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Hans C Fledelius

Publications and source records attributed to Hans C Fledelius.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Hereditary high hypermetropia in the Faroe Islands.

PURPOSE: To characterize the phenotype of two families with high hypermetropia from the Faroe Islands. METHODS: Ophthalmologic evaluation including ultrasound oculometry and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Of the 40 examined family members, 15 individuals (8 males, 7 females; ages: 6-77 years; mean: 36.5 years) had small deep-set eyes with high hypermetropia (median: + 16.5 D; range: + 7.75 to + 22), short axial eye length (< 21 mm), and a thickened eye wall. The median corrected visual acuity was 0.4 (0.2-0.9). Ocular complications included angle-closure glaucoma in six eyes, uveal effusion in three eyes, cataract in two eyes, and esotropia with amblyopia in three eyes. An emergency case of uveal effusion and retinal detachment after Yag iridotomy eventually responded to systemic corticosteroids and scleral resection surgery with a slow visual recovery. No associated ocular or systemic malformations were found in the series. In addition to the two examined families, six smaller Faroese families with high hypermetropia are briefly reported. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the signs and symptoms of a rare hereditary phenotype characterized by a short axial length mainly confined to the posterior segment of the eye, a shallow anterior chamber, and a thickened eye wall. The morphological characteristics predispose for sight-threatening complications such as angle-closure glaucoma, chorioretinal pathology including uveal effusion, and amblyopia. Regular ophthalmic follow-up is therefore of obvious importance in families known to have small eyes/high hypermetropia. An endemic high prevalence in the Faroe Islands suggests the presence of a founder effect, and further genetic research would probably indicate pseudodominant rather than dominant transmission

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

High myopia progression and visual impairment in a nonselected group of Danish 14-year-olds followed over 40 years.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document the adult age progression of myopia and the incidence of visual impairment in a representative sample of Danish adolescents with high myopia. METHODS: This study consisted of a scheduled regular ophthalmic follow-up over 40 years of 39 otherwise unselected Copenhagen 14 year olds with uni- and bilateral myopia of at least -6 D, as screened from a 1948 birth-year school cohort comprising 9243 pupils. Thirty-six of the 39 had satisfactory refractive and corrected visual acuity data for a longitudinal analysis. RESULTS: Myopia progression for the full period ranged from 0 to 14 D, and the peak myopia value increased from -14 to -26 D. The mean progression from age 16 to 26 years was 2.09 D, and from age 26 and on it was 1 D. Using both eyes and relevant correction, at the preliminary end point of 54 years, 32 of the 36 had a corrected visual acuity (VA) of 0.5 or better. Four had a corrected VA of < or = 0.3, but the visual loss was partly explained by other eye pathology. Significant visual reduction in single eyes mainly affected the subgroup of eyes with unilateral high myopia (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: With only a slight overrisk recorded as associated with high myopia (in three or four of 36 subjects), the adult visual prognosis for working age appeared better than usually claimed. There seems to be a correlation between degree of myopia at age 14 and consecutive visual loss, but it was not possible to identify subjects at high risk at that early age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Retinal haemorrhages in premature infants: a pathogenetic alternative diagnosis to child abuse.

PURPOSE: To present the occasional observation of retinal haemorrhages in premature babies, as a diagnostic alternative to those observed as part of shaken baby syndrome. METHODS: We carried out an observational study on 11 infants in whom retinal and/or vitreous haemorrhages had been observed within their first months of life. Ten infants were under surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), with gestational ages and birth weights in the ranges of 27--34 weeks and 790--1665 g, respectively. One infant was diagnosed with Zellweger's syndrome and one received substitution therapy for coagulation factor II deficiency. The last child had been delivered at 38 weeks, weighing 2070 g; he died on day 5 from severe brain oedema with incarceration and extensive bilateral fundus bleeding. RESULTS: Four of the 11 infants had some evidence of ROP, and two later received retinal ablation therapy. Contrary to the quick absorption (<1-2 weeks only) usually seen in most newborn term infants, the ocular bleeding in preterms was generally longstanding. A quick increase in intracranial pressure probably played a role in the lethal case with delivery near term, and one infant received lung physiotherapy for pneumonia at the age of 6 months. Some bleeding appeared to be truly postnatal (i.e. it was observed as a new occurrence during the course of surveillance). CONCLUSIONS: In the series under study there was no suspicion of child abuse. In term infants, retinal haemorrhages are extremely rare except when due to shaking, but other diseases should be ruled out, coagulopathies in particular. We suggest that prematurity as such is added to the list of possibly underlying causes when retinal bleedings are evaluated in very small infants and shaken baby mechanisms are suspected.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2004

A nationwide Danish study of 1027 cases of congenital/infantile cataracts: etiological and clinical classifications.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of congenital/infantile cataract in the entire population of Denmark according to etiological and clinical classifications. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study with retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: All children (0 to 17 years old) who were born between 1959 and 2001 and registered with congenital/infantile cataract in Denmark during the period 1977 to 2001. Cases were ascertained from the mandatory Danish National Register of Patients, and all medical records were reviewed. METHODS: Etiological and clinical classifications of the cataract cases were based on information from the medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Classification of congenital/infantile cataract according to presumed etiology; gender; clinical appearance, including laterality and morphology; and the time trends according to etiology and laterality. RESULTS: A total of 1027 children with congenital/infantile cataract, 529 boys and 498 girls, were included, of whom 64% were bilateral. Males predominated with bilateral cataract, whereas females predominated with unilateral cases. Isolated cataract was the most frequent clinical presentation (71% of all cases), followed by an even proportion of cataract associated with additional ocular dysmorphology and cataract associated with systemic anomalies. Almost two thirds of all cases had an unknown etiology (idiopathic). Idiopathic cases showed a higher proportion of unilateral cataract and of additional ocular dysmorphology compared with cases of known etiology. The etiology was unknown in 87% of unilateral cases and in 50% of bilateral cases. The distribution by presumed etiology was stable during the study period, except for cataract caused by maternal infections, which decreased mainly due to the elimination of congenital rubella. CONCLUSIONS: With the exception of the decline of congenital rubella, the proportion of congenital/infantile cataract cases of unknown, genetic, and infectious origins has been stable since the late 1970s. The causes of 87% of unilateral cataracts and 50% of bilateral congenital/infantile cataracts remain unknown, making the prevention of the disease a continuing challenge.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Copenhagen high-risk sample 1999-2001. Has progress reached a plateau?

PURPOSE: As part of a current quality control to evaluate ophthalmic findings in two combined central Copenhagen neonatology centers for birth years 1999-2001, and to compare the selected sample with data of the national register for childhood visual impairment. METHODS: In a prospective design to report on 372 infants mainly under regular surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the stratified functional unit made up by the neonatal wards of Righospitalet (RH) and Hvidovre Hospital (HH). The median neonate under ophthalmic surveillance in the two wards (screening limits usually 32 weeks/1750 g) was given by gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) values of 27.3 weeks/907 g and 30.3 weeks/1420 g. respectively. Feedback regarding outcome was secured for those transferred to regional centres. RESULTS: The overall frequency of ROP was 38.5% in the RH (n=252) and 10.8% in the HH sample (n=120). From a peak share above 60% in those <26 weeks/750 g at delivery, the incidence of ROP showed a regular decrease with decreasing immaturity. The centralized retinal ablation therapy for advanced ROP was given to a total of 29, with birth year 2001 unexpectedly showing a peak of 17 cases. Seven of the 29 children treated are now in the register for visually impaired, mainly due to low vision. Fourteen of the 29 had been very small for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Supported also by recent regional Danish data, the apparent progress in the fight against ROP over many years seems to have come to a halt. Except for the continued increased survival of extremely preterm babies we have no obvious neonatological indication to explain the suggested 'adverse' trends.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2004

Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Danish country. Epidemiological experience over 20 years.

PURPOSE: An updated analysis of the trends in a Danish county regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), outlining its natural history over the years 1982-2001. METHODS: Epidemiological data are given of the 132 infants in the county with birth years 1998-2001 prospectively under surveillance for ROP. The customary national screening limits of gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) of 32 weeks/1750 g were generally adhered to. The findings are compared to five previous consecutive reports of a similar set-up, now making a total of 1123 who have been under surveillance. RESULTS: With focus on the 20 years' newborns at a higher risk for ROP in the county (GA/BW both under the above limits; n=591) the continuous improvement up to 1998--as reflected by ROP frequency, its severity, and risk levels according to GA/BW--appears to have been interrupted. Compared to the previous 4-year period, the percentage acquiring ROP in 1998-2001 increased from 10 to 31%, and four recent cases qualified for retinal ablation therapy, compared with zero in the previous 4-year period. However, there were no advanced stages (of at least ROP 3) in infants above 30 weeks/1500 g at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: (a) Using the ROP also as a neonatal treatment quality parameter, the present trend (progress stopped) should be followed attentively. So far, we have no clues regarding therapy-related or other causality. (b) Despite the suggested worsening, a lowering of the ophthalmic GA and BW screening limits now seems justifiable. With a view also to the high-risk Copenhagen data and the national childhood visual impairment register, a reduction of the values to 31 weeks/1500 g should be considered.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed2003

Vigabatrin-associated visual field constriction in a longitudinal series. Reversibility suggested after drug withdrawal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate through a longitudinal study the effects on visual fields of long-term vigabatrin medication in patients with partial epilepsy and to discuss visual field screening strategies. METHODS: A total of 26 patients aged 14-68 years with a mean history of vigabatrin medication of 8.5 years (range 2-14 years) were followed by manual kinetic Goldmann perimetry (objects IV,4 and I,4) for 6-26 months (mean value 12.3 months). At time zero and at follow-up, each patient was assigned a "pooled" averaged value, as a linear percentage of normal isopter position, for the two objects as tested nasally and temporally in the five most horizontal meridians on the Goldmann chart. Twelve eyes from nine adults (age 24-60 years) served as controls. RESULTS: Constrictions were recorded in 24 of 26 patients at baseline. Averaged isopters ranged from 8% to 96% of the controls' averaged isopter positions. Median values of 71.5% and 60.5% for large and small objects, respectively, indicated that the smaller object was more sensitive to visual field constriction. There was no difference in the degree of constriction between nasal and temporal hemifields. Significant improvement in the visual field (mean gain 13.6% units) was seen in the eight patients who underwent full drug withdrawal. No similar improvement was seen in the 12 patients still on full dose or the six with reduced intake. CONCLUSIONS: Most Danish patients on long-term vigabatrin medication have suffered some visual field loss. Contrary to most clinical evidence so far, the present follow-up study indicates some reversibility of visual field loss after drug withdrawal. Kinetic Goldmann perimetry appears to be a fair alternative to computerized static perimetry techniques for screening and following vigabatrin-treated patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Ultrasonically measured horizontal eye muscle thickness in thyroid associated orbitopathy: cross-sectional and longitudinal aspects in a Danish series.

PURPOSE: To analyse horizontal extraocular muscle findings by ultrasound and exophthalmometry in a tertiary endocrinology centre series of patients with thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO). METHODS: The 90 thyroid patients included underwent ultrasonic measurement of horizontal eye muscle thickness by a B-scan based technique carried out in addition to their general ophthalmic evaluation. As an indicator of mainly advanced TAO, longterm prednisone or cyclosporine A was given to many of the patients, and drug-resistant visual loss indicated decompression surgery in four of the 90 patients. Thirty-four patients underwent repeated muscle recordings over 15-49 months; this allowed for cross-sectional analysis and the outlining of longitudinal trends. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: (A) Although marginally overlapping, all four muscle groups were significantly thicker in the study group than in normal control subjects. The mean of the sum of all four muscles was 16.8 mm (range 13.6-21.7 mm) in the control group versus 22.6 mm (range 15.5-36.4 mm) in the thyroid group. (B) Using the clinical NOSPECS grading, more advanced eye involvement was found to generally result in a higher exophthalmometric measurement of protrusion and eye muscle thickness. However, slender rectus muscles and/or normal exophthalmometric values might occur even in advanced orbitopathy. (C) Over a period of 2-4 years, only a few of 34 patients with satisfactory serial ultrasonic measurements returned to their premorbid ophthalmic status. Typically, the extraocular muscles kept their abnormal size after having become clinically quiescent (fibrotic). (D) We found no safe indication regarding disease stage, active or late, from the ultrasonic appearance of the muscle tissue. (E) Discrepancies between various normative eye muscle studies are discussed with regard to computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Refractive change during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A clinical trial including ultrasound oculometry.

PURPOSE: To record changes in refraction and refractive parameters associated with a standard hyperbaric oxygen treatment protocol consisting of a 95 min session at > 95% oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres (ATA) given daily Monday to Friday, to a total of 30 sessions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventeen of the 26 patients included were able to attend for ophthalmic assessment at time zero (to) and after 20 treatments (t20). Thirteen patients also had a post-treatment follow-up. Most patients were being treated for osteoradionecrosis after radiotherapy of ENT cancers, and drop-outs for the eye exam were common. Refraction was determined subjectively and by refractometry, before and after tropicamide 1% eyedrops. Refractive parameters were assessed by keratometry and by A-scan axial ultrasound measurement. RESULTS: Results are given for the 17 patients with to and t20 assessments. The induced refractive change ranged from 0 to 1.5 D. When observed, refractive changes were myopic in nature. The shift averaged 0.58 D according to the refractometer and 0.49 D as subjectively assessed, with corresponding median change values being 0.62 and 0.39 D. The differences between 0 D and these values, although small, were statistically highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The refractive changes associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy were smaller than the literature had led us to expect. No significant change in axial eye length measurements was found, and keratometry readings reflected only minimal change, although this was statistically significant on a 0.05 level. Therefore it is most likely that lens changes, whether in internal refractive indices or curvatures, accounted for the transitory shift towards more myopic/less hyperopic values.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Uveal effusion and ultrasonic imaging: a clinical series.

PURPOSE: To establish the diagnostic role of imaging by ultrasound for the diagnosis of uveal effusion syndrome. METHODS: Using ultrasonic imaging features as the main criteria for evaluation, the recorded data from 16 patients with presumed uveal effusion seen between 1994 and 2000 were reviewed and analysed for clinical manifestations and current diagnostic suggestions. Eventually, as cumulating experience suggested that ultrasound is capable of indicating uveal effusion, the study set-up became in part more prospective. RESULTS: The two main ultrasonic features found were: (1) extended multi-layered detachment patterns by B-scan, often kinetically mobile; (2) a spongy oedematous ciliary body region, often with interstitial lacunae, as demonstrated by high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy (50 Mhz). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with visual loss and ambiguous detachment-like fundus pathology, ultrasonic features are often of practical guidance for diagnosing uveal effusion syndrome.

Adolescent↗