Adverse reactions to 1% cyclopentolate eye drops in children: an analysis using logistic regression models.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency, symptoms and risk factors for adverse reactions to two-times instillation of 1% cyclopentolate in children. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. METHODS: The subjects were 646 patients who underwent cycloplegic refraction with cyclopentolate (mean age; 7.0 ± 3.5 years, age range; 0-15 years). Five minutes after instillation of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride, a 1% cyclopentolate eye drop was instilled twice, with an interval of 10 min. Fifty minutes later, two certified orthoptists evaluated adverse reactions using a questionnaire and interviewed the patients' guardians. The relationship between the adverse reaction rates and age, gender, additional instillation, complications of the central nervous system (CNS), time of day and season were analysed using binominal and polytomous logistic regression models. RESULTS: The overall frequency of adverse reactions was 18.3% (118/646 patients). The main symptoms included conjunctival injection (10.5%, 68/646), drowsiness (6.8%, 44/646) and facial flush (2.2%, 14/646). The odds ratio (OR) of conjunctival injection increased with patient's age (p < 0.05), in boys (p < 0.01) and in winter (p < 0.001). In contrast, the OR of drowsiness decreased with age (p < 0.001). Facial flush was observed mostly in children younger than 4 years. CNS complications were not a significant risk factor for any of the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse reactions to 1% cyclopentolate eye drops were more frequent than previously expected, but all were mild and transient. The probability of each symptom was associated with a clear age-specific trend.

Chronic Conjunctival Chemosis-A New Ocular Side Effect of Crizotinib.

Crizotinib, a targeted molecular therapy drug which inhibits tyrosine kinase, is approved for treatment of non-small cell lung carcinoma which has some ocular side effects like photopsia and delayed dark adaptation.This report documents a unique case of persistent conjunctival chemosis likely due to side effects of crizotinib therapy. A 64-year-old gentleman on crizotinib for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung presented with conjunctival chemosis in right eye which appeared 1 month after uneventful clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery. The patient was on crizotinib 250 mg twice a day started 2 months before cataract surgery. Clinical examination revealed marked inferior bulbar conjunctival edema of the right eye. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography, slit-lamp photographs, and magnetic resonance imaging orbit and systemic investigation were done to rule out other causes of conjunctival edema. Magnetic resonance imaging shows conjunctival and preseptal edema around both eye and thinning of the optic nerve in the right eye. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography revealed elevated hyper-reflective thickened conjunctival layer with dilated empty thin wall dark spaces of varying caliber. Chemosis was persisted for the next 3 months and not responded to oral acetazolamide, topical steroid and decongestive eyedrops. After 3 months, crizotinib was discontinued by oncologist due to drug intolerance and surprisingly within 1 week, the conjunctival edema was disappeared totally. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of persistent unilateral non-inflammatory conjunctival chemosis caused by crizotinib. The physicians should be vigilant about these complications.

Association between oral fluoroquinolone use and lateral canthal tendon rupture: case report.

It is well established and documented that fluoroquinolone use is associated with the development of tendinopathy. However, little is known about the possible effects of this class of antibiotics on the orbit. We present a case of lateral canthal tendon rupture that presented with an acute right lower eyelid ectropion in a young, renal compromised patient in the setting of recent fluoroquinolone use for pneumonia. Eye care clinicians need to be aware of the possible effects of fluoroquinolones on the eyelids.

The Japan Cornea Society Survey of the Current Status of Corneal and Conjunctival Disorders Due to Systemic Antitumor Drugs.

Purpose: To investigate the current status of corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs in Japan. Methods: Questionnaires on corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs were sent to members of the Japan Cornea Society, and data on patients' background, clinical findings, treatment and prognosis of cases between January 2009 and December 2011 were collected and analyzed. Results: Out of all 221 cases from 66 facilities, TS-1Ⓡ had been administered in 210 cases (95.0%). Corneal findings were noted in 192 cases (86.9%), including 161cases (72.9%) of superficial punctate keratopathy, 55 cases (24.9%) of epithelial crack line, 38 cases (17.2%) of sheet-like epithelial abnormality, and 15 cases (6.8%) of corneal erosion. Conjunctival and ciliary findings were observed in 49 cases (22.2%). Lacrimal obstruction and constriction were found in 81cases (36.7%). Logistic regression analyses revealed the discontinuation and switching of antitumor drugs as the significant factor of good prognosis of clinical signs and visual acuity in cases with TS-1Ⓡ administration. Conclusions: Although corneal and conjunctival disorders due to antitumor drugs, especially TS-1Ⓡ, are important adverse effects, the only effective treatment at this time is the discontinuation and switching of antitumor drugs. Future prospective studies are needed to elucidate pathogenesis, aiming to the prediction and prevention of the occurrence.

Conjunctival Pigmentation Following Minocycline Therapy.

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic commonly used to treat acne and rosacea. Although pigmentation of the skin, nails, teeth, oral mucosa, and sclera is a well-recognized adverse outcome associated with minocycline, ocular pigmentation may be missed on routine examination. The authors present a case of a 43-year-old white woman who demonstrated bilateral pigmented palpebral conjunctival cysts after 12 months of minocycline therapy for cystic acne. To date, only 5 cases of minocycline-induced conjunctival pigmentation have been reported. After drug discontinuation, the patient's examination remained stable and no new ocular lesions were noted.

Effect of benzalkonium chloride-free travoprost on intraocular pressure and ocular surface symptoms in patients with glaucoma previously on latanoprost: an open-label study.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin analogs reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension; however, these medications may affect the ocular surface and elicit ocular discomfort when preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK). METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm study conducted in Latin America from February 2012 to May 2013. Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were intolerant of latanoprost 0.005 % were transitioned to receive once-daily BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % containing polyquaternium-1 (Travatan® preserved with POLYQUAD® [PQ], Alcon Laboratories, Inc; Fort Worth, TX) for 12 weeks. Mean change in IOP from baseline (primary efficacy endpoint) and the percentage of patients who achieved a target IOP of ≤18 mmHg were evaluated at all on-therapy visits. Ocular hyperemia, patient preference, and self-projected adherence were assessed at week 12. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: All enrolled patients were included in the analysis (n = 191); the majority of patients (90.6 %, n = 173/191) completed the study. Mean (SD) patient age was 67.5 (11.3) years, and mean baseline IOP was 14.8 mmHg. Mean IOP was reduced by 0.94 mmHg at week 6 and by 1.09 mmHg at week 12 (P < 0.001 for both). A greater percentage of patients achieved a target IOP of ≤18 mmHg at week 6 (93.1 %; n = 163/175) and week 12 (93.3 %; n = 166/178) compared with baseline (89.5 %; n = 171/191). There was a 10.5 % increase in the percentage of patients with "none/trace" amounts of hyperemia. Most patients preferred the study medication (81.5 %; n = 141/173) and were confident that they would adhere to their preferred medication (90.8 %; n = 157/173). No serious AEs were reported, and eye irritation (3.7 %; n = 7/191) was the most common treatment-related AE. CONCLUSIONS: Transitioning from BAK-containing latanoprost 0.005 % to BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % preserved with PQ reduced IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were intolerant of latanoprost. BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % is a viable alternative for patients who require switching their IOP-lowering medications because of tolerability issues. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01510145.

Ocular Surface Disease in Glaucoma: Effect of Polypharmacy and Preservatives.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of ocular surface disease (OSD) in glaucoma and nonglaucoma subjects using different clinical tests and to determine the effect of number of antiglaucoma medications and preservatives on OSD. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, case-comparison study at the Eye Clinic of the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia, between June 2012 and January 2013. Glaucoma subjects (n = 105) using topical antiglaucoma medications were compared with control subjects (n = 102) who were not on any topical medications. The presence of OSD was assessed using the tear film breakup time (TBUT) test, corneal staining, Schirmer test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire grading. RESULTS: The prevalence of OSD varied from 37 to 91% in the glaucoma group, depending on the type of clinical test. More subjects in the glaucoma group had corneal staining (63% vs. 36%, p = 0.004), abnormal Schirmer tests (39% vs. 25%, p = 0.049), and moderate OSDI symptoms (17% vs. 7%, p = 0.028). The percentage with abnormal TBUT increased with higher numbers of topical medications and was high with both benzalkonium chloride-containing and preservative-free eye drops (90% and 94%, respectively, both p < 0.001). Benzalkonium chloride was associated with a nearly three times higher odds ratio of showing abnormal OSDI. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular surface disease is common in those using topical antiglaucoma medications. Abnormal TBUT is associated with increasing number of eye drops and benzalkonium chloride-containing eye drops, although this also occurs with the use of preservative-free eye drops.

[Randomized parallel group study of 0.0015% tafluprost ophthalmic solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (comparison with 0.005% latanoprost ophthalmic solution)].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the non-inferiority of the IOP-lowering effect of the 0.0015% Tafluprost ophthalmic solution to the 0.005% Latanoprost ophthalmic solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.Safety was also compared between two groups. METHODS: This study was conducted from August 2008 to December 2009, at five clinical trial sites in China. Patients of this study population was diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in both eyes.Subjects were randomized into 0.0015% Tafluprost group or 0.005% Latanoprost group.Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement by Goldmann applanation tonometer, slit-lamp microscopy, Gonioscopy, Fundascopy, Visual acuity test, Perimetry, Blood pressure and pulse rate, Subjective symptoms were compered between two groups at Week 0, Week 2 and Week 4.For main effectiveness evaluation index adopt the bad effect evaluation, safety evaluation index by Fisher's exact test probability method. RESULTS: The 246 subjects/246 eyes were randomized (Tafluprost group:122 subjects/122 eyes, Latanoprost group:124 subjects/ 124 eyes). Change in the IOP at 17:00 of Week 2 is (8.8 ± 3.8) mmHg and (8.9 ± 4.4) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in Tafluprost group and Latanoprost group. Percent change in the IOP at 17:00 of Week 2 is (33.2 ± 12.8)% and (34.4 ± 14.1)% in Tafluprost group and Latanoprost group. Change in the IOP at 17:00 at the end of treatment is (9.8 ± 4.0) mmHg and (9.2 ± 4.1) mmHg in Tafluprost group and Latanoprost group. Percent change in the IOP at 17:00 at the end of treatment is 37.2% ± 13.4% group and 35.7% ± 13.0% in Tafluprost and Latanoprost group.In addition, distribution of subjects with percentage decrease of IOP > 30% was 72.5% in Tafluprost group higher than 63.8% in Latanoprost group. The major adverse reactions were conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, eye pain and foreign body sensation. The incidence of adverse reactions is 31.7% in Tafluprost group and 20.8% in Latanoprost group. The inter-group difference had no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Efficacy and safety of Tafluprost ophthalmic solution are no less than Latanoprost ophthalmic solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Chronic unilateral chemosis following the use of amlodipine besylate.

BACKGROUND: This case report describes a patient with chronic unilateral chemosis, likely due to treatment with amlodipine besylate. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old man visited the clinic with symptoms of foreign body sensation and puffiness in his right eye, which had persisted for 4 months. There were no other symptoms, such as itching and pain, in his right eye and no specific symptoms in his left eye. He had been treated for hypertension and hyperlipidemia for the previous 5 months with once daily amlodipine besylate/atorvastatin (Caduet) and candesartan cilexetil (Atacand). Examination revealed marked swelling of the inferior bulbar conjunctiva in the right eye. Evaluation revealed no specific causes for the longstanding chemosis. A change of medication to telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Micardis Plus) without amlodipine besylate resulted in significant improvements in his symptoms after 1 month and complete remission after 8 months. CONCLUSION: Prior to invasive evaluation including biopsy, specific drugs should be considered as possible causes of idiopathic longstanding conjunctival chemosis.

Intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.03% therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients in China.

BACKGROUND: To report the clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension treated with bimatoprost 0.03% therapy. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension who needed initial or additional intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering were recruited in this prospective, open-label, multicenter clinical study and were treated with bimatoprost 0.03%. Patients received bimatoprost 0.03% as initial, replacement or adjunctive IOP-lowering therapy, and follow-up visits were performed at week 1, and month 1 and 3 of the bimatoprost treatment. The efficacy outcome measure was the post-treatment IOP level. The safety outcome measures included the rate of medication-related symptoms, physical signs, reported adverse events, and the level of conjunctival hyperemia. RESULTS: Among 240 patients who could be categorized by pre-existing therapies and the bimatoprost therapy regimen in the study, IOP values observed in all medication conditions showed significant IOP reduction at all study visits compared with baseline. At 3 months, 8.0 ± 3.7 mmHg (32.0%) reduction in IOP was observed in treatment-naive patients after bimatoprost monotherapy; in the patients previously on various therapy regimens, 1.9 ± 2.8 mmHg (9.5%) to 6.4 ± 6.1 mmHg (24.8%) additional IOP lowering was achieved after switching to bimatoprost monotherapy or bimatoprost combination therapy. The most common adverse event was conjunctival hyperemia, mainly of trace and mild intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that bimatoprost 0.03% was effective in lowering IOP with favorable safety in Chinese primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients.

Conjunctival and corneal ulceration associated with nicorandil.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE: To report an association between conjunctival and corneal ulceration and nicorandil therapy for angina. METHODS: Review of the literature and spontaneous reports collected at the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects (Portland, Oregon), the FDA Spontaneous Reporting System (Bethesda, Maryland) and the World Health Organization's Uppsala Monitoring Center (Uppsala, Sweden). RESULTS: Thirteen case reports of adverse ocular reactions were collected. Abnormal vision (5 reports), corneal ulcer (4 reports) and conjunctival ulcer (4 reports) were associated with nicorandil. Eight subjects were male and 5 female with an average age of 75.4 ± 8.3 years. The average duration of therapy to development of the ADR was 30.4 days ±3 days. Eleven case reports had positive dechallenge and the patients fully recovered. The average dose was 21.6 mg daily. CONCLUSION: Using WHO classification for adverse drug reactions, the association between nicorandil and conjunctival and corneal ulceration is "possible". The case reports indicate that, if recognized, withdrawing nicorandil will lead to resolution of the conjunctival or corneal ulceration. Advanced age and accumulation of nicotinic acid in tissues may be contributory to the risk of developing ocular ulcerations from nicorandil.

Glaucoma therapy and ocular surface disease: current literature and recommendations.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update on clinical and experimental literature for ocular surface effects of glaucoma therapy and to provide practical guidelines for ophthalmologists treating glaucoma patients with ocular surface disease (OSD). RECENT FINDINGS: Preservatives, notably benzalkonium chloride (BAK), continue to contribute to OSD and demonstrate a variety of toxic ocular effects both in-vitro, and in animal/human studies. Recent literature frequently compares BAK with Polyquad, SofZia, and preservative-free therapies. Some clinical benefit has been demonstrated with newer BAK-free alternatives. SUMMARY: BAK-free and preservative-free therapies are becoming available but are not always a feasible alternative. It is important to recognize different clinical manifestations of allergy and chronic inflammation and to discuss options for patients experiencing OSD.

Dry eye syndrome in aromatase inhibitor users.

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitors are frequently used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of breast cancer. We observed that several patients taking aromatase inhibitors presented with severe dry eye symptoms, and we investigated whether there is a relationship between aromatase inhibitors and dry eyes in these patients. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one women. METHODS: A computerized search of health records was performed to identify patients using anastrazole, letrozole and exemestane seen by the Cornea Service from August 2008 to March 2011. The results were compared with age-matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular surface changes among aromatase inhibitors users. RESULTS: Of the 41 women, 39 were Caucasians. Thirty-nine patients had breast cancer (95%), one patient had ovarian cancer (2.5%) and one had an unknown primary cancer. Mean age was 68 ± 11.3 years (range 47-95). Most common presenting symptoms were blurred vision in 28 (68%) patients, irritation/foreign body sensation in 12 (29%) patients, redness in 9 (22%) patients, tearing in 6 (22%) patients and photosensitivity in 2 (5%) patients. Mean Schirmer's test measurement was 11 ± 5.8 mm (range 0.5-20 mm). Blepharitis was noted in 68 of 82 eyes (73%), decreased or poor tear function in 24 eyes (29%), conjunctival injection in 18 eyes (22%) and superficial punctate keratitis in 12 eyes (29%). Among an age-matched population (45-95 years), dry eye syndrome was found in only 9.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because the prevalence of ocular surface disease signs and symptoms appears to be higher in study group than control patients, aromatase inhibitors might be a contributing factor to the dry eye symptoms.

[Alterations in tears aqueous layer during cytostatics treatment]. / Zmiany w warstwie wodnej lez podczas leczenia cytostatykami.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate tears secretion, pH and lysozyme activity in tears aqueous layer during chemotherapy in lung, breast and bowel cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 patients were enrolled to the study. Depending on the type of cancer and type of chemotherapy patients were divided into three groups. Group I (12 patients) diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with PE schema (cisplatin, etoposide), Group II (12 patients) with breast cancer treated with FAC schema (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide), Group III (12 patients) with bowel cancer treated with FU/LV schema (fluorouracil, leucovorin). In all the patients: Schirmer's I test, pH measurements and lysozyme test were performed. Patients were examined before chemotherapy, after 2nd, 4th, 6th cycle. RESULTS: In group I and II lowering of tears secretion (p < 0.001) was revealed. In group III there was higher tears secretion (p < 0.001). PH was lowered after 2nd chemotherapy course in group I and II. In further treatment pH value were in the same lower level as after the second course. In group III there was higher pH--more alkaline (p < 0.001) after 2nd cycle of treatment and it was on the same level to the end of the examination process. Lowering of lysozyme activity in the tears film in all groups (p < 0.001) was established. The higher alterations of the lysozyme activity were observed in group treated with FAC schema. CONCLUSIONS: Cytostatic treatment has major influence on tears aqueous layer causing alterations of tears secretions. PH alterations depending on type of chemotherapy was observed. Lowering of lysozyme activity in tears was observed. All the deteriorations aggravate with duration of chemotherapy. Alterations of tears film parameters during chemotherapy may influence upon eye surface homeostasis and infectious complication. tears aqueous layer, Schirmer's test, lysozyme activity, tears pH.

[Influence of cancer chemotherapy on conjunctival epithelium and goblet cells]. / Wplyw chemioterapii stosowaney w leczeniu nowotworów zlosliwych na stan nablonka i komórek kubkowych spojówki.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of different types of chemotherapy schemes administered in lung, breast and bowel cancer on conjunctival epithelium and goblet cells morphology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 patients (72 eyes) were enrolled to the study. Patients were divided into three groups depending on type of cancer and chemotherapy: group I - patients diagnosed with non- small cells lung cancer treated with PE schema (cisplatin, etoposide), group II - with breast cancer treated with FAC schema (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide), group Ill - bowel cancer treated with FU/LV schema (fluorouracil, leucovorin). Examinations were performed before chemotherapy and after Il'th, IV'th, VI'th chemotherapy cycle. Conjuntival specimen were obtained with exfoliative cytology, stained with PAS and hematoxyline. RESULTS: Statistically significant deterioration of conjunctival epithelium and goblet cells in all the groups in each time of examination (p<0.001) was observed. Alterations were aggravated with duration of chemotherapy. Before chemotherapy all the patients had normal epithelium and goblet cells (grade 0 or 1 according to the Nelson's scale). Conjunctival cells status gradually deteriorated and altered from the normal glandular epithelium to the squamous cells epithelium through the process of squamous metaplasia. In further chemotherapy cycles each patient (1,0 fraction) had abnormal morphology of epithelium and goblet cells (grade 2 or 3 of Nelson's scale). CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy induces squamous metaplasia of epithelium and the reduction of number of conjunctival goblet cells. This abnormalities were time dependent and increased with duration of chemotherapy and were not depended on type of chemotherapy scheme.