Albert S. Khouri

Anterior uveitis associated with latanoprost

PURPOSE To report the association of anterior uveitis with the use of latanoprost. METHODS We studied four patients with complicated open-angle glaucoma who had anterior uveitis associated with the use of latanoprost. The uveitis was unilateral and occurred only in the eye receiving latanoprost in three patients. In one patient, latanoprost was used in both eyes, and the uveitis was bilateral. Four of five eyes had a history of prior inflammation and/or prior incisional surgery. All patients were rechallenged with the drug. RESULTS The uveitis improved after cessation of latanoprost with or without topical corticosteroids. It recurred after rechallenging with latanoprost in all eyes. CONCLUSION There is a possible association between latanoprost and anterior uveitis. Topical prostaglandin analogs may be relatively contraindicated in patients with a history of uveitis or prior ocular surgery. This association may also be possible in eyes that have not had previous uveitis or incisional surgery.

A family with a syndrome of ectopia lentis, spontaneous filtering blebs, and craniofacial dysmorphism

Six members of a family presented with a syndrome of mild facial dysmorphism, subluxation of the crystalline lenses, variable degrees of angle closure by iridocorneal adhesions, and patchy areas of iris atrophy. Three nonoperated eyes of two patients had spontaneous filtering blebs that presented as avascular cystic elevations of the superior conjunctiva. Systemic workup of all patients was negative for evidence of diseases known to be associated with dislocated lenses. The pedigree is most compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance with pseudodominance.

Excessive blinking in children

Blinking is a normal reflex that protects the eye from dryness, bright light, fingers or other objects coming towards it. Blinking also regulates tears, which nourish and cleanse the surface of the eye. The blinking rate in newborns is only 2 times per minute. This increases to 14-17 times per minute in adolescence and remains at this rate through the remainder of life. Blinking can also increase in response to pain, bright light, changes in temperature and humidity, and conversation.