Clinical significance of ocular manifestations in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: association with sinonasal involvement and damage.

Ocular involvement is present in 50-60% of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) patients and can affect any part of the ocular globe. The present study describes ophthalmologic manifestations, association with systemic symptoms, disease activity and damage in GPA. A cross-sectional study was conducted including patients with GPA who underwent rheumatologic and ophthalmologic evaluation. Demographics, comorbidities, ophthalmologic symptoms, serologic markers, radiographic studies, disease activity and damage were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation, univariable logistic regression analyses, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were performed. Fifty patients were included, 60% female, the median age was 56 years, disease duration 72.5 months. Nineteen (38%) patients had ocular manifestations at GPA diagnosis, scleritis being the most frequent; 27 (54%) patients presented ocular involvement during follow-up, repeated scleritis and dacryocystitis being the most common manifestations. Concomitant ophthalmic and sinonasal involvement was present in 12 (24%). Ocular and ENT damage occurred in 58% and 70%, respectively. Epiphora and blurred vision were the most frequent symptoms; scleromalacia and conjunctival hyperemia (27%) the most frequent clinical abnormalities. Ocular involvement at diagnosis was associated with concomitant ocular and sinonasal involvement at follow-up (OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.17-19.01, p = 0.01). Ocular involvement at follow-up was associated with age at GPA diagnosis (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90-0.99, p = 0.03), VDI (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.61, p = 0.02), and ENT damage (OR 5.27, 95% CI 1.37-20.13, p = 0.01). In GPA, ocular involvement is frequent, therefore, non-ophthalmologist clinicians should be aware of this manifestation to reduce the risk of visual morbidity and organ damage.

Efficacy and Safety of Conjunctival Cystectomy Using High-Frequency Radiowave Electrosurgery: A Preliminary Report.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of conjunctival cystectomy using high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery. METHODS: This retrospective study included 11 patients who underwent conjunctival cystectomy using high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery and had a follow-up of at least 6 months. Briefly, conjunctival opening with a diameter of 1 mm was made with using high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery (Ellman Surgitron; Ellman International, Inc., Hewlett, NY) in cut mode. The cyst was then extracted using a nontoothed forceps through the opening without rupture. Medical record of the patients was reviewed. RESULTS: In all the 11 patients, conjunctival wound healed in 1 week without any complication. No recurrence was detected in any patients over the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival cystectomy with the adjunctive use of high-frequency radiowave electrosurgery was shown to be effective and safe.

Brimonidine Ophthalmic Solution 0.025% for Reduction of Ocular Redness: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

SIGNIFICANCE: The α2-adrenergic receptor agonist brimonidine has been reported to induce conjunctival blanching in cataract, strabismus, laser refractive, and filtration procedures. Clinicians are often faced with red eyes with no apparent underlying pathology. Low-dose brimonidine reduced ocular redness in such subjects with efficacy maintained over 1 month and negligible rebound redness. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025% for the treatment of ocular redness. METHODS: In this single-center, double-masked, phase 3 clinical trial, adult subjects with baseline redness of more than 1 unit in both eyes (0- to 4-unit scale) were randomized 2:1 to brimonidine 0.025% or vehicle. A single dose was administered in-office (day 1); thereafter subjects instilled treatment four times a day for 4 weeks, with clinic visits on days 15, 29, and 36 (7 days post-treatment). Efficacy end points included investigator-evaluated redness 5 to 240 minutes post-instillation on day 1 (primary); investigator-evaluated change from baseline 1, 360, and 480 minutes post-instillation on day 1, and 1 and 5 minutes post-instillation on days 15 and 29; total clearance of redness, and subject-assessed redness. Safety/tolerability measures included adverse events, rebound redness, and drop comfort. RESULTS: Sixty subjects were randomized (n = 40 brimonidine, n = 20 vehicle). Investigator-assessed redness was lower with brimonidine versus vehicle over the 5- to 240-minute post-instillation period (mean [SE], 0.62 [0.076] vs. 1.49 [0.108]; P < .0001) and at each time point within that period (P < .0001). At 1, 360, and 480 minutes post-instillation, respectively, the mean differences (95% confidence interval) between treatments were -0.73 (-1.05 to -0.41), -0.57 (-0.84 to -0.29), and -0.39 (-0.67 to -0.10), respectively. No tachyphylaxis was evident with brimonidine on days 15 and 29, and minimal rebound redness was observed following discontinuation. Adverse events were infrequent, and brimonidine was rated as very comfortable. CONCLUSIONS: Brimonidine 0.025% appeared safe and effective for reduction of ocular redness, with an 8-hour duration of action, no evidence of tachyphylaxis, and negligible rebound redness.

The Japan Cornea Society Survey of the Current Status of Corneal and Conjunctival Disorders Due to Systemic Antitumor Drugs.

Purpose: To investigate the current status of corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs in Japan. Methods: Questionnaires on corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs were sent to members of the Japan Cornea Society, and data on patients' background, clinical findings, treatment and prognosis of cases between January 2009 and December 2011 were collected and analyzed. Results: Out of all 221 cases from 66 facilities, TS-1Ⓡ had been administered in 210 cases (95.0%). Corneal findings were noted in 192 cases (86.9%), including 161cases (72.9%) of superficial punctate keratopathy, 55 cases (24.9%) of epithelial crack line, 38 cases (17.2%) of sheet-like epithelial abnormality, and 15 cases (6.8%) of corneal erosion. Conjunctival and ciliary findings were observed in 49 cases (22.2%). Lacrimal obstruction and constriction were found in 81cases (36.7%). Logistic regression analyses revealed the discontinuation and switching of antitumor drugs as the significant factor of good prognosis of clinical signs and visual acuity in cases with TS-1Ⓡ administration. Conclusions: Although corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs, especially TS-1Ⓡ, are important adverse effects, the only effective treatment at this time is the discontinuation and switching of antitumor drugs. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate pathogenesis, aiming to the prediction and prevention of the occurrence.

A case of episcleral tattooing--an emerging body modification trend.

BACKGROUND: In 2007 an article was published describing the first forays into the practice of episcleral tattooing. Currently only a handful of people worldwide have undergone this procedure, whereby a needle is used to inject dye under the bulbar conjunctiva. To date there have been no previous reports of the risks and complications of this emerging practice in the medical literature. We present a case involving a complication that arose in one of the few people in Britain to have undergone episcleral tattooing for cosmetic purposes. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old Caucasian man presented to the eye casualty clinic with red, lumpy conjunctivae bilaterally, having undergone episcleral tattooing 7 weeks previously. On examination there were 3 distinct areas of conjunctival swelling in each eye, representing a total of 6 injection sites. No other gross abnormalities were identified. The clinical picture remained unchanged 6 months on, apart from a degree of fading of the conjunctival dye. He will remain under our care to ensure that any further complications such as granulomatous inflammation are managed and documented. CONCLUSION: Episcleral tattooing is carried out by individuals with no medical training. The short-term complications reported so far include: headaches, severe photophobia, persistent foreign body sensation, and migration of ink staining. More serious short-term risks such as infection, globe penetration, and peri-ocular haemorrhage could occur. For now we can only speculate as to the long-term consequences, but these may include carcinogenic change or granulomatous inflammation. We feel that the potential risks of the procedure should be communicated more widely to those body modification practitioners undertaking it. This practice could result in more serious presentations to acute eye services in the future.

Pathobiology of wound healing after glaucoma filtration surgery.

Conjunctival and subconjunctival fibrogenesis and inflammation are sight compromising side effects that can occur subsequent to glaucoma filtration surgery. Despite initial declines in intraocular pressure resulting from increasing aqueous outflow, one of the activated responses includes marshalling of proinflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokine mediator entrance into the aqueous through a sclerostomy window and their release by local cells, as well as infiltrating activated immune cells. These changes induce dysregulated inflammation, edema and extracellular matrix remodeling, which occlude outflow facility. A number of therapeutic approaches are being taken to offset declines in outflow facility since the current procedure of inhibiting fibrosis with either mitomycin C (MMC) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) injection is nonselective. One of them entails developing a new strategy for reducing fibrosis induced by wound healing responses including myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix remodeling in tissue surrounding surgically created shunts. The success of this endeavor is predicated on having a good understanding of conjunctival wound healing pathobiology. In this review, we discuss the roles of inappropriately activated growth factor and cytokine receptor linked signaling cascades inducing conjunctival fibrosis/scarring during post-glaucoma surgery wound healing. Such insight may identify drug targets for blocking fibrogenic signaling and excessive fibrosis which reduces rises in outflow facility resulting from glaucoma filtration surgery.

Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Dengue Fever.

OBJECTIVE: Dengue fever is one of the most common arboviral mediated outbreaks reported with increased prevalence year after year with considerable morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to assess the clinical and biochemical parameters of dengue fever patients. METHODS: Prospective observational study was undertaken among adult patients in a military hospital. Five hundred fiteen patients were studied and analysed. All patients who were NS1 antigen/IgM dengue positive were included in the study. Clinical features, hematological and biochemical parameters were noted. RESULTS: Of the 515 patients studied, majority were males (72.81%). Fever was the major symptom (100%) followed by headache (94.75%), myalgia (90.67%), retroorbital pain (18.25%), conjunctival injection (39.41%), rash (37.86%), abdominal pain (24.46%), pleural effusion (20%) and ascites (16.31%). Significant derangements in platelet (69.51%), leucocyte counts (20.19%) and serum transaminases (88.54%) were noted. Mortality rate was 0.77%. CONCLUSIONS: Fever associated with headache, retroorbital pain, erythematous morbilliform rash, conjunctival suffusion and itching in palms and soles along with thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, elevated liver transaminases should prompt a clinician on the possibility of dengue infection. Platelet transfusions have little role in management of dengue patients.

The conjunctival sensitivity in soft contact lens wearers.

We determined the influence of soft contact lenses (SCLs) on conjunctival sensitivity. A total of 26 volunteers (11 males, 15 females; mean age 28.3 ± 4.6 years; range 22-39 years) without dry eye were enrolled in the study. Subjects with a low corneal touch threshold, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, or vernal keratoconjunctivitis were excluded. In 26 participants, 12 were disposable SCL wearers. Touch thresholds were determined using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer with a 0-60 mm nylon monofilament in 5 mm increments. The length (mm) was converted to tension (g/mm(2)). Mean touch sense thresholds in the SCL wearers (n = 12) and non-wearers (n = 14) were 10.7 ± 2.57 and 24.6 ± 7.3 g/mm(2) in the whole conjunctiva, and 9.07 ± 3.02 and 19.2 ± 7.8 g/mm(2) in the upper palpebral conjunctiva, respectively. Significant differences were observed in all locations (p < 0.01). The enhanced conjunctival sensitivity associated with SCL use may contribute to the dry eye-like symptoms in SCL users who do not have dry eye.

Conjunctivochalasis interferes with tear flow from fornix to tear meniscus.

PURPOSE: To determine whether conjunctivochalasis (CCh) interferes with tear flow from the fornix to the tear meniscus and depletes the fornix tear reservoir. DESIGN: Comparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: The study group of 24 CCh patients (8 asymptomatic and 16 symptomatic), 9 of whom underwent operative correction, was compared with a control group of 13 normal subjects. METHODS: After instilling a 5-µl fluorescein drop into the inferior fornix, the inferior tear meniscus was depleted using a capillary tube. The tear meniscus height, with and without blinking, was recorded and calculated by video meniscometer from sequential captured images. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The recovery rate of the original meniscus height was compared among groups at each time point after maximal depletion. RESULTS: The recovery rate of the tear meniscus was significantly slower in symptomatic than asymptomatic CCh patients when compared with normal subjects. Blinking 5 times facilitated such recovery in normal subjects and in asymptomatic CCh patients to the same extent as the normal, but not in symptomatic CCh patients. Deepening of the inferior fornix by removing degenerated Tenon's and reconstruction by cryopreserved amniotic membrane improved the recovery rate in symptomatic CCh patients to the same extent as normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The tear reservoir in the fornix rapidly replenishes the meniscus under normal circumstances. Conjunctivochalasis obliterates tears not only in the meniscus, but also in the reservoir, explaining how symptoms develop in CCh patients. Blinking is an effective compensatory mechanism to distinguish the severity of CCh. Surgical correction should not only restore the tear meniscus, but also deepen the fornix in CCh patients. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

The relation between blinking and conjunctival folds and dry eye symptoms.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between blink action, dry eye symptoms, and lid-parallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF). METHODS: In 30 subjects (14 were women; mean [standard deviation {SD}] age, 42.4 [±12.3] years), spontaneous blinks were recorded from a temporal-inferior view (high-speed video), and the blink extent (incomplete [IC], almost complete [AC], and complete [CC]) was evaluated. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and nasal and temporal LIPCOF grades were noted. Correlations between groups were calculated with Pearson correlation (or Spearman rank in nonparametric data), and differences between groups were calculated with an unpaired t-test (or U-test Mann-Whitney in nonparametric data). RESULTS: Blink rate was significantly higher in females (22.0% [±16.8]) than in males (8.6% [±7.2]; unpaired t-test: p = 0.007). The percentage of AC of all blinks (AC%) was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (nasal + temporal) and OSDI scores (r > 0.570, p < 0.001). The percentage of IC was significantly correlated to LIPCOF sum (r = -0.541, p < 0.001) but not to OSDI. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and type of blinking may have an effect on dry eye symptoms and LIPCOF severity since almost all complete blinks were significantly related to both factors.

Management of postblepharoplasty chemosis.

Clinically significant chemosis occasionally complicates lower eyelid blepharoplasty. In this report, the etiologic components of postblepharoplasty chemosis are discussed. The time course and duration of chemosis vary according to the underlying cause. Early, late, and prolonged chemosis are managed with different strategies. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms for chemosis assessment and management are presented.

The tear film characteristics of spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients detected by Schirmer test I and tear interferometry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the tear film characteristics of spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients by Schirmer test I and tear interferometry. METHODS: Forty-six spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients and 46 controls were enrolled in the study. Schirmer test I and tear interferometry were performed in all 92 subjects. The results obtained were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The Schirmer test I value of the spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients was 6.93 (4.72) mm, and that of the controls was 14.70 (3.70) mm. A statistical difference was found between the two groups (independent samples t test, t=-8.79, p<0.001). The mean rank of the tear interferometry patterns of the spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients was 50.07, and that of the controls was 42.93. No statistical difference was found between the two groups (Mann-Whitney U test, Z=-1.85, p=0.064). CONCLUSIONS: For the spontaneous subconjunctival hemorrhage patients, the Schirmer test I value was lower than that of the controls, whereas the tear interferometry patterns were comparable to that of the controls.

Treatment of acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis using amniotic membrane: a review of 10 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course, treatments, and outcomes of 10 consecutive patients treated with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) applied to the eyelid margins, palpebral conjunctiva, and ocular surface during the acute phase of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). DESIGN: Prospective case series of 10 consecutive patients treated by 1 surgeon. PARTICIPANTS: Ten consecutive patients with severe ocular surface and eyelid inflammation treated with AMT during the acute phase of SJS or TEN. INTERVENTION: Cryopreserved amniotic membrane was applied to the eyelids and ocular surface of each patient during the first 10 days of illness. Repeat AMT was performed every 10-14 days as long as severe ocular surface inflammation and epithelial sloughing persisted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity, dry eye severity, and scarring of the ocular surface and eyelids were assessed after a follow-up of ≥6 months. RESULTS: All patients had best-corrected visual acuity of ≥20/30, with 9 of the 10 seeing 20/20. Dry eye severity was moderate or less in all patients. Overall ocular surface and eyelid scarring was mild to moderate in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: In acute SJS and TEN, AMT is an effective treatment for severe ocular surface and eyelid inflammation, greatly decreasing the risk of significant ocular and visual sequelae.

Relationship between conjunctivochalasis and refractive error.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relation between the prevalence and grade of conjunctivochalasis and refractive error and to compare the grade of conjunctivochalasis between myopic and hyperopic patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged from 3 to 94 years were chosen for this study. Exclusion criteria included a history of using contact lenses, ocular surgeries, infectious conjunctivitis, or corneal diseases. The age, gender, medical history, ocular history, the grade and other parameters of inferior conjunctivochalasis classified into three locations (nasal, middle, and temporal), and refractive error were determined in all subjects. Patients were divided into three groups as follows: a hyperopic group (≥0.0 D), an emmetropic group (<0.0 and ≥-2.0 D), and a myopic group (<-2.0 D). They were also divided into 10 groups according to age. One-way analysis of variance and the Scheffe multiple comparison test were used to compare the mean values among three groups. Relations among the variables were investigated by calculating Pearson correlation coefficients and partial correlation coefficients. RESULTS: A total of 1,110 patients were included in the study. In each age group, the mean grade of conjunctivochalasis was higher in hyperopic patients than in myopic patients. There were no significant differences in both the downward gaze- and digital pressure-dependent changes of conjunctivochalasis between the myopic and hyperopic groups. The severity of conjunctivochalasis affecting the nasal and temporal bulbar conjunctiva, and parameters such as the changes of conjunctivochalasis caused by downward gaze or digital pressure, were correlated with the refractive error, especially in patients over 40 years old (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first assessment of the relationship between refractive error and the grade of conjunctivochalasis in a large consecutive series of patients. Our results suggest that the prevalence and grade of conjunctivochalasis are dependent on refractive error, with hyperopia being an important risk factor for conjunctivochalasis.

Japanese guideline for allergic conjunctival diseases.

The definition, classification, pathogenesis, test methods, clinical findings, criteria for diagnosis, and therapies of allergic conjunctival disease are summarized based on the Guidelines for Clinical Management of Allergic Conjunctival Disease (Second Edition) revised in 2010. Allergic conjunctival disease is defined as "a conjunctival inflammatory disease associated with a Type I allergy accompanied by some subjective or objective symptoms." Allergic conjunctival disease is classified into allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Representative subjective symptoms include ocular itching, hyperemia, and lacrimation, whereas objective symptoms include conjunctival hyperemia, swelling, folliculosis, and papillae. Patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis, which is characterized by conjunctival proliferative changes called giant papilla accompanied by varying extents of corneal lesion, such as corneal erosion and shield ulcer, complain of foreign body sensation, ocular pain, and photophobia. In the diagnosis of allergic conjunctival diseases, it is required that type I allergic diathesis is present, along with subjective and objective symptoms accompanying allergic inflammation. The diagnosis is ensured by proving a type I allergic reaction in the conjunctiva. Given that the first-line drug for the treatment of allergic conjunctival disease is an antiallergic eye drop, a steroid eye drop will be selected in accordance with the severity. In the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, an immunosuppressive eye drop will be concomitantly used with the above mentioned drugs.

Systematic Review: Effects of Pterygium and Pingueculum on the Ocular Surface and Efficacy of Surgical Excision.

PURPOSE: This systematic review examines the specific effects of pingueculum and pterygium on the ocular surface and evaluates the efficacy of surgical excision in reversing those effects. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement and included 59 articles studying the effects of pterygium and pingueculum on the ocular surface as measured by tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer testing, tear osmolarity, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and the effects of surgical removal on these ocular surface parameters. RESULTS: In most studies, eyes with pterygium or pingueculum when compared with control eyes had a statistically significantly lower TBUT (average 3.72 s), lower Schirmer I without anesthesia (average 3.01 mm), lower Schirmer II (average 4.10 mm), higher tear osmolarity (average 12.33 mOsm/L), and higher OSDI (average 6.82 points). Moreover, excision of pterygium and pingueculum led to a statistically significantly higher TBUT (average 3.15 s higher at 1 mo postexcision), lower tear osmolarity (average 3.10 mOsm/L lower at 3 mo postexcision), and lower OSDI score (average 2.86 points lower 1 mo postexcision) in most of the studies. The effect of excision on Schirmer test scores was equivocal because most studies did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the relationship between pterygium and pingueculum and abnormal tear function and symptoms of dry eye disease. Furthermore, the data suggest that tear film parameters might improve after surgical removal of pterygium or pingueculum. Future studies would be helpful in exploring the potential role of pterygium and pingueculum excision in the management of dry eye disease.

Cyclophosphamide for ocular inflammatory diseases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of cyclophosphamide therapy for noninfectious ocular inflammation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifteen patients with noninfectious ocular inflammation observed from initiation of cyclophosphamide. METHODS: Patients initiating cyclophosphamide, without other immunosuppressive drugs (other than corticosteroids), were identified at 4 centers. Dose of cyclophosphamide, response to therapy, corticosteroid-sparing effects, frequency of discontinuation, and reasons for discontinuation were obtained by medical record review of every visit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Control of inflammation, corticosteroid-sparing effects, and discontinuation of therapy. RESULTS: The 215 patients (381 involved eyes) meeting eligibility criteria carried diagnoses of uveitis (20.4%), scleritis (22.3%), ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (45.6%), or other forms of ocular inflammation (11.6%). Overall, approximately 49.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 41.7%-57.2%) gained sustained control of inflammation (for at least 28 days) within 6 months, and 76% (95% CI, 68.3%-83.7%) gained sustained control of inflammation within 12 months. Corticosteroid-sparing success (sustained control of inflammation while tapering prednisone to 10 mg or less among those not meeting success criteria initially) was gained by 30.0% and 61.2% by 6 and 12 months, respectively. Disease remission leading to discontinuation of cyclophosphamide occurred at the rate of 0.32/person-year (95% CI, 0.24-0.41), and the estimated proportion with remission at or before 2 years was 63.1% (95% CI, 51.5%-74.8%). Cyclophosphamide was discontinued by 33.5% of patients within 1 year because of side effects, usually of a reversible nature. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that cyclophosphamide is effective for most patients for controlling inflammation and allowing tapering of systemic corticosteroids to 10 mg prednisone or less, although 1 year of therapy may be needed to achieve these goals. Unlike with most other immunosuppressive drugs, disease remission was induced by treatment in most patients who were able to tolerate therapy. To titrate therapy properly and to minimize the risk of serious potential side effects, a systematic program of laboratory monitoring is required. Judicious use of cyclophosphamide seems to be beneficial for severe ocular inflammation cases where the potentially vision-saving benefits outweigh the substantial potential side effects of therapy, or when indicated for associated systemic inflammatory diseases.

Lid-wiper epitheliopathy in contact lens users and patients with dry eye.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lid-wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) in contact lens users and in patients with symptoms characteristic of dry eye but with normal dry-eye tests and to compare the results with those of controls. METHODS: One hundred fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study and were divided into three groups. The first group included 69 contact lens users, the second group included 46 patients with dry eye, and the third group included 40 controls. The contact lens users were also divided as symptomatic and asymptomatic according to the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness questionnaire and Ocular Surface Disease Index. The patients were examined for LWE with three different dyes (fluorescein, rose bengal, and lissamine green). The results were compared using chi-square and T tests. RESULTS: More LWEs were detected in the contact lens and dry-eye groups compared with controls. In the contact lens group, 67% of the symptomatic patients and 32% of the asymptomatic patients showed LWE. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). No significant correlation was found between LWE and the dry-eye tests (fluorescein breakup time and Schirmer test). CONCLUSIONS: LWE should be investigated in symptomatic contact lens users and in patients with symptoms characteristic of dry eye but with normal dry-eye tests. Lid wiper may traumatize the corneal epithelium and increase the sensitivity of the cornea. This could be the main cause of the symptoms in patients without any significant dry-eye test findings.

Diagnostic ability of maximum blink interval together with Japanese version of Ocular Surface Disease Index score for dry eye disease.

Various symptoms of the dry eye disease (DED) interfere with the quality of life and reduce work productivity. Therefore, screening, prevention, and treatment of DED are important. We aimed to investigate the potential diagnostic ability of the maximum blink interval (MBI) (the length of time participants could keep their eyes open) with disease-specific questionnaire for DED. This cross-sectional study included 365 patients (252 with DED and 113 without DED) recruited between September 2017 and December 2019. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing the non-DED and DED groups based on the MBI with a Japanese version of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (J-OSDI) and tear film breakup time (TFBUT) with J-OSDI classifications. The MBI with J-OSDI showed good discriminant validity by known-group comparisons. The positive and predictive values of MBI with J-OSDI were 96.0% (190/198 individuals) and 37.1% (62/167 individuals), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of MBI with J-OSDI was 0.938 (95% confidence interval 0.904-0.971), the sensitivity was 75.4% (190/252 individuals), and the specificity was 92.9% (105/113 individuals), which are similar to the diagnostic ability of TFBUT with J-OSDI (AUC 0.954). In conclusion, MBI with J-OSDI may be a simple, non-invasive screening test for DED.