Preoperative macular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in patients considering advanced-technology intraocular lenses for cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To evaluate spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) as a strategy for identifying occult macular disease preoperatively in patients scheduled for cataract surgery with implantation of an advanced-technology intraocular lens (IOL).

SETTING

Private practice, Danbury, Connecticut, USA.

DESIGN

Retrospective consecutive case series.

METHODS

Macular SD-OCT scans were performed on all patients scheduled for cataract surgery and Restor multifocal or toric IOL implantation over a 6-month period. All scans were reviewed for abnormalities of the retina, retinal pigment epithelium, or vitreomacular interface. For subgroup analysis, the following health information was collected: age, sex, smoking history, hypertension, heart disease, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-five consecutive scans from 149 patients were obtained. Macular pathology was found in 35 eyes (13.2%). The most common condition was age-related macular degeneration in 15 eyes (5.66%) followed by idiopathic epiretinal membrane in 11 eyes (4.15%). Ischemic atrophy from previously undiagnosed retinal vascular pathology was found in 5 eyes (1.89%) and edema in 3 eyes (1.13%). A subgroup analysis found a higher incidence of macular pathology in patients with a history of heart disease (30.6%, P < .001) or smoking (20.2%, P < .05), and in men (23.9%, P < .01). Media opacities precluded interpretation of 17 scans (6.42%).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative macular SD-OCT scanning was effective in identifying patients at risk for compromised visual outcomes after advanced-technology IOL surgery.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 acute retinal necrosis 9 years after neonatal herpes

Many cases of acute retinal necrosis caused by HSV-2 have been reported in children, teenagers, and young adults as a result of reactivation of congenital or neonatal infections, which may have been subclinical. Pediatricians should be aware of this entity and alert to recurrences that may be delayed by years.

Classification of individual differences in cardiovascular responsivity: The contribution of reactor type controlling for race and gender

Classification of 150 normotensive or mildly hypertensive men and women into myocardial, vascular, or mild reactors was accomplished using a regression-based approach. The method was based on the participants' cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) reactivity to the speech presentation task. This task purportedly can elicit both myocardial and vascular responses. Cut-scores were based on the y-intercept from the linear regression of the CO reactivity on TPR reactivity and vice versa. A greater percentage of Black men were classified as vascular responders as compared to Black women and White participants. Groups were found to differ on cardiovascular reactivity to the speech preparation, cold pressor, and mirror tracing tasks in predictable ways, after controlling for gender and ethnicity. Groups were also differentiated by ambulatory blood pressure and hypertensive status. The study supports the classification of homogenous groups of participants based on the relative extent to which myocardial or vascular mechanisms dominate the reactivity to stress.

Fundus photographic and fluorescein angiographic characteristics of pseudoholes of the macula in eyes with epiretinal membranes

BACKGROUND

The fluorescein angiographic characteristics in eyes with pseudoholes of the macula associated with epiretinal membranes have not been studied extensively.

METHODS

Stereo photographs and fluorescein angiograms from 83 consecutive eyes of 80 patients with pseudoholes of the macula were evaluated by two independent graders for epiretinal membrane opacity, fluorescence in the base of the pseudohole, and late perifoveal pooling of dye.

RESULTS

Hyperfluorescence in synchrony with choroidal fluorescence appeared within the base of the pseudohole in 52 (63%) of the 83 eyes studied. The hyperfluorescence was smaller than the pseudohole in 37 (45%) eyes. Diffuse hyperfluorescence filled the pseudohole in 15 (18%) eyes. No fluorescence was seen in 20 (24%) eyes. Eleven (13%) eyes could not be graded due to coexistent macular disease or media opacity. Fluorescence within the area of pseudohole was less common in eyes with opaque epiretinal membranes than in eyes with visible or transparent epiretinal membranes (P = 0.002). Fluorescence within the area of the pseudohole was also less common in eyes with evidence of macular edema on fluorescein angiography (P < 0.001). The mean visual acuity was better for eyes with hyperfluorescence within the area of the pseudohole than for eyes without hyperfluorescence (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

A common fluorescein angiographic characteristic associated with pseudoholes of the macula is early hyperfluorescence within the area of the pseudohole. This hyperfluorescence coincides with choroidal filling and appears to be a form of transmission defect rather than a blocking of surrounding choroidal fluorescence by the epiretinal membrane. This central hyperfluorescence may result in misdiagnosis of the macular pseudohole as a full-thickness macular hole.

Accidental fires in clinical laboratories

The National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Mass, estimates that 169 fires have occurred annually in health care, medical, and chemical laboratories. On the average, there are 13 civilian injuries and $1.5 million per year in direct property damage. Most fires in which the cause or ignition source can be identified originate in malfunctioning electrical equipment (41.6%) or in the facility's electrical distribution system (14.7%). The prevalence of fire safety deficiencies was measured in the College of American Pathologists Laboratory Accreditation Program. Of the 1732 inspected laboratories, 5.5% lacked records of electrical receptacle polarity and ground checks in the preceding year. Of these inspected laboratories, 4.7% had no or incomplete documentation of electrical safety checks on laboratory instruments. There was no evidence of quarterly fire exit drills in 9% of the laboratories. Deficiencies were also found in precautionary labeling (6.8%), in periodic review of safe work practices (4.2%), in the use of safety cans (3.7%), and in venting of flammable liquid storage areas (2.8%). Fire preparedness would be improved if all clinical laboratories had smoke detectors and automatic fire-extinguishing systems. In-service training courses in fire safety should be targeted to the needs of specific service areas.

Health care firesafety: a prognosis for the '90s

A look at the problems, standards, and fire record involving health care firesafety helps us predict future directions that it may take.

Orbital myositis and giant cell myocarditis

A 65-year-old woman developed progressive, bilateral ophthalmoplegia, with thickened extraocular muscles on CT. One month later, a cardiac arrhythmia led to her death. Pathologically, the extraocular and skeletal muscles showed diffuse mononuclear cell inflammation, while the heart contained granulomatous myositis. This patient's syndrome of idiopathic, orbital myositis and giant cell myocarditis may be a distinct nosologic entity.

Testing instrumentation for medical equipment: Part 3

In this three-part series, testing instrumentation for medical equipment is described, organized, and reviewed. In Part 1 (July-September, 1977 issue) reasons for testing were discussed. Part 1 also included a review of the types of testing instrumentation for power and gas outlets, isolated power systems, and conductive floors. Part 2 (October-December, 1977 issue) continued the series with a review of "safety testers," simulators, and calibrators. In this final part, testing instrumentation is reviewed for therapeutic equipment, including pacemakers, defibrillators, and electrosurgical equipment. This paper concludes with suggestions for possible future types of test instrumentation, and with a discussion of the relationship of such instrumentation to the clinical engineering profession.