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Macular edema is the final common pathway of many intraocular and systemic insults. It may develop in a diffuse pattern where the macula appears generally thickened or it may acquire the characteristic petaloid appearance referred to as cystoid macular edema. Although macular edema may be associated with protean underlying conditions, it is most commonly seen following intraocular surgery, venous occlusive disease, diabetic retinopathy, and posterior segment inflammatory disease. As well as clinical suspicion, a wide range of investigations may lead to the diagnosis of macular edema. Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography provide enhanced visualization of the geometry and distribution of macular edema. A variety of approaches to the treatment of macular edema have been attempted, with a variable degree of success. These options have included topical and systemic steroids, topical and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and laser photocoagulation treatment. More recently other therapeutic modalities, including immunomodulators, intravitreal injection of triamcinolone, and pars plana vitrectomy have also been employed. Clinical trials are currently looking into the use of a steroid slow-release intravitreal device for the management of macular edema secondary to uveitis and diabetes. This article reviews the clinical entity of macular edema focusing on the current therapeutic strategies for its management.

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Raised intraocular pressure (IOP) still holds pride of place as the principal risk factor for developing glaucoma. The detrimental effects of chronically elevated IOP on the optic disc are well known. However, the clinical significance of acutely raised IOP is less certain. Transient acute elevations of intraocular pressure (IOP spikes) occur following many surgical and laser procedures. Cataract extraction, glaucoma surgery, pars plana vitrectomy with fluid air exchange, Nd-YAG capsulotomy, or peripheral iridotomy, and laser trabeculoplasty all have been reported to be associated with variable IOP spikes in the early postoperative period. There is considerable diversity of opinion concerning how these IOP spikes should best be managed. We have reviewed the nature and quality of the available experimental and clinical data relating to IOP spikes and we offer some broad, general guidelines for their clinical management.

Purpose To investigate the role of vitrectomy without prone posturing in the anatomic and functional outcome of macular hole surgery (MHS). Methods Forty-one consecutive eyes of 41 patients with stage II-IV full-thickness macular holes underwent pars plana vitrectomy and 16% C3F8 tamponade. In 25 cases posturing group (P), subjects were instructed to assume prone positioning for 10 days postoperatively, whereas in 16 cases nonposturing group (NP) patients were advised to avoid lying supine but no other posturing instructions were given. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were collected, with macular hole closure rate and change in LogMAR visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, metamorphopsia, and 25-Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25) being the primary outcome measures. Results Over a mean follow-up of 4.271.2 months, anatomical hole closure was noted in 22/25 (88%) and 14/16 (87.5%) in groups P and NP respectively. Visual acuity improved by a mean of eight letters and there was no significant difference in the two groups (P ¼ 0.724). Similarly, postoperative prone posturing did not have an effect on the final contrast sensitivity, metamorphopsia, and VFQ-25 composite scores (P ¼ 0.238, P ¼ 0.472, and P ¼ 0.87, respectively). However, eyes in group NP developed significantly more severe cataract in the early postoperative period (P ¼ 0.02). Conclusions Prone posturing following MHS provides no functional or anatomic benefit but it is associated with slower progression of cataract. Combined phacovitrectomy without face down positioning may be considered for all phakic patients undergoing MHS.

IntroductionBreast cancer is the most common malignancy in women (Office of National Statistics 2002). As ophthalmic manifestations are common, the astute ophthalmologist can instigate the search for primary disease when the first presentation is ophthalmic in nature, or, alternatively, play an important role in detecting the metastatic spread of a known primary. Breast cancer accounts for 29% of new malignancies in women in the UK and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide.The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the ophthalmic manifestations of breast cancer. The subjects covered include the presenting features of metastatic disease involving the visual systems, treatment modalities and strategies currently available, and the ocular effects and complications of treatment. EpidemiologyIncidence rates of breast cancer have increased over the last decade, rising from 90 to 130 per 100 000 population (1988 versus 1998) (Office of National Statistics 2002). In contrast, mortality rates have remained relatively stable since the 1950s. This increase in the incidence of breast cancer is attributed to more effective screening programmes, although a change in the demographics of developed countries and an increasing elderly population may contribute to the growing incidence. Geographical variations exist in breast cancer incidence rates, with higher rates in Europe, North America and Oceania and lower rates in Asia and Africa (Sasco 2001). Doctors practising in the western world should be familiar with the disease.Male breast cancer is rare. The incidence is 0.8-1.5 cases per 100 000 male population, accounting for 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses (Office of National Statistics 2002; Hodgson et al. 2004). The highest incidence occurs in men aged over 70 years (Kidmas et al. 2005). In families with hereditary breast cancer, younger males may be affected. The BRCA2 gene is often implicated in these cases (Lorenzo Bermejo & Hemminki 2005).Ocular manifestations of male breast cancer can occur and this differential diagnosis should not be overlooked (O'Brien et al. 2000;Silvestris et al. 2003;Dieing et al. 2004). Ophthalmic metastases in breast cancerMetastatic disease to the eye from the breast was first described by Johann ABSTRACT.Context: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, with increasing incidence in Europe and North America. The frequency of involvement of the eye and visual pathways is reported to be as high as 30% in patients with known metastatic disease. In some cases, ophthalmic involvement can be the first sign of metastatic spread. Metastasis occurs via the haematogenous route and predominantly involves the choroid. Metastases to other ocular structures, the orbit and the visual pathways have also been described. Paraneoplastic effects are rare but significant. Treatments: Different modalities are employed in the treatment of breast cancer and its metastases. These include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The ocular adverse effects of these have been well described,...

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