Lacrimal drainage system stenosis associated with Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®, T-DM1) administration: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®, T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate used to treat HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. In this report, we present the first case of lacrimal drainage system stenosis identified after T-DM1 administration, and its successful treatment with a topical steroid. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old female with metastatic breast cancer was referred for excessive tearing of both eyes. She previously underwent mastectomy and was treated with multiple anti-cancer regimens. However, metastases to liver and bone were identified and T-DM1 was administered. After 2 months, epiphora developed in both eyes and the patient was referred for ophthalmologic examination. The height of the tear meniscus was increased. The fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) showed a delayed clearance in both eyes. Diagnostic lacrimal probing demonstrated a lower distal canalicular stenosis in both eyes. Dacryocystography indicated multiple focal narrowing of nasolacrimal duct in the right eye and diffused narrowing of nasolacrimal duct in the left eye. Topical eyedrop of tobramycin 0.3% and dexamethasone 0.1% were prescribed four times a day. After 2 months of treatment, the patient reported relief from epiphora, and the height of tear meniscus was normalized in both eyes. CONCLUSION: T-DM1 administration in breast cancer treatment can induce lacrimal drainage system stenosis, which can be treated effectively with a topical steroid.

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.

Positional Change of Optic Nerve Head Vasculature during Axial Elongation as Evidence of Lamina Cribrosa Shifting: Boramae Myopia Cohort Study Report 2.

PURPOSE: To investigate the positional change of central retinal vasculature and vascular trunk to deduce the change in the lamina cribrosa (LC) during axial elongation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three healthy myopic children (46 eyes). METHODS: Participants had undergone a full ophthalmologic examination and axial length measurement every 6 months for 2 years. Using spectral-domain OCT, circle scans centered around the optic disc in the glaucoma progression analysis mode, which enabled capturing of the same positions throughout the entire study period, and enhanced depth imaging of the deep optic nerve head complex were performed. Infrared imaging of the circle scans was used to measure the changes in the angles between the first and final visits. The angle between the major superior and inferior retinal arteries was measured along the circle scan twice: from the center of the circle scan and from the central retinal vascular trunk, respectively. The positional change of the retinal vascular trunk also was measured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in vascular angle and position of vascular trunk with axial elongation and associated factors. RESULTS: The vascular angle measured from the center of the circle scan did not change (P = 0.247), whereas the angle measured from the central retinal arterial trunk decreased with axial elongation (P < 0.001). A generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that the factors associated with angle decrease were axial elongation (P = 0.004) and vascular trunk dragging (P < 0.001). The extent of vascular trunk dragging was associated with axial elongation (P < 0.001) and increased border length with marginal significance (P = 0.053), but the extent of dragging could not be explained fully by their combination. The major directionality of dragging was mostly to the nasal side of the optic disc, with large variations among participants. CONCLUSIONS: During axial elongation, the retinal vasculature at the posterior pole was unchanged, whereas the position of the central vascular trunk was dragged nasally. Because the central retinal vascular trunk is embedded in the LC, its dragging indicates nasal shifting of the LC, which could explain the vulnerability of myopic eyes to glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Longitudinal Changes of Optic Nerve Head and Peripapillary Structure during Childhood Myopia Progression on OCT: Boramae Myopia Cohort Study Report 1.

PURPOSE: To delineate longitudinal changes in the optic nerve head (ONH) and peripapillary structure during myopia progression in childhood using spectral-domain (SD) OCT and to explore the factors associated with myopic ONH and peripapillary changes. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three healthy children with myopia (46 eyes). METHODS: The participants underwent fundus photography, SD OCT, and axial length (AXL) measurements every 6 months for 2 years. Based on the morphologic changes of the ONH and ß-zone parapapillary atrophy (PPA), eyes were classified as group A (ONH unchanged without ß-zone PPA; 11 eyes), group B (ONH changed without ß-zone PPA at baseline; 10 eyes), group C (ONH changed with ß-zone PPA at baseline; 15 eyes), and group D (ONH unchanged with ß-zone PPA; 10 eyes). The configuration of the border tissue (BT) at the temporal margin of the ONH was assessed, and the ONH parameters, including Bruch's membrane opening distance (BMOD), border length (BL), and BT angle (BTA), were measured on horizontal SD OCT scans. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in ONH parameters and associated factors. RESULTS: Group B showed the greatest AXL increase per year (group B > group C > group A = group D; P < 0.001). During the follow-up periods, the BT configuration initially was changed from internally oblique to externally oblique (group B) and was stretched, resulting in optic disc ovality and γ-zone PPA development (group C). In group C, BL was increased significantly nasally and BTA was decreased significantly, whereas BMOD remained stable (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.100, respectively). In the multivariate analysis using the generalized linear mixed-effect model, the changes of BL and BTA were associated with axial elongation (P = 0.028 and P = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Development of myopic optic disc and γ-zone PPA during myopia progression was delineated using SD OCT images. During the ONH and peripapillary changes, the BL was increased nasally and the BTA was decreased, whereas the BMOD remained relatively stable. The association of axial elongation with ONH and peripapillary tissue changes may facilitate understanding of the relationship between myopia and glaucoma.

Case Series: Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus with Acute Orbital Inflammation.

SIGNIFICANCE: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) has variable initial manifestations, and acute orbital inflammation may be the first sign without apparent zoster rash. This case series is significant for presenting diverse clinical features and treatment options of HZO with acute orbital inflammation. PURPOSE: To report a case series of patients diagnosed as HZO with acute orbital inflammation including two cases with unique presentations. CASE REPORTS: Medical records of four patients of HZO with acute orbital inflammation were reviewed. Two men and two women with a median age of 57 years (range, 32 to 69 years) were diagnosed as having HZO with acute orbital inflammation. Initial presentations included two cases of zoster rash and two cases of orbital pain preceding vesicles. Clinical orbital findings included proptosis, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, and decreased visual acuity. Orbital magnetic resonance image showed enlarged extraocular muscle with enhancement and optic nerve sheath enhancement in all four patients, and unilateral dacryoadenitis in one patient. All four patients were administered with systemic steroid, three patients received intravenous acyclovir, and one patient received oral acyclovir. Orbital signs improved in all patients over several months. CONCLUSIONS: Herpes zoster ophthalmicus may initially present with orbital inflammatory signs, such as acute orbital myositis, perioptic neuritis, or dacryoadenitis, without zoster rash. Physicians should be aware of acute orbital inflammation as a presenting sign of HZO.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of eyelid: a probable IgG4-related sclerosing disease clinically mimicking eyelid pilomatrixoma.

BACKGROUND: Ocular adnexal IgG4-related sclerosing disease (IgG4-SD) has been categorized as a novel disease entity. It is characterized by stromal sclerosis and an infiltration of mass-forming lymphoplasmic cells containing many IgG4-positive plasma cells. Although ocular adnexal tissue involvement has been increasingly reported, a focal nodular sub-brow mass is not typical in an IgG4-SD presentation. We report a rare case of probable ocular adnexal IgG4-SD that clinically mimicked eyelid pilomatrixoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old woman presented with a nodular mass in her left sub-brow area. The initial clinical impression of her lesion was eyelid pilomatrixoma. However, the final pathologic diagnosis was IgG4-SD, but extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma could not be excluded. The patient underwent testing to determine tumor malignancy and systemic IgG4-SD involvement. Laboratory testing showed normal IgG and IgG4 serum levels and imaging revealed no remarkable findings. Oral prednisolone was administered and slowly tapered to manage the possible remnant lesion and to prevent disease recurrence. Two years after initiating therapy, there was no evidence of relapse. The patient is under close surveillance for signs of recurrence, systemic involvement, and potential malignant transformation. CONCLUSIONS: We found an unusual case of probable ocular adnexal IgG4-SD, which presented as a unilateral restricted mass involving the sub-brow area. Although the mass was surgically removed, systemic steroid treatment and long-term surveillance were initiated due to the possibility of recurrence, the potential association with systemic disease, and the potential development of extranodal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles according to Chlamydophila psittaci infection and the response to doxycycline treatment in ocular adnexal lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To compare genome-wide DNA methylation profiles according to Chlamydophila psittaci (Cp) infection status and the response to doxycycline treatment in Korean patients with ocular adnexal extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (EMZL). METHODS: Twelve ocular adnexal EMZL cases were classified into two groups (six Cp-positive cases and six Cp-negative cases). Among the 12 cases, eight were treated with doxycycline as first-line therapy, and they were divided into two groups according to their response to the treatment (four doxy-responders and four doxy-nonresponders). The differences in the DNA methylation states of 27,578 methylation sites in 14,000 genes were evaluated using Illumina bead assay technology. We also validated the top-ranking differentially methylated genes (DMGs) with bisulfite direct sequencing or pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The Infinium methylation chip assay revealed 180 DMGs in the Cp-positive group (74 hypermethylated genes and 106 hypomethylated genes) compared to the Cp-negative group. Among the 180 DMGs, DUSP22, which had two significantly hypomethylated loci, was validated, and the correlation was significant for one CpG site (Spearman coefficient=0.6478, p=0.0262). Regarding the response to doxycycline treatment, a total of 778 DMGs were revealed (389 hypermethylated genes and 336 hypomethylated genes in the doxy-responder group). In a subsequent replication study for representative hypomethylated (IRAK1) and hypermethylated (CXCL6) genes, the correlation between the bead chip analysis and pyrosequencing was significant (Spearman coefficient=0.8961 and 0.7619, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ocular adnexal EMZL showed distinct methylation patterns according to Cp infection and the response to doxycycline treatment in this genome-wide methylation study. Among the candidate genes, DUSP22 has a methylation status that was likely attributable to Cp infection. Our data also suggest that the methylation statuses of IRAK1 and CXCL6 may reflect the response to doxycycline treatment.

Expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma: low p27 expression predicts poor prognosis.

Prognosis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma is largely unpredictable and there are few practically available markers for predicting patients' prognosis. Dysregulation of cell cycle progression is strongly associated with the development of cancer and the cancer prognosis. We investigated the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma and estimate their value as prognostic predictors. Forty-three cases of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma were included in this study. Immunohistochemistry for the p53, p21, p27, cyclin E, p16, cyclin D1, and phosphorylated Rb (pRb) proteins was performed using archival paraffin blocks. Correlations between clinical features and protein expression were evaluated statistically. Nine patients showed lymph node or distant metastasis, and the remaining patients showed localized disease. High expression of p21, p27, cyclin E, and p16 was found in the majority of tumor cell nuclei, whereas these proteins were rarely expressed in the normal sebaceous glands. However, pRb was focally lost in a subset of cases. Patients showing diffuse p27 expression developed metastasis less commonly than those with negative or focal p27 expression (log-rank test, p = 0.008). Aberrant expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins was observed in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma, suggesting that cell cycle dysregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of this tumor. Decreased p27 expression is a predictive biomarker of an unfavorable prognosis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Squinting and photophobia in intermittent exotropia.

PURPOSE: To report factors associated with preoperative squinting, defined as transient eye closure in bright light, and photophobia and the factors affecting improvement of these symptoms postoperatively in intermittent exotropia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients (N = 99) were divided into groups according to the presence (n = 54) or absence (n = 45) of preoperative squinting and the presence (n = 64) or absence (n = 35) of photophobia. Clinical characteristics, including overaction or underaction of the oblique muscle and fundus intorsion and extorsion, were compared between the two groups. The squinting and photophobia groups were further categorized into two subgroups each according to postoperative improvement. The extended list of characteristics, including the duration from onset to surgery, postoperative angle of deviation, and fusion, was compared between the two subgroups. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 54 (54.5%) and 64 (64.6%) patients had squinting and photophobia, respectively. The coincidence of squinting and photophobia was marginally significant (p = 0.05). Postoperatively, squinting and photophobia disappeared in 64.8 and 59.4% of the patients, respectively. The photophobia group had a younger onset age of strabismus than the nonphotophobia group (39.3 vs. 56.4 months; p = 0.03). Good fusional status at the near range was more common in the nonsquinting group than in the squinting group (74.3 vs. 47.6%; p = 0.02). Superior oblique overaction was significantly more common in the squinting group than in the nonsquinting group (11.1 vs. 0%; p = 0.03). Early surgical correction and successful outcomes were associated with squinting improvement (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of patients with intermittent exotropia had squinting or photophobia, and approximately 60% of symptomatic patients experienced improvement postoperatively. The onset of strabismus, near fusion, superior oblique overaction, and fundus intorsion were related to these symptoms. Early surgery and successful eye position realignment were beneficial for improving squinting postoperatively.

Clinicopathological features of inflammatory lesions of the lateral canthal subconjunctival area.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical and histopathological features of inflammatory lesions of the lateral canthal subconjunctival area. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of 12 patients with inflammatory subconjunctival masses in the lateral canthal area. All patients included in this study were treated at Seoul National University Hospital or Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2006 and 2012. Clinical data were obtained from the medical records. Histopathologic findings were thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: There was a woman predominance in the study group (10:2), and the median age at presentation was 39 years (range 33-70). Common symptoms included conjunctival injection, sticky discharge, and pain or discomfort. Histopathologically, all lesions originated from ductules of the lacrimal gland. Two cases showed cysts containing clear fluid with mild inflammation. One case showed lacrimal ductulitis without cyst formation. Nine cases showed lacrimal ductal cysts with varying periductal inflammation, and the contents were pinkish, amorphous materials in 7 cases. Embedded cilia were found in 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory lesions of the lateral canthal subconjunctival area all originated from lacrimal gland ductules, showing a variable histopathologic spectrum of inflammation and cyst formation. Cilia impaction was a very frequently observed finding.

Correction of lower eyelid marginal entropion by eyelid margin splitting and anterior lamellar repositioning.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of data in the literature on the surgical management of lower eyelid marginal entropion. In this study, the authors report outcomes of a surgical technique of eyelid margin splitting and anterior lamellar reposition in patients with lower eyelid marginal entropion. METHODS: The medical records for 30 eyelids from 22 patients with lower eyelid marginal entropion who had undergone eyelid margin splitting and anterior lamellar repositioning at Seoul National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Success was defined as the lack of any lash in contact with the globe, no need for a second procedure, the complete resolution of symptoms, and acceptable cosmesis at the final follow up. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 16.7 months. The split eyelid margin exhibited good wound healing in each case, but trichiasis recurred postoperatively in 3 of 30 eyelids, even though the eyelid margin was ultimately well positioned. That is, the overall success rate was 90%. Of the 3 eyelids with recurrent trichiasis, 2 required additional electrolysis to remove irritated cilia, but the other did not require to be treated. In the latter case, the trichiasis observed was fine, focal, and unaccompanied by symptoms or corneal lesions. There was no significant complication such as secondary ectropion or eyelid retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid margin splitting and anterior lamellar repositioning achieve success with a low rate of complications among patients with lower eyelid marginal entropion.

Change of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer and choroidal thickness during 4-year myopic progress: Boramae Myopia Cohort Study Report 4.

AIMS: To investigate the longitudinal changes of peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and choroidal thickness during myopic axial elongation. METHODS: Peripapillary RNFL and choroidal thickness were prospectively evaluated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in 46 eyes of 23 myopic children over the course of 4 years. Using serial OCT images acquired based on a fixed scan circle in the glaucoma progression analysis mode, general and sectoral RNFL thicknesses were acquired at the same position and the angular location of the peak was measured. The peripapillary choroidal thickness likewise was measured at eight positions in serial OCT images. RESULTS: The mean age at the baseline was 9.6±1.7 years. The mean axial length increased from 24.80±1.28 mm to 25.64±1.35 mm. The global peripapillary RNFL thickness was 98.54±12.06 µm at baseline. The global and sectoral RNFL thicknesses did not change during the 4 years. The angular location of RNFL peaks was also stable and was located in the superotemporal (64.18±10.85°) and inferotemporal (293.98±11.62°) sectors. The global peripapillary choroidal thickness was 145.40±28.67 µm at the baseline. The global and sectoral choroidal thicknesses did not change during the 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: The peripapillary RNFL and choroidal thicknesses as well as the locations of the RNFL peaks had been preserved, during the 4-year follow-up on myopic children, when traced and measured from the same location.

Acquired lower eyelid epiblepharon in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy of Koreans.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of acquired lower eyelid epiblepharon in Korean patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and compare the pathogenic features of acquired and congenital epiblepharon. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative case series, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 494 Korean patients with TAO and 845 Korean patients with congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon. METHODS: The medical records were reviewed, and the presence, location, and extent of epiblepharon were identified. Clinical features of TAO (lower eyelid retraction, exophthalmos, and elevation limitation) were compared between patients with TAO with and without epiblepharon. Acquired epiblepharon was classified into 3 types according to the location and extent. The prevalence of epiblepharon types was determined and evaluated for associations with TAO clinical features. Comparisons were made between the prevalence of epiblepharon types in acquired and congenital epiblepharon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence, location, and extent of epiblepharon; association with clinical features of TAO; and difference from congenital epiblepharon. RESULTS: An acquired lower eyelid epiblepharon was found in 42 (8.5%) of 494 patients with TAO. The mean age of patients with TAO with epiblepharon (34.2±13.5 years) was significantly lower than that of patients with TAO without epiblepharon (46.5±14.1 years) (P = 0.000). Lower eyelid retraction (0.78±1.11 mm) was more severe in patients with TAO with epiblepharon than in patients without epiblepharon (0.30±0.73 mm) (P = 0.000). Lower eyelid retraction was more severe in diffuse-type acquired epiblepharon than in central-type epiblepharon (P = 0.012). Elevation limitation was more severe in central-type acquired epiblepharon than in medial-type epiblepharon (P = 0.001). The occurrence of central-type epiblepharon was higher in TAO-associated acquired epiblepharon (20 eyelids, 30.8%) than in congenital epiblepharon (27 eyelids, 1.9%, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Acquired lower eyelid epiblepharon is one of the clinical features of patients with TAO. The association between lower eyelid retraction and acquired epiblepharon may lead to a better understanding of the cause of acquired epiblepharon in patients with TAO.

Congenital lacrimal fistula associated with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work is to investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of congenital lacrimal fistula in Down syndrome patients. METHODS: The medical records of 198 Down syndrome patients who were referred to a tertiary ophthalmology clinic from 2000 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with congenital lacrimal fistula. The demographic data, clinical features, clinical management, and clinical outcomes were recorded. The main outcome measures were the presence and laterality of fistula, accompanying adnexal and oculomotor abnormalities including congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO), the type of surgery performed, and surgical outcome. The prevalence of congenital lacrimal fistula in Down syndrome patients was calculated upon this data. RESULTS: Congenital lacrimal fistula was identified in 8/198 (4.04 %) patients, 4 (2.02 %) of whom presented with bilateral lacrimal fistula. All patients that had lacrimal fistula complained of tearing from their eyes. Congenital NLDO was observed in seven of eight patients with lacrimal fistula. Five patients underwent excision of the lacrimal fistula for the improvement of cosmesis, and three of these patients also underwent lacrimal silicone intubation for NLDO. Another patient received lacrimal silicone intubation for NLDO without excision of the lacrimal fistula. Excision of the lacrimal fistula was successful in all patients; however, tearing persisted after surgery in two patients with uncorrected NLDO. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital lacrimal fistula occurs more frequently in Down syndrome patients and therefore these patients should be thoroughly examined for this abnormality. Down syndrome patients with congenital lacrimal fistula should be also examined for NLDO, because this condition is frequently observed in these patients.

The effect of lacrimal drainage abnormality on the surgical outcomes of congenital lacrimal fistula and vice versa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the various surgical modalities of congenital lacrimal fistula and assess the mutual effect of lacrimal fistula and lacrimal drainage abnormality on the individual surgical outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort and case-control study, 74 eyes from 63 patients with lacrimal fistula who underwent surgical management between 2000 and 2015 at three medical centers were enrolled. The data collected included sex, age, preoperative symptoms, presence of concurrent lacrimal drainage abnormality, surgical methods, and surgical outcomes. The main outcome measures were treatment outcomes based on lacrimal drainage patency and symptom improvement, surgical outcome of fistulectomy according to the presence of lacrimal drainage abnormality, and surgical outcome of lacrimal drainage abnormality according to the presence of fistula. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 9.2 (SD, ±8.8) years and the mean follow-up duration was 14.4 (SD, ±19.5) months. All eyes (37/37) with fistula without lacrimal drainage abnormality demonstrated surgical success after simple fistulectomy. Patients with concurrent lacrimal drainage abnormalities showed more frequent surgical failure than those with fistula alone (p = 0.009). However, the presence of fistula did not affect the outcomes of surgery for lacrimal drainage abnormality (p = 0.179). CONCLUSION: Simple fistulectomy is sufficient for sole asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic lacrimal fistula. Symptomatic fistula as well as those accompanied with lacrimal drainage abnormality underwent fistulectomy and lacrimal drainage system surgery. Patients with accompanying lacrimal drainage system abnormalities showed less favorable outcomes. Meticulous preoperative examination of the lacrimal drainage system is critical for surgical planning and prognosis prediction.

The effects of using spacer grafts on lower-eyelid retraction surgery in patients with facial nerve palsy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the concomitant use of spacer grafts in lateral tarsal strip surgery in patients with facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction. METHODS: Patients who underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery to correct facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative decreases in marginal reflex distance-2 values at 1, 2 and 6 months were measured along with the effects of spacer grafts. RESULTS: Forty-five patients (28 males) were included (mean age: 59.56 years). Mean preoperative marginal reflex distance-2 was 6.87 ± 1.34 mm. Twenty patients underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery only (lateral tarsal strip-only); 25 patients underwent lateral tarsal strip surgery using spacer grafts (lateral tarsal strip + graft). Median (interquartile range) follow-up duration was 12.0 (6.0-23.0) months. Retraction was significantly improved and maintained at 1, 2 and 6 months postoperatively in all patients (mean marginal reflex distance-2: 3.78 ± 1.06 mm, 4.30 ± 1.23 mm and 4.72 ± 1.11 mm, respectively). Surgical outcomes were significantly better in the lateral tarsal strip + graft than in the lateral tarsal strip-only group (Δmarginal reflex distance-2: 3.92 vs. 2.05 mm at 1 month, p < 0.001; 3.38 vs. 1.61 mm at 2 months, p = 0.001; 2.88 vs. 1.69 at 6 months, p = 0.042). Subgroup analyses by spacer graft type revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The concomitant use of spacer material in lateral tarsal strip surgery yielded better surgical outcomes than lateral tarsal strip surgery alone. The use of spacer grafts should be considered for correcting severe facial nerve palsy-related lower-eyelid retraction.

Evaluation of lacrimal tear drainage mechanism using dynamic fluoroscopic dacryocystography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dynamic change of the canaliculus and the lacrimal sac during blinking using fluoroscopic dacryocystography. METHODS: Sixteen patients presenting with unilateral epiphora were enrolled in the study. Fluoroscopic dacryocystography was performed in both eyes, and sequential images of the lacrimal drainage system were acquired during blinking. On examination of the contralateral asymptomatic side, the length of the lower canaliculus and the width of the superior and inferior portions of the lacrimal sac were measured and compared between eyelid closure and opening. RESULTS: The length of the lower canaliculus decreased with eyelid closure in 13 of 16 patients, and the change was statistically significant (p = 0.006, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The width of the superior portion of the lacrimal sac increased with eyelid closure (p = 0.033), but the width of the inferior part did not change significantly (p = 0.679). CONCLUSIONS: With eyelid closure, the canalicular system contracts, and the superior portion of the lacrimal sac dilates; these may be important parts of the active lacrimal pump mechanism. These findings suggested that the canalicular system and the superior portion of the lacrimal sac play key roles in active tear drainage pump.

Effect of Congenital Lower Eyelid Epiblepharon Surgery on Asymmetric Margin Reflex Distance 1.

Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) asymmetry in congenital lower eyelid epiblepharon and its resolution after surgical correction of epiblepharon.Methods: Among patients who underwent lower eyelid epiblepharon surgery from November 2015 to September 2017, patients with a preoperative MRD1 difference of more than 1.0 mm between the two eyes according to medical photographs were defined as having MRD1 asymmetry. A postoperative MRD1 difference of less than 1.0 mm between the two eyes was regarded as MRD1 asymmetry resolution. The preoperative MRD1 difference was compared between subgroups with resolved or sustained MRD1 asymmetry. Astigmatism and amblyopia were also assessed.Results: Among 432 patients, MRD1 asymmetry was observed in 24 patients (5.6%). MRD1 was always lower in the side with more extensive epiblepharon. At 6 months after surgery, the mean MRD1 difference between the two eyes was significantly decreased (1.8 ± 0.7 mm to 0.5 ± 0.8 mm, p < .001, paired t-test) and MRD1 asymmetry resolution occurred in 19 patients (79%). In the resolved MRD1 asymmetry group, the preoperative MRD1 difference was 2.0 mm or less and was significantly smaller than that in the sustained MRD1 asymmetry group (p = .010, Mann-Whitney U test). Six patients had preoperative aniso-astigmatism ≥ 1.50 D. Unilateral amblyopia presented in nine patients (38%) and improved within 1 year postoperatively.Conclusions: MRD1 asymmetry can be resolved after epiblepharon surgery, especially when the preoperative MRD1 difference is 2.0 mm or less. Unilateral amblyopia was frequent, but the treatment outcome was good.

Central retinal vascular trunk deviation in unilateral normal-tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the position of the central retinal vascular trunk (CRVT), as a surrogate of lamina cribrosa (LC) offset, was associated with the presence of glaucoma in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients. METHODS: The position of the CRVT was measured as the deviation from the center of the Bruch's membrane opening (BMO), as delineated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging. The offset index was calculated as the distance of the CRVT from the BMO center relative to that of the BMO margin. The angular deviation of CRVT was measured with the horizontal nasal midline as 0° and the superior location as a positive value. The offset index and angular deviation were compared between glaucoma and fellow control eyes within individuals. RESULTS: NTG eyes had higher baseline intraocular pressure (P = 0.001), a larger ß-zone parapapillary atrophy area (P = 0.013), and a larger offset index (P<0.001). In a generalized linear mixed-effects model, larger offset index was the only risk factor of NTG diagnosis (OR = 31.625, P<0.001). A generalized estimating equation regression model revealed that the offset index was larger in the NTG eyes than in the control eyes for all ranges of axial length, while it was the smallest for the axial length of 23.4 mm (all P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The offset index was larger in the unilateral NTG eyes, which fact is suggestive of the potential role of LC/BMO offset as a loco-regional susceptibility factor.

Long-term results of maintenance of lacrimal silicone stent in patients with functional epiphora after external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcomes of maintenance of lacrimal silicone stent for the management of functional epiphora after anatomically patent external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 101 eyes of 75 patients who were diagnosed to have functional epiphora after external DCR from 2005 to 2014. Functional epiphora was defined as epiphora that persisted or recurred even after patent DCR confirmed by a lacrimal irrigation test. Secondary silicone intubation was indicated when the patients wanted a further intervention. The stent was intended to be kept in situ unless there was a stent-related complication or the patient wanted removal. RESULTS: In total, 34 of 75 patients (45.3%, 52 eyes) who agreed to the intervention underwent secondary silicone intubation. The success rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery were 96.2%, 75.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. At the final follow-up (mean 72.7 ± 26.4 months), 32 (61.5%) eyes chose to retain the silicone tube: silicone stent was well maintained without epiphora and complications once inserted in 18 eyes (34.6%), whereas tube replacement was needed in 14 eyes (26.9%) because of nasal crust or whitish plaque formation on the tube surface. In 13 cases (25.0%), silicone stent was removed because of tube-related complications, and the most common complication was canaliculitis (n = 8, 15.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Secondary intubation and maintenance of the stent is an effective and simple procedure for functional epiphora. The main obstacle to long-term maintenance is tube-associated canaliculitis.