Hydroxychloroquine retinopathy: A review of imaging.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy can result in permanent vision loss. In early stages of HCQ retinopathy, patients are usually asymptomatic with preservation of visual acuity. We aspire that our review, in conjunction with the American Academy of Ophthalmology screening guidelines, shall shed light on effective screening measures utilizing multimodal imaging techniques to detect early signs of HCQ retinopathy before advanced changes manifest clinically.

Smartphones in ophthalmology.

The potential usefulness of smartphones in the medical field is evolving everyday. This article describes various tools available on smartphones, largely focusing on the iPhone, for the examination of an ophthalmic patient, for patient and physician education, as well as reference tools for both ophthalmologists and vision researchers. Furthermore, the present article discusses how smartphones can be used for ophthalmic photography and image management, and foremost, the usefulness of the applications such as the Eye Handbook for the ophthalmologist and interested students, patients, physicians, and researchers, currently available in the iPhone.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of acute branch retinal artery occlusion from calcific embolus.

An 82-year-old female presented with sudden painless decrease in vision in the right eye after awakening. She could see the “superior half” of her vision from the right eye only. On examination, best-corrected vision was 20/300 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. The fundus in the right eye revealed recent superotemporal branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) with calcified plaque at the disc. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) (OTI Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc.), revealed hyperreflectivity and increased thickness of the inner retinal layers of the superior compared to the inferior retina. Imaging at the optic disc revealed the blocked artery containing a highly reflective material. The high reflectivity of the material and underlying optical shadowing could be characterized as calcific emboli.

Liquid crystal display microperimetry in eyes with reduced visual acuity from macular pathology.

PURPOSE: To correlate fixation stability and retinal sensitivity measured by liquid crystal display (LCD) microperimetry to visual acuity in eyes with macular pathology. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review METHODS: The cohort included 26 eyes of 26 patients, divided into two groups according to visual acuity (Group 1 eyes 6/15 - 6/48, Group 2: < or = 6/60). Macular sensitivity and fixation stability were measured using the LCD microperimeter. Mean retinal sensitivity (at central 12 degrees) and fixation stability (at 2 degrees and 4 degrees) were correlated with best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Mean retinal sensitivity correlated with the visual acuity in both groups [Group 1 eyes: 28 point central 12 degrees (9.0 dB); Group 2: central 12 degrees (4.183 dB)] (P < 0.05). The fixation stability correlated similarly with the visual acuity for the groups [Group 1 eyes: 2 degrees (81.2%) and 4 degrees (94.6%); Group 2 eyes: 2 degrees (44.1%) and 4 degrees (80.7%] (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the present study, the mean retinal sensitivity and fixation stability measured with LCD microperimeter correlated with visual acuity. LCD microperimetry reliably measures fixation stability and retinal sensitivity in eyes with various macular pathologies.

Self retaining contact lens system for vitreous surgery.

We describe the principle and desiign of a new self-retaining contact lens system for vitreous surgery. The system has three lenses: theplano-concave, prism and magnifying lens. This system is based on the principle of a direct imaging contact lens, designed for a 150-200mm focal length operating micrcroscope. The contact lenses are designed to have an inferior concave surface [radius of curvature (ROC) 7.7mm], modified by theaddition of four footplates to provide stability and centration during vitreous surgery. The lenses are used with a drop of viscoelastic material placed between the concave surface of the contact lens and cornea. This induces negative suction and helps retain the lens in position during surgery. These specially designed lenses provide a stable, well-centered, high-resolution, magnified view of the fundus. This system eliminates the need for a skilled assistant or for suturing the lens to the sclera during vitreous surgery.