No abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of practicing Nigerian ophthalmologists towards cornea donation and corneal graft. The responses of 160 ophthalmologists (specialists and senior registrars) in Nigeria who responded to an appropriate questionnaire on cornea donation at one of their National conferences attended mainly by practicing ophthalmologists were analysed. Through the questionnaire, the knowledge and attitude of the ophthalmologists towards cornea donation and cornea graft in Nigeria were evaluated. The questionnaire also included questions on donor materials from prisoners for themselves and their close relatives. One hundred and sixty (160) of the 191 ophthalmologists (84%) given the questionnaire responded. All the respondents have adequate information on cornea donation and corneal graft. Majority of them were favourably disposed to most of the questions asked except when it came to carrying a donor card, signing the donor form and the actual signing of the form. Only 34 (21%) of ophthalmologists agreed to donate their cornea at death.It was found that traditional beliefs, social implications and personal considerations mainly influenced those who were not favourably disposed to cornea donation and corneal graft. The majority of practicing ophthalmologists in Nigeria are not favourably disposed to donating their cornea at death.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of one intravitreal injection of expansile gas in the treatment of vitreomacular traction (VMT). Methods: A retrospective review of eyes with VMT treated with singl injection of 0,3 ml of 100% C3F8 gas was performed. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis under topical anesthesia. Results: Twelve consecutive patient (14 eyes) with symptomatic VMT underwent pneumatic vitreolysis. Mean extend of vitreomacular adhesion was 490,5 µm (408-751). A posterior vitreous detachment developed in 13 eyes (92,9 %) after a single gas injection, in 11 eyes (84,6 %) during the first month of follow-up, in 2 eyes within two month of injection. Mean baseline and last BCVA were 0,5 (0,16-0,18) and 0,67 (0,2-1,0) respectively (p < 0,001). Mean folow-up time was 5,8 (1-16) months. The procedure was also successful in two eyes, which where previously unsuccessfuly treated with ocriplasmin. One eye formed a macular hole. There were no other complication. Conclucion: Intravitreal injection of C3F8 is an effective, safe and inexpensive therapy of vitreomacular traction.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in patients aged 65 years and older in the United States. In the majority of cases, the loss of central vision is secondary to exudative changes and fibrovascular scarring following choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Prompt laser treatment is recommended [Asrani et al., 1996; Macular Photocoagulation Study Group, 1993; Schneider et al, 1998]. However, direct laser treatment to the entire subfoveal lesion is almost invariably associated with immediate loss of central vision. Loss of central vision may be due to direct damage to foveal photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium or from damage to the nerve fiber layer serving foveal function [Han et al., 1988].