Double-blind, bilateral pain comparison with simultaneous injection of 2% lidocaine versus buffered 2% lidocaine for periocular anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Determine if raising the pH of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100 000 to a physiologic level decreases pain perception during periocular, subcutaneous anesthesia. DESIGN: Double-blind, prospective, randomized study. Simultaneous unilateral injections of buffered and unbuffered lidocaine solutions were given before surgery to patients having bilateral, periocular surgery. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-four consecutive patients (27 male and 27 female; mean age, 68 years; standard deviation, 11 years). INTERVENTION: Patients were given simultaneous injections of buffered and unbuffered 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100 000. The needles were inserted simultaneously and the anesthesia was injected for a 20-second count for a total volume of 1.0 ml per injected side. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: After the simultaneous injections, the patients were asked to rate the pain on each side on a Likert-type visual analog scale of 0 to 10. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of patients preferred the buffered lidocaine with a scaled pain reduction of 0.9 (P = 0.0005). Additionally, for the patients who believed that the buffered solution was less painful, the mean decrease in scaled pain rating was 2, for a 51% reduction in pain level (P = 0.001). No gender differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Buffering 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:100 000 with sodium bicarbonate 8.4% offers a clinically and statistically significant reduction in pain experienced by two-thirds of patients receiving periocular subcutaneous anesthesia.

Hematic cyst in a barrier-covered porous polyethylene/titanium mesh orbital floor implant.

Hematic cyst formation after placement of nonporous alloplastic orbital floor implants is well described. A benefit of porous polyethylene is fibrovascular ingrowth without capsular formation. This ingrowth inhibits hematic cyst formation. In the case presented here, a hematic cyst developed on a screw-fixated porous polyethylene/titanium mesh implant (Medpor Titan B-T-M, Porex Surgical, Newnan, GA, U.S.A.). The risk factor for this patient was the nonporous barrier surface of the implant and inadequate fracture reduction. Proper surgical technique, including implant sizing, placement, and fixation, are factors reported to prevent hematic cyst formation. This patient's symptoms resolved after removal of the implant and cyst and replacement of the orbital implant.

Ectopic orbital brain diagnosed 20 years after symptomatic presentation.

Ectopic brain in the orbit is a rare entity with only 14 other case reports in the literature. This case is unique in that symptomatic presentation occurred 20 years prior to diagnosis. Symptoms are generally due to mass effect. We report an unusual case of diplopia secondary to ectopic orbital brain and a review of the literature.

Homer syndrome due to ectopic cervical thymus.

A 9-month-old infant presented with Horner syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of his head and neck was unremarkable, but magnetic resonance imaging of his chest revealed ectopic cervical thymus. The patient's condition has been managed with imaging studies and close clinical follow-up.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma caused by vitreous prolapse after neodymium:YAG posterior capsulotomy.

We report the second known case of acute angle-closure glaucoma from vitreous prolapse after neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy in a patient with a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). This is the first reported case to result in corneal decompensation that required penetrating keratoplasty. The rare complication of vitreous prolapse was unusual in this patient because of the presence of a posterior chamber IOL, a small 4.0 mm capsulotomy opening, and low (26 mJ) Nd:YAG laser energy.

Orbital complications of hydrogel scleral buckles.

PURPOSE: Hydrogel is a biocompatible osmotic expansile material used in contact lenses, scleral buckles, and orbital expanders. Three unique complications from hydrogel scleral buckle use are presented: orbital cellulitis mimicry, fornical shortening with orbital prosthetic intolerance, and orbital pseudotumor. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on three subjects with unknown hydrogel scleral buckle complications at a tertiary care oculoplastics practice. Demographics, imaging studies, and pathologic specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: All three patients had a history of encircling hydrogel scleral buckle placed for retinal detachment. The mean time from implantation to presentation was 10.7 years (range, 7 to 15 years). One patient had an onset of presumed orbital cellulitis caused by an enlarged buckle and no abscess. The second patient had inability to wear an evisceration prosthesis as the result of a shortened fornix from an enlarged hydrogel scleral buckle implant. The third patient presented with an orbital mass caused by the enlarged implant. In all cases, surgical removal of the expanded buckle relieved the patient's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although the hydrogel scleral band is designed to expand in a controlled fashion, overexpansion can occur. Expansion can cause buckle extrusion, prosthetic intolerance, a pseudo-orbital cellulitis, or orbital pseudotumor and may be due to a chemical change in the hydrogel polymer. Patients with hydrogel scleral buckles should be followed long-term for possible complications. Patients with newer uses of hydrogel, such as orbital expanders, should also be observed for long-term complications.

Vitamin A deficiency in Afghanistan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate children 6 years old and younger, lactating mothers, and women of childbearing age for vitamin A deficiency in the districts of Kabul City, Afghanistan. METHODS: A set number of patients selected randomly in all 13 districts of the city limits were examined between August and September 2000 for ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency. RESULTS: Night blindness, Bitot's spot, corneal ulceration, and corneal scars were seen in increased amounts as defined by the World Health Organization among the sampled population. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A deficiency is a moderate to severe public health problem in children and lactating mothers in Kabul City, Afghanistan.