A preliminary study of cutaneous wound healing on the upper eyelid in a small Brazilian population using Rhizophora mangle-based cream.

Plants used in traditional medicine offer an affordable new alternative in tissue repair therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the 5% Rhizophora mangle cream compared to the 5% dexpanthenol cream in healing open surgical wounds on the upper eyelid. A total of 18 patients were submitted to the experiment and divided into 2 groups with 9 patients each who used topically and daily 5% dexpanthenol cream (control group) or 5% R.mangle cream (intervention group) for 7 days. Clinical, morphometric and histomorphometric analyses of wounds and surgical procedures for skin removal were performed. In the morphometric analysis, all wounds treated with R.mangle and dexpanthenol creams showed complete macroscopic scars, without inflammatory signs and infection free. The skin hydration values in pre and post application periods of the cream were 43.82 ± 43.93 and 62.12 ± 67.40 respectively. The histomorphometric study showed lower values of epithelium distance in R. mangle group and higher in dexpanthenol group with significant difference between groups (p < 0.05). The R.mangle 5% cream proved to be effective in healing wounds of human upper eyelid skin with a significant improvement in epithelization compared to dexpanthenol 5% cream.

Thermal effect on eyelid and tear film after low-level light therapy and warm compress.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The warming effect of low-level light therapy may contribute to its therapeutic mechanism which is beneficial for dry eye management. BACKGROUND: Low-level light therapy is proposed to work via cellular photobiomodulation and a potential thermal effect in dry eye management. This study examined the change in eyelid temperature and tear film stability after low-level light therapy compared to warm compress. METHODS: Participants with no to mild dry eye disease were randomised into control, warm compress, and low-level light therapy groups. The low-level light therapy group was treated with Eyelight mask (633 nm) for 15 minutes, the warm compress group with Bruder mask for 10 minutes, and the control group with an Eyelight mask having inactive LEDs for 15 minutes. Eyelid temperature was measured using the FLIR One® Pro thermal camera (Teledyne FLIR, Santa Barbara, CA, USA), and clinical measures of tear film stability were evaluated before and after treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants (mean age ± SD, 27.3 ± 4.3 years) completed the study. Eyelid temperatures for external upper, external lower, internal upper and internal lower eyelids were significantly greater in the low-level light therapy and warm compress groups immediately after treatment compared to the control group (all p < 0.001). No difference in temperature was observed between the low-level light therapy and warm compress groups at all time points (all p > 0.05). Tear film lipid layer thickness was significantly greater after treatment (mean (95% CI), 13.1 nm (5.3 to 21.0), p < 0.005) but not different between groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single treatment of low-level light therapy increased eyelid temperature immediately after treatment, but the increase was not significantly different from warm compress. This suggests that thermal effects may in part contribute to the therapeutic mechanism of low-level light therapy.

Buffered Versus Nonbuffered Local Anesthetics and Local Pain Scores in Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty: Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This split-face study aimed to see whether different types of local anesthetics or their buffered/nonbuffered combinations produce lower pain scores in upper eyelid blepharoplasty. METHODS: The study involved 288 patients, randomly divided into 9 groups: 1) 2% lidocaine with epinephrine-Lid + Epi; 2) 2% lidocaine with epinephrine and 0.5% bupivacaine (1:1)-Lid + Epi + Bupi; 3) 2% lidocaine with 0.5% bupivacaine (1:1)-Lid + Bupi; 4) 0.5% bupivacaine-Bupi; 5) 2% lidocaine-Lid; 6) 4% articaine hydrochloride with epinephrine-Art + Epi; 7) buffered 2% lidocaine/epinephrine with sodium bicarbonate (SB) in a 3:1 ratio-Lid + Epi + SB; 8) buffered 2% lidocaine with SB in a 3:1 ratio-Lid + SB; 9) buffered 4% articaine hydrochloride/epinephrine with SB in a 3:1 ratio-Art + Epi + SB. Following the injection of the first eyelid and a 5-minute period of soft pressure on the injection site, patients were asked to rate their pain level on the Wong-Baker Face Pain Rating Visual Analogue Scale. Rating of the pain level was repeated 15 and 30 minutes following anesthetic administration. RESULTS: The lowest pain scores at the first time point were observed in Lid + SB when compared with all of the other groups ( p < 0.05). At the final time point, significantly lower scores were also observed in Lid + SB, Lid + Epi + SB, and Art + Epi + SB when compared with the Lid + Epi group ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings could help surgeons select an appropriate combination of local anesthetics, particularly in patients with lower pain threshold and tolerance because buffered combinations of local anesthetics produce significantly lower pain scores compared with nonbuffered solutions.

Comparison of the effect of tea tree oil eye gel with standard treatment in patients with anterior blepharitis: An open-label clinical trial.

Purpose: Daily cleansing of eyelids is very important to carry out a successful blepharitis treatment. However, there are no therapeutic guidelines for blepharitis. The aim was to compare the symptomatic relief of anterior blepharitis using Blephamed eye gel, a cosmetic product, versus standard treatment. Methods: The study was a prospective, interventional open label clinical trial at a university-based hospital. The test population was subjects aged 18-65 years who presented with mild to moderate anterior blepharitis. Eyelid hygiene was applied twice a day. At each visit, a detailed assessment of symptomatology was carried out. A two-way repeated measure mixed model ANOVA was used to compare two groups by time. Results: In total, 61 patients with mean age of 60.08 ± 16.69 years were enrolled in the study including 30 patients in standard group and 31 patients in Blephamed group. Two groups did not differ in terms of age (P = 0.31) and eye laterality (P = 0.50). The baseline scores of erythema, edema, debris, and symptoms as well as total score were similar between two groups (all P values >0.50). Two groups became different for all these parameters at day 45 (all P values <0.001). Significant interaction was detected between time and intervention groups for all severity parameters of blepharitis as well as total score (all P values <0.001). Conclusion: Eyelid hygiene with Blephamed more significantly decreased symptoms of anterior blepharitis compared to standard treatment.

Insulin syringe for anesthesia in ptosis surgery: a randomized, fellow eye-controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: Unlike ordinary 30-gauge needles, insulin syringe needles are thinner and shorter and have a comparatively blunt tip. Therefore, insulin syringes may reduce injection discomfort, bleeding, and edema by minimizing tissue damage and vascular penetration. This study aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of using insulin syringes for local anesthesia in ptosis surgery. METHODS: This randomized, fellow eye-controlled study included 60 patients (120 eyelids), conducted at a university-based hospital. An insulin syringe was used on one eyelid, and a conventional 30-gauge needle was used on the other. Patients were instructed to score pain in both eyelids using a visual analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (unbearable pain). Ten minutes after the injection, two observers scored degrees of hemorrhage and edema in both eyelids on five- and four-pointing grading scales (0-4 and 0-3) for each value, and the average score between the two observers was calculated and compared. RESULTS: The VAS score was 5.17 in the insulin syringe group and 5.35 in the 30-gauge needle group (p = 0.282). Ten minutes after the anesthesia, the median hemorrhage scores were 1.00 and 1.75 (p = 0.010), and the median eyelid edema scores were 1.25 and 2.00 (p = 0.007) in the insulin syringe and 30-gauge needle groups, respectively (Fig. 1). CONCLUSION: Injecting local anesthesia using an insulin syringe significantly reduces hemorrhage and eyelid edema, but not injection pain, before skin incision. Insulin syringes are useful in patients at high risk of bleeding because they can reduce the penetrative tissue damage caused by needle insertion.

Paediatric ocular rosacea: diagnosis and management with an eyelid-warming device and topical azithromycin 1.5.

BACKGROUND: Ocular rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder with periods of exacerbation and remission, often underdiagnosed in children. When diagnosed, its management is challenging because of a lack of effective long-term treatment options. OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in cases of pediatric ocular rosacea treated with moist heat therapy and topical azithromycin 1.5%. METHODS: The medical records of six children diagnosed with ocular rosacea based on a careful medical history and slit-lamp examination of the eyelids and ocular surface were reviewed. Previous treatments were discontinued, and children/parents were instructed to use the eyelid-warming device for 1 or 2 sessions of 10minutes each day, followed by eyelid massage and cleansing, in combination with azithromycin 1.5% eye drops. RESULTS: The diagnosis of ocular rosacea in these children was delayed for several months or years from the first identifiable clinical sign or symptom. All the children presented with corneal sequelae and decreased vision. Ocular manifestations included meibomian gland disease, recurrent chalazia, and phlyctenular keratoconjunctivitis. Cutaneous signs were not always associated with the condition. Ocular rosacea was usually resistant to initial treatments with antibiotics and topical corticosteroids. Treatment with the eyelid-warming device in combination with azithromycin 1.5% led to a rapid improvement in the clinical signs and was well tolerated by all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood ocular rosacea is potentially sight threatening. Practitioners should consider this condition in order to minimise diagnostic delay and subsequent complications. Combined therapy of eyelid hygiene (including an eyelid warming device) and azithromycin 1.5% eye drops was effective in treating ocular rosacea in children.

[Chronic Blepharitis]. / Chronische Blepharitis.

Blepharitis represents a frequent inflammatory condition of the lids including the lid margin, which can be apparent in adults and children. Chronic blepharitis is therapeutically challenging. According to the anatomic localization, blepharitis can be graded in anterior and posterior forms. Blepharitis can lead to severe symptoms and complications, mainly dry eye disease, corneal complications and defective lid position. The pathogenesis of chronic blepharitis is not fully understood so far, however, multifactorial disease proceedings are supposed, which include systemic diseases (mainly dermatological disorders), habitual bacteria and infections. In all these processes inflammatory changes are the common final path.Therapeutic strategies include topical and systemic therapies, however evidence levels are generally low and patients are often resistant to therapy. Basic therapeutic measures are warm compresses, lid hygiene and lubricants. Topical anti-inflammatory drugs comprise corticosteroids and ciclosporin A. Topical and systemic antibiotics are commonly used. Systemic intake of omega-3 fatty acids is often recommended due to its anti-inflammatory potential.

Can lubrication of the eyelid speculum reduce overall pain perception associated with cataract surgery by phacoemulsification performed under topical anesthesia?

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using the lubricated eyelid speculum on the overall pain perception by the subject patients who underwent cataract surgery by phacoemulsification technique under topical anesthesia. Methods: A prospective interventional randomized comparative study was conducted at the tertiary eye care center, wherein adult patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery with phacoemulsification techniques under topical anesthesia were randomized to undergo surgery with two different modes of eyelid speculum insertion, either with or without lubrication of the eyelid speculum. Fifty percent of the patients underwent surgery with eyelid speculum without lubrication, and 50% with lubrication of the eyelid speculum. The primary outcome was to compare the level of overall pain perception among the subject patients of the two groups by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in the immediate postoperative period. Results: The study included 130 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery (n = 260 eyes) under topical anesthesia, wherein n = 130 eyes underwent surgery using lubricated eyelid speculum and n = 130 eyes underwent surgery with dry eyelid speculum. Pain perception score assessed on the VAS (0-10 cm) ranged from 0.5 to 6, with a mean ± standard deviation of 2.06 ± 1.12. A significant correlation was found with two different methods of eyelid speculum insertion with reduced overall pain perception in patients with the use of lubricated eyelid speculum compared to the dry eyelid speculum (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: The overall pain perception associated with cataract surgery performed by phacoemulsification technique under topical anesthesia can be further minimized by lubricating the eyelid speculum prior to insertion for exposing the globe.

Transconjunctival versus transcutaneous local anaesthetic administration for lower eyelid surgery: a randomised controlled trial.

AIM: To compare the associated discomfort and safety between transcutaneous (Tskin) and transconjunctival (Tconj) approaches of local anaesthetic (LA) administration in lower eyelid surgery. METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled trial comparing Tskin and Tconj LA in patients undergoing bilateral lower eyelid surgeries for horizontal laxity. Patients were randomised to receive LA via Tskin to one side and Tconj to the fellow side. LA injection was administered in a slow fashion accompanied by distraction (tapping of patient's forehead). Self-reported discomfort from the injections was rated using a 0-10 numerical rating scale. A single blinded assessor graded photographs for eyelid bruising (0 = absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe). RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (mean age ± SD, 75.9 ± 6.7 years) were enrolled. The overall pain score (mean ± SD) was statistically lower for the Tconj than the Tskin group (3.90 ± 2.28 versus 5.33 ± 2.23, p = 0.017). More patients in the Tconj group reported substantially less pain (score of ≤3) in comparison to the Tskin group (56.7% versus 23.3%, p = 0.017). In individual patients, the Tconj pain score was found to be significantly lower than the Tskin side (p = 0.008). Bruising scores were higher in the Tskin group, but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). No other adverse effects were found. CONCLUSION: Tconj delivery of LA in lower eyelids with horizontal laxity is safe and associated with less discomfort and bruising than the conventional Tskin route. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04102878.

Evaluation of the MGDRx eyebag treatment in young and older subjects with dry eye symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between application of the MGDRx thermal eyebag and dry eye signs and symptoms in young and older subjects and to compare the results between the two groups. METHODS: Thirty young, healthily volunteers between 18 and 31 years of age (23.95±3.94 years) and thirty older subjects between 61 and 90 years of age (77.97±8.11 years) participated in this study. Ocular surface parameters were assessed using the Oculus Keratograph 5M, following the guidelines of the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Dry Eye Workshop II Diagnostic Methodology report. Only subjects with a positive score on at least one questionnaire and an initial Non-Invasive Keratograph Break-Up Time (NIKBUT) under 10seconds were included in the study. After thermal bag self-application in both eyes every day for 2 weeks, the protocol was carried out again. Lid massage was performed after lid warming. Compliance and degree of improvement were also assessed. MAIN RESULTS: The young volunteer group showed an improvement in NIKBUT, lipid layer score, upper eyelid gland drop-out percentage and dry eye symptoms over the two week treatment period. Improvements in meibum quality, gland obstruction, telangiectasia scores, and dry eye symptoms were found in the older subjects. Mixed ANOVA revealed better NIKBUT and lipid layer values in the young subjects. Despite the treatment compliance being statistically higher in the older group than in the younger subjects (P=0.002), there were no significant differences in subjective improvement between groups (P=0.097). CONCLUSION: Dry eye-related symptoms were improved after thermal bag application, while NIKBUT and lipid layer thickness were improved only in the younger subjects.

Application of local anaesthesia and cryosurgery for eyelid masses in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Eyelid mass removal and cryotherapy application using only local anaesthesia and restraint may benefit patients with high anaesthesia risks. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and validate cryosurgery application using the CryoPen XL® on palpebral masses under local anaesthesia for patients not suitable for general anaesthesia. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent the procedure between November 2015 and April 2020. The procedure steps were as follows: skin preparation and local anaesthesia of the affected eyelid; debulking by resection and/or squeezing out the inspissated material; cryosurgery and post-operative care using topical medication, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory ointment. The medical records of the patients who underwent the operation were evaluated. Moreover, a telephonic survey with the pet owners was performed to determine recurrence, time to recurrence, survivability and side effects. RESULTS: Among the 30 owners, 29 responded to the survey. Ten (10/38, 26.3%) masses recurred with an average time to recurrence of 6.0 months. The estimated average depths for all, non-recurred, and recurred masses were 1.89, 1.88 and 1.90 mm, respectively. The average recurrence rate and time to recurrence were higher and earlier, respectively, than previously reported values. However, no patient presented intra- or post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that local anaesthesia and cryosurgery using the CryoPen XL® can be used in patients with eyelid masses who are not suitable for general anaesthesia. Compared with the surgical eyelid mass removal and blepharoplasty procedure, the reported procedure is time- and cost-effective, with the additional benefit of not requiring general anaesthesia.

Procedural Confidence and Usability of a Novel Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis Simulator Compared to a Traditional Porcine Model in Emergency Medicine Training.

INTRODUCTION: Retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH) occurs in only 0.45% of ocular trauma, but failure to provide timely lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC) risks permanent visual deficits. With ocular trauma rates as high as 8.5-10% amongst modern combat injuries, and more than 2,000 severe eye injuries documented over a 10 year span, this concern increases.12-15 However, given infrequent RBH occurrence in the non-combat environment, emergency medicine residents trained in stateside settings may not receive adequate LCC exposure prior to military deployment. Simulators should be evaluated for procedural confidence compared to expensive and cumbersome traditional live tissue training (LTT) options. We seek to compare procedural confidence and usability of emergency medicine military residents performing LCC on a novel simulator to those using LTT. METHODS: This study randomized 32 emergency physician and physician assistant residents to perform LCC on a simulator or LTT model. All received a standardized brief on RBH recognition and LCC, then completed an 11-question survey using a 100-mm visual numerical rating scale about their ability to correctly identify RBH and perform LCC. The survey was repeated after LCC completion. All volunteers additionally completed a 10-question survey utilizing a 5-point Likert scale on the usability of the model to which they were randomized. RESULTS: No significant difference in reported confidence changes between groups was found; however, significant increases were found across all reported confidence measures between pre- and post-trainer use in the overall sample population. LCC simulator users reported significantly higher usability in 7 of 10 ratings. CONCLUSION: The lack of a statistically significant difference between groups in procedural confidence suggests artificial LCC simulators may offer an attractive alternative to logistically-complicated porcine models. Further research is needed to evaluate non-inferiority and procedural performance.

The acts of opening and closing the eyes are of importance for congenital blindness: Evidence from resting-state fMRI.

Volitional eye closure is observed only in conscious and awake humans, and is rare in animals. It is believed that eye closure can focus one's attention inward and facilitate activities such as meditation and mental imagery. Congenital blind individuals are also required to close their eyes for these activities. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) studies have found robust differences between the eyes-closed (EC) and eyes-open (EO) conditions in some brain regions in the sighted. This study analyzed data from 21 congenital blind individuals and 21 sighted controls by using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) of RS-fMRI. The blind group and the sighted group shared similar pattern of differences between the EC and EO condition: ALFF was higher in the EC condition than the EO condition in the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex, bilateral supplementary motor area, and inferior occipital cortex, while ALFF was lower in the EC condition than the EO condition in the medial prefrontal cortex, highlighting the "nature" effect on the difference between the EC and EO conditions. The results of other matrices such as fractional ALFF (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) showed similar patterns to that of ALFF. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the EC-EO pattern of the two subgroups of congenital blind (i.e., with and without light perception), suggesting that the EC-EO difference is irrespective of residual light perception which reinforced the "nature" effect. We also found between-group differences, i.e., more probably "nurture effect", in the posterior insula and fusiform. Our results suggest that the acts of closing and opening the eyes are of importance for the congenital blind, and that these actions and their differences might be inherent in the nature of humans.

Periorbital ecchymosis and subconjunctival hemorrhage due to leech therapy for headache.

A 62-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of periorbital ecchymosis and subconjunctival hemorrhage that are visible, especially on the right eye. We noted that her complaints began the day after she underwent leech therapy on the glabella area for headache. On the glabella, 2 leech bites were observed close to the right side. Examination revealed ecchymosis on the bilateral eyelids and subconjunctival hemorrhage on the inferolateral and medial limbus on the right eye. No treatment was initiated, rather control measures were recommended. The follow-up after 1 month revealed that the patient's complaints had disappeared.

Cryoanalgesic versus EMLA® cream to reduced pain during analgesic injection in upper eyelid surgery: a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Eyelid surgery under local anesthesia is a common procedure in ophthalmology. The most painful part is usually injecting local anesthesia. Decreased sensation from the very sensitive eyelid skin before injection is one of the few methods to relieve this stressful condition. In this study, we compared the use of the aesthetic property of cooling (cryoanalgesic) with topical EMLA® cream preparation before local anesthetic injection on the eyelid. METHODS: Thirty patients aged 47-81 years (mean = 65.6, SD = 9.75) undergoing upper eyelid blepharoplasty or levator advancement surgery were enrolled. Each subject's upper eyelid was randomly allocated by a computer-generated randomization sequence to an EMLA® cream or cryoanalgesic group before injecting local anesthetic. Pain monitoring was performed subjectively and objectively using a visual analog scale (VAS). Results were analyzed using the paired t-test. RESULTS: No statistical difference was found in VAS score between the EMLA® cream (mean = 5.9) and cryoanalgesic groups (mean = 5.67) (p-value 0.5999). CONCLUSION: Topical EMLA® cream and cryoanalgesic have no difference in pain score from anesthetic infiltration during eyelid surgery.

Randomized trial of topical periocular castor oil treatment for blepharitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of topical castor oil application to the eyelids on ocular surface and tear film parameters in patients with blepharitis. METHODS: Twenty-six participants (14 females, 12 males; mean ± SD age, 38 ± 21 years) with clinical signs of blepharitis were enrolled in a prospective, investigator-masked, randomized, paired-eye trial. A 100% cold pressed castor oil formulation (Lotus Garden Botanicals, Biddeford, ME, USA) was applied to the eyelids of one eye (randomized), twice daily for 4 weeks. Ocular surface characteristics, symptoms, and tear film parameters were assessed at baseline and day 28. RESULTS: Baseline measurements did not differ between treated and control eyes (all p > 0.05). A significant reduction in OSDI symptomology score was observed following the four-week treatment period (p = 0.001). Clinical improvements in eyelid margin thickening, telangiectasia, eyelash matting, madarosis, cylindrical dandruff, and lid wiper epitheliopathy were limited to treated eyes (all p < 0.01), while greater decreases in staphylococcal and seborrheic eyelash crusting were observed in treated than control eyes (both p < 0.05). No adverse events were reported during the treatment period. CONCLUSION: Topical castor oil application effected significant improvements in ocular surface signs and symptoms in patients with blepharitis. The favourable therapeutic profile would suggest that castor oil demonstrates promise as a potential treatment for blepharitis, and support the conduct of further efficacy trials with longer follow up. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12618000856213.

Comparison of tumescent local anesthesia vs normal anesthesia technology in upper blepharoplasty in Asian women.

BACKGROUND: Blepharoplasty is the most common type of plastic surgery, used to improve most of the eyelid skin sag caused by aging. In the past, local infiltration anesthesia was widely used in blepharoplasty. Tumescent local analgesia (TLA) is safe and reliable method for anesthesia, even children can use this method. AIMS: This research aimed to systematically compare the differences between conventional local infiltration anesthesia and TLA in blepharoplasty. PATIENTS/METHODS: One hundred and seventy-eight bilateral upper blepharoplasty patients participated in this research. Visual analog scale (VAS) was employed to evaluate the postoperative pain in the patients. Periorbital appearances are based on light photography and judged by both medical and nonmedical panel. RESULTS: The use of TLA decreased the surgery duration but had no influence on the other surgery characteristics of upper blepharoplasty. Using TLA for anesthesia in bilateral upper blepharoplasty generated less pain than using local infiltration anesthesia. At day 7 after upper blepharoplasty, the rate of generation of both ecchymosis and erythema in normal anesthesia (NA) side were higher than in TLA side. The satisfaction of patients after upper blepharoplasty was not influenced by the use of different anesthesia methods. CONCLUSION: Compared with the normal anesthesia technology, the use of TLA in the upper blepharoplasty shortened the surgery duration, alleviated the postoperative pain, and mitigated the generation of ecchymosis and erythema. So, TLA is suitable for the performance of anesthesia in blepharoplasty.