SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind study performed at two centers, 51 patients received an HSM PMMA lens and 48, an unmodified PMMA IOL. Cell and pigment deposits were evaluated by slitlamp at 1 to 6 days, 2 to 3 weeks, and 3 to 6 months postoperatively.
RESULTS: Significantly more eyes with unmodified IOLs had inflammatory cell deposits than those with HSM IOLs at 3 to 6 months (P < .001) and 12 to 14 months (P = .018) postoperatively. The HSM group also had significantly fewer cell deposits per patient at these two follow-ups. Significantly more eyes in the non-HSM group had pigment deposits 3 to 6 months after surgery (P = .049). One year postoperatively, about 85% of patients in both groups had a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better.
CONCLUSION: Heparin surface modification significantly reduced the inflammatory response to PMMA IOLs in an Asian population for at least 12 to 14 months.
PATIENT CONCERNS: A 64-year-old man with underlying well controlled diabetes mellitus was treated with 2 weeks' course of intravenous antifungal fluconazole for pyelonephritis as his blood culture grew Candida albicans. Concurrently, he complained of 3 months of bilateral painless progressive blurring of vision. At presentation, his visual acuity (VA) was light perception both eyes. Ocular examination revealed non granulomatous inflammation with dense vitritis of both eyes.
DIAGNOSIS: He was diagnosed with EFE but the condition responded poorly with the medications.
INTERVENTIONS: He was treated with intravitreal (IVT) amphotericin B and fluconazole was continued. Vitrectomy was performed and intraoperative findings included bilateral fungal balls in the vitreous and retina with foveal traction in the left eye. Postoperatively, vision acuity was 6/24, N8 right eye and 2/60, N unable for left eye with extensive left macular scar and hole. Vitreous cultures were negative. He received multiple IVT amphotericin B and was started on topical steroid eye drops for persistent panuveitis with systemic fluconazole. Ocular improvement was seen after switching to IVT and topical voriconazole. Despite this, his ocular condition deteriorated and he developed neovascular glaucoma requiring 3 topical antiglaucoma agents. Panretinal photocoagulation was subsequently performed.
OUTCOMES: At 3 months' follow-up, his vision acuity remained at 6/24 for right eye and 2/60 for the left eye. There was no recurrence of inflammation or infection in both eyes.
LESSONS: Voriconazole could serve as a promising broad spectrum tri-azole agent in cases of failure in first-line treatment or drug-resistant fungus.