[Impact of mydriatic eyedrops on distance visual acuity in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration]. / Impact de l'instillation de collyres mydriatiques sur la mesure d'acuité visuelle de loin chez des patients présentant une DMLA exsudative.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate a decrease in distance visual acuity (VA) following instillation of mydriatic eyedrops in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective assessment in clinical practice was conducted in our ophthalmology department at the University Hospital of Tours from 7/19/2018 to 8/29/2018. Distance (ETDRS) and near (Parinaud) VA were assessed before and after instilling one drop each of tropicamide 0.5% and phenylephrine 10% in the 40 included eyes with exudative AMD. RESULTS: The mean difference in distance VA before and after pupillary dilation (PD) was 0.06 LogMAR (SD=0.14) (P<0.01), i.e. -3.05 letters read (SD=7.52) on the ETDRS chart (P=0.01). For near VA, the mean difference was 0.16 LogMAR (SD=0.16) (P<0.001), i.e. -1.58 paragraphs read (SD=1.63) on the Parinaud chart (P<0.001). DISCUSSION: The absence of a clinically significant loss in post-dilation distance VA for exudative AMD could be explained by negligible glare coming from the ETDRS chart, milder photophobia, low pre-dilation VA's and a balance between higher order optical aberrations and diffraction. The opposite result for near VA could essentially be explained by greater glare induced by the light illuminating the Parinaud chart. CONCLUSION: Our primary goal was not achieved. A study presuming the absence of a clinically significant decrease in post-dilation distance VA would be necessary to consider directly measuring post-dilation VA in eyes with exudative AMD in our daily practice.

[Long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and choroidal neovascularization]. / Néovascularisation choroïdienne au cours d'un déficit en Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenase (LCHAD).

We report the case of a 9-year-old girl with a long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency. This enzyme participates in mitochondrial fatty acid B-oxidation. Genetic fatty acid oxidation defects induce cellular energetic deficiency, and thus early life-threatening manifestations. An appropriate diet prevents these severe disorders. Nevertheless, LCHAD deficiency is the only B-oxidation enzymatic disorder that induces a chorioretinopathy, predominating at the posterior pole. We describe the first case of bilateral macular choroidal neovascularization. One eye presented a fibrovascular lesion. The other eye presented an active neovascularization stabilized by two dynamic phototherapies. The specificity of choroidal degeneration related to LCHAD deficiency remains unknown. Reviewing of literature and biochemical mechanisms suggests that fatty acid oxidative stress rather than a mitochondrial energetic defect is involved. For practical purposes, this report emphasizes the importance of ophthalmological follow-up of these patients.

[Effect of preservatives on the conjunctiva: a comparative study of beta-blocker eye drops with and without preservatives in glaucoma patients]. / Retentissement conjonctival des conservateurs: étude comparative de collyres bêta-bloquants conservés et non conservés chez des patients glaucomateux.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of timolol with or without preservatives on the conjunctival epithelium of glaucoma patients. METHODS: A retrospective study using impression cytology (IC) was conducted on patients treated with 0.5% timolol with or without 0.01% benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Fifteen eyes from 15 patients treated with timolol, BAC+ and 17 eyes from 17 patients treated with timolol, BAC- were included in two groups comparable for age and duration of treatment lasting at least 1 year. Specimens were analyzed by flow cytometry for inflammatory profile (using antibodies directed against HLA DR and ICAM-1) and mucin detection (anti-M1/MUC5AC antibody). RESULTS: IC analyses showed a significant increase in the expression of the two inflammatory markers, HLA DR and ICAM-1 in the timolol, BAC+ group and also a significant decrease in goblet cell density in the same group as compared to the timolol, BAC- group. CONCLUSION: The use of long-term preserved beta-blocker in glaucoma patients is associated with a direct subclinical epithelial toxicity in the conjunctiva, as already demonstrated by previous experimental studies.