Incidence of endophthalmitis following intravitreal bevacizumab injection at a tertiary care hospital in eastern province of Saudi Arabia

The aim of this communication is to report the incidence of endophthalmitis following the use of intravitreal Bevacizumab [IVB] at a tertiary care hospital in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 2769 intravitreal Bevacizumab injections were carried out between January 2009 and April 2014. During this period, one case of endophthalmitis following IVB injection occurred. The overall incidence of clinical endophthalmitis was 0.036% [1/2769; 95% confidence interval: 0.0001-0.002%]. This compares favorably with studies reported from other parts of the world

Intravitreal bevacizumab as a primary treatment for idiopathic choroidal neovascularization

To report long-term outcomes of the use of intravitreal bevacizumab in subjects with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization [ICNV]. Six consecutive subjects with ICNV were included in this prospective study. All subjects received 1.25 mg intravitreal bevacizumab at diagnosis. A decrease in best corrected visual acuity [BCVA], presence of increased retinal edema or hemorrhage, increased retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography [OCT] or increased leakage documented by fluorescein angiography prompted further injections of bevacizumab. The study cohort was comprised of 3 males and 3 females with a mean age of 31.17 years. Mean follow-up was 13.8 months [range, 8 months to 20 months]. Following intravitreal bevacizumab injection, vision improved in 3 subjects, remained stable in 3 subjects and no patient lost visual acuity. The mean BCVA improved to logMAR 0.20 at final follow-up from baseline at 0.950 logMAR [P=0.031]. The mean central macular thickness and central foveal thickness at the last postoperative visits were reduced from pre-treatment levels of 374.33 +/- 146.52 and 347.16 +/- 213.97 to 251.20 +/- 35.36 and 215.33 +/- 43.94 ?m, respectively. [P=0.99 and P=0.16, respectively]. Four subjects required repeat treatments. The total number of repeat treatments was 4. Two subjects required no repeat injections, 3 subjects had 1 retreatment and one subject required 2 additional treatments. The injections were well tolerated by all the subjects, with no ocular or systemic adverse events. Intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab in patients with ICNV is effective in improving and stabilizing vision. Additional studies, particularly determination of optimal protocol for timing of re-injection are required to assess long-term effects

Pediatric retinal detachment in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: experience of a tertiary care hospital

Because no previous studies have addressed the issue, we describe clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [RRD] in a pediatric population of the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive cases of pediatric RRD [0-18 years] patients presenting at Dharhran Eye Specialist Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia over a period of 3 years. Twenty patients were included in the study, accounting for 9.4% of all retinal detachment surgery cases performed over a period of 3 years [January 2006 to December 2008]. The median age was 11.0 years, [range, birth to 18 years]. Trauma, [45%] myopia/vitreoretinal degeneration [10%] and prior ocular surgery [25%] were significant risk factors for RRD. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy [PVR] more than grade C was present in 14/20 [70%] of cases. Most patients [15/20, 75%] were treated with pars plana vitrectomy and placement of an encircling buckle, while silicone oil or gas was used as tamponade in 13/20 [65%] patients. Surgery was successful in 17/20 [85%] cases in achieving retinal re-attachment. Visual acuity improved significantly following surgery [Mean preop 2.146 LogMAR, Mean postop 1.497 LogMAR] [P=.014]. Longer duration of RRD [P=.007] and macular involvement [P=.05] were associated with worse anatomical outcomes following surgery. Pediatric RRD in the Eastern province is often associated with predisposing pathology. Surgery is successful in achieving anatomical reattachment of the retina in a majority of cases with improvement of visual acuity

Barrier laser photocoagulation for recurrent retinal detachment

To describe results of barrier laser photocoagulation in preventing progression of recurrent retinal detachment. Prospective review of five patients with recurrent retinal detachment confined to the peripheral inferior retina. Three rows of barrier argon laser photocoagulation of moderate intensity white burns were performed. Patients were observed carefully after laser photocoagulation for signs of progression of retinal detachment beyond the barrier laser confines. Barrier laser photocoagulation was successful in limiting the progression of retinal detachment in all cases during follow-up period [average 34.4 months], and maintaining good central visual acuity. Barrier laser photocoagulation can be useful in preventing progression of recurrent retinal detachment in selected patients

Computerized tomography in diagnosis of idiopathic inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit

A 30-year-old woman presented with pain, proptosis and external ophthalmoplegia of the left eye. Although routine investigations were normal, computerized tomographic scanning suggested a diagnosis of non-specific and idiopathic inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit. The patient was successfully treated with oral corticosteroids