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.

Determination of the function of a repaired canaliculus after monocanalicular injury by placing a punctal plug in the non-involved punctum on the affected side.

Rosser PM, Burt B, Osborne SF

Greenlane Clinical Centre Ophthalmology Department, Auckland, New Zealand.

Abstract Background: To determine whether repair of a monocanalicular laceration using a Mini-Monoka stent provides a functioning system. Methods: This prospective study included patients who underwent repair of a monocanalicular laceration with placement of a Mini-Monoka stent. Silicone punctal plugs were placed in the unaffected punctum on the side that had sustained the injury and in the same punctum on the fellow eye. The plug was left in place for between 7 and 17 days. The patient was questioned after placement regarding symptoms of epiphora. Results: Eight patients were included in the study; five injuries involved the lower canaliculus, two the upper, and one the upper and lower but only the lower was repaired. Of injuries, 50% were as a result of assault. Seven out of eight patients had no epiphora from the repaired eye during plug placement. One patient complained of significant epiphora from the repaired eye during the time the plugs were placed; this patient had a partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction and no canalicular stenosis. Of patients, 88% had an anatomically patent canaliculus and 100% were tearing-free when no plug was placed. Conclusions: In this study, a repaired monocanalicular injury provided a functioning system in 88% of cases. In previous studies, it has been shown that many patients are symptom-free with just one functioning canaliculus. However, a fully functioning canalicular system may help to prevent tearing under stress conditions, and will provide a viable system if the other canaliculus is irreparably damaged in the future. Therefore, repair is recommended.

Published 23 August 2010 in Clin Experiment Ophthalmol.
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Articles on Ophthalmology published 23 August 2010:

Spatial contrast sensitivity in dynamic and static additive luminance noise.   Vision Res, 50(19): 1957-1965.

The purpose of this study was to define the quantitative relationship between the temporal characteristics of additive luminance noise and the properties of the spatial contrast sensitivity function (CSF). CSFs were obtained from two observers using Gabor patch targets of short duration that were added to white luminance noise with a range of root-mean-square contrasts (c(rms)). The noise was either dynamic or static and was either of the same duration as the test target (synchronous) or of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Deletion of the X-linked opsin gene array locus control region (LCR) results in disruption of the cone mosaic.   Vision Res, 50(19): 1989-1999.

Blue cone monochromacy (BCM) is an X-linked condition in which long- (L) and middle- (M) wavelength-sensitive cone function is absent. Due to the X-linked nature of the condition, female carriers are spared from a full manifestation of the associated defects but can show visual symptoms, including abnormal cone electroretinograms. Here we imaged the cone mosaic in four females carrying an L/M array with deletion of the locus control region, resulting in an absence of L/M opsin gene expression ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Evaluating Exaggerated, Prolonged, or Delayed Postoperative Intraocular Inflammation.   Am J Ophthalmol, 150(3): 295-304.e1.

PURPOSE: To provide a diagnostic approach for the evaluation of patients with exaggerated, prolonged, or delayed postoperative intraocular inflammation. DESIGN: Perspective. METHODS: Selected articles on normal and abnormal postoperative intraocular inflammation were reviewed and interpreted in the context of the authors' clinical and research experience. RESULTS: In addition to infectious endophthalmitis, a number of noninfectious conditions characterized by exaggerated, prolonged, or delayed ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Specificity of perceptual learning increases with increased training.   Vision Res, 50(19): 1928-1940.

Perceptual learning often shows substantial and long-lasting changes in the ability to classify relevant perceptual stimuli due to practice. Specificity to trained stimuli and tasks is a key characteristic of visual perceptual learning, but little is known about whether specificity depends upon the extent of initial training. Using an orientation discrimination task, we demonstrate that specificity follows after extensive training, while the earliest stages of perceptual learning exhibit ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Sodium orthovanadate effect on outflow facility and intraocular pressure in live monkeys.   Exp Eye Res.

Sodium orthovanadate (Na(3)VO(4)) is reported to reduce IOP by affecting aqueous formation, but whether it also affects outflow facility (OF) is unclear. We tested the effect of Na(3)VO(4) on OF and intraocular pressure (IOP) in live cynomolgus monkeys, and on actin and cell adhesion organization in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. Total OF (n = 12) was measured by 2-level constant pressure perfusion of the monkey anterior chamber (AC) before and after exchange with 1 mM ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Association of Dyslipidemia in Moderate to Severe Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.   Am J Ophthalmol, 150(3): 371-375.e1.

PURPOSE: To determine whether meibomian gland disease, a major contributor to dry eye syndrome, is associated with dyslipidemia. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: setting: Clinical practice. patient or study population: Sixty-six patients from January 2008 to July 2009 with moderate to severe meibomian gland disease whose serum lipid levels were obtained. We excluded patients who were already taking lipid-altering substances and patients with rheumatologic disease. We analyzed ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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PURPOSE: To evaluate acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis occurring at an academic medical center and to compare rates over the last 25 years at a single institution. DESIGN: Retrospective, consecutive case series. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for all patients diagnosed with acute-onset postoperative nosocomial endophthalmitis from 2002 through 2009 associated with surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. RESULTS: The 8-year frequency of acute-onset postoperative endophthalmitis ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Alcohol Consumption and the Long-Term Incidence of Cataract and Cataract Surgery: The Blue Mountains Eye Study.   Am J Ophthalmol, 150(3): 434-440.e1.

PURPOSE: To assess whether alcohol consumption is associated with the long-term incidence of cataract or cataract surgery. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 3654 persons aged 49+ years were examined at baseline and 2564 were re-examined after 5 and/or 10 years. Lens photographs were taken at each visit and assessed using the Wisconsin Cataract Grading System by masked graders. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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