Neil F. Martin

Retinal Phlebitis in the Irvine-Gass Syndrome

We reviewed the pathology records from January 1965 through July 1975 for aphakic eyes. After exclusion of unsuitable cases, ten eyes (nine patients) with cystoid macular edema and 142 eyes without cystoid macular edema were studied. Clinical ophthalmic records were available for five of the ten eyes with the Irvine-Gass syndrome. Histologic sections were examined, revealing a significant correlation between the Irvine-Gass syndrome and retinal phlebitis, which has not been reported previously, as well as cyclitis and vitritis. Anterior segment operative complications tended to be more prevalent in eyes with the Irvine-Gass syndrome than in those without the Irvine-Gass syndrome, although the assocation was not statistically significant (P less than .1). Retinal trypsin digestion showed the phlebitis to be distributed posteriorly within primary and secondary retinal veins, frequently occurring near points of bifurcation. The changes in permeability seen in the Irvine-Gass syndrome may be due to this retinal phlebitis and to a generalized inflammation-induced increase in capillary permeability. The case of the phlebitis is not known.

Intraocular Lenses: Experience at the Wilmer Institute

A series of 614 primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantations performed at the Wilmer Institute during the past six years by two surgeons were reviewed. Progressive corneal endothelial cell loss and an increased rate of late-onset corneal edema were detected in the group with the Morcher (European) four-loop iris-clip Binkhorst IOLs. A higher rate of clinically significant cystoid macular edema (CME) developed in eyes with the American-manufactured four-loop Binkhorst lens, presumably from chronic iritis caused by contaminants on the IOLs. Our short-term results with the American-manufactured Shearing-type IOLs implanted at the time of extracapsular cataract extraction are encouraging, with 99% of cases achieving 20/40 vision or better, excluding those with known macular degeneration of amblyopia. A continued conservative approach to IOL implantation is recommended.

Ocular Copper Deposition Associated with Pulmonary Carcinoma, IgG Monoclonal Gammopathy and Hypercupremia: A Clinicopathologic Correlation

Hypercupremia with central deposition of copper in Descemets membrane and lens capsule has been reported previously in lymphoproliferative disorders in two cases. A 60-year-old white man presented with visual acuity loss and was found to have an iridescent brown corneal and lenticular discoloration. Laboratory investigation revealed hypercupremia secondary to a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung. Presence of copper in the eye was confirmed by specific atomic absorption spectra and histochemical stains of ocular tissue. This appears to be the first report of a carcinoma with associated hypercupremia presenting initially with ocular copper deposition.

Treatment of Mooren's and Mooren's-like ulcer by lamellar keratectomy: report of six eyes and literature review

Three cases of Moorens ulcer (four eyes) and one case of marginal corneal ulcer associated with relapsing polychondritis (two eyes) are presented with decrease in ocular inflammation following extensive lamellar keratectomy or lamellar keratoplasty. Tissue adhesive was needed in two cases to maintain ocular integrity. The procedure may work by the removal of a corneal antigenic stimulus to a self-perpetrating auto-immune phenomenon that causes corneal melting. More cases are needed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of lamellar keratectomy for Moorens and Moorens-like corneal ulcers.

Use of the Honan intraocular pressure reducer at The Wilmer Institute.

Our technique for the preparation of the patient for cataract surgery is discussed, with description of our use of the Honan intraocular pressure reducer (HIPR). Results of preoperative use of the HIPR in a prospective study of 21 patients and our retrospective experience with over 1,000 patients undergoing cataract surgery (with or without lens implantation) are discussed. The HIPR appears to be a safe and effective means of reducing intraocular pressure preoperatively when used with due care.

Aphakic Extended-Wear Contact Lenses after Penetrating Keratoplasty

Fifteen aphakic eyes in 15 selected patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty were successfully fitted with extended-wear contact lenses three to 42 months postoperatively. After an average follow-up of 17 months, there was no graft edema, no microbial corneal ulcers, and no episode of graft rejection. Three eyes developed minor (1 to 2 mm) graft neovascularization; the neovascularization was stable and did not require discontinuation of the contact lenses. Fourteen of the 15 patients had postoperative visual acuities of 20/70 or better; the one patient whose visual acuity was worse than 20/70 had a clear graft but also had senile macular degeneration.

Continuing Corneal Endothelial Loss in Intracapsular Surgery With and Without Binkhorst Four-Loop Lenses: A Long-Term Specular Microscopy Study

We analyzed pre- and postoperative corneal endothelial photographs of 17 intracapsular cataract extractions (ICCE) with Binkhorst four-loop intraocular lens (IOL) eyes and found 11.6% mean cell loss at 2 months (previously reported by Hirst et al) increasing to 42.4% after 5 years (p less than 0.05) and 51.8% at 7 years. Eleven ICCE eyes without IOLs similarly examined showed a 15.6% mean cell loss at 2 months (previously reported by Hirst et al), increasing to 33.4% at 5 years (p less than 0.005, paired t-test). Our results appear to indicate long-term continuing cell loss after ICCE, both with and without Binkhorst four-loop iris clip IOLs, and statistically significant greater cell loss (p less than .001, unpaired t-test) with IOLs than without.