Efficacy of treatments for Demodex blepharitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment for Demodex blepharitis. Parameters studied were mites count, improvement of symptoms and mites' eradication, stratified on type of treatments and mode of delivery of treatments (local or systemic). METHOD: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Google scholar and Science Direct databases were searched for studies reporting an efficacy of treatments for Demodex blepharitis. RESULTS: We included 19 studies (14 observational and 5 randomized clinical trials), for a total of 934 patients, 1741 eyes, and 13 different treatments. For mites count, eradication rate, and symptoms improvement, meta-analysis included fifteen, fourteen and thirteen studies, respectively. The overall effect sizes for efficiency of all treatments, globally, were 1.68 (95CI 1.25 to 2.12), 0.45 (0.26-0.64), and 0.76 (0.59-0.90), respectively. Except usual lid hygiene for mites count, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario ointment (CHEO) for both eradication rate and symptoms, and CHEO, 2% metronidazole ointment, and systemic metronidazole for eradication rate, all treatments were efficient. Stratified meta-analysis did not show significant differences between local and systemic treatments (1.22, 0.83 to 1.60 vs 2.24, 1.30 to 3.18 for mites count; 0.37, 0.21 to 0.54 vs 0.56, 0.06 to 0.99 for eradication rate; and 0.77, 0.58 to 0.92 vs 0.67, 0.25 to 0.98 for symptoms improvement). CONCLUSION: We reported the efficiency of the different treatments of Demodex blepharitis. Because of less systemic side effects, local treatments seem promising molecules in the treatment of Demodex blepharitis.

Acupuncture for pilocarpine-resistant xerostomia following radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies.

OBJECTIVE: Xerostomia is a frequent and potentially debilitating toxicity of radiotherapy (XRT) for cancers of the head and neck. This report describes the use of acupuncture as palliation for such patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighteen patients with xerostomia refractory to pilocarpine therapy after XRT for head and neck malignancy were offered acupuncture as palliation. All patients are without evidence of cancer recurrence at the primary site. Acupuncture was provided to three auricular points and one digital point bilaterally, with electrostimulation used variably. The Xerostomia Inventory (XI) was administered retrospectively to provide an objective measure of efficacy. RESULTS: Acupuncture contributed to relief from xerostomia to varying degrees. Palliative effect as measured by the XI varied from nil to robust (pre- minus post- therapy values of over 20 points). Nine patients had benefit of over 10 points on the XI. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture reduces xerostomia in some patients who are otherwise refractory to best current management.

The morphology of conjunctiva after long-term topical anti-glaucoma treatment. A quantitative analysis.

On biopsy material, differences in the degree of conjunctival inflammation and fibrosis between topically treated glaucoma patients and age matched controls, were examined histologically. Eighteen patients with primary glaucoma underwent goniotrephinations, because maximal medical therapy had failed. The patients had received at least two types of topical anti-glaucoma drugs for at least 12 months (mean 46 months). The control group consisted of 18 age-matched control patients without glaucoma, who had received no topical therapy. These patients underwent cataract surgery or squint surgery. Biopsies were taken from the infero-temporal bulbar quadrant with a biopsy forceps. The specimens were fixed while stabilized on a rubber support to exclude any major shrinkage. Specimens were analyzed by light microscopy for the content of inflammatory cells (plasma cells, lymphocytes, polymorphs, macrophages and mast cells), goblet cells and fibroblasts. No significant difference in the histologic parameters between the two groups could be demonstrated. The study suggests that topical treatment for periods up to 4 years with anti-glaucoma drugs does not induce morphological signs of inflammation and fibrosis of the conjunctiva.

Ophthalmology's botanical heritage.

Many of today's important ophthalmic pharmaceuticals have a rich ethnobotanical history. Solanaceous plants, the source of atropine, have contributed to medical therapy since the beginning of Western civilization. The botanical source of physostigmine played a pivotal role as an ordeal poison in the culture of Old Calabar, West Africa. Native peoples of Amazonia treasured plants containing pilocarpine as panaceas because of their impressive diaphoretic effect. Nineteenth century scientists examining these plants because of their folkloric reputations discovered their active compounds and documented their physiological effects. Ophthalmologists such as Argyll Robertson, Laqueur, and Weber built upon this research to bring these pharmaceuticals into therapeutic use. The ongoing loss of the world's tropical rain forests threatens to destroy a vast storehouse of untested biological compounds.

Pigmentary dispersion syndrome and suspected low tension pigmentary glaucoma.

Recent evidence suggests that pigmentary dispersion syndrome is a result of the mechanical abrasion of the posterior iris surface and the anterior zonular fibers causing pigmentary release onto the ocular structures. Irreversible glaucomatous changes may be the result of the inability of the endothelial cells lining the trabecular beams to continue to phagocytize the release pigment. Glaucomatous field changes may occur despite low intraocular pressures and no clinically observable cupping. Visual field testing is indicated in any patient presenting with pigmentary dispersion syndrome since pressure spikes inducing nerve damage occur with stress, exercise, or prolonged mydriasis. Treatment may include miotics to prevent further abrasion rather than typical pressure-lowering medication.

Thymoxamine: a miotic for intraocular use.

Thymoxamine hydrochloride can be used intraocularly to reverse phenylephrine or epinephrine mydriasis during intraocular surgery (0.2-0.5 ml of 0.01% or 0.02% solutions proved to be effective). No endothelial damage was found up to a dose of 1 ml of 0.02% thymoxamine in animal experiments using a physiologically buffered solution. Since stability is low in the buffered state, the final concentration has to be prepared at the time of surgery using a 0.5% solution and a phosphate buffer. Intracameral thymoxamine is a potent miotic during operations and can be helpful in extracapsular cataract surgery, keratoplasty, and repair of perforating injuries.