Removal of corneal foreign bodies following laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To report the outcome of uncomplicated removal of corneal foreign bodies in patients who previously underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: Nine eyes of eight patients presented with corneal foreign bodies after LASIK. RESULTS: In three patients, diagnosis of corneal foreign bodies was delayed due to reduced pain and symptoms. Removal of foreign bodies was performed with no flap-related complications. Corneal wound healing was normal. Final visual acuity was not decreased. CONCLUSION: Corneal foreign bodies can be removed safely and effectively from corneas after LASIK.

Hollow bandage contact lens.

OBJECTIVE: To report on the use of a new bandage contact lens (BCL) for a leaking filtering bleb. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A hollow BCL, with an internal central opening of 6 mm, has been applied on three eyes that had leaking blebs shortly after either trabeculectomy or combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy, each with a fornix-based conjunctival flap. RESULTS: The treatment with this lens was found beneficial: the leakage subsided and the patients were comfortable with the lens. The internal hollow of the BCL enabled us to monitor the intraocular pressure throughout the entire follow-up period without transient and repeated removal of the BCL. CONCLUSION: The new hollow BCL was found efficacious. The study suggests that this lens may have advantages over the commonly used BCLs that are related to the elimination of the need for its frequent removal and reinsertion for tonometry. This decreases the risk of both the exposure of the lens and the filtering bleb to contamination and the interference with the continuity of the process of conjunctival epithelial closure.

Halting pterygium recurrence by postoperative 5-fluorouracil.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of postoperative 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in halting recurrence of pterygium. METHODS: Early recurrence of pterygium was detected in six eyes of six patients aged 40 to 66 years that, over a 3-year period, had undergone pterygium excision in our institution, using the "bare sclera" technique. Each of the hyperemic fibrovascular tissues was found to override the cornea by 1.5 mm or less in length. Five of these eyes had undergone a primary excision and one, a second operation (with intraoperative mitomycin C). Upon diagnosis, each eye was treated with two to four injections of 5-FU, administered into the dome of the fibrovascular tissue. The dose of 5-FU per injection was 1 to 3 mg (mean, 2.1 +/- 0.8 mg). Of all 126 eyes that underwent pterygium surgery during that 3-year period, pterygium recurred in nine additional eyes but was found to be 2 mm or more in length in each. These eyes were not treated by 5-FU. RESULTS: In five of the six treated eyes, the pterygium became clinically atrophic and the recurrence process was stopped. No renewal of the recurrence process was detected after 12 months or more of follow-up. No major complications were related to the use of 5-FU. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggests that when early recurrence of pterygium is already evident, 5-FU treatment into the dome of the fibrovascular tissue may be beneficial in halting its progression, by rendering it atrophic. A prospective, randomized, controlled study is required to confirm the efficacy of this approach.

Quantitative analysis of hydroxyl radicals in the anterior optic nerve of the cat following transient ischemia.

PURPOSE: Ischemic insults in the optic nerve are relatively common ocular disorders. This study provides quantitative data on the generation of hydroxyl radicals in the anterior optic nerve of the cat during the early reperfusion phase following 90 minutes of ischemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cats were injected intravenously with sodium salicylate that by acting as an hydroxyl radical trap, forms 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHBA). Ischemia was achieved by intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation via cannulation of the anterior chamber. Ischemia was maintained for 60 minutes in 6 eyes and 90 minutes in 12 eyes, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. In an additional 6 eyes, ischemia was maintained for 90 minutes without reperfusion. RESULTS: After 90 minutes of ischemia and reperfusion, mean normalized levels of 2,3-DHBA (ie, ng 2,3-DHBA/microg salicylate/mg protein) that represent the levels of hydroxyl radicals were 2.47 times (at least) higher in the anterior optic nerves than in the fellow sham-operated controls (P = 0.03). These levels were 3.9 times (at least) greater than in the corresponding levels after 90 minutes of ischemia without reperfusion (P= 0.005). CONCLUSION: This study provides a quantitative analysis and evidence for the generation of hydroxyl radicals in the optic nerve of the cat following transient ischemia. A quantitative analysis may provide an important tool to detect even relatively small levels of free radicals in the tissues, and to evaluate the relative efficacy of various therapeutic agents in the inhibition of free radical generation following ischemia and reperfusion.

Needling with intra-bleb 5 fluorouracil for intractable neovascular glaucoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Trabeculectomy for neovascular glaucoma (NVG) often results in filtering bleb scarring. The outcome of a needling procedure with intra-bleb 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administration in NVG eyes is presented. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Following trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC), intraocular pressures (IOPs) ranged between 36 to 56 mm Hg in 3 painful, neovascular glaucomatous eyes despite treatment. Each eye was then injected subconjunctivally with 1.0 mg of 5-FU, adjacent to and within the filtering bleb. The needle was advanced and penetration into the anterior chamber through the bled, anterior to the scleral flap, followed. RESULTS: In each eye, the IOP dropped immediately. After 18 to 29 months, IOPs were 11 to 22 mm Hg, and in two eyes-without hypotensive medications. Cataract progression was evident in the 2 eyes that had had cataracts preoperatively. CONCLUSION: The postoperative needling, in conjunction with the dual effect of intraoperative MMC and intra-bleb 5-FU, was found efficacious and saved further surgery in these intractable cases.

Noncontact tonometry in perforating corneal injuries.

PURPOSE: To report on one of the possible complications induced by puff noncontact tonometry and to discuss various aspects such as safety, other optional methods, rationality, and the need for tonometry in cases of perforating corneal injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report a case of traumatic, self-sealed, midperipheral corneal perforation, where puff tonometry was performed upon admission, 30 minutes after the injury. RESULTS: The integrity of the wound was temporarily distorted by the air-jet of the puff tonometer, the wound was opened, and an air-bubble filled the anterior chamber. CONCLUSION: Puff tonometry in patients with self-sealed midperipheral corneal perforation and a negative Seidel test does not seem sufficiently safe during the immediate posttraumatic period.

Surgical outcome after early intraocular pressure elevation following combined cataract extraction and trabeculectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We report on the incidence and course of early postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and related surgical outcome following combined manual extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), using a sclerocorneal tunnel incision and trabeculectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The combined procedure was the initial surgery in each eye. Intraocular pressure was measured during the first 4 days, at 1 week, and thereafter following surgery. RESULTS: Of 38 eyes (38 consecutive adults), postoperative IOP elevation to > 25 mm Hg was found in 7 eyes (18.4%) during the first 3 postoperative days. The IOP was reduced to < or = 20 mm Hg without hypotensive medication in 3 of them within the first 3-7 postoperative days, and remained so after 7-16 months (mean, 10.3 +/- 4.9 months). Each of the other 4 eyes underwent argon-laser suture lysis 8-10 days after surgery due to unstable IOP which rose to > 30 mm Hg. Two weeks after the operation and thereafter, ie, after 8-22 months (mean, 12.8 +/- 6.4 months), each of these 4 eyes necessitated 1-4 (mean, 2.5 +/- 1.3) hypotensive medications. CONCLUSION: This study raises the possibility that in eyes with early IOP elevation, a delay in promoting aqueous outflow beyond a critical period during the first postoperative week might become a risk factor for full surgical success.

Cyclosporine-induced optic neuropathy, ophthalmoplegia, and nystagmus in a patient with Crohn disease.

PURPOSE: To report the cyclosporine-induced complications of optic neuropathy, partial external ophthalmoplegia, and other neurologic abnormalities. METHODS: Case report. A 22-year-old man with severe active Crohn disease developed bilateral optic neuropathy, nystagmus, external ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia on the fifth day of cyclosporine A (CyA) parenteral therapy. RESULTS: Cyclosporine therapy was discontinued as soon as toxic clinical manifestations appeared. Cyclosporine blood level detected then was 1,290 ng/ml (therapeutic level: 150 to 300 ng/ml). Partial external ophthalmoplegia improved dramatically; however, the patient's optic neuropathy progressed to optic atrophy, leaving the patient visually impaired. Various possible mechanisms for cyclosporine-induced neurotoxicity are discussed. CONCLUSION: It is important to closely monitor neuro-ophthalmologic and neurologic signs of patients treated with cyclosporine.

Congenital conjunctivo-limbo-corneal choristoma associated with marginal keratopathy.

We report a case of a three day old African baby who presented with a three day history of injected right eye. Examination disclosed an injected conjunctivo-limbo-corneal choristoma with associated marginal keratitis. Investigation disclosed a high maternal titer of rubella antibodies. The marginal lesions responded well to topical corticosteroids. Clinical manifestations of ocular choristomas epidemiology, classification, pathogenesis and indications for surgical treatment are discussed. We assume that an embryological error was the cause for the development of the choristomatous lesion but we cannot exclude the possibility of occult rubella infection during the early stages of pregnancy.

Autosomal dominant typical coloboma associated with unilateral pseudoptosis, myopia and cataract.

Ocular coloboma is considered to be hereditary ocular malformation which can manifest itself in various conditions ranging from iris defect to rudimentary cystic eye globe. We describe a three generation family affected by autosomal dominant typical coloboma, unilateral pseudoptosis, myopia and cataract. Correction of refractive errors improved their visual performance and prevented amblyopia. Genetic consultation was given in order to prevent blindness. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach regarding management of colobomatous patients.

Hereditary microphthalmia with colobomatous cyst.

We examined five members of a highly inbred kinship who had isolated microphthalmia associated with colobomatous cysts and various other ocular lesions. They were all offspring of consanguineous (first cousins) and unaffected parents. Microphthalmia in this kindred was transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Ultrasonography was effective for prenatal diagnosis in two pregnancies at risk.