Branch retinal vein occlusion associated with optic nerve drusen: a case report.

Proliferative retinopathy secondary to a branch vein occlusion developed in an otherwise healthy 24-year-old women who also had optic nerve drusen. Since the patient sustained a preretinal hemorrhage, quadrantic photocoagulation was applied to the nonperfused quadrant of the retina involved in the occlusion. This case illustrates that compression of a branch retinal vein is another potential complication of optic nerve drusen.

Intrusion of retinal tacks.

We examined nine patients in whom retinal tacks intruded into the eye and lodged in the subretinal space, preretinal space, vitreous cavity, or anterior chamber. Complications included retinal pigment epithelium atrophy; retinal phlebitis; vitreous hemorrhage; focal corneal, iris, and retinal injury; and corneal edema. The intrusion of the retinal tacks did not apparently cause, but was associated with retinal redetachment in five patients. Factors associated with intrusion of the retinal tacks included absence of a barb at the end of the tack to anchor it to the sclera, absence of a groove in the tack, a short shaft, incomplete penetration of the retina, choroid, and sclera by the tack, self-inflicted trauma to the eye, placing a scleral buckle after inserting the tacks, and reproliferation of periretinal membranes. In four patients the intruded tacks did not cause any complications. In four patients the intruded tacks were removed without complications and in the remaining five patients, they were left in the eye.

Biomicroscopy of papillae associated with hard contact lens wearing.

We studied the macrostructural characteristics of papillary changes of the upper tarsal conjunctiva associated with the wearing of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) contact lenses. Fifty subjects with elevated conjunctival papillae greater than 0.3 mm in diameter were studied. Macrostructural characteristics recorded were location, diameter, and number of papillae, presence or absence of staining at the apices of papillae, and degree of hyperemia of the upper tarsal conjunctiva. Patient information collected included age, duration of lens wear, average daily lens wearing time, presence or absence of itching or mucus, refractive status, and atopic history. The tarsal conjunctiva was divided into three zones of equal size. Papillae were present in various zones and combinations of zones; however, papillae were never confined exclusively to either (1) the zone adjacent to the tarsal folds or (2) the latter zone in combination with the zone adjacent to the eyelid margin without also occurring in the intervening zone. The diameter of the papillae ranged from greater than 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm. The number of papillae per eyelid ranged from two to over 100. The apices of the papillae were frequently flattened and craterlike, and often stained with fluorescein.

Prevalence of conjunctival changes in wearers of hard contact lenses.

The prevalence of elevated papillae more than 0.3 mm in diameter was 10.5% in the conjunctivae of 200 subjects who had successfully worn polymethylmethacrylate hard contact lenses for eight hours or more daily for more than five years. Only three of 500 (0.6%) control subjects who had never worn contact lenses had these papillary changes. The prevalence of papillary changes for those with the so-called normal symptoms of mucus, itching, or both associated with wearing of hard contact lenses was 53% (16 of 21 subjects). The prevalence of these symptoms was 76% among subjects with polymethylmethacrylate contact lenses who had papillary changes and 8% among subjects with polymethylmethacrylate contact lenses who did not have papillary changes. We conclude that changes in the upper tarsal conjunctiva are associated with the wearing of hard contact lenses, occur in a significant percentage of patients wearing hard contact lenses for prolonged periods, and include a spectrum of papillary changes.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis--a closer look.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a clinical entity which is thought to be caused by a combination of mechanical, immunological and inflammatory mechanisms. This paper reviews the laboratory research data associated with giant papillary conjunctivitis.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis: an overview.

Giant papillary conjunctivitis is a condition of the upper palpebral conjunctiva which has been associated with hard and soft contact lens wear. The condition is classified into four stages. The causes and course of therapy are discussed.

Gonioscopy using the Brandreth-Saladin goniochamber.

The Brandreth-Saladin Goniochamber is a new diagnostic instrument available to the optometric profession. In this paper, a description of the instrument and technique is given and the results obtainable with the Goniochamber are compared to those obtainable with existing gonioscopic instruments.