Laser in-situ keratomileusis infection: review and update of current practices.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review new clinically relevant data regarding the prevention cause and treatment of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Many recent studies of post-LASIK infectious keratitis show the predominance of atypical mycobacteria and Gram-positive cocci and the growing number of other rare pathogens. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery White Paper treatment paradigm remains the model for initial treatment of LASIK-associated infectious keratitis. SUMMARY: Improved understanding of the risk factor, different causes, along with a high degree of suspicion on initial presentation is crucial in order to provide the appropriate management in LASIK-associated infectious keratitis.

Refractive surgery and the glaucoma patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Patients considering corneal refractive surgery undergo extensive preoperative testing, but current protocols may not address the management of glaucoma appropriately. This review outlines the current body of literature on the diagnostic and management challenges that exist in the treatment of glaucoma patients undergoing laser ablative surgery, and makes recommendations to improve current perioperative protocols. RECENT FINDINGS: As permanent structural alterations to the cornea after laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis surgery make Goldmann applanation tonometry inaccurate, the advent of new diagnostic modalities and recommendations to accurately measure postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and subtle damage to the optic nerve have been further analyzed and tested. SUMMARY: As IOP is the only modifiable risk factor in the treatment of glaucoma to date, traditional diagnostic and treatment algorithms may not be appropriate for refractive surgery patients. Glaucoma remains a relative contraindication to refractive procedures, but as new diagnostic modalities emerge, our ability to diagnose and manage these patients may improve. More uniform recommendations need to be implemented to improve our long-term management of these patients.

Resident laser refractive surgery training.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Residency Review Committee Ophthalmology of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has recently established guidelines pertaining to the minimum operative requirements for training ophthalmology residents in refractive surgery. Despite being one of the most frequently performed ophthalmic surgical procedures, there is a paucity of literature on residency training in refractive surgery. Moreover, the literature indicates that only half of training programs offer surgical exposure to trainees. The purpose of this article is to review recent research on training ophthalmology residents in refractive surgery and offer an approach to incorporating laser refractive surgery curriculum in residency education. RECENT FINDINGS: Kwon et al. performed a national survey to evaluate current trends in resident laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) training in the USA. The result shows that 54% of respondents had resident-performed LASIK surgery with 9.1% of surveyed programs not offering any LASIK experience. In addition, residents in the study performed a mean of 4.4 LASIK surgeries (range 1-10) during residency training starting during the second year. SUMMARY: The data emerging from the survey show that refractive surgery experience is fundamental to the education of the ophthalmology resident. Although the demand for refractive surgery continues to gain pace with millions of such procedures performed worldwide, only a little over half of ophthalmology residency programs offer residents the opportunity to gain surgical experience. With the current mandate, programs must now look for strategies to provide laser refractive surgical experience to residents.

Etiology and treatment of the inflammatory causes of cystoid macular edema.

Cystoid macular edema in its various forms can be considered one of the leading causes of central vision loss in the developed world. It occurs in a wide variety of pathologic conditions and represents the final common pathway of several basic processes. Therapeutic approaches to cystoid macular edema depend on a clear understanding of its contributing pathophysiologic mechanisms. This review will discuss the mechanism of ocular inflammation in cystoid macular edema with a particular focus on the inflammatory causes: post-operative, uveitic, and after laser procedures. A variety of pharmacologic agents targeting inflammatory molecules have been shown to reduce macular edema and improve visual function. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of most new therapies have yet to be established in controlled clinical trials.