Krypton red laser photocoagulation of the ocular fundus. 1982.

The theoretical rationale, the histopathologic evidence, and the preliminary clinical studies related to krypton red laser (KRL) photocoagulation of the ocular fundus are reviewed. The authors report on their experience with currently available laser systems using this wavelength (647.1 nm) for photocoagulation of retinal vascular proliferative diseases and chorioretinal diseases associated with exudative manifestations. A histopathologic and clinical comparison of argon blue-green laser (ABGL), the pure argon green laser (AGL), and the krypton yellow laser (KYL), with reference to photocoagulation treatment of the ocular fundus is also discussed.

Peripheral retinal detachments and retinal pigment epithelial atrophic tracts secondary to central serous pigment epitheliopathy. 1984.

Twenty-five patients with central serous pigment epitheliopathy (CSP), also known as central serous chorioretinopathy, have been observed to have inferior hemispheric retinal pigment epithelial atrophic tracts, presumptive of antecedent retinal detachments. Five of these patients were noted to have clinically discernible, dependent peripheral retinal detachments. The clinical and fluorescein angiographic features of these patients are reviewed. Alterations in the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the choroid are also described. They include the commonly associated manifestations of CSP such as RPE leaks and macular detachment as well as some newly recognized disturbances such as retinal capillary dilatation (telangiectasia), retinal capillary leakage, retinal lipid deposition, cystoid macular edema, choriocapillaris atrophy, choroidal neovascularization and disciform scarring.

The retina in forensic medicine: applications of ophthalmic endoscopy: the first 100 cases.

The retina reflects a variety of diseases in the living patient. However, the retina is not routinely examined in deceased persons, and therefore it is unknown if routine retinal examination would be a useful adjunct to the forensic autopsy. To examine this issue, the retinae of routine medical examiner cases were examined utilizing an ophthalmic endoscope. The results of the first 100 examinations are reported. Specific attention was given to changes that reflected the postmortem interval, the development of petechiae as related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the association of retinal hemorrhages to subconjunctival hemorrhages. The procedure was helpful in cases of suspected shaken baby syndrome, exsanguination, and carbon monoxide poisoning and in cases with sudden increased intracranial pressure (Terson syndrome). It appears that lividity patterns exist in the retina, and this may be potentially useful in determining body position after death. Some natural disease processes, such as hypertension, were also identified. Finally, the utility of the ophthalmic endoscope as a means of circumventing the problem of corneal clouding is discussed, and ideas for further research using this technology are presented.

Management of macular holes that develop after retinal detachment repair.

PURPOSE: To study the characteristics and management of macular holes that develop after prior rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) repair. DESIGN: Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series. METHODS: The setting was a clinical practice. The case records of all of our patients (n = 12) who developed a new full-thickness macular hole after prior RD repair over an 8-year period were examined. Patients who developed a macular hole after prior RD repair were offered either surgical repair of the macular hole or continued observation. For eyes that underwent macular hole repair, main outcome measures included macular attachment status and postoperative visual acuity. RESULTS: Twelve full-thickness macular holes were detected in a series of 2,380 eyes (0.5% prevalence), which had undergone surgery for prior primary RD. Ten macular holes developed after scleral buckling surgery, two after pneumatic retinopexy, and none were seen after primary vitrectomy. The fovea had been detached in 11 of the 12 eyes at the time of RD. The median time to macular hole diagnosis after RD repair was 3.4 months (range, 0.3-161 months). Eight of the eight eyes (100%) undergoing surgical repair achieved macular reattachment with a median of 3.5 lines of visual improvement at a median of 14.8 months of follow-up. Seven of these eight eyes had an improvement in visual acuity of at least 3 Snellen lines, and four of the eight had at least 20/40 visual acuity postoperatively. Four eyes with macular holes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Macular holes developed in less than 1% of eyes that had previously undergone repair of rhegmatogenous RD. In our series, these atypical holes were seen predominantly after macula-off detachments, most commonly occurring after scleral buckling procedures. They were effectively repaired using conventional pars plana vitrectomy with long-acting gas tamponade and a variety of adjuvant therapies. A good visual outcome is possible with this approach.