The Prevalence of Demodex Blepharitis in US Eye Care Clinic Patients as Determined by Collarettes: A Pathognomonic Sign.

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of Demodex blepharitis by its pathognomonic sign, collarettes, in patients presenting for any reason to eye care clinics in the United States. Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study by 7 investigators at 6 eye care clinics, case records of consecutive patients who underwent a slit-lamp examination, regardless of chief complaint, were reviewed for Demodex blepharitis, as identified by the presence of collarettes. Patient characteristics, including age, gender, race, relevant ocular and systemic diagnoses, ocular medications, lid hygiene practices and contact lens wear, were also recorded. Results: Of 1032 patients (mean age: 60.2 ± 17.8 years), 57.7% had Demodex blepharitis. While the prevalence of Demodex blepharitis in patients with dry eye disease (DED) (58.9%) and cataract (55.7%) was similar to the overall prevalence of Demodex blepharitis, it was higher in patients with blepharitis (69.1%) and glaucoma (64.8%). Among patients with collarettes, 44.0% had never been diagnosed with blepharitis. Among those on anti-inflammatory DED treatment, 60.0% had Demodex blepharitis. Demodex blepharitis prevalence was significantly higher among those using topical tea tree oil versus those who were not (74.5% versus 56.7% p = 0.014); prevalence was comparable among those using/not using lid wipes (56.9% versus 55.5%). Conclusion: Demodex blepharitis, based on the pathognomonic finding of collarettes, is common and likely underdiagnosed among patients seeking eye care. These collarettes are still found in patients using over-the-counter treatments for blepharitis. The present study highlights the importance of screening patients for collarettes and Demodex blepharitis as part of every slit-lamp examination.

Exposure, entropion, and bilateral corneal ulceration in a newborn as a manifestation of chromosome 22 q11.2 duplication syndrome.

PURPOSE: Chromosome 22q11.2 micro-duplication syndrome (MDS), is a rare autosomal dominant condition, with a highly variable phenotype that ranges from unremarkable and asymptomatic, to fatal due to cardiovascular defects. Hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, superior displacement of the eyebrows, and ptosis are the most commonly reported ocular manifestations. Here, we report a newborn with bilateral exposure, entropion, and corneal ulceration related to 22q11.2 MDS. OBSERVATION: A newborn girl presented with bilateral upper eyelid entropion, bilateral lower eyelid ectropion, and lagophthalmos. She subsequently developed bilateral corneal ulcers. Topical antibacterial drops, bandage contact lenses, medroxyprogesterone 1%, and fluorometholone 0.1%, together with partial tarsorrhaphy and correction of eyelid malposition, were used to treat the ulcers and address the underlying issues of exposure and entropion. Genetic testing revealed chromosome 22q11.2.MDS; further evaluation revealed systemic manifestations of this syndrome. The ocular surface healed well with gradual improvement of corneal opacification as well as bilateral partial tarsorrhaphy. CONCLUSION AND IMPORTANCE: This report is the first that describes a newborn with 22q11.2 MDS presenting with sight-threatening corneal ulceration. Entropion, ectropion, and lagophthalmos were identified and treated, allowing for healing of the corneal surface. Genetic testing revealed a syndrome not known to be associated with eyelid abnormalities and corneal ulceration, but with other important systemic and ocular implications. Bilateral partial tarsorrhaphy should not be excluded as a treatment option for infants who fail more conservative measures for the treatment of exposure.

The effect of post-traumatic-stress-disorder on intra-operative analgesia in a veteran population during cataract procedures carried out using retrobulbar or topical anesthesia: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: A growing proportion of veterans treated at the Veterans Health Administration (VA) have a history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), and there exists a higher rate of PTSD amongst veterans than the general population. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between PTSD and intra-operative analgesia, intra-operative time, and anesthesia type for cataract surgery in a veteran population. Secondary objectives are to determine if patient age, and first or second eye surgery affect intra-operative pain control or are correlated with type of anesthesia modality. METHODS: A retrospective study of 330 cataract surgeries performed by resident physicians between January and September 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville and Murfreesboro Campuses was completed. Three hundred and thirty veteran patients were selected if their cataract surgery was performed between January and September 2012. Combined cases were excluded. The primary outcome evaluated was intra-operative analgesia. Secondary outcomes included history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder, anesthesia type, first or second eye, pain control, intra-operative heart rate and blood pressure, age, and case complexity. Data was analyzed using an unpaired two-sample Welch's t-test assuming unequal variance and Z test of comparison of proportions. RESULTS: Patients with post-traumatic-stress-disorder reported higher pain scores, had longer operative times, and were more likely to have received a retrobulbar block. Operative time was not associated with an increased pain score, irrespective of anesthesia type, when controlled for PTSD. Complex cases had longer operative times, more sedation, and higher pain scores. P < 0.05 was used consistently. CONCLUSIONS: Post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety are more prevalent in the veteran population. Our data suggests that a history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder was correlated with higher pain scores, longer operative times, and with having received a retrobulbar block. Patients without a history of PTSD were more likely to have received topical anesthesia with or without sedation. The veteran population requires more sedation to allay anxiety and perceptions of discomfort, which may account for longer surgical times. The veteran population is a special population and it is important to investigate how PTSD in the veteran population affects intra-operative analgesia.

Validation of International Chronic Ocular Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Group Diagnostic Criteria as a Chronic Ocular GVHD-Specific Metric.

PURPOSE: To validate the International Chronic Ocular GVHD Consensus Group (ICCGVHD) diagnostic criteria for chronic ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), by comparing results with comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, from January 1, 2002, through April 17, 2014. A total of 344 patients were eligible for the study. Data collected include the Schirmer test score, corneal fluorescein staining, Ocular Surface Disease Index, conjunctival injection, and presence or absence of systemic GVHD. The diagnosis of chronic ocular GVHD in each participant and determination of the overall severity score were determined based on the newly proposed ICCGVHD diagnostic criteria and compared with the best clinical practice (BCP) score. RESULTS: Chronic ocular GVHD was diagnosed in 141/344 (41%) participants, of these, 86 (61%) had complete charts. Based on the BCP score, 1.2% had none, 38.4% mild, 47.7% moderate, and 12.8% had severe chronic ocular GVHD. Based on the ICCGVHD, 34.8% had none, 59.3% mild/moderate, and 5.8% had severe chronic ocular GVHD. The clinical diagnostic stages of chronic ocular GVHD by BCP and ICCGVHD criteria had slight agreement (kappa statistic 0.187, with 95% confidence interval 0.049-0.321), with a higher correlation seen in those with severe chronic ocular GVHD. CONCLUSIONS: The newly proposed ICCGVHD diagnostic criteria can be used reproducibly for the diagnosis and determination of severity of chronic ocular GVHD. However, larger prospective studies are needed to further validate it.

A Comprehensive Review of Postoperative Management of Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: As Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) continues to gain in popularity, the postoperative management of DMEK surgery is becoming increasingly important, as these management strategies may affect postoperative success rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article reviews the current evidence for postoperative management in DMEK. RESULTS: There are variable strategies in the postoperative management of DMEK as it relates to postoperative positioning, need for and timing of rebubble, tamponade agent utilized (both primarily and at rebubble), steroid agent and tapering schedule, timing of secondary regraft when required, and postoperative monitoring. DISCUSSION: While a great deal of attention is rightly devoted to developing better surgical techniques for DMEK, we believe it is also crucial to develop a better understanding of and evidence-based best practice in the postoperative management of DMEK, as this may have important implications for outcomes.

Racial Disparities in Corneal Transplantation Rates, Complications, and Outcomes.

Corneal transplantation is a common type of tissue transplantation that aims to improve vision or relieve pain. Given the immune privilege of the cornea, the primary graft often has a high success rate, approaching 90%. Despite the good overall outcome of corneal transplantation in various studies, the individual graft survival rate varies, depending on the preoperative diagnosis and donor and recipient factors. Race and ethnicity have been shown to be important in other types of organ transplantation. The aim of this study was to review the available ophthalmic literature regarding any differences in rates and outcomes of corneal transplantation based on ethnicity and race. A small body of evidence suggests that race might be an important risk factor for graft rejection and graft failure. More robust studies are needed to clarify these associations.

Racial Influences of Uveitic Glaucoma: Consolidation of Current Knowledge of Diagnosis and Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology, frequency, manifestation, and treatment of uveitis and uveitic glaucoma are commonly influenced by race. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aims to review the effect of race on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with common diseases of uveitis that may develop into glaucoma. RESULTS: Race affects the presentation and prevalence of uveitis. Sarcoidosis, for example, is more common in Blacks than in Whites in the United States. Furthermore, Blacks more commonly have anterior segment involvement, while Whites more commonly have posterior segment involvement. In addition, treatments-such as steroid implants and trabeculectomy-in the setting of uveitis and uveitic glaucoma may have higher risk of failure in Black patients. DISCUSSION: Over the last half-century, we have increased our understanding of the role of race in uveitis and uveitic glaucoma. Major gaps remain and further study is needed.

A Comprehensive Review of Sex Disparities in Symptoms, Pathophysiology, and Epidemiology of Dry Eye Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology, frequency, manifestation, and treatment of dry eye syndrome are commonly influenced by sex and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aims to review the differences in epidemiology, pathophysiology, and associated diseases between the sexes. The terms men and male and women and female are used interchangeably throughout the review to refer to biological sex. RESULTS: There are numerous objective and subjective markers of dry eye syndrome but not one diagnostic criterion. There are numerous associated conditions with dry eye syndrome varying from autoimmune to allergic. Large epidemiologic studies reviewed suggest that there does indeed exist a difference between dry eye symptoms between men and women, with women having dry eye signs and reporting dry eye symptoms more often than men. The increased prevalence in women could be correlated to an increased association with certain systemic diseases, specifically autoimmune diseases, and to hormonal variations. Several studies found equivocal data about prevalence of dry eye symptoms between men and women. DISCUSSION: Interpreting studies that investigate epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of dry-eye conditions is complicated by the lack of universally adapted diagnostic criteria and standardized, specific diagnostic tests, and inter-study variability in the definition of dry eye syndrome.

Nutritional Optic Neuropathy Caused by Copper Deficiency After Bariatric Surgery.

A 47-year-old woman developed severe bilateral visual loss 4 years after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 24 years after vertical banded gastroplasty. Her serum copper level was 35 µg/dL (normal, 80-155 µg/dL). She was prescribed elemental copper tablets. Because her methylmalonic acid was slightly elevated, she received vitamin B12 injections as well. Five weeks later, she reported that her vision had improved and, at 10 months, her vision had recovered from 20/400 bilaterally to 20/25 in each eye. This case highlights the importance of checking copper levels in addition to the "more routine" vitamin levels, such as B1, B6, B12, E, and serum folate in patients with suspected nutritional optic neuropathy after bariatric surgery, particularly if it involved a bypass procedure.

Acute myopia and angle closure glaucoma from topiramate in a seven-year-old: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: A case is reported of acute bilateral myopia and angle closure glaucoma in a 7-year-old patient from topiramate toxicity. This is the second known reported case of topiramate induced acute angle closure glaucoma and third known reported case of topiramate induced acute myopia in a pediatric patient. CASE PRESENTATION: This case presents a 7-year-old who had recently begun topiramate therapy for seizures and headache. She developed painless blurred vision and acute bilateral myopia, which progressed to acute bilateral angle closure glaucoma. After a routine eye exam where myopia was diagnosed, the patient presented to the emergency room with symptoms of acute onset blurry vision, tearing, red eyes, swollen eyelids, and photophobia. The symptoms, myopia, and angle closure resolved with topical and oral intraocular pressure lowering medications, topical cyclopentolate, and discontinuation of topiramate. CONCLUSION: Acute angle closure glaucoma is a well-known side effect of topiramate, but is rarely seen in children. It cautions providers to the potential ophthalmic side effects of commonly used medications in the pediatric population. It highlights the need to keep a broad differential in mind when encountering sudden onset blurry vision in the primary care clinic, the need for careful consideration of side effects when starting topiramate therapy in a child, and the need for parental counseling of side effects.