Pediatrics Strabismus News

MIAMI — New drugs for strabismus may replace incisional surgery, a presenter here said.

Punctal plugs offer an alternative to topical lubrication in treating dry eye syndrome in children, a study found.

Progressive tilting of the optic nerve head showed a strong association with development and enlargement of parapapillary atrophy in children with a myopic shift, a study found.

The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for treatment of retinopathy of prematurity has been explored in recent years; however, experts differ on its use and caution that more long-term safety and efficacy data are needed.

Retinopathy of prematurity is an especially poignant topic for me. This past summer, a relative from Wisconsin, after a complicated pregnancy, gave birth to a baby at 22 weeks’ gestation. I had recommended they seek treatment at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and she and her baby received outstanding care. The neonatal intensive care unit saved the baby, and the department of ophthalmology managed the baby’s ROP. This event made me realize that every ophthalmologist is best informed about the current diagnosis and therapy of ROP, so that they can counsel patients and their families as needed. So, while I am far from an expert on this topic, I will share a few thoughts from my personal experience.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography showed no adverse effects on the macula resulting from manipulation of the inferior oblique muscle during standard weakening procedures, a study found.

Follow until full vascularization Michael F. Chiang I follow in­fants with ROP until they vascularize fully. Because of data showing that premature infants do have higher incidence of eye disease in child­hood, I’ll generally see these chil­dren every 6 to 12 months, at least until they can do good visual acu­ity testing in the office. Then I will often have them follow up with the pediatrician if there are no ocular concerns. So in practice, that usually means I follow them until age 3 to 5 years. In general, I find that it is fairly rare that I stop examining infants regularly, in other words every 2 weeks or even every week, before they reach full term.

WAILEA, Hawaii — Treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in pediatric patients is 99% successful, a speaker said here, assuming the children can be properly diagnosed and treated in time.

WAILEA, Hawaii — Several methods for successfully treating glaucoma in infants may translate well to the adult treatment world, according to a speaker here.

Two combination procedures were effective in correcting unilateral congenital superior oblique muscle palsy, a study found.