Suppurative corneal ulceration in Bangladesh

Suppurative keratitis is an important preventable cause of blindness, particularly in the developing world. This study analyses 142 cases of suppurative keratitis referred to Chittagong Eye Infirmary, Bangladesh. Some 53.5% of cases were bacterial and 35.9% were fungal. The five most common pathogens were: Pseudomonas sp. 24%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 17%, Aspergillus sp. 13%, Fusarium sp. 7% and Curvularia sp. 6%. Gram stain and culture results were consistent in 62.6% of cases. Previous antibiotic treatment was a significant factor for failure of culture isolation and less so for Gram stain failure. On Gram stain, 55.9% of pseudomonal cases were missed, but only 2% of fungal cases were missed. Over all, Gram stain had a sensitivity of 62% and positive predictive value of 84% for bacterial cases, and 98% and 94% for fungal cases, respectively. Fungal ulcers were typically filamentous, but an antecedent history of trauma was not common. The most frequent injury was due to rice grains, but the inoculum appeared to be introduced during eye washing with contaminated water. Pseudomonal ulcers occurred most frequently in the monsoon season, and Fusarium cases were seen only in the hot, dry season.     

Seasonal variation in contact lens-associated corneal ulcers

We undertook a retrospective analysis of 112 patients admitted to Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, between 1983 and 1985 with corneal ulcers associated with the use of contact lenses to test the clinical impression that such ulcers are more common in summer. Over half of the admissions (51%) occurred between June and September. The seasonal variation of the ulcers was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Possible factors predisposing to corneal ulcers in people who wear contact lenses in the summer include enhanced growth of bacteria at warmer temperatures and wearing the lenses while swimming.     

Update on a family with hand-foot-genital syndrome: hypospadias and urinary tract abnormalities in two boys from the fourth generation.

We describe a fourth generation of involvement with hand-foot-genital syndrome. The first 3 generations of this family, which included 5 affected females and no affected males, were reported previously by Verp et al. [1983]. In the fourth generation, 2 affected males are identified. To our knowledge, the findings of bilateral vesicoureteral reflux in one boy and bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction in his cousin represent the first reports of urinary tract abnormalities in males with this syndrome.     

Psychiatric mental health nursing: challenge and change

. We invited Dr Peplau to provide a personal reflection on the recent history of psychiatric nursing and her thoughts on immediate challenges facing the profession. The paper is an individual scholar's commentary on the way that psychiatry has waxed and waned over the years, in relation to nursing. This historical review discovers and reports a challenge to current practice. Dr Peplau describes a professional shift that is pulling nurses toward the subordinate role observed earlier this century. The paper draws attention to how contemporary practice can be positively influenced, e.g., by giving a structure to the allocation and conduct of nurse–patient time.     

Soemmering's ring support for posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation during penetrating keratoplasty. Changing trends in bullous keratopathy.

BACKGROUND: Changing trends in cataract extractions have resulted in a new category of bullous keratopathy: corneal decompensation after complicated extracapsular cataract extraction. These cases of bullous keratopathy are associated with rupture of the posterior capsule, vitreous loss, and significant intraocular inflammation at the time of the original complicated extracapsular cataract extraction. METHODS: The authors reviewed 14 consecutive cases of penetrating keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy in which posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was supported by remnants of the posterior capsule and/or Soemmering's ring without suture fixation. All 14 patients had a history of complicated extracapsular cataract extraction with capsule rupture and vitreous loss. RESULTS: All 14 patients had clear, compact grafts without migration of the intraocular lens with a mean follow-up of 12.1 months. Vision improved in 93% of cases, and there was no significant worsening of glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy after traumatic extracapsular cataract extraction with an anterior chamber intraocular lens and aphakic bullous keratopathy after traumatic extracapsular cataract extraction are two relatively new clinical entities that present new intraocular lens management options. Bullous keratopathy after complicated extracapsular cataract extraction should be recognized as a distinct clinical entity. Intraocular lens implantation into the ciliary sulcus with Soemmering's ring and peripheral capsular support provide the advantages of a posterior chamber intraocular lens without the risk of iris or scleral sutures. The authors predict that bullous keratopathy associated with traumatic extracapsular cataract extraction will become one of the more common indications for penetrating keratoplasty.     

Glued-on, rigid gas-permeable contact lens for severe radiation-induced keratitis.

A 68-year-old woman with severe radiation-induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca became progressively unresponsive to conventional medical treatment. Her left eye deteriorated rapidly and required total tarsorrhaphy. In an attempt to stabilize the right eye and preserve some functional vision, we glued a high-Dk rigid, gas-permeable contact lens with tissue-grade cyanoacrylate adhesive to Bowman's membrane. This glued-on contact lens induced rapid and dramatic improvement of the patient's comfort and sight. Recent developments in high-permeability, rigid, contact-lens materials now make artificial replacement of the epithelium a potentially useful treatment for severe ocular surface disease when conventional treatment has failed.