Trends in Plasma Exchange Use in Optic Neuritis Hospitalizations in the United States.

PURPOSE: To report use trends of plasma exchange (PLEX) as well as sociodemographic and medical comorbidities associated with PLEX in the United States. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients (≥ 18 years) admitted for inpatient hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of optic neuritis (ON). METHODS: Data from the National Inpatient Sample database was compiled to assess PLEX use rates between 2000 and 2020. The cohorts of patients receiving PLEX versus not receiving PLEX were analyzed between quarter 4 of 2015 through 2020 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10], only) for patient sociodemographic variables, medical diagnoses, insurance types, hospital characteristics, cause of disease, time to therapy, length of stay (LOS), and total charges incurred. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of ON, incidence of PLEX, demographics, diagnoses associated with PLEX therapy, total charges, and LOS. RESULTS: From 2000 through 2020, 11 209 patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of ON were identified, with a significant majority managed at urban teaching hospitals. Use of PLEX increased steadily over 2 decades from 0.63% to 5.46%. Use was greatest in the western United States and least in the eastern United States. In the subset of ICD-10 cases, 3215 patients were identified. The median time to therapy of PLEX was 1 day after admission, and PLEX use was highest in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) (21.21%) and lowest in multiple sclerosis-associated ON (3.80%). Use of PLEX was associated with significantly longer LOS and higher total charges incurred. Medical comorbidities associated with PLEX included adverse reaction to glucocorticoids (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 31.50), hemiplegia (aOR, 28.48), neuralgia (aOR, 4.81), optic atrophy (aOR, 3.74), paralytic strabismus (aOR, 2.36), and psoriasis (aOR, 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: Over the last 2 decades in the United States, PLEX therapy for ON has increased, with the highest use in the western United States and for patients with the diagnosis NMOSD ON. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Concomitant optic disk drusen and papilledema due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension in a pediatric cohort.

BACKGROUND: Optic disk drusen (ODD) in pediatric patients typically presents with pseudopapilledema. Diagnosing concomitant papilledema due to idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in these patients can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical features of papilledema due to IIH among pediatric patients with a new diagnosis of ODD and to discuss the clinical and paraclinical findings that helped diagnose this group. METHODS: The medical records of children <15 years of age with ODD confirmed by B-scan ultrasound at their first visit over a 4-year period (2019-2022) were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with concurrent IIH were identified, and the demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 83 children with confirmed ODD at the initial presentation were included, of whom 4 (4.8%) were diagnosed with concomitant IIH. Patients ranged in age from 7 to 15 years; 3 of the 4 were female, and 3 had IIH-related symptoms at presentation (1 was asymptomatic). None of the 4 patients had papilledema greater than Frisen grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that clinicians review pertinent IIH symptoms and risk factors in children with ODD and follow the standard workup for IIH in suspicious cases. In asymptomatic patients with a new diagnosis of ODD, we recommend obtaining a follow-up optic nerve evaluation and optical coherence tomography scan to detect any significant interval change that might serve as a possible indicator of concomitant papilledema.

Outcomes of Strabismus Surgery Following Teprotumumab Therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of patients undergoing surgical treatment for strabismic diplopia in thyroid eye disease (TED) following teprotumumab. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, case series. METHODS: We report 28 patients who underwent extraocular muscle surgery for strabismic diplopia after treatment with teprotumumab at 7 different academic centers. Elapsed time from last teprotumumab dose to the date of surgery, previous orbital decompression, primary preoperative horizontal and vertical deviation, surgical procedure, and 2-month postoperative results were collected from the patient records. RESULTS: Sixteen (57%) patients were diplopia-free after 1 surgery. Three (11%) chose prism spectacles to correct residual diplopia, 2 (7%) used compensatory head posture to resolve diplopia, and 1 (4%) had intermittent diplopia and was functionally improved (choosing no prisms or further surgery). These were considered treatment successes. Three (11%) patients required reoperation, and all were diplopia-free after their second procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients requiring surgery for strabismic diplopia following teprotumumab achieve good outcomes with success rates comparable to series published before the availability of teprotumumab.

Assessment of the Responses of the Artificial Intelligence-based Chatbot ChatGPT-4 to Frequently Asked Questions About Amblyopia and Childhood Myopia.

PURPOSE: To assess the responses of the ChatGPT-4, the forerunner artificial intelligence-based chatbot, to frequently asked questions regarding two common pediatric ophthalmologic disorders, amblyopia and childhood myopia. METHODS: Twenty-seven questions about amblyopia and 28 questions about childhood myopia were asked of the ChatGPT twice (totally 110 questions). The responses were evaluated by two pediatric ophthalmologists as acceptable, incomplete, or unacceptable. RESULTS: There was remarkable agreement (96.4%) between the two pediatric ophthalmologists on their assessment of the responses. Acceptable responses were provided by the ChatGPT to 93 of 110 (84.6%) questions in total (44 of 54 [81.5%] for amblyopia and 49 of 56 [87.5%] questions for childhood myopia). Seven of 54 (12.9%) responses to questions on amblyopia were graded as incomplete compared to 4 of 56 (7.1%) of questions on childhood myopia. The ChatGPT gave inappropriate responses to three questions about amblyopia (5.6%) and childhood myopia (5.4%). The most noticeable inappropriate responses were related to the definition of reverse amblyopia and the threshold of refractive error for prescription of spectacles to children with myopia. CONCLUSIONS: The ChatGPT has the potential to serve as an adjunct informational tool for pediatric ophthalmology patients and their caregivers by demonstrating a relatively good performance in answering 84.6% of the most frequently asked questions about amblyopia and childhood myopia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(2):86-89.].

Surgical Correction of Cicatricial Lower Eyelid Retraction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Cicatricial lower eyelid retraction is a challenging condition. It involves scarring of the lower eyelid, which causes it to retract and expose the sclera. This can lead to complications such as dry eye syndrome and corneal melting. It can be caused by trauma, burns, or previous eyelid surgery. Detailed assessment and understanding of eyelid anatomy and retraction are critical for successful surgical planning. Dynamic and static examinations of the eyelid including measurements of the lower eyelid margin reflex distance (MRD2) and scleral show are also essential to determine the appropriate treatment approach. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases with keywords related to cicatricial lower eyelid retraction. The publication language was limited to English after 2000. A total of 29 articles were included for data extraction and analysis. RESULTS: The main surgical techniques include tarsoconjunctival grafts, spacers, midface lift, and lateral canthal tendon suspension, although no single procedure has been universally recognized as the gold standard. New innovations such as synthetic grafts and xenografts are being explored for their potential in eyelid reconstruction. Severe cases, defined as those with inferior scleral show greater than 2 mm, may require a combination of reconstruction methods. CONCLUSIONS: Correcting cicatricial lower eyelid retraction is a major challenge in oculoplastic reconstruction. The surgical approach should be individualized, considering the pathologies and etiologies of lid retraction. In-depth knowledge and careful surgical planning are essential for best outcomes. There is no gold standard technique, and postoperative outcomes, complications, and management vary depending on the surgical approach used.

Tessier Number 9 Craniofacial Cleft Associated with Goldenhar Syndrome and Its Surgical Management: A Report of a Rare Case.

Purpose: To report surgical repair of a rare case of Tessier number 9 craniofacial cleft. Methods: Case report. Results: Tessier number 9 craniofacial cleft is the rarest cleft anomaly. This article reports a congenital eyelid coloboma in a 21-year-old woman that involved the lateral third of the left upper eyelid and extended to the lateral canthus, consistent with number 9 craniofacial cleft Tessier classification. The additional findings included a fibrotic band between the globe and the remnant of the upper lid, which caused a small-angle exotropia. There were also skin appendages in the preauricular area and the inner surface of the nasal columella consistent with Goldenhar syndrome. The eyelid coloboma was repaired by releasing the adhesions and using a composite graft of the hard palate to repair the posterior lamella. The anterior lamella was repaired by creating a skin advancement flap. The esthetic and functional outcomes were acceptable in the 2-year postoperative follow-up period. Conclusion: The composite hard palate graft can be used to repair posterior lamella defect in the case of Tessier number 9 craniofacial cleft.

Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Its Vaccination: A Narrative Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 that has vastly affected the whole world. Although respiratory disease is the most common manifestation of COVID-19, the virus can affect multiple organs. Neurotropic aspects of the virus are increasingly unfolding, in so far as some respiratory failures are attributed to brainstem involvement. The neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 and the neuro-ophthalmic side effects of vaccination were reviewed. The major findings are that the SARS-CoV-2 infection commonly causes headaches and ocular pain. It can affect the afferent and efferent visual pathways by ischemic or inflammatory mechanisms. Optic nerve may be the origin of transient or permanent visual loss from papillophlebitis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, or optic neuritis. Cerebrovascular strokes are not uncommon and may lead to cortical visual impairment or optic nerve infarction. SARS-CoV-2 may affect the pupillomotor pathways, resulting in tonic pupil (Adie's syndrome) or Horner's syndrome. Cranial neuropathies including third, fourth, sixth, and seventh nerve palsies have all been reported. Rhino-orbital mucormycosis superinfections in COVID-19 patients receiving steroids or other immunosuppressive therapies may result in unilateral or bilateral visual loss and ophthalmoplegia. Autoimmune conditions such as Guillain-Barré, Miller-Fisher syndrome, and ocular myasthenia have been reported.

Suprachoroidal injection of triamcinolone acetonide plus intravitreal bevacizumab in diabetic macular edema: a randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy of injecting suprachoroidal triamcinolone acetonide (SCTA) plus intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) into patients with center-involving diabetic macular edema (CI-DME). METHODS: In this phase 2/3 randomized controlled pilot trial, sixty-six eyes with CI-DME and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of at most 20/50 Snellen chart were randomly assigned into two groups. Monotherapy arm received sham injection plus 3 monthly IVB doses and combination arm received a single dose of SCTA and 3 monthly IVB doses. The mean improvements in BCVA and Central subfield thickness (CST), over the three-month was considered the main efficacy outcomes. RESULTS: The mean BCVA improvements were obtained respectively as - 0.20 ± 0.20 log [minimum angle of resolution (MAR)] (P = 0.004) and 0.37 ± 0.24 log MAR (P < 0.001) in monotherapy and combination arms [between-group analysis (P = 0.014)]. Significant improvements were also observed in CST (P = 0.019) in the combination arm compared to the other. No adverse events (elevated intraocular pressure, cataract) were observed in any of the study arms. CONCLUSION: Significant improvements in BCVA and retinal anatomical outcomes demonstrated the additive effects of SCTA to those of anti-vascular endothelial growth factors with no short-term side effects and this combination appears to be a promising option in the management of patients with CI-DME. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20200314046761N1).

Pott luck.

A 10-year-old boy presented with headache, fever, left-sided ptosis, and right-sided forehead soft tissue swelling. There was no recent history of trauma or infection. The patient had a large, fluctuant mass on the right side of his forehead, upgaze restriction, left-sided ptosis, and bilateral optic disk edema. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a frontal bone extradural fluid collection superficial to the superior sagittal sinus in keeping with an epidural abscess. There were multiple venous thromboses and thickening and enhancement of the dura, compatible with meningitis. There was right sphenoid sinusitis. This patient had Potts puffy tumor, a rare diagnosis associated with a forehead swelling from frontal bone osteomyelitis and subperiosteal abscess. It is seen in the pediatric population in association with sinusitis or trauma. Antibiotics, anticoagulation, and acetazolamide were initiated, and the epidural abscess was evacuated. The symptoms and signs resolved with treatment.

Diabetic retinopathy and corneal endothelial parameters: an analytical cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the possible association of different pattern of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on corneal endothelium cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, corneal endothelium parameters including endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell size (AVG), coefficient of variation in cell size (CV), and hexagonality (Hex) were evaluated by non-contact specular microscopy. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four eyes of 134 diabetic patients including 77 females (57.5%) with a mean age of 61.03 ± 8.08 years were enrolled. The overall corneal parameters in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy were not significantly different (P > 0.05). There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control (B = 0.369, p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial parameters were not associated with DM in patients without and with DR. There is a significant relationship between CV and the duration of the disease with age variable control.

Hummelsheim procedure combined with medial rectus recession in complete sixth nerve palsy and esotropic Duane Retraction Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of half tendon vertical rectus muscle transposition (HVRT) combined with medial rectus muscle recession (MRrec) in complete sixth nerve palsy (CSNP) and esotropic Duane Retraction Syndrome (eDRS). METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with unilateral CSNP or eDRS who underwent HVRT combined with medial rectus recession over the course of 18 years. The patients with previous strabismus surgery and follow up less than 3 months were excluded. Overcorrection was defined as any amount of exotropia, and undercorrection was defined as residual esotropia of ⩾10 prism diopter (PD). RESULTS: A total of 39 patients were enrolled including 22 CSNP and 17 eDRS patients. Esotropia improved from 45.8 ± 22 and 22.5 ± 6.4 PD to 0.8 ± 2.5 and 0.3 ± 1 PD in CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. The angle of face turn improved from 34.3 ± 8.4° and 26.5 ± 9° to 0.6 ± 2.4° and 0.8 ± 1.6° in the CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. Abduction limitation improved from -4.5 ± 0.5 and -4 ± 0 units to -2.9 ± 0.5 and -2.7 ± 0.5 units in CSNP group and eDRS group respectively. No patient developed a new vertical deviation. An overcorrection occurred in one patient of the eDRS group who improved after botulinum toxin injection in the ipsilateral lateral rectus muscle. Undercorrection was seen in two patients. CONCLUSION: HVRT combined with MRrec is an effective procedure to improve esotropia, face turn, and abduction limitation in CSNP and eDRS.

Augmented fascia temporalis sling for paralytic ectropion of the lower lid.

PURPOSE: To report the effect of lower eyelid temporalis fascia sling combined with lateral canthoplasty and tarsorrhaphy for paralytic ectropion. METHODS: Prospective case series of 10 patients with lower lid paralytic ectropion who were treated with lower eyelid fascia temporalis sling and lateral canthoplasty in addition to lateral tarsorrhaphy as a single-session procedure. Additional medial tarsorrhaphy was applied if the medial lower lid apposition was not adequate at the end of the procedures. Eyelid configuration and function were compared before and after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 65.8 ± 10 years. Mean marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and MRD2 changed from 3.5 ± 1.4 and 8.6 ± 2.4 mm to 2.2 ± 1.4 and 5.3 ± 1.2 mm respectively (p = 0.001 and 0.006). Mean pre-operative lagophthalmos improved from 9.2 ± 4.9 to 3.4 ± 1.3 mm (p = 0.001). The mean follow-up was 28.9 ± 12.1 months. Three patients required additional medial tarsorrhaphy to address residual medial ectropion in the same session. CONCLUSION: Combination of lower lid fascia temporalis sling, lateral canthoplasty and tarsorrhaphy as a single-session procedure can effectively improve the functional and aesthetic complications of paralytic ectropion.

Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Presenting as Recurrent Dacryocystitis: Case Report of a Rare Entity.

An 84-year-old man presented with a localized, firm, tender mass over the right lacrimal sac. He had a history of acute dacryocystitis in the same eye 6 months before presentation, which resolved with antibiotics followed by uneventful dacryocystorhinostomy. At repeat presentation, the patient underwent orbital imaging and excisional biopsy of the lesion. Histologic studies revealed a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. The patient was subsequently treated with chemotherapy and radiation. Although there are rare reports of small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma originating in the sino-orbital-lacrimal region, this is the first report of tumor presentation with acute dacryocystitis in a patient with prior dacryocystorhinostomy.