Ophthalmology
Expert insights on ocular conditions, surgical techniques, retinal disease, and vision-related management.
Recent Discussions
What strategies do you use to optimize cataract surgery outcomes in patients with anterior basement membrane dystrophy (ABMD)?
For the preoperative period, surface dryness should be well controlled; usually, artificial tears, punctal plugs, and Restasis are enough. Then, if the topography shows central irregular reading, I usually prefer to remove the epithelium and let it heal for a month before considering cataract surger...
What are some methods to deal with IOP elevations with intravitreal injections in a patient without glaucomatous damage that does not want to have AC taps with each injection?
In this situation, depending on the elevated IOP, use the standard medical approach: Iopidine1%, Cosopt, Alphagan 0.2%, and in some cases, Diamox 250 mg. Wait for half an hour and repeat if necessary, or send the patient home with one or more drugs. Of course, make sure of drug selective contraindic...
How do you determine when to discontinue anti-complement therapy in patients with geographic atrophy who already have center-involving disease given the minimal likelihood of central vision improvement but the potential for more rapid scotoma expansion if treatment is withdrawn?
Since these drugs have a significant risk and a marginal benefit, not to mention the significant treatment burden and their outrageous cost, it begs the question of how often they should be used altogether.
Have you found a successful treatment option for fixed Descemet's folds following prolonged hypotony (after hypotony has been treated/resolved) or Descemet's striae from a surgical incision?
These are difficult situations. The best success I have had is doing DSEKs and suturing the graft in 4 quadrants with 10-0 nylon to prevent detachment. It takes longer to clear but prevents detachment, and the sutures can be removed once the edema is clear. The lifespan of these transplants is inher...
Are there any special considerations for cataract surgery in a patient with ICE syndrome (Chandler) with a relatively clear cornea?
It is important to try and get a cell count before surgery to manage patient expectations in case of increased risk of endothelial failure. The cataract surgery should be straightforward unless there is a correctopia needing a pupillary dilator. To note that MIGS are usually not successful when comb...
In a patient with prior cataract surgery in one eye with an unknown monofocal lens, how do you approach selection of a monofocal in the second eye?
The choice is completely dependent on the patient and the physician's discretion and discussion. No one choice for everyone.
What has been your experience using Dextenza for postoperative inflammation and pain control?
Dextenza has been an extremely useful tool for reducing the postoperative eyedrop burden in managing inflammation after cataract surgery. I typically reserve Dextenza for patients who may have difficulty adhering to a topical drop regimen. This may include those with limited dexterity, cognitive im...
In your experience, what factors prompt you to switch a patient with diabetic macular edema to Eylea HD?
In my practice, it isn’t switching to longer acting anti-VEGF, it is the treatment of the peripheral retinal ischemia. I often initially treat CSME with Avastin, but I use an IVFA to evaluate and treat the non-perfused retina with laser. It is the PRP that treats the VEGF production driving the diab...
How do you manage dry eye syndrome due to lacrimal or meiobian gland dysfunction after external beam radiotherapy?
I have also found autologous serum (AS) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops/tears to be extremely useful (provided by an ophthalmologist). Dry eye can also be exacerbated by graft vs. host disease, which I have anecdotally seen worsened within radiation fields and is characterized by a lasting m...
How would you approach the upfront management of a patient with acute unilateral vision loss with strong clinical risk factors for both cardioembolic stroke and GCA if an expedited MRI is not possible due to the presence of an AICD?
I'm definitely not an expert in this topic, but you have many clinical tools to increase/decrease your clinical suspicion for GCA vs. cardioembolic stroke. Some things I would ask: Is this patient currently in Afib? What's their CHADSVASC? Are they anticoagulated? Can we get a TTE to check for vege...