Concordance between common dry eye diagnostic tests.

AIM: Large variations in results of diagnostic tests for mild to moderate dry eye are widely recognised. The purpose of this study was to assess if there was concordance between common dry eye diagnostic tests. METHODS: A total of 91 subjects were recruited to the study. The tear film and ocular surface were evaluated using the phenol red thread test (PRT), tear film break-up time (TBUT), biomicroscopic examination and impression cytological assessment of conjunctival goblet cells. Dry eye symptoms were assessed using McMonnies' dry eye questionnaire (MQ) and statistical correlations between all tests were assessed. RESULTS: This study cohort did not include severe aqueous deficient dry eye patients as determined by the PRT. A statistically significant difference was noted between PRT results and all other tests (p

Phakic intraocular lenses after scleral buckling for retinal detachment.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy and safety of angle-supported phakic intraocular lenses (PIOL) implanted after scleral buckling for retinal detachment. SETTING: Private practice in Siena, Italy. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative consecutive case series. Inclusion criteria for retrospective evaluation were previous uncomplicated external retinal detachment surgery (scleral buckling), and a complete follow-up superior to 3 years from PIOL implantation. RESULTS: Nine eyes of seven patients were included. Mean time interval between retinal detachment surgery and PIOL implantation was 3.2 years +/- 4.5 (range 1 to 15). Mean spherical equivalent (SE) before PIOL implantation was -16.36 D +/- 3.98; range: -11.75 to -23. PIOL surgery was uneventful in all cases. Mean SE after PIOL implantation was -0.99+/-0.51 (95% confidence interval for the mean: -0.59 to -1.39). Mean follow-up after PIOL implantation was 4.2 years +/- 0.8 (range 3 to 5). Complications were pupil ovalization (inferior to 1 mm) in two eyes, and worsening of floaters in both eyes of one patient. No recurrences of retinal detachment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In selected eyes with no anterior chamber abnormalities, the implantation of angle supported PIOL after scleral buckling for retinal detachment is associated with good refractive results and minor complications.

Bioptics by angle-supported phakic lenses and photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy and safety of the combination of angle-supported phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for the correction of myopia and astigmatism. METHODS: Prospective, non-randomized single-surgeon study on 48 patients (76 eyes) undergoing angle-supported phakic IOL implantation with surgical peripheral iridectomy, followed 2 to 3 months later by PRK to correct residual refractive error. Twenty-three patients (33 eyes) achieved good uncorrected visual acuity with IOL implantation alone and did not undergo PRK. Thus, the study was completed by 25 patients (43 eyes) with preoperative mean defocus equivalent (DEQ) of 15.73 D (SD 4.67 D) and mean astigmatism of -2.87 D (SD 1.39 D). RESULTS: Eight months after PRK, mean spherical equivalent was -0.08. Mean DEQ was 0.47 D (SD 0.37); 42/43 eyes (98%) were within +/-1 D of DEQ, and 33/43 eyes (77%) within +/-0.5 D. Mean uncorrected visual acuity was 0.7 (SD 1.9). Safety index was 1.25; efficacy index 1.11. Best-corrected visual acuity improvement (0.16) was statistically significant (95% CI: 1.1 to 2). Halos were moderate in 6/25 patients (24%); severe in 1/25 patients (4%). Endothelial cell density decreased by -6.6%. Pain after PRK was severe in 3/25 patients (12%) and moderate in 13/25 patients (52%). Complications were recurrent iridocyclitis in one eye, transient ocular hypertension in two eyes, and incomplete iridectomy in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Angle-supported phakic IOLs followed by adjustment by PRK offer good efficacy, predictability, and safety to manage large refractive myopic errors.

Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) without alcohol versus photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

PURPOSE: To evaluate epithelial healing and visual outcome after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) without alcohol de-epithelialization and to compare this technique to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in myopia. METHODS: In a series of 1953 patients undergoing bilateral myopic PRK, an epithelial flap could be obtained by manual de-epithelialization in the left eye of 56 patients without alcohol exposure. The right eye was treated by PRK and the left by LASEK (i.e., repositioning the viable flap after surface ablation). The two eyes were compared in terms of pain, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in decimals, correction achieved, and haze. The epithelial healing pattern was assessed in the LASEK eyes. RESULTS: The flap remained viable, showing a peripheral junction, in 25 eyes (45%). Pain was higher in the PRK eye in 11/56 patients (20%), higher in the LASEK eye in 23/56 patients (41%), and the same in both eyes in 22/56 patients (39%). UCVA at one week was slightly better in the LASEK eyes (median 0.7 versus 0.6, p = 0.002 with Wilcoxon test), but was the same in PRK and LASEK eyes after 1 month (median 0.9 in both). Median haze at 6 months was 0.5 in the PRK eyes and 0 in the LASEK eyes (Wilcoxon p = 0.007). Median postoperative defocus equivalent at 9 months was 0.5 diopters in both the PRK and the LASEK eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Although our study might have selected patients with loose epithelium, LASEK performed by manual de-epithelialization in the absence of alcohol exposure is not less painful than PRK, even in case of flap survival. Visual recovery speed, as well as haze, is slightly better than in PRK, although the difference is clinically negligible.

Localized orbital lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Localized orbital non Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rare event which has not been reported much in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, histology, treatment and clinical outcome of patients with localized orbital lymphoma. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen patients with stage I-E orbital lymphoma diagnosed between 1975 and 1992 were reviewed. Diagnosis was formulated from 3-84 (median 23) months after the appearance of symptoms. Eight patients were males and 7 were females; median age was 55 years. The lacrimal gland was involved in 8 cases, the orbit in 7. Bilateral orbital localization was observed in only one patient. All cases were diagnosed as low-grade MALT lymphoma. Chemotherapy was administered in 7 patients, radiotherapy was employed in 7 and surgical excision was performed in the remaining case. Almost all the patients (14/15; 93%) achieved a complete remission (CR). Local relapse (LR) was observed in 3 cases but disease spread was never recorded. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Correct histological diagnosis and careful staging are very important for the treatment and outcome of localized low-grade orbital lymphoma. These patients show a very good prognosis and radiation therapy alone is very effective in the treatment of this malignancy.

Clinical and radiological presentation of 95 orbital lymphoid tumors.

BACKGROUND: Although most orbital lymphoid tumors are characterized by a slow, painless onset and a mass that molds to orbital structures, different presentations may occur. Intensity on T2-weighted MRI is a possible means for differentiating lymphoid tumors (hyperintense) from pseudotumors (hypointense). In addition, it is generally assumed that 75% of orbital lymphomas are at stage I on presentation. METHODS: The clinical, CT, and MRI presentation of 95 primary and secondary orbital lymphoid tumors (63 non-Hodgkin lymphomas and 32 lymphoid hyperplasias) and their histological grade and staging were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry and PCR were used to determine clonality. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between non-Hodgkin lymphomas and lymphoid hyperplasias, except for the mean age of the patients (6.3 years older in non-Hodgkin lymphomas). In both groups the most common presentation was a mass with an indolent course; visual impairment was seen in 13%, conjunctival redness in 25%, pain in 12%, and acute orbital inflammation in 15% of the patients. In most cases, the CT showed one or more lobulated or rounded masses, molding to adjacent structures, or a wedge-shaped enlargement of the lacrimal gland. Intramuscular lymphomas were rare and always associated with extramuscular masses. On T2-weighted MRI, only 35% of lymphoid tumors were hyperintense. Only 49% of lymphomas were at stage I on presentation. CONCLUSION: An inflammatory presentation is not uncommon in orbital lymphoid tumors. Shape, molding and multiple masses can help radiological diagnosis, whereas MRI T2 intensity is unreliable. Accurate staging can disclose systemic disease in more than 50% of cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Prognosis of orbital lymphoid hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Orbital lymphoid hyperplasia can be associated with systemic non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), even when polyclonal proliferation is found in the orbit. Although irradiation is recommended, some orbital lymphoid hyperplasias are treated by steroids (when inflammation is clinically presumed) or left untreated. METHODS: The incidence of concurrent NHL and the incidence of future NHL after oral prednisone, radiotherapy, or no treatment were retrospectively evaluated in 33 cases of lymphoid hyperplasia (22 benign lymphoid hyperplasias, BLH, and 11 atypical lymphoid hyperplasias, ALH), after follow-up of 2-13 years. RESULTS: NHL occurred in 12 of 33 cases (36.4%). In seven patients it was concurrent; in five patients it occurred 2-6 years later. In the actuarial curve, at 5 years 55% of patients were free of lymphoma, at 10 years, 46%. NHL was more commonly observed when the lacrimal gland was involved (57% vs 21%; P = 0.03). Of the 13 patients treated with oral steroids, 46% had complete response, 39% partial response, and 15% future NHL. Of the seven irradiated patients, five (71%) had complete response, two (29%) partial response, and none future NHL. Of the eight untreated patients, five (63%) had partial response and three (37%) future NHL. Irradiated lacrimal gland BLHs only achieved partial response, one having radiation-induced orbital inflammation. CONCLUSION: Because of a high risk of NHL, in all orbital lymphoid tumors systemic staging and follow-up are mandatory. The advised management is irradiation, except for Sjögren syndrome, an initially inflammatory lacrimal gland BLH, where a course of steroid is suggested before considering radiotherapy.

Colobomatous ocular cyst excision with globe preservation.

Colobomatous ocular cyst is a rare malformation consisting of a cavity lined by neuroectodermic tissue and communicating with the vitreous cavity, generally associated with microphthalmos. The usual treatment for unsightly cases is enucleation and cyst excision, followed by prosthesis fitting. The authors treated a case of colobomatous ocular cyst associated with a mild microphthalmos by cyst excision and pedicle ligature, via a transconjunctival orbitotomy. The postoperative appearance was satisfactory. Pathology confirmed a thick fibrous wall with calcifications, lymphocytic infiltrates, and neurofilaments and internally lined by dysplastic retinal elements. A conservative approach is advised for colobomatous cysts associated with a globe almost normally in size, in order to avoid cosmetic complications associated with enucleation in childhood.

Primary and secondary orbital melanomas: a clinical and prognostic study.

The clinical, radiologic, and histologic features of 14 cases of orbital melanoma are reviewed. Two cases were presumed to be primary orbital melanomas because no primary pigmented lesion was found in the globe, conjunctiva, or skin. Five cases originated from a conjunctival melanoma, one case from an eyelid cutaneous melanoma, and the remaining six patients had extrascleral extension of a choroidal melanoma. Four patients at the time of first diagnosis already had extraorbital metastases (one patient with extrascleral extension of a choroidal melanoma also had a metastasis to the opposite orbit). The median time interval between diagnosis and metastasis was 14 months. Patients without metastatic disease received radical surgery (partial or total orbital exenteration, in addition to regional lymph node resection if indicated) or conservative treatment (tumor excision plus chemotherapy and interferon). Log-rank test showed an equally poor prognosis for both groups (median time to metastasis was, respectively, 19.5 and 8 months), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The authors' reconstructive techniques (dermis-fat grafting and transplantation of temporalis muscle) following partial- and total orbital exenteration are described.

MRI in Graves orbitopathy: recognition of enlarged muscles and prediction of steroid response.

The purpose of this study is to compare MRI to CT in the recognition of Graves orbitopathy and to compare MRI to clinical examination in the prediction of steroid response. Sixteen patients with dysthyroid orbitopathy (21 orbits) were examined by CT and MRI; muscle enlargement was measured by ultrasonography. Sensitivity in recognizing enlarged muscles was 85.4% for CT and 61.2% for MRI; CT recognized all affected orbits but 1, while MRI failed in 4 cases. Clinical inflammatory signs (p = 0.17) were more reliable predictors of steroid response than muscular T2 hyperintensity on MRI (p = 0.64). In a patient where histological examination documented edematous changes, MRI failed to reveal edema. MRI adds no morphologic information to CT; moreover, T2 intensity is less specific than clinical examination in documenting active disease and forecasting therapeutic outcome.

Imaging techniques in the diagnosis of lacrimal sac diverticulum.

Lacrimal sac diverticulum is a rare condition characterized by a cystic structure communicating with the sac. This abnormality may be directly demonstrated by dacryocystography only in a few cases; in the remaining cases, preoperative diagnosis may be arduous. We report 3 cases of lacrimal sac diverticulum. In all patients, symptoms were represented by a palpable mass in the lacrimal sac region, associated with permanent (case 1) or episodic (cases 2 and 3) epiphora. In the first case, CT-dacryocystography revealed an apparently solid mass causing inferior lacrimal obstruction, and ultrasonography disclosed a cystic space, not communicating with the sac. At surgery, a sac diverticulum was identified and excised. In the second patient, CT showed a homogeneous rounded mass, whereas a cystic character was revealed by T1-weighted MRI. Dacryocystography showed a lateral impression on the lateral wall of the sac. Ultrasonography revealed a cystic space communicating with the lacrimal sac. In the third case, ultrasonography demonstrated a diverticulum. CT is often unable to discriminate tumors from lacrimal cysts, both showing a parenchymal density. MRI can differentiate lacrimal cystic spaces from solid tumors by T1 intensity and by demonstration of their walls, but it is nonspecific for diverticula. Only dacryocystography and B-scan ultrasonography can reveal the narrow communication between the sac and the diverticulum. Observation is the recommended management for asymptomatic cases.

Diagnosis and treatment of orbital hemorrhagic lesions.

Orbital hemorrhagic lesions include a group of heterogeneous conditions that may be idiopathic or caused by trauma, surgery, or preexisting vascular tumors or malformations. We report clinical, computed tomographic, and magnetic resonance imaging features of eight cases of orbital hemorrhage (2 cystic lymphangiomas, 2 subperiosteal hematomas, 1 traumatic hematoma, 1 hemorrhagic varix, 1 cholesterol granuloma, and 1 postsurgical hemosiderin deposit). The differential diagnosis of orbital hemorrhagic lesions may be difficult because of their relative rarity and nonspecific presentation. In particular, on computed tomography, cholesterol granulomas may simulate a lacrimal gland epithelial tumor and subperiosteal hematomas, a lymphoid tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging is an ideal imaging technique because of its ability to identify blood and blood products in all stages of degradation. Treatment can be limited to observation in varices, lymphangiomas, and trauma if vision is not threatened; otherwise, surgical blood drainage should be attempted. Cholesterol granulomas are best treated by curettage through an extraperiosteal orbitotomy. For subperiosteal acute or subacute hemorrhages, surgical drainage is recommended if the blood is not spontaneously reabsorbed within a few weeks.

Epithelial malignancies of the lacrimal gland: survival rates after extensive and conservative therapy.

We reviewed 96 cases of lacrimal gland tumors; 20 patients had epithelial malignancies (11 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 7 carcinomas in pleiomorphic adenomas, 1 mucoepidermoid tumor, 1 adenocarcinoma, and 1 carcinoma in an epidermoid cyst). Classic computed tomographic scan changes associated with lacrimal gland malignancies were found in only 55% of cases. The median survival was 6.75 years in the seven patients treated with extensive surgery (orbital exenteration, possibly associated with osseous resections) and nine years in the 12 cases treated with eye-saving procedures (tumor excision, possibly followed by radiotherapy). Our data demonstrated that extensive surgery for lacrimal gland malignancies does not improve survival. Therefore, a therapeutic protocol is suggested, in which all suspected epithelial tumors (discriminated from inflammatory and lymphoid lesions by computed tomographic scan findings) undergo dacryoadenectomy, without a previous biopsy. Subsequently, in the case of carcinomas, the choice between extensive and eye-saving procedures is based on the extent and aggressiveness of the tumor and clinical findings.

Cosmetic possibilities and problems in eyelid neurofibromas.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an inherited systemic disease with frequent ocular involvement. A typical alteration observed in NF1 is the eyelid plexiform neurofibroma, often associated with facial homolateral hypertrophy. In such cases, surgical cosmetic results are rather unsatisfactory, since plexiform neurofibromas classically show a non-capsulated mass, with a marked tendency to local recurrence. The techniques for a cosmetic attempt are discussed on the basis of a personal series of eyelid reconstructions in NF1. The results can be considered satisfactory in some cases, when the orbital shape is preserved and the eyelid structure has not been excessively altered by the neurofibroma; in all other cases, the cosmetic outcome is inferior to the patient's and parents' expectations. The serious problem of recurrence is however a limitation to cosmetic surgery in eyelid neurofibromas.

Identification of monoclonal B-cell populations in lymphoid infiltrates of lacrimal gland by rapid cycle polymerase chain-reaction.

Lymphoid hyperplasia of lacrimal gland may be difficult to be differentiated from lymphomas on the basis of morphology and immunohistochemistry. The results of this study indicate that polymerase chain reaction should be employed for confirming the diagnosis of lymphoma in cases with histological and immunophenotypical characteristics of lymphomas, and for detecting monoclonal lymphoid cells in an otherwise non-lymphomatous but dubious or borderline morphological context.