R. Michael Siatkowski

Screening Examination of Premature Infants for Retinopathy of Prematurity

This statement revises a previous statement on screening of preterm infants for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that was published in 2006. ROP is a pathologic process that occurs only in immature retinal tissue and can progress to a tractional retinal detachment, which can result in functional or complete blindness. Use of peripheral retinal ablative therapy by using laser photocoagulation for nearly 2 decades has resulted in a high probability of markedly decreasing the incidence of this poor visual outcome, but the sequential nature of ROP creates a requirement that at-risk preterm infants be examined at proper times and intervals to detect the changes of ROP before they become permanently destructive. This statement presents the attributes on which an effective program for detecting and treating ROP could be based, including the timing of initial examination and subsequent reexamination intervals.

Two-year multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel safety and efficacy study of 2% pirenzepine ophthalmic gel in children with myopia.

PURPOSE To evaluate if the safety and efficacy of the relatively selective M1-antagonist, pirenzepine, in slowing the progression of myopia in children is sustained over a 2-year period. METHODS This was a multicenter, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-masked, randomized clinical trial. Enrolled were children aged 8 to 12 years, with entry spherical equivalent refractive error of -0.75 to -4.00 D and astigmatism </=1.00 D. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive 2% pirenzepine ophthalmic gel or a placebo control (vehicle), twice daily to each eye. The main outcome measure was spherical equivalent refractive error via cycloplegic autorefraction. RESULTS At study entry, spherical equivalent was -2.10 +/- 0.90 D (mean +/- SD) for the pirenzepine group (n = 117) and -1.93 +/- 0.83 D for the placebo group (n = 57; p = 0.22). At 1 year, there was a mean increase in myopia of 0.26 D in the pirenzepine group versus 0.53 D in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Eighty-four patients elected to continue for a second year (pirenzepine = 53, placebo = 31). At 2 years, the mean increase in myopia was 0.58 D for the pirenzepine group and 0.99 D for the placebo group (p = 0.008). Thirteen (11%) pirenzepine patients dropped out due to adverse effects in the first year, and 1 did so in the second year. CONCLUSIONS Pirenzepine ophthalmic gel 2% was effective compared with placebo in slowing the progression of myopia over a 2-year treatment period and demonstrated a clinically acceptable safety profile.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE To investigate sex distribution, frequency of obesity, and other associated conditions among children and adolescents with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 years or younger diagnosed with idiopathic intracranial hypertension between 1988 and 1995 at two medical centers. Meta-analyses were performed using our data pooled with published information. RESULTS Of 374 patients, 175 (46.8%) were male and 199 (53.2%) were female. Obesity was noted in 50 (29.6%) of the 169 patients for whom relevant data are available, and other associated conditions were noted in 185 (53.2%) of the 348 patients. CONCLUSIONS Idiopathic intracranial hypertension among children and adolescents affects boys and girls equally; concurrent obesity occurs less frequently than in adults; and other associated conditions or secondary causes are common.

The cupped disc: Who needs neuroimaging?☆

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of positive neuroradiologic studies in consecutive patients with glaucoma associated with normal intraocular pressure and to compare the psychophysical and clinical characteristics of these eyes with eyes with disc cupping associated with intracranial masses. DESIGN Retrospective case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS Fifty-two eyes of 29 patients with glaucoma associated with normal intraocular pressure and 44 eyes of 28 control patients with compressive lesions were reviewed. INTERVENTION The medical records of consecutive glaucoma patients with normal intraocular pressure who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scanning as part of a diagnostic evaluation between January 1, 1985, and July 1, 1995, were reviewed. A masked reading of optic nerve photographs and visual fields was performed by one observer. A similar analysis was performed on a control group of consecutive patients with nonglaucomatous optic nerve cupping with known intracranial mass lesions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The neuroradiologic findings, clinical characteristics, optic nerve head appearance, and patterns of visual field loss were compared between groups. RESULTS None of the patients diagnosed with glaucoma had neuroradiologic evidence of a mass lesion involving the anterior visual pathway. Compared to control subjects, patients with glaucoma were older (P = 0.0001), had better visual acuity (P = 0.002), greater vertical loss of neuroretinal rim tissue (P = 0.0001), more frequent optic disc hemorrhages (P = 0.01), less neuroretinal rim pallor (P = 0.0001), and more nerve fiber bundle visual field defects aligned at the horizontal midline (P = 0.0001). Visual acuity less than 20/40, vertically aligned visual field defects, optic nerve pallor in excess of cupping, and age younger than 50 years were 77%, 81%, 90%, and 93% specific for nonglaucomatous cupping associated with compressive lesions, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Anterior visual pathway compression is an uncommon finding in the neuroradiologic evaluation of patients with a presumptive diagnosis of normal-tension glaucoma. Younger age, lower levels of visual acuity, vertically aligned visual field defects, and neuroretinal rim pallor may increase the likelihood of identifying an intracranial mass lesion.

Does cryotherapy affect refractive error? Results from treated versus control eyes in the cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity trial

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of cryotherapy on refractive error status between ages 3 months and 10 years in children with birth weights of less than 1251 g in whom severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) developed in one or both eyes during the neonatal period. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred ninety-one children in whom severe ROP developed during the neonatal period. INTERVENTION Cryotherapy for ROP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cycloplegic Refraction METHODS The children underwent repeated follow-up eye examinations, including cycloplegic retinoscopy, between 3 months and 10 years after term due date. Refractive error data from all eyes that were randomized to cryotherapy were compared with data from all eyes that were randomized to serve as controls. Refractive error data were also compared for a subset of children who had both a treated and a control eye that could be refracted. RESULTS At all ages, the proportion of treated eyes that were unable to be refracted because of retinal detachment, media opacity, or pupillary miosis was approximately half the proportion of the control eyes that were unable to be refracted. When data from all eyes that could be refracted were considered, the distribution of refractive errors between fewer than 8 diopters (D) of myopia and more than 8 D of hyperopia was similar for treated and control eyes at all ages. The proportion of eyes with 8 D or more of myopia was much higher in treated than in control eyes at all ages after 3 months. In the subset of children who had a treated eye and a control eye that could be refracted, distributions of refractive errors in treated versus control eyes were similar at most ages. CONCLUSIONS In both treated and control eyes, there was an increase in the prevalence of high myopia between 3 and 12 months of age. Between 12 months and 10 years of age, there was little change in distribution of refractive error in treated or control eyes. The higher prevalence of myopia of 8 D or more in treated eyes, as compared with control eyes, may be the result of cryotherapys preservation of retinal structure in eyes that, in the absence of cryotherapy, would have progressed to retinal detachment.

Ocular rosacea in childhood.

PURPOSE To describe the clinical characteristics and treatment response of ocular rosacea in the pediatric population. DESIGN Retrospective case series. METHODS The clinic charts of consecutive pediatric cases of ocular rosacea were evaluated over a 34-month period. Minimal diagnostic inclusion criteria were the presence of posterior eyelid inflammation including meibomian gland inspissation and lid margin telangiectasis, in conjunction with conjunctival injection or episcleritis. RESULTS Six patients ranged from 3 to 12 years of age at presentation. All shared a long history of ocular irritation and photophobia. Five patients (83%) were female and had bilateral involvement. Eyelid telangiectases and meibomian gland disease were present in all cases. Three patients (50%) had sterile corneal ulcers. Only two patients (33%) had cutaneous involvement at the time of diagnosis. All patients experienced significant improvement with a combination of oral antibiotics (doxycycline or erythromycin), with or without topical antibiotics (erythromycin or bacitracin) or topical steroids (fluorometholone). CONCLUSION Ocular rosacea in children may be misdiagnosed as viral or bacterial infections. Unlike in adults, associated cutaneous changes are uncommon. Most disease is bilateral, although involvement may be asymmetric. Response to conventional treatment is excellent, although long-term treatment may be necessary to prevent relapses.

Long-term visual outcome in patients with anterior visual pathway gliomas

Objectives To investigate the visual outcomes of patients with gliomas of the anterior visual pathway and the clinical features associated with prognosis. Materials and Methods During retrospective review, demographic and clinical data were abstracted from medical records of patients seen at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 1970 and December 31, 1998. Results Of the 42 patients identified, 68% were female, and 55% had neurofibromatosis (NF) type I. There was no substantial difference in presenting signs, symptoms, and visual acuity between the NF(+) and NF(−) groups except for nystagmus, which was more common in the NF(−) group (p = 0.014). Throughout follow-up evaluation, vision in the better eye remained stable in both groups, independent of treatment or NF status. Vision in the worse eye often declined, despite treatment. However, binocular visual status, measured as average weighted logMAR (MAR, minimum angle of resolution) vision, did not change significantly over time, regardless of treatment or NF status. Conclusions In the NF(+) and NF(−) groups, vision in the better eye remained stable, regardless of treatment, and vision in the worse eye often declined, despite treatment. Binocular visual acuity (measured as weighted logMAR) did not change significantly over time, regardless of NF status or treatment modality.

Instrument-based pediatric vision screening policy statement.

A policy statement describing the use of automated vision screening technology (instrument-based vision screening) is presented. Screening for amblyogenic refractive error with instrument-based screening is not dependent on behavioral responses of children, as when visual acuity is measured. Instrument-based screening is quick, requires minimal cooperation of the child, and is especially useful in the preverbal, preliterate, or developmentally delayed child. Children younger than 4 years can benefit from instrument-based screening, and visual acuity testing can be used reliably in older children. Adoption of this new technology is highly dependent on third-party payment policies, which could present a significant barrier to adoption.

Optic neuropathy and chiasmopathy in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Purpose To report the clinical presentation of acute visual loss in six patients who were ultimately diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Retrospective case series. Results All patients had a positive antinuclear antibody and elevated anti–double stranded DNA titers. Five of six patients demonstrated gadolinium enhancement of the optic nerve and/or chiasm on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Most patients showed initial improvement after treatment with high-dose systemic corticosteroids, but five experienced recrudescences during steroid taper, requiring further treatment with immunosuppressive or cytotoxic medications. Conclusions Visual loss owing to optic neuropathy or chiasmopathy may be the presenting sign of SLE or the event that leads to this diagnosis. Gadolinium-enhanced MRI is useful for identifying anterior visual pathway lesions in these patients. Corticosteroids are effective in the treatment of this condition; however, relapses requiring further treatment are common.

Pediatric photoscreening for strabismus and refractive errors in a high-risk population

OBJECTIVE To determine the accuracy of the MTI Photoscreener in detecting strabismus and refractive errors in children. PARTICIPANTS One hundred children underwent MTI photoscreening followed by complete ophthalmologic examination. Six observers graded the photographs for strabismus, according to the location of the corneal light reflexes, and for refractive error, according to the size and location of the light crescent. RESULTS The sensitivity of the MTI Photoscreener in detecting any amblyogenic factor was 80% to 91%, with a specificity of 20% to 67%. The sensitivity and specificity for particular amblyogenic factors varied widely among observers. The ranges were as follows: strabismus, sensitivity = 23% to 50%, specificity = 76% to 96%; myopia, sensitivity = 89%, specificity = 48% to 76%; hyperopia, sensitivity = 20% to 80%, specificity = 88% to 96%; and astigmatism, sensitivity = 46% to 77%, specificity = 79% to 89%. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest caution in relying on photoscreening to detect strabismus and refractive errors in children.