Modified Reverse Hatchet Flap for Ablepharon-Macrostomia Syndrome.

Ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by TWIST2 mutations and anterior lamellar dysgenesis. Timely intervention is critical to prevent exposure keratopathy, corneal ulceration, and permanent vision loss. We report a novel approach to multiplanar eyelid reconstruction in ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome involving use of a modified reverse hatchet flap in 1 lower eyelid along with division at the eyelid margin, recession of the eyelid retractors in conjunction with preputial skin grafting for anterior lamellar restoration in the other 3 eyelids.

Treatment of Thyroid Eye Disease-Associated Ophthalmopathy and Myopathy With Intraorbital Injection of 5-Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone Acetonide.

PURPOSE: The authors report a technique of local application of anti-metabolite and corticosteroid mixture in the orbit for treatment of thyroid orbitopathy with moderate-severe inflammation and muscle involvement. METHODS: Patients of one orbital surgeon seen between March 2019 and May 2020 with active thyroid eye disease and restrictive strabismus were considered for local treatment of the myopathic component of the disease. A mixture of 1 ml 5-FU 50 mg/ml, 0.25 ml triamcinolone 40 mg/ml, and 1 ml lidocaine 2% is injected through the skin using a 25-gauge, 1.5-inch needle into the orbit adjacent to the affected extraocular muscle. Six patients were treated in the outpatient setting and 3 patients have been treated with this intervention intraoperatively at the time of orbital decompression. One was treated with the mixture reconstituted with hyaluronic acid (Healon GV) to address postoperative medial rectus fibrosis to the medial wall, this mixture was applied topically in the operative field and not injected. RESULTS: All patients had subjective improvement in the eye movement limitation and 2 patients had a change in motility on exam that was temporally correlated to injections. One patient did not disclose high-dose aspirin intake before injection and experienced a retrobulbar hemorrhage immediately following injection which was successfully treated. No complications were noted as a result of the medication itself. DISCUSSION: The combination of 5-fluorouracil and triamcinolone acetonide for orbital treatment may be a useful adjunct in treating patients with ongoing inflammatory activity, both in the office and in the operating room. The novel combination may optimize ophthalmic outcomes, modifying disease course in some patients.

Transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin B for rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: a multi-center retrospective comparative study.

PURPOSE: To assess whether transcutaneous retrobulbar amphotericin B injections (TRAMB) reduce exenteration rate without increasing mortality in rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM). METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, 46 patients (51 eyes) with biopsy-proven ROCM were evaluated at 9 tertiary care institutions from 1998 to 2021. Patients were stratified by radiographic evidence of local orbital versus extensive involvement at presentation. Extensive involvement was defined by MRI or CT evidence of abnormal or loss of contrast enhancement of the orbital apex with or without cavernous sinus, bilateral orbital, or intracranial extension. Cases (+TRAMB) received TRAMB as adjunctive therapy while controls (-TRAMB) did not. Patient survival, globe survival, and vision/motility loss were compared between +TRAMB and -TRAMB groups. A generalized linear mixed effects model including demographic and clinical covariates was used to evaluate the impact of TRAMB on orbital exenteration and disease-specific mortality. RESULTS: Among eyes with local orbital involvement, exenteration was significantly lower in the +TRAMB group (1/8) versus -TRAMB (8/14) (p = 0.04). No significant difference in mortality was observed between the ±TRAMB groups. Among eyes with extensive involvement, there was no significant difference in exenteration or mortality rates between the ±TRAMB groups. Across all eyes, the number of TRAMB injections correlated with a statistically significant decreased rate of exenteration (p = 0.048); there was no correlation with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ROCM with local orbital involvement treated with adjunctive TRAMB demonstrated a lower exenteration rate and no increased risk of mortality. For extensive involvement, adjunctive TRAMB does not improve or worsen these outcomes.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Management of Thyroid Eye Disease: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: MRI may potentially detect active thyroid eye disease prior to elevation of clinical activity score. We aimed to systematically review the existing literature pertaining to MRI thyroid eye disease and to assess the role of MRI in the diagnosis of thyroid eye disease. METHODS: A Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome/Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses selection criteria was applied to identify studies for inclusion published between the years 2000 and 2023. RESULTS: Twenty-four articles were identified for inclusion in the systematic review. All included studies utilized MRI as the imaging modality. MRI sequences used included T2-weighted imaging in 87.5%, T1-weighted imaging in 54.2%, diffusion-weighted imaging in 20.8%, and short tau inversion recovery in 16.7%. The most common parameters quantified were signal intensity ratio in 10 studies (41.7%) and T2-relaxation time in 8 studies (33.3%). Signal intensity ratio and T2-relaxation time were shown to correlate with clinical activity score and identify the phase of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: MRI has untapped potential for further elucidating the highly complex biological processes in thyroid eye disease. As we move away from clinical activity score as a predictor of response to biologic therapy, MRI may prove more important than ever in the risk-benefit analysis around the use of immunomodulators.

Sebaceous carcinoma masquerading as ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid.

Sebaceous carcinoma is a known mimicker of benign conditions, leading to frequent delays in diagnosis and proper treatment. We present two patients with chronic cicatrizing conjunctivitis initially diagnosed as ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) and later found to have sebaceous carcinoma. Both patients presented with unilateral conjunctivitis that failed to improve with topical and systemic therapy, eventually developing fornix foreshortening and extensive symblepharon. Case 1 was diagnosed with ocular MMP based on clinical features alone, while Case 2 was diagnosed with biopsy-negative disease. Months to years later, both patients developed lid lesions found to be sebaceous carcinoma and underwent exenteration. As diagnosis and treatment of ocular MMP without positive direct immunofluorescence testing becomes increasingly accepted, clinicians should consider sebaceous carcinoma as the initial diagnosis or as a developing phenomenon during immunosuppression in the setting of chronic inflammation. A low threshold for repeat biopsy should be maintained.

Blue Rubber Bleb Nevus Syndrome Manifesting as an Isolated Congenital Orbital Mass in a Neonate.

A male neonate presented with an isolated congenital right orbital vascular malformation without other mucocutaneous lesions or signs/symptoms of systemic disease. The orbital mass was progressive, causing amblyogenic ptosis by 6 months of age. Over 11 years, the patient underwent 4 orbital mass resections, 3 embolizations, and even a craniotomy with mass resection for an intraorbital meningoencephalocele secondary to orbital bony erosion. A diagnosis of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome was made at age 7 when the patient developed a tender vascular lesion on his foot and was found to have other mucocutaneous lesions of the extremities and gastrointestinal tract. This is the first pediatric case of such an aggressive orbital vascular malformation from blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome causing neonatal amblyogenic ptosis and intraorbital meningoencephalocele in childhood. It is the second report of a patient presenting with an isolated orbital vascular malformation without other manifestations of blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome, leading to his delayed diagnosis.

Association of Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index With Orbital Fungal Disease Outcomes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (age-CCI) in sino-orbital fungal disease patients correlates with disease-specific mortality. METHODS: Hospital billing systems at 2 academic institutions were queried for patients with ICD-9, ICD-10, and CPT codes used in fungal disease who also had orbital disease and significant visual loss. Thirty-two patients at Institution A and 18 patients at Institution B met the inclusion criteria of microbiologic or pathologic confirmation of fungal infection and completion of inpatient ophthalmology evaluation. Patients without radiographic abnormality in the sinus or orbit were excluded. Demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome variables were recorded. Our primary outcome was death due to fungal disease. RESULTS: Of the 50 medical records examined, 44 patients met the criteria for fungal-related death outcome on multivariate analysis. The regression coefficient for age-CCI and fungal-related mortality was 0.242 (95% CI, 0.012-0.779) with a p value of 0.038. CONCLUSIONS: Age-CCI is significantly associated with fungal-related mortality. This relationship remains significant when controlling for 5 covariates of fungal organism phylum, presence or absence of CNS disease, exenteration, local treatment use, and presence or absence of an immunosuppressive diagnosis. Age-CCI shows promise as a clinical and research tool in the evaluation of invasive fungal disease involving the orbit.

Ocular adnexal phenotype and management of a patient with mosaic expression of a mutation in TWIST2.

Ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome (AMS) and Barber-Say syndrome (BSS) are congenital ectodermal dysplasias associated with mutations in the TWIST2 gene. Among the ophthalmic anomalies that occur in these syndromes, underdevelopment of the anterior lamella of the eyelid is a defining feature. Reports of mosaic expression of TWIST2 mutations are extremely rare, with only five confirmed or suspected cases described to date. Mosaic expression of TWIST2 variants is correlated with a less severe phenotype than that reported for the typical expression of TWIST2 variants associated with BSS or AMS. Abnormal development of the anterior lamella appears to be a common feature in all cases of AMS with mosaic expression. Here, we describe the phenotype of a patient with mosaic expression of a TWIST2 mutation that is typically associated with AMS. We additionally describe the surgical approach employed in the treatment of this patient.

Use of an Ultrasonic Aspirator in Removal of an Orbital Rim Hemangioma.

Intraosseous hemangiomas are rare bony neoplasms that infrequently develop in the calvarium or facial bones. Due to their highly vascular nature, biopsy or resection of these tumors can present a surgical challenge, with reports of significant blood loss during tumor resection. Traditional surgical resection of intraosseous hemangiomas often includes the use of high speed oscillating or sagittal saws. Ultrasonic aspirators, which spare adjacent soft-tissue structures and minimize blood loss, have been successfully used in resection of firm soft tissue masses of the orbit; however, this technology has not been demonstrated in the treatment of a vascular tumor in the orbit. The authors present the case of a 37-year-old woman who presented with an intraosseous hemangioma at the left inferior orbital rim and maxilla; the mass was successfully resected with the aid of a Sonopet Ultrasonic Aspirator bone knife. The knife allowed for simultaneous emulsification and cautery of the bone encasing the mass with low risk to sensitive surrounding tissue.

Blunderbuss: Ocular and Orbital Injuries Due to Muzzle-Loading Firearms.

PURPOSE: Injury to the eye and/or orbital and adnexal structures associated with antiquated muzzle-loading firearms has not, to our knowledge, been characterized with the exception of a single case report. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 7 patients treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2003 to 2017 who sustained traumatic injuries to the ocular and/or orbital structures secondary to the discharge of muzzle-loading firearms. The study was approved by the Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board. RESULTS: In 6/7 cases, injuries occurred secondary to the muzzle-loading firearm exploding due to dysfunction or misuse. Foreign material deriving from the firearm was retained in 3/7 patients. Initial examination of the orbit and adnexa revealed 5/7 individuals sustaining orbital fractures and 6/7 with facial lacerations (including 2 with eyelid lacerations); none had evidence of a lacrimal duct injury. Three patients suffered globe injuries (1 closed-globe and 2 open-globe). Visual acuity at last follow-up was ≥20/20 in 12/14 eyes examined. Surgical intervention was required in the treatment of 4/7 individuals (including 3/7 requiring intervention for sustained orbital fractures). No individuals were wearing eye protection at the time of injury. All individuals survived their injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The operation of muzzle-loading firearms poses a unique risk of injury to the operator. The resultant injuries in this case series were primarily due to the explosion of the firearm, which subsequently appear similar to orbital and ocular blast injuries caused by explosive weapons. Orbital injuries and more potentially more devastating ocular injuries may have been prevented by protective eyewear.

Porcine Urinary Bladder Extracellular Matrix for Treatment of Periocular Skin Defects.

PURPOSE: To describe the experience of 4 oculoplastic surgeons with porcine bladder matrix for periocular anterior lamella and donor site skin defects either as stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other reconstructive procedures. The authors hypothesized that defect size and location influence the requirement for additional matrix treatments or ancillary procedures. METHODS: Following the Institutional Review Board approval, the authors conducted a retrospective review of 17 patients treated with porcine bladder matrix at 2 oculoplastic practices between 2016 and 2018. Powdered matrix was applied to the skin defect and overlaid with a matrix sheet. Subsequent rounds of matrix treatment or other reconstructive procedures were performed as necessary. Defect size and location were correlated to the number of ancillary matrix treatments or surgical procedures via univariate analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-five sites (21 primary and 4 donor) in 17 individuals (8-95 years, M = 58.8 years, 10 males) were treated with porcine bladder matrix. All wounds healed successfully. Additional matrix treatments were administered at 5 sites. Ancillary procedures were performed for 7 sites. Upper lid involvement and larger defect size tended to require additional ancillary procedures (p = 0.006), while lower eyelid and other periocular defects required fewer procedures (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Porcine bladder matrices are useful adjuncts to healing periocular anterior lamella defects in various settings. Such repairs are useful in nonsurgical candidates, but must take into account varying levels of complexity based on lesion location. Smaller defects are more conducive to application of matrices as stand-alone treatment, while larger or upper eyelid defects often require additional procedures.

Correlation of Automated Computed Tomography Volumetric Analysis Metrics With Motility Disturbances in Thyroid Eye Disease.

PURPOSE: The authors sought to examine relationships between CT metrics derived via an automated method and clinical parameters of extraocular muscle changes in thyroid eye disease (TED). METHODS: CT images of 204 orbits in the setting of TED were analyzed with an automated segmentation tool developed at the institution. Labels were applied to orbital structures of interest on the study images, which were then registered against a previously established atlas of manually indexed orbits derived from 35 healthy individuals. Point-wise correspondences between study and atlas images were then compared via a fusion algorithm to highlight metrics of interest where TED orbits differed from healthy orbits. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated several correlations between CT metrics and clinical data. Metrics pertaining to the extraocular muscles-including average diameter, maximum diameter, and muscle volume-were strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with the presence of ocular motility deficits with regards to the superior, inferior, and lateral recti (with exception of superior rectus motility deficits being mildly correlated with muscle volume [p = 0.09]). Motility defects of the medial rectus were strongly correlated with muscle volume, and only weakly correlated with average and maximum muscle diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The novel method of automated imaging metrics may provide objective, rapid clinical information which may have utility in prevention and recognition of visual impairments in TED before they reach an advanced or irreversible stage and while they are able to be improved with immunomodulatory treatments.

Use of Dermaflage®, a silicone-based skin camouflage product, for treatment of medial canthal fistula.

Medial canthal fistulas present a therapeutic challenge, given that the risk factors for development of this and similar complications also contribute to their difficulty to treat. Following surgical, chemotherapy and radiation treatment of a poorly differentiated sinonasal carcinoma, a 61 year old man failed internal and external rotational flap repair and declined further operative procedures; he was satisfied with a novel conservative treatment. This report describes use of Dermaflage®, a silicone-based skin camouflage and topical cutaneous filler product, to both resolve the symptoms of tearing and discharge through the fistula and mask the defect from the casual observer.

A Comparison of Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy and External Dacryocystorhinostomy: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) compared with external DCR. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed database in March 2016 and updated in October 2017 and February 2019. The search strategy was designed to update the first Ophthalmic Technology Assessment on endonasal DCR from 2001 by identifying new peer-reviewed human studies reported since 2000 in the English language that compare results of endonasal DCR with those of external DCR. The searches yielded 169 articles. Of these, 13 met the inclusion criteria and were assigned a level of evidence rating. RESULTS: Six of the 13 studies included in this assessment were rated level II and 7 were rated level III. Three of the 13 studies drew conclusions based on statistically significant results, but all of these were level III evidence. Two of these significant studies demonstrated lesser efficacy of endonasal laser DCR (63%-64%) compared with external DCR (94%; P = 0.0002, 0.024). The third study reported that nonlaser endonasal DCR was superior to external DCR (84% vs. 70%; P = 0.03). The remainder of the studies did not find statistically significant differences in success rates between the 2 techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Limited data suggest that laser endonasal DCR may be less effective than external DCR. Existing data are inadequate to draw conclusions about whether endonasal DCR is superior to, equivalent to, or inferior to the gold standard external DCR.

Monocanalicular Stents in Eyelid Lacerations: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy and complication rates of monocanalicular stents in the setting of canalicular lacerations. METHODS: A literature search was performed in May 2018 in the PubMed database to identify all English-language reports of monocanalicular stenting to address canalicular lacerations. Studies that did not include at least 10 patients with at least 3 months of follow-up evaluation after surgery were excluded. Ninety-nine articles were identified, and 15 of these met criteria for data abstraction and were included in this assessment. The panel methodologist (V.K.A.) evaluated the quality of evidence and assigned a level-of-evidence rating to each of these studies. RESULTS: All 15 studies were rated as level III evidence. Anatomic and functional success rates after surgery ranged from 68% to 100% and 79% to 100%, respectively. Stents were generally well tolerated, although extrusion rates varied from 0% to 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Only level III evidence was available, and studies were not powered to detect differences between groups for rare complications or failure. Monocanalicular stents seem to be efficacious and well tolerated in the management of canalicular lacerations. Potential complications include extrusion (most commonly), tube displacement, granuloma, ectropion, slit punctum, fistula, and infection. Further comparative studies would help to identify the optimal time for device removal and to directly compare monocanalicular with bicanalicular stents.

Assessment of Orbital Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging Biomarkers in Patients with Thyroid Eye Disease.

To understand potential orbital biomarkers generated from computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients with thyroid eye disease. This is a retrospective cohort study. From a database of an ongoing thyroid eye disease research study at our institution, we identified 85 subjects who had both clinical examination and laboratory records supporting the diagnosis of thyroid eye disease and concurrent imaging prior to any medical or surgical intervention. Patients were excluded if imaging quality or type was not amenable to segmentation. The images of 170 orbits were analyzed with the developed automated segmentation tool. The main outcome measure was to cross 25 CT structural metrics for each eye with nine clinical markers using a Kendall rank correlation test to identify significant relationships. The Kendall rank correlation test between automatically calculated CT metrics and clinical data demonstrated numerous correlations. Extraocular rectus muscle metrics, such as the average diameter of the superior, medial, and lateral rectus muscles, showed a strong correlation (p < 0.05) with loss of visual acuity and presence of ocular motility defects. Hertel measurements demonstrated a strong correlation (p < 0.05) with volumetric measurements of the optic nerve and other orbital metrics such as the crowding index and proptosis. Optic neuropathy was strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with an increase in the maximum diameter of the superior muscle. This novel method of automated imaging metrics may provide objective, rapid clinical information. This data may be useful for appreciation of severity of thyroid eye disease and recognition of risk factors of visual impairment from dysthyroid optic neuropathy from CT imaging.

Treatments for Ocular Adnexal Lymphoma: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To review the literature to determine the efficacy of available treatments for ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL) and to evaluate the outcomes and complications of treatments in patients older than 13 years. METHODS: A literature search was conducted last in March 2017 in the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases for English-language original research investigations that evaluated treatment outcomes for OAL. The searches identified 307 unique citations, and 27 studies were selected according to the criteria outlined for this assessment. RESULTS: The 27 studies reviewed comprised 2009 patients. Seventy-five percent of the cases reported were extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Twenty-five studies reported results using radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy or surgery. The local control rate of MALT lymphomas with treatments involving radiotherapy averaged 95.9%. Distant and local relapses can occur, and in studies reporting only on MALT lymphomas (884 patients), the 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates were reported to be 86.4% and 78.7%, respectively. However, overall survival in patients receiving radiotherapy remained very good, with the 5-year and 10-year survival rates reported to be 93.8% and 84.9%, respectively. Studies that included data on multiple histologic subtypes of lymphoma or non-MALT lymphomas (988 patients) reported local control rates to be 93.1%; 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rates to be 75.7% and 71.0%, respectively; and 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates to be 78.9% and 73.5%, respectively. Studies on the use of doxycycline for MALT lymphomas (137 patients) reported complete responses of between 4.4% and 13%. Complete and partial responses combined were between 26.7% and 65%. Disease-free survival was not reported for these 2 studies, although progression-free survival was reported to be between 55% and 60.9%. The most frequently reported complications of treatment were cataracts (12.1%) and dry eye (8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: For MALT lymphomas, local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival are good with radiation treatment. The results of treatment of non-MALT lymphomas using radiotherapy also were good, but they were not as favorable as the treatment results of MALT lymphomas.

Chemodenervation for the Treatment of Facial Dystonia: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To review the medical literature on the outcomes and complications of various Food and Drug Administration-approved botulinum toxins for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) and hemifacial spasm (HFS). METHODS: Literature searches were last conducted in February 2017 in PubMed for articles published in English and in the Cochrane Library database without language limitations; studies published before 2000 were excluded. The combined searches yielded 127 citations. Of these, 13 articles were deemed appropriate for inclusion in this assessment, and the panel methodologist assigned ratings to them according to the level of evidence. RESULTS: A combined total of 1523 patients (1143 with BEB and 380 with HFS) were included in the 13 studies. Five studies provided level I evidence, 2 studies provided level II evidence, and 6 studies provided level III evidence. Pretarsal injections were more efficacious than preseptal injections (96% vs. 86%, respectively). Pretarsal injections also resulted in a higher response rate on clinical scales (P < 0.05) and a longer duration of maximum response for both HFS and BEB. Patients with HFS require lower overall doses of onabotulinumtoxinA than patients with BEB for a similar duration of effect. Adverse events were dose related, and they occurred more frequently in patients who were given more units. CONCLUSIONS: Level I evidence supports the efficacy of Botox (Allergan Corp., Irvine, CA), Meditoxin, and Xeomin (Merz Pharmaceuticals, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) for the treatment of BEB. Meditoxin and Botox have equivalent effectiveness and incidence of adverse events for BEB and HFS. Dysport (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc, Paris, France) seems to have efficacy similar to Botox and Meditoxin for BEB and HFS, but any definitive conclusions from the 2 level II studies in this review are limited by differences in the methodologies used. Higher doses of Botox and Dysport result in more adverse events. Repeated treatments using Botox seem to maintain efficacy for treatment of facial dystonias over a follow-up period of at least 10 years, based on level III evidence.

Orbital Implants in Enucleation Surgery: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To compare the motility and complication rates of porous and nonporous implants after enucleation surgery. METHODS: Literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were last performed in February 2017 to identify studies published between 2003 and 2017 on outcomes after enucleation surgeries in which a variety implants were used. The searches were limited to the English language with abstracts and yielded 43 articles, which the Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee Oculoplastics and Orbit Panel reviewed for relevancy. Twenty-five articles were considered to have met the search strategy, and the panel methodologist assigned ratings to them according to the level of evidence. RESULTS: Only 2 of the 25 articles identified met the criteria for level I evidence. Eighteen of the studies did not assess motility after enucleation surgery, and the 7 that did evaluate this metric involved porous implants. The studies that analyzed this outcome reported favorable results, but the results were not uniformly based on objective analysis. Both porous and nonporous implants were well tolerated, and complication rates were generally low for both types. CONCLUSIONS: In keeping with increasing surgeon preference for porous implants, most studies identified in this literature search involved the use of this type of implant. These implants resulted in excellent motility after enucleation surgery, although many studies did not assess this outcome. Regardless of implant type, major complications were rare, and infection was exceptionally uncommon after enucleation. Given the paucity of data on motility and the absence of direct, objective comparisons of porous and nonporous implants, definitive conclusions about the impact of implant material on motility cannot be made. Since few studies evaluated nonporous implants, direct comparisons cannot be made definitively between implant types, and future investigations are needed to enable a critical assessment.

Balloon Dacryoplasty for Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To identify the efficacy and adverse event rates of balloon dacryoplasty in cases of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children who fail to respond to an initial nasolacrimal duct probing. METHODS: A literature search was last performed in September 2017 in the PubMed database to identify all reports of balloon dacryoplasty. All searches up to and including the last search were limited to the English language, and they yielded 104 articles that were assessed for relevancy. Thirty-six articles were selected for full review, and 8 of these were selected for inclusion in this assessment and assigned a quality of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. RESULTS: Three of the 8 studies included in this assessment were rated level II, and 5 were rated level III. Success rates varied from 75% to 100%. Only 2 complications were identified, and these were cases of self-limited postoperative emesis. The 2 studies that compared balloon dacryoplasty with lacrimal stenting reported that outcomes were comparable between the 2 techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Although level I evidence was not available, the studies that were uncovered in the literature review indicate that balloon dacryoplasty is a safe, effective procedure to address congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction that persists after standard probings. The outcomes of this intervention are similar to those of lacrimal stenting, and the absence of an implanted stent theoretically reduces the risk of complications.