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BackgroundFollowing high-profile cases, referrals for evaluation of ‘suspicious optic discs’ to eye clinics in the UK have sharply increased, asking ophthalmologists to reliably distinguish between true and pseudopapilloedema. Optic nerve sheath dilatation (ONSD) on ocular ultrasound (US) is considered a reliable sign of true papilloedema, but this test is not widely available. Recently, anterior bowing of Bruch’s membrane (BM) and increased retinal nerve fibre layer thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT) have emerged as indicators of intracranial hypertension, and OCT is widely available. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of the diagnostic workup in our service, with particular emphasis of diagnostic reliability of US and OCT.MethodsRetrospective service evaluation/cohort study of children and young people younger than 16 years investigated for ‘suspicious discs’ over a 7-month period in 2016 at a single eye care provider in London, UK. 61 children and young people underwent clinical assessment, US scan and OCT.ResultsOf 61 cases, 3 had intracranial pathology. At presentation, only one had ONSD on US and anterior bowing of BM on OCT. Increased nerve fibre layer thickness in at least one of three relevant sectors was observed in two cases. All three cases of intracranial pathology, however, had significant points in their presenting or medical history.ConclusionOphthalmologists and optometrists must not rely on funduscopy and ocular imaging when assessing a child for possible intracranial disease; history and basic neurological assessment are critical in the diagnostic workup.

Ultrasound has been used in the diagnosis and measurement of intraocular tumours for decades. The techniques include B-scans, standardised A-scans, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

Purpose To determine the intrasession repeatability of spectral-domain OCT (SDOCT)-derived macular retinal and choroidal metrics in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the Distance of Choroid Study (DOCS). Design Validity and reliability analysis. Methods Enrolled patients underwent repeated SDOCT imaging using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). A single technician certified for clinical trials took 3 macular volume scans. Retinal thicknesses were calculated for each of the 9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) macular subfields. Center point thickness and total macular volume were also included in the analysis. Manual subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements were made by a masked observer. Results A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients were included in this analysis (mean [± standard deviation] age: 74.1 [± 7.2] years, 60% male). The coefficient of repeatability (CR) of the central macular subfield was 30.6 μm (95% confidence interval [CI] 29.8–1.4 μm). The CR for the other macular subfields ranged from 7.0 μm to 38.2 μm. The CR for the total macular volume was 0.212 mm 3 (95% CI 0.206–0.217 mm 3 ) and the CR for the center point was 47.5 μm (95% CI 46.2–48.7 μm). Images were also reviewed for the presence of segmentation error in the central macular subfield, and after exclusion of these eyes the revised CR for this subfield was 13.7 μm (95% CI 13.3–14.1 μm). The intrasession CR of subfoveal choroidal thickness was 34.7 μm (95% CI 33.7–35.7 μm). Conclusions This study suggests that a change of greater than 31 μm in Spectralis SDOCT–derived retinal thickness measurement of the central macular subfield and 35 μm in subfoveal choroidal thickness is necessary to detect true clinical change associated with disease progression or improvement in nAMD with a revised figure of 14 μm for central macular retinal subfield thickness in the absence of segmentation error.

Purpose To determine the long-term therapeutic outcome for different treatments of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH). Design Retrospective observational study. Subjects Patients with newly diagnosed CCH. Methods Observation, verteporfin (Visudyne) photodynamic therapy (PDT), lens-sparing external beam radiotherapy (LS-EBRT), or plaque brachytherapy. Main Outcome Measures Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and throughout follow-up, tumor dimensions, and OCT central thickness (where available) at baseline and throughout follow-up were recorded. Results There were 60 treatment-naive consecutive cases with CCH between January 2000 and June 2014; 42 (70%) received treatment. These were LS-EBRT (23/60 [38%]; mean follow-up, 45.5 months), PDT (16/60 [27%]; mean follow-up, 38 months), and plaque radiotherapy (3/60 [5%]; mean follow-up, 92 months). Macular location, mottled or orange pigment, and absence of drusen were significantly more frequent in the treatment group. In the LS-EBRT group, median thickness reduction on ultrasound B scan was 1.6 mm (mean ± standard deviation, 1.65±1.6; range, −6.5 to +0.7). The mean ± standard deviation BCVA gain was 0.22±0.34, with >3 Snellen lines in 48% of cases. Kaplan-Meier estimates were 80% for any gain and 40% for >3 Snellen lines gain at 5 years. In the PDT group, the median decrease in thickness was 0.95 mm (mean ± standard deviation, 1.0±0.8; range, −2.5 to +0.2). The mean ± standard deviation BCVA gain was at 0.3±0.51, with >3 Snellen lines in 30% of cases. Kaplan-Meier estimates were 93% for any gain and 68% for >3 Snellen lines at 5 years. Double versus single duration PDT had more favorable outcomes with a greater reduction in tumor thickness (P = 0.04), central retinal thickness (P = 0.02), and improvement in visual acuity (median, 0.33 vs −0.05). There was no difference in decrease in tumor thickness or BCVA gain between the LS-EBRT and PDT groups. With plaque brachytherapy, the mean decrease in thickness was 2.5 mm, but BCVA loss of >2 Snellen lines was noted in all 3 cases at the end of follow-up. Radiation complications developed in 10 of 23 cases (43.5%) from the LS-EBRT group and 2 of 3 cases (67%) from the plaque brachytherapy group. Conclusions LS-EBRT is equivalent to PDT in CCH management for post-treatment BCVA and tumor thickness reduction. The risk of LS-EBRT and plaque brachytherapy was late radiation-related complications. Double duration PDT was more favorable than single duration.

Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of intravitreal ranibizumab pretreatment on the outcome of vitrectomy surgery for advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The objective was to determine the feasibility of a subsequent definitive trial and estimate the effect size and variability of the outcome measure. Patients and methods: We performed a pilot randomised double-masked single-centre clinical trial in 30 participants with tractional retinal detachment associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Seven days prior to vitrectomy surgery, participants were randomly allocated to receive either intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis, Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Frimley, UK) or subconjunctival saline (control). The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity 12 weeks following surgery.Results: At 12 weeks, the mean (SD) visual acuity was 46.7 (25) ETDRS letters in the control group and 52.6 (21) letters in the ranibizumab group. Mean visual acuity improved by 14 (31) letters in the control group and by 24 (27) letters in the ranibizumab group. We found no difference in the progression of tractional retinal detachment prior to surgery, the duration of surgery, or its technical difficulty. Vitreous cavity haemorrhage persisted at 12 weeks in two of the control group but none of the ranibizumab group.Conclusion: Ranibizumab pretreatment may improve the outcome of vitrectomy surgery for advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy by reducing the extent of post-operative vitreous cavity haemorrhage. However, the effect size appears to be modest; we calculate that a definitive study to establish a minimally important difference of 5.9 letters at a significance level of P

To describe the phenotype, associations, and complications of dome-shaped macula (DSM) through the combination of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and B-scan ultrasonography, when available. This retroprospective cohort study aims to gain further pathophysiological understanding in eyes with DSM.Fifty-eight eyes of 36 patients were identified as having OCT features of DSM. Retinal and choroidal thicknesses were determined from enhanced depth imaging (EDI)-OCT image sets, with scleral thickness subsequently calculated by subtraction from the B-scan ultrasound-derived measurements of posterior coat thickness.DSM was associated with myopia in 81 % of eyes. The underlying clinical diagnosis was variable: central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR)-like entity, choroidal neovascularization, and inherited retinal disorders. The subfoveal choroidal thickness of the nine highly myopic eyes with a CSCR-like phenotype was thicker than the 25 eyes without CSCR (p = 0.169). The mean subfoveal scleral thickness of the highly myopic eyes was 585 ± 196 μm, which was significantly different from those with a refractive error less than 6 diopters (1133 ± 290 μm) (P 0.0001).This study highlights the novel observation of a thickened choroid when CSCR is present. In addition, we expand the associations of DSM to eyes with hypermetropia and acquired disease, and to those with inherited retinal dystrophies.

Background The aim was to determine the intrasession repeatability of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT)-derived retinal and choroidal thickness measurements in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Methods A prospective study consisting of patients with active nAMD enrolled in the Distance of Choroid Study at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Patients underwent three 12×9 mm macular raster scans using the deep range imaging (DRI) OCT-1 SS-OCT (Topcon) device in a single imaging session. Retinal and choroidal thicknesses were calculated for the ETDRS macular subfields. Repeatability was calculated according to methods described by Bland and Altman. Results 39 eyes of 39 patients with nAMD were included with a mean (±SD) age of 73.9 (±7.2) years. The mean (±SD) retinal thickness of the central macular subfield was 225.7 μm (±12.4 μm). The repeatability this subfield, expressed as a percentage of the mean central macular subfield thickness, was 23.2%. The percentage repeatability of the other macular subfields ranged from 13.2% to 28.7%. The intrasession coefficient of repeatability of choroidal thickness of the central macular subfield was 57.2 μm with a mean choroidal thickness (±SD) of 181 μm (±15.8 μm). Conclusions This study suggests that a change >23.2% of retinal thickness and 57.2 μm choroidal thickness in the central macular subfield is required to distinguish true clinical change from measurement variability when using the DRI OCT-1 device to manage patients with nAMD.

Contains fulltext : 87936.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access) PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of radial optic neurotomy and retinal endovascular surgery on retinal blood flow velocity in patients with central retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: A prospective interventional case series. RESULTS: Six patients with a central retinal vein occlusion of

Developmental ocular malformations, including anophthalmia-microphthalmia (AM), are heterogeneous disorders with frequent sporadic or non-Mendelian inheritance. Recurrent interstitial deletions of 14q22-q23 have been associated with AM, sometimes with poly/syndactyly and hypopituitarism. We identify two further cases of AM (one with associated pituitary anomalies) with a 14q22-q23 deletion. Using a positional candidate gene approach, we analyzed the BMP4 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4) gene and identified a frameshift mutation (c.226del2, p.S76fs104X) that segregated with AM, retinal dystrophy, myopia, brain anomalies, and polydactyly in a family and a nonconservative missense mutation (c.278A-->G, p.E93G) in a highly conserved base in another family. MR imaging and tractography in the c.226del2 proband revealed a primary brain developmental disorder affecting thalamostriatal and callosal pathways, also present in the affected grandmother. Using in situ hybridization in human embryos, we demonstrate expression of BMP4 in optic vesicle, developing retina and lens, pituitary region, and digits strongly supporting BMP4 as a causative gene for AM, pituitary, and poly/syndactyly. Because BMP4 interacts with HH signaling genes in animals, we evaluated gene expression in human embryos and demonstrate cotemporal and cospatial expression of BMP4 and HH signaling genes. We also identified four cases, some of whom had retinal dystrophy, with "low-penetrant" mutations in both BMP4 and HH signaling genes: SHH (Sonic Hedgehog) or PTCH1 (Patched). We propose that BMP4 is a major gene for AM and/or retinal dystrophy and brain anomalies and may be a candidate gene for myopia and poly/syndactyly. Our finding of low-penetrant variants in BMP4 and HH signaling partners is suggestive of an interaction between the two pathways in humans.

Purpose: To report the clinical and ultrasound features and outcomes of a series of nodular posterior scleritis. / Methods: Retrospective medical record review of 11 consecutive patients with nodular posterior scleritis. Patient demographics, ocular and systemic findings, ultrasound features, and final anatomical and visual outcomes were recorded. / Results: There were 9 females and 2 males (11 eyes) with mean age at presentation of 57 years (range, 30-84 years). Underlying systemic inflammatory disease was present in 73%. Symptoms included pain in 73% and blurred vision in 45%. A solitary amelanotic mass without the presence of lipofuscin was found in all cases. Associated ocular features included retinal pigment epithelial changes (67%), intraocular inflammation (55%), subretinal fluid (50%), macular edema (50%), and choroidal folds (30%). B-mode ultrasound showed a sclerochoroidal mass with high internal reflectivity (100%) of mean elevation of 4.1 mm. There was nodular thickening of the sclera (100%) and fluid in Tenon space or "T" sign (36%). A complete regression of the nodule after the treatment was observed only in 1 patient (11%) and partial regression in 4 patients (44%). / Conclusion: Nodular posterior scleritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a single amelanotic choroidal mass showing high internal reflectivity on ultrasound B-scan. It can produce intraocular inflammation in 50% of the cases and may be painless in 25%. It has a high association with a systemic underlying disease.

Comment on ‘Idiopathic uveal effusion syndrome causing unilateral acute angle closure in a pseudophakic patient’

Aims To compare anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) with ultrasound B-scan (USB) in evaluating iris and iridociliary body lesions. Methods Image features and resolution comparison between AS-OCT and USB in 126 patients (126 eyes) presenting with iris or iridociliary body lesion. Bland–Altman plots were generated to assess the level of agreement between the two techniques. Results The three most common diagnoses were iris naevi (62 (49.2%)), iris pigment epithelial cysts (23 (18.3%)) and iris melanoma (11 (8.7%)). Image feature comparison for USB was better than AS-OCT in visualising all tumour margins (81 (64.3%) vs 59 (46.8%)), posterior tumour margin (54 (42.9%) vs 16 (12.7%)) and producing less posterior shadowing (121 (96%) vs 43 (34.1%)). Image resolution comparison revealed USB to be slightly better for resolving the overall tumour (45 (35.7%) vs 43 (34.1%)) and posterior tumour surface (70 (55.6%) vs 32 (25.4%)) but AS-OCT was better for resolving the anterior (62 (49.2%) vs 4 (3.2%)) and lateral tumour surface (62 (49.2%) vs 31 (24.6%)). Comparing the three most common diagnoses, USB was better for visualising iris pigment epithelial cysts (12 (52.2%) vs 2 (8.7%)) and iris melanoma (7 (63.6%) vs 1 (9.1%)) but AS-OCT was better (28 (45.2%) vs 15 (24.2%)) for visualising iris naevi. Bland–Altman plots showed good agreement between the two techniques for lesions smaller than 3 mm in base and 2 mm in elevation. Conclusions AS-OCT is superior to USB for imaging small lesions pertaining to the anterior iris but USB is better for imaging larger iris lesions with posterior or ciliary body extension.

Objective To document the clinical features, systemic associations, and visual outcome in a large number of patients with posterior scleritis. Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants There were 137 patient records showing patients with a diagnosis of posterior scleritis who were attending or had attended the scleritis clinic at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1974 and 1996. Ninety-nine records were suitable for detailed analysis. Methods The medical records and B-mode ultrasound examinations were reviewed. Main outcome measures The clinical features, systemic associations, treatment, and outcome of each patient were determined. Results Posterior scleritis occurred at all ages. The mean age at onset was 49.3 years. Posterior scleritis began before age 40 in 30% of patients and was twice as common in women as in men. The B-mode ultrasound examination showed diffuse and nodular changes in the posterior sclera. Necrotizing posterior scleritis was not identified. Twenty-nine percent of patients had an associated systemic disease that included systemic vasculidites, autoimmune diseases, and lymphoma. Such patients more commonly had nodular changes on B-mode ultrasound examination. Early treatment controlled posterior scleral inflammation and limited visual loss. Thirty-one percent of patients lost two or more lines of vision. Statistical analysis revealed that patients older than age 50 had an increased risk of having an associated systemic disease and were more likely to experience visual loss. Patients with associated systemic disease required more aggressive immunosuppressive therapy and more frequently had accompanying anterior scleritis. There was no association between unilateral, bilateral, or recurrent disease and the presence of systemic disease or visual loss from posterior scleritis. Conclusions The B-mode ultrasound examination reveals that posterior scleritis occurs far more often than previously thought and can lead to rapid and permanent visual loss. All patients with posterior scleritis must be assumed to be at risk of visual loss. Forty percent of patients had no anterior scleral inflammation, and 9% had no detectable physical signs. All patients need to be investigated for an associated systemic disease and all require early treatment to minimize loss of vision.

AIM—To assess the dimensions and patency of the surgical epithelial fistula after external dacryocystorhinostomy, using B mode ultrasonography to define the postoperative soft tissue anastomosis. METHODS—12 patients undergoing 16 external dacryocystorhinostomies, with the creation of large osteotomies, were included in a prospective study. The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the bone ostium was recorded during surgery and compared with the ultrasonographic dimensions of the soft tissue anastomosis at 1 day, 2 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Functional patency was confirmed with dye testing and irrigation. RESULTS—Compared with an osteotomy of between 100 and 380 mm2 (mean 235 mm2), the soft tissue anastomosis on the day after surgery was, in all cases, markedly smaller (72-252 mm2; mean 144 mm2, or 61% of the bone window). The soft tissue anastomosis decreased to between 8 and 208 mm2 (mean 98 mm2; 68% of immediate postoperative value) at 2 weeks and 3-208 mm2 (mean 71 mm2; 49% of immediate postoperative value) at 6 months. 14 of the 16 (88%) dacryocystorhinostomies were functional at the end of the study, the two failures being associated with marked contracture of the soft tissue anastomosis; the outcome of surgery correlated significantly with the area of the anastomosis at 2 weeks (χ2 = 16.3; p

PURPOSE: To present the detailed phenotype of a subject with MRCS (microcornea, retinal dystrophy, cataract, and posterior staphyloma) syndrome and to investigate the underlying molecular genetic basis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: Clinical examination, electrophysiologic assessment, B-scan ultrasonography, and mutation screening of the gene VMD2. The protocol of the study was approved by the local ethics committee and informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: A 12-year-old boy was identified with bilateral microcornea, rod-cone dystrophy, congenital cataracts, and posterior staphylomata associated with high myopia (MRCS). Mutation screening failed to identify disease-causing sequence variants in VMD2, the gene associated with MRCS syndrome. All previous subjects have had pathogenic VMD2 sequence alterations. CONCLUSIONS: We present a further report of the MRCS syndrome and provide evidence in support of genetic heterogeneity in this phenotype.

Sir, We value the interest Day and Foster1 have expressed in our case.2 The reported cases of seclusio pupillae in pseudophakia are accompanied by clear, clinical descriptions of an immobile iris that is tethered to the anterior capsule where the rhexis edge lies, typically in the mid periphery.3, 4, 5 In the largest case series, Gaton et al describe ‘iris bombe and a shallow anterior chamber with a fixed, non-reacting pupil and increased IOP (40 and 60 mm Hg)'. In our case, the pupil was mobile, and ∼2–3 mm smaller than the adequately sized anterior rhexis. The iris did not have the typical bombe appearance and pupil dilated uniformly without any signs of pigmentation on the anterior capsule suggestive of prior iridocapsular adhesion. Choroidal effusions are increasingly being implicated in primary angle closure. It remains unclear if they are a causative factor or consequence. We could find no reports where choroidal effusions were seen in the context of seclusio pupillae, and the findings in phakic primary angle closure may not be directly transferrable to our case. In the paper by Sakai et al,6 inclusion into the acute primary angle closure (APAC) group required bilateral narrow angles, IOP >40 mm Hg, nausea/vomiting, and corneal oedema in phakic patients. This is quite different from the case we present. Of their APAC patients, only 2 of 70 had grade 3 effusions and they make no mention of these extending beyond the equator. Our patient had large choroidal detachments, with folds visible at the posterior pole through an undilated pupil. Utilizing the facilities available to us, we performed dynamic ultrasonography and were happy that the iris was fully mobile. High-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy would have been helpful in confirming the pathology, however, this modality was unavailable at our institution. Peripheral iridotomy is not without risk. It is only of value in cases of pupil block and as such would be ineffective in this case. We were fortunate enough to be able to document what we recognized as an unusual case and have included a video highlighting some of the salient features that we believe support our interpretation (Supplementary Video).

Objective: To show that direct inferior-nasal 1-quadrant infiltration of local anaesthetic directly to the sub-Tenon space provides anaesthesia for cataract extraction and to assess the distribution of solution. Results: Ultrasound imaging of sub-Tenon delivery to the inferiornasal quadrant reveals rapid movement of solution from this quadrant to the temporal side and posteriorly out of Tenon's space to the anterior intra-conal region. Conclusions: This distribution of solution posteriorly out of Tenon's space is evidence that initial sub-Tenon irrigation can become anterior intra-conal anaesthesia.

To examine the effect of steroid therapy on the volume estimates and blood flow characteristics of childhood periorbital capillary haemangiomas.Children at risk of amblyopia due to periorbital haemangiomas were treated with intralesional steroid injections (between 1 and 4 courses) and serial assessment of the volume and blood-flow characteristics of the lesions measured using colour Doppler ultrasonography. The characteristics of the haemangiomas in these children were compared with a cohort of untreated cases.Eight of nine treated children were female, this proportion being significantly different from the equal sex distribution of an untreated cohort (p0.05). All children in the steroid-treated group presented within 1 month of birth, compared to the untreated children, who presented at an average of 2.1 months of age (range 0-14, median 2.9 months) (p = 0.04) and they required significantly longer follow-up in the Orbital service (mean 65 months, range 26-105), compared with an average of 35 months (range 4-92, median 23) in the untreated group (p = 0.002). The maximum estimated volume of the lesions were significantly larger in the treated group (treated group mean 8.9 ml, untreated group mean 4.1 ml; p = 0.016), with a trend towards higher maximum measured blood velocities in the treated group (treated mean 64 cm compared with untreated mean 52 cm; p = 0.1). Steroid injections appear to reduce the volume and blood flow of haemangiomas, this suppression persisting for several months (between 5 and 20) before the lesion later displays the cyclic fluctuations in volume and flow seen with untreated lesions. All treated haemangiomas had some residual vascular anomaly, detectable on ultrasonography, at last follow-up--this being despite absence of clinical signs in most cases.Periorbital capillary haemangiomas requiring steroid therapy for risk of amblyopia were significantly commoner in females, were larger lesions and presented at an earlier age. Intralesional steroids appear to cause a reduction of blood flow, with a transient reduction in volume and a suppression of the natural cyclic variation seen without treatment. The changes after a course of steroid therapy appear to last for between 5 and 20 months, this period of suppression of the lesion probably being particularly useful during infancy and early childhood when the child is at greatest risk of amblyopia.

Imaging the vitreous in optically transparent and translucent ocular media using OCT and in optically opaque ocular media using ultrasound is discussed. Optical coherence tomography and colour flow mapping are briefly described. Images of tomograms, B-mode sections, and colour flow maps illustrate the use of these techniques in imaging the vitreous.

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is not generally thought to be associated with other ocular abnormalities. Ultrasonography in a series of twenty eyes (ten patients) with CHED shows ocular enlargement similar to that occurring in uncomplicated axial myopia. There was an inverse relationship between the degree of enlargement and the visual acuity or visual result following penetrating keratoplasty suggesting that infantile corneal oedema sufficient to cause stimulus deprivation may result in abnormal enlargement of the globe.

Purpose To audit intraocular lens (IOL) power predictions for cataract surgery in extreme hyperopia and to compare the accuracy across different biometry formulae and IOL types. Design A retrospective analysis of 76 eyes from 56 patients undergoing cataract surgery with IOLs ranging in power from 30 to 35 diopters (D). Methods Axial lengths, corneal powers and anterior chamber depths were measured with ultrasound or optical methods, and the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditech, Inc, Dublin, California, USA) software was used to predict the refractive outcome for each IOL used. Differences between the predicted and actual postoperative refraction were then analyzed for each formula. Results In practice, 55% of patients were within ±1.0 D of the refraction predicted by their surgeon. In theory, the Haigis formula would have given the smallest mean refractive error (+0.51 ± 0.12 D), followed by the Hoffer Q (−0.70 ± 0.14 D), Holladay 1 (−1.11 ± 0.13 D), and SRK/T formulae (−1.45 ± 0.14 D). The Haigis formula overpredicted the lens power required, which would have generated a myopic result. The other formulae underpredicted the lens power required and would have generated a hyperopic result. There was a significant difference between lens designs: the Haigis was more accurate for open-loop, whereas the Hoffer Q was more accurate for plate-haptic lenses. The anterior chamber depth measurement could also be used to predict changes in intraocular pressure after surgery. Conclusion This represents the largest published series to date of biometry predictions for cataract surgery in extreme hyperopia and confirms the Haigis formula to be the most accurate. A consistent difference between open-loop and plate-haptic lenses suggests that haptic design may influence the effective lens position in very small eyes. We further propose a simple formula to optimize the Haigis and Hoffer Q formulae in patients with extreme hyperopia.

Although the clinical characteristics of childhood periocular capillary haemangiomas are well known, serial measurements of blood velocity and lesion size are unknown. This investigation was designed to measure the changes in maximum blood velocity and estimated size of lesion in children with capillary haemangioma not requiring active intervention.Retrospective case-note review for a cohort of children with capillary haemangioma involving the eyelid and orbit.Children with periocular capillary haemangioma, under the care of the Orbital unit at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 1996 and 2005, were monitored clinically and with repeated ultrasonographic examination. Volume estimates were calculated as an ovoid based on the three maximum orthogonal measurements for the haemangioma, and blood velocity was assessed by Colour Flow Mapping, Colour Doppler Energy Imaging, and Spectral Doppler techniques using a Sequoia 512 Acuson scanner.Twenty-four children (12 boys) had initial assessment by 18 months of age, and the haemangioma increased in size in 14/24 (58%), the increase being between 4 and 931% of initial volume estimate. The largest measured size for an individual haemangioma appears inversely related to the child's age at measurement, this mirroring a similar trend in measurements for the maximum blood velocity. Blood velocity measurements also tend to decrease with time, the peak velocity being before 1 year of age in the majority (15/24; 62%). In many children, both volume estimates and blood velocities show a cyclic variation-this occurring with increasing intervals between the maxima, before a final decay in both parameters. Although, for the whole group, there was no correlation (correlation coefficient=0.29) between estimated size and measured blood velocity, some individual children showed a significant correlation between the two parameters. The age at maximum blood velocity appeared to precede the age at maximum volume in most children, and in many there was an orbital anomaly detectable on ultrasonographic examination, even with complete clinical resolution of the haemangioma.Ultrasonographic examination of periocular capillary haemangiomas show that these lesions have a very high blood velocity in feeding vessels-about 2-3 orders of magnitude greater than normal capillary beds-and that the velocity and volume of such lesions undergo a cyclic variation during their natural history. Evidence suggests that both velocity and volume decrease with time, although often not returning to zero on ultrasonography (unlike the clinical resolution of the lesions). In most children, blood velocity peaks before volume estimates and this might suggest that decreasing perfusion leads to later tissue atrophy and involution of the haemangioma.

Purpose To audit the accuracy of biometry using the SRK/T formula when negative- or zero-powered intraocular lenses (IOLs) are predicted and to compare the results between A-scan, B-scan, and optical methods of biometry. Setting Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Methods This retrospective analysis comprised 78 eyes of 54 patients having cataract surgery with zero- or negative-powered IOLs. Axial lengths were measured with A-scan, B-scan, applanation, or optical methods. Differences between SRK/T-predicted and actual postoperative refraction were analyzed for 75 eyes having cataract surgery. Ocular comorbidity, visual acuity, and biometry readings were also compared. Results Forty-one percent of 75 patients analyzed were within ±1.00 diopter (D) of the predicted refraction, although there was a significant tendency toward a hyperopic overcorrection by 1.14 D (95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.39 D). This overcorrection error was consistent across all 3 biometry methods used to estimate axial length and increased with the use of stronger (more negative) IOLs. Conclusion Surgeons should be aware of the tendency for negative-powered lenses to overcorrect and lead to a hyperopic outcome when using the SRK/T biometry formula in highly myopic eyes. A weaker-powered negative IOL is recommended to aim for a more myopic postoperative outcome by about 1.00 to 2.00 D.

Purpose Determination of the reasons for clinically significant unplanned ametropia following cataract surgery and the results of management of the ametropia. Methods Retrospective review of 11 consecutive cases of tertiary referral for management of pseudophakic ametropia to the authors. Corrective surgery involved either lens implant exchange or LASIK refractive surgery. Final outcome was assessed by uncorrected and best spectacle corrected visual acuity and manifest refractive outcome. Results Five cases (45%) were due to significant error in axial length determination at pre-surgery biometry. Six cases (55%) were due to surgeon or surgical team error, where the surgeon implanted a lens of power at variance with that specified pre-operatively. Nine patients elected to undergo refractive surgery to correct the ametropia and 2 elected to wear a spectacle lens. Seven underwent lens implant exchange and 2 patients underwent LASIK keratorefractive surgery. Eight of nine patients were within 1 dioptre of intended spherical equivalent after refractive surgery and 1 patients was —1.5 dioptre myopic. Conclusions Most cases of serious unintended ametropia after cataract surgery are avoidable. Care should be taken with the biometry and procedural checks to minimise error. When lens implant exchange or LASIK was performed the final refractive results were satisfactory.

Sir, Optic disc swelling in a child, with no other features suggestive of raised intracranial pressure is a challenging clinical scenario. These children frequently undergo invasive investigations, such as neuroimaging and lumbar puncture, even though the clinical suspicion of serious pathology is low. In this study, we report a new clinical presentation of benign optic disc swelling in five siblings of two families, where optic disc drusen were not present at first presentation, but developed many months later as shown on serial B-scan ultrasonography. We have termed this unusual presentation ‘familial pseudopapilloedema'. Five children (two siblings from one family and three siblings from another family) underwent examination and B-scan ultrasonography at first presentation and at all subsequent examinations. Age range at first presentation was 18 months to 12 years with a mean of 6.5 years. The male to female ratio was 4 : 1. All five children had clinically apparent optic disc swelling without other ophthalmoscopic features of papilloedema (retinal nerve fibre layer swelling, surrounding disc haemorrhages, cotton wool spots, hyperemia, venous congestion, Patton's lines, or exudates1). None had any symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure, other neurological disease, or systemic upset (Table 1). Table 1 Summary table showing each of the five children's age, reason for presentation, vision, refraction, and investigations Serial B-scan ultrasonography showed no drusen at the first visit. However, all children developed small linear drusen at the optic disc over time (Figure 1). The mean time for development of drusen detectable on B-scan was 2.7 years. At no point was there optic nerve sheath dilation on B-scan. In two children, CT scans were conducted and reported as normal. A CT scan was avoided in three children because of the absence of optic nerve sheath swelling on sonography, the absence of symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and normal visual function.2, 3 Figure 1 B-scan of small linear disc drusen (arrow) in one of the subjects.

Purpose To assess the outcomes of double lens implants in hyperoptic eyes with associated pathology. Method Double lens implants were used in 4 eyes of 4 patients each with a different ophthalmic or neuro-ophthalmic disease. Biometry was performed in the standard contact fashion and lens power formulae used included SRK/T, Holladay and Hoffer Q. Results Average spherical equivalent refraction improved from +6.875 D to +0.38 D. Absolute average prediction error was greatest for SRK/T (2.65 D) and least for Holladay (1.73 D). Refractive suprises were influenced by the underlying disease process. One patient showed central lens compression. Conclusion Underlying disease can produce biometry errors. Structural ophthalmic or neurological disease is not a contraindication to the use of double lens implants. Double lens implants are useful to correct refractive error in the presence of underlying disease.

The problem under consideration is that of measurement of the thickness of ‘thin’ (of the order of the wavelength of the imaging pulse) membrane-like layers, such as the human retina, using ultrasound pulse-echo data. An obvious approach to this problem is to record the location of a feature of the signal, such as an envelope maximum, associated with the front and rear faces of the membrane. The time separation of these two features then provides an indication of the (temporal) thickness dimension of the structure. A modification, (which may be advantageous for e.g. noisy signals) is to examine features of the cross-correlation between the imaging pulse and the rf A-line data segment of interest. However, a number of effects compromise such methods, a major problem being that of interference (see Fig. 1).

The ocular ischaemic syndrome illustrates well the effects of hypoperfusion of the globe and is a useful model for studying disorders of the orbital circulation. Recent advances in orbital ultrasound techniques have provided a non-invasive method of examining flow velocities in the orbital vessels, particularly the ophthalmic artery. Orbital ultrasound studies were performed on 3 cases of the ocular ischaemic syndrome. Continuous or intermittent reversal of blood flow in the ophthalmic artery was seen in all cases. How this phenomenon relates to the symptoms and signs in affected patients, and the role of orbital ultrasound in the investigation of the ocular ischaemic syndrome, are discussed.

Ultrasonic examination is an essential investigation in most patients awaiting vitrectomy. Rapid B-scanning of the vitreous is described utilising a new system capable of high resolution and good tonal quality. Several patterns of haemorrhagic invasion of the vitreous cavity are illustrated, together with detachment, collapse, and retraction of the vitreous gel.

(1980). Ultrasound in opthalmic diagnosis. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 125-129.

The advent of new techniques in vitreous surgery has added an impetus to improve ultrasonic examination of the vitreous cavity. Rapid B-scanning is vital in the diagnosis of vitreo-retinal pathology when opacity prevents biomicroscopical examination. Serial B- and C-scan sectioning have also proved essential in the study of tumours. The C-scan is of particular value in the study of traction retinal detachments and tumours.

Colour doppler imaging and conventional spectral doppler/B-mode techniques were used to detect and quantify rectus muscle movement during voluntary saccades. A velocity gradient was evident in all muscles studied--low velocities near the muscle origin at the back of the orbit increasing linearly to a maximum near the muscle insertion on the globe. A consistent reduction in velocity occurred along muscles injected with botulinum toxin. Doppler ultrasound complements current clinical eye movement recording techniques--electronystagmography, infrared light reflection methods and magnetic induction methods--insofar as it detects movement in parts of the muscle itself rather than movement of the globe secondary to muscle contraction. Future developments in colour doppler imaging will make the technique clinically more applicable.

Many authors (Coleman et al., 1972; Ossoinig & Till, 1975) have reported the use of A-scan and B-scan techniques in orbital diagnosis.

It is indicated how pulsed fields from transducers, as used for imaging and echo analysis, are quite different in practice from the continuous fields described in most text books. The propagation of pulses within the eye is discussed with particular emphasis on scattering and reflection. Some tissue characterisation methods are also discussed.

A male infant with microcornea, anterior segment dysgenesis and congenital cataracts, but with a normal ocular posterior segment is reported. His mother also had extreme microcornea, no useful vision from birth, but had globes of grossly normal size.