Risk Factors for Development of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Patients with Uveitis

Purpose: To describe risk factors for development of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in patients with uveitis. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 411 consecutive human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients with uveitis (571 affected eyes) and report on prevalence, risk factors and visual outcomes of patients with RRD. Results: Prevalence of RRD was 7% of all patients with uveitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that posterior uveitis and panuveitis were associated with RRD (P = 0.001). Strong association between RRD development and infectious uveitis was also observed (P = 0.009). Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) was firmly associated with RRD development (P = 0.016). Although anatomical success was obtained, functional outcome was poor. Poor visual outcomes at 6-month and 1-year follow-up were associated with initial VA < counting fingers (P = 0.05, P = 0.044). Conclusions: Prevalence of RRD in uveitis was 7% and development of RRD was encountered in posterior and panuveitis. Infectious uveitis (specifically ARN) formed a high risk for RRD

Assessing the accuracy of intracameral phenylephrine preparation in cataract surgery

Purpose: Unpreserved phenylephrine is often used as an off-licence intracameral surgical adjunct during cataract surgery to assist with pupil dilation and/or stabilise the iris in floppy iris syndrome. It can be delivered as a neat 0.2 ml bolus of either 2.5 or 10% strength, or in a range of ad-hoc dilutions. We wished to assess the accuracy of intracameral phenylephrine preparation in clinical practice. Methods: Phenylephrine 0.2 ml was analysed both neat (2.5 and 10%) and in diluted form (ratio of 1:1 and 1:3). Samples were analysed using the validated spectrophotometric method. Results: A total of 36 samples were analysed. The standard curve showed linearity for phenylephrine (R2 = 0.99). Wide variability was observed across all dilution groups. There was evidence of significant differences in the percentage deviations from intended results between dilutions (p &lt; 0.001). Mean percentage deviation for 1:3 dilution was significantly greater than neat (p = 0.003) and 1:1 dilution (p = 0.001). There was no evidence of a significant difference between 1:1 and neat (p = 0.827). Conclusions: Current ad-hoc dilution methods used to prepare intracameral phenylephrine are inaccurate and highly variable. Small volume 1 ml syringes should not be used for mixing or dilution of drug. Commercial intracameral phenylephrine products would address dosage concerns and could improve surgical outcomes in cases of poor pupil dilation and/or floppy iris syndrome

Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Thai patients with clinical and angiographic choroidal neovascularization

Chavakij Bhoomibunchoo,1 Yosanan Yospaiboon,1 Somanus Thoongsuwan,2 Duangnate Rojanaporn,3 Nawat Watanachai,4 Pichai Jirarattanasopa,5 Nattapon Wongcumchang,6 Atchara Amphornphruet,7 Sritatath Vongkulsiri,8 Eakkachai Arayangkoon9 1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 3Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 4Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 5Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 6Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, 7Department of Ophthalmology, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, 8Department of Ophthalmology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, 9Department of Ophthalmology, Mettapracharak Hospital, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Objective: This study aimed to study the prevalence and characteristics of idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (IPCV) in Thai patients with clinical and angiographic choroidal neovascularization (CNV).Patients and methods: A consecutive case study of 140 patients presenting with CNV was conducted in nine large referral eye centers throughout Thailand. The demographic data, fundus photographs, fundus fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography of the patients&nbsp;were analyzed.Results: Of 129 patients with clinical and angiographic CNV, IPCV was diagnosed in 100&nbsp;patients (77.52%), idiopathic CNVs in 16 patients (12.40%) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 12 patients (9.30%). Of the 107 eyes with IPCV, 90 eyes (84.11%) had both branching venous networks (BVNs) and polypoidal lesions. Most IPCV patients (93%) had unilateral involvement and were at a younger age than AMD patients. In all, 79 eyes (73.83%) had lesions found in the macular area, 14 eyes (13.08%) in the temporal to vascular arcades, ten eyes (9.35%) in the peripapillary area and four eyes (3.74%) in both macular and peripapillary areas. The clinical manifestations of IPCV at presentation were categorized into two patterns. There were 95 eyes (88.79%) of a hemorrhagic pattern and 12 eyes (11.21%) of an exudative pattern.Conclusion: IPCV is the most common macular disease in Thai patients with CNV. Most IPCVs have both BVNs and polypoidal lesions located in the macular area and present with a hemorrhagic pattern. Keywords: idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, prevalence, choroidal neovascularization, age-related macular degeneratio

Effect of intravenous corticosteroids on death within 14 days in 10008 adults with clinically significant head injury (MRC CRASH trial): randomised placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids have been used to treat head injuries for more than 30 years. In 1997, findings of a systematic review suggested that these drugs reduce risk of death by 1-2%. The CRASH trial--a multicentre international collaboration--aimed to confirm or refute such an effect by recruiting 20000 patients. In May, 2004, the data monitoring committee disclosed the unmasked results to the steering committee, which stopped recruitment. METHODS: 10008 adults with head injury and a Glasgow coma score (GCS) of 14 or less within 8 h of injury were randomly allocated 48 h infusion of corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) or placebo. Primary outcomes were death within 2 weeks of injury and death or disability at 6 months. Prespecified subgroup analyses were based on injury severity (GCS) at randomisation and on time from injury to randomisation. Analysis was by intention to treat. Effects on outcomes within 2 weeks of randomisation are presented in this report. This study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN74459797. FINDINGS: Compared with placebo, the risk of death from all causes within 2 weeks was higher in the group allocated corticosteroids (1052 [21.1%] vs 893 [17.9%] deaths; relative risk 1.18 [95% CI 1.09-1.27]; p=0.0001). The relative increase in deaths due to corticosteroids did not differ by injury severity (p=0.22) or time since injury (p=0.05). INTERPRETATION: Our results show there is no reduction in mortality with methylprednisolone in the 2 weeks after head injury. The cause of the rise in risk of death within 2 weeks is unclear