Driving habits in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy leading to loss of visual function beginning with the peripheral visual field. One large population-based study found that individuals with visual impairment reported difficulties in performing most vision-dependent daily activities, including difficulty with driving. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the driving habits of glaucoma patients and to determine the conformance of their visual acuity and visual fields with driving regulations. METHODS: The charts of 20 patients followed in the Ophthalmology Department of Foch Hospital, Suresnes, Paris, France, with open angle glaucoma (mean visual field mean deviation of the worse eye: -15.5 dB; range -1.97 to -27 dB) and still driving, were reviewed. Data collected included visual acuity, type of glaucoma, slit lamp and fundus examination, most recent standard automated perimetry, and binocular visual field test results. Each patient was asked if he or she still drove on highways, and if he or she still drove at night. RESULTS: The driving habits of glaucoma patients were analyzed, and visual acuity and binocular visual fields were compared to French and European legal driving criteria. Thirteen patients (65%) with glaucoma were still driving on highways, and five (25%) at night. Seven patients (35%) were below French legal minimum visual acuity or visual field criteria. CONCLUSION: Glaucoma patients appear to self-regulate their driving habits by avoiding potentially difficult driving situations. Further studies with larger sample size are necessary to determine relationships between severity of visual impairment, severity of visual field defects, and the cessation of driving.

Ocular artery thrombosis as an initial presentation of a prothrombin G20210A mutation.

The G20210A mutation in the prothrombin gene is an established risk factor for venous thrombosis. There is controversy as to the role played by this mutation in arterial thrombotic disease. We present the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with a central retinal artery occlusion of the left eye. Evaluation revealed hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and heterozygosity for the prothrombin G20210A mutation. The literature concerning hereditary thrombophilia and retinal artery occlusion was reviewed. The synergistic effect of multiple risk factors is emphasized. Screening for hereditary thrombophilia should be considered, regardless of patient age. The prothrombin G20210A mutation may be associated with central retinal artery occlusion.

[Value of first-day postoperative visit after cataract surgery]. / Intérêt de la visite du J1 dans la chirurgie de la cataracte.

INTRODUCTION: In France in 2009, newly operated patients after cataract surgery are usually seen by their surgeon the day after surgery (D1). The value of this day-after visit has been undergoing reassessment for some years, but this visit remains in widespread use in France. The aim of this study was to assess whether this visit changes patient management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred three consecutive patients (106 eyes) undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification were prospectively treated in our department (82% were outpatients). All intraoperative events were noted. The day after surgery, we monitored ocular tension, the anterior segment, and the fundus. Every change in the postoperative prescription compared with a standard prescription was noted. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications occurred in eight cases. On D1, six patients had ocular hypertension that exceeded 24 mmHg, 14 had a corneal edema, six had corneal erosion, two had a Seidel, one had an anterior subluxation of the IOL, and one had retinal detachment. In 26 cases (24.5%), the prescription was changed compared to our standard prescription. DISCUSSION: Several studies have shown that the day-after-surgery visit was not mandatory. The main objective of this visit is to check for ocular hypertension. More rarely, it can detect a Seidel in front of the wound, incorrect position of the IOL, retinal detachment, or other complications that may require surgery. CONCLUSION: The day-after-surgery visit remains necessary after phacoemulsification because complications, sometimes unpredictable, can occur and compromise the result of surgery. This visit also has an educational value (to reiterate to the patients the symptoms that would require an emergency visit).

[Malignant mesothelioma of the testicular tunica vaginalis]. / Mésothéliome malin de la vaginale testiculaire.

Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis, a rare tumour, affects men over the age of 50 years and presents in the form of a testicular mass. It is rarely suspected preoperatively and the diagnosis is suggested by the presence of numerous nodules in the tunica vaginalis. This tumour has a high metastatic potential and raises the problem of numerous local recurrences. The diagnosis is histological with negative biological markers. Treatment is difficult; the first step must consist of surgery. The indications for radiotherapy have yet to be defined.