Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of combined macular modified grid and peripheral panretinal photocoagulation in diabetic eyes with both macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 52 eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Treatment was performed in two sessions consisting of initial modified grid to the macula and panretinal photocoagulation to the inferior half of the peripheral retina, followed 2 to 4 weeks later by panretinal photocoagulation to the superior half. RESULTS: At one year, visual acuity was improved in 8%, stable in 79%, and worse in 13%. At two years, visual acuity was improved in 4%, stable in 72%, and worse in 24%. Macular edema resolved in 43 of 46 eyes (93%), and proliferative retinopathy was reduced in 25 of 29 eyes (86%) at last examination. CONCLUSION: Combined macular modified grid and peripheral panretinal photocoagulation is an effective treatment approach in diabetic eyes with both macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. Laser photocoagulation in those diabetic eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy can be completed in less number of treatment sessions with this method, compared to conventional treatment techniques

OBJECTIVE: To identify coexisting ocular diagnoses in a case series of eyes that developed cystoid macular edema (CME) associated with latanoprost therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Seven eyes of seven patients who developed CME possibly associated with latanoprost treatment were studied. INTERVENTION: When these patients, all of whom were treated with latanoprost in addition to other glaucoma medications, described blurred vision or eye irritation, ocular examination revealed CME, which was confirmed by fluorescein angiography. Latanoprost was discontinued, and in three cases topical corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents were used to treat the CME. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity and intraocular pressure were determined before latanoprost use began, during therapy, and after latanoprost use ceased. In these cases, resolution of CME was documented clinically after discontinuing latanoprost. RESULTS: Clinically significant CME developed after 1 to 11 months of latanoprost treatment, with an average decrease of 3 lines in Snellen visual acuity. Intraocular pressure decreased an average of 27.9% during treatment. Cystoid macular edema was confirmed in all cases by fluorescein angiography. In these seven patients, the following coexisting ocular conditions may have placed these eyes at risk for prostaglandin-mediated blood-retinal barrier vascular insufficiency: history of dipivefrin-associated CME, epiretinal membrane, complicated cataract surgery, history of macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion, history of anterior uveitis, and diabetes mellitus. In all cases, the macular edema resolved following discontinuation of latanoprost, in some instances with concomitant use of steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. CONCLUSIONS: In this case series of pseudophakic, aphakic, or phakic eyes, the temporal relationships between the use of latanoprost and developing CME, and the resolution of CME following cessation of the drug, suggest an association between latanoprost and CME. In all cases, coexisting ocular conditions associated with an altered blood-retinal barrier were present

Amplitude of accommodation was measured in 121 Hong Kong Chinese subjects between the ages of 11 and 65 years, using the 'push-up' method and the results compared with those previously obtained for Caucasian subjects. The results confirm and quantify clinical experience that Chinese people have lower amplitudes of accommodation than Caucasians. If presbyopia is considered to commence when the amplitude of accommodation declines to less than 5 D, then presbyopia in the Chinese race occurs between the ages of 36 and 40 years. By early in the second decade of life the amplitude of accommodation in the Chinese is already lower than that of Caucasians. This suggests that reduced amplitude of accommodation may be due, at least in part, to factors other than longterm environmental effects

BACKGROUND: Subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) usually is associated with a poor visual prognosis. Laser photocoagulation of certain subfoveal membranes secondary to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) appears preferable to observation based on recent Macular Photocoagulation Study (MPS) findings but is associated with decreased vision. The authors explored the use of vitreoretinal surgical techniques as an alternative method of eradicating subfoveal CNV. METHODS: After vitrectomy, a small retinotomy technique was used to extract or disconnect from the choroidal circulation subfoveal CNV in 58 eyes. There were 33 eyes with ARMD, 20 eyes with presumed ocular histoplasmosis, and 5 eyes with miscellaneous etiologies. Five eyes also received subfoveal RPE patches. RESULTS: With limited follow-up, significant improvement in vision (defined as 2 Snellen lines) was achieved in 7 of 22 eyes with ARMD CNV removal (1 eye 20/20), 0 of 4 eyes with ARMD CNV removal and RPE patches, and 1 of 7 eyes with ARMD CNV disconnection. Significant improvement was achieved in 6 of 16 eyes with presumed ocular histoplasmosis removal and 0 of 4 eyes with presumed ocular histoplasmosis CNV disconnection. In 5 eyes with miscellaneous CNV, 2 improved (20/20 and 20/40). CNV recurred in 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with subfoveal CNV appear to benefit from surgical removal. Only rarely do eyes with ARMD improve. Longer-term follow-up and refined case selection are required before this approach can be widely recommended