Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology 

About: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Ophthalmology is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Glaucoma & Visual acuity. It has an ISSN identifier of 0814-9763. Over the lifetime, 1471 publications have been published receiving 18706 citations.

Exudative macular degeneration and intravitreal triamcinolone: 18 month follow up

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone after 18 months of follow up in patients with age-related macular degeneration and subfoveal or juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization considered unsuitable for laser photocoagulation. Methods: Thirty eyes of 28 patients, referred from general eye clinics as well as the private clinic of one of the authors to a hospital-based retinal out-patient clinic, were treated with an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone (4mg). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of eyes with loss of six or more lines on a Bailey-Lovie Chart. The incidence of adverse events associated with treatment was also observed. Results: Of the 20 eyes with initial visual acuity (VA) of 6/60 or better, the vision was maintained (± 1 Bailey-Lovie lines) in 11 eyes (55%), while six eyes (30%) suffered severe visual loss (six or more lines). The VA improved by five to six lines in three of 10 eyes with initial vision of 3/60 or worse. Three of four eyes receiving a second injection suffered either progressive cataract or elevated intra-ocular pressure (IOP) requiring cataract surgery and/or filtering surgery. One of 26 eyes (3%) receiving a single injection showed progression of cataract and elevation of IOP within 6 weeks of treatment and required anti-glaucoma medication for 6 weeks. Progression of nuclear sclerosis 8–12 months after treatment was observed in six of 26 eyes (23%) receiving a single injection. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that a single intravitreal injection of 4 mg triamcinolone is reasonably well tolerated by the human eye. The rate of development of severe visual loss was less than reported for historical controls. Because the results are preliminary and uncontrolled, the treatment should not be used routinely until its benefit to patients is established by a prospective, randomized controlled study.

Intravitreal triamcinolone and elevated intraocular pressure.

Abstract: Purpose: To ascertain whether intravitreal triamcinolone given for subretinal neovascularization is associated with an ocular pressure rise Methods: A total of 113 patients with angiographically proven subretinal neovascularization were enrolled into a prospective study of the effects of intravitreal triamcinolone Intraocular pressure was one of the parameters studied Results: Approximately 30% of the study group developed a significant rise (≥ 5 mmHg) in intraocular pressure above baseline during the first 3 months Conclusions: Patients considering this form of treatment should be fully informed of the known risks of intraocular injections of steroids

Epidemiological patterns of ocular trauma

Abstract: Ocular trauma is the cause of blindness in approximately half a million people worldwide, and many more have suffered partial loss of sight. Trauma is often the most important cause of unilateral loss of vision, particularly in developing countries. There is a cumulative risk of ocular trauma and visual loss during life, but the true incidence of accidents involving the eyes is not known. Males tend to have more eye trauma than females, and this is already apparent from childhood; lower socioeconomic classes are also more associated with ocular trauma. The setting for the occurrence of trauma is most commonly the workplace and, increasingly, road accidents. On the other hand, domestic accidents are probably under-reported. Of particular importance in some developing countries is the occurrence of superficial corneal trauma in agricultural work, often leading to rapidly progressing corneal ulceration and visual loss. The impact of ocular trauma, in terms of need for medical care, loss of income and cost of rehabilitation services when indicated, clearly makes the strengthening of preventive measures very worthwhile.

Exudative macular degeneration and intravitreal triamcinolone. A pilot study.

Abstract: PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of the anti-inflammatory agent triamcinolone (Kenacort A-40) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and subfoveal and juxtafoveal choroidal new vessels, considered unsuitable for laser photocoagulation. METHOD: Thirty eyes of 28 patients were treated with intravitreal injection of triamcinolone. The subsequent visual acuity (VA) of treated eyes was compared with published VA outcomes of untreated eyes. Patients were classified into three types according to their responses to treatment. RESULTS: Within two weeks of receiving treatment, exudation decreased and vision improved in the majority of Types I and II patients (87%), the trend continuing in longer term follow-up. The overall VA outcome for treated eyes was significantly better than published VA data for untreated exudative macular lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results are encouraging and no serious side effects of a single injection of triamcinolone have been detected in patients followed for up to 18 months. The treatment should, however, continue to be regarded as unproven and only administered in the context of a prospective, case-controlled clinical trial.

Drusen and their relationship to senile macular degeneration

Abstract: This study is based on the clinico-pathological examination of 512 eyes. As senile macular degeneration developed drusen appeared to alter in consistency and become more fluid. This resulted in a spectrum of clinical appearances classified as hard, semisolid, soft or serous, and regressing. Histologically the hyaline contents of the drusen changed to a pale-staining amorphous material which electron microscopy showed to consist of vesicles. This membranous debris first appeared beneath the pigment epithelium in normal aged eyes but its later accumulation led to a widespread shallow separation of the basement membrane. The softening of drusen was most evident in group IV in which subretinal neovascularization was first detected. At this stage the retinal pigment epithelium also showed its greatest proliferative activity and the formation of abnormal basement membrane material.