year-old female marathon runner developed sudden onset of monocular vision loss during a routine training run. The retinal features included a large, central, subhyaloid hemorrhage, multiple intraretinal hemorrhages, disc edema and venous dilation and tortuosity resembling characteristics of both valsalva retinopathy and nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion. Work up for underlying systemic cause was negative. However, the patient did participate in endurance exercise.Strenuous exercise increases activated platelets and other clotting factor elements. During exercise, this increase in clotting factors in the coagulation cascade is usually balanced by activation of key elements in the fibrinolysis cascade as well. However, certain individuals, especially those who already have a predisposition to clotting or other thrombogenic risk factors may disrupt the balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis during strenuous exercise favoring coagulation which places them at risk for thrombus formation.

We recently encountered two patients who were referred to us with the diagnosis of cystoid macular edema and visual loss of unknown etiology. In each of these cases, their initial work-up included ...

Currently available data from multicenter randomized trials on laser treatment of diabetic macular edema refer only to eyes with pretreatment visual acuities of 20/160 or better. After observing reduction of more severe macular edema and visual improvement following panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) alone in some patients, we reviewed our experience with this problem. In 18 eyes of 14 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, secondary to severe macular edema were identified. At 6 months after PRP without focal macular laser treatment, macular edema was reduced in 13 eyes, 8 of which improved by greater than or equal to 2 lines of vision. Among the latter 8 eyes, the visual acuity of 4 recovered to 20/80 or better; the remaining 10 eyes, which had chronic retinal pigment epithelial atrophy or extensive macular ischemia, did not improve. Based on these observations, we suggest that peripheral PRP performed in multiple sessions over several months may have a beneficial effect on severe macular edema in some eyes with adequate macular perfusion.

A 16-year-old Caucasian girl who showed no evidence of tuberculosis or other systemic disease developed acute panuveitis progressing to bilateral serous retinal detachments following purified protein derivative (PPD) skin testing on two separate occasions separated by an interval of 8 years. Both episodes responded rapidly to steroid therapy. Uveal hypersensitivity to PPD skin testing has been described in the presence of ocular or systemic tuberculosis, Eales' disease, and the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH). Our case, however, suggests that profound uveitis may be precipitated by routine PPD skin testing alone.

INCE THE 1950s, scleral buckling has been S the standard of care for the repair of retinal detachments. In the quest for the perfect retinal detachment procedure, alternate techniques have been developed over the past decade. The Lincoff balloon was designed with the idea that not all retinal breaks require the permanent support afforded by a buckle.' Although the Lincoff balloon has been used successfully to treat retinal detachments, it requires a conjunctival incision, and is associated with some of the same adverse consequences as scleral b~ckling."~ Obviating the need for hospitalization, pneumatic retinopexy, or the outpatient injection of a gas bubble into the vitreous cavity to tamponade the retinal breaks, offers potential advantages over more conventional approaches. HISTORY OF PNEUMATIC RETINOPEXY

Recent innovations in vitrectors have led to studies of evaluated aspiration rates of basic saline solution, porcine vitreous, and human vitreous, but each of these substances has potential drawbacks. The authors determined the timed removal rates of egg white with the Accurus 20-, 23-, and 25-gauge vitreous cutters (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) and the Millennium AVE 20-and 25-gauge system (Bausch & Lomb, St. Louis, MO and MID Labs, Inc., San Diego, CA) using various machine parameters. The Accurus 20-and 23-gauge cutters and the Millennium AVE 20-and 25-gauge cutters removed egg white easily. At higher cut rates, where slow and delicate removal of vitreous is typically desired, the probes, as expected, removed egg white more slowly.