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Biomedical subjects

E Ai

Publications and source records attributed to E Ai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Crystalline retinopathy associated with chronic retinal detachment.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the presence of crystalline opacities located at the level of the inner retina in patients with chronic retinal detachment. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records, fundus photographs, and fluorescein angiograms of patients with superficial retinal crystals in the presence of a chronic retinal detachment. RESULTS: Eleven eyes in 11 patients with chronic retinal detachment were found to have these peculiar crystalline opacities on the inner retinal surface. In 5 patients, the crystalline opacities were noted on initial assessment prior to surgery and persisted without change in appearance or number after surgical repair. In 6 eyes, the crystals were not appreciated until after surgical repair of the retinal detachment. The crystals appeared similar in all 11 eyes, were highly refractile, and were located in the posterior pole. Eight of the eyes had retinal detachment associated with retinal dialysis and 6 of these had a history of trauma. There was a definite history of vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes. The crystals did not seem to be associated with any visual deficit. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic retinal detachment can be associated with crystals on the inner retinal surface. The cause and composition of these crystals are unknown. They seem to be visually inconsequential and unchanging.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Clinical failure of CMV retinitis with intravitreal cidofovir is associated with antiviral resistance.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of clinical resistance to intraocular cidofovir injection for treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, and to identify virologic features associated with cidofovir treatment failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical resistance to intravitreal cidofovir was examined in 64 patients with CMV retinitis who received at least 1 injection of 20 pg of cidofovir. Histopathologic examination, culture, and polymerase chain reaction were used to detect CMV in ocular specimens. Antiviral resistance was assessed by plaque reduction assay and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Clinical resistance to intravitreal cidofovir injections was identified in 3 patients (5%) and was associated with prior oral ganciclovir or intravenous cidofovir use. Ganciclovir- and cidofovir-resistant CMV isolates were cultured from 2 patients and harbored resistance-associated mutations in the UL97 and polymerase genes. Resistance mutations were also detected by direct analysis of vitreous. In 1 patient, different resistance mutations were identified in ocular vs extraocular CMV strains. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical failure of intravitreal cidofovir occurs infrequently, but may be associated with cidofovir-resistant CMV selected by prior ganciclovir or cidofovir treatment. Ocular CMV disease can result from a localized infection with a resistant CMV strain, and antiviral resistance may develop at a local site of infection independently from resistance that develops systemically.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Outpatient postoperative fluid-gas exchange after early failed vitrectomy surgery for macular hole.

BACKGROUND: Vitrectomy surgery with fluid-gas exchange and prone positioning has been shown to close macular holes and improve vision. In those eyes that have failed surgery, repeat vitrectomy has been advocated. As an alternative, the authors performed an outpatient postoperative fluid-gas exchange on eyes when the macular hole failed to close after vitrectomy surgery. METHODS: The authors reviewed all cases of failed vitrectomy surgery for macular holes that underwent a postoperative fluid-gas exchange. Eyes were considered to have failed initial surgery if a rim of subretinal fluid surrounded an open full-thickness macular hole. RESULTS: Twenty-three consecutive eyes underwent outpatient fluid-gas exchange 1 week to 8 weeks after vitrectomy surgery. In 17 eyes (74%), fluid-gas exchange resulted in flattening and closure of the macular hole. In all 17 eyes, visual acuity improved 2 or more lines, with 8 (35%) of the 23 eyes achieving 20/50 or better visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative fluid-gas exchange may achieve successful closure of macular holes and improve vision in eyes that have failed surgery for full-thickness macular holes and should be considered as a cost-effective alternative to repeat vitrectomy.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

A foveal-sparing pattern of cytomegalovirus retinitis in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

PURPOSE: We describe the clinical course of 12 eyes of 10 patients in whom recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis exhibited a foveal-sparing pattern. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the case records and photographic charts of 10 patients (12 eyes) with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in whom recurrent CMV retinitis exhibited a foveal-sparing pattern within 1500 mm of the foveola. RESULTS: The site of primary retinitis was temporal in 10 eyes of nine patients in whom it was known. The median number of recurrences up to the observation of foveal-sparing retinitis was two (range one to eight), and five patients had active CMV retinitis despite treatment for at least two continuous months. Once established, the median rate of progression in a non-foveal vector was 2.3 times faster than toward the fovea, and the median time to reduction in acuity to < 6/30 (or death) was 11 to 14 weeks. Three eyes of three patients retained 6/30 or better acuity up to death. Foveal CMV retinitis ultimately reduced acuity to < 6/30 in five eyes. Six eyes suffered retinal detachment, involving the fovea in five, and being the primary reason for acuity of < 6/30 in four. Four patients suffered dose-limiting toxicity. CONCLUSION: Foveal-sparing CMV retinitis arises in patients with recurrent CMV retinitis resistant to treatment ('clinically resistant'), particularly that which has arisen temporally. Despite its foveolar proximity, and ultimate significant loss of function, the pattern of progression allows for preservation of useful foveal vision for longer periods than would have been expected.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

A sensitive and specific polymerase chain reaction-based assay for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis.

PURPOSE: To develop a sensitive and specific laboratory assay for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis. METHOD: We used a polymerase chain reaction-based assay for detection of cytomegalovirus DNA in vitreous samples. We attempted to detect cytomegalovirus DNA in 19 vitreous samples from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had untreated cytomegalovirus retinitis and in 40 vitreous samples from patients with AIDS who had been treated with systemic ganciclovir or foscarnet, or both. We also attempted to detect cytomegalovirus DNA in vitreous samples from 54 immunocompetent patients, including 32 with retinal detachment or macular hole, 11 with vitreous inflammation, and 11 with vitreous hemorrhage. Additionally, we attempted to detect cytomegalovirus DNA in 15 vitreous samples from patients with AIDS who had vitreoretinal inflammation not caused by cytomegalovirus. RESULTS: Cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 18 of 19 eyes with untreated cytomegalovirus retinitis. We detected cytomegalovirus DNA in 19 of 40 vitreous samples from patients with previously treated cytomegalovirus retinitis. Cytomegalovirus DNA was not detected in any of 69 patients who did not have a clinical diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Thus, the assay had an estimated sensitivity of 95% in detecting untreated cytomegalovirus retinitis and a sensitivity of 48% in detecting cytomegalovirus retinitis that had been treated with systemic ganciclovir or foscarnet, or both. The assay did not give false-positive results in patients with vitreous hemorrhage or vitreous inflammation. Most important, the assay did not give false-positive results in AIDS patients with vitreous inflammation from causes other than cytomegalovirus retinitis. CONCLUSION: We have developed a sensitive and specific diagnostic assay that will assist in the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Progressive zonal outer retinitis.

We examined an immunocompetent patient with uniocular acute progressive outer retinitis. The retinitis was curvilinear in shape, showed progressive enlargement, and appeared to be altered by treatment with intravenous acyclovir. When regressed, the affected area of retina appeared atrophic and, at one-year follow-up, demonstrated intraretinal pigment migration with retinal pigment epithelial atrophy and atrophy of the choriocapillaris. Although visual acuity was unaffected, a dense scotoma was recorded on field testing. The response to acyclovir implicates the herpesvirus family, and acyclovir or another antiherpetic agent should be considered for such cases.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1994

Diabetic short-wavelength sensitivity: variations with induced changes in blood glucose level.

PURPOSE: To investigate variations in diabetic short-wavelength sensitivity with acute, induced changes in blood glucose level. METHODS: Increment threshold measures were obtained for short-wavelength-sensitive and middle/long-wavelength-sensitive cone pathways after an induced, acute change in blood glucose level in diabetic observers. RESULTS: Diabetic observers showed an increase in short-wavelength sensitivity, but no change in middle/long-wavelength sensitivity, with a rapid drop in blood glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally induced changes in diabetic blood glucose levels can directly affect diabetic short-wavelength sensitivity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Current patterns of intraocular gas use in North America.

A 1987 survey of 365 members of the Retina and Vitreous societies revealed that use of long-acting intraocular gases was both widespread and frequent. However, despite the expanded use of intravitreal gases and the stated intention of the Food and Drug Administration to approve premarket applications for use of sulfur hexafluoride and perfluoropropane, there are still limitations in the ready availability of these substances. Therefore, we conducted another survey to determine current patterns of intraocular gas use. The results indicate that more surgeons are using long-acting gases. The data also demonstrate the selective use of pneumatic retinopexy with geographic pockets of increased retinopexy use in California and Florida. Finally, 100% of respondents now indicate that they consider the use of sulfur hexafluoride and perfluoropropane to be a standard of care.

Air↗
PubMed1993

Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis. Morphometric, serologic, and epidemiologic support for Baylisascaris as a causative agent.

PURPOSE: Several nematodes have been postulated as etiologic agents in diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN), but the cause of this condition remains uncertain. The authors report the first case of DUSN from the western United States (northern California), along with morphometric, serologic, and epidemiologic evidence supporting Baylisascaris procyonis as its cause. METHODS: One patient was examined and evaluated for disc edema and transient obscurations of vision. A diagnosis of DUSN was confirmed when a motile nematode was identified within the substance of the patient's retina. Morphometric analysis of the nematode was done from projected fundus photographs. Serologic evidence of Baylisascaris infection was suggested by Western blot analysis. A necropsy was done on 12 raccoons from the area. They were examined for evidence of Baylisascaris infection, previously believed to be nonendemic in the region. RESULTS: The intraocular nematode measured 1727 x 67 microns, most consistent with Baylisascaris. The patient had considerable exposure to raccoons, and was seropositive for B. procyonis infection on Western blot analysis. Necropsy evaluation showed B. procyonis infection in 8 of 12 raccoons examined from the area. CONCLUSIONS: The morphometric, serologic, and epidemiologic findings in this case provide evidence that the raccoon ascarid, B. procyonis, is a cause of the large nematode variant of DUSN.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Current management of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy progresses through three distinct stages. A rational approach to management is based on an understanding of the pathophysiology of each stage. Based on the results of national multicentered clinical trials of laser photocoagulation and other treatments, advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment can now make a dramatic impact on blindness in the diabetic population: Panretinal laser photocoagulation treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss from high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy by at least 50%. Laser photocoagulation treatment of clinically significant diabetic macular edema can reduce the risk of vision loss by more than 50%. Vitrectomy can restore useful vision to some patients with severe diabetic retinopathy and vitreous hemorrhage with or without an accompanying traction retinal detachment. Diabetes 2000 is a new project sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the goal of which is to eliminate preventable blindness from diabetes by the year 2000. As its name implies, Diabetes 2000 will be a long-term project aimed at a specific disease--diabetic retinopathy and its complications. It will provide the latest research findings to ophthalmologists and primary care physicians as the first priority, followed by the education of patients and the general public. Recent advances and treatment guidelines for the medical and surgical treatment of diabetic eye disease will be emphasized through the continuing education of ophthalmologists, other physicians, and allied health professionals. In later phases, educational programs for diabetic persons and the public will be developed. Ultimately, improved access of diabetic patients to ophthalmologic care and a close working relationship between ophthalmologists and primary care physicians will ensure early detection of diabetic retinopathy and the timely delivery of state-of-the-art treatments.

Aspirin↗
PubMed1991

A multicenter study of Pneumocystis choroidopathy.

We studied 21 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and presumed Pneumocystic carinii choroidopathy. The lesions were characteristically yellow to pale yellow in color, appeared at the level of the choroid, and were found in the posterior pole. They varied in size from 300 to 3,000 microns, initially increasing in number before treatment and eventually resolving after systemic antimicrobial therapy. Of the 21 patients, 18 (86%) had received inhaled pentamidine as prophylaxis against Pneumocystis pneumonia. Visual acuity and visual field testing showed little evidence of retinal destruction. Survival after the diagnosis of the choroidopathy ranged from two to 36 weeks. Pneumocystic choroidopathy offers an easily accessible clue to disseminated Pneumocystis infection. When comparing drugs for Pneumocystis prophylaxis, careful ocular examination can provide one indicator of the relative efficacy of protection against extrapulmonary disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗