The tolerability of lactated Ringer's solution and BSS plus for ocular irrigation with and without the Morgan therapeutic lens.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate two solutions, lactated Ringer's (LR) and a balanced salt solution (BSS Plus, Alcon Laboratories, Ft. Worth, TX), compared with normal saline solution (NSS), for ocular irrigation in healthy adult volunteers with and without the Morgan therapeutic lens (MTL). METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized study of healthy volunteers who were at least 18 years of age. Exclusion criteria included the use of analgesics within four hours of the study. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed at baseline and at the completion of the study. Following randomization and prior to any intervention, baseline discomfort scores were obtained by means of a verbally administered, horizontal, 100-mm, unnumbered analog discomfort scale. Both eyes of each volunteer were irrigated simultaneously for 15 minutes, with additional discomfort scores being recorded every 5 minutes using the same 100-mm, unnumbered analog discomfort scale. A global evaluation to assess the method of irrigation and the solutions used for irrigation was completed by both the physician blinded to the treatment groups and the volunteers. The volunteers were continuously monitored for any adverse effects resulting from the irrigation solutions or MTL. RESULTS: Sixty-three volunteers were recruited into the study, with 61 entered in the final analysis. Age and gender were balanced within each group. There was no significant difference in discomfort scores between the two groups; however, all discomfort scores decreased over time (p = 0.008). A lens-solution interaction was identified, with LR being the most tolerated when administered with the MTL. A statistically higher ocular pH difference was seen between the pre- and postirrigation readings for the control eye in volunteers irrigated with MTL (p = 0.046). Analysis of the global evaluations for each group revealed no difference in the distributions of physician and volunteer scores. No adverse event was reported in either group. CONCLUSION: There does not appear to be any difference in discomfort scores between the ocular irrigation fluids when used without the MTL. Overall, the use of the MTL appears well tolerated by healthy, adult volunteers. However, there does appear to be a significant lens-solution effect on volunteers' discomfort scores, with LR having significantly lower discomfort scores when used for ocular irrigation with the MTL. The authors conclude that the use of the MTL for ocular irrigation is well tolerated and recommend using LR as the irrigation solution for maximal patient comfort.

Epibulbar molluscum contagiosum.

PURPOSE: To report a case of epibulbar conjunctival nodules from molluscum contagiosum in a patient with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: A 39-year-old man with atopic dermatitis who was treated with oral prednisone was initially examined with ocular itching, foreign body sensation, and conjunctival injection of the right eye and was found to have three discrete conjunctival nodules. Excision of the nodules led to complete resolution of the signs and symptoms. RESULT: Histopathologic examination of the conjunctival specimen disclosed molluscum contagiosum. CONCLUSION: Patients with defective or suppressed cell-mediated immunity are at increased risk of unusual ocular involvement with molluscum contagiosum.

Failed laser trabeculoplasty requiring surgery in open-angle glaucoma.

Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) has been successful in controlling open-angle glaucoma, but a significant number of patients still require filtration surgery. Concern that post-laser inflammatory changes or alterations of structural anatomy with damage to the trabecular meshwork may adversely affect the outcome of filtration surgery prompted a retrospective review of 87 consecutive eyes with open-angle glaucoma that required filtration surgery following failed ALT. The follow-up period was at least 6 months, with a mean of 18 months (6 to 38 months). Posterior lip sclerectomy was chosen for 69 eyes and trabeculectomy for 18 eyes. The overall success rate of filtration surgery during the follow-up period was 92%. There was no recognized difference in the response to filtration surgery following ALT.

Bilateral hypermetropic amblyopia.

A retrospective analysis was performed on the records of 184 children who had hyperopia of at least 4.0 diopters in each eye to see if bilateral amblyopia was more than just a rare occurrence and to evaluate how well it responded to treatment. Twelve patients were found to have bilateral amblyopia of 20/50 or worse. The mean age at diagnosis was four and a half years (two and a half to six and a half) and mean follow-up was 22 months (five months to seven years, four months). Ten of 12 patients showed improvement of vision to 20/40 or better in both eyes. Treatment consisted of full cycloplegic correction in all cases. Six patients had accommodative esotropia but this did not account for the bilateral nature of the amblyopia. Bilateral amblyopia should be considered in patients with large amounts of hyperopia. It responds well to treatment with standard amblyopia therapy.