Ophthalmology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Ophthalmology, including details on eye surgery, myopia, cataracts.

Fungal endophthalmitis in a tertiary care cancer center: a review of 23 cases.

Lamaris GA, Esmaeli B, Chamilos G, Desai A, Chemaly RF, Raad II, Safdar A, Lewis RE, Kontoyiannis DP

Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 402, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.

Few data exist on the etiology, presentation, prognosis, and management of fungal endophthalmitis (FE) in cancer patients. FE cases were identified by reviewing the ophthalmology reports and microbiology cultures of patients at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and obtained information related to malignancy, fungal infection and its management, visual outcome, and mortality. We compared FE caused by Candida spp. (CE) to FE caused by molds (ME). Of the 102 cancer patients with a fungal infection for whom an ophthalmology consult was requested, 23 met the criteria for definite (N = 6) or probable (N = 17) FE (8 with CE, 15 with ME). All of the patients with ME had hematologic malignancies, whereas half of the patients with CE had solid tumor (P = .008). Only patients with CE had a history of surgery within 30 days of FE diagnosis (38%, P = .03). Fungal pneumonia [17 (74%)] and disseminated infection [14, (61%)] were common. The most common presenting symptoms were decreased vision [16 (70%)] and ocular pain [14 (61%)]. All treated patients received systemic antifungals (combination therapy in 72% of the cases). Seven patients (30%) underwent vitrectomy. Only one patient received intraocular injection of amphotericin B along with systemic antifungals. Four-week mortality was high [13 (57%)], especially in ME (73%, P = .04). Among the eight surviving patients where visual acuity could be assessed, visual outcome improved or remained stable in five (63%). FE in cancer patients occurs in the setting of severe, frequently disseminated opportunistic mycoses, is caused predominantly by hyalohyphomycetes, and is a marker for high 4-week mortality.

Published 1 May 2008 in Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis, 27(5): 343-7.
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Articles on Ophthalmology published 28 April 2008:

Pediatric Graves' ophthalmopathy: The pre- and postpubertal experience.   J AAPOS.

PURPOSE: Graves' disease is rare in children. The associated orbitopathy has not been well-characterized. In particular, the unique features of prepubertal Graves' orbitopathy are poorly described. In this study, we compare pre- and postpubertal Graves' orbitopathy and contrast our findings with those reported previously. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified children with Graves' disease diagnosed clinically and serologically and treated at Children's Hospital Boston between 1996 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

The Prevalence and Types of Glaucoma in Malay People: The Singapore Malay Eye Study.   Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and types of glaucoma in an Asian Malay population. Methods: The Singapore Malay Eye Study is a population-based cross-sectional survey that examined 3,280 (78.7% response) persons aged 40-80 years. Participants underwent a standardized clinical examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, Goldmann applanation tonometry and dilated optic disc assessment. Participants who were suspected to have glaucoma also underwent visual field examination (24-2 SITA ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Retinopathy of prematurity care: Patterns of care and workforce analysis.   J AAPOS.

PURPOSE: To describe the workforce that provides retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) care. METHODS: We surveyed a random sample of ophthalmologists' offices by telephone (n = 1504) and then sent a mail survey to those who were reported to provide care to infants (n = 486). Workforce estimates were based on the total number of ophthalmologists in the United States. RESULTS: Thirty percent of ophthalmologists were reported to care for children younger than 1 year of age; 11% of all ophthalmologists ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Provider and Center Effect in Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trials of Surgical Specialties: An Analysis on Patient-level Data.   Ann Surg, 247(5): 892-898.

OBJECTIVE:: To estimate the importance of center and provider effect and its implication on the estimation of treatment effect in surgical randomized controlled trials. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:: Provider and center effect may play an important role in the estimated treatment effect of multicenter surgical randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, such effects are rarely accounted for in surgical RCTs. METHODS:: Analysis of patient-level data from 3 large surgical randomized controlled ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ophthalmology published 25 April 2008:

Topical Ocular Delivery of NSAIDs.   AAPS J.

In ocular tissue, arachidonic acid is metabolized by cyclooxygenase to prostaglandins which are the most important lipid derived mediators of inflammation. Presently nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors are being used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. NSAIDs used in ophthalmology, topically, are salicylic-, indole acetic-, aryl acetic-, aryl propionic- and enolic acid derivatives. NSAIDs are weak acids with pKa mostly between 3.5 and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Optical Coherence Tomography Fast versus Regular Macular Thickness Mapping in Diabetic Retinopathy.   Ophthalmic Res, 40(5): 235-240.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate if absolute values and reproducibility of thickness maps obtained from 2 optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning protocols, regular high-resolution and fast low-density mode, differ in patients with diabetic macular edema. Methods: A total of 26 consecutive patients undergoing fluorescein angiography and Stratus OCT scanning for the evaluation of diabetic macular edema at the Departments of Ophthalmology in Munich and Vienna were ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Ophthalmology published 24 April 2008:

Expression of procollagen alpha1 type I and tenascin proteins induced by HEMA in human pulp fibroblasts.   Toxicol In Vitro.

In the dental pulp extracellular matrix, the main macromolecules are collagenous proteins, non-collagenous proteins and proteoglycans. Regulated synthesis of the interstitial collagens, in particular, type I collagen, is important during development and wound healing but also in a number of pathological conditions. Tenascin is also a matrix protein highly expressed during development while it decreases in mature organs. Under pathological conditions such as infections and inflammation, during ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Olopatadine 0.2% ophthalmic solution: the first ophthalmic antiallergy agent with once-daily dosing.   Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol, 4(4): 453-61.

Background: Olopatadine 0.2% is the first topical ophthalmic antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer indicated for once-daily dosing. Objective: This review provides a comprehensive description of the pharmacology of the olopatadine molecule, as well as of the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and safety of olopatadine 0.2% ophthalmic solution. Methods: References cited in this review were obtained from the PubMed biomedical literature database. Also included were several posters presented at ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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