Topical cyclosporin A 0.05% eye drops for management of symptomatic acquired punctal stenosis: a prospective, controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of cyclosporin 0.05% eye drops in the management of grade 1 and 2 acquired punctal stenosis and to compare the results with the clinical outcomes of mini-Monoka insertion. METHODS: A prospective, controlled, interventional clinical study includes all patients (16 years and older) with symptomatic epiphora and diagnosed with grade 1 or grade 2 acquired punctal stenosis. All patients undergo punctal dilatation, canalicular probing, and nasolacrimal duct irrigation. Afterwards, patients are divided into two groups: Group A: patients receive only medical treatment in the form of topical 0.05% cyclosporin (Restasis®, Allergan Inc.) twice daily for 6 months. Group B: patients receive mini-Monoka stent insertion in the lower canaliculus for 6 weeks. Outcome measures are changes in Munk scoring, grading of the punctum, and functional and anatomical success. Functional success is defined as Munk score 0 to 1 and FDDT grade 0-2. Anatomical success is defined as grade 3 punctum. RESULTS: Forty-two patients are included in the study, with 21 patients in each group. There were no significant differences in the Munk score between the two groups before treatment; however, group B had a significantly higher mean rank at 6 months after treatment. After treatment, the punctal size was significantly larger in group B at 4 weeks and 3 months. However, no significant difference in punctal size was detected at 6 months after treatment between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Application of cyclosporin 0.05% eye drops is a simple and efficient non-interventional method in the management of grade 1 and 2 acquired punctal stenosis.

The microbiologic spectrum of dacryocystitis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the microbiologic spectrum of dacryocystitis in adult and pediatric groups, specifically the microbiologic differences between chronic dacryocystitis with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and acute dacryocystitis in pediatric group. METHODS: This retrospective study was reviewed for demographic and microbiologic profile of dacryocystitis. The culture results were reported. RESULTS: Sixty-four adults and one hundred and five pediatrics with dacryocystitis were included in this study. Of all adults, only chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO was observed. Of all pediatric patients, 89 had chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and 16 had acute dacryocystitis. Gram positive and negative isolates were numerically equal in adult group (both 36(48.65%)), while gram positive isolates were the major organism in pediatric group (71(58.68%)). Streptococcus pneumonia was the most common isolate in both adult (11(14.86%)) and pediatric (30(24.79%)) dacryocystitis. For both pediatric subgroups, gram positive isolates were the major organism (59(57.84%) for chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and 12 (63.16%) for acute dacryocystitis). However, the leading isolates in those two subgroups were distinct, with Streptococcus pneumonia (29(28.43%)) being most common in chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO and Staphylococcus aureus (8(42.11%)) being most common in acute dacryocystitis. CONCLUSIONS: In adult group, gram negative isolates were more common in dacryocystitis than before. In pediatric group, gram positive isolates were still the major infection pathogen. Moreover, the more virulent organisms were more common in acute dacryocystitis than chronic dacryocystitis with NLDO.

Antimetabolites as an adjunct to dacryocystorhinostomy for nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) is a condition that results in the overflow of tears (epiphora) or infection of the nasolacrimal sac (dacryocystitis). The etiology of acquired NLDO is multifactorial and is not fully understood. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the surgical correction of NLDO, which aims to establish a new drainage pathway between the lacrimal sac and the nose. The success of DCR is variable; the most common cause of failure is fibrosis and stenosis of the surgical ostium. Antimetabolites such as mitomycin-C (MMC) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been shown to be safe and effective in reducing fibrosis and improving clinical outcomes in other ophthalmic surgery settings (e.g. glaucoma and cornea surgery). Application of antimetabolites at the time of DCR has been studied, but the utility of these treatments remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES: Primary objective: To determine if adjuvant treatment with antimetabolites improves functional success in the setting of DCR compared to DCR alone. Secondary objectives: To determine if anatomic success of DCR is increased with the use of antimetabolites, and if the surgical ostium is larger in participants treated with antimetabolites. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Register for Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (which contains the Cochrane Eye and Vision Trials Register) (2019, Issue 9), Ovid MEDLINE, Embase.com, PubMed, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature database), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches. We last searched the electronic databases on 6 September 2019. SELECTION CRITERIA: We only included randomized controlled trials. Eligible studies were those that compared the administration of antimetabolites of any dose and concentration versus placebo or another active treatment in participants with NLDO undergoing primary DCR and reoperation. We only included studies that had enrolled adults 18 years or older. We also included studies that used silicone intubation as part of the DCR procedure. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. Two review authors independently screened the search results, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data from the included studies using an electronic data collection form. MAIN RESULTS: We included 31 studies in the review, of which 23 (1309 participants) provided data relating to our primary and secondary outcomes. Many of the 23 studies evaluated functional success, while others also assessed our secondary outcomes of anatomic success or ostium size, or both. Study characteristics Participant characteristics varied across studies, with the age of participants ranging from 30 to 70 years. Participants were predominantly women. These demographics correspond to those most frequently affected by nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Almost all of the studies utilized MMC as the antimetabolite, with only one using 5-FU. We assessed most trials as at unclear risk of bias for most domains. Conflicts of interest were not frequently reported, although the antimetabolites used are generic medications, and studies were not likely to be conducted for financial interest. Findings Twenty studies provided data on the primary outcome of functional success, of which 7 (356 participants) provided data at 6 months and 14 (909 participants) provided data beyond 6 months. At six months, the results showed no evidence of effect of antimetabolite on functional success (risk ratio (RR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.29; low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, the results favored the antimetabolite group (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.25; moderate-certainty evidence). Fourteen studies reported data on the secondary outcome of anatomic success, of which 4 (306 participants) reported data at 6 months and 12 (831 participants) provided data beyond 6 months. Results at six months showed no evidence of effect of antimetabolite on anatomic success (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.11; low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, participants in the antimetabolite group were more likely to achieve anatomic success than those receiving DCR alone (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.15; moderate-certainty evidence). At six months and beyond six months follow-up, two studies reported mean change in ostium size. We did not conduct meta-analysis for the various follow-up periods due to clinical, methodological, and statistical heterogeneity. However, point estimates from these studies at six months consistently favored participants in the antimetabolite group (low-certainty evidence). Beyond six months, while point estimates from one study favored participants in the antimetabolite group, estimates from another study showed no evidence of a difference between the two groups. The certainty of evidence at both time points was low. Adverse events Adverse events were rare. One study reported that one participant in the MMC group experienced delayed wound healing. Other studies reported no significant adverse events related to the application of antimetabolites. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate-certainty evidence that application of antimetabolites at the time of DCR increases functional and anatomic success of DCR when patients are followed for more than six months after surgery, but no evidence of a difference at six months, low-certainty of evidence. There is low-certainty evidence that combining antimetabolite with DCR increases the size of the lacrimal ostium at six months. However, beyond six months, the evidence remain uncertain. Adverse effects of the application of antimetabolites were minimal.

Effect of topical steroids on recently developed incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction: optical coherence tomography study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a topical steroid instillation on recently developed incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) evaluated by using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT). METHODS: Forty-nine eyes of 31 patients with incomplete NLDO who developed epiphora within 3 months were recruited and treated with a topical steroid for 3 months. Tear meniscus height (TMH) and area (TMA) were measured by ASOCT. The treatment was considered to be effective when there was improvement of subjective epiphora, normal tear meniscus on slit lamp examination, a fluorescein dye disappearance test with grade 0 or 1, and TMH < 250 µm on ASOCT. The treatment effectiveness and associated factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment was effective in 24 eyes (49.0%) after 6 months of follow-up. TMH and TMA at 3 months were significantly decreased in the effective group on ASOCT (TMH: from 385 to 268 µm, p = 0.002, TMA: from 0.0564 to 0.0266 mm2, p = 0.001, Wilcoxon test). In the effective group, the eyes with normal tear meniscus at 1 month were significantly more frequent than those in the ineffective group (p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). No patient in the effective group required further invasive management during 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Topical steroid instillation has a significant therapeutic effect on recently developed incomplete NLDO. Additional invasive procedures were avoided in half of the subjects.

Lacrimal passage irrigation in children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis: a five-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: To identity the effect of lacrimal system irrigation in the acute stage in children with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS: A retrospective review of 39 patients with SJS or TEN from 2012 to 2017 was analyzed. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to whether they received irrigation in the acute stage. The irrigation group included 21 inpatients and the control group included 18 inpatients. The χ2 test was used to compare clinical findings and data in both groups. RESULTS: The rate of lacrimal system obstructions in the chronic stage of SJS or TEN in the irrigation group was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). A significant difference was also found between the epiphora rates in patients with SJS or TEN in the chronic stage in the two groups (p = 0.047). One of 15 patients with mild dry eyes or without dry eyes in the irrigation group had epiphora, and it affected five of 12 in the control group. The difference between the two groups was significant (p = 0.03). Epiphora in the two patients in the control group was long-term, owing to the disappearance of puncta marks. CONCLUSIONS: Lacrimal system irrigation with dexamethasone drops in the acute stage was a simple way to lessen lacrimal system obstructions and epiphora in patients with SJS or TEN. It should be considered a conventional ocular treatment for SJS or TEN.

Idiopathic edematous punctal stenosis with chronic epiphora: preponderance in young women.

PURPOSE: To describe a previously unreported phenomenon of idiopathic edematous punctal stenosis (IEPS) with chronic epiphora, presenting almost exclusively in young female patients. METHODS: A review of patients who presented with chronic epiphora and edematous punctal stenosis of unknown cause (IEPS) at the outpatient clinic of Soroka Medical Center between August 2011 and August 2015. Associated findings from clinical examination were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with IEPS were documented. There were 30 female and 2 male patients. Average age at diagnosis was 37.6 ± 13.4 years, range 19-63 years, median 35 years. Temporary alleviation of symptoms was reported in subjects treated with topical steroids (43.8%), tacrolimus ointment (15.6%), and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (3.1%). No improvement in symptoms was reported in 37.5% of patients. Symptoms were bilateral in 78.1% of the patients. Spontaneous resolution was achieved in only 6.3% (2/32). CONCLUSIONS: IEPS accompanied by chronic epiphora has not been characterized to date. Our data show a clear predominance of females, most of them in their fertile years.

A review on use of botulinum toxin for intractable lacrimal drainage disorders.

PURPOSE: To review the published literature on botulinum toxin (BTX) for epiphora secondary to refractory lacrimal drainage disorders. METHODS: The authors performed a Pub Med search of all articles published in English on BTX injection into lacrimal gland for epiphora secondary to lacrimal drainage disorders. Relevant cross-references were obtained from the resultant studies. Data reviewed included demographics, indications, dose of BTX, number of injections, transconjunctival or transcutaneous route, outcomes and complications. Animal experiments of BTX into lacrimal gland were included and analyzed separately. RESULTS: Botulinum toxin injection into lacrimal gland, in animal studies, has shown to reduce the tear volume significantly lasting for approximately a month without any histological changes. The major indications have been refractory canalicular obstructions and functional epiphora. The commonly used dose was 2.5 U. Outcomes in the few studies published are encouraging with transient ptosis being the most common complication. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin into the lacrimal gland is a minimally invasive alternative in cases of refractory epiphora secondary to lacrimal drainage disorders. In these subsets of patients, the reported concentrations, dosage and outcome measures are variable and need larger studies for standardization.

Efficacy of adjunctive mitomycin C in transcanalicular diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy.

The objective of the study was to compare the success rate of transcanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) with or without the use of adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) in cases with primary nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). This retrospective study was comprised of 68 patients with uncomplicated primary NLDO. There were two groups in the study: the Group 1 (n = 35) patients underwent TCL-DCR surgery with MMC and the Group 2 (n = 33) patients underwent TCL-DCR surgery without MMC. All patients had bicanalicular silicone tube intubation. The main outcome measures were patent osteotomy as visualized endoscopically and patent nasolacrimal irrigation. The follow-up period was 12 months. All patients had unilateral TCL-DCR with silicone tube intubation. Six months following surgery, the silicone tubes were removed. At the final evaluation, success rates were 80 % in Group 1 and 78.8 % in Group 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.52). No complications related to MMC usage were recorded during the study period. Intraoperative use of MMC has no beneficial effect on the success rate in TCL-DCR.

Dacryocystitis due to Sporothrix brasiliensis: a case report of a successful clinical and serological outcome with low-dose potassium iodide treatment and oculoplastic surgery.

Sporothrix brasiliensis is the main species of the S. schenckii complex implicated in the zoonotic epidemics of sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Epidemiological features have been already described, such as zoonotic transmission by cats and increased frequency of atypical clinical aspects. The involvement of the face by contact with cats is common in childhood; as a result, ophthalmic manifestations have increased. We report a case of acute dacryocystitis in a 9-year-old girl. A calmodulin-based molecular phylogeny was used to identify the agent as S. brasiliensis. This is a rare type of presentation, usually complicated with nasolacrimal duct occlusion. The patient was cured without sequelae after treatment with a low dose of saturated solution of potassium iodide and decompressive oculoplastic surgery. Therapeutic options and considerations of aetiological agents and serology are discussed.

[A case of lacrimal duct obstruction caused by capecitabine].

In recent years, the incidence of adverse ocular reactions, including corneal problems and lacrimal duct obstruction, due to antineoplastic agents such as S-1 has increased. Very few reports of adverse ocular reactions caused by capecitabine, a fluorinated pyrimidine antineoplastic agent like S-1, exist, and consequently, the mechanism underlying these reactions is not well understood. This report describes our recent experience with a case of lacrimal duct obstruction caused by capecitabine. The patient was a 71-year-old woman who was being administered trastuzumab plus capecitabine combination chemotherapy for breast cancer-related bone metastasis. She complained of epiphora 7 days after capecitabine was initiated. Thereafter, her capecitabine dose was reduced owing to exacerbation of hand-foot syndrome, but the epiphora persisted. Capecitabine was discontinued 287 days after initiation owing to exacerbation of the hand-foot syndrome. However, because the epiphora persisted, the patient visited the ophthalmology department. The ophthalmologist diagnosed the patient with binocular nasolacrimal duct obstruction and cataract, and prescribed a 0.3% gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution and 0.1% fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension. Thereafter, the epiphora reduced. When the patient returned to the ophthalmology department, symptom improvement was confirmed. In this case, lacrimal duct obstruction likely developed due to capecitabine. The symptoms were reversible with discontinuation of capecitabine and ophthalmic treatment. We believe that reporting this case could be valuable in discussing capecitabine-induced lacrimal duct obstruction.

Circumostial injection of mitomycin C (COS-MMC) in external and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: efficacy, safety profile, and outcomes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique of circumostial mitomycin C (COS-MMC) injection in dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and to evaluate the outcomes. METHODS: A prospective, interventional consecutive case series involving 110 DCR surgeries performed over a period of 1 year using the COS-MMC technique were evaluated. All patients were operated by a single surgeon (M.J.A.). After fashioning of the mucosal flaps, all patients underwent an intramucosal injection of 0.02% MMC at 4 points (0.1 ml at each point) along the edges of the freshly created ostium. All patients were intubated, and stent removal was done at 12 weeks following the surgery. All patients underwent regular monitoring of the ostium to look for any complications. A minimum follow up of 6 months after stent removal was considered for final analysis. The outcome measures analyzed were anatomical and functional success, complications, and ostium. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 39.91 years. The diagnosis was primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 60.9% (67/110) and persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 9.1% (10/110) of the patients. Twenty-six patients were known cases of failed DCR and underwent a revision DCR. Of the total patients, 19.1% (21/110) had a history of acute dacryocystitis, of which, 73% (80/110) of the surgeries were performed by an external approach and 27% (30/110) by endoscopic endonasal route. Anatomical success was noted in 97.3% (107/110) and functional success in 96.4% (106/110). All the 4 failures were due to cicatricial closure of the ostium. None of the patients were noted to have mucosal burns in the area where MMC was injected, and none of the Ostia showed any features of necrosis, infection, or any other complications. CONCLUSIONS: COS-MMC is a safe and effective adjunctive modality in DCR. No adverse effects on the ostium were noted. The technique appears to be promising for the success of cases with high risk of failures like revision DCR and traumatic secondary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Meta-analysis of the adjunctive use of mitomycin C in primary and revision, external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To determine whether application of the anti-proliferation agent, mitomycin C (MMC), to the osteotomy site during dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery increases surgical success rates. METHOD: We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomised controlled clinical studies relating to the adjunctive use of MMC in primary and revision, as well as external (EX-DCR) and endonasal DCR (EN-DCR). RESULTS: 15 studies met our inclusion criteria with a total of 850 DCR procedures. The mean concentration of MMC used was 0.3 mg/ml (range 0.02-0.75 mg/ml) and mean duration of application 18 min (range 2-30 min). MMC significantly reduced the failure rate of primary EX-DCR (risk ratio, RR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.31-0.86) and revision EN-DCR (RR 0.43; 95% CI 0.21-0.89). The adjunctive use of MMC in primary EN-DCR, however, did not confer a significant reduction in failure rate compared with control (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.44-2.04). We found a deficiency of evidence regarding the potential benefit of MMC in revision EX-DCR. Only two cases of adverse effects relating to the use of MMC were reported among the studies, both of which related to delayed wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: Application of MMC to the osteotomy site is a safe and effective way of increasing surgical success rate in primary EX-DCR and revision EN-DCR, but does not provide any significant benefit in primary EN-DCR. Further studies are required to evaluate the potential effect of MMC in revision EX-DCR.

Diode laser-assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: a comparison of three different combinations of adjunctive procedures.

Chronic dacryocystitis is a frequently encountered condition which can be corrected by dacryocystorhinostomy. Today, the diode laser is increasingly put to use in such corrective operations. This study aims to answer the questions of which adjunctive procedures and which combinations of such procedures are necessary and effective in securing more successful outcomes in diode laser dacryocystorhinostomy. This prospective randomized study included eighty patients (13 male, 67 female) who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy in our hospital during the 2 year period of January 2009-January 2011. The patients were selected consecutively and were randomly allocated to three groups. Group 1 (30): diode laser + mitomycin C + silicone intubation; Group 2 (27): diode laser + silicone intubation; Group 3 (23): diode laser + mitomycin C. All patients were evaluated postoperatively on day 1, week 1, and on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th, and 24th months. The postoperative evaluation consisted of preoperative and postoperative ostium measurements, recording postoperative complications, and calculating and comparing success rates and operative times. The mean ages of the patients were 63.4 for Group 1, 60.7 for Group 2, and 61.8 for Group 3. No statistically significant difference was found among the groups regarding pre- and postoperative ostium measurements. The success rates were 84.3, 80, and 76.9 % for Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Complications noted in Group 1 were restenosis (3), premature silicone tube loss (1), development of granulation tissue (3), synechia (2), infection (2), and hemorrhage (3). Those for Group 2 were restenosis (5), premature tube loss (2), granulation (8), synechia (6), infection (3), and hemorrhage (4). Group 3 had 6 cases with stenosis, 5 with granulation, 3 with infection, 6 with synechia, and 5 with hemorrhage. The operative times of the groups were 25.5, 15.3, and 18.1 min, respectively, for Group 1, 2, and 3. All three groups had statistically significant differences regarding the duration of surgery, with p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.002 for Group 1 and 2, Group 1 and 3, and Group 2 and 3, respectively. Our study showed that when diode laser DCR was combined with bicanalicular silicone intubation and intraoperative mitomycin C application, those adjunctive procedures, while increasing operative time, enhanced the success rate and diminished complications as compared to diode laser plus intubation and/or diode laser plus mitomycin C.

External dacryocystorhinostomy outcomes in sarcoidosis patients.

PURPOSE: To determine surgical outcomes after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery in patients with sarcoidosis. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with sarcoidosis who underwent external DCR surgery between January 2001 and January 2010. Clinical data reviewed included patient demographics, immunosuppressive therapies, biopsy results, use of intraoperative triamcinolone, and postoperative outcomes and complications. Success was defined as resolution of epiphora. RESULTS: External DCR was performed on 13 sides of 9 patients with sarcoidosis. Four patients were systemically immunosuppressed with methotrexate or plaquenil, and 4 patients used inhaled corticosteroids only. Intraoperative biopsy in 10 cases (9 patients) revealed non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation (8 cases) and chronic inflammation (2 cases). Silicone stents were removed at a mean of 2.9 months. Initial DCR surgery was successful in 10 of 13 (87%) surgeries with an average follow up of 31 months (range, 14 to 48 months). None of the 5 surgeries (4 patients) with intralesional triamcinolone injections failed, compared with 3 of 8 (38%) surgeries without intralesional triamcinolone. Of the 3 failures, 2 early failures (3 months) were successfully treated with balloon catheter dilation. In the one patient with a late failure (47 months), subsequent balloon catheter dilation failed. All 3 patients who experienced failures used inhaled corticosteroids only. In contrast, 4 of the 6 patients with successful surgery were systemically immunosuppressed. Complications such as punctal erosion, wound necrosis, or cerebrospinal fluid leak did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: External DCR surgery successfully treats nasolacrimal duct obstruction associated with sarcoidosis. Intralesional triamcinolone may improve the success rate without added complications. Long-term success may be less in patients not receiving systemic immunosuppressive therapy.

A randomized control trial on the role of tranexamic acid in preventing intraoperative bleeding during external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of tranexamic acid in controlling intra-operative and immediate post-operative bleeding during external dacryocystorhinostomy. Methods: This was a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial. All patients diagnosed with primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction presenting between June 2018 to December 2019 were included in the study. All patients in the study group received a single dose of 1 gm tranexamic acid injection intravenously 30 minutes before the surgery, whereas the patients from group B (placebo) received normal saline. The effect of the injection was measured in terms of duration of the surgery, surgical field grading, amount of total blood loss during the surgery, and the need for postoperative nasal packing. Results: A total of 96 patients were included, of whom 45 were males and 51 were females. The study group (Group A) included 51 patients (27 males and 24 females) and the control group (Group B) included 45 patients (18 males and 27 females). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the duration of surgery (48.43 ± 20.01 minutes vs. 53.38 ± 19.8 minutes, P = 0.228), view of the surgical field (P = 0.084), the amount of intraoperative blood loss (88.63 ± 69.34 mL vs. 88.89 ± 51.93 mL, P = 0.984) and requirement of postoperative nasal packing (54.9% vs 62.2%, P = 0.471). Conclusion: There seems to be little to justify the role of preoperative intravenous tranexamic acid injection in controlling intra-operative and immediate postoperative bleeding during external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Results of lacrimal gland botulinum toxin injection for epiphora in lacrimal obstruction and gustatory tearing.

PURPOSE: To describe the author's experience with the use of botulinum toxin (Botox, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, U.S.A.) injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction or gustatory tearing. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 46 patients treated by the author with botulinum toxin injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction or gustatory tearing from 2001 through 2008. All patients were injected with 2.5 units of botulinum toxin, and the patients' subjective responses were assessed 1 to 2 weeks later. If there was insufficient response, they were reinjected with an additional 2.5 units of botulinum toxin and re-evaluated in 1 to 2 weeks. The response to the treatment and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 74% of patients treated felt that tearing was mostly or completely improved. The only complication was temporary ptosis in 11% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin injection in the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland can be used effectively and safely for symptomatic epiphora due to lacrimal obstruction and gustatory tearing. Although the beneficial results are temporary, the patient satisfaction in selected patients is high.

Na+/I- symporter expression, function, and regulation in non-thyroidal tissues and impact on thyroid cancer therapy.

For the past 80 years, radioiodine (131I) has been used to ablate thyroid tissue not removed by surgery or to treat differentiated thyroid cancer that has metastasized to other parts of the body. However, the Na+/I- symporter (NIS), which mediates active iodide uptake into thyroid follicular cells, is also expressed in several non-thyroidal tissues. This NIS expression permits 131I accumulation and radiation damage in these non-target tissues, which accounts for the adverse effects of radioiodine therapy. We will review the data regarding the expression, function, and regulation of NIS in non-thyroidal tissues and explain the seemingly paradoxical adverse effects induced by 131I, the self-limited gastrointestinal adverse effects in contrast to the permanent salivary dysfunction that is seen after 131I therapy. We propose that prospective studies are needed to uncover the time-course of pathological processes underlying development and progression or ultimate resolution of 131I-induced salivary ductal obstruction and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Finally, preventive measures and early therapeutic interventions that can be applied potentially to eliminate or alleviate long-term radioiodine adverse effects will be discussed.

Microbiological spectrum of microbial keratitis in patients presenting with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To study the type of bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern from corneal scrapings of patients with infectious keratitis presenting with concurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out of patients with microbial keratitis and co-existing nasolacrimal duct obstruction during a 5-year period (January 2012 to December 2016). Antibiotic susceptibility profile data was collected from the microbiology records. RESULTS: The study included 56 (M:F = 33:23; OD:OS = 34:22) eyes. The mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 12.3 years. Microscopic examination of corneal scrapings showed 52% of gram-positive (n = 29/55) and 2% of multiple (>1; n = 1/55) bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae (32%, n = 18/56), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (25%, n = 14/56), and Staphylococcus aureus (11%, n = 6/56) were the most common bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae was found to be susceptible to ciprofloxacin (72.2%), ofloxacin (94.4%), gatifloxacin (61.1%), and moxifloxacin (83.3%). CONCLUSION: Corneal infection associated with nasolacrimal duct obstruction is commonly caused by gram-positive-bacteria. Irrigation of nasolacrimal duct should be mandatory test in microbial keratitis. The gram-positive bacteria isolated showed maximum susceptibility to vancomycin and cefazolin. Early treatment by surgery and appropriate medical management is recommended for its control.

Transconjunctival versus Transcutaneous Injection of Botulinum Toxin into the Lacrimal Gland to Reduce Lacrimal Production: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects between injecting botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) transconjunctivally into the palpebral lobe and transcutaneously into the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland in patients with epiphora due to lacrimal outflow obstruction. This randomized controlled study included 53 eyes of 31 patients with unilateral or bilateral epiphora. Patients were randomly allocated to receive an injection of BTX-A (3 units) either transconjunctivally (n = 15, 25 eyes) or transcutaneously (n = 16, 28 eyes). For objective assessments, the tear meniscus height and Schirmer's I test with topical anesthesia were measured at baseline and after 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks of follow-up. Subjective evaluations were performed using the Munk score. After BTX-A injection, patients in both groups experienced significant objective and subjective reductions in tearing at all follow-up times compared to pre-injection (success rate 86.8%), and the effect lasted for a mean duration of 5.63 months. The two delivery routes showed similar clinical effectiveness for a single injected dose of BTX-A. In conclusion, injecting BTX-A via either a transconjunctival or transcutaneous route helps to reduce normal tear production and results in significant improvements in the symptoms in patients with epiphora.