Snip and Squeeze: Canaliculitis

Although primary lacrimal canaliculitis accounts for only 2% to 4% of lid pathologies, it is important to recognize, as misdiagnosis may result in delayed treatment and worsening infection.

Topical and oral antibiotics, warm compresses and digital manipulation are common initial therapy, although the time between presentation and accurate diagnosis often leads to concretions deep within the canaliculus. Complete removal of the infection and any concretions requires surgical intervention.

Sherlock Holmes With a Lab Coat

Being an optometrist can feel a lot like being a detective. A patient presents with reduced vision—and it could be almost anything. Sleuthing out the underlying cause is often what makes our clinic experience so enjoyable and challenging. 

The importance of diagnosis is pervasive this month in our 9th Annual Retina Report and part two of our new series, Take Charge of Glaucoma. Here’s a preview.

Pressure Watcher

A 32-year-old African-American female presented to the office in January with complaints of fluctuating vision and blurriness in both eyes that tended to wax and wane. The symptoms started approximately two weeks earlier, and had a slightly progressive nature to the intensity and duration of the visual disturbances, prompting her urgent visit.

Prepping Your Diagnostic Toolbox

Today’s diagnostic technology is growing rapidly; not long ago, time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) revolutionized the way we looked at certain ocular conditions such as glaucoma. Now, affordable high-resolution spectral-domain OCT performs everything from retinal nerve fiber to ganglion cell analysis, and even non-contact pachymetry and anterior segment angle evaluation, depending on the instrument. Here’s a look at traditional and innovative glaucoma diagnostics and how to incorporate them into daily clinical practice.