Efficacy of plasmapheresis as treatment for bilateral hyperviscosity syndrome related retinopathy in multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: To report a case of good clinical response to plasmapheresis as therapy for a bilateral hyperviscosity syndrome related retinopathy in a young patient with undiagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 48-year-old caucasian man, previously diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), presented for medical attention for back ache and vision decrease, worst in the left eye. Ophthalmological examination revealed presence of bilateral CRVO-like retinopathy which raised the hypothesis of hyperviscosity syndrome (HVS). After confirmation of MM diagnosis, plasmapheresis were promptly begun. The right eye regained a good visual acuity and an anatomical restoration already notable 5 days from the first plasmapheresis. CONCLUSIONS: Fundoscopy lead to diagnosis of HVS, it is therefore advisable in all patients with MM in order to perform plasmapheresis as soon as possible if necessary. In case of atypical CRVO, haematological and inflammatory causes, should be always ruled out.

Microscopic Observation of Proliferative Membranes in Fibrocontractive Retinal Disorders.

Proliferative membranes of fibrocontractive retinal disorders are extensively studied from the morphological and evolutive point of view. Despite this, little is known of their cellular composition. In this study, the authors investigated the morphological characteristics and cell composition of various types of surgically excised proliferative membranes and internal limiting membranes (ILMs), in order to provide new data supporting or challenging the pathogenic theories proposed until now. Sixty-nine specimens from 64 eyes of 64 consecutive patients were collected at surgery and subjected to a multilevel analysis by means of optical and electron microscopy. Membrane samples were semiquantitatively evaluated for the amount and distribution of cell nuclei and pigment. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies to alpha smooth muscle actin and CD68. Data were analyzed after grouping according to the following tissue types: ILM (20 specimens), epiretinal membrane (ERM) (22 specimens), ILM + ERM (20 specimens), and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (7 specimens). The cell components found in the ERM specimens, like myofibroblasts, macrophages, and polymorphonuclear cells, were recognized as the expression of cell migration and differentiation that induced an inflammatory process and a fibroproliferative repair process. The detection of pigments in specific types of ERM, like those associated with lamellar macular hole (LMH) or secondary to retinal detachment (RD), diabetes, and PVR, suggested that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells may have a role in the development of these vitreoretinal disorders. The reduction of the ERM cellularity with the patient's age supports the hypothesis that ERM evolves in time up to a fibrous tissue formation.

Transcutaneous periorbital electrical stimulation in the treatment of dry eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of transcutaneous application of electrical current on symptoms and clinical signs of dry eye (DE). METHODS: 27 patients with DE underwent transcutaneous electrostimulation with electrodes placed onto the periorbital region of both eyes and manual stimulation with a hand-piece conductor moved by the operator. Each patient underwent 12 sessions of 22 min spread over 2 months, two sessions per week in the first month and one session per week in the second month. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining of the cornea, Schirmer I test and adverse events were evaluated at baseline, at end of treatment and at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: OSDI improved from 43.0±19.2 at baseline to 25.3±22.1 at end of treatment (mean±SD, p=0.001). These effects were substantially maintained at 6-month and 12-month follow-up evaluations. Improvement of the values of TBUT was recorded for the right eye at the end of treatment (p=0.003) and found in the left eye after 12 months (p=0.02). The Oxford scores changed in both eyes at the end of treatment and at the 6-month evaluation (p<0.001), and in the right eye at the 12-month evaluation (p=0.035). Schirmer I improved significantly at the end of treatment in the left eye (p=0.001) and in both eyes at the 12-month evaluation (p=0.004 and p=0.039 for the left and right eye, respectively). A significant reduction of the use of tear substitutes was found at the end of treatment (p=0.003), and was maintained during the follow-up (p<0.001).No complications occurred and patients found the treatment satisfying. CONCLUSIONS: Transcutaneous electrical stimulation was shown to improve DE, both subjectively and objectively, without any adverse effects and has the potential to enlarge the armamentarium for treating DE.

Long-term visual function and patient satisfaction after bilateral implantation and combination of two similar multifocal IOLs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual outcome, spectacle independence, and patient satisfaction after implantation of two Acrysof ReSTOR (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different addition power or their combination in both eyes. METHODS: One hundred twenty eyes of 60 patients with bilateral multifocal IOL implantation were divided into three groups of 20 consecutive patients each: the SV25T0 (the T0 group), the SN6AD1 (the D1 group), or a combination of both the SN6AD1 and SV25T0 (the combined group). Patients were observed 18 months postoperatively for visual acuity (40, 50, and 60 cm, and 4 m), defocus curves (range: +1.0 to -4.0 diopters), and contrast sensitivity. Quality of vision, patient satisfaction, and spectacle independence were evaluated by the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life Instrument-42 questionnaire. RESULTS: The D1 group achieved better results for near vision (P < .01), whereas the T0 group achieved better intermediate vision (P = .01). The combined group showed a wider range of spectacle independence at all distances evaluated (P < .05). The contrast sensitivity was similar within the groups. The incidence of glare was lower for the T0 group (P = .054). The combined group had better results in terms of expectation (P = .021) and activity limitation (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Although the bilateral implantation of the same multifocal IOL can maximize the vision for near or intermediate distances, the combination of these IOLs in both eyes can increase the range of spectacle independence without compromising the contrast sensitivity and quality of vision.

Comparison of two multifocal intraocular lens designs that differ only in near add.

PURPOSE: To evaluate monocular functional outcomes after the implantation of the AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD2 intraocular lens (IOL) (+2.5 diopters [D] near add) (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) and the AcrySof ReSTOR SN6AD1 IOL (+3.0 D near add) (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.). METHODS: This prospective, comparative, nonrandomized single-blind observational study comprised 62 eyes of 62 patients that underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of a multifocal IOL: SN6AD2 (31 eyes) (+2.5 group) and SN6AD1 (31 eyes) (+3.0 group). Twelve months after surgery, monocular near (30 and 40 cm), intermediate (50, 60, and 70 cm), and distance (4 m) visual acuity were evaluated with the internal root mean square and modulation transfer function. Both parameters were evaluated at the 4- and 6-mm pupil sizes. RESULTS: No statistical differences at 4 m were found between the groups. The +2.5 group obtained better performances at all intermediate distances (50 cm, 0.23 ± 0.14 vs 0.32 ± 0.13; 60 and 70 cm, 0.21 ± 0.10 vs 0.41 ± 0.14 and 0.24 ± 0.10 vs 0.53 ± 0.17, respectively), whereas the near visual acuity was better for the +3.0 group (30 and 40 cm, 0.36 ± 0.18 vs 0.14 ± 0.09 and 0.36 ± 0.19 vs 0.17 ± 0.07, respectively). The root mean square was lower for the +2.5 group compared to the +3.0 group, whereas the modulation transfer function showed overlapping results between the two models. CONCLUSIONS: Both IOL models showed good results in distance vision; the +2.5 D IOL seemed to provide better intermediate vision than the +3.0 D IOL. For near vision, the +3.0 D model performed better than the +2.5 D model.