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Biomedical subjects

Edward Averbukh

Publications and source records attributed to Edward Averbukh.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Application of the standard photodynamic treatment protocol for symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

PURPOSE: To describe the results of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a standard protocol, developed for treating choroidal neovascularization (CNV), for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH). METHODS: A prospective, uncontrolled, consecutive case series of patients with symptomatic CCH that were treated using the standard PDT protocol was evaluated periodically with ophthalmic exams and echography. RESULTS: Nine CCH patients were included in the study. Mean tumor height decreased from 2.7 mm before treatment to 0.8 mm at the end of the follow-up period. Mean visual acuity improved from 6/15 to 6/12. Six patients required one PDT session, two patients two sessions, and one patient three sessions. Side effects included transient visual disturbances in two patients. One patient, who concomitantly presented with age-related macular degeneration, developed CNV. CONCLUSIONS: The standard PDT protocol is effective for the treatment of CCH. Complications are uncommon. Further studies should assess the optimal PDT protocol for the treatment of CCH.

Adult↗

Treatment of ocular tissues exposed to nitrogen mustard: beneficial effect of zinc desferrioxamine combined with steroids.

PURPOSE: Exposure of the ocular surface to mustard gas chemical warfare leads to a destructive inflammatory reaction. Both steroids and a novel metalocomplex free radical scavenger, zinc desferrioxamine (Zn/DFO), have been shown to be effective separately in reducing ocular damage. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the effectiveness of both medications applied simultaneously is superior to the effectiveness of either one applied alone. METHODS: One eye in each of 52 rabbits was exposed to 2% nitrogen mustard (NM). Topical treatment with eye drops of a metal complex-zinc desferrioxamine (Zn/DFO)-combined with dexamethasone phosphate (0.1%), was compared with the administration of saline or treatment with Zn/DFO or dexamethasone alone. Eight eyes (four animals) that were not exposed to NM served as the control. Examiners masked to the treatment groups assessed the extent of ocular injury and the response to treatment using clinical, histologic, and biochemical criteria. RESULTS: Treatment with the combination of Zn/DFO and dexamethasone was significantly more effective than was dexamethasone or Zn/DFO alone in reducing NM injury to ocular anterior segment structures. In combination-treated eyes, corneal re-epithelization was faster, corneal neovascularization was less severe, and intraocular pressure was not as severely elevated as in the saline or the Zn/DFO- or dexamethasone-alone groups. In addition, systemic antioxidant status was better conserved in the combination-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the combination of topically applied Zn/DFO and dexamethasone, by virtue of their additive inhibitory effects on free radical formation and inflammation, should be considered as a basis for the treatment of ocular mustard gas injuries.

Animals↗

Traumatic pediatric retinal detachment: a comparison between open and closed globe injuries.

PURPOSE: To compare retinal detachment as a result of open and closed globe trauma in a pediatric age group. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, consecutive, interventional case series study. SETTING: Tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred thirty-eight (5.7%) of 2,408 retinal detachments that were treated at our facility between 1980 and 2000 occurred in children aged 18 years or younger. Of these, 37 eyes (26%, n = 36) had retinal detachment following open globe injury and 23 eyes (14%, n = 20) had retinal detachment following closed globe injury. Those were compared with regard to the retinal detachment characteristics, number, types and timing of surgeries, and the anatomic and functional surgical outcome. RESULTS: Similar incidence was found in the type of retinal detachment, number of tears, extent, macular attachment type, and timing of surgery. Anatomic surgical success was achieved in 16 eyes (46%) with open globe injury and in 13 eyes (65%) with closed globe injury. The improvement in visual acuity was limited and comparable in both groups (23% to 25%), and lower than the expected according to the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS). The only predictor for favorable visual outcome of > or =20/200 was preoperative macular attachment (P =.003, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION: The type, extent, and severity of the retinal detachment were similar in both open and closed globe injuries, suggesting that the detachment is caused by secondary indirect impact of globe deformation. The anatomic and functional surgical outcome was guarded and similar, suggesting that further surgical innovation is required to improve the visual outcome in this age group.

Adolescent↗