This issue of Acta

Abstract

The cover illustration on this edition of Acta shows optical coherence tomography images before and after sheathotomy, as demonstrated by Crafoord et al. later in these pages. This issue of Acta contains three editorials. In one of these, Sven Crafoord, in Örebro, discusses the use of small-gauge instruments in vitrectomy, with reference to three articles on the use of 25-gauge instrumentation in vitrectomy that appear later in the journal. Einar Stefánsson explains the pathophysiology of branch retinal vein occlusion and its treatment and puts sheathotomy, vitrectomy, laser, anti-VEGF drugs and intravitreal steroids into context, and Buys et al. celebrate World Glaucoma Day in a guest editorial. Wang and associates, writing from Copenhagen and Basel, present a comprehensive review of central serous chorioretinopathy. Crafoord et al.’s paper on sheathotomy − discussed in Stefánsson’s editorial − describes a retrospective study of the technique as a treatment for branch retinal vein occlusion. Tokyo-based Shinoda et al. found visual recovery to be quicker in vitrectomy patients operated with 25-gauge instrumentation than in those in whom 20-gauge instruments were used. They found no difference between the groups at 1 year after surgery. Magalhaes et al., writing from São Paulo, found that infusion and aspiration rates varied between three different 25-gauge vitrectomy systems. In a further paper, Shinoda et al. point out that 25-gauge vitrectomy instruments may become jammed in the cannula in eyes with non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage. Yeung et al., of Taiwan, found a negative association between the severity of vitreous haemorrhage and visual outcome in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. A severe vitreous haemorrhage increases the risk of proliferative vitreoretinopathy in these patients. Swedish authors Bengtsson et al. suggest that standard automated perimetry and short-wavelength automated perimetry may be useful for monitoring visual function outside the fovea in patients with diabetic retinopathy. German researchers Neubauer et al. compare two different camera systems for screening and grading of diabetic retinopathy. Yeh et al., based in Taiwan, present three patients successfully treated with vitrectomy without inner limiting membrane peeling for macular retinoschisis and foveal detachment in highly myopic eyes. Jonas et al., writing from Germany, describe the successful injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells into the vitreous cavity in a diabetes patient. UK authors Ugarte et al. present a case of hypertensive choroidopathy, furnished with comprehensive illustrations. Karalezly, writing from Ankara, report on using intracameral triamcinolone acetonide to control postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery. Stockholm-based Mody et al. studied cataract formation induced by ultraviolet radiation in guinea-pigs. They found that ascorbate supplementation did not reduce the risk of cataract formation in this model. In an inter-country collaboration between Canada and France, Tournier et al. describe their findings that visual impairment is associated with an increased risk of depression in elderly subjects, as well as an increased risk of death. UK authors Miranda and Henson, based in Manchester, found that patients respond better to multiple-stimulus perimetry with verbal feedback than they do to single-stimulus automated perimetry. Meanwhile, London-based Bergin et al. report on a new algorithm for the analysis of Heidelberg retina tomograph images. Kirwan and O’Keefe, in Dublin, describe corneal hysteresis following LASIK and LASEK. Hysteresis did not correlate with the amount of corneal tissue removed, the size of the optical zone nor the patient’s age. We launch a new feature in this issue of Acta. Stockholm’s Professor Stefan Seregard is interviewed by Gunilla Magnusson. We hope to carry interviews and news items on a regular basis in this section. We also include a list of forthcoming conferences and courses. Readers of Acta are invited to notify the editorial office of conferences and courses they would like to see listed in the journal. I hope that this issue of Acta serves as a source of both pleasure and knowledge to its readers.