Trochleaectomy: An Effective Treatment of Trochlear Pain in Monocular Patients.

BACKGROUND: Conventional treatment options for trochlear pain arising from trochleitis or primary trochlear headache include oral anti-inflammatory medications and/or local injection of corticosteroids and local anesthetic. Trochleaectomy is an additional option to consider for monocular patients with intractable trochlear pain. METHODS: We report 3 patients undergoing trochleaectomy for refractory trochlear pain syndromes. RESULTS: Trochleaectomy resulted in resolution of their periocular discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Trochleaectomy is an effective procedure to treat trochlear pain syndrome in functionally monocular patients.

Tratamento do olho cego doloroso por glaucoma neovascular com ciclofotocoagulação transescleral / Transescleral cyclophotocoagulation treatment for painful eye with glaucoma neovascular

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade e o perfil de segurança da ciclofotocoagulação transescleral padrão (CTCTE) e sua variação técnica denominada slow cooking (CTCTE SC) em pacientes com olho cego doloroso por glaucoma neovascular. Métodos: Pacientes foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico, graduando o nível da dor através de escala gráfica/numérica e divididos em dois grupos, um para tratamento com CTCTE e outro CTCTE SC. O acompanhamento foi realizado no primeiro, trigésimo e nonagésimo dias. Resultados: Dos 26 pacientes inclusos, 11 (42,3%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 69 anos. Destes, 16 pacientes foram submetidos ao tratamento CTCTE e 10 pacientes a CTCTE SC. A pressão intraocular (PIO) teve média pré tratamento de 49 ± 23 mmHg no grupo CFCTE e medias no 1º, 30º e 90º dias pós-operatórios respectivamente: 32 ± 24 mmHg, 38 ± 18 mmHg, 43 ± 10 mmHg. No grupo submetido a técnica CFCTE SC a PIO prévia foi 54 ± 16 mmHg e médias no 1º, 30º e 90º dias pós-operatórios respectivamente: 38 ± 22 mmHg, 39 ± 10 mmHg , 44 ± 09 mmHg. A redução da dor foi efetiva em 88,4% pacientes. Durante o pós-operatório foi verificado hiperemia, quemose e hifema. Não foram observadas complicações graves. Conclusão: O tratamento do olho cego doloroso com ciclofotocoagulação transescleral com baixa carga foi um procedimento seguro e eficaz na resolução da dor, mas apresentou um baixo nível de redução da pressão intraocular em ambas técnicas usadas.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety profile of standard transescleral cyclophotocoagulation (CTCTE) and its technical variation of slow cooking (CTCTE SC) in patients with neovascular glaucoma pain. Methods: Patients underwent ophthalmological examination, grading their pain level through a graphical / numerical scale and divided into two groups, one for treatment with CTCTE and another CTCTE SC. Follow-up was performed on the first, thirtieth and ninetieth days. Results: Of the 26 patients included, 11 (42.3%) were male. The average age of the patients was 69 years. Of these, 16 patients underwent CTCTE treatment and 10 patients underwent CTCTE SC. Intraocular pressure (IOP) had a mean pre-treatment of 49 ± 23 mmHg in the CFCTE group and medians at the 1st, 30th and 90th postoperative days respectively: 32 ± 24 mmHg, 38 ± 18 mmHg, 43 ± 10 mmHg. In the group submitted to the CFCTE SC technique, the previous IOP was 54 ± 16 mmHg and averages on the 1st, 30th and 90th postoperative days respectively: 38 ± 22 mmHg, 39 ± 10 mmHg, 44 ± 09 mmHg. Pain reduction was effective in 88.4% patients. During the postoperative period, hyperemia, chemosis and hyphema were observed. No serious complications were observed. Conclusion: Painful blind eye treatment with low load transscleral cyclophotocoagulation was a safe and effective procedure for pain resolution, but presented a low level of intraocular pressure reduction in both techniques used.

Efficacy of self-retained cryopreserved amniotic membrane for treatment of neuropathic corneal pain.

PURPOSE: Treatment of neuropathic corneal pain (NCP) remains intricate, and involves a long-term combined multistep approach. The self-retained cryopreserved amniotic membrane (PROKERA®, Bio-Tissue, Miami,FL) has been utilized for multiple ocular surface disorders. We evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ProKera® Slim [PKS] and ProKera® Clear [PKC] in the treatment of NCP. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 9 patients who received PKS/PKC for the acute treatment of NCP. Patient demographics, prior therapies, clinical examination, duration of PKS/PKC retention, changes in pain severity, corneal subbasal nerve density and morphology by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM; HRT3/RCM, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: PKS/PKC were placed in 10 eyes of 9 patients. Pain severity improved by 72.5 ± 8.4% (from 6.3 ± 0.8 to 1.9 ± 0.6, scale 1-10, p = 0.0003) after retention for 6.4 ± 1.1 days. Despite shorter retention for 4.0 ± 0.7 days in patients with ring dysesthesia (4 eyes) or premature implant disengagement (2 eyes), pain severity still improved by 63.1 ± 12.5% (from 6.8 ± 1.0 to 2.4 ± 0.9, p = 0.009). During a follow-up of 9.3 ± 0.8 months, two patients reported recurrence of pain after 2.3 and 9.6 months respectively, treated effectively with additional PKS/PKC. IVCM showed a 36.6 ± 17.6% increase in total nerve density, from 17,700.9 ± 1315.7 to 21,891.3 ± 2040.5 µm/mm2 (p = 0.047), while the fellow PKS/PKC-untreated eyes did not show a significant interval change. Main nerve trunk and branch nerve densities were not statistically different. Dendritiform cell density decreased from 46.0 ± 8.2 to 32.0 ± 6.0 cells/mm2 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PKS/PKC provide a safe and effective treatment approach to achieve sustained pain control in patients with NCP.

Evisceration in patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome.

The management of blind, painful eyes in Sturge-Weber syndrome patients poses unique challenges to the oculoplastic surgeon. Intraocular and orbital vascular malformations and calcification may theoretically lead to unexpected hemorrhage and difficulty placing an implant in a calcified scleral shell. We present two cases of patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome with blind, painful eyes who underwent evisceration with silicone implant and discuss the relevant current literature. Both of our patients had uncomplicated surgeries and post-operative courses. Our literature review reveals that both evisceration and enucleation are viable surgical options for globe removal in Sturge-Weber syndrome, yet careful preoperative planning must be undertaken to minimize risk.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy after palliative surgical procedures for bullous keratopathy: a descriptive comparative study / Biomicroscopia ultrassônica após procedimentos cirúrgicos paliativos na ceratopatia bolhosa: estudo comparativo descritivo

Purpose: To describe quantitative and qualitative features of eyes with advanced bullous keratopathy assessed using ultrasound biomicroscopy, before and after anterior stromal puncture (ASP) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) procedures to relieve chronic pain. Methods: The present descriptive comparative study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic intermittent pain due to bullous keratopathy who were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments (AMT or ASP). Ultrasound biomicroscopy (Humphrey, UBM 840, 50 MHz transducer, immersion technique) was used, and a questionnaire about pain intensity was completed preoperatively and postoperatively at days 90 and 180, respectively. Exclusion criteria were age<18 years, presence of concurrent infection, ocular hypertension, and absence of pain. Results: In a 180-day follow-up, the AMT group exhibited mean central corneal thickness (CCT), 899.4 µm preoperatively and 1122.5 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); mean epithelial thickness (ET), 156.4 µm preoperatively and 247.8 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); and mean stromal thickness (ST), 742.9 µm preoperatively and 826.3 µm postoperatively (p=0.005). The ASP group exhibited mean CCT, 756.7 µm preoperatively and 914.8 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); mean ET, 102.1 µm preoperatively and 245.2 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); and mean ST, 654.6 µm preoperatively and 681.5 µm postoperatively (p<0.999). Correlations between CCT and pain intensity in the AMT group (p=0.209 pre- and postoperatively) and the ASP group (p=0.157 preoperatively and p=0.426 at the 180-day follow-up) were not statistically significant. Epithelial and stromal edema, Descemet’s membrane folds, epithelial bullae, and the presence of interface fluid were frequently observed qualitative features. Conclusion: CCT increased over time in both groups. The magnitude of CCT did not correlate with pain intensity in the sample studied. The presence of interface ...

Objetivo: Descrever as características quantitativas e qualitativas da biomicroscopia ultrassônica (UBM) em olhos com ceratopatia bolhosa avançada, antes e após os procedimentos de punção estromal anterior (ASP) ou transplante de membrana amniótica (AMT) para alívio de dor crônica. Métodos: Estudo comparativo descritivo incluindo 40 olhos de 40 pacientes com dor crônica intermitente devido a ceratopatia bolhosa, randomizados em duas modalidades de tratamento (AMT e ASP). Biomicroscopia ultrassônica (Humphrey, UBM 840, transdutor de 50 MHz, técnica de imersão) foi utilizada, e um questionário de avaliação da intensidade da dor foi aplicado no pré-operatório, e após 90 e 180 dias de pós-operatório. Critérios de exclusão foram: idade abaixo de 18 anos, presença de infecção, hipertensão ocular, e ausência de dor. Resultados: No seguimento de 180 dias, o grupo Transplante de membrana amniótica apresentou: média da espessura corneana central (CCT): 899,4 µm (pré), 1.122,5 µm (pós-operatório) (p<0,001); média da espessura epitelial (ET): 156,4 µm (pré), 247,8 µm (pós-operatório) (p<0,001); média da espessura estromal (ST): 742,9 µm (pré), 826,3 µm (pós-operatório) (p=0,005), e, grupo ASP apresentou: CCT média: 756.7 µm (pré), 914,8µm (pós-operatório) (p<0,001); ET média: 102,1 µm (pré), 245,2 µm (pós-operatório) (p<0,001); ST média: 654,6 µm (pré), 681.5 µm (pós-operatório) (p<0,999). A correlação entre intensidade da dor e espessura corneana central no grupo AMT (p=0,209 pré e pós-operatórios) e no grupo ASP (p=0,157 pré-operatório e p=0,426 aos 180 dias de seguimento) não foi significativa. Edema epitelial e estromal, dobras na membrana de Descemet, bolhas epiteliais, e presença de fluido na interface foram características qualitativas frequentemente observadas. Conclusão: A espessura corneana central aumentou ao longo do tempo em ambos os grupos. A magnitude da espessura corneana central não interfere na intensidade da dor ...

Superficial epithelial keratectomy, cautery, and amniotic membrane transplant for the treatment of painful bullous keratopathy in eyes with poor visual potential.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report a new technique for the treatment of painful bullous keratopathy in eyes with poor visual potential. METHODS: Review of technique and outcomes of treated patients. RESULTS: The surgical technique involved superficial epithelial keratectomy, corneal cautery, amniotic membrane transplantation, and temporary bandage contact lens placement. Four patients were treated with this technique. All had significant pain due to bullous keratopathy before the surgery. After a mean follow-up of 16 months (1-42), 3 patients reported complete resolution of pain, and an examination disclosed a smoother corneal surface without bullae. One patient had recurrent pain after the removal of his bandage contact lens 1 month after the surgery. Separation of the amniotic membrane from the underlying cornea was noted. The patient underwent incision of the amniotic membrane with drainage of the fluid and is currently stable. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial epithelial keratectomy, cautery, and amniotic membrane transplantation can be used to treat painful bullous keratopathy in a minimally invasive fashion with improved cosmetic results.

Enucleation in Iceland 1992-2004: study in a defined population.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence rate as well as causative diagnoses and surgical indications of enucleation in Iceland during the years 1992-2004. METHODS: A retrospective population-based incidence study involving the entire population of Iceland. Medical records of all patients who underwent enucleation in Iceland from January 1992 through December 2004 were reviewed. The annually updated Icelandic census was used as a denominator data. RESULTS: Fifty-six eyes were enucleated during 1992-2004. No eviscerations were done, and the three exenterations performed were not included in the study. The mean annual age-adjusted incidence rate of enucleation in Iceland was 1.48 enucleations per 100 000 population in comparison with 2.66 enucleations per 100 000 for the time period 1964-1991. With advancing age, a significant increasing linear trend existed (p < 0.001). The median age at enucleation was 51 years (SD 22; mean 55 years; 16-91 years). The three most common surgical indications for enucleation were blind painful eye, suspected ocular malignancy and acute trauma. The most common causative diagnosis for enucleation was traumatic lesion (39%). The annual incidence was 2.00 enucleations per 100 000 for men and 0.95 for women. There were significantly more men in the traumatic lesion group (p < 0.001), but no gender predominance was found in the other groups of causative diagnoses (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: The overall mean annual incidence of enucleation in Iceland is continually decreasing, although the incidence of severe ocular trauma and ocular malignancy is fairly stable.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy after palliative surgical procedures for bullous keratopathy: a descriptive comparative study.

PURPOSE: To describe quantitative and qualitative features of eyes with advanced bullous keratopathy assessed using ultrasound biomicroscopy, before and after anterior stromal puncture (ASP) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) procedures to relieve chronic pain. METHODS: The present descriptive comparative study included 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic intermittent pain due to bullous keratopathy who were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments (AMT or ASP). Ultrasound biomicroscopy (Humphrey, UBM 840, 50 MHz transducer, immersion technique) was used, and a questionnaire about pain intensity was completed preoperatively and postoperatively at days 90 and 180, respectively. Exclusion criteria were age<18 years, presence of concurrent infection, ocular hypertension, and absence of pain. RESULTS: In a 180-day follow-up, the AMT group exhibited mean central corneal thickness (CCT), 899.4 µm preoperatively and 1122.5 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); mean epithelial thickness (ET), 156.4 µm preoperatively and 247.8 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); and mean stromal thickness (ST), 742.9 µm preoperatively and 826.3 µm postoperatively (p=0.005). The ASP group exhibited mean CCT, 756.7 µm preoperatively and 914.8 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); mean ET, 102.1 µm preoperatively and 245.2 µm postoperatively (p<0.001); and mean ST, 654.6 µm preoperatively and 681.5 µm postoperatively (p<0.999). Correlations between CCT and pain intensity in the AMT group (p=0.209 pre- and postoperatively) and the ASP group (p=0.157 preoperatively and p=0.426 at the 180-day follow-up) were not statistically significant. Epithelial and stromal edema, Descemet's membrane folds, epithelial bullae, and the presence of interface fluid were frequently observed qualitative features. CONCLUSION: CCT increased over time in both groups. The magnitude of CCT did not correlate with pain intensity in the sample studied. The presence of interface fluid was a qualitative feature specifically found in some patients who underwent AMT.

Midinfrared Laser Pancorneal Coagulation as a Method of Treatment for Painful Bullous Keratopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of midinfrared laser pancorneal coagulation (PCC) for the management of secondary painful bullous keratopathy (PBK) with poor visual potential. METHODS: A single-center, nonrandomized, retrospective observational study was performed on 137 eyes (137 patients) with PBK that underwent midinfrared laser PCC and were followed up in our clinic during 2000 to 2010. Preoperatively and at follow-up visits, all the eyes underwent a standard ophthalmologic examination; concurrently, 36 of these underwent corneal optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Scheimpflug camera examination (SCE). The main criteria for the efficacy of the treatment included a profile of the patients' corneal syndrome-related complaints (pain, dryness, etc), presence of bullae and deepithelization, and changes in the corneal thickness (CT) and transparency, based on OCT and SCE data, respectively, whereas additional ones included visual acuity changes. RESULTS: During the 24-month follow-up period, 69.3% of the patients had no complaints (complete epithelization), whereas 10.9% and 3.6% complained of having dryness and residual pain, respectively; the rest exhibited a recurrent corneal syndrome with isolated blister and/or corneal erosion areas, which was successfully managed with an additional focal-pattern laser coagulation session. In the OCT and SCE subgroup, on the day-3, day-7, and month-24 visits, the mean CT statistically significantly decreased from baseline (1027.1 ± 239.5) to 737.6 ± 157.4 µm, 592.3 ± 96.4 µm, and was 617 ± 95.9 µm, respectively, whereas the mean optical density decreased from the baseline (72.5 ± 9.5) to 62.3 ± 7.8, 58.5 ± 8.7, and was 56.33 ± 8.1 Scheimpflug densitometry units, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PCC is a simple procedure that provides prompt relief from pain for eyes that have PBK with poor visual potential due to the reduction in CT and significant resolution of bullae and edema.

Long-term pathologic follow-up of obsolete design: Choyce Mark VIII anterior chamber intraocular lens.

We analyzed an enucleated eye that was blind and painful from a 66-year-old patient implanted with a Tennant modification of the Choyce Mark VIII anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) as a secondary procedure in 1978. The eye developed glaucoma, with implantation of an Ahmed valve in 2006. Gross and light microscopic analyses showed corneal decompensation and vascularization, peripheral anterior and posterior synechiae, iris thinning, significant changes in the iris pigmented layer, fibrous tissue on the anterior surface of the iris, and Soemmerring ring formation in the periphery of capsular bag remnants. In addition, there was severe attenuation of the nerve fiber layer and extensive cupping of the optic disc. The IOL surface was overall smooth and regular, without warping of the footplates, and was partially covered by clumps of various cell elements, including giant cells intermixed with pigment. This study represents the longest clinicopathologic correlation report on this IOL.

[Painful bullous keratopathy treatment using anterior stromal puncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation].

A case of painful bullous keratopathy (PBK) treated using author's procedure of anterior stromal puncture (ASP) combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is presented. ASP combined with AMT can be effective option for pain relief and promotion of epithelial healing in patients with PBK and poor visual potential.

Combined amniotic membrane transplant and anterior stromal puncture in painful bullous keratopathy: clinical outcome and confocal microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of anterior stromal micropuncture (ASP) combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) in the management of painful bullous keratopathy (BK) with poor visual potential, and to assess amniotic membrane (AM) retention. DESIGN: Case series, retrospective review. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients with BK causing intractable pain or discomfort and poor visual potential, treated between March 2006 and October 2008 at Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow. METHODS: Epithelial debridement was followed by ASP and the amniotic membrane was stabilized with a purse-string 10/0 nylon corneal suture and a bandage contact lens. During a mean follow-up of 67 weeks (range, 27-139 weeks), pain relief, epithelial healing, visual changes, confocal microscopy, and appearance of new bullae were evaluated. Success was defined as complete resolution or significant improvement in pain. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of 12 patients, mean age 61 years (range, 40-88 years), were identified. Corneal epithelial healing was complete in 11 eyes 1 month postoperatively. Pain and conjunctival inflammation resolved in 11 patients (91.67%) and improved from severe to mild in the remaining patient. Incorporation of the AMT was observed on slit-lamp biomicroscopy in all eyes and was confirmed using confocal microscopy at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ASP combined with AMT is safe and effective, alleviates pain and discomfort, reduces ocular inflammation, and promotes epithelial healing and resolution of bullae in patients with BK with poor visual potential. There was long-term evidence of amniotic membrane graft retention in all eyes after the procedure, suggesting that ASP may improve the long-term retention rate of AM.

Osseous metaplasia with formation of hematopoietic bone marrow in a blind, painful eye.

A 31-year-old woman underwent an evisceration of her blind, painful right eye with placement of an aluminum oxide orbital implant. Histopathologic assessment revealed functional hematopoietic bone marrow, confirmed by immunohistochemistry, within osseous metaplasia of the retinal pigment epithelium. This finding is exceedingly rare, with few cases reported in the English literature. This report raises numerous questions, including the association between pain and hematopoietic bone marrow formation, the potential benefits of hematopoietic bone marrow in the eye, and the molecular biologic basis for this rare phenomenon.

The eye amputated - consequences of eye amputation with emphasis on clinical aspects, phantom eye syndrome and quality of life.

In this thesis the term eye amputation (EA) covers the removing of an eye by: evisceration, enucleation and exenteration. Amputation of an eye is most frequently the end-stage in a complicated disease, or the primary treatment in trauma and neoplasm. In 2010 the literature is extensive due to knowledge about types of surgery, implants and surgical technique. However, not much is known about the time past surgery. THE PURPOSE OF THE PHD THESIS WAS: To identify the number of EA, the causative diagnosis and the indication for surgical removal of the eye, the chosen surgical technique and to evaluate a possible change in surgical technique in Denmark from 1996 until 2003 (paper I); To describe the phantom eye syndrome and its prevalence of visual hallucinations, phantom pain and phantom sensations (paper II); To characterise the quality of phantom eye pain, including its intensity and frequency among EA patients. We attempted to identify patients with increased risk of developing pain after EA and investigated if preoperative pain is a risk factor for a later development of phantom pain (paper III); In addition we wanted to investigate the health related quality of life, perceived stress, self rated health, job separation due to illness or disability and socio-economic position of the EA in comparison with the general Danish population (paper IV). THE STUDIES WERE BASED ON: Records on 431 EA patients, clinical ophthalmological examination and an interview study of 173 EA patients and a questionnaire answered by 120 EA patients. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent indications for EA in Denmark were painful blind eye (37%) and neoplasm (34%). During the study period 1996-2003, the annual number of eye amputations was stable, but an increase in bulbar eviscerations was noticed. Orbital implants were used with an increasing tendency until 2003. The Phantom eye syndrome is frequent among EA patients. Visual hallucinations were described by 42% of the patients. The content were mainly elementary visual hallucinations, with white or colored light as a continuous sharp light or as moving dots. The most frequent triggers were darkness, closing of the eyes, fatigue and psychological stress. Fifty-four percent of the patients had visual hallucinations more than once a week. Ten patients were so visually disturbed that it interfered with their daily life. Approximately 23% of all EA experience phantom pain for several years after the surgery. Phantom pain was reported to be of three different qualities: (i) cutting, penetrating, gnawing or oppressive (n=19); (ii) radiating, zapping or shooting (n=8); (iii) superficial burning or stinging (n=5); or a mixture of these different pain qualities (n=7). The median intensity on a visual analogue scale, ranging from 0 to 100, was 36 [range: 1-89]. One-third of the patients experienced phantom pain every day. Chilliness, windy weather and psychological stress/fatigue were the most commonly reported triggers for pain. Factors associated with phantom pain were: ophthalmic pain before EA, the presence of implant and a patient reported high degree of conjunctival secretion. A common reason for EA is the presence of a painful blind eye. However, one third of these patients continue to have pain after the EA. Phantom sensations were present in 2% of the patients. The impact of an eye amputation is considerable. EA patients have poorer health related quality of life, poorer self-rated health and more perceived stress than does the general population. The largest differences in health related quality of life between the EA patients and the general population were related to role limitations due to emotional problems and mental health. Patients with the indication painful blind eye are having lower scores in all aspects of health related quality of life and perceived stress than patients with the indication neoplasm and trauma. The percentage of eye amputated which is divorced or separated was twice as high as in the general population. Furthermore, 25% retired or changed to part-time jobs due to eye disease and 39.5% stopped participating in leisure activities due to their EAs.