Cancer-associated Nummular Loss of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

PURPOSE: To report a case of cancer-associated nummular loss of the retinal pigment epithelium. METHODS: A 47-year-old man with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma presented with three weeks of bilateral visual loss. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 in each eye. He had multiple round confluent grayish-brown patches at the level of retinal pigment epithelium, and no pigmented choroidal lesions. Fluorescein angiography showed circular areas of transmission defect and indocyanine green angiography showed early hyperfluorescence, corresponding with the multiple round confluent patches. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of visual paraneoplastic syndrome which showed nummular loss of the pigment epithelial cells which distinguishes the clinical component of BDUMP syndrome.

Intraocular Pressure Change After Secondary Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection

PURPOSE: To evaluate the change of intraocular pressure (IOP) after first and second injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of macular edema and the factors that influence these changes. METHODS: A prospective, non-comparative study was performed in 41 eyes at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital from October 2003 to November 2005. All of the patients received injection of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (4 mg) twice. The IOPs before and after triamcinolone injection were measured with non-contact tonometer and Goldmann applanation tonometer. RESULTS: Mean IOP after the first and second injections were elevated from the day after injection and peaked after 3 months. Younger age (p=0.042), male (p=0.050) and the history of IOP elevation after first injection (p=0.004) were a statistically significant predictive factor for IOP elevation after second injection. Younger age (p=0.000) and male (p=0.010) were a significant predictive factor for IOP elevation after first and second injection. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider checking IOP especially for the patients who with the history of IOP elevation after first injection, male and relatively younger age.

Photodynamic Therapy With Verteporfin for Choroidal Neovascularization in Patients with Angioid Streaks

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional and anatomic outcomes of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in patients with angioid streaks. METHODS: The authors retrospectively evaluated 6 consecutive patients (6 eyes) with CNV secondary to angioid streaks. All patients were treated with standard PDT with verteporfin protocol. Standardized protocol refraction, visual acuity testing, ophthalmologic examination, color photographs, fluorescein angiograms and indocyanin angiograms were used to evaluate the results of PDT with verteporfin. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and CNV size. RESULTS: Their mean age was 61.3+/-5.50 years (range, 53-68 years). Follow-up time ranged from 12 to 38 months with mean of 20.5+/-10.91 months. The mean visual acuity at baseline was 20/100 (range 20/25-20/500), and the mean visual acuity at the last examination was 20/320(range 20/125-counting finger). The mean greatest linear dimension (GLD) at baseline was 2400+/-766.81 micrometer, and the mean GLD at the last examination was 3483+/-444.59 micrometer. CONCLUSIONS: PDT for CNV associated with angioid streaks seemed to slow down but not prevent the progression of the disease and associated visual loss.