Biomedical subjects

Timothy Murtha

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy Murtha.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

The management of diabetic eye disease in the setting of cataract surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The increased incidence of diabetes mellitus worldwide is accompanied by an increased risk of co-morbid conditions, including the intersection of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. In an effort to improve the surgical outcomes for this population, it is necessary to understand the historical perspectives that have evolved into current treatment recommendations. RECENT FINDINGS: While cataract surgery in patients with no or mild retinopathy may result in minimal complications, a substantial minority of patients with diabetes and advanced retinopathy, including macular edema and a history of previous laser treatment, may require additional considerations when planning cataract surgery. Untreated retinopathy, insufficiently treated retinopathy or treatment failures can be challenging. In these instances, a paradigm shift may be indicated, and the occasion of cataract surgery may provide an opportunity to simultaneously treat retinopathy. By utilizing combined vitrectomy/cataract surgical techniques and/or pharmacologic interventions, improved results for a broader diabetic population may be attainable. SUMMARY: Newer surgical and pharmacologic therapies may now allow for safe and effective surgery in individuals who were previously not candidates for surgery or who had a limited visual prognosis.

Cataract↗

PubMed2003

Visual dysfunction in retinal and optic nerve disease.

Visual perceptions seen with retinal and optic nerve disease may overlap with those resulting from retrochiasmal disorders. A few disorders typically present with distinctive perceptions, but the majority have less specific symptoms. Features include whether or not the visual phenomena are negative or positive, monocular or binocular, and the location and form of any deficits. Among negative phenomena, transient visual loss usually is the result of ischemic disease, but particular precipitants may suggest demyelination or photoreceptor degeneration. The pattern and location of visual field defects may help localize disorders to the level of the macula, papillomacular or other inner retina nerve fiber bundles, optic nerve, or chiasm. Altered brightness perception may point to optic nerve or photoreceptor disease. Decreased acuity is among the most common and least specific symptoms, but association with other symptoms may help to narrow the differential diagnosis. Dyschromatopsia points to either a photoreceptor or optic nerve pathologic condition (Table 7). Among positive phenomena, hallucinations resulting from anterior visual system disorders typically are unformed, although deafferentation of retrochiasmal pathways may produce formed hallucinations. The common "floaters" frequently are benign, but occasionally herald more concerning disorders. Various types of photopsias commonly occur with vitreal disorders or photoreceptor disorders. Macular disease typically leads to distortions of the central visual field, and other particular disorders lead to a host of characteristic distortions of color, form, or brightness. Careful attention to the ophthalmologic examination, visual fields, and subtle variance in symptomatology also help to distinguish among various disorders.

Color Vision Defects↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis associated with an infected deep venous thrombus.

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinical and histopathologic findings in a patient with bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis due to an infected deep venous thrombus. CASE: A 43-year-old patient with bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis due to an infected central venous thrombus. The patient's ophthalmology and hospital charts were reviewed. Histopathologic sections of the Candida albicans retinal granuloma were examined under light microscopy. OBSERVATIONS: Our patient had multiple blood cultures positive for Candida albicans owing to an infected subclavicular venous thrombosis. Bilateral Candida albicans endophthalmitis was diagnosed. Bilateral vitrectomy and membrane peeling for macular traction retinal detachments were performed. In the right eye, a large retinal granuloma was excised during surgery to adequately relieve traction on the macula. Vision improved in both eyes after surgery. Histopathologic findings revealed branching hyphae surrounded by giant cells, endothelial cell-lined vascular channels, and inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of an infected deep venous thrombosis causing bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis. Appropriate management of these patients requires clear differentiation between endogenous chorioretinitis and endophthalmitis. Patients with documented fungemia should have a dilated fundus examination on a regular basis until complete clearance of the infection.

Adult↗