Endophthalmitis in the western Sydney region: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective case-control study was conducted to investigate risk factors for endophthalmitis following routine intraocular surgery. METHODS: A review was performed of consecutive cases of endophthalmitis from three teaching hospitals in the western Sydney region and matched controls from the same institutions between 1996 and 1998. RESULTS: There were 31 cases and 66 controls. Eighty procedures were phacoemulsification, 15 conventional extracapsular cataract extraction, and two were penetrating keratoplasties. Of the 80 patients who had phacoemulsification surgery, 50 had a clear corneal incision, and 26 had a scleral incision (four were unknown). Logistic regression showed an increased risk of endophthalmitis with surgical complications (P = 0.002) and clear cornea temporal incisions (P = 0.007). Risk of endophthalmitis was reduced with use of subconjunctival injections (P = 0.008). The yield for the Gram stain was 47% and for culture was 67%. Anterior chamber tap in addition to vitreous biopsy alone did not increase the yield for microorganism (P = 0.78). Mean visual acuity on presentation was hand movement with 13 patients (50%) showing visual improvement following intravitreal injections of antibiotics (P = 0.003). Visual prognosis did not correlate with presenting visual acuity but appeared to be better in those who grew Staphylococcus epidermidis or were culture negative. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study is unable to draw definite conclusions regarding risk of endophthalmitis in clear corneal temporal cataract surgery, sufficient data suggest the importance of incision type and location. Surgical complication is an important risk factor for endophthalmitis. Use of subconjunctival antibiotic injections at the conclusion of the procedure is recommended.

Subretinal fibrosis and choroidal neovascularization in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To describe clinical findings of subretinal fibrosis and choroidal neovascularization in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 75 medical records of patients with VKH seen at the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland between 1978 and 1996. Recorded data included age, gender, race, duration of disease, extraocular manifestations, best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, retinal examination, retinal photographs and fluorescein angiograms. We sought features that correlated with the visual outcome. RESULTS: Thirty of 75 (40%) patients developed subretinal fibrosis. Eleven patients (14.7%) had choroidal neovascularization. Presence of subretinal fibrosis was associated with a longer duration of the disease (42.6 vs 19.1 months, P = 0.07). Patients with subretinal fibrosis had worse visual acuity than those without subretinal fibrosis (26.2 vs 57.3 ETDRS letters read, P < 0.001) after adjusting for duration of disease (P = 0.021), degree of vitreous haze (P = 0.074), and use of immunosuppressive therapy (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Presence of subretinal fibrosis in patients with VKH is associated with a poor visual prognosis. The diagnosis of choroidal neovascularization and subretinal fibrosis presents a challenge in the management of this disease.

Cost-minimization analysis of capsulotomy after ECCE and IOL implantation.

An economic evaluation of capsulotomy for posterior capsular opacification after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was carried out using a cost minimization model. This model demonstrates the use of cost comparison to aid the decision making process. A flow-chart of capsulotomy mode, with associated complications, is illustrated. Costs of complications are calculated using assigned probability for each tree. Overall comparative costs are displayed graphically Further, the model is presented using a computer-assisted spreadsheet with an added calculation program. Variables can therefore be adjusted with instantaneous outcomes visually displayed. We present several examples with different sets of variables and find that, in most instances, YAG capsulotomy is a more economical option than surgical capsulotomy. This finding is a relevant finding in planning for eye health programs, particularly in developing countries. We suggest that the model be modified using local parameters in order to provide optimal benefits in similar health programs.

Long-term intraocular pressure control by trabeculectomy: a ten-year life table.

A retrospective study of 179 eyes in 127 patients who underwent trabeculectomy at Sydney Eye Hospital under the supervision of two surgeons between 1977 and 1982 was carried out. Survival analysis by life table method shows cumulative two, five, and 10 year success rates to be 78%, 70%, and 67% respectively, with mean duration of intraocular pressure control (IOP < 21 mmHg) being 88 months. Antiglaucoma medication improved the long-term survival significantly (Hazard Ratio of 0.49 and P = 0.01) so that when the definition for failure is taken as IOP > 20 mmHg while using medication, the two, five and 10 year success rates were 89%, 87% and 86% respectively. A rise in average intraocular pressure is seen between two weeks and three months after trabeculectomy. The improvement in long-term success rate with use of topical steroids was suggestive (Hazard Ratio of 0.69) but not conclusive (P = 0.21). No difference was found in survival comparing fornix versus limbal based flap technique.