Grace L. Paley

Corneoscleral Laceration and Ocular Burns Caused by Electronic Cigarette Explosions.

Purpose: To report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions. Methods: Case series. Results: We describe a series of patients with corneal injury caused by EC explosions. Both patients suffered bilateral corneal burns and decreased visual acuity, and one patient sustained a unilateral corneoscleral laceration with prolapsed iris tissue and hyphema. A review of the scientific literature revealed no prior reported cases of ocular injury secondary to EC explosions; however, multiple media and government agency articles describe fires and explosions involving ECs, including at least 4 with ocular injuries. Conclusions: Given these cases and the number of recent media reports, ECs pose a significant public health risk. Users should be warned regarding the possibility of severe injury, including sight-threatening ocular injuries ranging from corneal burns to full-thickness corneoscleral laceration.

Overweight and Obesity in Pediatric Secondary Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

PURPOSE To examine the clinical, demographic, and anthropometric patient characteristics of secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in children and adolescents based on the recently revised diagnostic criteria. DESIGN Retrospective observational case series. METHODS Patients seen at a tertiary childrens hospital for pseudotumor cerebri syndrome were classified as having either primary idiopathic (n = 59) or secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (n = 16), as rigorously defined by recently revised diagnostic criteria. Outcomes included body mass index Z-scores (BMI-Z), height and weight Z-scores, demographics, and clinical features at presentation, such as headache, sixth nerve palsy, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure. RESULTS In this cohort, the associated conditions and exposures seen in definite secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome included tetracycline-class antibiotics (n = 11), chronic kidney disease (n = 3), withdrawal from chronic glucocorticoids (n = 1), and lithium (n = 1). Other associations observed in the possible secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome group included Down syndrome, vitamin A derivatives, and growth hormone. In comparison with primary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome, definite secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome patients were on average older (15.0 vs 11.6 years; P = .003, Mann-Whitney test). According to US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classifications, 79% of children with secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome were either overweight or obese (36% overweight [n = 5] and 43% obese [n = 6]), as compared to 32% nationally. CONCLUSIONS Even when a potential inciting exposure is identified for pediatric pseudotumor cerebri syndrome, the possible contribution of overweight and obesity should be considered.

Corneal-Based Surgical Presbyopic Therapies and Their Application in Pseudophakic Patients

Purpose. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of laser refractive surgery and corneal inlay approaches to treat presbyopia in patients after cataract surgery. Summary. The presbyopic population is growing rapidly along with increasing demands for spectacle independence. This review will focus on the corneal-based surgical options to address presbyopia including various types of corneal intrastromal inlays and laser ablation techniques to generate either a multifocal cornea (“PresbyLASIK”) or monovision. The natural history of presbyopia develops prior to cataracts, and these presbyopic surgeries have been largely studied in phakic patients. Nevertheless, pseudophakic patients may also undergo these presbyopia-compensating procedures for enhanced quality of life. This review examines the published reports that apply these technologies to patients after cataract surgery and discusses unique considerations for this population.

Headache Characteristics in Children With Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome, Elevated Opening Pressure Without Papilledema, and Normal Opening Pressure: A Retrospective Cohort Study: Headache

Certain headache characteristics and associated symptoms are commonly attributed to increased intracranial pressure, but they have not been systematically studied among children in the context of revised diagnostic criteria for pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS).

Pediatric Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome: Diagnosis, Classification, and Underlying Pathophysiology

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is defined by the presence of elevated intracranial pressure in the setting of normal brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid. PTCS can occur in the pediatric and adult populations and, if untreated, may lead to permanent visual loss. In this review, discussion will focus on PTCS in the pediatric population and will outline its distinct epidemiology and key elements of diagnosis, evaluation and management. Finally, although the precise mechanisms are unclear, the underlying pathophysiology will be considered.

Pediatric Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

Patients with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) have elevated intracranial pressure of unclear etiology. This diagnosis requires the presence of normal brain parenchyma on neuroimaging and normal cerebrospinal fluid composition without evidence of infection or neoplasm. PTCS can be a highly morbid complication of obesity; however, the diverse clinical spectrum of pediatric PTCS is becoming increasingly recognized. With appropriate management, the prognosis for vision and other symptoms, such as headache and double vision, is excellent for mild cases; however, patients with more severe disease and progressive vision loss may suffer permanent visual impairment.

Unilateral Posterior Interstitial Keratitis as a Clinical Presentation of Herpes Simplex Virus Disease

Purpose: To describe a case series of patients with unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis presumed to be caused by herpes simplex virus. Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: Five patients were found to have unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis. Three of the involved eyes had decreased corneal sensation, and 2 eyes had corneal stromal neovascularization. All patients were treated with topical steroids and an oral antiviral, and among those with long-term follow-up, clinical improvement required treatment over an extended duration. A review of the literature revealed 1 reported case with a similar clinical appearance, although that case was attributed to Lyme disease. Conclusions: The clinical presentation of unilateral, posterior interstitial keratitis may be a rare manifestation of herpes simplex virus keratitis.