PTC Revisited

A 25-year-old woman presented for evaluation reporting daily, recurrent, predominantly left-sided headaches that had been worsening over the past two years. She indicated that the headaches interfered with her ability to work and were associated with blurry vision and eye pain. The patient denied any diplopia, motor or cognitive issues, but did report a “fluttering” sound that was more noticeable in her left ear. She also recalled that she had suffered transient visual “blackouts” since her teen years. Keep reading to find out her diagnosis. 

The Gene Genie

A 57-year-old female presented for evaluation of possible diabetic retinopathy. She has had poorly controlled diabetes for 12 years and currently is on Januvia (sitagliptin, Merck) and insulin. Her hemoglobin A1c was 9.0 a month earlier. She reported that the vision in her right eye has been poor for more than 10 years, but sees well out of her left eye.

Don’t Berry this Clinical Finding

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited, multisystem disorder characterized by hamartomatous growths that can occur in virtually any organ or tissue. Ophthalmic features associated with TSC can be divided into retinal and non-retinal. This case highlights a classic presentation of posterior segment findings in a young patient with TSC.

Managing Dry Eye for the Long Haul

When we think of conditions that require long-term management, diabetes, hypertension and glaucoma often come to mind. Like these chronic conditions, dry eye disease (DED) also requires both ongoing management for lasting positive outcomes and an awareness that success lies in the long-term collaboration of the practitioner and patient. Ultimately, successful DED management necessitates a shift in perspective of the doctor and patient from short-term treatment goals that result in temporary relief to a comprehensive chronic care plan for a more permanent resolution. Armed with the right strategies and approaches, clinicians can give their dry eye patients a lifetime of relief.