AK was an uncommon cause of severe keratitis and was associated commonly with CL. Patients with late diagnosis had worse presenting and final VAs as well as a prolonged disease period, indicating need for early recognition and management.
We present the case of an 88-year-old female living in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia who developed vitamin A deficiency manifesting as ‘itchy eyes' due to a bizarre dietary habit. Slit lamp examination revealed Bitot's spots and a subsequent vitamin A serum level test revealed severe deficiency. An electroretinogram showed grossly reduced a- and b-wave amplitudes consistent with generalised rod and cone dysfunction - these parameters showed marked improvement 5 months post supplementation. This case highlights the presence of vitamin A deficiency in the developed world and that a careful dietary history should be taken when assessing a patient complaining of ‘itchy eyes'. Timely diagnosis and treatment may result in dramatic resolution of symptoms and signs as well as prevention of serious morbidity.
Current practice for intraocular lens (IOL) exchange is to cut the optic of the posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) prior to removing it. Great care must be taken during this maneuver to avoid a posterior capsular tear. Removing the haptics from the fibrosed capsule can also be hazardous, as it may result in zonular stress and dehiscence. A technique is described for performing foldable (one-piece acrylic) IOL removal without cutting the optic. Careful visco-dissection of the haptics with a low viscosity ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) in the fibrosed peripheral capsular tunnel avoids zonular or capsular stress. Internal wound enlargement permits foldable IOL removal in one piece, whilst preserving a self-sealing sutureless corneal wound. This technique may enhance the safety and efficacy of foldable IOL exchange.
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