Myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) can cause severe visual impairment in highly myopic patients. We review the randomized trials of two approved pharmacotherapy for treating mCNV, including intravitreal injections of ranibizumab and aflibercept. These two vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists show superior ability to improve vision and reduce macular thickness, comparing with sham injections or verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT). There is no severe ocular or systemic adverse reaction reported in studies associated with ranibizumab and aflibercept for mCNV. Prompt treatment with these agents can lead to a better outcome.
Background: Facial nerve palsy (FNP) occurs less frequently in children as compared to adults but most cases are secondary to an identifiable cause. These children may have a variety of ocular and systemic features associated with the palsy and need detailed ophthalmic and systemic evaluation.
Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all the cases of FNP below the age of 16 years, presenting to a tertiary ophthalmic hospital over the period of 9 years, from January 2000 to December 2008.
Results: A total of 22 patients were included in the study. The average age at presentation was 6.08 years (range, 4 months to 16 years). Only one patient (4.54%) had bilateral FNP and 21 cases (95.45%) had unilateral FNP. Seventeen patients (77.27%) had congenital palsy and of these, five patients had a syndromic association, three had birth trauma and nine patients had idiopathic palsy. Five patients (22.72%) had an acquired palsy, of these, two had a traumatic cause and one patient each had neoplastic origin of the palsy, iatrogenic palsy after surgery for hemangioma and idiopathic palsy. Three patients had ipsilateral sixth nerve palsy, two children were diagnosed to have Moebius syndrome, one child had an ipsilateral Duane's syndrome with ipsilateral hearing loss. Corneal involvement was seen in eight patients (36.36%). Amblyopia was seen in ten patients (45.45%). Neuroimaging studies showed evidence of trauma, posterior fossa cysts, pontine gliosis and neoplasms such as a chloroma. Systemic associations included hemifacial macrosomia, oculovertebral malformations, Dandy Walker syndrome, Moebius syndrome and cerebral palsy
Conclusions: FNP in children can have a number of underlying causes, some of which may be life threatening. It can also result in serious ocular complications including corneal perforation and severe amblyopia. These children require a multifaceted approach to their care.
Visual electrophysiology is widely used in clinical ophthalmology. It is also of significant value in the objective assessment of visual function in adult and pediatric cataract patients and for the diagnosis of and research on retinal and visual pathway diseases. This article systematically reviews visual electrophysiology techniques, their applications in the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric cataracts, and factors influencing the application of visual electrophysiology during surgical treatment for cataracts.