Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids and punctal plugs in the prevention of isotretinoin-associated ocular surface disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and punctal plugs on tear film and ocular surface parameters in patients receiving systemic isotretinoin therapy. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized study that included 180 eyes of 90 patients who had systemic isotretinoin therapy (120-150 mg/kg for at least 4-6 months). Exclusion criteria: DED according to the diagnostic criteria of TFOS DEWS II. Patients were assigned into three groups; (1) O3FAs/PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received oral O3FAs two capsules twice daily total daily dose of 1040 mg/day for 6 months. (2) PPs group: A soft preloaded silicone plug was inserted in the inferior punctum of both eyes and received oral placebo. (3) Isotretinoin group: No intervention was done. At baseline, 1 week, 1, 3, and 6 months of study, Ocular surface evaluation tests were done in following order: OSDI, tear osmolarity, Schirmer's I test, TBUT, ocular surface staining score, and meibomian gland expression. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The changes in measurement of ocular surface evaluation tests including ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film breakup time (TFBUT), corneal staining, tear osmolarity, and meibomian gland expression at 6 months. RESULTS: There are significant changes between all groups at 6 months follow-up. The ocular surface parameters were better for the PPs and O3FAs/PPs groups than the isotretinoin group. The isotretinoin group showed worsening of ocular surface parameters including a significant decrease of FTBUT and an increase of OSDI score, corneal staining score, tear osmolarity, and meibomian expression score. There was no significant difference in ST1 throughout the whole study in all groups. At 6 months follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between PPs and O3FAs/PPs groups except meibomian expression score which showed a significant increase in PPs group. CONCLUSION: Our cohort highlights the beneficial effects of the combination of O3FAs supplementation with PPs in the prevention of isotretinoin-associated OSD in this sample study.

Perforated punctal plugs with adjuvant use of mitomycin-C in management of acquired external punctal stenosis grades 0 and 1.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of perforated punctal plugs with adjuvant application of mitomycin-C in the management of acquired external punctal stenosis grades 0 and 1. METHODS: This is a prospective interventional case series including 30 eyes of 30 patients with acquired external punctal stenosis of the lower punctum of grades 0 and 1 presenting with epiphora. They were examined to exclude other causes of lacrimation and epiphora: Slit-lamp assessment of the stenosed punctum and grading was done, probing was done to exclude associated canalicular stenosis, and syringing was done to exclude nasolacrimal duct obstruction. For all cases, dilatation was done, followed by application of mitomycin-C, and perforated punctal plugs were then inserted. Plugs were removed after 6 months, and anatomical and functional success were assessed and followed during and for 6 months after removal of the plugs. RESULTS: The study included 30 patients with acquired external punctal stenosis: 9 males (30%) and 21 females (70%) with a mean age of 62.83 ± 8.3 years. Punctal stenosis grade 0 (no punctum) occurred in 9 cases (30%), and grade 1 (the punctum is covered by a membrane) occurred in 21 cases (70%). Six months after removal of the plugs, epiphora improved in 93.3% of patients, and fluorescein dye disappearance test results improved in 90% of patients; 6.7% of cases had early extrusion of the plug, and 3.3% had granuloma formation. CONCLUSIONS: Application of perforated punctal plugs combined with mitomycin-C is a simple and efficient technique in the management of tight acquired external punctal stenosis.

Sjogren's syndrome from the perspective of ophthalmology.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the lacrimal glands resulting in dry eye disease (DED). Ophthalmologists may be the first line of detection of Sjogren's syndrome given the frequency of DED in SS and that dry eye is often the presenting symptom. Numerous symptom questionnaires and tests have been developed to help diagnose DED, but as of yet, there is no "gold standard." Minimally invasive objective metrics are needed for a reliable diagnosis of DED. Currently there is no single test to diagnose SS-associated DED. Although there are several approaches to treatment, none are specific for DED in SS, and, generally, several methods need to be tried to find what works best for a specific patient. Treatment for DED continues to be an unmet medical need, especially given that DED in SS is typically on the severe end of the spectrum.