[Changing indications for penetrating keratoplasty over a 20-year period, 1985-2004]. / Veränderungen der Indikationen für die perforierende Keratoplastik über 20 Jahre, 1985-2004.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the changing indications for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) over the 20 years from 1.1.1985 through 31.12.2004 at our Ophthalmology Department as well as to identify additional surgical interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of all 268 patients (290 eyes) who underwent PK at our Ophthalmology Department Teaching Hospital Maribor over the 20-year period (1985-2004) were reviewed retrospectively. All PK were divided into two groups: the first group comprised 121 eyes operated in the first 10 years (1985-1994) and the second one comprised those operated in the last 10 years (1995-2004). RESULTS: During the period of 20 years (1984-2004), the most common indication for PK was aphakic/pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (23.1 %). Keratoconus was the second most common indication for PK (21.7 %), followed by corneal scars (21.4 %). In the first 10 years of the study (1985 to 1994) the most common indications were corneal scars (28.9 %), keratoconus (22.3 %) and corneal dystrophy (19.8 %). Over the second 10 years (1995 to 2004) the three most common indications were bullous keratopathy (29 %), keratoconus (21.3 %) and corneal scars (16.9 %). There was a dramatic increase in the number of PK for failed corneal transplants, from 3.3 % in the first to 12.4 % in the second period (+ 275.8 %) and for bullous keratopathy (+ 94.6 %) as well as a decrease for corneal scarring (-41.5 %) and corneal dystrophy (-40.4 %). Additional surgical interventions increased from 21.5 % in the first 10 years to 28.4 % (+ 32.1 %) in the second 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Bullous keratopathy was the leading indication for PK during the last 10 years (1994-2005). Keratoconus was the second leading indication in both 10 year periods. Regrafting showed a significant increasing trend in the last 10 years.

[Changes of retinal light sensitivity after YAG-laser capsulotomy]. / Veränderungen der Lichtunterschiedsempfindlichkeit (LUE) der Netzhaut nach der YAG-Laser-Kapsulotomie.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was firstly to investigate the changes of retinal light sensitivity of the central visual field in patients with posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after YAG-laser capsulotomy and secondly to determine the correlation between changes in retinal light sensitivity and patient's age and the diameter of posterior laser capsulotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study includes 25 eyes (25 patients) with PCO after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. In all patients YAG-laser capsulotomy was performed. In all patients, a threshold visual field analysis was carried out with the C 30 - 2 programme of the automated Humphrey Field Analyzer before and one month after the procedure. RESULTS: In all patients a significant improvement of visual acuity was observed one month after capsulotomy (p = 0,00003). One month after YAG-laser treatment, a significant improvement of retinal light sensitivity in the central visual field was also observed. The average MD (mean deviation) before the procedure was - 6.05 db (+/- 3.2, max. - 11.7, min. + 2.17) and after the procedure - 3.61 db (+/- 3.7, max. - 10.87, min. + 0.71). Before laser capsulotomy obvious areas of reduced retinal sensitivity in 19 of 25 eyes (76 %) were found with MD p values of less than 5 %. One month after the procedure the MD p values were less than 5 % only in 8 eyes (32 %). The improvement in MD was statistically significant (p = 0,0002). No correlation was established between the improvement of retinal light sensitivity and patient's age or the size of the capsulotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the improvement of retinal light sensitivity is significant after YAG-laser capsulotomy and not depends on patient age or capsulotomy size.

[Long-term follow-up of selective laser trabeculoplasty in primary open-angle glaucoma]. / Langfristige Nachbeobachtung der selektiven Lasertrabekuloplastik bei primärem Offenwinkelglaukom.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate the outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in a prospective clinical study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 90 eyes suffering from POAG, treatment was carried out with a frequency-doubled, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (532 nm). The intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before the treatment and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66 and 72 months after. A failure was defined as an IOP reduction of less than 20 % of the pretreatment IOP, or a progression of visual field or optic disc damage requiring filtering surgery. The hypotensive medication during the study period remained unchanged. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 41.2 months (SD 20.0). The mean pretreatment IOP was 22.4 mmHg (SD 2.3). At one month of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.0 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 22.3 % and at 6 months 5.2 mmHg (SD 2.4) or 23.2 %. At 12 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.4 mmHg (SD 2.4) or 24.0 % and at 24 months 5.8 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 25.5 %. At 36 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.7 mmHg (SD 2.1) or 25.1 % and at 48 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.2 mmHg (SD 1.9) or 23.1 %. At 60 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.2 mmHg (SD 2.0) or 22.6 % and at the end of 72 months of follow-up, the mean IOP reduction was 5.4 mmHg (SD 2.3) or 22.8 %. The success rate after 12 months determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was 94 %, after 24 months 85 %, after 36 months 74 %, after 48 months 68 % and after 72 months 59 %. CONCLUSION: SLT is an effective procedure offering an additional therapy option for the treatment of POAG, but the effect diminishes over time.

[Pseudomonas-keratoconjunctivitis in a contact lens wearer, the therapy and keratoplasty á chaud]. / Pseudomonas--Keratokonjunktivitis bei einer Kontaktlinsenträgerin, Therapie und Keratoplastik á chaud.

BACKGROUND: Eye infections in contact lens wearers can cause severe complications. Especially dangerous is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PATIENT: A 18-year-old patient who received her first soft contact lens from a optician two years ago without an ophthalmological examination, will be presented. At the time of an excursion to Paris in August 2004 she suffered from a purulent secretion on her right eye. In a pharmacy she bought medicinal herbal eye drops first. Then after three days a physician prescribed her Tobramycin eye drops 4 times per day and Chloramphenicol ointment at bedtime. At that time the visual acuity (VA) of the infected eye was already very bad. Two days later we performed the first ophthalmological examination at our Ophthalmological Department. RESULTS: The clinical finding was typical for a Pseudomonas infection: mucopurulent secretion, corneal ring abscess with stromal necrosis and hypopyon. The VA was only light perception. Immediately, a topical and systemic antibiotic therapy was prescribed (grade III by W. Behrens-Baumann). A conjunctival smear was sterile. For the microbiological examination the corneal scraping, the contact lens and storing solution were also taken and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. were isolated. One month after the first presentation of the patient at our Department we performed a keratoplasty á chaud (diameter 8.0 mm). 1 year later the corneal graft is clear and the VA is 0.6 - 0.7 cc. CONCLUSIONS: The contact lens fitting lies worldwide in different hands and could be done by an ophthalmologist, an optometrist or an optician. The changes of the cornea and conjunctiva made by contact lenses can have different causes. Especially dangerous are metabolic-hypoxic corneal changes and infections. Therefore, an ophthalmological check-up, particularly after contact lens fitting done by an non-physician, is very important and necessary.

[The outcome of phacoemulsification in eyes after filtering glaucoma surgery]. / Ergebnisse nach Phakoemulsifikation in Augen nach filtrierender Glaukomoperation.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of phacoemulsification in eyes after filtering glaucoma surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients with different forms of glaucoma in which phacoemulsification after filtering glaucoma surgery was done were included in this retrospective study. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured before and one week, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 months after phacoemulsification. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the number of antiglaucoma medications before phacoemulsification and at the end of follow-up were evaluated. Partial failure of IOP control was defined as the need for an increased number of antiglaucoma medications to maintain IOP < 21 mmHg or prevent a progression of visual field or optic disc damage. Complete failure of IOP control was defined as an IOP > 21 mmHg with an additional number of antiglaucoma medications or a progression of visual field or optic disc damage requiring filtering surgery. RESULTS: The mean interval between filtration surgery and phacoemulsification was 5.8 years (SD 3.8) and the mean follow-up after phacoemulsification was 23.4 months (SD 11.4). There were no differences between the mean IOP before and after phacoemulsification during the entire follow-up period (p > 0.05). The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.30 (SD 0.2), improving to a mean of 0.72 (SD 0.3) postoperatively at the end of follow-up (p < 0.0001). The mean number of antiglaucoma medications before phacoemulsification was 1.2 (SD 1.2), increasing after phacoemulsification to 1.5 (SD 1.2) at the end of follow-up (p > 0.05). In 9 eyes a partial failure of IOP control was assessed, so according to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis the success rate after 12 months was 72 % and after 42 months 67 %. In 3 eyes a complete failure of IOP control was assessed, thus according to the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis the success rate after 22 months was 93 % and after 42 months 77 %. CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification in eyes after filtering glaucoma surgery resulted in a stable IOP, a non-significant increase in the number of antiglaucoma medications and a significantly improved BCVA.

[The surprising finding and removal of a large plastic foreign body through the corneal wound from the vitreous cavity with good outcome]. / Der überraschende Fund und die Entfernung eines riesigen Kunststoff-Fremdkörpers durch die Hornhautwunde aus dem Glaskörperraum mit gutem Endergebnis.

BACKGROUND: Presented is a patient whose history showed that during a hammer-blow on a piece of iron something had flown into his left eye. Clinical investigation revealed a 9-mm long, horizontal, paracentrally located, penetrating corneal wound. Temporally in the same region the iris was torn in its entire width. The lens appeared opaque and seemed to be cut in two parts. Radiological investigation revealed no foreign body. METHODS: The operative treatment presented a surprise: the white piece, which had been considered to be a part of the traumatic cataract, was actually the edge of a large plastic foreign body lying in the vitreous cavity. The exciting and complicated procedure of removing this 12 x 9 x 2 mm large foreign body through the corneal wound as well as the reconstruction of the anterior segment of the eye are demonstrated. RESULTS: Seven months after the injury the corneal wound is very tender, the corneal sutures have not been removed, and the retina of the aphakic eye is undamaged. Visual acuity with a contact lens is 0.6 - 0.7. CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of patients with a penetrating eye injury is always demanding and difficult and requires a lot of experience. Particularly in apparently hopeless cases, an optimum primary care is of greatest importance.