This issue of Acta

Abstract

This issue of Acta emphasizes retina and glaucoma. In particular we have several papers on bevacizumab (Avastin®). The cover illustration shows the Gaussian distribution of intraocular pressure (IOP) in a normal Japanese population as described by Aihara et al. in this issue of Acta. One of the hottest issues of the day is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs in the eye; Algvere et al. discuss whether Avastin® or Lucentis® is better for ocular neovascularization. Athanasiov et al., in Australia, review the clinical features and causes of non-traumatic enophthalmos. The lead article is by Soliman et al., in Copenhagen and Egypt, who investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes following intravitreal bevacizumab injection for diabetic macular oedema. Their data also show retinal vasoconstriction following Avastin® injection, suggesting that the drug may influence the haemodynamics of the retina. Shima et al., in Japan, point out that intravitreal bevacizumab may be associated with systemic and ocular complications including injury to the lens, inflammation, retinal pigment epithelial tear, elevation in blood pressure and cerebral infarction. Shimura et al., also in Japan, found that visual acuity and macular oedema improved following pars plana vitrectomy and arteriovenous sheathotomy in patients with BRVO. VEGF levels in the vitreous were high in patients with long duration of BRVO. Tonello et al., in Brazil and USA, found that adding intravitreal bevacizumab to panretinal photocoagulation did not influence the visual outcome but decreased fluorescein leakage. Seitsonen et al., in Helsinki, found that complement factor HY402H polymorphism did not influence the characteristics of exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). May et al., in Germany and Japan, used immunofluorescence antibody staining to quantify and characterize GABA-ergic amacrine cells in mouse retina. Utheim et al., in Norway, found no association between ARMD and ApoE polymorphism and a weak negative correlation between ApoE and cataracts. Resch et al., in Vienna, suggest that patients with choroidal melanoma do not have choroidal hyperperfusion. Kernt et al., in Munich, report a case where the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib reduced macular oedema in choroidal neovascularization. Holcombe et al., in Australia, examined the relationship between glutamate transport and increased IOP. They propose that increased IOP and hypoxia may disturb glutamate transport and lead to cell death in ischaemic eye diseases. van der Valk et al., in Maastricht, found that timolol and latanoprost achieve similar IOP reduction on average, but this is difficult to predict in each individual case. Sonty et al., in USA, found that a dorzolamide–timolol combination gives a greater IOP reduction than latanoprost alone. Kotliar et al., in Germany, found minor arterial irregularities in retinas of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Aihara et al., in Japan, describe the distribution of IOP in 7313 Japanese patients. Hu et al., in Taiwan, found that as cataract operations became more frequent, angle-closure glaucoma became less frequent. Hermann et al., in Germany, describe a mathematical model to determine age-dependent threshold values for the Octopus perimetry instrument. Kallenbach and Frederiksen describe a case of unilateral optic neuritis resulting from a toxoplasmosis infection in a patient with HIV. I trust that all subscribers will take the June issue of Acta with them to their summerhouses and enjoy their continuous education in ophthalmology as they relax with family and friends. I wish all of you a pleasant summer.