Clinical features and treatment outcomes of intraocular and ocular adnexal metastasis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the primary sites, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of patients with metastatic tumors in the eye and ocular adnexa. This retrospective case series consisted of 42 patients diagnosed with intraocular metastasis (IM) or ocular adnexal metastasis (OAM) at a tertiary center between January 2001 and June 2023. The patients comprised 18 men and 24 women; 24 (57%) and 18 (43%) patients were diagnosed with IM and OAM, respectively. In the IM group, the primary tumors originated from the lungs (79%), followed by the breasts (17%). In the OAM group, the primary tumors originated from the breasts (33%). Previously, 57% of the patients had been diagnosed with cancer. In the IM group, 38% exhibited bilateral involvement. Only 6% of the patients with OAM had bilateral diseases. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) was 42%, 18%, and 7%, respectively. The median OS since metastasis diagnosis in the lungs and breast was 11.8 and 10.5 months, respectively. Lung cancer remains the predominant primary cancer in IM, whereas breast cancer is the major cancer in OAM. Despite poor OS, early detection will facilitate the prompt treatment of primary cancer and metastatic sites.

Factors affecting anophthalmic socket reconstruction outcomes using autologous oral mucosal graft.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have reported surgical outcomes that are defined by strict criteria following grade 2 or 3 socket reconstruction using an oral mucosal graft (OMG). We aimed to determine factors influencing surgical outcomes of anophthalmic socket reconstruction using OMG in patients with grade 2 or 3 socket contractures. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients who underwent socket reconstruction with autologous OMG between January 2007 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The successful outcome was defined as an eye prosthesis wearing without experiencing displacement and the absence of any re-operations or additional surgeries following socket reconstruction. Factors affecting surgical outcomes were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 15 male and 22 female patients (mean age: 40.2 ± 17.2 years) were included. The median duration of socket contracture was 21.5 years. Grade 2 and 3 socket contractures, based on Tawfik's classification, were reported in 20 and 17 patients, respectively. Twenty-eight and eight patients underwent socket reconstruction using OMG alone and OMG combined with a hard palate graft, respectively. The success rates of grades 2 and 3 socket contracture reconstruction were 80.0% and 52.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only grade 3 contractures were predictive of worse outcomes. At the final visit (mean follow-up: 6.3 years), 34 patients (91.9%) could wear their eye prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: Socket reconstruction using autologous OMG can provide acceptable results in grade 2 and 3 contractures; however, satisfactory results were more significantly reported in grade 2 than in grade 3 contractures.

Clinical characteristics, radiologic features, and histopathology of biopsied lacrimal gland tumors.

Herein, we described the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of biopsied lacrimal gland tumors. A retrospective case series of 79 patients treated between 2004 and 2021 was reviewed. The median age was 48.9 years (range 18.3-88.3 years), with 51.9% females. The histopathologic diagnoses were as follows: immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) = 23, reactive lymphoid hyperplasia = 14, lymphoma = 14, nonspecific inflammation = 10, adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) = 9, and pleomorphic adenoma = 9. The proportion of histopathologic diagnoses did not differ significantly over the range of symptom durations (≤ 1 month, > 1-3 months, > 3 months). Patients with ACC had significantly shorter symptom duration and more frequent proptosis than those with pleomorphic adenoma (p = 0.040 and p = 0.009, respectively). Patients with IgG4-RD were older (median 54.3 years) than those with nonspecific inflammation (36.2 years; p = 0.046). Patients with ACC were more likely to present with diplopia than those with lymphoma (p < 0.001). The superior wedge sign increased the likelihood of ACC compared with that of non-epithelial non-malignant lacrimal gland tumors (relative risk ratio = 13.44, p = 0.002). The overall survival of patients with ACC and lymphoma did not differ significantly. Although these patients present with a short symptom duration, urgent orbital imaging, tissue biopsy, and prompt treatment should be performed in patients with lacrimal gland tumors.

Cost-effectiveness of virtual reality and wet laboratory cataract surgery simulation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of phacoemulsification simulation training in virtual reality simulator and wet laboratory on operating theater performance. METHODS: Residents were randomized to a combination of virtual reality and wet laboratory phacoemulsification or wet laboratory phacoemulsification. A reference control group consisted of trainees who had wet laboratory training without phacoemulsification. All trainees were assessed on operating theater performance in 3 sequential cataract patients. International Council of Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric-phacoemulsification (ICO OSCAR phaco) scores by 2 masked independent graders and cost data were used to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A decision model was constructed to indicate the most cost-effective simulation training strategy based on the willingness to pay (WTP) per ICO OSCAR phaco score gained. RESULTS: Twenty-two trainees who performed phacoemulsification in 66 patients were analyzed. Trainees who had additional virtual reality simulation achieved higher mean ICO OSCAR phaco scores compared with trainees who had wet laboratory phacoemulsification and control (49.5 ± standard deviation [SD] 9.8 vs 39.0 ± 15.8 vs 32.5 ± 12.1, P < .001). Compared with the control group, ICER per ICO OSCAR phaco of wet laboratory phacoemulsification was $13,473 for capital cost and $2209 for recurring cost. Compared with wet laboratory phacoemulsification, ICER per ICO OSCAR phaco of additional virtual reality simulator training was US $23,778 for capital cost and $1879 for recurring cost. The threshold WTP values per ICO OSCAR phaco score for combined virtual reality simulator and wet laboratory phacoemulsification to be most cost-effective was $22,500 for capital cost and $1850 for recurring cost. CONCLUSIONS: Combining virtual reality simulator with wet laboratory phacoemulsification training is effective for skills transfer in the operating theater. Despite of the high capital cost of virtual reality simulator, its relatively low recurring cost is more favorable toward cost-effectiveness.

Risk factors for globe removal after open-globe injury in agricultural regions.

This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors for globe removal among patients with open-globe injuries (OGIs) in agricultural regions. A retrospective chart review of patients with OGIs was performed between January 2010 and December 2019. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the factors associated with globe removal in OGI. This study included 422 patients (422 eyes). The highest prevalence of OGI was observed in the middle age group (> 20 to 40 years). The most common cause of OGIs was agriculture-related injury (54.7%), followed by industry or workplace-related injury (20.4%), and assault (5.0%). Intraocular foreign bodies, endophthalmitis, and panophthalmitis were reported in 57.6%, 28.4%, and 5.7% of cases, respectively. Eight eviscerations and 43 enucleations were performed, accounting for 12.1% of OGIs. The most common indication for globe removal was panophthalmitis. Multivariable analysis revealed that the predictive factors significantly associated with globe removal were assault injuries (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.53; p = 0.026), presenting logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity (aOR = 311.79; p < 0.001), and endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis (aOR = 3.58 and 734.94, respectively; p < 0.001). This knowledge would aid in patient counseling and encourage health promotion.

Outcomes of evisceration or enucleation by resident trainees in patients with recalcitrant endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis.

To evaluate the surgical outcomes and complications of evisceration or enucleation with primary implantation, performed by ophthalmology resident trainees, in regards to patients with recalcitrant endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis. We also compared the surgical outcomes and complications between resident trainees and experienced staff. In this retrospective analysis, the clinical records of all patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis who underwent enucleation or evisceration with primary implantation over a 13-year period were reviewed. The factors predicting implant exposure or extrusion in regards to patients who underwent eye removal by trainees were identified using multivariate analysis. The percentages of successful prosthesis fittings and complications were also reported. Sixty-six patient records, median age of 46.8 years, who underwent eye removal by resident trainees were reviewed. Thirty-six (55%) out of 66 patients were diagnosed with panophthalmitis. Four patients (6%) had implant exposure, and 4 patients (6%) had implant extrusion. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection (P = .02, adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 33.75) and not receiving intravitreal antimicrobial drugs before the eye removal procedure (P = .02, aOR = 30.11) were associated with implant exposure or extrusion. Patients with panophthalmitis who underwent evisceration had a higher rate of implant exposure or extrusion than those who underwent enucleation (P = .03, aOR 38.38). At the last visit, 65 patients had a successful prosthesis fitting. Furthermore, there were similar rates of complications and successful prosthesis fittings between experienced staff and resident trainees. This study suggests that evisceration or enucleation with primary implant placement in patients with recalcitrant endophthalmitis or panophthalmitis can be performed by resident trainees with acceptable surgical outcomes and a low rate of serious complications.

IgG4-related disease in patients with idiopathic orbital inflammation.

BACKGROUND: To identify the prevalence of positive IgG4 immunostaining in orbital tissue among patients previously diagnosed with nongranulomatous idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI) and to compare the clinical characteristics of patients with and without IgG4-positive cells. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of IOI was performed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify IgG-positive cells and IgG4-positive cells. Multivariate analysis was performed using likelihood ratio-test logistic regression on the differences between IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and non-IgG4-RD. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients included, 21 patients (46.7%) had IgG4-positive cells, with 52.4% being male and a mean age of 55.9 ± 13.4 years. Bilateral ocular adnexal involvement (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 9.45; P = 0.016) and infraorbital nerve enlargement (aOR = 12.11; P = 0.008) were frequently found in IgG4-RD patients. Complete remission occurred in 23.8% of IgG4-RD patients and 41.7% of non-IgG4-RD patients. IgG4-RD patients had more frequent recurrent disease than non-IgG4-RD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 50% of IgG4-RD patients were previously diagnosed with biopsy-proven IOI. IgG4-RD was more frequent in patients with bilateral disease and infraorbital nerve enlargement, showing the importance of tissue biopsy in these patients. Immunohistochemistry studies of all histopathology slides showing nongranulomatous IOI are highly recommended to evaluate for IgG4-RD.

Predictors of surgical intervention and visual outcome in bacterial orbital cellulitis.

ABSTRACT: This study aims to identify predictive factors associated with surgical intervention and the visual outcome of orbital cellulitis and to evaluate the treatment outcomes.A retrospective study involving 66 patients (68 eyes; 64 unilateral and 2 bilateral) diagnosed with bacterial orbital cellulitis was conducted between November 2005 and May 2019.The mean (± standard deviation) age was 42.1 (± 25.8) years (range: 15 days-86 years). Sinusitis was the most frequent predisposing factor, occurring in 25 patients (37.9%), followed by skin infection in 10 patients (15.2%), and acute dacryocystitis in 9 patients (13.6%). Subperiosteal abscesses were found in 24 eyes and orbital abscesses in 19 eyes. Surgical drainage was performed in 31 eyes. Regarding the abscess volume for surgical drainage, a cut-off of 1514 mm3 showed 71% sensitivity and 80% specificity. There was significant improvement in visual acuity (VA) and decrease in proptosis after treatment (for both, P ≤ .001). Only pre-treatment VA ≤20/200 was a significant predictor for post-treatment VA of 20/50 or worse (adjusted odds ratio: 12.0, P = .003). The presence of a relative afferent pupillary defect was the main predictor of post-treatment VA of 20/200 or worse (adjusted odds ratio: 19.0, P = .003).The most common predisposing factor for orbital cellulitis in this study was sinusitis. VA and proptosis significantly improved after treatment. We found that the abscess volume was strongly predictive of surgical intervention. Pre-treatment poor VA and the presence of relative afferent pupillary defect can predict the worst visual outcome. Hence, early detection of optic nerve dysfunction and prompt treatment could improve the visual prognosis.

Efficacy of baby shampoo and commercial eyelid cleanser in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy between Johnson's baby shampoo top-to-toe (No More Tears formula) and OCuSOFT Lid Scrub Original Foaming Eyelid Cleanser (OSO) in patients with grade 2 meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: Sixty participants with grade 2 MGD were enrolled and analyzed based on intention to treat basis in a prospective, randomized, single-blind trial for eye scrub using either diluted baby shampoo or OSO. The data collection included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, compliance, and complications. The eye examinations were according to the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society at baseline and at post-treatment weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age of the 60 patients who presented with grade 2 MGD was 48.0 ±â€Š13.8 years and 75.0% were females. The OSDI scores of these participants between pre-treatment and post-treatment weeks 4 and 12 improved significantly in both groups (all P < .001). The mean (±SD) differences of the improvement of OSDI score from baseline were not statistically significantly different between the baby shampoo and OSO groups at post-treatment weeks 4 and 12 (P = .57 and P = .54, respectively). The compliance and complications were also not statistically significant between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid scrub using either baby shampoo or OSO and warm compresses could significantly reduce eye irritability and uncomfortable symptoms in grade 2 MGD patients. In this study, the efficacy, compliance, and complications between the 2 groups were not statistically significantly different.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Predictors Affecting Survival Outcome of Eyelid Malignancy.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathologic characteristics and evaluate the prognostic factors in eyelid malignancies. This was a retrospective, comparative, case series of 70 patients with eyelid malignancies. The mean age at diagnosis was 72.0 years (range 30.5-93.0 years) with 64.3% female. The 2 most common histologic types were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) followed by sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC). In total, 47.1% of the malignancies were located in the lower eyelid and the majority of tumor (T) category was T1. The authors assessed the disease-specific survival rates of 64 surgical patients using Kaplan Meier curves. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the predictors associated with disease-specific survival. Of the 64 surgical patients, 4 had regional nodal metastasis (2 SGC, 1 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], and 1 adenocarcinoma) and distant metastasis at diagnosis was in 3 patients (2 SGC and 1 malignant melanoma [MM]). Six patients died of disease during follow-up. The 5-year disease-specific survival in BCC, SCC, and SGC were 100%, 100%, and 64.8%, respectively. The predictive factors affecting worse disease-specific survival on multivariate models were T4 category (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 14.15, P = 0.022) and tumor recurrence (aHR 6.84, P = 0.045). In conclusion, BCC was the most common eyelid malignancy in southern Thailand followed by SGC. In this study, T4 category and tumor recurrence were the most important prognostic factors in eyelid malignancies.

Development and psychometric properties of the Thai Graves' ophthalmopathy quality of life (GO-QOL) questionnaire.

PURPOSE: To develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life (GO-QOL) questionnaire. BACKGROUND: Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is a chronic condition that causes negative self-image and impaired visual function. These conditions impact quality of life (QOL) but are rarely documented. Graves' Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life Questionnaire (GO-QOL) has good validity, reliability and responsiveness. In this study we developed a Thai GO-QOL questionnaire by translating the questionnaire from English to the Thai language and evaluated its reliability and validity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forward and backward translations were performed independently by four translators with extensive experience in both English and Thai. Seventy patients at the thyroid clinic responded to the Thai translated version upon their first visit and again 2-3 weeks afterwards. Validity was assessed by the content validity index (CVI) and correlation with relevant clinical parameters. Reliability was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha, the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: The Thai GO-QOL version showed high CVI (0.97) and a moderate negative correlation of the functional QOL score with disease severity (r = - 0.49), the clinical activity score (r = - 0.31), and exposure parameter (r = - 0.32). It showed good reliability with a high intraclass correlation coefficient (0.92) and high Cronbach' s coefficient (0.86). CONCLUSION: The Thai GO-QOL has good validity and reliability. It can be used to evaluate the quality of life of Graves' ophthalmopathy patients as a consequence of their disease in thyroid treatment programs.

Factors related to survival outcomes following orbital exenteration: a retrospective, comparative, case series.

BACKGROUND: Orbital exenteration is a disfiguring procedure that aims to achieve local control. It is commonly a part of the management of malignant orbital tumor which is a life-threatening condition. It is necessary to determine predictive factors associated with overall survival (OS) following orbital exenteration. METHODS: This was a retrospective, comparative, case series of 39 patients with malignant tumors who underwent orbital exenteration. Patient records were reviewed for age, clinical presentation, preoperative visual acuity (VA), tumor size, surgical margin, tumor invasiveness, recurrent disease, and status of distant metastasis. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess OS and event-free survival (EFS). The predictive factors related to OS were identified using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 62.9 years (range, 5.5 to 89.7 years), 68.4% presented with VA < 20/400. The mean size of all tumors was 32 ± 18 mm. Distant metastasis at diagnosis was reported in 11 patients (28.2%). Twenty-two patients died during follow-up. The median OS and EFS were 3.89 years and 3.01 years, respectively. The predictive factors for worse OS on multivariate analysis were preoperative VA < 20/400 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.67, P = 0.003), tumor size larger than 20 mm (aHR 3.14, P = 0.022,) and positive distant metastasis at diagnosis (aHR 15.31, P <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic factors for poor survival outcome following orbital exenteration were a preoperative VA < 20/400, tumor size > 20 mm, and distant metastasis at diagnosis mostly due to patient negligence.

Maximal levator resection in unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Surgical treatments for the correction of congenital ptosis with poor levator function, including frontalis suspension or maximal levator resection, remain controversial. We evaluated the postoperative surgical and cosmetic outcomes after maximal levator resection for unilateral congenital ptosis with poor levator function. METHODS: A retrospective, interventional case series was performed. A total of 243 patients with 243 eyelids (210 unilateral and 33 bilateral asymmetric ptosis) who underwent unilateral maximal levator resection were included. The surgical results were graded as excellent, good and poor and postoperative complications were documented. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 8.8±9.7 years (range, 2-58 years) with mean follow-up time of 40.9±38.9 months (range, 3 months to 18.9 years). Satisfactory results (excellent or good result) were obtained in 93.0% of the patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on levator function as follows: 0-2 mm (80 cases) and 2.5-4.0 mm (163 cases). Factors such as preoperative levator function, margin reflex distance-1 and levator dehiscence were not correlated with postoperative surgical outcomes. Complications included exposure keratopathy (11.1%), lid crease asymmetry (8.2%), entropion (8.2%), overcorrection (3.3%), eyelash ptosis (3.7%), temporal eyelid droop (3.3%), suture abscess (0.8%) and conjunctival prolapse (0.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Maximal levator resection is an effective procedure for congenital ptosis even in patients with poor levator function, which provides improved cosmesis, a more natural lid contour, and avoids brow scars.

Delayed onset porous polyethylene implant-related inflammation after orbital blowout fracture repair: four case reports.

BACKGROUND: Porous polyethylene implants are commonly used in orbital blowout fracture repair because of purported biocompatibility, durability, and low frequency of complications. Delayed inflammation related to porous polyethylene sheet implants is very rare and no case series of this condition have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: This is a retrospective review of clinical presentations, radiographic findings, histopathological findings, treatments, and outcomes of patients who developed delayed complications in orbital blowout fracture repair using porous polyethylene sheets. Four male patients were included with a mean age of 49 years (range 35-69 years). Blowout fracture repair was complicated with implant-related inflammation 10 months, 2 years, 3 years, and 8 years after surgery. Chronic and subacute orbital inflammatory signs were noted in two patients and acute fulminant orbital inflammation was found in two patients. Three patients developed peri-implant abscesses and one patient had a soft tissue mass around the implant. All patients underwent implant removal and two of these patients with paranasal sinusitis had sinus surgery. Histopathological findings revealed chronic inflammatory changes with fibrosis, and one patient had foreign body granuloma with culture positive Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed complications with porous polyethylene sheets used in orbital blowout fracture repair may occur many years following the initial surgery in immunocompetent patients. Low-grade or fulminant inflammation could complicate blowout fracture repair related with the implant.

Indications and results in anophthalmic socket reconstruction using dermis-fat graft.

OBJECTIVES: To present the indications for a dermis-fat graft in anophthalmic socket reconstruction and evaluate the results of this procedure. DESIGN: Retrospective review, interventional case series. METHODS: In our study, there were 41 patients who received either primary or secondary dermis-fat graft between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2012 at Songklanagarind Hospital. RESULTS: The type of dermis-fat graft used in our study consisted of both primary dermis-fat grafts (6/41) and secondary dermis-fat grafts (35/41). The major indications for dermis-fat graft were exposure (13/41), extrusion (11/41), and volume insufficiency with a shallow fornix (10/41), which accounted for 82.9% of the total cases. A total of 30 patients were able to wear the eye prosthesis over a mean follow-up time of 32.3±19.0 months. The success rate of the dermis-fat graft alone was 73.3%, while that of the simultaneous dermis-fat graft and mucous-membrane graft was 25%. CONCLUSION: The most common indications for a dermis-fat graft were extrusion and large exposure. Dermis-fat graft is an alternative implant type in complicated enucleation/evisceration patients, which has a good success rate.

Clinical presentation, treatment, and prognosis of periocular and orbital amyloidosis in a university-based referral center.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to present the demographic data, clinical presentation, and treatment options, and to evaluate prognosis, for periocular and orbital amyloidosis in patients at the Songklanagarind Hospital, Thailand. METHOD: This was a retrospective study that reviewed the clinical records of six patients who were diagnosed with periocular and orbital amyloidosis between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2011. RESULTS: The series included six patients (five female and one male). The mean age was 39.7 years (range 15-79 years). There were five cases of unilateral lesion and one case of bilateral lesion. The most common symptom was a mass lesion (83.3%), followed by irritation (66.7%), bloody tears (16.7%), epiphora (16.7%), eye pain (16.7%), and ptosis (16.7%). Five cases had periocular involvement and one case had orbital involvement. Five cases were investigated to rule out systemic amyloidosis, and no systemic involvement was found in these cases. The median duration of symptoms was 6 months, but the mean was 31 months. The main treatment option was surgical excision. The mean follow-up time was 41 months. There was disease progression in 20% of cases after definitive treatment. CONCLUSION: Periocular and orbital amyloidosis presented with a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the disease. A mass lesion was the most common symptom. The intent of the treatment modalities was to spare function.

Clinical presentation, aetiology and prognosis of orbital apex syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To present the clinical features, determine the causes and evaluate the prognosis of orbital apex syndrome in patients of Songklanagarind Hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients diagnosed with orbital apex syndrome between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2008. RESULTS: In our series, the major cause of orbital apex syndrome was carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, for which 30 patients were diagnosed. After excluding those patients whose condition was caused by carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, 50 patients (58 eyes) were analyzed. The mean age of the patients was 47.60 ± 18.88 years (27 male patients and 23 female patients). The most common presenting symptom was blurred vision (86%). The median duration of the presenting symptom was 37.5 d. Of the 50 patients the most frequent aetiology of orbital apex syndrome was neoplasia (48%), of which lymphoma was the most common in this group. After treatment, the vision of 19.4% of the patients improved and proptosis improved by 68.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The most common presenting symptom of orbital apex syndrome was blurred vision. The most frequent aetiology of orbital apex syndrome of all patients was carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, while the next most frequent was neoplasm, of which lymphoma was the most common in this group. Patients had a good outlook, after treatment directed at the cause, with a modest improvement in vision and exophthalmos in more than half of patients.