Retinopathy Eye Research Articles

Early Vitrectomy for Severe Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in Eyes with Useful Vision: Clinical Application of Results of a Randomized Trial—Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Study Report 4

Six patients are described, each of whom underwent early vitrectomy for advanced, active, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in an eye with useful vision. These cases were selected to illustrate the spectrum of retinopathy severity for which early vitrectomy should be considered and the favorable outcome that can follow this procedure. None of the eyes that had an unfavorable result after early vitrectomy is presented. The eyes most suitable for early vitrectomy are those in which both fibrous proliferations and at least moderately severe new vessels are present, and in which extensive scatter photocoagulation has already been carried out or is precluded by vitreous hemorrhage.

CLOFAZIMINE-INDUCED BULLʼS–EYE RETINOPATHY

Bull's-eye retinopathy has multiple associations. We report a case of bull's-eye retinopathy presumed to be secondary to clofazimine (Lamprene) treatment of a 30-year-old patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Pretreatment baseline eye exam of this patient was normal except for bilateral cotton-wool spots. However, follow-up exam 5 months later revealed bilateral anterior pigmentary corneal deposits in a whorl pattern, a presumed infectious retinitis in the left eye, and bilateral annular macular pigmentary abnormalities. The patient was taken off clofazimine treatment, but died 1 month later. The authors suggest that patients being treated with clofazimine be examined for drug-related corneal and retinal lesions.

Altered Retinal Vascular Response to 100% Oxygen Breathing in Diabetes Mellitus

AbstractThe effect of 100% oxygen breathing on retinal blood flow was investigated using laser Doppler velocimetry in 19 normal eyes, and in 41 eyes of insulin treated diabetic patients. Of the diabetic eyes studied, nine had no retinopathy, 18 had background diabetic retinopathy, seven had proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and seven had proliferative diabetic retinopathy that had been previously treated by argon panretinal photocoagulation. Five minutes of 100% oxygen breathing produced an average decrease in blood flow of 61 % (SD = 8) in normal eyes, 53% (SD = 10) in NR eyes, 38% (SD = 13) in background diabetic retinopathy eyes, 24% (SD = 18) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy eyes and 54% (SD = 8) in panretinal photocoagulation eyes. In six eyes with proliferative retinopathy measured before and after panretinal photocoagulation, a significant increase in vascular response to O2 was observed following photocoagulation (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P < 0.05).