William H. Annesley

Photocoagulation Treatment of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The Second Report of Diabetic Retinopathy Study Findings

Data from the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) show that photocoagulad inhibited the progression of retinopathy. These beneficial effects were noted to some degree in all those stages of diabetic retinopathy which were included in the Study. Some deleterious effects of treatment were also found, including losses of visual acuity and constriction of peripheral visual field. The risk of these harmful effects was considered acceptable in eyes with retinopathy in the moderate or severe retinopathy in the moderate or severe proliferative stage when the risk of severe visual loss without treatment was great. In early proliferative or severe nonproliferative retinopathy, when the risk of severe visual loss without treatment was less, the risks of harmful treatment effects assumed greater importance. In these earlier stages, DRS findings have not led to a clear choice between prompt treatment and deferral of treatment unless and until progression to a more severe stage occurs.

PSEUDOPHAKIC RETINAL DETACHMENTS. ANATOMIC AND VISUAL RESULTS

Retinal reattachment rates and visual results were analyzed in 227 consecutive primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. The overall anatomic reattachment rate was 90%, with no significant difference between the anterior chamber (AC) and posterior chamber intraocular lens groups. Visual results were significantly worse in the AC lens group (P less than 0.05). Negative prognostic indicators for reattachment included age greater than 65 years, poorer preoperative vision, larger extent of the retinal detachment, inability to identify a retinal break, longer duration of symptoms before presentation, and grades C or D proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P less than 0.05). In addition to the above factors, eyes with AC reaction, AC lenses, and macular detachment had a poorer visual prognosis.

Necrotic Melanocytoma of Iris with Secondary Glaucoma

A 23-year-old white man had a pigmented iris tumor that was not enlarging; it produced satellite iris lesions, diffuse pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork, and secondary glaucoma. Although enucleation was initially recommended, we chose to remove only the primary lesion with a sector iridectomy. Histologically, the lesion proved to be a benign melanocytoma that had undergone extensive necrosis. Postoperatively, the satellite lesions, pigmentation in the angle, and glaucoma all resolved.

Angioid streaks. I. Ophthalmoscopic variations and diagnostic problems.

Fifty-six patients with angioid streaks were evaluated ophthalmologically. Most had repeated fundus photography and fluorescein angiography during a follow-up period of 6 months to 7 years. The ophthalmoscopic variations and diagnostic difficulties which occurred were noted. In most instances, the angioid streaks were not initially recognized and the patient was referred with another diagnosis. In several cases, the peripapillary, macular, and peripheral changes seen with angioid streaks were found to simulate other better known fundus conditions, resulting in the erroneous diagnosis and improper treatment. In some cases, the angioid streaks were so subtle that they were overlooked and in others they were observed, but initially interpreted as something else. Because of the medical significance of angioid streaks, ophthalmologists should be aware of their variable features. These are discussed, with emphasis upon those subtleties which differentiate angioid streaks from other conditions which they may simulate. On the basis of these observations, an ophthalmoscopic differential diagnosis of angioid streaks is proposed.

Color Doppler imaging of arterial blood flow in central retinal vein occlusion

PURPOSE The hemodynamics of the retrobulbar arterial circulation of patients with central retinal vein occlusion were evaluated in order to better understand the pathophysiology of this disease. METHODS Color Doppler imaging was used to measure the peak systolic velocity and vascular resistance (pulsatility index) in the retrobulbar arteries of involved eyes and clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion and in the control eyes of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. RESULTS Average peak systolic velocity was significantly lower and average vascular resistance was significantly higher in the central retinal artery of involved eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion compared with clinically healthy fellow eyes and compared with control eyes. There also was a trend toward higher vascular resistance in the central retinal artery of clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion compared with control eyes. In the ophthalmic arteries and short posterior ciliary arteries, vascular resistance was significantly higher in both the involved eyes and clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion compared with control eyes. CONCLUSION Color Doppler imaging parameters of the central retinal artery circulation were abnormal in eyes with central retinal vein occlusion, suggesting impaired arterial blood flow associated with this disease. The high vascular resistance in the central retinal arteries, ophthalmic arteries, and short posterior ciliary arteries of both involved and clinically healthy fellow eyes of patients with central retinal vein occlusion suggests that diffuse small vessel disease may predate and contribute to the development of central retinal vein occlusion.

Vitrectomy and cystoid macular edema.

Twenty-two patients who underwent vitrectomy surgery for chronic cystoid macular edema (CME) were evaluated. These patients all had uneventful intracapsular cataract extraction, but CME with vitreous adhesions to the cataract incision later developed. Vitrectomy was performed to remove the vitreous from the anterior segment structures in each case. Nineteen of the 22 patients showed improved visual acuities within six months, and all but two had complete resolutions of the CME by one year. These two patients did show marked improvements of visual acuity. The majority of patients younger than 65 years of age had final visual acuities of 20/50 or better, whereas the majority of those older than 65 years had less than 20/50. The results were not influenced by the duration or the pattern of the CME prior to vitrectomy. A prospective study to determine the value of vitrectomy in this type of patient is suggested.

Nonfluorescent Malignant Melanoma of the Choroid Diagnosed with the Radioactive Phosphorus Uptake Test

A 57-year-old white woman presented with a small malignant melanoma of the choroid in the macular area of the right eye. The lesion failed to produce a visual field defect or to show fluorescence with angiography, but the radioactive phosphorus uptake(P) test was positive. Histologically, the retinal pigment epithelium was intact over the tumor and the sensory retina was normal. This unusual finding was the most likely explanation for the normal visual field. The intact retinal pigment epithelium over this nonfluroescent melanoma suggests that the destruction of the retinal pigment epithelium occurring with most choroidal melanomas may partially explain why these tumors usually demonstrate fluorescence. This case emphasizes the great accuracy of the P test for diagnosing small malignant tumors of the choroid, even before other popular diagnostic modalities indicate the malignancy of the lesion.

Temporal Branch Retinal Vein Obstruction: A Review

Two hundred forty-six eyes with temporal branch retinal vein obstruction (TBRVO) were studied prospectively. Of the 85 eyes not receiving laser treatment, 35 (41%) presented with greater than or equal to 20/50 vision and 89% remained in this group; whereas, 29 eyes (34%) presented with less than or equal to 20/200 vision and only 17% improved. Of the 161 eyes receiving laser, 40 (25%) had greater than or equal to 20/50 vision pre-treatment and 75% remained in this group; whereas, 64 eyes (40%) had less than or equal to 20/200 vision pre-treatment and 50% improved. The average final VA (20/70 vs 20/100), risk of developing neovascularization in ischemic TBRVO (3% vs 34%) and risk of vitreous hemorrhage in proliferative TBRVO (10% vs 57%) were all significantly better in treated eyes (p less than or equal to 0.01).

Central serous chorioretinopathy: a seasonal variation?

A review of 345 consecutive cases of patients under the age of 40 years with central serous chorioretinopathy seen between 1969 and 1979 was performed in order to define temporal patterns of occurrence. The monthly distribution of cases significantly differed (p less than 0.01) from an expected random distribution. Although a statistical trend analysis failed to confirm a definite seasonal variation (p less than 0.01), an increased number of cases were seen in March and April.

X-linked retinoschisis: report of a family with a rare deletion in the xLRS1 gene ☆

PURPOSE To describe the clinical features and identify the disease causing mutation in a family with X-linked retinoschisis. DESIGN Cohort study. METHODS Genealogical investigation and mutation screening of the XLRS1 gene were performed in a four generation family of Icelandic ancestry. Three affected family members were evaluated clinically over a 29-year period. RESULTS A rarely reported, four base pair deletion (375- 378 del AGAT) in exon 5 of the XLRS1 gene was found in all affected males. A high degree of intrafamilial variability was observed in the progression of the disorder over 29 years. CONCLUSIONS Identification of the disease causing mutation in this family allows for the diagnosis of individuals at risk for this inherited macular degeneration. Furthermore, the long-term follow-up of subjects with identical mutations helps to better characterize the highly variable clinical course of this disorder.