Ocular Complications of Facial Burns in the Pediatric Population.

Pediatric ocular burns carry a risk of permanent vision impairment. This study identifies risk factors that place these patients at high risk of permanent visual complications. A retrospective review was conducted in our academic urban pediatric burn center. All 300 patients under 18 years of age admitted from January 2010 to December 2020 with periorbital or ocular thermal injuries were included. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, burn characteristics, ophthalmology consultation, ocular exam findings, follow up time period, and early and late ocular complications. Etiologies of burn injuries were as follows: 112 (37.5%) scald, 80 (26.8%) flame, 35 (11.7%) contact, 31 (10.4%) chemical, 28 (9.4%) grease, and 13 (4.3%) friction. Overall, 207 (70.9%) patients with ocular burns received an ophthalmology consult. Of these patients, 61.5% had periorbital cutaneous burns and 39.8% had corneal injuries, and only 61 (29.5%) presented for a follow-up visit. Ultimately, six had serious ocular sequelae, including ectropion, entropion, symblepharon, and corneal decompensation. While thermal burns involving the ocular surface and eyelid margins are relatively infrequent overall, they carry a small risk of serious to long-term sequelae. Recognizing those at greatest risk, and initiating appropriate early intervention is critical.

Amantadine-induced bilateral corneal edema in a pediatric patient.

Amantadine was originally developed as an antiviral agent for influenza A. However, it also has off-label uses for Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, and in the management of extrapyramidal symptoms. The mechanism of action in these conditions has yet to be elucidated. Ocular side effects from systemic amantadine are rare but have been described in three previous reports of amantadine-associated corneal edema in the pediatric population. We present an additional case of amantadine-associated transient visual impairment in a patient, which was associated with significant regression and worsening of his underlying neurodevelopmental status.

Digital therapeutic improves visual acuity and encourages high adherence in amblyopic children in open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of amblyopia therapy can be limited by poor adherence. Dichoptic therapies are a new approach, but recent trials have demonstrated difficulty maintaining high adherence over extended periods of at-home treatment. We evaluated the efficacy and adherence of Luminopia One-a dichoptic treatment that applies therapeutic modifications to streaming content chosen by the patient. METHODS: This single-arm, multicenter prospective pilot study enrolled children aged 4-12 with anisometropic, strabismic, or mixed amblyopia at 10 pediatric ophthalmic and optometric practices across the United States. The therapeutic was prescribed for 1 hour/day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks of at-home use. The primary endpoint was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 12-week follow-up visit. RESULTS: In total, 90 participants (mean age, 6.7 ± 2.0 years) were enrolled, and 73/90 participants (81%) had prior treatment beyond refractive correction. For those who completed the 12-week visit, mean amblyopic eye BCVA improved from 0.50 logMAR to 0.35 logMAR (1.5 logMAR lines; 95% CI, 1.2-1.8 lines; P < 0.0001). Mean stereoacuity improved by 0.28 log arcsec (95% CI, 0.14-0.42 log arcsec; P < 0.0001). Median adherence was 86% (interquartile range, 70%-97%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, adherence over the 12-week study period was high, and participants demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in visual acuity and stereoacuity.

Ahmed Valve Tube Extension in Pediatric Glaucoma.

PRéCIS:: Ahmed valve tube extender showed good long-term outcomes for retracted tubes in pediatric glaucoma. The procedure is safe with limited complications. PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term outcomes of Ahmed valve tube extension in pediatric glaucoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the records of all children who underwent surgery involving extension of a pediatric Ahmed valve tube, treated at a tertiary medical center between 2007 and 2018. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure between 6 and 22 mm Hg and reduced by at least 20% from its preoperative value, with or without intraocular pressure lowering medications, without additional surgical procedures and without vision loss. RESULTS: Fourteen eyes of 11 children were treated with the Ahmed tube extender during the study period. Mean age of all children was 5.7±4.7 years (range, 3 mo to 16 y). The most common type of glaucoma was congenital glaucoma (n=6, 42.9%). The mean age at the time of initial valve implant was 2.39±3.89 years and the mean duration from initial insertion to the extension was 3.39±2.95 years. The mean follow-up was 72.8±43.3 months (range, 12 to 140 mo), with 85.7% followed for >2 years. The mean survival was 34.1±37.2 months after the extension. Three surgeries (21.4%) were primary failures, 8 patients (57.1%) failed during follow-up (mean, 40.6±44.4 mo after the extension; range, 1 to 125 mo), whereas 3 patients (21.4%) maintained the successful outcome until their last follow-up visit (mean, 37.7±24.1 mo; range, 12 to 70 mo). CONCLUSIONS: The Ahmed valve extender can often save a retracted or obstructed tube. The procedure has limited complications and long-term efficacy in one third of the patients.

Lipemia retinalis as the presenting sign of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus resulting in severe secondary hypertriglyceridemia.

We describe the clinical course of an 11-year-old girl diagnosed with lipemia retinalis as the presenting sign of diabetes mellitus type 1 with severe secondary hypertriglyceridemia. By performing serial multimodal imaging studies, we provide a comprehensive description of the clinical manifestations associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia to promote recognition of this rare clinical diagnosis.

The role of the random dot Stereo Butterfly test as an adjunct test for the detection of constant strabismus in vision screening.

BACKGROUND: A goal of vision screening is the detection of amblyopia risk factors, including strabismus. The random dot Stereo Butterfly test requires no instruction, has a simple pass/fail response with no monocular clues, and is easily administered. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this test could be used as a cost-effective and reliable component of preschool vision screening. METHODS: The Stereo Butterfly was presented to children with no previous history of ocular problems or treatment. The test was presented with the use of polarized glasses at a 16-inch testing distance. A "pass" was recorded if the patient reported seeing a butterfly; a "refer" was denoted otherwise. Vision and motility measurements were recorded, and the patient underwent a complete eye examination with cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: A total of 281 children 3 to 6 years of age were tested: 221 children passed the test. Of those who passed, 7 (3.2%) had intermittent strabismus, 1 had a small-angle constant strabismus, 60 failed screening for constant strabismus (of whom 24 [40%] had constant strabismus), and 6 were false-negative results. The sensitivity of the Stereo Butterfly for detecting constant strabismus was 96%; the specificity, 86%. CONCLUSIONS: The Stereo Butterfly test may be a valuable adjunctive tool in vision screening programs for the detection of manifest strabismus because it is easy to administer and effectively detects constant strabismus. It has a high specificity for detection of constant strabismus but, if used alone, the low positive predictive value would allow for many false-positive results.

Nasolacrimal outflow drainage anomalies in Down's syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe structural abnormalities of the lacrimal drainage system and outcomes after treatment for lacrimal outflow obstruction in children with Down's syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight eyes of 22 consecutive Down's syndrome patients who underwent surgical treatment for nasolacrimal drainage obstruction (mean age, 32 months) and 59 eyes of 44 non-Down's syndrome patients who underwent surgical treatment after 2 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Resolution of symptoms after surgery and presence of anatomic abnormalities of the lacrimal drainage system other than persistent Hasner's membrane. RESULTS: Among the Down's syndrome eyes, complete or partial resolution was noted in 34 (89%) of 38 eyes; 7 (18%) eyes underwent more than 1 procedure. Twenty-eight (74%) of 38 eyes had anatomic anomalies other than persistent Hasner's membrane; anomalies proximal to the nasolacrimal sac predominated. In comparison, 50 (85%) non-Down's syndrome eyes experienced complete or partial resolution, and 19 (32%) had anatomic abnormalities other than persistent Hasner's membrane; anomalies distal to the nasolacrimal sac predominated. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with older non-Down's syndrome patients, nasolacrimal outflow obstruction in Down's syndrome patients is more often complicated by anomalies of the lacrimal drainage system proximal to the lacrimal sac. Despite this, surgery can be similarly successful. Awareness of the possible peculiarities of lacrimal outflow obstruction in Down's syndrome patients may allow better selection and use of available treatment options.

Association of candidemia and retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight infants.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the presence of candidemia in infants is associated with an increased incidence of threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). DESIGN: Retrospective, case-controlled study. PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS: Forty-six infants admitted to the Texas Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1989 and 1999 with a birth weight 1500 g or less, estimated gestational age (EGA) 28 weeks or less, and in whom candidemia developed were matched to a control group of 46 infants based on corresponding birth weight, EGA, and year of birth. METHODS: Records of each infant were reviewed to determine the presence and severity of ROP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Development of threshold ROP, including retinal detachment. RESULTS: Forty-three infants (93.5%) with candidemia and 39 (84.8%) without candidemia had ROP. Twenty-four infants (52.2%) with candidemia reached threshold and required surgical intervention, compared with 11 infants (23.9%) without candidemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-32.1; P = 0.008). Retinal detachment developed in 10 of 24 candidemic infants (41.7%) who reached threshold ROP, compared with 2 of 11 infants (18.2%) without candidemia (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 0.73-26.9; P = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemia is associated with increased risk of threshold ROP. Infants with Candida sepsis should be monitored closely for the development of ROP and progression after treatment.