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Visual failure due to optic nerve compression is a common indication for decompressive surgery. Most data only refer to the odds of improvement, deterioration or remaining the same. However, patients frequently wish to know more detail about the outcomes of surgery. Our aim was to assess the visual outcome from optic nerve decompression for visual failure in detail in order to help counsel patients pre-operatively. Sixty-eight patients undergoing 71 operations to decompress 87 optic nerves between 1991 and 2007 were identified. Thirty-four decompressions were performed via a transzygomatic and 37 via a transbasal approach. Fifty-two patients had meningiomas, 3 pituitary adenomas, 3 craniopharyngiomas, 3 chordomas, 2 adenocarcinomas, 2 fibrous dysplasia, 1 schwannoma, 1 granular pituitary tumour and 1 olfactory neuroblastoma. Visual acuity and fields were recorded pre-operatively, immediately post-operatively, at first follow-up and at most recent follow-up. Forty-three eyes (49.4%) experienced an improvement in either acuity or fields. Twenty-four (27.5%) were unchanged and 20 (22.9%) deteriorated. Average improvement was 0.88 Snellen lines (logMAR 0.13). Improvement was seen between immediate post-operative acuity and first follow-up in 52%, but 22% suffered a late deterioration after 1 year. There was no relationship between age, duration of symptoms, pathology, approach or redo surgery and visual outcome. There was a complex relationship between pre-operative visual acuity and post-operative improvement and outcome. Better pre-operative acuity predicted better outcome and greater odds of improvement, although patients with poor pre-operative vision had a greater average magnitude of improvement. Patients experience significant benefit from optic nerve decompression irrespective of pre-operative visual status. Although early decompression is desirable, good results can still be obtained in patients with severe visual failure. Detailed data on visual outcome can help counsel patients pre-operatively to aid decision-making and set expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine residual debris within sterilised instruments prior to cataract surgery. Methods (i) Flushings from 32 sets of phacoemulsification instruments, sterilised according to hospital routine protocols, were taken preoperatively and analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). (ii) A total of 16 sets of flushings from a different institute were collected -- with separation of samples collected from phacoemulsification and those from irrigation-aspiration (IA) instruments -- and analysed in the same way. (iii) A total of 15 sets of flushings were collected from instruments where an automated flushing system was used prior to sterilisation. Results (i) In the first study, 62% were clean, 16% were moderately contaminated and 22% were severely contaminated. Various contaminants were identified including lens capsule and cells, man-made fibres, squamous cells, bacteria, fungal elements, diatoms, red blood cells and proteinaceous material. (ii) In the second study, the results were similar and contamination of both phacoemulsification and IA instruments was shown. (iii) The third study showed that although a decrease in contamination followed automated flushing, contamination was not completely eliminated. Conclusions Although all equipment had been sterilised, pyrogenic material was still present. These findings emphasise the importance of meticulous cleaning of all surgical equipment in which biological debris can remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This national study was designed to audit anatomical outcome and complications relating to primary surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. This paper presents success and complication rates, and examines variations in outcome. Methods: Sampling and recruitment details of this nationwide cross-sectional survey of 768 patients of 167 consultant ophthalmologists having their first operation for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment have been described. The main clinical outcomes detailed here are anatomical reattachment at 3 months after surgery and complications related to surgery. Consultants with a declared special interest in retinal surgery and able to perform pars plana vitrectomy were designated specialists for the analyses. Results: Overall reattachment rate with a single procedure was 77% (95% CI 73.9-80.2). There were significant differences in reattachment rates between specialists and non-specialists. Without allowing for case-mix, specialists had a reattachment rate of 82% (95% CI 77.9-85.7) with a single procedure and non-specialists 71% (95% CI 65.9-76.0). Allowing for case-mix, there was a significant difference between specialists and non-specialists for grade 2 detachments of 87% and 70% respectively (P < 0.0001). Analysing detachments by break type, the largest difference between specialists and non-specialists was observed for retinal detachments secondary to horseshoe tears, 80% and 68% respectively (P < 0.003). Specialists met the standards set for primary reattachment rates, while non-specialists did not. Over a third of patients had at least one complication reported at some point during the audit period. Conclusions: Significant differences were seen in reattachment rates between specialists and non-specialists, overall and for specific subgroups of patients. This study provides relevant, robust and valid standards to enable all surgeons to audit their own surgical outcomes for primary retinal detachment repair in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments, identify common categories of failure and aim to improve results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This national study was designed to audit anatomical outcome and complications relating to primary surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. This paper presents survey methods, characteristics of participating consultants and the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patient sample. Methods: Two surveys were undertaken. The first identified consultants who at the time performed retinal detachment surgery in the National Health Service. These surgeons formed the sampling frame for a nationwide cross-sectional clinical study that audited the outcomes of primary surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Consultants selected patients according to the study eligibility criteria and data were collected by self-administered postal questionnaires. A validation exercise was carried out to examine selection bias and reporting accuracy. Results: Only 256/671 (38%) of UK consultants, who responded to the first survey, indicated that they performed retinal detachment surgery on NHS patients. Annual activity varied between 0 and 400 primary procedures for rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Seven hundred and sixty-eight eligible patients from 167 consultants were recruited for the clinical study. Twenty per cent of patients had a single retinal break with less than one quadrant of associated detachment and 45% had single or multiple breaks within the same quadrant and/or less than two quadrants of associated retinal detachment. Over 50% patients had single or multiple horseshoe tears. Validation studies suggested that there was no significant bias from the selection of patients or inaccuracy in reporting outcomes. Conclusions: This large unselected group of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments provides a representative sample for considering variations in re-attachment rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

· Background: Ocular motility defects and loss of binocularity are well-recognised problems following retinal detachment surgery. It is presumed that scleral buckling is primarily responsible for these effects. The increasing use of vitrectomy in the management of retinal detachment might be expected to reduce the incidence of these defects. · Method: Two groups of patients presenting with primary uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were examined following a single surgical repair. The first group underwent vitrectomy ( n=17), the second group, scleral buckling / external surgical techniques ( n=23). · Results: Heterotropia was present in 24% ( n=4) of the vitrectomy group and 30% ( n=7) of the ”external” group, with suppression reported clinically in 8 of these and diplopia by the other 3. While ocular movements were frequently full (vitrectomy 59%, external 61%), restricted vertical movements were observed in 35% of the vitrectomy group and 26% of the external group, with horizontal and general restrictions being rare (6% and 13% respectively). True motor fusion was more common for the external group (44%) than the vitrectomies (24%), while superimposition was more frequent in the vitrectomies (64%; external 39%). The latter was achieved only with correcting prisms in 18% of vitrectomies and 9% of the external group. The remainder did not demonstrate any potential for binocularity. Visual symptoms were more frequent among the vitrectomy group, with aniseikonia and torsion significantly more common. · Conclusions: The findings confirm that ocular motility problems are not exclusive to scleral buckling, with the incidence being similar in both groups. Slinging of the extraocular muscles and the accompanying dissection, resulting in the ’fat adherence syndrome’, must be considered as contributory factors. The visual deficits which inevitably occur as the result of retinal detachment seem to play a more major role in the disruption of binocularity in these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general review of the treatment of Candida endophthalmitis is undertaken, with particular emphasis on the efficacy of various drugs currently in use. Their absorption by the eye when given systemically is also considered. The limitations of medical treatment for this condition are discussed and the theoretical reasons for vitrectomy considered. Six cases that underwent vitrectomy are reviewed, and the indications for vitrectomy in Candida endophthalmitis are discussed. A tentative overall plan for the management of such cases is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]