Fungal keratitis is a challenging problem worldwide, and many obstacles remain to the effective prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of this vision-threatening condition. Recent research has highlighted progress in each of these facets of the clinical approach to keratomycosis. Increased awareness of contact lens-associated fungal keratitis has prompted regulators to pay greater attention to testing of contact lens solutions under realworld conditions. Related research has also delved into the mechanisms of fungal biofilm formation and related therapeutic targets. Advances in polymerase chain reaction methodologies promise to increase the rapidity and accuracy of diagnosis, thereby decreasing the delay in instituting appropriate therapy. Antifungal pharmacologic agents remain the first line of therapy, with the newer azole antifungal voriconazole being utilized in innovative ways, such as via intrastromal injection. Large prospective studies such as the Mycotic Ulcer Treatment Trial have helped delineate optimal treatment algorithms, and variations in surgical techniques and postoperative regimens continue to be refined. Natamycin may still be more effective than other recently utilized antifungals for the treatment of Fusarium infections, but treatment failure is still a concern. Post-keratoplasty immunosuppression may benefit from the use of topical calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, given their intrinsic antifungal properties. It can be argued that the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of fungal keratitis lag behind the state of the art for bacterial keratitis, but dramatic improvements are undoubtedly on the horizon.
Operative repair of orbital fractures utilizes implants constructed of a plethora of materials that vary in cost. Surgeon preference as well as fracture complexity may dictate the implant chosen. In this study, we retrospectively compared the complication rates of the four most common types of implants utilized at our institution. We found no significant difference in complication rates in our sample of 88 patients. Additionally, the least expensive implant was as effective as the most expensive implant in addressing isolated orbital blowout fractures. This situation is not unique to the field of oculoplastics. As evidenced from published literature in other areas of surgery, from orthopaedics to orthodontics, cheaper alternatives often afford similar outcomes as more expensive options. We herein argue that a cost-effective approach should be considered while still allowing for high quality of care, in the face of rising health care costs and health disparities in America.
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