Defects of the Lamina Cribrosa in Eyes with Localized Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Loss – Corrected Proof

Objective: To determine whether focal abnormalities of the lamina cribrosa (LC) are present in glaucomatous eyes with localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects.Design: Cross-sectional, observational study.Participants: We analyzed 20 eyes of 14 subjects with localized RNFL defects detected by masked grading of stereophotographs and 40 eyes of 25 age-matched healthy subjects recruited from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study at the University of California, San Diego.Methods: All eyes had stereoscopic optic disc photography and in vivo LC imaging using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Two masked graders identified focal LC defects defined by a standardized protocol using 48 (Read more...)

Intravitreal Aflibercept for Treatment-Resistant Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration – Corrected Proof

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) previously resistant to treatment with other anti–vascular endothelial growth factor agents.Design: Prospective, open-label, noncontrolled, registered clinical trial.Participants: Forty-nine patients with treatment-resistant neovascular AMD.Intervention: A dose of 2 mg intravitreal aflibercept was administered as 3 initial loading doses every 4 weeks (week 0, week 4, and week 8), followed by further injections every 8 weeks (weeks 16 and 24) across a 24-week period in total. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, including measurement of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), (Read more...)

Assessment of the Quality of Glaucoma Referral Letters Based on a Survey of Glaucoma Specialists and a Glaucoma Guideline – Corrected Proof

Objective: To assess the quality of glaucoma referral letters and to report on the results of a survey of glaucoma specialists about referral letter content.Design: Cross-sectional study.Participants: A survey of 135 glaucoma specialists and audit of 200 consecutive referral letters to a tertiary glaucoma unit.Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to members of the Canadian and American Glaucoma Societies asking what they considered the most important data to be included in a glaucoma referral. Consecutive referral letters to a tertiary glaucoma unit were assessed for legibility and content on the basis of the survey results and information items in current (Read more...)