Welcome to the second issue of Clinical Insights in Eyecare. This issue includes three interesting case reports, and I think you’ll find the take-home points at the end of each case report valuable. The case report featured on the cover describes a novel stabilizing procedure for keratoconus using allogenic ring segments of donor corneal stromal tissue.
Another case report highlights the need to consider septal wall defects, especially in younger patients with cryptogenic strokes, following acute retinal ischemia. Retinal artery occlusions are essentially a stroke of the eye and require an emergent appropriate workup that should include neuroimaging and evaluation for inflammatory and hypercoagulable states to uncover the cause of the occlusion. A patent foramen ovale defect may provide the underlying cause for an unexplained case of ocular ischemia.
Our third case report discusses ocular and systemic adverse effects with use of topiramate. Topiramate is used for many different reasons and can cause adverse effects. This report points out potentially serious, though uncommon, visual disturbances associated with its use.
Point-Counterpoints included in each issue will feature a provocative question from one of the Academy’s Sections or Special Interest Groups and will delve into how we might best approach it. The crossfire format should prove interesting because there is often more than one way to treat or manage a condition.
This month’s Point-Counterpoint, presented by the Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry Section, will examine prescribing patterns (or not to prescribe) for mild to moderate hyperopia. Both responses are exceptional. We thank Drs. Maureen Plaumann and Gayathri Srinivasan for their well-researched and complete discussions.
The journal scans from other publications for this month’s issue are chock full of valuable pearls on several pertinent topics that should help us provide better care for our patients.
Please feel free to send us any comments related to any of the features in this issue; we’re always happy to consider suggestions that might make our new journal more meaningful to clinical practice. If you have considered sending us a case report, start the process now. We look forward to hearing from you!
Joseph P. Shovlin, OD, FAAO
Editor-in-Chief
Raman Bhakhri, OD, FAAO
Associate Editor