Viral conjunctivitis interfering with the clinical activity score and management of thyroid ophthalmopathy.

INTRODUCTION: The management of Graves' ophthalmopathy is shared between endocrinologists and ophthalmologists. Assessment and treatment of the active inflammatory stage is based on the clinical activity and disease severity scores, often without detailed eye examination by the treating endocrinologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a case of acute viral keratoconjunctivitis occurring during immunosuppressive treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy which masked the signs, symptoms and response to treatment of the orbitopathy, posing a differential diagnostic challenge. RESULTS: The apparent worsening of the ophthalmopathy and the increased clinical activity score led the treating endocrinologist to alter the management decisions. Ophthalmic examination confirmed the diagnosis of viral keratoconjunctivitis and immunosuppressive treatment was continued with significant final improvement of Graves' ophthalmopathy. DISCUSSION: Ocular surface conditions, unrecognised by the treating physician, may complicate the assessment of thyroid ophthalmopathy when detailed eye examination is not performed. The diagnostic challenge of Graves' ophthalmopathy requires a combined approach by an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist working as a team.

Endogenous group G Streptococcus endophthalmitis following a dental procedure.

PURPOSE: To report a case of bilateral endogenous endophthalmitis due to group G Streptococcus after a dental procedure. METHODS: Case report of a 69-year-old woman who presented with pain, decreased vision, bilateral uveitis, and a unilateral hypopyon 1 week after treatment for an abscessed tooth. RESULTS: Bilateral endophthalmitis was diagnosed, and group G Streptococcus was cultured from the vitreous samples. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of endogenous endophthalmitis following a dental procedure. Furthermore, it was due to group G Streptococcus, which is a rare cause of this condition.

Epiphora caused by conjunctivochalasis: treatment with transplantation of preserved human amniotic membrane.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with the use of preserved human amniotic membrane on patients with epiphora caused by conjunctivochalasis. METHODS: Twelve patients, seven women and five men, ages ranging from 56 to 72 years (mean, 61 years) were referred to our Cornea Service with chronic epiphora. In all patients, no punctal ectropion was present, the lacrimal pathway was patent, and the dye disappearance test was abnormal. All patients had already undergone various therapies including multiple irrigations of the lacrimal system, antibiotic drops, steroid drops, and artificial tear drops. In all patients, conjunctivochalasis, which was not previously diagnosed, was evident on slit-lamp examination. After surgical removal of the excess conjunctiva, preserved human amniotic membrane was placed over and sutured with 10-0 nylon continuous suture to the free conjunctival edges. During the postoperative period, artificial tear drops and steroid/antibiotic drops were applied. RESULTS: Improvement of the epiphora was evident from the first postoperative day. After removal of the suture 10 to 15 days (mean, 12 days) after surgery, no patient complained of epiphora. The dye disappearance test was normal. During the follow-up period, which ranged from 6 to 11 months (mean, 8 months), no patient complained of epiphora and no conjunctivochalasis was detected in the area in which human amniotic membrane was transplanted. CONCLUSION: In our experience, transplantation of preserved human amniotic membrane greatly improved symptoms of epiphora caused by conjunctivochalasis. Continued education of the general ophthalmologists concerning this condition is required.

Coralline hydroxyapatite sphere in orbit restoration.

PURPOSE: To restore the anophthalmic socket, primarily or secondarily, using a hydroxy-apatite sphere (HA). METHODS: We used HA in 33 patients (25 male, 8 female), aged from 4 to 68 years (mean 38.1 years) for 19 primary and 14 secondary implantations. HA spheres measured 16 mm in one patient, 18 mm in 21 and 20 mm in 11. The spheres were wrapped in donor sclera preserved in absolute alcohol. All six extraocular muscles were isolated, in the cases where this was possible. Buccal membrane was grafted in three patients to restore the fornices. Drilling was done on four patients using a 3.8 serrated plastic sheath. RESULTS: During follow-up of 7-69 months we observed no complications except for slight edema in the immediate postoperative period. All patients gained very good to excellent motility of the implant, acceptable symmetric appearance in the case of primary implantation, and a dramatic improvement of facial appearance in the case of secondary implantation. CONCLUSIONS: HA spheres are an excellent orbital implant for primary and secondary restoration of the anophthalmic socket causing no serious complications.

Restoration of the anophthalmic socket with secondary implantation of a coralline hydroxyapatite sphere.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Restoration of the anophthalmic socket to improve the aesthetic result on the face. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors describe variations in the technique of secondary orbital implantation in 10 patients using the scleral-wrapped hydroxyapatite (HA) sphere implant. Secondary implantation was performed in 4 patients without a previously inserted orbital implant, in 4 patients as an exchange procedure with a preexisting orbital implant, and in 2 patients with eviscerated eyes. Two of these patients proceeded with the drilling operation. RESULTS: All 10 patients achieved a better facial appearance. There were no postoperative complications during the follow-up period of between 6 and 53 months. CONCLUSION: Based on the authors' experience, secondary implantation of the HA sphere is a procedure of choice with no complications, but requires considerable skill and patience on the part of the surgeon.