Effect of Different 131I Dose Strategies for Treatment of Hyperthyroidism on Graves' Ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: The study aims to define the effect of different dose strategies on ophthalmic complications in patients with Graves' disease (GD). METHODS: All the patients with GD and no or inactive ophthalmopathy (clinical activity score; CAS < 3) underwent Snellen chart examination, measurement of proptosis, thyroid volume, and radioactive iodine uptake, and randomized into 1 of 3 groups. In group 1, all the patients received fixed low dose (FLD) of 259 MBq of I, whereas in group 2, all the patients received fixed high dose (FHD) of 555 MBq, and in group 3, calculated dose (CD) was administered to deliver 5.55 MBq/g (thyroid weight) of I. All examinations were repeated 6 months after treatment. The measurement of thyroid function tests and clinical examination were repeated after 12 months. RESULTS: We studied 92 patients (58 female and 34 male) with mean age of 38.2 ± 12.0 years. Overall, 29, 32, and 31 patients were studied in FLD, FHD, and CD groups, respectively. The patients in CD received a mean activity of 240.5 MBq. The 3 groups were not significantly different regarding age, sex ratio, radioactive iodine uptake, smoking, visual acuity, and proptosis. The response rate 12 months after radioactive iodine therapy was 66.7%, 94.4%, and 92.9% in FLD, FHD, and CD groups, respectively (P = 0.05). Overall, CAS was increased significantly after treatment. Delta proptosis and delta CAS were increased significantly in FHD group compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The highest increment in proptosis was seen in FHD group. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of 5.55 MBq/g of I has fewer ophthalmic complications compared with high fixed dose model and is more effective than low fixed dose strategy.

Masquerading Orbital Abscess Following Attempted Hydrogel Scleral Buckle Removal: Diagnostic Value of Orbital Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

A 59-year-old patient developed acute proptosis, peri-orbital swelling and restriction of ocular movements 2 days after attempted scleral buckle removal. Initial clinical and orbital MRI findings were suggestive for orbital cellulitis and orbital abscess. Empiric intravenous antibiotics were not effective. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) revealed a distinctive composition and helped rule out suppurative and neoplastic processes. The patient recovered soon after removing clear liquefied and tiny particles of the hydrogel buckle by an effective peristaltic technique.

Oral azithromycin versus doxycycline in meibomian gland dysfunction: a randomised double-masked open-label clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral azithromycin compared with oral doxycycline in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) who had failed to respond to prior conservative management. METHODS: 110 patients (>12 years old) with MGD were randomly assigned to receive either oral 5-day azithromycin (500 mg on day 1 and then 250 mg/day) or 1-month doxycycline (200 mg/day). They also continued eyelid warming/cleaning and artificial tears. A score comprising five symptoms and seven signs (primary outcome) was recorded prior to treatment and at 1 week, and 1 and 2 months after treatment. Total score was the sum of both scores at each follow-up. Side effects were recorded and overall clinical improvement was categorised as excellent, good, fair or poor based on the percentage of change in the total score. RESULTS: Symptoms and signs improved significantly in both groups (p=0.001). While improvement of symptoms was not different between the groups, bulbar conjunctival redness (p=0.004) and ocular surface staining (p=0.01) were significantly better in the azithromycin group. The azithromycin group showed a significantly better overall clinical response (p=0.01). Mild gastrointestinal side effects were not significantly different between the groups except for the second visit, when the doxycycline group had significantly more side effects (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Although both oral azithromycin and doxycycline improved the symptoms of MGD, 5-day oral azithromycin is recommended for its better effect on improving the signs, better overall clinical response and shorter duration of treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01783860.

Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty: a 2-sided assessment of results and subjects' satisfaction.

PURPOSE: To assess the results and satisfaction after transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty, evaluate the effect of associated aesthetic procedures on the satisfaction, and compare surgeon versus subjects' perspective on the results. METHODS: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, a chart review was performed on transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty procedures performed by 1 eye plastic surgeon from April 2003 to April 2009. Subjects with less than 6 months follow-up time or reoperation were excluded. Demographic data, associated surgical procedures, intra and postoperative complications, subjects and surgeon's perspectives on postoperative results, photographs (before and after the operation), and satisfaction score (Visual analogue scale score) at last follow-up time were recorded. RESULTS: There were 164 subjects (133 women, 81.1%) with mean age of 50.7 years (standard deviation=11.6, range: 23-80). Mean follow-up time was 22.8 months (standard deviation=11.5, range=6-60 months). Complications, observed by the surgeon and subjects, were undercorrected fat excision (4.9% vs. 3.7%), eyelid retraction (1.2% vs. 1.2%), and tear trough deformity (9.7% vs. 0.6%). Subjects reported less complication rate (5.4%) than surgeon (15.8%). Mean visual analogue scale score was 92.8 (standard deviation=0.36), which was significantly higher in subjects who had simultaneous upper blepharoplasty and lower in subjects with postoperative eyelid retraction. CONCLUSIONS: Transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty is associated with a high satisfaction. Subjects reported less complication rate than surgeon especially for tear trough deformity. Postoperative eyelid retraction significantly decreased and simultaneous upper blepharoplasty procedure significantly increased the satisfaction.

Diplopia after hyaluronic acid gel injection for correction of facial tear trough deformity.

A 38 Year-old-female presented with diplopia and bilateral lower eyelid swelling 1.5 months after hyaluronic acid filler injection of tear trough deformity. Comprehensive eye examination showed an inferior oblique muscle restriction on the right eye. Diplopia and bilateral lower eyelid puffiness were treated by injection of hyaluronidase which resulted in disappearance of both diplopia and bilateral lower eyelid puffiness.

Long-term follow-up of invasive ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma treated with excision, cryotherapy, and topical mitomycin C.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical excision, cryotherapy and topical Mitomycin C (MMC) for ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with at least 24 months follow-up. METHODS: Seventeen patients with primary and recurrent invasive SCC of ocular surface underwent surgical excision and map biopsy of the margins, and double freeze-thaw cryotherapy of the bed and margins. Topical MMC (0.04%, 4 times daily) was commenced 7-10 days after operation. It was delivered in cycles that consisted of medication 4 times daily for 7 consecutive days followed by 7 consecutive days of no medication. Patients with primary SCC received two cycles (protocol 1) and those with recurrent SCC received three cycles (protocol 2). Patients with intra-ocular and or orbital extension or those with less than 24 months of follow-up were excluded. The frequency of tumor recurrence and complications associated with treatment were measured. RESULTS: Mean age was 70.7 years (SD = 10, range: 48-80). Mean follow-up time was 48 months (SD = 21, range: 24-89). There were 12 patients with primary SCC and five with recurrent SCC. Mean largest diameter was 9.7 mm (3-20). Surgical margins were free in 12 cases. One patient with recurrent SCC who received protocol 2 treatment developed recurrence 9 months after excision, and remained free of recurrence 24 months after second treatment. Complications comprised transient mild punctate corneal epithelial erosion (eight), irritation and conjunctival hyperemia (11), corneal scar (six), and scleral thinning (three). All except one responded well to conservative management. One scleral thinning required scleral patch graft 1 year after treatment. CONCLUSION: The combination of surgical excision, cryotherapy, and post-operative topical mitomycin-C was effective treatment for ocular surface invasive SCC in long-term follow-up.

Assessment and management of proximal and incomplete symptomatic obstruction of the lacrimal drainage system.

Epiphora is a common complaint of patients who present to an Ophthalmology Clinic. In many cases, epiphora is due to an obstruction in the lacrimal drainage system. However, a subgroup of symptomatic patients with epiphora has a patent lacrimal drainage system. Such cases are usually termed 'functional obstruction' and / or 'stenosis of the lacrimal drainage system'. Various etiologies and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been described in literature, which implies the lack of a standardized approach. This article will review the evolving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in literature, and in the end, propose a paradigm in approaching this group of patients.

Intravitreal bevacizumab versus triamcinolone acetonide for refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema: a randomized pilot study.

PURPOSE: To compare intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) for treatment of refractory uveitic cystoid macular edema (CME). METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 31 eyes with uveitic CME were allocated into the IVB group-eyes that received 1-3 injections of 1.25 mg bevacizumab (15 eyes) and the IVT group-eyes that received 1-3 injections of 2 mg triamcinolone (16 eyes). Primary outcome measure was change in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) at 36 weeks. RESULTS: Visual acuity improvement compared with baseline values was meaningful in the IVB group at 12, 24, and 36 weeks (-0.35 + or - 0.45 logMAR [P = 0.016]) and in the IVT group at 24 and 36 weeks (-0.32 + or - 0.32 logMAR [P = 0.001]). A significant central macular thickness (CMT) reduction was observed only in the IVT group at week 36 (74.6 + or - 108.0 microm [P = 0.049]). Between-group analysis disclosed no significant difference in any outcome measure. By statistically removing the factor of cataract, the IVT group had more improvement in VA (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: IVB was as effective as IVT in refractory uveitic CME regarding VA improvement up to 36 weeks. Irrespective of triamcinolone-induced cataract, a more beneficial effect of IVT may be attainable.

Effect of hydrodynamic parameters on corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of power, vacuum, and flow rate on endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification. SETTING: Labbafinejad Medical Center Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. METHODS: In a prospective randomized clinical trial, phacoemulsification was performed in 2 groups (high vacuum and low vacuum) with 3+ nuclear sclerosis. The stop-and-chop technique was used with the Sovereign machine. Machine parameters during the chop stage were vacuum 400 mm Hg in the high-vacuum group and 200 mm Hg in the low-vacuum group and flow rate, 40 cc/min and 20 cc/min, respectively. Endothelial cell density preoperatively before and 1, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively were compared. RESULTS: Each group comprised 30 eyes. The mean US power was 9.2% +/- 4.3% (SD) in the low-vacuum group and 13.1% +/- 4.6% in the high-vacuum group (P = .001) and the mean phaco time, 1.28 +/- 1.0 minutes and 0.88 +/- 0.6 minutes, respectively (P = .04). Total US energy and total fluid consumed were similar between groups. After 12 weeks, the mean endothelial cell loss was 9.0% +/- 4.0% in the low-vacuum group and 9.6% +/- 4.6% in the high-vacuum group (P = .6). There was a relationship between total US energy and endothelial loss (P<.001); however, total fluid volume was not a significant predictor (P = .19). CONCLUSIONS: Vacuum level did not have a significant effect on total US energy or total fluid consumed during phacoemulsification. There was a strong relationship between total US energy and endothelial cell loss but not between total infused fluid and endothelial cell loss.

Risk Factors for Posterior Capsule Rupture and Vitreous Loss during Phacoemulsification.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate and risk factors of vitreous loss during phacoemulsification in patients with cataracts operated by ophthalmology residents and fellows at Labbafinejad Medical Center. METHODS: This prospective descriptive study included consecutive patients with cataracts undergoing phacoemulsification over a one year period. All patients were operated under local or general anesthesia using the divide and conquer technique. Preoperatively, all patients underwent a complete ocular examination including measurement of visual acuity, slitlamp biomicroscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, and dilated funduscopy. Main outcome measures included the rate of posterior capsular rupture and vitreous loss as well as associated risk factors such as surgical experience, ocular and systemic conditions, and type and severity of the cataract. RESULTS: Overall, 767 eyes of 767 patients with mean age of 63.7±10.3 (range, 25-91) years were operated. The overall rate of vitreous loss was 7.9% which was 5-fold greater in the hands of residents as compared to fellows. Among different factors, older age, female sex, small pupil, small capsulorrhexis, presence of pseudoexfoliation, and high myopia were significantly associated with vitreous loss. The highest rate of vitreous loss occurred in patients with dense nuclear cataracts. CONCLUSION: Considering the higher rate of vitreous loss in patients operated by ophthalmology residents; patients with known risk factors for vitreous loss should better be operated by more experienced surgeons.