Methods  In a prospective, single-center, nonrandomized consecutive series, 20 Descemet membrane specimens obtained after Descemet stripping in DSAEK using a Price hook were examined using histologic analysis and transmission electron microscopy for the presence of residual stroma, thickness of the Descemet membrane, endothelial cell count, and presence of guttae or a posterior collagenous layer. Pathologic findings were correlated with the underlying clinical disease.

Results  Light and electron microscopy revealed no evidence of adherent rests of corneal stroma in all 20 specimens after Descemet stripping. The mean (SD) total thickness of the Descemet membrane was 21.5 (4.5) µm in peripheral localization and 17.6 (3.8) µm in central localization. The anterior banded layer measured a mean (SD) of 3.0 (0.8) µm thick; the posterior nonbanded layer, 16.7 (5.2) µm thick. The mean (SD) endothelial cell count was 1.7 (1.4) cells per high-power field. Guttae were seen in 15 specimens (75%), and a posterior collagenous layer was found in 3 (15%).

Conclusion  Descemet stripping in DSAEK using the Price hook achieves complete and specific removal of the Descemet membrane without adherent stroma in different underlying endothelial pathologic abnormalities.

Methods  We prospectively selected 62 consecutive healthy individuals and 73 patients with open-angle glaucoma to calculate the LDF. Another independent prospective sample of 280 healthy eyes and 302 glaucomatous eyes was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LDF.

Results  The proposed function was LDF = 15.584 – (12-o’clock segment thickness x 0.032) – (7-o’clock segment thickness x 0.041) – (3-o’clock segment thickness [nasal side] x 0.121). The greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was observed for our LDF in both populations: 0.962 and 0.922. Our LDF and the average thickness yielded sensitivities of 74.5% and 67.8%, respectively, at a fixed specificity of 95%.

Conclusions  The LDF increased the diagnostic ability of the isolated retinal nerve fiber layer thickness at the 12 clock-hour positions. Compared with optical coherence tomography–provided parameters, our LDF had the highest sensitivities at 85% and 95% fixed specificities to discriminate between healthy and early glaucomatous eyes.

Methods  We computed empirical probability plot percentile limits after testing 60 age-matched controls tested with both size III (Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm) and size V (full threshold) perimetry twice. Probability plots of 120 patients with glaucoma tested in the same way were computed. We compared the number of abnormal test locations in the 2 stimulus sizes; we then compared these results with those from size III StatPac software (Zeiss Humphrey Systems, Dublin, California) using 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results  We found a similar number of abnormal test locations (P ≤ .05) for the size III and size V testing conditions identified by the probability plots (no significant difference); there were significantly fewer abnormal locations using StatPac (size III) than from our size III database. When results were stratified by mean deviation, the mild visual loss group again did not show any significant differences between sizes III and V.

Conclusions  Size V full-threshold testing gives a similar number of abnormal test locations in patients with glaucoma compared with the size III Swedish interactive thresholding algorithm standard test. Size V testing, with its greater dynamic range and lower variability, may be a viable alternative to size III testing in patients with glaucoma.

Methods  Retrospective review of 9 consecutive patients who underwent strabismus surgery because of strabismus and diplopia after implantation of a glaucoma drainage device.

Results  Seven patients with marked limitation to ocular rotations and incomitant strabismus underwent surgery on the eye with the implant. Two patients with mild limitation to ocular rotations of the involved eye underwent surgery on the contralateral eye. All patients had a large fibrous capsule surrounding the implant plate, adjacent muscles, and sclera. Intraocular pressure was not elevated postoperatively. Postoperative diplopia in the primary position was eliminated in 5 patients and markedly improved in 3 patients.

Conclusions  Strabismus following implantation of a glaucoma drainage device is an uncommon but serious complication. Restoration of ocular alignment is a complex undertaking requiring strabismus and glaucoma surgical expertise. Multiple surgical complications may occur. Surgical intervention may require complete removal of the fibrous capsule surrounding the implant and involved adjacent structures. Size reduction of the implant plate is helpful and did not interfere with postoperative intraocular pressure control in this study. Surgery on the contralateral eye is an option in patients with mild restriction.

Methods  From February 1996 through February 2006, Alaska Blind Child Discovery photoscreened 21 367 rural and urban Alaskan children through grade 2, with an 82% positive predictive value (ie, true number of those referred); 6.9% were referred for a complete eye examination and treatment. All "referred" interpreted images for children younger than 48 months who were then followed up and treated for more than 2 years were reviewed to determine whether treatment was successful.

Results  Of 411 "positive" screening photos from children younger than 4 years, 94 patients had more than 2 years follow-up. The 36 children photoscreened before age 2 years had a mean treated visual acuity of 0.17 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which was significantly better than that of 58 children screened between ages 25 and 48 months (mean, 0.26 logMAR). Despite similar levels of amblyogenic risk factors, the proportion of children failing to reach a visual acuity of 20/40 was significantly less among those screened before age 2 years (5%) than in those screened from ages older than 2.0 years and younger than 4.0 years (17%).

Conclusion  Very early photoscreening yields better visual outcomes in amblyopia treatment compared with later photoscreening in preschool-aged children.

Methods  Models were developed to represent ROP examination and treatment using telemedicine and standard ophthalmoscopy. Cost-utility analysis was performed using decision analysis, evidence-based outcome data from published literature, and present value modeling. Visual outcome data were converted to patient preference–based time trade-off utility values based on published literature. Costs of disease management were determined based on 2006 Medicare reimbursements. Costs per quality-adjusted life year gained by telemedicine and ophthalmoscopy for ROP management were compared. One-way sensitivity analysis was performed on the following variables: discount rate (0%-7%), incidence of treatment-requiring ROP (1%-20%), sensitivity and specificity of ophthalmoscopic diagnosis (75%-100%), percentage of readable telemedicine images (75%-100%), and sensitivity and specificity of telemedicine diagnosis (75%-100%).

Results  For infants with birth weight less than 1500 g using a 3% discount rate for costs and outcomes, the costs per quality-adjusted life year gained were $3193 with telemedicine and $5617 with standard ophthalmoscopy. Sensitivity analysis resulted in ranges of costs per quality-adjusted life year from $1235 to $18 898 for telemedicine and from $2171 to $27 215 for ophthalmoscopy.

Conclusions  Telemedicine is more cost-effective than standard ophthalmoscopy for ROP management. Both strategies are highly cost-effective compared with other health care interventions.

Methods  Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. A 5-mm corneal abrasion at 9 or 11 weeks was treated topically for 7 days (4 times daily) with naltrexone or a sterile vehicle.

Results  Within 2 to 5 days after reepithelialization, diabetic rats given the sterile vehicle had a 41% incidence of corneal lesions represented by exuberant granulation tissue with corneal neovascularization extending from the limbus. These lesions exhibited edema, cellular and vascular inflammation, and disruption of stromal lamella by fibrovascular tissue and calcium mineralization, but infection was not detected. No corneal lesions were recorded in the diabetic group treated with naltrexone or the control group given the sterile vehicle. Diabetic rats with corneal lesions given the sterile vehicle reepithelialized more slowly than diabetic rats given the sterile vehicle without such lesions, but no difference in blood glucose levels were noted.

Conclusions  Using a minimally invasive model in diabetic rats, topical naltrexone normalizes corneal wound healing and prevents neovascularization.

Clinical Relevance  Direct application of naltrexone may serve as an important strategy for facilitating corneal healing and inhibiting corneal neovascularization.

Methods  We studied 7 retinas aged between 26 weeks' gestation and 1 week postnatal (41 weeks' gestation). Sections were imaged using high-resolution digital photography and blood vessel profiles identified at 200% to 300% magnification. Flat mounts were immunolabeled using antibodies to CD31 and factor VIII to identify blood vessels and antibodies to rhodopsin to identify the rod-free zone.

Results  The foveal region was identified by the absence of rod photoreceptors in the outer retina and/or presence of a shallow depression in the inner retina. The whole mount at 26 weeks' gestation showed a blood vessel–free region centered on the rod-free zone that was open along the horizontal meridian on the temporal side. At 37 weeks' gestation, the foveal avascular zone formed a complete circle. In sections, the foveal avascular zone was approximately 500 µm in diameter at 35 weeks' gestation and 300 to 350 µm at 40 weeks' gestation; in whole mounts, it was 150 to 170 µm in diameter at 37 and 41 weeks' gestation.

Conclusions  The foveal region is normally avascular during development, as in adult life. We found no evidence of foveal vascularization during development of the human retina.

Clinical Relevance  Instances of vascularization of the foveal region are not due to failed regression of a transient vasculature.

Methods  A population-based study where branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion were detected at baseline (n = 4068, 1988-1990) and three 5-year follow-up examinations by grading 30° color fundus photographs.

Results  The 15-year cumulative incidences of branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion were 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively. Using a generalized estimating equation model, incident retinal vein occlusion was related to baseline age (odds ratio [OR] per 10 years, 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-2.12), history of barbiturate use (OR, 5.30; 95% CI, 2.28-12.31), focal retinal arteriolar narrowing (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.29-4.66), glaucoma (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.50-6.69), serum ionized calcium level (OR per 0.4 mg/dL, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.79), serum phosphorus level (OR per 0.3 mg/dL, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.01-1.30), and serum creatinine level (OR for ≥ 1.4 vs < 1.4 mg/dL, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.00-2.59). Migraine headache history was associated with branch retinal vein occlusion (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.08-3.67). Diabetes history was associated with central retinal vein occlusion (OR, 6.35; 95% CI, 1.90-21.27).

Conclusions  Incident retinal vein occlusion is not infrequent in the population, especially after age 65 years. The relationships of barbiturate use, serum creatinine level, serum ionized calcium level, and serum phosphorus level with incident retinal vein occlusion require further assessment in other large population-based studies.

Methods  Postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use, past use of oral contraceptives (OCs), ages at menarche and menopause, and parity were assessed among 74 996 postmenopausal women. Over 22 years, cases of early (n = 554) and neovascular (n = 334) AMD with a visual acuity of 20/30 or worse were identified. Cox models were used to calculate the relative risk for each exposure, adjusted for smoking and other factors.

Results  Current PMH users had a notable 48% lower risk of neovascular AMD compared with those who had never used PMH, although risk did not decline linearly with longer durations of use. Risk was lowest for PMH users who had used OCs in the past (P value for interaction, .03). In contrast, risk of early AMD was a notable 34% higher among current PMH users and OC use was unassociated with risk. The only remarkable finding for the endogenous estrogenic factors was a 26% lower risk of early AMD for parous women.

Conclusions  Although PMH and OC use were associated with a lower risk of neovascular AMD, no benefit was observed for early AMD. Factors influencing lifetime exposure to estrogens were not consistently associated with the disease.

Methods  Two cross-sectional samples of age- and ethnicity-matched primary school children participated: 124 from the Sydney Myopia Study and 628 from the Singapore Cohort Study on the Risk Factors for Myopia. Cycloplegic autorefraction was used to determine myopia prevalence (spherical equivalent ≤ –0.5 diopter). Lifestyle activities were ascertained by questionnaire.

Results  The prevalence of myopia in 6- and 7-year-old children of Chinese ethnicity was significantly lower in Sydney (3.3%) than in Singapore (29.1%) (P < .001). The prevalence of myopia in 1 or more parents was 68% in Sydney and 71% in Singapore. Children in Sydney read more books per week (P < .001) and did more total near-work activity (P = .002). Children in Sydney spent more time on outdoor activities (13.75 vs 3.05 hours per week; P < .001), which was the most significant factor associated with the differences in the prevalence of myopia between the 2 sites.

Conclusions  The lower prevalence of myopia in Sydney was associated with increased hours of outdoor activities. We hypothesize that another factor contributing to the differences in the prevalence of myopia may be the early educational pressures found in Singapore but not in Sydney.

Methods  Six melanomas were treated with ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy. Plaque-tumor localization required that a portion of the gold plaque touch the cornea during treatment. To enhance patient comfort and protect the cornea, an (0.1-mm-thick) amniotic membrane was interposed between the metal plaque edge and the cornea.

Results  Minimal ocular discomfort was noted during plaque radiation therapy. On a scale of 1 (none) to 10 (severe), all 6 patients reported pain levels of 1. As a tissue equivalent and because the mean thickness was only 0.1 mm, amniotic membranes had no significant effect on radiation dose calculations. No adverse effects, infections, or abrasions were noted.

Conclusion  The amniotic membrane buffer technique improves patient comfort and protects the cornea during ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy.

Method  We tracked data on all residents who graduated between June 30, 1999, and December 31, 2003, from commencement of training to certification, including rates of overall FTF, written and oral FTF, and program FTF. Performance was analyzed for several factors, including program size.

Results  The FTF rate was 28% overall and ranged from 0% to 89% across 118 programs (median, 27%). Programs with fewer than 16 graduates per 5 years were significantly more likely to have higher FTF rates than larger programs. Thirty-two programs accounted for 50% of the FTF rate.

Conclusions  The FTF rate is a potentially useful measure. However, the small size of many programs contributes to some imprecision. Therefore, this measure should be used in conjunction with other factors when assessing the educational effectiveness of ophthalmology residency programs. Although the eventual certification rate was high, graduates from a few programs appeared inadequately prepared to take the examinations.