Bilateral Optic Disc Edema Associated with Hypocalcemia

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral optic disc edema associated with hypocalcemia. CASE SUMMARY: A 48-year-old woman visited our ophthalmology department with decreased vision and disturbance of the visual field in the right eye, which began 2 days prior to presentation. The patient history indicated she had undergone total thyroidectomy 3 months prior and was given an oral calcium preparation. She had no eye pain, headache, tinnitus or diplopia. Her best corrected visual acuity of both eyes was 1.0, and color vision was normal in both eyes although a mild relative afferent pupillary defect was present in the right eye. Severe bilateral optic disc edema was present in the right eye. A Humphrey visual field test revealed an enlarged blind spot and peripheral nasal step scotoma in the right eye. The Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure was within the normal range and there were no abnormal findings regarding CSF. Additionally, there were no remarkable findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging nor neurologic tests. Her serum calcium was 5.9 mg/dL (normal range: total calcium 8.7-10.6 mg/dL), and an intravenous calcium supplement was started. Visual disturbance and optic disc edema improved 2 days after replacement and the optic disc edema completely dissolved 2 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Hypocalcemia may cause bilateral optic disc edema and can be recovered through adequate calcium supplementation, and it is necessary to prevent and promptly detect this rare complication.

Comparison of Partial Interferometry and Ultrasound A-scan for Axial Length Measurement in Retinal Vein Occlusions

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of axial length, which is a known risk factor of retinal vein occlusion, we measured the axial lengthby using contact A-scan sonography and partial interferometry and compared the two values. METHODS: This study included 19 patients complaining of visual symptoms and who were diagnosed with unilateral retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with macular edema (ME). Affected eyes were classified as the study group, and healthy fellow eyes were classified as the control group. We measured the central macular thickness (CMT) and axial length (AL) of the affected and fellow eyes and compared them. CMT was measured by optical coherence tomography (Stratus OCT, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany), and AL was measured by interferometry (IOL Master®, Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). RESULTS: In RVO patients, CMT was significantly different between affected eyes (485.7 ± 111.3 µm) and fellow eyes (197.8 ± 29.7 µm; p < 0.001). Axial length measured by A-scan sonography was 23.06 ± 0.86 mm in the affected eyes and 23.28 ± 0.93 mm in the healthy eyes, which was statistically different (p < 0.001). However, using partial interferometry, the AL was 23.35 ± 0.87 mm in the affected eyes and 23.38 ± 0.95 mm in the healthy eyes. No significant difference was found. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that short AL, which was once thought to be a risk factor of RVO, results from the properties of the instruments used for measurement. Moreover, we verified that partial interferometry is more accurate for measurement of AL than A-scan sonography when retinal vein occlusion is associated with ME.

Combined Cataract Extraction and Vitrectomy for Macula-sparing Retinal Detachment: Visual Outcomes and Complications

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcome of combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and vitrectomy for macula-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: The results of combined vitrectomy with cataract extraction were retrospectively analyzed in patients with preexisting cataracts and new-onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. To qualify, patients must also have had macular sparing in a region 6,000 microm in diameter on optical coherence tomography. The anatomical success rate, visual outcomes, and postoperative complications relating to visual acuity were evaluated. RESULTS: In 56 patients followed postoperatively for more than 12 months, the initial and final surgical success rate was 96.4% and 100%, respectively. The mean preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 0.05 and decreased to 0.11 postoperatively (p < 0.001). Of the 56 patients, 20 (35.7%) had worse visual acuity postoperatively, compared with preoperatively (0.06 vs. 0.27, p < 0.001); these cases were comprised of six patients with epiretinal membranes, 12 patients with a posterior capsule opacity, and two patients with cystoid macular edema. In the remaining 36 patients, there were no significant differences in visual acuity preoperatively and postoperatively (0.04 vs. 0.03, p = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cataracts who develop macula-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and whose visual prognosis is excellent assuming the retina can be reattached successfully, combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and vitrectomy might be an effective treatment. However, the visual prognosis is significantly affected by postoperative complications such as an epiretinal membranes, posterior capsule opacity, and cystoid macular edema. Therefore, further studies should examine methods to prevent these postoperative complications.

A Case of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)-Deficient Optic Neuropathy Associated with Wernicke's Encephalopathy

PURPOSE: To report a case of subacute optic neuropathy caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old woman was referred to the ophthalmology department due to decreased vision which began 10 days prior to presentation. The patient history indicated that she had undergone chemotherapy for ovarian cancer and she had been dependent on total parenteral nutrition for 3 weeks due to nausea and vomiting. Her best corrected vision of the right and the left eyes were 0.15 and 0.2, respectively. Color vision was severely impaired in both eyes without retrobulbar pain. There was marginal blurring on the temporal side of the optic discs of both eyes. The optic nerves were unremarkable on orbital and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There was high signal intensities in both the mammillary body and periaqueductal gray matter on T2-weighted imaging. In addition, the patient exhibited ataxia along with short-term memory loss. She was diagnosed with Wernicke's encephalopathy. Thiamine was administrated based on the diagnosis, and after 2 days of administration, the patient's vision and neurologic symptoms began to improve. Two weeks later, the patient recovered her vision. CONCLUSIONS: Thiamine deficiency may cause optic neuropathy and can be recovered with early thiamine supplementation. This condition could occur due to deficient oral thiamine administration. We should keep this point in mind and try to prevent or diagnose early.

Widening of Palpebral Fissure Due to Lateral Rectus Muscle Recession

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and course of widening of palpebral fissure after unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession. METHODS: The palpebral fissure width (PFW) was measured in 20 patients with intermittent exotropia before unilateral rectus muscle recession and 1 week, 1 month and 6 months after the surgery. RESULTS: The amount of recession was from 7.5 to 9.0 (mean 8.37 +/- 0.51) mm. More than 0.6 mm of change in PFW after surgery was defined as the significant change. The significant change was observed in 10 patients (50%) after 1 week, 7 patients (35%) after 1 month and 7 patients (35%) after 6 months after the surgery. The amount of recession was significantly greater in the group with significant change (8.60 +/- 0.39 mm) than the group without significant change (8.15 +/- 0.53 mm) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thirty five percent of the patients showed palpebral fissure widening lasts at least 6 months after unilateral lateral rectus muscle recession. We think it is necessary to notice patients about the possible change in palpebral fissure width before strabismus surgery. And we believe that more cosmetically satisfactory outcome would be resulted if surgeons consider eyelid condition when they are planning strabismus surgery.

Comparison of Filtering-Bleb Survival and Intraocular Pressure between Combined Phacotrabeculectomy and Trabeculectomy in Primary Glaucomas

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical results of combined phacotrabeculectomy (PHACO-TRAB) and trabeculectomy (TRAB) for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with POAG and 60 eyes of 60 patients with PACG were studied retrospectively. Fifty-two patients underwent PHACO-TRAB and 50 patients underwent TRAB. The IOP, number of anti-glaucoma medications, and duration of filtering bleb survival for 3 years after surgery were compared. RESULTS: For 12 months after surgery, the TRAB group maintained significantly lower IOP than the PHACO-TRAB group (p < 0.05, t-test), and there was no significant difference thereafter. The filtering bleb survival rate was significantly higher in the TRAB group during the study period. In patients with POAG, the TRAB group showed higher filtering bleb survival rate for 3 years (p = 0.016, log-rank test). However, in patients with PACG, there was no significant difference in filtering bleb survival between the 2 groups. In patients with POAG, the TRAB group maintained significantly lower IOP for 12 months after surgery, and there was no significant difference afterwards. In patients with PACG, the TRAB group maintained lower IOP only at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. However, the PHACO-TRAB group showed significantly lower IOP at 18 months and 36 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with POAG, TRAB was more effective in lowering IOP and maintaining filtering bleb. However in patients with PACG, there was no difference in filtering bleb survival between the 2 groups. TRAB was more effective in maintaining IOP during the early period after surgery, but PHACO-TRAB was superior to TRAB beyond 1 year after surgery in patients with PACG.

Comparison of Filtering-Bleb Survival and Intraocular Pressure between Combined Phacotrabeculectomy and Trabeculectomy in Primary Glaucomas

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical results of combined phacotrabeculectomy (PHACO-TRAB) and trabeculectomy (TRAB) for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with POAG and 60 eyes of 60 patients with PACG were studied retrospectively. Fifty-two patients underwent PHACO-TRAB and 50 patients underwent TRAB. The IOP, number of anti-glaucoma medications, and duration of filtering bleb survival for 3 years after surgery were compared. RESULTS: For 12 months after surgery, the TRAB group maintained significantly lower IOP than the PHACO-TRAB group (p < 0.05, t-test), and there was no significant difference thereafter. The filtering bleb survival rate was significantly higher in the TRAB group during the study period. In patients with POAG, the TRAB group showed higher filtering bleb survival rate for 3 years (p = 0.016, log-rank test). However, in patients with PACG, there was no significant difference in filtering bleb survival between the 2 groups. In patients with POAG, the TRAB group maintained significantly lower IOP for 12 months after surgery, and there was no significant difference afterwards. In patients with PACG, the TRAB group maintained lower IOP only at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. However, the PHACO-TRAB group showed significantly lower IOP at 18 months and 36 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with POAG, TRAB was more effective in lowering IOP and maintaining filtering bleb. However in patients with PACG, there was no difference in filtering bleb survival between the 2 groups. TRAB was more effective in maintaining IOP during the early period after surgery, but PHACO-TRAB was superior to TRAB beyond 1 year after surgery in patients with PACG.

The Recurrent Submacular Hemorrhage after Removal of Sub-Internal Limiting Membrane Hemorrhage with Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm

PURPOSE: To report a case of a recurrent macular hemorrhage that developed after surgical removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) for subintimal hemorrhage due to retinal macroaneurysm. CASE SUMMARY: A 75-year-old female was admitted to the hospital complaining of decreased vision in the left eye which had started 3 weeks previously. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the right and left eye was 0.7 and 0.03, respectively. The intraocular pressure (IOP) of the right and left eye was 10 mm Hg and 12 mm Hg, respectively. On the fundus examination, macular preretinal and subretinal hemorrhage was observed and a diagnosis of retinal arterial macroaneurym of the inferonasal major artery was made. Vitrectomy was performed. After indocyanine green dye staining, the sub-ILM hemorrhage was treated with removal of the ILM. At postoperative day 3, the annular chorioretinal folds were observed due to the hypotony (4 mm Hg). However, the absence of leakage was confirmed through the sclerotomy site. At postoperative day 8, recurrent submacular hemorrhage occurred and the hemorrhage was observed to have spread after intravitreal C3F8 gas injection and when the patient was placed in the prone position. At postoperative 4 months, the hemorrhage that had invaded the macular area was completely resolved. The BCVA was 0.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: When removing a sub-ILM hemorrhage due to retinal macroaneurysm, recurrent hemorrhage can occur especially in a patient with ocular hypotony, as in the present case report. Physicians should be aware of this possibility and the proper treatment the condition requires.