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The use of intravitreal (IVT) corticosteroids for treatment of posterior segment diseases has increased significantly over the last decade. A commonly recognized complication of IVT steroids is secondary ocular hypertension (OHT) that can occur immediately secondary to direct intraocular volume increase or weeks to months later as a result of increased outflow resistance. We performed a meta-analysis and found 32% (95% confidence interval, 28.2-36.3) of individuals developed OHT following 4 mg IVT triamcinolone, 66% (50.2-78.8) and 79% (72.2-84.5) following 0.59 and 2.1 mg fluocinolone implant, respectively, and 11% (6.4-17.9) and 15% (9.2-24.3) following 0.35 and 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant, respectively. Risk factors included pre-existing glaucoma, higher baseline intraocular pressure (IOP), younger age, OHT following previous injection, uveitis, higher steroid dosage, and fluocinolone implant. Most cases of OHT can be controlled medically; up to 45% following fluocinolone implant require surgery, however. We suggest a protocol to monitor IOP after IVT steroid injection/implantation that includes checking IOP within 30 minutes after injection, followed by 1 week after IVT triamcinolone and 2 weeks after implant insertion, then every 2 weeks for the first month and monthly for up to 6 months after IVT triamcinolone and dexamethasone implantation and 9 months after fluocinolone implantation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare the visual outcomes of patients with keratoconus treated with either phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) or mechanical epithelial removal prior to corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL)., Design: Comparative study., Participants: The records of 34 patients (34 eyes) who had PTK (17 eyes) or mechanical (17 eyes) epithelial removal prior to CXL for keratoconus were reviewed retrospectively., Methods: CXL was performed by 1 of 3 surgeons (G.M., W.B.J., or K.B.). Of the eyes, 17 had undergone mechanical epithelial removal prior to CXL and were consecutively selected, after matching with the 17 eyes in the PTK group, for the variables of procedure date, average keratometry, and pachymetry. All eyes had central cones. Manifest refraction spherical equivalent, sphere, cylinder, best-corrected distance visual acuity, and pachymetry were measured and compared preoperatively and in follow-up., Results: The mean change between the pre- and postoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent for the PTK and mechanical groups was 1.68 ± 0.80 and 0.26 ± 0.90, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean change between pre- and postoperative cylinder for the PTK and mechanical groups was 0.53 ± 0.28 and 0 ± 0.18, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean number of lines of improvement in the PTK and mechanical groups were 0.33 ± 0.82 and -0.58 ± 0.45 lines, respectively (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: Early results suggest that CXL with laser epithelial removal is superior to CXL with mechanical epithelial removal because it reduces refractive error in qualified patients. Although not statistically significant, there was also a trend for PTK CXL patients to have better visual outcomes., (Copyright © 2012 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To determine the outcomes and circumstances of retinal injuries caused by blunt trauma from paintball pellet projectiles., Methods: Retrospective case series of all patients who presented with retinal injuries due to paintball-related trauma to 2 retina specialists in a clinical setting from 2004 to 2005. Patients were followed for a mean of 7.3 months, and retinal trauma was documented with retinal photographs and ocular coherence tomography as needed. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was the main outcome measure., Results: Three eyes of 3 patients suffered severe retinal injuries after blunt trauma from a paintball pellet. Together, the 3 eyes demonstrated extensive retinal findings, including commotio retinae, choroidal rupture, and macular hole. BCVA at last follow-up ranged from 20/80 to hand motions., Interpretation: Our small case series indicates that retinal trauma from paintball injuries is not uncommon and results in severe long-term visual morbidity. The sale of paintball guns and pellets should be strictly prohibited for minors, and adults should be educated about the need for appropriate ocular protection and the potentially serious consequences of the use of these guns outside of commercial settings.