Corneal Fine Needle Diathermy with Adjuvant Bevacizumab to Treat Corneal Neovascularization in Children

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Corneal Fine Needle Diathermy with Adjuvant Bevacizumab to Treat Corneal Neovascularization in Children CLINICAL SCIENCE Corneal Fine Needle Diathermy With Adjuvant Bevacizumab to Treat Corneal Neovascularization in Children Uri Elbaz, MD, Kamiar Mireskandari, MBChB, FRCSEd, FRCOphth, PhD, Carl Shen, BMSc, and Asim Ali, MD, FRCSC orneal neovascularization (CN) in the pediatric popula- Purpose: fi To report the outcomes of corneal ne needle Ction has various etiologies including blepharokeratocon- diathermy (FND) with adjuvant intrastromal and subconjunctival junctivitis (BKC),1 bacterial ulcer, herpes keratitis, anesthetic bevacizumab injection for corneal neovascularization (CN) in cornea, and exposure keratopathy. The cornea in its native children. state is completely devoid of vascular components thereby 2,3 Methods: Medical records of all children who had undergone retaining immunoprivilege. In the event of infectious FND with adjuvant bevacizumab injection were reviewed retro- keratitis, the resulting immune response and new vessel spectively. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by changes in visual formation can help to eradicate the invading organism but can acuity, regression of CN, and clearing of lipid deposits with the cause stromal necrosis, thinning, and scarring that impair aid of slit-lamp color images that were taken before surgical vision. Additionally, irregular astigmatism, edema, haze, and intervention and at last follow-up visit. Postoperative complica- lipid deposition can also occur. Despite elimination of the tions were recorded and served to assess the safety of the inciting cause, CN may often persist. In noninfectious procedure. conditions such as BKC, corneal anesthesia, or exposure keratopathy, the mechanism of CN is poorly understood but is Results: Nine eyes of 9 patients were included in the study. The most likely related to weakness in the integrity and function of mean age of the patients was 8.4 6 4.2 years (4–15 years) and the the blood vessel barrier provided by the limbal stem cells.4 mean follow-up time was 18.7 6 12.2 months (5–35 months). Three In adults, CN has been reported to respond to numerous eyes had a history of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), 3 eyes had treatment modalities including topical corticosteroids and complete corneal anesthesia, 2 eyes had CN following suture tract nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drops,5 corneal argon laser infection after corneal transplant for HSK scar and limbal dermoid photocoagulation,6 photodynamic therapy,7 fine needle dia- excision, and 1 eye had blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. After treat- thermy (FND),8,9 electrolysis-needle cauterization,10 repeated ment, 8 eyes had complete CN resolution, and 1 eye with corneal bevacizumab injections (Avastin; Genentech, San Francisco, anesthesia following brain tumor resection had partial regression in CA),11 and ligation of blood vessel origin.12 No treatment vessel distribution and size. Lipid deposition clearance lagged modality has been reported to be completely effective in behind CN resolution. Mean duration of CN before treatment was eradicating blood vessels from the cornea and often, repeated 15.3 6 14.0 months (1–37 months). Mean corrected distance visual treatments are required. Recently, encouraging results of FND acuity before and after surgery was 0.66 6 0.31 and 0.50 6 0.37 and topical and/or subconjunctival bevacizumab administra- logMAR, respectively (P = 0.02). tion before planned keratoplasty were reported in adults.13 In Conclusions: contrast, there are very few reports on CN treatment in Corneal FND with adjuvant bevacizumab injection 8,14 is effective at treating sectorial corneal vessels in children. children. Bevacizumab and FND each have their own disadvan- Key Words: corneal neovascularization, bevacizumab, fine needle tages when applied separately. Bevacizumab is postulated to diathermy be ineffective in more mature chronic vessels that have already acquired a pericyte covering15 and are hence less dependent on (Cornea 2015;34:773–777) vascular endothelial growth factor. FND is thought to induce release of proangiogenic factors,16 collagen shrinkage with potential damage to surroundings of the treated vessel, and Received for publication October 1, 2014; revision received January 27, insufficient response when collateral vessels are still patent.8 It 2015; accepted February 1, 2015. Published online ahead of print March 26, 2015. also does not prevent further new vessel growth. By using From the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick a combination therapy, we hypothesized that each modality Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. would compensate for the limitation of the other. The purpose The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose. of our study was to report the outcomes of a novel combined Reprints: Uri Elbaz, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON approach of corneal FND with adjuvant intrastromal and M5G 1X8, Canada (e-mail: [email protected]). subconjunctival bevacizumab injection (off-label use) in Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. a series of pediatric patients with CN. To the best of our Cornea Volume 34, Number 7, July 2015 www.corneajrnl.com | 773 Copyright © 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited. Elbaz et al Cornea Volume 34, Number 7, July 2015 knowledge, this is the only series reporting this technique in a history of corneal anesthesia had undergone permanent children with CN and among the first reports to present an tarsorrhaphy before the combined treatment. effective treatment modality for this disorder in children. RESULTS PATIENTS AND METHODS Nine eyes of 9 patients were included in this study. The The study was approved by the Research Ethics Board mean patient age was 8.4 6 4.2 years (4–15 years) and the of The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Ontario, Canada. mean follow-up time was 18.7 6 12.2 months (5–35 months). We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients less The etiology of CN was as follows: 3 eyes had a history of than 18 years who had undergone combined FND with herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), 3 eyes had complete corneal intrastromal and subconjunctival bevacizumab injection. Data anesthesia, 2 eyes had CN following suture tract infection were collected on patient demographics, causes and indica- after lamellar corneal graft for HSK scar and for limbal tions for CN treatment, corrected distance visual acuity dermoid excision, and 1 eye had blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (CDVA), procedural details, and complications. Slit-lamp (BKC). Two of the 3 patients with corneal anesthesia had photographs before surgical intervention and at last follow-up resection of brain tumors affecting the trigeminal nerve in one visit were used to evaluate treatment efficacy. The main patient and trigeminal and facial nerves in the other. The third outcomes measures were regression of abnormal corneal patient had isolated complete corneal anesthesia with a small blood vessels, resolution of corneal lipid deposits, and trigeminal ganglion found on brain imaging and presented changes in CDVA over time. Response to treatment as with recurrent corneal ulcers with subsequent CN. measured by vessel regression and resolution of lipid deposits Patient 4 with HSK had deep anterior lamellar kerato- was graded as complete, partial, no change, or worse than plasty (DALK) performed at the same time as FND and baseline. For statistical analysis, Snellen visual acuity was adjuvant bevacizumab injection; otherwise, all procedures converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution were performed in isolation. All patients presented with (logMAR) units and Student t test was used for comparison of a single (4 eyes) or double (5 eyes) vessel main trunk CDVA before surgery and at last follow-up visit. P , 0.05 involving a single corneal quadrant only. Three patients had was considered significant. multiple previous FND treatments without bevacizumab injections with recurrence of their CN. Mean duration of CN before treatment was 15.3 6 14.0 months (range, 1–37 Surgical Technique months). Lipid deposition was observed in 5 eyes before Corneal FND was performed as previously described treatment. by Pillai et al.8 Briefly, all surgeries were performed in Following treatment, 8 of 9 eyes treated (88.9%) had children under general anesthesia. The needle tip from complete CN resolution with subsequent resolution of corneal a stainless steel needle detached from a 10-0 monofilament edema within 1 month of treatment. They all maintained nylon suture was inserted intrastromally approximately 1 mm corneas devoid of vessels throughout a mean follow-up from the limbus to the level of corneal new vessels. Unipolar period of 17.0 6 11.9 months (5–35 months) after surgery. diathermy was then lightly tapped against the needle and Complete cessation of blood flow was noted on postoperative served to heat the needle in its corneal track to a degree day 1 in all these eyes. Only 1 eye (patient 3) with corneal where blanching of the vessels was noticeable with minimal anesthesia and exposure keratopathy following brain tumor stromal collagen shrinkage. An attempt was made to resection had partial regression in vessel distribution and size. cannulate the vessels or at least disrupt their integrity to Complete lipid deposition clearance was noted in 3 of 5 eyes further enhance the thermal effect. This was repeated as and this lagged behind CN resolution. In 1 patient (patient 4), needed to disrupt all the blood vessels. Once cauterization lipid deposits were removed with removal of the old DALK was complete, bevacizumab 25 mg/mL was injected into the graft. A temporary increase in lipid deposits was noted in 2 deep stroma (up to 2.5 mg in 0.1 mL per each corneal patients, patient 2 (Fig. 1B) and patient 9 (Fig. 2C) at 3 and quadrant involved) in proximity to the vessels until whiten- 3.5 months after surgery, respectively. In patient 2, lipid ing around the vessels was visible and the remainder into the deposition had resolved completely by the 13-month visit subconjunctival space adjacent to areas of CN.
Recommended publications
  • Differentiate Red Eye Disorders
    Introduction DIFFERENTIATE RED EYE DISORDERS • Needs immediate treatment • Needs treatment within a few days • Does not require treatment Introduction SUBJECTIVE EYE COMPLAINTS • Decreased vision • Pain • Redness Characterize the complaint through history and exam. Introduction TYPES OF RED EYE DISORDERS • Mechanical trauma • Chemical trauma • Inflammation/infection Introduction ETIOLOGIES OF RED EYE 1. Chemical injury 2. Angle-closure glaucoma 3. Ocular foreign body 4. Corneal abrasion 5. Uveitis 6. Conjunctivitis 7. Ocular surface disease 8. Subconjunctival hemorrhage Evaluation RED EYE: POSSIBLE CAUSES • Trauma • Chemicals • Infection • Allergy • Systemic conditions Evaluation RED EYE: CAUSE AND EFFECT Symptom Cause Itching Allergy Burning Lid disorders, dry eye Foreign body sensation Foreign body, corneal abrasion Localized lid tenderness Hordeolum, chalazion Evaluation RED EYE: CAUSE AND EFFECT (Continued) Symptom Cause Deep, intense pain Corneal abrasions, scleritis, iritis, acute glaucoma, sinusitis, etc. Photophobia Corneal abrasions, iritis, acute glaucoma Halo vision Corneal edema (acute glaucoma, uveitis) Evaluation Equipment needed to evaluate red eye Evaluation Refer red eye with vision loss to ophthalmologist for evaluation Evaluation RED EYE DISORDERS: AN ANATOMIC APPROACH • Face • Adnexa – Orbital area – Lids – Ocular movements • Globe – Conjunctiva, sclera – Anterior chamber (using slit lamp if possible) – Intraocular pressure Disorders of the Ocular Adnexa Disorders of the Ocular Adnexa Hordeolum Disorders of the Ocular
    [Show full text]
  • Onchocerciasis
    11 ONCHOCERCIASIS ADRIAN HOPKINS AND BOAKYE A. BOATIN 11.1 INTRODUCTION the infection is actually much reduced and elimination of transmission in some areas has been achieved. Differences Onchocerciasis (or river blindness) is a parasitic disease in the vectors in different regions of Africa, and differences in cause by the filarial worm, Onchocerca volvulus. Man is the the parasite between its savannah and forest forms led to only known animal reservoir. The vector is a small black fly different presentations of the disease in different areas. of the Simulium species. The black fly breeds in well- It is probable that the disease in the Americas was brought oxygenated water and is therefore mostly associated with across from Africa by infected people during the slave trade rivers where there is fast-flowing water, broken up by catar- and found different Simulium flies, but ones still able to acts or vegetation. All populations are exposed if they live transmit the disease (3). Around 500,000 people were at risk near the breeding sites and the clinical signs of the disease in the Americas in 13 different foci, although the disease has are related to the amount of exposure and the length of time recently been eliminated from some of these foci, and there is the population is exposed. In areas of high prevalence first an ambitious target of eliminating the transmission of the signs are in the skin, with chronic itching leading to infection disease in the Americas by 2012. and chronic skin changes. Blindness begins slowly with Host factors may also play a major role in the severe skin increasingly impaired vision often leading to total loss of form of the disease called Sowda, which is found mostly in vision in young adults, in their early thirties, when they northern Sudan and in Yemen.
    [Show full text]
  • Immune Defense at the Ocular Surface
    Eye (2003) 17, 949–956 & 2003 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved 0950-222X/03 $25.00 www.nature.com/eye Immune defense at EK Akpek and JD Gottsch CAMBRIDGE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SYMPOSIUM the ocular surface Abstract vertebrates. Improved visual acuity would have increased the fitness of these animals and would The ocular surface is constantly exposed to a have outweighed the disadvantage of having wide array of microorganisms. The ability of local immune cells and blood vessels at a the outer ocular system to recognize pathogens distance where a time delay in addressing a as foreign and eliminate them is critical to central corneal infection could lead to blindness. retain corneal transparency, hence The first vertebrates were jawless fish that preservation of sight. Therefore, a were believed to have evolved some 470 million combination of mechanical, anatomical, and years ago.1 These creatures had frontal eyes and immunological defense mechanisms has inhabited the shorelines of ancient oceans. With evolved to protect the outer eye. These host better vision, these creatures were likely more defense mechanisms are classified as either a active and predatory. This advantage along with native, nonspecific defense or a specifically the later development of jaws enabled bony fish acquired immunological defense requiring to flourish and establish other habitats. One previous exposure to an antigen and the such habitat was shallow waters where lunged development of specific immunity. Sight- fish made the transition to land several hundred threatening immunopathology with thousand years later.2 To become established in autologous cell damage also can take place this terrestrial environment, the new vertebrates after these reactions.
    [Show full text]
  • Treatment of Interface Keratitis with Oral Corticosteroids
    Treatment of interface keratitis with oral corticosteroids Scott M. MacRae, MD, Larry F. Rich, MD, Damien C. Macaluso, MD ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe the results of treating interface keratitis using a combination of intensive topical and oral corticosteroids. Setting: Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA. Methods: Thirteen eyes treated for grade 2 to 3 interface keratitis using an oral cortico- steroid (prednisone 60 to 80 mg) as well as an hourly topical corticosteroid were retrospectively reviewed. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was used as an objective guide of whether to treat with intense topical and oral corticosteroids, flap irrigation, or both. Predisposing factors such as intraoperative epithelial defects or a history of severe allergies or atopy were also looked for. Results: All 13 eyes responded favorably to the combination of intensive topical and oral corticosteroids and had a BCVA of 20/20 after the keratitis resolved. In 6 eyes (46%), the patients had a history of severe seasonal allergies. One day postoperatively, 3 eyes (23%) had an epithelial defect and 2 eyes (15%), lint particles or debris embedded in the interface. With oral corticosteroid use, 3 patients (23%) noted mild stomach irritation and 2 (15%) noted nervousness. All 5 side effects resolved without sequelae. No patient developed a serious side effect. Conclusion: A short, intense course of an oral corticosteroid was an effective treatment in patients with grade 2 or higher interface keratitis when combined with a topical corti- costeroid administered hourly. The BCVA is a helpful objective measure of the severity of interface keratitis and can be used to guide the clinician in the therapeutic strategy.
    [Show full text]
  • Frequency and Risk Factors of Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease at Tertiary Care Eye Hospital, Karachi
    Biostatistics and Biometrics Open Access Journal ISSN: 2573-2633 Research Article Biostat Biometrics Open Acc J Faisal’s Issue - January 2018 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Muhammad Faisal Fahim DOI: 10.19080/BBOAJ.2018.04.555639 Frequency and Risk Factors of Symptomatic Dry Eye Disease at Tertiary Care Eye Hospital, Karachi Shaheerah Gul1, Adil Salim Jafri1, Muhammad Faisal Fahim2* 1Department of Ophthalmology, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Pakistan 2Department of Research & Development, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Pakistan Submission: November 27, 2017; Published: January 19, 2018 *Corresponding author: Muhammad Faisal Fahim, M.Sc (Statistics), Statistician, Research & Development Department, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Isra postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Karachi, Pakistan, Tel: ; Email: Abstract Objective: To determine frequency and risk factors of symptomatic dry eye disease at tertiary care eye hospital, Karachi. Material & Methods: This was a descriptive cross sectional study carried out at Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Isra postgraduate Institute of Oph- thalmology, Karachi from March to October 2016. Non-Probability purposive sampling technique was used for data collection. Inclusion criteria give consent. Symptoms of dry eye were assessed using Tear breakup test (TBUT) test. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze data. were patients aged ≥ 21 years and on the basis of dry eye symptoms. Exclusion criteria were other systemic eye disease and those who did not Results: A total of 100 patients 65 female and 35 male were diagnosed with dry eye syndrome. The age group of 21-30 years having the high- est frequency of 34 patients, whereas after the 50 years of age the frequency of patients decreases to 21.
    [Show full text]
  • Microbial Keratitis After Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
    CASE REPORT Microbial keratitis after corneal collagen crosslinking Juan J. Pe´rez-Santonja, MD, Alberto Artola, MD, Jaime Javaloy, MD, Jorge L. Alio´, MD, PhD, Jose´L. Abad, PhD Several infiltrates appeared in the upper midperipheral cornea of a 29-year-old woman who had had uneventful corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light (UVA) for the treatment of keratoconus in the right eye. Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis was con- firmed by microbiological studies, which guided treatment with topical fortified antibiotic agents. Before CXL, the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) in the right eye was 20/25, the manifest refraction was À0.25 À0.25 Â 125, and the anterior segment was normal under biomi- croscopy. Five months after the procedure, the BSCVA was 20/22, the manifest refraction was C1.00 À2.50 Â 40, and slitlamp examination revealed a mild residual haze in the upper midper- ipheral cornea. Collagen crosslinking with riboflavin–UVA is a minimally invasive method but tra- ditionally requires epithelial removal, which could be a predisposing factor to bacterial keratitis. J Cataract Refract Surg 2009; 35:1138–1140 Q 2009 ASCRS and ESCRS Keratoconus is a noninflammatory ectasia of the cor- light (UVA) has been developed.3 This technique in- nea that is usually bilateral. The condition typically creases the corneal rigidity of treated corneas, and pre- starts at puberty, progressing in approximately 20% liminary clinical studies have shown improvement of cases to the extent that keratoplasty is necessary.1 and stabilization of keratectasia with few, if any, com- Hard contact lenses and corneal grafting have been plications in patients with keratoconus.4,5 the major treatment modalities for keratoconus, We report a case of microbial keratitis that devel- although some patients can now benefit from intracor- oped after CXL with riboflavin and UVA for the treat- neal ring segment implantation.1,2 None of these tech- ment of keratoconus.
    [Show full text]
  • (SUNDROP): Five Years of Screening with Telemedicine
    ■ CLINICAL SCIENCE ■ Stanford University Network for Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP): Five Years of Screening With Telemedicine Natalia Fijalkowski, BA; Luo Luo Zheng, BS; Michael T. Henderson, BA; Sean K. Wang, BS; Matthew B. Wallenstein, MD; Theodore Leng, MD, MS; Darius M. Moshfeghi, MD INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the 5-year results of the Stanford University Network for Diag- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision- nosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (SUNDROP) tele- threatening disease of disordered retinal vasculature medicine initiative. development in premature and low birth weight in- fants.1,2 The underdeveloped retina overcompensates PATIENTS AND METHODS: Infants requiring retinopathy for ischemia at birth by promoting angiogenesis that of prematurity (ROP) screening at six neonatal inten- can damage nearby structures through retinal edema, sive care units from December 1, 2005, to November traction, or detachment.3,4 At United States schools, 30, 2010, were evaluated with remote retinal photogra- ROP accounts for 14% of pediatric blindness.5 The phy by an ROP specialist. Every infant received outpa- World Health Organization (WHO) found ROP to be tient binocular indirect ophthalmoscope examinations the leading cause of avoidable visual impairment in until termination criteria were achieved or until treat- high-income countries and the second leading cause ment. Outcomes were treatment-warranted ROP (TW- in middle-income countries,6 accounting for 15% to ROP, ETROP type 1) and adverse anatomical events. 35% of pediatric blindness in some nations.7-9 Randomized trials and observational studies RESULTS: Five hundred eleven infants (1,022 eyes) were demonstrate that cryotherapy,10,11 laser photocoagu- screened.
    [Show full text]
  • Subconjunctival Bevacizumab Injection for Corneal Neovascularization in Interstitial Keratitis
    perim Ex en l & ta a l ic O p in l h Journal of Clinical & Experimental t C h f a o l m l a o Thakur et al., J Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019, 10:2 n l o r g u y o Ophthalmology J DOI: 10.4172/2155-9570.1000797 ISSN: 2155-9570 Case Report Open Access Subconjunctival Bevacizumab Injection for Corneal Neovascularization in Interstitial Keratitis Anchal Thakur, Amit Gupta* and Sabia Handa Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, India *Corresponding author: Amit Gupta, Department of Ophthalmology, Advanced Eye Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh, India, Tel: 0172 274 7585; E-mail: [email protected] Received date: January 31, 2019; Accepted date: March 19, 2019; Published date: March 26, 2019 Copyright: ©2019 Thakur A, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract We describe the use of subconjunctival Bevacizuamb as an adjunct in the treatment of viral interstitial keratitis in a 17-year-old boy. He presented with a 3 months history of gradually progressive diminution of vision. The presenting visual acuity was 20/120 in the right eye and counting fingers close to face in the left eye. Examination revealed bilateral disc shaped stromal edema with leash of blood vessels entering the superior quadrant of the cornea. Subconjunctival injection of 0.1 mL (2.5 mg) of commercially available Bevacizumab (100 mg/4 mL; Avastin) was given under topical anesthesia along with initiation of topical steroids in the form of Betamethasone 0.1%.
    [Show full text]
  • The Definition and Classification of Dry Eye Disease
    DEWS Definition and Classification The Definition and Classification of Dry Eye Disease: Report of the Definition and Classification Subcommittee of the International Dry E y e W ork Shop (2 0 0 7 ) ABSTRACT The aim of the DEWS Definition and Classifica- I. INTRODUCTION tion Subcommittee was to provide a contemporary definition he Definition and Classification Subcommittee of dry eye disease, supported within a comprehensive clas- reviewed previous definitions and classification sification framework. A new definition of dry eye was devel- T schemes for dry eye, as well as the current clinical oped to reflect current understanding of the disease, and the and basic science literature that has increased and clarified committee recommended a three-part classification system. knowledge of the factors that characteriz e and contribute to The first part is etiopathogenic and illustrates the multiple dry eye. Based on its findings, the Subcommittee presents causes of dry eye. The second is mechanistic and shows how herein an updated definition of dry eye and classifications each cause of dry eye may act through a common pathway. based on etiology, mechanisms, and severity of disease. It is stressed that any form of dry eye can interact with and exacerbate other forms of dry eye, as part of a vicious circle. II. GOALS OF THE DEFINITION AND Finally, a scheme is presented, based on the severity of the CLASSIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE dry eye disease, which is expected to provide a rational basis The goals of the DEWS Definition and Classification for therapy. These guidelines are not intended to override the Subcommittee were to develop a contemporary definition of clinical assessment and judgment of an expert clinician in dry eye disease and to develop a three-part classification of individual cases, but they should prove helpful in the conduct dry eye, based on etiology, mechanisms, and disease stage.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpes Simplex Epithelial Keratitis and Proposed Treatments
    Herpes Simplex Epithelial Keratitis and Proposed Treatments Andrea De Souza, OD Author’s Bio Dr. Andrea De Souza received her Doctor of Optometry Degree in 2012 from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA. She continued her optometric training and graduated from the Primary Care and Contact Lens residency at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry in 2013. Today, Dr. De Souza works as a clinical instructor at the UC Berkeley School of Optometry teaching students in the field of ocular disease, contact lens and primary care. ____________________________________________________________________ I. Introduction Herpes simplex virus (HSV) stromal keratitis is the leading infectious cause of corneal blindness in developed nations. In the United States alone, approximately 46,000 cases of HSV ocular infection are diagnosed each year.1 HSV is divided into two categories: type 1 and type 2. HSV-1, which most commonly infects the mouth and eyes, is transmitted through direct contact of skin sores or oral secretions, often via kissing. HSV-2 typically affects the genitals and is most commonly transmitted in adults through sexual contact or via maternal transmission to newborns during childbirth.2 HSV-2 is thought to infect over 500 million people worldwide and approximately 23 million new cases are reported each year; the incidence of HSV-1 infections, however, are even greater.2 More than 80% of individuals carry herpes simplex virus antibodies, however 94% of primary infections are subclinical.3 Most primary initial infections occur between the ages of six months and five years. Once infected, the virus travels along nerves from the skin and mouth to the dorsal root of the trigeminal ganglion, via axoplasmic transport, and lays dormant.
    [Show full text]
  • Treatment of Postkeratitis Fusarium Endophthalmitis with Amphotericin B Lipid Complex
    Cornea 19(6): 853–856, 2000. © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc., Philadelphia Treatment of Postkeratitis Fusarium Endophthalmitis with Amphotericin B Lipid Complex David Goldblum, M.D., Beatrice E. Frueh, M.D., Stefan Zimmerli, M.D., and Matthias Bo¨hnke, M.D. Purpose. The authors report the first case of Fusarium solani tients treated with amphotericin B develop some degree of renal keratitis that progressed to fungal endophthalmitis and was suc- impairment. Patients who receive a cumulated dose of more than cessfully treated with amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC). 4–5 g of the drug are particularly at risk.5 Method. The case of a 34-year-old immunocompetent woman Three new lipid formulations of amphotericin B with reduced who developed a contact lens-related F. solani keratitis requiring nephrotoxicity are now available for clinical use. Amphotericin B emergency penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was analyzed. The im- lipid complex (ABLC) (Abelcet®; The Liposome Company, munocompetent patient developed fungal endophthalmitis (ante- rior chamber tap positive for F. solani three months after PKP) and Princeton, NJ, U.S.A.) is a concentration of ribbon-like structures was eventually treated with ABLC. Results. Systemic amphoteri- of a bilayered membrane formed by combining a 7:3 ratio of cin B (total, 0.42 g) and ketoconazole in addition to topical nata- dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and dimyristoyl phosphatidyl- mycin and amphotericin did not prove to be effective in eradicat- glycerol with amphotericin B. Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion ing the mycosis in the anterior chamber. Under ABLC treatment (Amphocil®; Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Menlo Park, CA, U.S.A.) (total, 8.79 g), the anterior chamber inflammation resolved com- is composed of disc-like structures of cholesteryl sulfate com- pletely.
    [Show full text]
  • Symptomatology, Pathology, Diagnosis
    I I I t' 0[ I I I' I Symptomatology, pathology, diagnosis Edited by A.A. Buck I l ! @ World Health Organization Geneva The ll/orld Heolth Organization ( ,yHO ) is one of the specialized agencies in realtion- ship with the United Nations. Through this organization, which came into beine in 7948, the public health and medical professions of more than 130 countries exchange their know- ledge and experience and collaborate in an effort to achieve the highest possible level of health throughout the world. ll/HO is concerned primarily with problems that individual countries or territories cannot solve with their own resources-for example, the eradication or control of malaria, schistosomiasis, smallpox, and other communicable diseases, as well as some cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Progress towards better health throughout the world also demands international cooperation in many other activities: for example, setting up international standards for biological substances, for pesticides andfor pesticide spraying equipment ; compiling aninternationalpharmacopoeia ; drawing up and administer- ing the International Heolth Regulations; revising the international lists of diseases and causes of death ; assembling and disseminating epidemiological information ; recommending nonproprietary names for drugs; and promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge. In many parts ofthe world there is need for improvement in maternal and child health, nutrition, nursing, mental health, dental health, social and occupational health, environmental health, public health administrotion, professional education and training, and health education of the public. Thus a large share oJ'the Organization's resources is devotedtogivingassistance and advice in these fields and to making available-often through publications-the latest information on these subjects.
    [Show full text]