Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
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To evaluate postoperative pain, corneal epithelial healing, development of corneal haze, refractive outcomes, and corneal aberrations in a novel one-step, modified transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), termed All-surface laser ablation (ASLA), compared to conventional, alcohol-assisted PRK. ⋯ This study shows that the ASLA technique may have a future role in refractive surgery, due to the fact that it offers faster epithelial healing, lower pain scores, and significantly less haze formation.
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This case describes typical ophthalmic findings as a key feature for diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and its possible differential diagnosis. A 58-year-old female patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis on immunotherapy with natalizumab developed visual disturbance, reading problems, and visual field defects due to PML. ⋯ PML so far has been mostly associated with other immunodeficiency disorders, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, but is also gaining importance in association with the increasing use and duration of treatment with natalizumab in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis. Natalizumab is a highly specific α4-integrin antagonist approved for treatment of patients with active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
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Right to left shunting, usually caused by a patent foramen ovale (PFO), is associated with migraine and visual aura. It is unknown if patients who present with visual aura without headache behave similarly to those experiencing typical migraine headache with aura. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of right to left shunting in patients who present with migraine aura without headache and evaluate the response to PFO closure. ⋯ There is an increased prevalence of PFO among patients with migraine aura without headache. The closure of PFO correlates with improvement of the visual aura, suggesting a causative association between the presence of PFO and both visual aura and migraine headaches. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the association of right to left shunts with visual aura.
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Diabetic retinopathy is a serious microvascular disorder of the retina. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, induced by high glucose levels and hypoxia, is a main feature in retinopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitreous and serum VEGF levels and control of diabetes and microalbuminuria in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. ⋯ Serum and vitreous VEGF levels was significantly lower in patients on oral therapy, in those with well controlled glycemia, and in those with early-stage retinopathy. Administration of anti-VEGF had a good effect in reducing the progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.