Autogenous Fascia Lata Graft Fixation to Treat Exotropia Resulting From Iatrogenic Medial Rectus Transection.

PURPOSE: To describe autogenous fascia lata graft fixation as a novel method to treat exotropia related to medial rectus (MR) muscle injury following functional endoscopic sinus surgery. METHODS: Three consecutive patients with MR transection and exotropia after functional endoscopic sinus surgery were selected. Preoperative examination was performed; no MR function was noted for over 3 months after injury. CT and dynamic functional MRI were performed, where MR transection and medial wall breach were noted. An autogenous fascia lata graft was harvested and fixated from the remaining periosteum of the posterior-most extent of the medial orbital wall and attached to the globe at the MR insertion. In addition, an ipsilateral lateral rectus muscle recession was performed. RESULTS: Alignment of the eyes in primary gaze and downgaze was achieved and remained so at the 3-month postoperative examinations, with minimal head turn or prism correction (<5 prism diopters) necessary to control diplopia. Two patients required recession of the fascial graft for a minor overcorrection and have remained stable for over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Severe exotropia secondary to MR damage following functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a known complication historically difficult to treat. Traditional surgical methods, including vertical muscle transposition, commonly result in complete recurrence of exotropia and increase risk of anterior ocular ischemia. Unlike simple nonabsorbable suture fixation, fascial grafts are completely biointegratable, do not result in significant inflammation, and are unlikely to rupture. Fascia lata graft fixation of the MR to the posterior orbital medial wall is a new and successful method to eliminate exotropia after MR injury.

Masked trial of topical anesthesia for retinopathy of prematurity eye examinations.

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of a topical anesthetic on pain and corneal clarity in premature infants undergoing eye examinations for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: ROP examinations were performed on premature infants who were randomized to receive either proparacaine 0.5% or an artificial tear solution in the right eye. All infants received an artificial tear solution in the left eye. Assessment of discomfort was performed by use of the Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) during examination of the right eye, with a painful event defined as a PIPP score≥11. The left eye was then examined and a comparison of corneal clarity was made between the 2 eyes. RESULTS: A total of 39 examinations were performed on 34 infants: artificial tear solution was administered 17 times and topical proparacaine anesthetic 22 times. The mean PIPP score for those receiving artificial tears was 10.4 compared with 8.8 for the anesthetic group (p=0.17). Of the examinations without anesthetic, 65% were painful, compared with 27% with anesthetic (p=0.04). No effect on corneal clarity was observed in any examination. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a topical anesthetic appears to marginally decrease pain and has no adverse effect on subjectively assessed corneal clarity during examination of premature infants for ROP.

Congenital oculomotor nerve synkinesis associated with fetal retinoid syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Isotretinoin (RA), used for the treatment of cystic acne, is a powerful teratogen, causing craniofacial dysmorphisms and neural tube defects. We present two patients with RA embryopathy and oculomotor nerve synkinesis. METHODS: Retrospective review of patient records. RESULTS: Two patients presented with third nerve synkinesis and fetal RA exposure. Both had marked elevation of the upper eyelids on adduction such that the lid fissures alternately opened and closed on gaze from side to side. Both patients showed typical dysmorphisms of RA embryopathy. The first patient had complete agenesis of the cerebellar vermix and died at 2 years. The second patient had restricted extraocular muscles in one eye and was exotropic and hypotropic. DISCUSSION: Both patients demonstrated simultaneous innervation of the medial rectus and levator palpebrae muscles causing coincident lid elevation in adduction. This evidence of oculomotor nerve synkinesis is consistent with animal studies showing abnormalities in the formation of cranial nerve ganglia following fetal RA exposure. CONCLUSION: RA is a powerful teratogen. These patients provide additional clinical evidence of its influence on neural migration during early development.