Photodynamic Therapy With Verteporfin using Half Fluence for Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of half-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT) using verteporfin in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: The author reviewed the charts of 20 patients (22 eyes) who underwent PDT for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy. All 22 eyes were treated using an irradiance of 300 mW over 83 second (25 J/cm2). Postoperative evaluation included improvements in visual acuity, complications, changes in central macular thickness with the optical coherence tomogram (OCT), and recurrence. RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 0.50+/-0.32 to 0.12+/-0.19 logMAR at 3 months (p<0.01), and the mean central macular thickness decreased from 377.7+/-86.3 micrometer to 166.2+/-29.3 micrometer at 3 months (p<0.01). Exudative serous macular detachments were resolved completely in all eyes within 3 months. There was no recurrence after PDT during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: PDT using half fluence appeared to be a beneficial treatment option for patients with chronic CSC. Further studies are needed to verify treatment safety as well as the time and rate of recurrences.

Trabeculectomy for Medically Uncontrolled Acute Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of trabeculectomy performed on eyes with medically uncontrolled acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). METHODS: The authors reviewed 31 eyes of 30 acute primary angle-closure glaucoma patients who had undergone trabeculectomy. The eyes were divided into two groups: eyes which did not respond to medical and/or laser treatment (Group A, 16 eyes) and those which initially responded to medical and/or laser treatment and later had an intraocular pressure (IOP) increase (Group B, 15 eyes). Complete success was defined as a final IOP below 21 mmHg without medication, and qualified success was defined as a final IOP below 21 mmHg with medication. Patients whose postoperative IOP was 22 mmHg or greater on at least two serial measurements or who required additional glaucoma surgery were classified as failures. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 43.1+/-32.3 months. The five-year qualified success rate was 56.3% in Group A and 100% in Group B (log-rank test, p=0.02). The preoperative IOP was significantly higher in Group A (38.0+/-11.5 mmHg) than in Group B (21.8+/-12.2 mmHg) (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The medically uncontrolled AACG appears to have an adverse effect on the outcome of trabeculectomy. Success of trabeculectomy in AACG seems to be inversely related with elevated preoperative intraocular pressure.

Trabeculectomy for Medically Uncontrolled Acute Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of trabeculectomy performed on eyes with medically uncontrolled acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG). METHODS: The authors reviewed 31 eyes of 30 acute primary angle-closure glaucoma patients who had undergone trabeculectomy. The eyes were divided into two groups: eyes which did not respond to medical and/or laser treatment (Group A, 16 eyes) and those which initially responded to medical and/or laser treatment and later had an intraocular pressure (IOP) increase (Group B, 15 eyes). Complete success was defined as a final IOP below 21 mmHg without medication, and qualified success was defined as a final IOP below 21 mmHg with medication. Patients whose postoperative IOP was 22 mmHg or greater on at least two serial measurements or who required additional glaucoma surgery were classified as failures. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 43.1+/-32.3 months. The five-year qualified success rate was 56.3% in Group A and 100% in Group B (log-rank test, p=0.02). The preoperative IOP was significantly higher in Group A (38.0+/-11.5 mmHg) than in Group B (21.8+/-12.2 mmHg) (p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The medically uncontrolled AACG appears to have an adverse effect on the outcome of trabeculectomy. Success of trabeculectomy in AACG seems to be inversely related with elevated preoperative intraocular pressure.

The Effects of Cheap Tinted Contact Lenses on Corneal Swelling and Ocular Surface Inflammation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of cheap tinted contact lenses on corneal swelling and ocular surface inflammation, compared to hydrogel and silicone hydrogel contact lenses. METHODS: Forty eyes of 20 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Two types of tinted contact lenses, hydrogel lenses, and silicone hydrogel lenses were each applied to 10 rabbit eyes. Corneal thickness and tear lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were measured at 1 and 4 days after contact lens wear, and the inflammation of ocular surface was scored at 4 days after contact lens wear. The internal surface of the cheap tinted lens was examined with a scanning electron microscope to compare the surface quality between the tinted and non-tinted area. RESULTS: Although the corneal swelling of the silicone hydrogel lens group was significantly lower than the other 3 lens groups after contact lens wear (p0.1). Tear LDH activity at 1 and 4 days after contact lens wear showed no significant difference among the 4 groups (p>0.29). The scores of ocular surface inflammation in the 2 tinted contact lens groups were greater than the hydrogel and silicone hydrogel lens groups (p=0.03). The scanning electron microscope revealed the internal surface of the tinted area in the tinted contact lens was coarse and irregular though the surface of the non-tinted area was relatively smooth. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding corneal swelling and tear LDH activity, the cheap tinted contact lenses used in Korea were not significantly different from the common hydrogel contact lenses. However, tinted contact lenses showed a greater tendency to provoke ocular surface inflammation than other lenses. The coarse and irregular surface of the tinted area in the tinted contact lens appears to play a role in provoking severe ocular surface inflammation.