Relationship among clinical factors in childhood intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: To determine the relationships between stereoacuity, control of exotropia, and angle of deviation in children with intermittent exotropia (IXT). METHODS: Data collected for 652 participants 3 to <11 years of age with IXT meeting eligibility criteria for enrollment into one of two multicenter, randomized clinical trials were used to evaluate relationships between stereoacuity, control, and angle of deviation at enrollment. RESULTS: Any level of stereoacuity and angle of deviation could be accompanied by any level of control. Worse distance exotropia control was weakly associated with poorer distance stereoacuity (R = 0.26; 99% CI, 0.17-0.36) and larger angles of deviation at distance (R = 0.27; 99% CI, 0.17-0.36). Worse near exotropia control was weakly associated with poorer near stereoacuity (R = 0.17; 99% CI, 0.07-0.27) and moderately associated with larger angles of deviation at near (R = 0.37; 99% CI, 0.28-0.45). There was no association between stereoacuity and angle of deviation at distance (R = 0.07; 99% CI, -0.03 to 0.17) or at near (R = 0.02; 99% CI, -0.08 to 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Although weak and moderate associations were found between stereoacuity, control, and angle of deviation, a child may exhibit any combination of stereoacuity, control, and angle of deviation. The specific roles of control, stereoacuity, and angle of deviation in the diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis of IXT are unclear, and each appears to yield somewhat independent information.

Bilateral Candida endophthalmitis in a premature infant.

Endogenous infantile Candida endophthalmitis is a rare but potentially devastating condition resulting from sequestration of the fungus within the lens after systemic infection. We report the case of a 20-week-old girl with a history of Candida sepsis who presented with bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis 15 weeks after completing a 6-week course of intravenous antifungal therapy. Prompt vitrectomy resulted in salvage of the right eye, although a total retinal detachment occurred. Cataract extraction and administration of intravenous and intravitreal amphotericin B preserved vision in the left eye.

The influence of early postnatal nutrition on retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) is the most common serious ophthalmic disease in preterm infants. Human milk may provide a protective effect for ROP; however, beneficial effects of human milk preclude randomized trials. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis comparing early postnatal nutrition with ROP development. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate relationship between early postnatal nutriture and ROP surgery. DESIGN/METHODS: Nutrition data was collected for inborn AGA infants, BW 700-1000 g. ROP surgery was the primary outcome variable. A single pediatric ophthalmologist supervised examinations. All infants received triweekly IM vitamin A as chronic lung disease prophylaxis (Tyson: NEJM, 1999). RESULTS: BW and gestational age were 867+/-85 g and 26.3+/-1.2 weeks (n=77, mean+/-1SD). ROP surgery infants(n=11) received more parenteral nutrition, 1648 mL, and less human milk, 13.8 mL/kg-day, and vitamin E, 1.4 mg/kg-day, during the second postnatal week. Human milk was a negative predictor for ROP surgery, odds ratio=0.94. Both groups met vitamin A recommendations; however, 74% was administered via IM injections. Neither group met vitamin E recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Human milk feeding, parenteral nutrition volume and vitamin E intake were predictors for ROP surgery. IM vitamin A injections provided the majority of vitamin A; vitamin E administration was insufficient. Improving human milk feeding rates and vitamin dosing options may affect ROP surgery rates.

Effect of short-duration silicone intubation in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of premature dislocation of silicone tubes used in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction and investigate the effect of early dislocation on treatment outcome. METHODS: This retrospective review of 227 cases of silicone intubation in the treatment of 151 patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Specific attention was given to premature tube displacement, persistent epiphora, and the need for reoperation. The effect of the duration of silicone intubation and patient age on surgical outcome was assessed. Significance was determined using a Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test. RESULTS: Tube displacement and removal prior to postoperative day 31 occurred in 93 of 227 (41%) of eyes. Four of 24 eyes (17%) in children younger than 12 months who had premature dislocation of silicone tubes compared with 7 of 40 eyes (18%) that maintained silicone tubes for 31 days or greater had persistent epiphora (p = 0.932); in eyes of children from age 12 months to 23 months, 5 of 46 (11%) had persistent epiphora compared with 6 of 78 (8%) (p = 0.549); and in children age 24 months or older, 9 of 23 (39%) eyes had tearing compared with 3 of 16 (19%) (p = 0.181). Reoperation rates were 1 of 24 (4%) compared with 0 of 40 (0%) (p = 0.23) of eyes in children younger than 12 months; no difference between groups (0%) in children from age 12 months to 23 months; and 5 of 23 (22%) versus 0 of 16 (0%) (p = 0.049) of eyes in children age 24 months or older for early tube removal versus standard tube removal, respectively. CONCLUSION: Premature tube displacement and tube removal prior to day 31 does not increase the risk of persistent epiphora or reoperation in children younger than 24 months. Children older than 24 months who have early tube removal have poorer outcomes with a significantly higher reoperation rate.

Retinitis following varicella in a vaccinated child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Serious ocular disease following varicella (chickenpox) is rare in children. In addition, retinitis in children with hematologic malignancies may present a difficult diagnostic challenge because infectious retinitis may mimic leukemic involvement of the eye. We report a 7-year-old patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission who presented with visual complaints 2 weeks after developing chickenpox. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed acute retinitis in the right eye. Prolonged therapy with acyclovir resulted in near complete recovery. Early diagnosis of VZV retinopathy and aggressive antiviral treatment is critical to prevent acute and long-term ocular sequelae.

Case series of angle-closure glaucoma after laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: Laser photocoagulation is the current treatment standard for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Uncommon, but well recognized complications include cataract, and vitreous and retinal hemorrhage. Angle-closure glaucoma after laser photocoagulation for ROP is rare. The purpose of this study was to identify additional cases of angle-closure glaucoma following laser treatment for ROP. METHODS: Five eyes of four patients with angle-closure glaucoma following laser treatment for ROP were identified by three ophthalmologists at separate institutions between 1997 and 2001. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. Clinical and surgical findings associated with the diagnosis and management of angle-closure glaucoma following ROP laser were evaluated. RESULTS: The following data were collected (mean (range)): gestational age, 26.8 (24 to 29) weeks; birth weight, 833 (570 to 1062) g; age at laser treatment for ROP, 35 (33 to 37) weeks; number of laser burns, 1598 (930 to 2400); and time to diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma, 3.6 (2 to 5) weeks. Three of five eyes had objective data for intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal diameter with mean IOP 41 mm Hg (35 to 44) and mean corneal diameter 11.1 mm (10.25 to 11.5). Initial treatment included topical and systemic medications. Three eyes required surgical intervention. Angle-closure resolved in all cases with normalization of IOP. Follow-up (5 months to 3.6 years) showed that affected eyes tended to be more myopic than unaffected fellow eyes (mean spherical equivalent -6.5 vs -4.7 diopters). CONCLUSIONS: Angle-closure glaucoma can develop following laser treatment for severe ROP. Medical, and frequently surgical, intervention provides effective management.

Visual results, prognostic indicators, and posterior segment findings following surgery for cataract/lens subluxation-dislocation secondary to ocular contusion injuries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine visual outcomes, incidence of posterior segment abnormalities, and prognostic factors in eyes undergoing lens removal for cataract or lens subluxation-dislocation secondary to ocular contusion injuries. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty eyes in forty consecutive patients undergoing lens extraction for ocular contusion-related cataract or lens subluxation, all with a minimum of 6 months' follow-up. INTERVENTION: Lens extraction in the traumatized eye. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Final best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: Final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 55% of eyes, and ambulatory vision (>5/200) was achieved in 88%. Preoperative factors associated with poorer visual outcome (<20/40) were the presence of an afferent pupillary defect or an iridodialysis (P < 0.05). Seventy percent of eyes were determined to have significant posterior segment injuries. The cause of final visual acuity less than 20/40 included macular scarring (23%), retinal detachment (15%), and optic atrophy (5%). CONCLUSION: Cataract or lens subluxation secondary to ocular contusion injuries is often associated with severe posterior segment sequelae and poor visual outcomes.

Clinical findings precede objective diagnostic testing in the identification of increased ICP in syndromic craniosynostosis.

Crouzon syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder resulting in facial dysmorphism and craniosynostosis involving multiple cranial sutures. A common but often unrecognized early complication associated with craniosynostosis is a finding of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This increase in ICP can lead to optic atrophy, neuronal damage, and mental deficits. The case of a 21-month-old girl with Crouzon syndrome is described. Although the child was clinically asymptomatic, a routine ophthalmic exam revealed papilledema and subsequently increased intracranial pressure and craniosynostosis were found. Cranial expansion and bicanthal advancement were performed to relieve the increased pressure. In cases such as these, long-term follow-up is essential because of the progressive nature of the disorder as well as the possibility of a recurrence of elevated intracranial pressure and a need for secondary decompressive surgery.