US OPHTHALMIC REVIEW – VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 – SPRING 2013

This issue of US Ophthalmic Review highlights several important innovations in the treatment of ophthalmic diseases, specifically in the areas of minimally invasive diagnostics, minimally invasive therapeutics (including pathway-based therapy), and outcomes analysis. In addition, the diagnosis and management of important clinical problems, including uveitis and mild traumatic brain injury are reviewed.

Introduction Despite advances in therapy the global burden of glaucoma remains high and will continue to rise. In 2010 an estimated 60.5 million people suffered from glaucoma; by 2020 this will reach 79.6 million, of whom 11.2 million will be bilaterally blind.1 Glaucoma will impact the quality of life (QoL) of all patients with the […]

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy, characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells and its axons ultimately leading to loss of vision and subsequent irreversible blindness.1 Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven modifiable risk factor for the development and progression of glaucoma.2–5 Despite dedicated efforts to develop alternative therapies, reduction of IOP […]

Role of Imaging in Glaucoma Glaucoma results from accelerated loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, leading to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) attenuation and optic neuropathy.1,2 Glaucomatous damage is characterized by specific pattern of damage to the optic nerve head (ONH) and visual field loss.3,4 Established methods for detecting these changes include […]

History

Introduction

Anterior uveitis denotes intraocular inflammation that involves the iris (iritis), anterior part of the ciliary body (anterior cyclitis), or both (iridocyclitis). Primary site of inflammation, as determined clinically, is the anterior chamber and/or anterior vitreous.1 The standardization of uveitis nomenclature (SUN) working group has categorized uveitis according to the onset, duration, and course of the […]

The versatility, predictability, and unique properties of the femtosecond laser have allowed its application in multiple avenues of anterior segment surgery. Femtosecond lasers generate ultra-short pulses utilizing small amounts of energy and minimizing damage to any of the surrounding tissues.

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the signature injury of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department of Defense defines mild traumatic brain injury by loss of consciousness for up to 30 minutes, or an alteration in mental state and/or memory loss, which lasts less than 24 hours and structural brain imaging yielding normal results.1 […]

Introduction

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been a leading cause of blindness in developed nations for several decades.1 Most patients with AMD have only minor visual disturbances due to dry or non-exudative AMD (drusen and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) mottling or hyperplasia), however, approximately 10 % of AMD patients develop severe vision loss due to wet […]