[Ocular trauma in subjects older than 60 years]

To evaluate the demographic data, mechanisms of injury and complications of ocular trauma in patients over 60 year of age. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 91 patients older than 60 who were admitted and treated in the Ophthalmology Department of Khalili Hospital, between September 2002 and November 2008, due to ocular trauma. Data were retrieved from admission charts including demographic information, mechanisms of injury, site of penetrating or perforating trauma, associated injuries such as endophthalmitis and intraocular foreign bodies, complications of trauma, the time interval between trauma and referral to our center and the initial visual acuities. X2 analysis were performed using SPSS 11.5 program to analyze the data. Patient age ranged from 60 to 87 years with mean [ +/- SD] of 69.6 [ +/- 7.8] years. 11 patients [21.1%] were monocular. 61 patients [67%] belonged to rural and 30 patients [33%] were from urban areas. Mean [ +/- SD] time interval from trauma to referral was 102 [ +/- 130] hours [range: 1 to 480 hours]. The most common mechanisms of trauma were trauma with tree spines [24.2%], sharp trauma with wood [22%], blunt trauma with wood [11%], blunt trauma with hand [11%] and falling down [9.9%]. Three patients had intraocular foreign bodies and 14 eyes [15.4%] were complicated by endophthalmitis. The most common complications of trauma were corneal ulcer [27.5%], surgical wound dehiscence [22%] and corneal laceration [22%]. There was significant correlation between corneal ulcer and also surgical wound dehiscence and profound visual loss. There was also significant correlation between referral later than 48 hours and profound visual loss. The results of this study provide some information about elderly eye trauma. These results may be valuable in planning, education, prevention programs and surveillance of this susceptible population of the community

[Advanced retinopathy of prematurity at poostchi ROP clinic, Shiraz]

To evaluate patients with advanced retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] among neonates referred to Poostchi ROP clinic in Shiraz from March 2006 to February 2008. Among referred infants to Poostchi clinic for screening and management of ROP, medical records of patients with advanced ROP [stage 5] at initial examination or during disease progression were evaluated. Information regarding gestational age, time of diagnosis, follow-up programs and causes of delayed screening were recorded. Overall, 20 patients [11 male, 9 female] out of 1024 reffered neonates had advanced ROP which was unilateral in 3 [15%] and bilateral in 17 [85%] patients. Advanced ROP was due to late diagnosis and treatment in 17 [85%] patients and treatment failure in 3 [15%] patients. Main causes of delayed diagnosis were uninformed parents in 10 [50%] patients, misdiagnosis by an ophthalmologist in 3 [15%] patients, socioeconomic problems and parental ignorance in 3 [15%] patients and poor systemic condition of the neonate in 1 [5%] patient. The main cause of visual loss due to advanced ROP is uninformed parents and health care providers as well as absence of an organized screening program

[Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive for management of exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implant]

To present our experience with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in eyes with exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implants. Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was used in 3 patients with hydroxyapatite orbital implant exposure defects. Cyanoacrylate glue was applied on the defective area of 3 patients presenting with small exposure [<4mm]. The patients were followed for 33 months [range: 20-58 months], no complication developed and the defect size was stable. In one patient after 12 months, the glue was removed and a mucous membrane graft was performed without any complications over a 9 month period. Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive application is safe and easy to use; it can be used for treatment of exposed hydroxyapatite orbital implant in selected cases