Investigation of the safety and effectiveness of accelerated contact lens-assisted corneal cross-linking (A-CACXL) in thin corneas.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of accelerated contact lens-assisted corneal crosslinking (A-CACXL) as an alternative method in progressive keratoconus patients with thin corneas. METHODS: In our retrospective study, 31 eyes from 25 patients with progressive keratoconus that with a minimum corneal thickness of 400 µm or less after epithelial debridement underwent A-CACXL with a follow-up 6 months or more were included. The main outcome measures were uncorrected distance(UDVA) and corrected distance(CDVA) visual acuities, manifest sphere(D) and manifest cylinder(D) refraction values, K1(D), K2(D), Kmax(D), mean keratometry(D) values, minimum corneal thickness(µm) and endothelial cell count(cells/mm2). These outcome measurements were statistically analyzed at preoperative and postoperative 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months follow-ups. RESULTS: 31 eyes from 25 patients with the mean follow-up period of 7.7 ± 2.7 months were included. Data revealed a significant increase in CDVA(p = 0.053). There is no statistically significant change in UDVA, K1, mean keratometry, mean manifest sphere value, minimum corneal thickness and endothelial cell count .(respectively p:0.053, p: 0.333, p: 0,129, p:0.490, p: 0,467, p:0.035, p:0.102). There is a statistically significant decrease in the K2, Kmax and mean manifest cylinder values.(respectively p: 0,030, p < 0,001, p < 0,001). CONCLUSION: A-CACXL method is a safe and effective method to stop keratoconic progression and improve functional vision in patients with thin corneas. However, larger randomised controlled studies are needed to validate these findings.

Müller Muscle-Conjunctival Resection for Treatment of Contralateral Ptosis following Unilateral External Levator Advancement.

BACKGROUND: One of the main causes of unsatisfactory outcomes after unilateral blepharoptosis surgery is asymmetry of the upper eyelid height, which occurs as a result of a contralateral eyelid droop. Therefore, the authors evaluated the efficacy of Müller muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) for the treatment of contralateral ptosis following unilateral external levator advancement (ELA). METHODS: This study analyzed 26 eyelids of 26 patients with upper eyelid height asymmetry following unilateral ELA who underwent contralateral MMCR retrospectively. The phenylephrine test was performed before ELA and before MMCR. The main outcome measures were symmetry outcomes and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 55.81 ± 7.98 years (range, 44 to 70 years); 15 were female (57.7%). The Hering dependency was observed in 13 of the patients (50%) before ELA. An adequate response to phenylephrine was observed before MMCR but not before ELA. Symmetry outcomes after MMCR were perfect (<0.5 mm), good (≥0.5 mm and <1 mm), and fair (≥1 mm) in seven, 17, and two patients, respectively. An optimal upper eyelid height was noted in 47 of the 52 eyelids after the MMCR, whereas three of the 52 eyelids had minimal overcorrection, and two eyelids had undercorrection. The mean change in marginal reflex distance 1 of the contralateral eyelid droop was greater for patients with than without the Hering dependency ( P < 0.0001) after ELA but not after MMCR. Two patients (7.6%) underwent revision ELA surgery. CONCLUSION: MMCR and use of the phenylephrine test to predict the eyelid position may represent an alternative approach in patients who require management of contralateral ptosis following unilateral ELA. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Pupil responses in patients with COVID-19.

AIM: To compare pupillary responses in patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) during active infection and at 3rd months post-infection. METHODS: This study included 58 COVID-19 cases (mean age 47.23 ± 1.1 years). The scotopic, mesopic and photopic diameters were noted. Pupil diameters were noted at the 0, 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th seconds in reflex pupil dilation after the termination of a light. The average dilation speed was calculated at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th seconds. Pupil responses measured during COVID-19 infection and 3 months later were compared. RESULTS: The mean scotopic and mesopic pupil diameter value of during COVID-19 infection was found lower than the 3rd month post-infection. (p = 0.001, p = 0.023; respectively). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean photopic pupil diameter and the mean pupil diameter at 0 s between measurements (p > 0.05, p = 0.734; respectively). The mean pupil diameter was significantly lower during COVID-19 infection at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th seconds (p < 0.01, for each). The average dilation speed measurements at every second measured were lower in during COVID-19 infection than the 3rd months later (p = 0.001; p < 0.01 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Pupil responses were found significantly different in COVID-19 cases when compared with the measurements taken three months later.

Endothelial cell loss after accelerated corneal crosslinking using pachymetry-guided hypo-osmolar riboflavin dosing in thin keratoconic corneas.

PURPOSE: To report the intraoperative changes in corneal pachymetry, as well as the efficacy and safety of accelerated corneal crosslinking (A-CXL) treatment using only hypo-osmolar riboflavin (HO-RF) solution in progressive keratoconus patients with thin corneas. SETTING: University of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Thin keratoconic corneas (<400 m without epithelium) who had A-CXL (9 mW/cm2-10 minutes) with HO-RF solution application were enrolled in the study. Intraoperative corneal pachymetric changes and uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities (UDVA and CDVA), refraction power values, topographic values, and endothelial cell density (ECD) measurements were recorded preoperatively and at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month follow-up postoperatively. RESULTS: 31 eyes of 25 patients (mean age: 24.17 ± 3.07 years) included in this study. The mean thickness increased to 438 µm (P = .001) after the application of HO-RF solution, and it was reduced to 424 µm (P = .001) after ultraviolet irradiation. At all postoperative visits after month 1, there was a significant increase in both UDVA (P < .05) and CDVA (P < .01) values and a significant decrease in both maximum keratometry (P < .05) and ECD (P < .01) values. CONCLUSIONS: Accelerated CXL with only HO-RF solution application throughout the procedure in thin corneas was effective but seemed to result in a significant ECD decrease postoperatively.

Comparison of Nasoseptal Cartilage Graft Versus Titanium Mesh in Reconstruction of Pure Orbital Blowout Fractures.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of nasoseptal cartilage grafts versus titanium mesh implants in pure orbital blowout fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 48 patients who had surgical repair of an orbital fracture. Patients who underwent pure orbital blowout fracture repair with either nasoseptal cartilage grafts or titanium mesh implants and at least 1 year postoperative follow-up were included in the study. The clinical features and treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients fulfilled our study criteria and were included in the analyses. Nasoseptal graft was used in 12 patients (48%) while titanium mesh was preferred in 13 patients (52%). Preoperative clinical features including age, size of the floor defect, and preoperative clinical findings (enophthalmos, diplopia, and restriction of ocular motility) were similar between 2 groups. Mean postoperative follow-up was 14.7 ±â€Š2.3 months in the nasoseptal group while it was 16.1 ±â€Š2.5 months in the titanium group (P = 0.84). Diplopia and ocular motility limitation were resolved in all patients at the last postoperative follow-up visit, while 1 patient in each group had enophthalmos (8.3% versus 7.6%, P = 1.0). No patient in the nasoseptal group experienced postoperative complications while 2 patients in the titanium group (15.3%) developed material-related complications (P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term clinical results of nasoseptal cartilage grafts and titanium mesh implants in pure orbital blowout fractures with preoperative floor defects smaller than 4 cm2 were comparable. Nasoseptal cartilage grafts may be preferred in patients with septal deviation and no spurs or turbinate hypertrophy.

Efficacy of Bandage Contact Lenses versus Eye Patching in Early Postoperative Period of Müller's Muscle-Conjunctival Resection.

PURPOSE: Patients with blepharoptosis who are treated with Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) may experience postoperative pain and discomfort related to the suture material on the palpebral conjunctiva. This study aims to compare the postoperative subjective complaints, such as pain and discomfort, with a visual analog scale (VAS), and objectively evaluate the cornea with a tear break-up time (TBUT) test and fluorescein staining following MMCR that was managed by either a bandage contact lens (BCL) or eye patching. METHODS: Forty patients who had undergone a unilateral MMCR were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 20) received a BCL, and group 2 (n = 20) received an eye patch following the MMCR. Patients were evaluated postoperatively at 1 and 7 days in this prospective study. The postoperative pain was measured using a VAS, and the requirement for anti-inflammatory medication was analyzed. A slit-lamp examination was performed to evaluate the cornea with a TBUT test and fluorescein staining by objectively using the National Eye Institute (NEI) classification. RESULTS: BCL treatment decreased the VAS score, the need for anti-inflammatory medications, and fluorescein staining using the NEI score and increased the TBUT score significantly compared with the eye patch treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the use of a BCL may be beneficial in terms of reducing early postoperative pain and eye stinging, protecting the cornea, and retaining the ability to perform daily activities following a MMCR.

Treatment of ligneous conjunctivitis with fresh frozen plasm in twin babies.

Ligneous conjunctivitis is a rare form of chronic conjunctivitis. Mostly seen in childhood, it is characterized by the formation of fibrin-rich pseudomembranes in the tarsal conjunctiva. Plasminogen deficiency plays an important role in its etiology. There is no standart treatment protocol for managing this challenging condition, which can, with corneal involvement, lead to blindness. We present twin babies with ligneous conjunctivitis managed with fresh frozen plasma, topical heparin, and topical cyclosporine, without surgical excision of membranes.

Analysis of the quality, reliability, and popularity of information on strabismus on YouTube.

To evaluate the quality, reliability, and popularity of YouTube videos addressing strabismus. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, register-based study. A search was performed using the keywords "strabismus," "squint," "eye squint," and "crossed eye" on YouTube, and the first 50 videos for each keyword were analyzed. The video duration, time since upload, number of total views, view ratio were recorded. Video popularity was recorded using the video power index (VPI). Video educational quality and reliability were measured using the DISCERN questionnaire, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score, and Global Quality Score (GQS). All videos were also assigned publishers and categories. Among the 200 videos analyzed, 84 were included. The mean duration was 6.2 min, and the mean number of total views was 227,226. The mean VPI score was 189.6 ± 1093.5 (range, 0-11631). The mean DISCERN score, JAMA score, and GQS were 42.2 ± 15.3, 1.9 ± 1.2, and 2.7 ± 1.1, respectively. While the main video publishers were patients (32.1%) and ophthalmologists (28.5%), the main video categories were patient experience (35.7%) and patient information (26.1%). While the most popular videos were uploaded by a TV show/YouTube channel, the videos with the highest educational quality and reliability scores were uploaded by academic institutions. Although some videos contained sufficient information, most of the videos were rated as fair. YouTube users mostly preferred videos that were of low quality. Patients may be receiving biased information, and physicians should be aware of the type of information patients may be accessing on YouTube.

Comparison of different tendon transposition techniques for the treatment of monocular elevation deficiency type 2.

PURPOSE: To compare results of three different tendon transposition techniques (Knapp procedure and two modified techniques) for the treatment of type 2 monocular elevation deficiency (MED) patients. METHODS: The medical records of patients with MED type 2 operated on at a single institution from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into three vertical transposition groups: (1) full tendon width, (2) augmented surgery; and (3) partial tendon width. Surgical success was defined as no severe limitation of upgaze, hypotropia of <6Δ, and no hypertropia in primary position. Pre- and postoperative vertical deviations in the primary position and limitations in elevation levels were compared. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were included. The pre- and postoperative deviations in the full-tendon group were 22.50Δ ± 4.17Δ and 3.50Δ ± 1.27Δ, respectively; in the augmented surgery group, 23.75Δ ± 4.78Δ and 1.75Δ ± 1.14Δ; and in the partial-tendon group, 20.50Δ ± 3.98Δ and 4.12Δ ± 2.78Δ. Corrected vertical deviations were 19Δ, 23Δ, and 16Δ, respectively. The pre- and postoperative limitation of elevations were -2.80 and -0.80 in the full-tendon group, -3.20 and -0.90 in the augmented surgery group, and -2.37 and -1.12 in the partial-tendon group. The pre- and postoperative vertical deviation improvements and limitations of elevation were statistically significant (P < 0.05) in all groups. Success was achieved in 29 patients (74%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study cohort, all three procedures were reasonably effective in improving vertical deviations and limitation of elevation.

Intense pulse light therapy treatment for refractory dry eye disease due to meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of the intense pulse light (IPL) therapy for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and dry eye parameters. METHODS: Patients who underwent an IPL therapy for the treatment of MGD were included in this retrospective study. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores, the frequency of daily lubricant use, non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT), meibomian glad dropout scores, corneal staining scores, and Schirmer test results were collected from patient charts that recorded at baseline and follow-up visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months. For the analysis, patients were grouped based on the severity of their baseline meibomian gland dropout score as mild, moderate, and severe atrophy. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (mild atrophy = 22, moderate atrophy = 17, and severe atrophy = 4) were included for analysis. Except for the Schirmer test, all dry eye parameters significantly improved in patients with mild and moderate atrophy following the treatment and this effect lasted until the 12-month follow-up visit (p < 0.001). No significant improvement in any parameter was observed in patients with severe atrophy at any time point (p > 0.05). In the mild and moderate atrophy groups, OSDI scores, as well as NIBUT, started improving at 1 month (p < 0.01), while corneal staining and meibomian gland dropout scores showed earliest improvements at 3 months (p < 0.01). No adverse events were observed, except for temporary redness in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: The IPL treatment seems an effective and safe treatment for patients with MGD. This study shows that the IPL resulting in an earlier improvement in symptoms and signs with long-lasting beneficial effect on the meibomian glands.

Refraction under general anesthesia in children, using cycloplegic refraction only as a reference.

PURPOSE: To compare the measurements of cycloplegic refraction and refraction (R1-1) under general anesthesia (GA) when using the same portable auto-refractometer (ARF) in pediatric patients. METHODS: 36Thirty-six to 60-month-old patients who underwent refraction measurements using a portable ARF (Retinomax® K plus 3, Righton, Japan), who did not receive prior cycloplegics under this GA and who had cycloplegic refraction using 1% cyclopentolate and the same Retinomax® device < 3 months prior this GA, between 2015 and 2018, were included in this study. The agreement (Bland-Altman analysis) and correlation (Pearson correlation) between the mean values of the measurements were analyzed. RESULTS: Two-hundred-twenty-two right eyes of 222 patients (114 male and 108 female) were included in this study. The mean age was 45.04 ± 11.24 months. The mean spherical refractions (R1-1, R2-1) under GA and cycloplegic refraction were 1.08 ± 3.50 diopter (D) (-8.00 to +8.00) and 2.58 ± 3.28 D (-6.50 to +9.25), respectively. A strong positive correlation was detected between the two measurements (r = 0.95). When comparing measurements, the mean measurement under GA was -1.49 D (95% confidence interval: lower limit, -3.63; upper limit, +0.63) more myopic than the mean cycloplegic refraction (R1-1) value (Bland-Altman analysis test). The differences between the measurements were within ± 1 D in 92 eyes (41.44%) and within ± 2 D in 180 eyes (81.01%). No significant difference was detected when comparing the cylindrical refractive error values (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Refractive measurements under GA were more myopic than cycloplegic refraction (R1-1) measurements. It is important to consider that complete cycloplegia is not achieved under GA.

Pachychoroid Pigment Epitheliopathy and Choroidal Thickness Changes in Coeliac Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate choroidal thickness in patients with coeliac disease (CD) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to compare the results to normal eyes. METHODS: Seventy patients with CD and 70 healthy controls were included in this prospective, comparative study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and SD-OCT. Subfoveal, nasal (nasal distance to fovea 500 µm, 1000 µm, and 1500 µm), and temporal (temporal distance to fovea 500 µm, 1000 µm, and 1500 µm) choroidal thickness measurements were performed using SD-OCT. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sex, ages, and axial lengths between the groups (p=1.0, p=0.601, p=0.314, respectively). The mean choroidal thickness measurements at all predefined measurement point areas were higher in the coeliac group than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). Of all patients with coeliac disease (70 eyes of 70 patients), 64 eyes (84.2%) had uncomplicated pachychoroid (UCP), one eye had pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE), and five eyes in the UCP group had PPE in fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: It is probable that systemic inflammation in coeliac patients causes the enlargement of choroidal vessels and increasing choroidal thickness. PPE, which is believed to be the precursor of central serous chorioretinopathy, can be observed in coeliac patients.