Search

The history of botulinum toxin dates back to the late 1700s, when food preparation, storage, and later canning practices led to outbreaks of botulism across Europe and the United States. It is from these initial incidents that the remarkable discovery of botulinum toxin was eventually made, sparking over 200 years of further scientific inquiry and medical innovation. To date, 6 botulinum toxin products have been commercialized in North America with numerous indications across the specialties of ophthalmology, neurology, urology, dermatology, plastic surgery, and otolaryngology. This article traces the key moments and important players in the remarkable journey of this biologic poison and wonder drug. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(1) doi:10.36849/JDD.7288.

Purpose: To identify cases of synergistic divergence whose characteristics suggest that this entity is a form of Duane syndrome., Methods: The records of all patients with a Duane syndrome diagnosis, including standardized eye position photographs, from the E-Consultation program of Cybersight, Orbis International were analyzed., Results: A total of 350 Duane syndrome cases were identified. Of these, 19 (5%) had features consistent with synergistic divergence, or type 4 Duane syndrome. Of the 19, 16 (84%) were male, 15 (79%) had palpebral fissure narrowing, all had anomalous head posture, and 18 (95%) were exotropic. Only 9 (47%) patients were reported to have undergone surgery., Conclusions: Synergistic divergence is a rare entity with features similar to those of Duane syndrome. We suggest that this entity be classified as type 4 Duane syndrome, because it has unique findings and an innervation pattern that differs from the other 3 recognized types., (Copyright © 2016 American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

ORBIS International has provided a web-based ophthalmic disease consultation service, Cyber-Sight, for developing nations since 2003. The system connects partner physicians with mentor physicians. We have reviewed consultations concerning retinal cases submitted from June 2003 to December 2011. Of 943 retinal consultations reviewed, 117 were excluded, mainly for reasons of technical limitations at the partner sites. Of the 826 included cases, 504 patients were male and 322 were female. The average age of the patients was 43 years (range 2 months to 86 years). Cases were submitted from partner physicians in 30 countries, with five countries accounting for 82% of the cases (India, Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Jordan). There was a rise in the case submission rate to a peak of 251 cases in 2010. The mean consultant response time was 5 days (SD 9). The mean time to case closure was 19 days (SD 92). The most common diagnoses were diabetic retinopathy (n = 101), retinal vascular occlusion (n = 75) and retinal detachment (n = 61). The working diagnosis submitted by the partner did not match the mentor's diagnosis in 153 cases (19%). The number of incorrect initial partner diagnoses demonstrates that the teleretinal programme serves a useful diagnostic role for partner physicians. The Cyber-Sight programme is a viable method of delivering advanced retinal expertise to partner institutions and increasing capacity for partner doctors in the developing world., (© The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

Objective: To present the anatomic and functional results of surgical treatment for advanced primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) in a rural setting., Design: Retrospective, observational case series., Participants: Forty eyes of 22 consecutive patients diagnosed with PCG and who underwent surgical treatment., Methods: All eyes underwent surgical treatment for PCG. Type of surgery and postoperative complications were noted. We examined anatomic and functional indices before and after the operation., Main Outcome Measures: Visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive spherical error, cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), and horizontal corneal diameter (HCD)., Results: Average age at the time of surgery was 3.3 years (range, 0.4-10) and the mean follow-up was 6 months (range, 1-11). 15% showed marked lens dislocation owing to the severe buphthalmos at presentation. Preoperative IOP was 54 ± 2 mmHg, HCD was 15.1 ± 0.3 mm, and CDR (when visible) was 0.8 ± 0.02. Surgical intervention included 31 trabeculotomies, 6 Ahmed Glaucoma Valve implants, 1 goniotomy, and 2 eviscerations. Serious complications were noted in 4 eyes. Final postoperative IOP was 23 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.0001). Patients were significantly more likely to have ambulatory VA (following objects or better) after operation (18% vs 64%; P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: Our surgical outcomes in children with advanced PCG demonstrated moderate overall improvement in IOP and modest improvement of VA. Deep deprivation amblyopia, severe disease manifestation at presentation, opaque corneas, and frequent lens dislocation limited the possible success. These data further signify the need for effective, timely screening of children and prompt recognition by health care workers to reduce the rate of avoidable blindness in developing countries., (Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Primary congenital glaucoma is an uncommon pediatric ocular disease contributing to a disproportionately high percentage of childhood blindness worldwide. This case report describes bilateral primary congenital glaucoma in monozygotic twins who first presented to an ophthalmologist in Ethiopia at 6 years of age. Both had severe, protracted disease, with only moderate improvement after surgical intervention., (Copyright (c) 2010, SLACK Incorporated.)

Background: Retinoblastoma, a curable eye tumor, is associated with poor survival in Central America (CA). To develop a retinoblastoma program in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, twinning initiatives were undertaken between local pediatric oncology centers, nonprofit foundations, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and the University of Tennessee Hamilton Eye Institute., Procedure: The retinoblastoma program focused on developing early diagnosis programs in Honduras with national vaccination campaigns, developing treatment protocols suited to local conditions, building local networks of oncologists and ophthalmologists, training local healthcare providers, using modern donated equipment for diagnosis and treatment, and the ORBIS Cybersight consultation program and Internet meetings to further education and share expertise. Pediatric ophthalmologists and oncologists worked with foundations to treat patients locally with donated equipment and Internet consultations, or at the center in Guatemala., Results: Number of patients successfully treated increased after the program was introduced. For 2000-2003 and 2004-2007, patients abandoning/refusing treatment decreased in Guatemala from 20 of 95 (21%) to 14 of 123 (11%) and in Honduras from 13 of 37 (35%) to 7 of 37 (19%). Survival in El Salvador was good and abandonment/refusal low for both periods. Of 18 patients receiving focal therapy for advanced disease, 14 have single remaining eyes., Conclusion: Development of the program in CA has decreased abandonment/refusal and enabled ophthalmologists at local centers to use modern equipment to provide better treatment. This approach might serve as a guide for developing other multispecialty programs., (Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Retinoblastoma is curable when diagnosed early and treated appropriately; however, the prognosis is dismal when the basic elements of diagnosis and treatment are lacking. In developing countries, poor education, lower socioeconomic conditions, and inefficient health care systems result in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal care. Furthermore, the complexity of multidisciplinary care required is seldom possible. Whereas ocular salvage is a priority in the Western world, death from retinoblastoma is still a major problem in developing countries. To bring the 2 ends of this spectrum together and provide a forum for discussion, the "One World, One Vision" symposium was organized, at which clinicians and researchers from various cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds converged to discuss their experiences. Strategies for early diagnosis in developing countries were discussed. Elements of the development of retinoblastoma centers in developing countries were discussed, and examples of successful programs were highlighted. An important component in this process is twinning between centers in developing countries and mentor institutions in high-income countries. Global initiatives by nongovernmental organizations such as the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research, Orbis International, and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness were presented. Treatment of retinoblastoma in developing countries remains a challenge; however, it is possible to coordinate efforts at multiple levels, including public administrations and nonprofit organizations, to improve the diagnosis and treatment of retinoblastoma and to improve the outcome for these children.

This study was undertaken to measure the effect of telemedicine consultation for diagnosis and treatment planning in cases of strabismus. Telemedicine consultation records of all patients on ORBIS Telemedicine Cyber-Sight that resulted in a final diagnosis of superior oblique palsy (SOP), Duane syndrome (DS), and Brown syndrome (BS) were collected. The following were then determined: (1) the clinical characteristics of patients in each category, (2) the diagnosis submitted by the doctor requesting consultation compared to the diagnosis determined by the mentor, and (3) the treatment plan submitted with the consultation request compared to the mentor's suggested plan. The clinical characteristics of patients with SOP, DS, and BS were similar to those reported in the literature. There were 89 with SOP, 131 with DS, and 50 with BS. Partners and mentors agreed on the diagnosis of SOP in 81% of cases, DS in 79% of cases, and BS in 72% of cases. Mentors agreed with the partners' proposed treatment plan in SOP 35%, DS 55%, and BS 52%. Mentors are likely to change the diagnosis proposed by doctors seeking consultation for strabismus in 25% of cases and provide a new treatment plan in more than 50% of cases. The clinical characteristics of those strabismus entities selected matched those found in the literature, making it likely that the cases as viewed on telemedicine presented a true clinical picture.

Introduction: The diagnosis and treatment plans proposed by ORBIS Telemedicine partners, all of whom were ophthalmologists, via Cyber-Sight, in four ophthalmic sub-specialty categories were compared to those suggested by expert mentors., Methods: Records of referrals of patients via Cyber-Sight to mentors with a diagnosis of: glaucoma, pediatric cataract, external disease, and disorders related to the ocular adnexa requiring oculo-plastic treatment were reviewed. Records recalled from the Cyber-Sight electronic archives included: medical history, images of clinical findings, partner diagnosis, partner treatment plan, mentor diagnosis, and mentor treatment plan. Partners' diagnosis and treatment plans were compared to those of the mentors. Based on results of prior studies, mentor opinions were those considered valid (Helveston et al 2001)., Results: A total of 135 cases were reviewed: 70 external disease, 42 oculo-plastics, 16 glaucoma, and 7 pediatric cataract. The partner's diagnosis agreed with that of the mentor in: glaucoma 81%, pediatric cataract 86%, external disease 76%, and oculo-plastics 86%. Partners were considered to have suggested the correct treatment plan in: glaucoma 56%, pediatric cataract 71%, external disease 70%, and oculo-plastics 60%. Mentors provided additional comments and suggestions for further study in more than three-quarters of the cases., Discussion: If one considers that the mentors are correct in each case, they offered a different diagnosis in 18% of cases. For treatment, mentors offered an alternate plan in more than a quarter of cases. The basis for considering the mentors being more accurate in diagnosis and treatment planning after viewing pictures and reading history than the partners who actually saw and examined the patients is based on personal experience of the authors. This includes a study done by one of them (EMH) demonstrating that experts when asked to view cases presented via telemedicine agreed nearly 100% on diagnosis and by a like amount on the method of treatment. In addition to this, results of this present study are similar to those for strabismus; a condition that was studied earlier (Helveston et al 2001). Still to be determined is whether this type of consultation changes outcome of treatment.

Purpose: To inform ophthalmologists of the current status of visual training., Design: Personal perspective., Method: A perspective and analysis of current practices that include a review of the literature and personal experiences of the author., Results: Visual training of some sort has been used for centuries. In the first half of the twentieth century, in cooperation with ophthalmologists, orthoptists introduced a wide variety of training techniques that were designed primarily to improve binocular function. In the second half of the twentieth century, visual training activities were taken up by optometrists and paramedical personnel to treat conditions that ranged from uncomfortable vision to poor reading or academic performance. Other visual training has been aimed at the elimination of a wide variety of systemic symptoms and for the specific improvement of sight and even for the improvement of athletic performance. At present, ophthalmologists and orthoptists use visual training to a very limited degree. Most visual training is now done by optometrists and others who say it works. Based on an assessment of claims and a study of published data, the consensus of ophthalmologists regarding visual training is that, except for near point of convergence exercises, visual training lacks documented evidence of effectiveness., Conclusion: Although visual training has been used for several centuries, it plays a minor and actually decreasing role in eye therapy used by the ophthalmologist. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, most visual training is carried out by non-ophthalmologists and is neither practiced nor endorsed in its broadest sense by ophthalmology.

Background: Duane syndrome is characterized by abduction deficiency, narrowing of the palpebral fissure with retraction of globe on attempted adduction, and upshoot or downshoot, which can be the most prominent feature of the motility disorder. The upshoot and downshoot is believed to be caused by a tautness or leash effect from the lateral rectus muscle. The purpose of this study was to present the results of recession of the lateral rectus muscle with Y-splitting in the treatment of upshoot and downshoot in Duane syndrome., Methods: Ten patients with Duane syndrome underwent surgery for severe upshoot or downshoot. Lateral rectus muscles recession from 5.0 to 9.0 mm and Y-splitting was accomplished in all patients. In 6 patients, the medial rectus muscles were recessed simultaneously from 5.0 to 6.0 mm to correct the associated marked globe retraction and ocular deviation., Results: Mean age at the time of surgery was 9.9 +/- 6.9 years (range, 3 to 20). Median follow up was 6 months (range, 3 weeks to 3 years). After surgery, all patients showed a marked decrease in upshoot or downshoot as well as improvement in globe retraction and face turn, where present., Conclusions: Recession of lateral rectus muscle with Y-splitting is an extremely effective procedure in the treatment of significant upshoot and downshoot associated with globe retraction in Duane syndrome. When combined with simultaneous recession of the medial rectus muscle, it improves globe retraction and corrects ocular deviation.

Background: Volunteer ophthalmologists can achieve success with teaching and service programs working with high intensity over a short term. Continuation of initially successful programs may be limited by lack of timely, effective communication and follow-up. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, a total of 6 telemedicine programs were established after a successful trial program at the Ramon Pando Ferrer Hospital in Havana, Cuba., Methods: Two pediatric ophthalmology-strabismus clinics, one in Cuba and one in Romania, were provided a digital camera and a computer in order to obtain and then transmit by e-mail patient images obtained according to a prescribed format. Ophthalmologists in both of these programs were instructed personally during an orientation period in their clinics. Training included use of a digital camera and computer, patient examination, and surgical technique in the operating room. Four additional programs referred patients via digital images after receiving only written and oral instruction., Results: The diagnosis and treatment plan determined by one of us (E.M.H.) for each of the first 15 Cuban patients after study of digital images sent by e-mail was the same as the diagnosis and treatment plan determined by the same observer after in-person examination of the patients. On the basis of the level of confidence attained in these patients, 35 additional patients from a total of 6 clinics were seen by digital consultation only., Conclusion: A store-and-forward telemedicine consultation technique that uses digital images and e-mail holds promise to be an effective means for carrying out consultation for patients with strabismus.

Objective: To compare various materials used in frontalis suspension surgery for incidence of infection and/or granuloma formation and incidence of recurrent ptosis., Design and Methods: A retrospective medical record analysis was performed for 102 frontalis suspension operations performed on 43 patients between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1996, at Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis. Materials used for surgery were compared for incidence of infection and/or granuloma formation and incidence of recurrent ptosis. Materials included autogenous fascia lata, banked fascia lata, monofilament nylon, braided polyester, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, and polypropylene., Results: Infection and/or granuloma formation occurred in 10.8% of all frontalis suspensions and in less than 10.0% for each material used except expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Five (45.5%) of the 11 frontalis suspensions using expanded polytetrafluoroethylene required removal of the material because of suspected infection. Ptosis recurred in 32 cases (31.4%). Low incidence of recurrence was found with autogenous fascia lata and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene., Conclusions: Of the materials compared in this study, autogenous fascia lata may be the material of choice for frontalis suspension surgery in congenital ptosis. Other materials are useful for temporary eyelid elevation. All materials carry the risk of potential infection and/or granuloma formation.

Purpose: To clarify the incidence of dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) among patients with congenital esotropia and to identify any relationship between the time when patients undergo their initial strabismus surgery and the time when they may subsequently have DVD develop., Design: Noncomparative case series., Participants: One hundred five consecutive patients undergoing surgery for congenital esotropia over a 10-year period., Methods: All patients underwent bimedial rectus recession before 24 months of age., Main Outcome Measures: Patients were followed postoperatively to note the age at onset of clinically evident DVD., Results: By 6 years of age, 92% of available patients had DVD. The mean age at onset was 2.81 +/- 1.37 years. There was no significant difference between patients surgically aligned before 6 months of age compared with those aligned between 6 and 12 or 12 and 24 months of age., Conclusions: DVD occurs in almost all patients with surgically treated congenital esotropia, and its development is unrelated to the timing of surgical intervention during the first 24 months of life.

Objective: To determine the long-term motor and sensory results after early surgical correction of patients with congenital esotropia., Design: Noncomparative interventional case series., Participants: Ten infants with congenital esotropia., Intervention: Patients had bimedial rectus recession between 83 and 159 days of age; were re-examined in a regular follow-up program; and were retreated when required for strabismus, amblyopia, and refractive errors., Main Outcome Measures: Final alignment, stereo acuity, variations in vision, alignment, refraction, and number and types of retreatments required during the period of observation., Results: All patients were aligned initially with bimedial rectus recession of 8.0 to 10.0 mm measured from the limbus. A total of 11 additional surgical procedures were performed on 7 patients to maintain alignment. Four patients required hyperopic spectacle correction to maintain alignment, and two patients required short periods of patching. Visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 19 eyes at the most recent examination, which was between 8.3 and 11.8 years after initial surgery. All patients had final alignment to within 10 prism diopters (PD) of orthotropia at either distance or near. Nine of ten patients had dissociated vertical deviation (DVD), and four of ten patients had latent nystagmus. Four patients had measurable stereo acuity at their last visit, with two achieving a stereo acuity of 3000 seconds (the Titmus fly), one 400 seconds, and one 140 seconds., Conclusion: Surgical alignment of congenital esotropia can be achieved in the 4-month-old with bimedial rectus recession, but this does not ensure continued alignment. At least one additional surgical procedure is required on average to maintain alignment in the first 10 years after initial successful surgery. These patients can also be expected to have one or more of the following: DVD, latent nystagmus, refractive component, or latent strabismus. Regardless of outcome, patients with congenital esotropia have optokinetic asymmetry. Attainment of stereo acuity, including high-grade stereo acuity, may be enhanced by attainment of orthotropia or small-angle esotropia but is likely to be ultimately dependent on constitutional factors rather than age of alignment.

VLBW children are known to have a high frequency of early onset strabismus, which is related to the high prevalence of pre- and perinatal cerebral disturbances reported in these children. It is unknown if the early onset strabismus in VLBW children has the characteristics of infantile esotropia. If so, then (acquired) cerebral damage may play an important role in the origin of this type of strabismus. For this reason, the charts of 265 VLBW children were retrospectively reviewed. Strabismus was present in 55 (20.7%) children. Mean follow-up was 75 weeks, with 29.8% of the children having a follow-up of less then 6 months. Only 5 children (1.9%) with characteristics of infantile esotropia could be identified. Another 8 children (3.0%) possibly had infantile esotropia, but follow-up had been too infrequent during the first year of life to determine the time of onset of strabismus precisely. The other 42 children with strabismus all had ophthalmological disorders (i.e. ROP, optic nerve atrophy, cortical blindness) explaining early disruption of binocular visual development. Therefore, VLBW children are at risk for early onset strabismus. However, infantile esotropia is not typical for VLBW children and may be an indication that early acquired cerebral damage does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of infantile esotropia.

Objective: This study aimed to describe results of glaucoma surgeries performed at one institution over the past 20 years in children with aphakia, aniridia, anterior segment dysgenesis, and other secondary glaucomas., Design: The study design was a retrospective review., Participants: Fifty-eight eyes of 40 patients were studied., Intervention: Trabeculectomy with or without mitomycin C, Molteno implantation, goniotomy, sclerostomy, endolaser cyclophotocoagulation, and cyclocryotherapy were performed., Main Outcome Measures: Intraocular pressure (IOP) control, defined as complete success (IOP < or = 21 without medications) or qualified success (IOP < or = 25 without medications or IOP < or = 21 with medications) and postoperative visual acuity stability were assessed., Results: One hundred thirty surgical procedures were performed on 58 eyes of 40 patients; follow-up averaged 7.3 years. Intraocular pressure control was achieved in 40 (70%) of 57 eyes after 1 or more procedures. Intraocular pressure control and stabilization of visual acuity and optic disc appearance were achieved in 28 (51%) of 55 eyes. Five eyes had significant postoperative complications. Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C controlled IOP on last visit in 8 of 13 eyes with aphakic glaucoma., Conclusions: Surgical intervention can control IOP and prevent visual loss in children with secondary glaucomas. In the authors' experience, a filtering procedure is the most effective treatment in aphakic glaucoma and anterior segment dysgenesis.

Introduction: To determine whether 5-fluorouracil is effective in reducing scarring after strabismus surgery we used rectus muscle surgery in experimental animals to compare a single intraoperative dose of 5-fluorouracil with mitomycin C and to compare results in similarly treated controls not receiving these antimetabolites., Methods: Muscle resections were performed on eight rabbits (16 eyes). Four eyes had 5-fluorouracil (50 mg/ml), and four eyes received mitomycin C (0.2 mg/ml), each of which was applied during surgery on an ophthalmic sponge for 5 minutes. Eight eyes served as controls. Six weeks after surgery conjunctival vascularity, muscle length-tension curves, muscle disinsertion force, and the histologic degree of scarring were assessed., Results: The mitomycin C-treated eyes clearly had more conjunctival avascularity and a lower disinsertion force. Both treated groups had flatter length-tension curves and less scarring on histologic examination than the control eyes., Conclusions: Antifibroproliferative therapy with intraoperative sponge 5-fluorouracil appears as effective as, and is possibly safer than, mitomycin C. It may be a useful adjunct in recurrent strabismus surgery or in other situations where a risk of excessive postoperative scarring exists.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to describe the clinical characteristics and surgical management of strabismus associated with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia., Methods: The authors present four patients with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and strabismus requiring extraocular muscle surgery, with attention to presenting symptoms, patterns of misalignment, results of surgical and nonsurgical therapies, and associated ocular or systemic conditions or both., Results: Three patients reported diplopia before surgery. One patient presented with an esotropia, one with an exotropia, and two with hypertropia. Three patients required only one strabismus surgery, and one patient required multiple surgeries., Conclusions: Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia may have clinical characteristics similar to those of myasthenia gravis or thyroid ophthalmopathy. Patients with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia and strabismus frequently have diplopia in primary position and may benefit from extraocular muscle surgery to improve alignment. In addition, because these patients typically have poor motor fusion, prisms often are useful adjuncts to surgery.

Reports of several large series of patients with superior oblique palsy (SOP) published in 1986 or before set forth important guidelines for both diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Newer information about the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the superior oblique has accrued over the past decade. This paper reviews our experience with diagnosis and treatment of SOP over the past 5 years in light of this new information. Charts of patients treated for SOP over 5 year (1990 to 1995) were reviewed for male or female sex, age, symptoms, refraction, vision, stereo acuity, head posture, facial asymmetry, intraoperative superior oblique traction test, diagnostic position prism and cover test, torsion, surgery performed, and results of treatment. The charts of 190 patients were reviewed. In 181, postoperative examinations were performed by us. The etiology of the SOP was congenital in 137 and acquired in 53. Twenty-nine acquired cases were due to trauma and 24 arose from other causes. Fifty-six patients had facial asymmetry, 51 of whom had congenital SOP. Ninety-five had a lax tendon, 83 (87%) of whom had congenital SOP. Sixty-six had a normal tendon, 29 (44%) of whom had acquired SOP. Seventy-seven percent of patients had Knapp class I, III, or IV palsy. An average of 1.26 surgeries was performed per patient. Inferior oblique weakening was performed in 177 (93%), while 68 vertical rectus recessions were done. Thirty-five patients had superior oblique tuck or resection, all on lax tendons, and 15 had Harada Ito procedures for torsion. Six patients had mild Brown syndrome postoperatively, none of which required a takedown. A cure, defined as relief of symptoms or elimination of strabismus and head tilt, was achieved in 166 of 181 (92%) of patients. Successful treatment of SOP can be accomplished in the majority of cases by selective surgery usually beginning with inferior oblique weakening plus additional vertical rectus and horizontal surgery as needed, with superior oblique strengthening used only for lax tendons or when torsion is the main problem.

Individual collagen fibers in the superior oblique tendon of patients with superior oblique palsy studied at 60,000x with transmission electron microscopy are fewer in number and larger in diameter when compared to normal fibers. The relationship of these changes to function and to gross morphologic changes are not clear.

Because hand steadiness is an important aspect of microsurgical technique, hand movement, amplified by a hand-held laser pointer, was measured in 14 ophthalmology trainees on four separate mornings when each had ingested (1) 200mg of caffeine, (2) 12.5mg of timolol (2.5mL of timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution), (3) a combination of caffeine and the beta-adrenergic blocker, or (4) a placebo. Caffeine increased the resting pulse and hand movement. Although the beta-adrenergic blocker and the combination of caffeine and this drug decreased the resting heart rate from that of placebo, they did not significantly change hand steadiness. However, compared with caffeine alone, the beta-adrenergic blocker-caffeine combination significantly decreased hand movement and the pulse. Resting the wrist significantly steadied hand movements. Hand movement was not correlated with the level of ophthalmology training, the trainee's weight, or their daily caffeine consumption.

Congenital esotropia develops in the first 4 months of life in an infant who lacks the inborn mechanism for motor fusion. It manifests as an esotropia which is not eliminated by correction of hyperopia and occurs in an otherwise neurologically normal infant. The earliest practical time for surgery is 4 months of age. The eye is anatomically suited for surgery at this age and also, this is the earliest age that congenital esotropia can be diagnosed with confidence. The best attainable result of treatment of congenital esotropia is subnormal binocular vision. This result is more likely to be attained if infants are aligned by 18 months of age. Satisfactory alignment is produced in 80% to 85% of infants in one procedure with an appropriate bimedial rectus recession. An array of motor defects including DVD, latent nystagmus, oblique dysfunction, and A- and V-pattern appear at varying times after successful alignment. These associated findings are commonly found with, but are not unique to, congenital esotropia. The onset and clinical picture of congenital esotropia is satisfactorily explained by a theory first suggested by Worth that the strabismus is caused by an inborn defect in the motor fusion mechanism and aggravated by esotropital factors as suggested by Chavasse. In contrast to congenital esotropia, all other strabismus can be thought of as occurring on a secondary basis in a person with the inborn capacity for motor fusion, but who failed to maintain it because of conatal insurmountable strabismus (congenital third nerve palsy), who lost it because of acquired (postnatal) strabismus, who uses a strategy such as head posture alteration to retain fusion under favorable circumstances (Duane syndrome), who has intermittent strabismus with part-time suppression (X(T)), or who is maintaining alignment with nonsurgical means (refractive esotropia). For the future, I believe that advances in the management of congenital esotropia will depend on a better understanding of etiology leading to design and use of innovative nonsurgical techniques to discourage convergence and stimulate bifoveal fusion.

We reviewed 67 cases of inferior rectus muscle recession. In 14 cases, the hypotropia was corrected to a satisfactory alignment in the immediate postoperative period followed by a progressive overcorrection (hypertropia). Patients with thyroid eye disease were at highest risk for progressive overcorrection, as 9 of 18 (50%) developed the problem. Patients undergoing adjustable suture were at a higher risk for development of the overcorrection, as 1 of 35 (3%) surgeries done with standard techniques had the overcorrection while 13 of 32 (41%) done on an adjustable suture had the problem. However, the actual act of adjustment was found not to be a predisposing factor. Also, operating upon multiple muscles was found not to be a risk factor for the complication. Once progressive overcorrection occurred, it was more difficult to correct when the patient had thyroid eye disease. We also reviewed 77 consecutive cases of superior, lateral, and medial rectus muscle recessions and found no cases of progressive overcorrection.

Background: Superior oblique palsy is the most frequent isolated cranial nerve palsy seen in strabismus practice. It is traditionally diagnosed according to etiology as acquired, congenital, or idiopathic, but surgical treatment is based on deviation not etiology. Observations at surgery led to speculation that the superior oblique tendon is different in congenital compared with acquired superior oblique palsy and that this difference should be considered in surgical treatment., Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of 82 patients (89 eyes) undergoing surgery on the superior oblique tendon for superior oblique palsy. In each case, the palsy had been diagnosed preoperatively as acquired, congenital, or idiopathic, and, at surgery, characteristics of the tendon anatomy were described., Results: Thirty-eight superior oblique tendons (36 patients), diagnosed as congenital superior oblique palsy, included 33 abnormal tendons and 5 normal tendons. Twenty-four tendons (21 patients), diagnosed as traumatic superior oblique palsy, included 22 normal and 2 abnormal tendons. Twenty-seven tendons (25 patients), diagnosed as idiopathic, included 19 normal and 8 abnormal tendons. Abnormal tendons were divided into 4 categories: (1) redundant, (2) misdirected, (3) inserted in posterior Tenon's capsule, and (4) absent., Conclusions: The authors conclude that congenital superior oblique palsy is usually associated with a structural abnormality of the superior oblique tendon (87%). Whereas acquired superior oblique palsy usually has a normal tendon (92%). Superior oblique underaction in acquired superior oblique palsy results from a neural deficit. Potential variance in anatomy of the superior oblique tendon should be considered when undertaking surgery for superior oblique palsy.

Background: Surgical removal of subluxated lenses had traditionally been discouraged because of concerns about poor surgical results and unacceptably high complication rates., Methods: The authors reviewed the surgical results of 29 eyes in 15 consecutive patients who were operated on for subluxated lenses., Results: Best-corrected visual acuity improved in all 29 eyes and was limited only by amblyopia. There were no significant complications in follow-up ranging from 5 months to 12 years., Conclusion: Modern surgical techniques using vitrectomy instruments allow the vitreous to be handled more effectively and have led to improved results and lower complication rates. Surgery for subluxated lenses can be done effectively and safely when indicated.

To determine how and why current residents in ophthalmology chose their medical specialty, we formulated and distributed a questionnaire to all ophthalmology residents in accredited programs. The results of the survey gave insight into not only their decision-making processes in choosing ophthalmology, but also their backgrounds, the factors that were important in choosing their residency program, and their future plans in ophthalmology. A wide variety of factors was involved in the decision to pursue a career in ophthalmology. In addition, we found current residents to be well qualified academically and generally satisfied with their decision to enter ophthalmology.

The authors evaluated a preferential looking technique (Teller acuity cards) and a set of gross behavioral indicators (visual function battery) for the ability to rank visually impaired children and infants on the basis of their visual function. Fourteen older children with a diagnosis of cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity who were capable of giving Snellen acuities and a group of 31 preverbal infants with decreased vision due to a variety of causes were tested. Teller acuity card and visual function battery findings were highly correlated with each other (and with Snellen acuities in the older group); however, the Teller acuity cards provided better discrimination in the moderately visually impaired range, whereas the visual function battery was better in the severely impaired range. It is concluded that, in children and infants, visual function over the entire spectrum of low vision can be characterized by using a combination of the Teller acuity cards and the visual function battery.

Ten patients had large recession of four horizontal recti at one procedure for treatment of nystagmus. Six patients had congenital motor nystagmus, two had oculocutaneous albinism, and two had optic nerve hypoplasia. Anomalous head posture with null point was also present in five patients. The rectus muscles were placed at or behind the equator in all but one case. Three patients with both esotropia and nystagmus had the medial recti placed 1 mm behind the equator and the lateral recti or at 1 mm anterior to the equator. Visual acuity improved an average of 1 line at distance and/or near in 8 patients who cooperated for testing. Although nystagmus was not eliminated in any patient, its its amplitude decreased in eight of ten patients, and anomalous head posture improved in three of five patients. In all patients, near vision was better than distance vision both preoperatively and postoperatively. Ductions were diminished minimally after the large recession and there were no other complications from surgery.

Surgical treatment for Brown superior oblique tendon sheath syndrome, now called Brown syndrome, has been advocated for patients with abnormal head posture or manifest hypotropia in primary gaze. Several surgical procedures with variable results and complications have been reported without consensus. Techniques and results of treatment for Brown syndrome at two institutions were reviewed. Charts of all patients who had undergone surgical treatment at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Tex, and Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Ind, between 1965 and 1989 were reviewed. The review yielded 38 patients. Superior oblique tenectomy was the most efficacious initial procedure. Surgery was successful in the treatment of anomalous head posture associated with Brown syndrome. There was no loss of sensory function as a result of surgery, but surgery did not inevitably lead to improved sensory function. We do not advocate superior oblique weakening combined with simultaneous surgery for iatrogenic superior oblique palsy as an initial procedure for Brown syndrome, since nearly one-half of our patients did not develop superior oblique palsy when followed for more than 1 year.

Strabismus surgery is indicated for a variety of conditions stemming from misalignment of the eyes, abnormal head posture, and nystagmus. Although part of the value of such surgery lies in the fact that it improves appearance, it differs from cosmetic surgery, because, unlike the latter, it is designed to restore only normal configuration for ocular alignment--straight and/or aligned with the object of regard. A wide array of diagnostic tests are used to determine the precise treatment required, the goal of which is to provide comfortable vision, normal head position, and normal human appearance. In some cases nonsurgical techniques can be used to treat strabismus, but there is no evidence that visual training is an effective means of straightening eyes in those cases where surgery is considered the treatment of choice. For the most common strabismus, essential infantile or "congenital" esotropia, 80+% of infants have "straight" eyes after the initial operation, and 90% after a second operation, most of these with "straight eyes" have residual deviation of 5 prism diopters of esotropia or less. More than 50% of surgically treated patients have stable, long-term satisfactory results. Considering the effort required on the part of the ophthalmologist, together with the physical and psychological benefit to the patient, the cost of strabismus surgery should be equal to that of any major ophthalmic surgical procedure. That strabismus surgery is compensated at a lower rate, than for example, cataract surgery, suggests that strabismus surgery is an excellent value.

An evaluation of the differential intraocular pressure test in the diagnosis of non-comitant strabismus is described and the results compared with findings in ten normal subjects. Increased intraocular pressure occurring when an eye cannot complete a full duction indicates both the existence of a restriction and the presence of underlying muscle force generation. The differential intraocular pressure test is easily performed, non-invasive, generally reliable, and can be performed on children who are unlikely to cooperate with other types of diagnostic procedures. Although false-negative results may occur, this test nevertheless provides useful additional information to that normally obtained in a motility examination. When combined with passive forced ductions, an accurate picture of both active and passive components of the strabismus may be determined.

When selecting options for treatment of congenital esotropia it is difficult to be 'wrong' if the ophthalmologist exercises the proper care beforehand. A well thought out course can be appropriately redirected if need be. The dogged adherence to a scheme in the absence of critical evaluation and appropriate revision should be avoided. It may be better to start out all wrong and be willing to change than to start out half right and be inflexible.

Differential intraocular pressure offers a painless, non-invasive, reliable test for evaluating incomitant strabismus. These data can be used in selecting a recess-resect vs. a muscle transfer procedure and, combined with findings of the traction test, can direct the surgeon in doing a full tendon transfer or a rectus muscle union with recession of the antagonist.