Photodynamic therapy combined with injection of intravitreal bevacizumab tends to be more effective compared to PDT monotherapy by reducing the post-PDT increase of vascular growth and inflammatory factors. Our short-term results are very promising. Further studies are necessary to show the long-term effect of PDT and anti-VEGF combination therapy.

Photodynamic therapy combined with injection of intravitreal ranibizumab was well tolerated and is effective. We found a stabilisation of VA in 96% of patients. Our short-term results are very promising. Further studies are necessary to show the long-term effect of the PDT and anti-VEGF combination therapy.

Intravitreal therapy with bevacizumab was safe and well tolerated. It is a therapeutic option in treating occult choroidal neovascularisations and minimal classic CNV. Six months after intravitreal administration of bevacizumab mean visual acuity was stabilised. Retinal thickness and leakage were more reduced after 1 month than after 3 and 6 months. According to our results, a monthly injection schedule could give more favourable results.

Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, otherwise known as Bactrim or Septra, is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for soft tissue infections. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a rare but serious adverse reaction to sulfonamide antibiotics like Bactrim/Septra. A 34-year-old active duty marine male with no significant past medical history presented with a chief complaint of a rash on his lower extremities. The patient stated that 2 weeks earlier, he was prescribed Bactrim for cellulitis at the site of a new tattoo. The intern noted a petechial rash that was pathognomonic for thrombocytopenia. Laboratory testing confirmed the patient’s thrombocytopenia with platelets of 2,000/μL on initial complete blood count, without pancytopenia or other coagulopathies. The blood smear indicated a profound lack of platelets but otherwise normal cell counts and morphology. In the emergency department, the patient was typed and crossed, platelets were ordered, and hematology–oncology was consulted. Once admitted to the internal medicine ward, he was administered glucocorticoids as well as platelet transfusions. He was monitored for 3 days and discharged with a diagnosis of resolved drug-induced thrombocytopenia. This case illustrates the importance of conducting a thorough review of systems and physical examination in stable and otherwise healthy patients. In this case, the seemingly benign rash was one of the only clinical signs of severe thrombocytopenia, with a high risk of spontaneous bleeding in clinically significant organ systems. It is important to recognize immune thrombocytopenic purpura as a potential complication of Bactrim/Septra, as this antibiotic is widely used by military providers in operational settings.

The DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 2, outlines the retention standards for the U.S. Military, providing guidance on medical conditions and treatments that are disqualifying for all branches of the military. This document states that patients with conditions requiring immunomodulating or immunosuppressant medications do not meet retention standards. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus that typically presents with dysphagia. Although proton pump inhibitors are effective at treating this disease in some cases, swallowed topical steroids are the most frequently used therapy within the DoD. These medications act locally in the esophagus and do not cause systemic side effects typical of oral steroid therapy, including immunosuppression. They are effective at inducing and maintaining disease remission and are generally well tolerated, with minimal side effects. We propose a brief amendment to this document to clarify the language used and avoid inappropriate Medical Evaluation Board referrals.