Blink Lagophthalmos in Graves Orbitopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the kinematics of spontaneous blinks and the anterior area of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle in patients with Graves orbitopathy (GO). METHODS: This is a case-control study. The authors measured the margin reflex distance of the upper eyelid (margin reflex distance 1), the kinematics of spontaneous blinks, and the anterior area of levator palpebrae superioris muscle in CT coronal scans of patients with Graves upper eyelid retraction (GO) and a control group. The eye with the greatest margin reflex distance 1 was selected for analysis in each group. RESULTS: A total of 68 participants were included, with 36 in the GO group and 32 in the control group. In the GO group, the mean margin reflex distance 1 measured 6.5 mm, while in the control group, it was 3.9 mm. Almost all parameters related to the closing phase of spontaneous blinking activity, including amplitude, velocity, blinking rate, and interblink time, did not differ between the two groups. However, the effectiveness of the blink's amplitude (ratio of blink amplitude to margin reflex distance 1) and the main sequence (relationship between amplitude and velocity) were significantly reduced in the GO group compared with the control group. The area of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle was significantly larger in GO than in controls, with 71.4% of patients' muscles outside of the maximum range of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with GO, there is a reduction in blinking effectiveness, also known as blink lagophthalmos, which is a factor in the common occurrence of ocular surface symptoms. The increase in velocity with amplitude is also reduced in GO.

Rundle's Curve: A Useful Construct That Does Not Fit All.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze Rundle's original data and subsequent articles on Graves orbitopathy (GO) natural history. METHODS: Rundle's texts were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Serial measurements were plotted and fitted with different functions. Subsequent articles in the English literature on the natural history of GO were also analyzed. RESULTS: Different functions such as simple linear regressions, parabolic, saturating exponential growth, and exponential decay functions were well fitted for Rundle's data on measurements of proptosis and supraduction along time. The few quantitative data of the same variables post-Rundle were also well-fitted with various functions. CONCLUSION: Rundle described in his articles, from 1945 to 1957, 2 phases of ocular changes in GO: dynamic and static. However, he did not mention the pathophysiology of these phases nor used the terms inflammatory and cicatricial. Actually, most of his observations and the subsequent data in the literature on proptosis and supraduction did not obey the biphasic pattern of the so-called Rundle's curve.

Margin rotation for tarsal buckling following ptosis surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical characteristics of tarsal buckling after ptosis correction and its management with margin rotation techniques. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective review of ten patients who developed upper eyelid entropion following ptosis correction. In all cases the tarsal deformity was corrected with margin rotational procedures with either a lid crease anterior approach or a traditional posterior approach. Data collection included patient demographics, type of ptosis surgery, and photographic documentation of the affected eyelids. RESULTS: Entropion occurred after a variety of different ptosis surgery techniques, including frontalis sling, levator advancement and supramaximal levator resection. A horizontal tarsal fold was detected in all eyelids, being in the upper third of the tarsus in 70% and in the central tarsus in 20% of the cases. Tarsal buckling was corrected in all cases with rotational surgery, with nine cases being operated through an anterior lid crease approach and 1, through the traditional posterior approach. The most reported complication was minimal residual ptosis. CONCLUSION: Tarsal buckling following ptosis surgery is associated with folds located in the upper part of the tarsus. Margin rotation techniques are effective in restoring the natural position of the eyelid margin in these cases.

Medial Oblique Eyelid Split Orbitotomy.

PURPOSE: The authors describe their experience with a variant of the split orbitotomy with a small medial oblique transmarginal incision for approaching a variety of lesions involving the superonasal aspect of the orbit. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records and clinical photographs of all patients who underwent an unilateral medial oblique incision to access various intraconal lesions abutting the superomedial quadrant of the orbit. The curvature of the medial contour of the operated and contralateral eyelids were expressed with Bézier functions and compared using the R-squared coefficient of determination (R 2 ). RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were submitted to this surgical technique for approaching various unilateral lesions on the superonasal quadrant of the orbit. Excellent cosmesis was achieved in all eyelids, with almost imperceptible scars, and no ptosis or retraction. There was no significant difference between the postoperative medial contour of the operated and the contralateral eyelid, with R 2 ranging from 0.896 to 0.999, mean 0.971. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' results show that the modified eyelid split approach provides a wide exposure of the superonasal quadrant of the orbit with no risk of eyelid dysfunctions or significant scars.

Refractory rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis treated with intraconal amphotericin B / Mucormicose rino-orbito-cerebral refratária tratada com anfotericina B intraconal

ABSTRACT We report the case of a 46-year-old diabetic man receiving treatment for rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis with liposomal amphotericin B and surgical debridement. The patient's condition worsened clinically, accompanied by the loss of ocular motility and a visual acuity of absence of light perception. Radiological extension of the infection was evidenced, with invasion of the cavernous sinus. Based on ophthalmological findings, exenteration (a potentially disfiguring procedure) was indicated, but we opted for wide surgical debridement and administration of amphotericin B via intraconal catheter. Clinical improvement and resolution of inflammation occurred after 2 weeks of treatment. Thus, rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis was effectively controlled through intraconal administration of amphotericin B, while avoiding exenteration. The intervention should be considered as an adjuvant treatment in selected rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis cases before attempting exenteration.

RESUMO Os autores relatam o caso de um homem diabético de 46 anos de idade em tratamento para mucormicose rino-orbital-cerebral com anfotericina B lipossomal e desbridamento cirúrgico. Piora clínica foi observada, com acometimento de motilidade ocular e acuidade visual de ausência de percepção luminosa, sendo evidenciada extensão radiológica da infecção, com invasão do seio cavernoso. Com base nos achados oftalmológicos, uma exenteração, procedimento potencialmente desfigurante, foi indicada, mas optamos por realizar amplo desbridamento cirúrgico e administração intraconal de anfotericina B por cateter. Melhora clínica e resolução da inflamação ocorreram após duas semanas de tratamento. Dessa forma, a mucormicose rino-orbital-cerebral foi efetivamente controlada com a administração intraconal de anfotericina B, evitando a exenteração. A intervenção deve ser considerada como um tratamento adjuvante em casos selecionados de mucormicose rino-orbital-cerebral antes que a exenteração seja realizada.