Prophylaxis of retinal detachment

Prophylactic treatment of retinal breaks can only be justified if the risk of complications from treatment is lower than the risk of breaks leading to clinical retinal detachment. Recommendations for prophylaxis should be based on results from valid controlled studies and not merely on traditional high-risk associations between certain risk factors and clinical retinal detachment. Present evidence supports prophylactic treatment of all symptomatic tractional tears; and is suggestive for the treatment of large, symptomatic operculated tears, high-risk fellow eyes of nontraumatic giant retinal breaks, retinal breaks with subclinical retinal detachments threatening progression, and retinal breaks before cataract surgery. Support for prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic retinal breaks in aphakic and pseudophakic eyes with or without an intact posterior capsule is at best, equivocal. Asymptomatic retinal breaks in phakic eyes with lattice degeneration, high myopia, and fellow eye detachments show no significant benefit from prophylaxis and should be followed without treatment.     

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

AION is the most common acute optic neuropathy in patients over 50 and, although the diagnosis is often straightforward, our methods for managing the associated visual loss are inadequate. Analysis of the wealth of information gained from recent clinical studies may move us closer to an effective therapy.     

The role of vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Several conditions, such as detachment from posterior breaks or detachment with significant media opacities, may warrant vitrectomy as the primary procedure. In cases in which the preoperative retinal view is clear and a posterior break is definitively excluded, vitrectomy does not appear to offer significant advantage over scleral buckling other than a theoretically improved ability to examine the retina microscopically with scleral depression. Performing a vitrectomy for an uncomplicated retinal detachment from a small peripheral break in which scleral buckling would be the usual procedure of choice remains controversial. Although it may avoid the complications of scleral buckling, vitrectomy does have its own potential complications. The status of the lens, cornea, and configuration of the retinal tears and detachment should carefully be considered before vitrectomy. Proper patient selection and appropriate education are important factors in a successful outcome. Finally, from an economic viewpoint, the likelihood of success with vitrectomy in one procedure compared with other less expensive procedures should be considered.     

Anterior segment findings in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis

Background: Anterior segment findings in AIDS patients presenting with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis have not been specifically addressed in the American literature. Methods: Our study evaluated 21 AIDS patients with CMV retinitis. Results: Nineteen (90%) of these patients exhibited corneal endothelial deposits concurrent with CMV retinitis. The endothelial deposits were microscopic, opaque, linear flecks arranged in a reticular-like fashion. Of 42 eyes evaluated, 32 (76%) demonstrated active CMV retinitis. Corneal endothelial deposits were noted in 26 (81%) of the 32 eyes with retinitis. These corneal endothelial deposits were absent in the eyes which did not have CMV retinitis. Conclusion: Meticulous examination of the retina of an HIV-positive or AIDS patient who presents with reticularly arranged, linear, flecked corneal endothelial deposits should be performed to ensure that the diagnosis of CMV retinitis can be ruled out.     

Recurrent retinal artery obstruction as a presenting symptom of ophthalmic artery aneurysm: a case report

Background: Retinal artery obstruction is an ophthalmic emergency requiring immediate treatment. Recurrent episodes are the result of thromboembolic seeding and necessitate diagnostic efforts to find a possible source for this seeding. The most common sources of such seeding are the valves of the heart and the carotid arteries. Case report: We describe a case of a 25-year-old man who had recurrent episodes of retinal artery obstruction due to embolic spread. Discussion: We suggest the origin of the embolic spread to be a post-traumatic ophthalmic artery aneurysm. The immediate and long-term treatment given to the patient are described, the present case is compared to earlier reports, and the unusual clinical picture and suggested treatment are discussed.