Macular superficial vascular density on optical coherence tomography angiography in children with unilateral anisometropic and bilateral hyperopic amblyopia

Abstract We analyzed whether macular superficial vascular density (SVD) and foveal vascular zone (FAZ) on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can distinguish between bilateral ametropic and anisometropic amblyopia. We included 42, 33, and 50 eyes in the bilateral ametropic amblyopia, anisometropic amblyopia, and normal control groups, respectively. Using macular swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography, we measured and analyzed the superficial FAZ areas and five sectoral macular SVDs after magnification correction. The anisometropic amblyopic eye group showed significantly increased foveal SVDs (p < 0.001) and significantly decreased superficial FAZ areas (p < 0.001), compared with the remaining groups. Additionally, the bilateral ametropic amblyopia group had significantly decreased nasal SVDs. SVDs and superficial FAZ areas differed among hyperopic amblyopia subtypes. These findings may reflect vascular distribution differences and macular changes in hyperopic amblyopia subtypes compared with normal eyes

Pilot Study of Aerosolised Plus Intravenous Vancomycin in Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia

Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia in critically ill patients remains unsatisfactory. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of aerosolised vancomycin in addition to intravenous administration in this setting. This was a prospective, noncomparative, phase II trial. Patients receiving mechanical ventilation for &gt;48 h in intensive care units (ICUs) were screened; those receiving intravenous vancomycin for MRSA pneumonia were enrolled. Patients received aerosolised vancomycin (250 mg every 12 h for five days) via a vibrating mesh nebuliser. The primary outcome was treatment success (clinical cure or improvement) at the conclusion of antibiotic treatment. Vancomycin concentrations were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid according to administration time. Twenty patients were enrolled (median age 75 years and 13 (65%) men; 18 (90%) cases with nosocomial pneumonia). Thirteen patients (65%) showed clinical cure or improvement. Microbiological eradication of MRSA was confirmed in 14 patients (70%). ICU and hospital mortality rates were 30% and 35%, respectively. Maximum aerosolised vancomycin concentration was observed 4&ndash;5 h after nebulising (98.75 &plusmn; 21.79 mcg/mL). No additional systemic adverse effects occurred following aerosol vancomycin treatment. Aerosolised vancomycin combination therapy may be an alternative treatment for patients with severe MRSA pneumonia receiving mechanical ventilation (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01925066)