Survival of retinoblastoma is >90% in developed countries but there are significant differences with developing countries in stage at presentation, available treatment options, family compliance, and survival. In low‐income countries (LICs), children present with advanced disease, and the reasons are socioeconomic and cultural. In middle‐income countries (MICs), survival rates are better (>70%), but there is a high prevalence of microscopically disseminated extraocular disease. Programs for eye preservation have been developed, but toxicity‐related mortality is higher. Although effective treatment of microscopically extraocular disease improved the outcome, worldwide survival will be increased only by earlier diagnosis and better treatment adherence. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:341–348. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

BackgroundAmong ocular vector-borne pathogens, Onchocerca volvulus, the agent of the so-called “river blindness”, affects about 37 million people globally. Other Onchocerca spp. have been sporadically reported as zoonotic agents. Cases of canine onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca lupi are on the rise in the United States and Europe. Its zoonotic role has been suspected but only recently ascertained in a single case from Turkey. The present study provides further evidence on the occurrence of O. lupi infesting human eyes in two patients from Turkey (case 1) and Tunisia (case 2). The importance of obtaining a correct sample collection and preparation of nematodes infesting human eyes is highlighted.MethodsIn both cases the parasites were identified with morpho-anatomical characters at the gross examination, histological analysis and anatomical description and also molecularly in case 1.ResultsThe nematode from the first case was obviously O. lupi based on their morphology at the gross examination, histological analysis and anatomical description. In the second case, although the diagnostic cuticular characters were not completely developed, other features were congruent with the identification of O. lupi. Furthermore, the morphological identification was also molecularly confirmed in the Turkish case.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that O. lupi infestation is not an occasional finding but it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other zoonotic helminths causing eye infestation in humans (e.g., D. immitis and Dirofilaria repens). Both cases came from areas where no cases of canine onchocerciasis were previously reported in the literature, suggesting that an in depth appraisal of the infestation in canine populations is necessary. Physicians and ophthalmologists are advised on how to preserve nematode samples recovered surgically, to allow a definitive, correct etiological diagnosis.

Laser flare-cell photometry is a useful objective method in the quantitative assessment of intraocular inflammation in patients with Behçet uveitis. The use of this quantitative technique in clinical trials of Behçet uveitis may provide comparable data, as it gives an objective measure of intraocular inflammation. In clinical practice, it may reduce the need for fluorescein angiography because it seems to be especially useful in monitoring persistent retinal vascular leakage in patients who are clinically in remission.

Objective: To evaluate lid-wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) in contact lens users and in patients with symptoms characteristic of dry eye but with normal dry-eye tests and to compare the results with those of controls. Methods: One hundred fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study and were divided into three groups. The first group included 69 contact lens users, the second group included 46 patients with dry eye, and the third group included 40 controls. The contact lens users were also divided as symptomatic and asymptomatic according to the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness questionnaire and Ocular Surface Disease Index. The patients were examined for LWE with three different dyes (fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green). The results were compared using chi-square and T tests. Results: More LWEs were detected in the contact lens and dry-eye groups compared with controls. In the contact lens group, 67% of the symptomatic patients and 32% of the asymptomatic patients showed LWE. The difference was statistically significant (P ϭ 0.001). No significant correlation was found between LWE and the dry-eye tests (fluorescein breakup time and Schirmer test). Conclusions: LWE should be investigated in symptomatic contact lens users and in patients with symptoms characteristic of dry eye but with normal dry-eye tests. Lid wiper may traumatize the corneal epithelium and increase the sensitivity of the cornea. This could be the main cause of the symptoms in patients without any significant dry-eye test findings. P arsons 1 was the first to report that a portion of the marginal conjunctiva of the upper eyelid was in contact with the ocular surface. In 1965, Ehlers 2 pointed out the rubbing effect of a localized part of the upper eyelid on the bulbus oculi. In addition, Kessing 3 observed the contact of the upper eyelid with the ocular surface on the basis of radiologic findings.Lid-wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) is a recently defined entity that is correlated with dry-eye symptoms in contact lens users. 4 Korb et al. 4 reported that 80% of symptomatic contact lens wearers showed staining of the lid wiper, indicating LWE. This entity involves epitheliopathy of a portion of the marginal conjunctiva of the upper eyelid. This is called lid wiper because that aspect of the marginal conjunctiva of the upper eyelid wipes the ocular surface during eye blinking. 4 This region reaches horizontally from the upper punctum to the outer canthus. 4 LWE is an entity found in both contact lens users and individuals who have dry-eye symptoms and who have never worn contact lenses. 4 In a study by Korb et al., 5 LWE was investigated in patients with and without symptoms who had not used contact lenses during the previous 6 months, with normal fluorescein breakup time (FBUT) and Schirmer test values and an absence of fluorescein corneal staining. They found a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LWE between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Staining was observed in 76% of the symptomatic patients and 1...