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PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of classic treatment for ocular toxoplasmosis (pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine and predinsolone) with a regimen consisting of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) [co-trimoxazole] plus predinsolone. METHODS: In a prospective randomized single-blind clinical trial, 59 patients with active ocular toxoplasmosis were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: 29 were treated with pyrimethamine/sulfadiazine and 30 patients received TMP/SMX. Treatment consisted of six weeks treatment with antibiotics plus steroids. Anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies (IgM and IgG) were measured using ELISA. Outcome measures included changes in retinochoroidal lesion size after six weeks of treatment, visual acuity before and after intervention, adverse drug reactions during follow up and rate of recurrence. RESULTS: Active toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis resolved in all patients over six weeks of treatment with no significant difference in mean reduction in retinochoroidal lesion size between the two treatment groups (61% reduction in the classic treatment group and 59% in the TMP/SMX group, P=0.75). Similarly no significant difference was found in visual acuity after treatment between the two groups [mean visual acuity after treatment was 0.12 LogMAR (20/25) in classic treatment group and 0.09 LogMAR (20/25) in TMP/SMX group, P = 0.56]. Adverse events were similar in both groups with one patient in each suffering from any significant drug side effects. The overall recurrence rate after 14 months of follow up was 6.7% with no significant difference between the treatment groups (P = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Drug efficacy in terms of reduction in retinal lesion size and improvement in visual acuity was similar between a regimen of TMP/SMX and the classic treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis with pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Therapy with TMP/SMX appears to be an acceptable alternative for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis.

PURPOSE: To determine the causes of non-traumatic non-diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (NDVH) and to report the visual and anatomical outcomes and complications of vitrectomy for this condition. METHOD: In a retrospective case series, records of patients who had undergone vitrectomy for non-traumatic NDVH over a ten year period at Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran-Iran with at least six months of follow up were reviewed for causes of the condition and outcomes of surgery. RESULTS: From 1993 to 2003, 50 eyes of 49 patients (51% male) with mean age of 62.7±10.3 (range 35-87) years underwent vitrectomy for non-traumatic NDVH. Preoperatively, mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.36±0.52 LogMAR and relative afferent pupillary defect was positive in 91.1% of the eyes. Mean BCVA increased significantly to 1.38±0.72 LogMAR at six months (P < 0.0001). Causes of non-traumatic NDVH included: branch retinal vein occlusion (56%), central retinal vein occlusion (16%), choroidal neovascularization (12%) and posterior vitreous detachment with retinal break, Eales' disease, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and Terson's syndrome (each in 4%). The most common causes of poor visual outcomes were: macular pigmentary derangement (26%), optic atrophy (16%), severe lens opacity (12%) and epiretinal membrane (8%). CONCLUSION: Despite the significant increase in VA following vitrectomy, irreversible macular or optic nerve pathology limits significant improvement in central visual acuity in several cases of non-traumatic NDVH. Vascular accidents were the most common cause of this condition.

Purpose: To report the clinical features of eyes with intraretinal foreign bodies (IRFBs) and to evaluate the results of surgical management in these eyes. Methods: Hospital records of 34 eyes of 33 patients with IRFBs were reviewed. All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy to remove the foreign bodies using intraocular forceps or by magnetic extraction. Results: All patients were male with mean age of 28΁12.3 years and were followed for a mean period of 24.5΁2.3 months. The IRFBs were ferromagnetic in 29 (85.3%) cases and were removed using an external magnet in 13 eyes (38.4%) or intraocular forceps in 21 eyes (61.6%). Laser photocoagulation was performed around the IRFB prior to surgery in 7 (20.6%) eyes. Macular pucker and scars developed in 8 (23.5%) eyes and retinal breaks posterior to the sclerotomy were formed in 12 eyes (35.3%) postoperatively. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 12 (35.3%) eyes and 20/200 or better in 23 (67.7%) eyes. Final visual acuity of 20/200 or better had no significant relationship with the site, size, or type of the IRFB or with the interval from trauma to surgery. Conclusion: Despite the complexity of surgical management of IRFBs, anatomic and visual outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in these cases are generally good. The appropriate route of removal may be determined by the type, size, and site of the IRFB. Removal of magnetic IRFBs using external magnets versus intraocular forceps seems to entail comparable results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of pars plana lensectomy in patients with hereditary lens subluxation. METHOD: Hospital records of patients with hereditary lens subluxation who had undergone pars plana lensectomy at Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran-Iran from 1996 to 2003 were reviewed. Patients with more than 6 months of follow up were included. Underlying disorders, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, intraocular pressure (IOP), postoperative refraction and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, records of 87 eyes of 49 patients including 27 male and 22 female subjects were reviewed. Mean follow up duration was 20±18 months. Underlying disorders leading to lens subluxation included Marfan syndrome (79.5%), Weill-Marchesani syndrome (8.2%), simple ectopia lentis (8.2%), and homocystinuria (4.1%). The most common indication for surgery was non-correctable refractive error (92.1%). Mean BCVA was 1.13 LogMAR (20/250) preoperatively, which improved to 0.26 LogMAR (20/30-20/40) postoperatively (P < 0.001). BCVA better than 20/40 was achieved in 82.8% of cases after surgery. Angle-supported anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) was implanted in 85.1% of the eyes. Prophylactic band was applied in 63 eyes (72.4%). Retinal detachment developed in four eyes (4.6%) and was successfully treated. CONCLUSIONS: Lensectomy/anterior vitrectomy with implantation of an angle-supported ACIOL in patients with hereditary lens subluxation improves vision significantly without considerable complications.

Purpose: To evaluate the demographic and clinical features of childhood pars planitis, and to determine the therapeutic and visual outcomes of the disease. Methods: Medical records of pediatric patients (less than 16 years of age at diagnosis) with pars planitis and at least 6 months of follow-up who were referred to Labbafinejad Medical Center, Tehran, Iran over a 22 year period were reviewed. Results: Overall, 117 eyes of 61 patients including 51 (83.6%) male subjects were included. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 7.8΁3.2 (range, 3-16) years. Mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.88΁0.76 logMAR at presentation which improved to 0.39΁0.51 logMAR at final visit (P

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for management of refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: In this prospective interventional case series, eyes with refractory diffuse DME unresponsive to macular photocoagulation and/or intravitreal bevacizumab, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥20/200 and ≤20/60 underwent triamcinoloneassisted PPV with ILM peeling. Pre- and postoperative evaluations included a complete ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Main outcome measures were BCVA and central macular thickness (CMT). Results: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with mean age of 59.6±3.9 (range, 55-68) years were operated and followed for a mean period of 4.9±1.0 (range, 4-6) months. Mean BCVA at final examination was 0.82 ± 0.18 logMAR which was not significantly better than its preoperative value of 1.00 ± 0.80 logMAR (P=0.959). Visual acuity improved by at least 2 lines in 3 eyes (25%), remained stable in 7 eyes (58%) and decreased by at least 2 lines in 2 eyes (17%). Mean CMT at final examination was 315±95 μm, which was significantly less than its preoperative value of 467±107 μm (P=0.004). Complications included vitreous hemorrhage in 2 and cataract progression in 5 eyes. Conclusion: PPV with ILM peeling for refractory diffuse DME seems to reduce macular thickness, but does not significantly improve visual acuity as observed after an intermediate-term follow up of about 6 months.