US OPHTHALMIC REVIEW – VOLUME 6 ISSUE 2 – FALL 2013

Ocular rosacea is a disease of unknown aetiology that despite its high prevalence and potential to cause vision loss, remains untreatable. Wladis and Adam discuss laser and surgical treatments of this disease and consider the current knowledge of cellular and molecular biologic mechanisms involved and how these may lead to new, much-needed therapeutic approaches. This […]

Ocular allergy is one of the most frequently encountered conditions in clinical eye care—epidemiologic reports have shown that it affects up to 60 million US citizens.1 The eye, being continually exposed to the external environment, is a common site of allergic inflammation. The classic clinical signs of this inflammation are seen in the conjunctiva. Allergic […]

Ocular rosacea is an incurable disorder that results in significant inflammation of the eyelids and ocular surface,1,2 and patients that suffer from this disorder are at increased risk for pain, photophobia, infection, and vision loss.3–7 While specific estimates of the total number of patients with ocular rosacea vary considerably, over 16 million Americans are affected […]

Femtosecond lasers have been successfully used in ophthalmology since 2001,1 most notably in bladeless laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The high frequency of this laser allows for significantly lower energy to achieve a desired effect; this reduces the potential for collateral tissue damage.2 With modern imaging systems, the laser can be focused to create precise […]

Neonatology is having increasing success with survival rates in extremely premature babies. Since 2004, a few reports of premature babies presenting with complex combinations of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and cataracts have emerged in the literature.1–4 Fortunately, in conjunction with these advances on the neonatal side, pediatric ophthalmology is also advancing rapidly with increasing success […]

Homeostasis of corneal epithelium is essential for the maintenance of healthy ocular surface as well as for corneal transparency and accurate vision. Continuous renewal of corneal epithelium is provided by a population of adult stem/progenitor cells residing in the limbus, the transitional zone between the vascular conjunctiva, and the avascular transparent cornea.1–7 At the limbus, […]

Causes of the Loose Lens Trauma has historically been the most common cause of a loose lens. Here the term loose lens is used broadly to mean zonular dialysis (weakness). Although common use of terms will vary, one early paper defines partial dislocation, or subluxation, as when the lens is still “partially in the hyaloid […]

The advances in surgical techniques over several decades have raised expectations among patients with cataracts who expect almost perfect vision and are less willing to accept spectacles for postoperative vision correction.1–3 Refractive cataract surgery involving the implantation of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), including multifocal, Toric, or accommodative lenses is currently one of the most common […]

Pathophysiology—The Three Phases of Varicella Zoster Virus Infection The Primary Infection This mostly occurs during childhood and early years of adult life. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious infection and spread by both respiratory droplets and direct contact. Primary infection begins with oropharyngeal infection followed by viremia, which leads to the diffusion into […]

Optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) is a surgical procedure used by ophthalmologists—particularly neuro-ophthalmologists and orbital specialists—to reduce the pressure within the subarachnoid space (SAS) of the optic nerve. The first notation of ONSF dates back to 1872 when it was described as a technique to relieve optic nerve head (ONH) edema, but at that time […]

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that is found in plants. It is synthesized in response to pathogenic stresses and fungal disease and forms part of a defence mechanism against infection.1 Red grapes, mulberries, and peanuts are particularly rich sources.2 A high concentration is found in red wine. Interest in therapeutic effects of resveratrol began with the […]

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a major cause of preventable and/or reversible vision loss, with an incidence ranging from 6.3–17.9 per 100,000 of population.1 Untreated symptomatic RRDs invariably progress to hand motion or worse visual acuity (VA) in all chronically unrepaired eyes.2 Importantly, the prevention and/or reversibility of any associated visual morbidity are dependent on […]

Aspirin in General Use Aspirin is used by many for temporary pain relief, fever reduction, rheumatologic diseases, and, where indicated, for cardioprotection.1 Accumulating evidence also suggests a possible beneficial role for aspirin in cancer prevention.2 However, aspirin has also been associated with significant adverse events such as cerebral and gastro-intestinal bleeding. Recent findings from several […]

There are two types of retinal vein occlusion (RVO): central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), in which there is obstruction of the main outflow vessel of the eye, and branch RVO (BRVO), in which a major branch of the central retinal vein is obstructed. RVO is the second mostcommon retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy. There […]

Since the first description of ‘epitheliomas’ by von Graefe in 1860, many papers have described squamous epithelial neoplasia of the surface of the eye. After several attempts were made to classify the varying presentations of these lesions, the term ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) was introduced in 19951 as a way to describe all squamous […]