Search

Objective: To report a series of patients manifesting ulnar neuropathy as an extraocular complication following macular hole surgery and facedown positioning., Methods: Retrospective chart review of 7 patients identified by the operating surgeon as developing ulnar neuropathy during the immediate postoperative period after undergoing vitrectomy surgery with fluid-gas exchange for macular hole followed by at least 1 week of strict facedown positioning., Results: All 7 patients developed symptoms of ulnar neuropathy, including paresthesias, dysesthesias, pain, weakness, and muscle atrophy. Signs included abnormal electromyogram, prolonged nerve conduction velocities, and impaired neurologic clinical test results in patients examined. Symptoms did not resolve with cessation of facedown positioning, and with follow-up ranging from 3 to 24 months all patients had persistent symptoms. All patients had positioned themselves with their arms continuously flexed. Three of 7 patients had placed pressure directly on their bent elbows., Conclusions: Ulnar neuropathy is an extraocular complication of macular hole surgery that can be attributed to arm position during postoperative facedown positioning. Surgeons performing macular hole surgery should caution their patients to minimize the amount of time spent with their elbows in a flexed position. Particular effort should be made to minimize pressure on the bent elbow.

The optimum level of oxygen saturation for infants with prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is unknown. We reviewed our conversion rate from prethreshold to threshold ROP between 1985 and 1993 during which time target levels of oxygen saturation rose in a stepwise fashion. A retrospective study of 153 infants with prethreshold ROP was performed at Stanford University between 1985 and 1993 that showed that target minimum oxygen saturation rose from 92% (1985-1987) to 95% (1988) to 96% (1989) to 99% (1990-1993). In addition, we looked at 26 infants between 1994 and 1996 who were excluded from the STOP-ROP study and who were not receiving supplemental oxygen in an effort to maintain equipoise for that study. Infant characteristics were tabulated, and rates of progression from prethreshold to threshold ROP were calculated. Rates of progression to threshold varied little between 1985 and 1989 (average 37%), but dropped to 7% for the period between 1990 and 1993. From 1994 through 1996 the rate of progression to threshold disease rose again, to 38%. Moderate supplemental oxygen (target saturation 99% with PO2 no higher than 100 mm Hg) was associated with regression of prethreshold ROP, without appearing to arrest retinal vascular maturation.

Purpose: To update ophthalmologists on recent developments in the area of antiviral chemoprophylaxis after occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Background information is provided by which to make an informed decision about whether to initiate antiviral chemoprophylaxis against HIV infection., Methods: We discuss why HIV postexposure prophylaxis should be considered; when prophylaxis should be initiated; where prophylaxis medications should be located in the operating or emergency room; and what medications might be used and the factors influencing their selection. Recent provisional recommendations by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International AIDS Society-USA are reviewed along with literature dealing with antiviral chemoprophylaxis against HIV infection., Results: Recommendations are made for specific antiviral chemoprophylaxis after occupational exposure to HIV based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International AIDS Society-USA provisional recommendations. Uncertain areas and the minor discrepancies in these two reports are discussed., Conclusions: Prevention of HIV transmission after accidental occupational exposure is possible. Combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy in treating HIV infections. Zidovudine (AZT or ZDV) is effective in postexposure prophylaxis; the combination of zidovudine and lamivudine (3TC) and indinavir (IDV) has greater antiretroviral activity than zidovudine alone does. The requirements for effective HIV postexposure prophylaxis may be somewhat different than those for optimum HIV treatment in the chronically ill HIV-positive patient. Ophthalmologists should have an in-depth knowledge of current thinking regarding HIV pathophysiology and treatment.

Purpose: To develop a temporary keratoprosthesis with integrated infusion cannula to minimize retinal complications during pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with an opaque cornea., Methods: The wide-field temporary keratoprosthesis has been modified to include an integrated infusion cannula. The 20-gauge cannula runs from the periphery of the corneal flange, bends 90 degrees, and enters the eye after passing through the periphery of the corneal cylinder., Results: The infusion wide-field temporary keratoprosthesis has been used successfully in three cases without the need to place a separate infusion, which risks iatrogenic retinal breaks or retinal dialyses. Droplet condensation on the posterior surface of the infusion temporary keratoprosthesis was reduced compared with the standard temporary keratoprosthesis., Conclusion: We have developed a wide-field temporary keratoprosthesis with an integrated infusion cannula for use during pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with severe corneal opacity. This device eliminates the risk of complications related to the pars plana infusion cannula.

Purpose: To assess the optimum probe design and treatment parameters for transscleral diode laser retinopexy., Methods: Transscleral diode photocoagulation was performed on the eyes of Dutch-belted rabbits using three different transscleral probes: a straight, 400-microns diameter probe; a prism-tipped 400-microns diameter probe; and a prism-tipped 900-microns diameter probe., Results: Transscleral diode photocoagulation with all three probe types was an effective method of ablating the retina and creating chorioretinal adhesions. Both the burn diameter and the mean radiant output energy requirement increased as the burn duration and probe aperture diameter was increased. Explosive retinal holes were encountered in 12% of the burns created with the straight probe. The use of the prism-tipped probes significantly reduced the incidence of retinal holes to < 4% (P < 0.005). Histopathologically, all burns were grade III in intensity with severe choroidal injury. In many of the burns, there was histopathologic evidence of thermal injury to the inner sclera. The frequency of these inner scleral changes was reduced with a long burn duration (5 seconds)., Conclusion: This study confirms that diode transscleral photocoagulation is a feasible method of thermal retinopexy. The use of the prism-tipped probes and long duration burns resulted in the fewest adverse reactions.

Purpose: To better determine the surgical window for removing experimental subretinal hemorrhages in the cat model and to compare the histopathologic effect of such removal with the natural history of untreated subretinal hemorrhages., Methods: Twenty-three large experimental subretinal hemorrhages were created with a neodymium:YAG laser focused through a performed retinal bleb in a cohort of cats. Fourteen subretinal hemorrhages were observed without treatment, six were removed at 7 days through a micropipette after injecting 10 micrograms/ml of human recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) into the subretinal space, and three were removed through an access retinotomy without the use of rt-PA. The tissues from these eyes were examined with light and electron microscopy 14 to 28 days after creation of the subretinal hemorrhages., Results: Severe outer retinal degeneration was evident by day 14 in all of the untreated subretinal hemorrhages 3 disc diameters or greater in size. In contrast, the outer retinal architecture was better preserved in the eyes that underwent rt-PA-assisted removal of their subretinal hemorrhage that was 3 disc diameters or greater on day 7. In these eyes, mild abnormalities such as abnormally short and misaligned photoreceptor outer segments with vacuolization were present within the retina that was formerly located over the hemorrhage center. The eyes that underwent subretinal hemorrhage removal through an access retinotomy without rt-PA on day 7 had a low-lying retinal detachment and outer retinal degeneration., Conclusion: Removing experimental subretinal hemorrhages within 7 days of their occurrence with the assistance of rt-PA and an ultramicrosurgical approach may reduce outer retinal degeneration in the cat model.

The efficacy of argon and diode laser photocoagulation of the avascular peripheral retina for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was compared in a prospective trial. The study group included 9 premature infants (17 eyes). In each infant, one eye was treated with the diode laser indirect ophthalmoscope (LIO), and the fellow eye was treated with the argon LIO. Supplemental oxygen therapy was administered after laser treatment to all nine infants. The mean duration of the follow-up period was 9.7 +/- 2.6 months. All 17 eyes (100%) had complete regression of ROP and favorable outcomes. The diode and argon LIO appear to be equally effective in treating threshold ROP. Two patients sustained burns of the tunica vasculosa lentis and anterior lens capsule in the argon laser treated eye but not in the fellow diode treated eye. Photocoagulation with either the diode or argon LIO, combined with supplemental oxygen treatment, appears to be a promising treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

To determine what organisms enter the eye and remain in the eye after pars plana vitrectomy, vitreous cavity aspirates were cultured postoperatively. Two of 33 (6%) consecutive eyes undergoing primary pars plana vitrectomy had positive cultures. One sample grew a single colony of Staphylococcus epidermidis, the second grew two colonies of Acinetobacter lwoffi. Neither of these eyes developed endophthalmitis. This study demonstrates that bacteria enter the eye at a low rate during pars plana vitrectomy and that the eye on which a vitrectomy has been performed is capable of clearing a low inoculum of bacteria.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare photocoagulation with the argon green, krypton red, and diode infrared laser indirect ophthalmoscopes in an experimental setting., Methods: Photocoagulation was performed with each of the laser indirect ophthalmoscopes in a grid pattern within one sector of the same eye of 14 Dutch-belted rabbits. Treatment was performed either with or without scleral depression. Measurements of the retinal burn diameters were performed after hemisecting the globes, and the burns were examined with light microscopy., Results: Variation in burn intensity and diameter (10% to 28%) was common with all 3 laser indirect ophthalmoscopes. Five times more output energy was required to make equivalent burns with the diode laser indirect ophthalmoscope than with the argon or krypton laser indirect ophthalmoscopes. Choriovitreal hemorrhages only occurred during scleral depression. Histopathologically, the argon green laser indirect ophthalmoscope burns spared the choroid and inner sclera, while the intense krypton and diode burns had full-thickness choroidal involvement and even thermal injury to the inner sclera. Scleral depression reduced the mean energy required to create equivalent burns with all three laser indirect ophthalmoscopes. There was a 10% to 40% reduction in the mean retinal burn diameter with scleral depression (argon green, P < 0.0005; krypton red, P < 0.0005; and diode, P < 0.025)., Conclusion: Photocoagulation with the argon green, krypton red, or diode infrared laser indirect ophthalmoscopes is a safe and effective method of retinal ablation. Decreasing the posterior nodal distance of the eye with scleral depression will produce a smaller spot on the retina with the laser indirect ophthalmoscope.

Neovascularization of the iris (NVI) is one of the most frequently studied intraocular vascular proliferations in animal models. Ectropion uveae has not been a consistent finding in these studies. In this study, a surgical model of ectropion uveae and iris neovascularization was developed that involved lensectomy, vitrectomy, bipolar cautery and transection of all three principal branch veins in the cat eye. Twelve of 14 eyes that received this procedure developed postoperative retinal detachments with a clinical picture of hemorrhagic retinopathy. These eyes progressed to a clinical picture of NVI within 1-7 wk. Eight eyes developed ectropion uveae for as much as 300 degrees. At the light microscopic level, a fibrovascular membrane was apparent on the anterior iris stroma in 9 of 14 eyes and further involved the angle in six eyes.

Subretinal hemorrhages are associated with progressive degeneration of the outer retina and a corresponding poor visual prognosis. Mixed results have been reported in previous attempts to remove such subretinal hemorrhages. We developed an ultramicrosurgical system that used the control of a stereotactic micromanipulator to direct a micropipette tip through a small retinotomy into the subretinal space in three cat eyes. Low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was then introduced into the subretinal space around the subretinal hemorrhage via a controlled microinfusion system. The recombinant tissue plasminogen activator solution facilitated clot lysis and subsequent removal through the micropipette. Light- and electron-microscopic analysis of histopathologic specimens disclosed good preservation of retinal architecture in the three cat eyes in which experimental subretinal hemorrhages were removed. This was in contrast to the retinal degeneration observed in similar but untreated experimental subretinal hemorrhages.