Sutureless Conjunctiva-Sparing Posterior Ptosis Repair Surgery: A Novel Technique.

PURPOSE: Müller muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR) is a popular posterior/internal surgical approach to cases of mild to moderate blepharoptosis with good levator function. MMCR necessitates the removal of healthy conjunctiva and exposes the cornea to suture material. The goal of this study is to describe a novel sutureless conjunctiva-sparing Müllerectomy (CSM) surgery and demonstrate its long-term efficacy, efficiency, and safety. DESIGN: IRB approved retrospective study of patients undergoing sutureless conjunctiva-sparing posterior ptosis repair surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 100 patients (171 eyes) who underwent sutureless CSM with a minimum follow-up interval of 6 months were retrospectively reviewed. Photographs were analyzed using ImageJ software. Outcome measures were derived from margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1) and palpebral fissure height (PFH) at various postoperative timepoints. RESULTS: Mean ΔMRD1 and ΔPFH at 6 months were 2.85 ± 0.98 mm and 2.60 ± 1.38 mm, respectively. Symmetry within 1 mm was observed 91% of cases. Sutureless CSM took 4.42 minutes on average compared to 8.45 minutes for traditional MMCR. There were no corneal abrasions or ocular complications. The reoperation rate was 2.3% (1 case of overcorrection and 3 cases of undercorrection) per eye. CONCLUSIONS: Sutureless CSM is a promising alternative to traditional MMCR and sutured CSM based on long-term outcomes, symmetry, shorter operative time, and low complication rate. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

Facial Asymmetry in Children With Unilateral Congenital Ptosis.

PURPOSE: To analyze facial asymmetry in children with unilateral congenital ptosis. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing ptosis repair between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. Charts were reviewed to ensure a diagnosis of idiopathic unilateral congenital ptosis. Sex, age, laterality, margin to reflex distance 1, levator function, and surgical intervention were collected.Clear preoperative photos without head turn were included. Using the ImageJ software ( nih.gov ), landmarks of the periorbital region, midface, and lower face were marked, and measurements between these landmarks were taken.Two-tailed Student t tests were used to compare measurements between the ptotic and non-ptotic sides. Relationships between different measurements on the same side of the face were analyzed using paired-variable regressions. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with unilateral congenital ptosis were included. The surgical management consisted of Mullerectomy in 9 of 44 (20%), levator resection in 15 of 44 (34%), and frontalis suspension in 20 of 44 (46%) patients. The side of the face with blepharoptosis was found to more often have smaller margin to reflex distance 1 ( p < 0.001), smaller margin to reflex distance 2 ( p < 0.005), smaller horizontal palpebral fissure ( p < 0.05), shorter midface height ( p < 0.001), and a more inferiorly displaced lateral canthus (canthal angle, p < 0.001) relative to the non-ptotic side of the face. The mean head tilt of patients with right sided ptosis (1.37° right tilt) was statistically significantly different from those with left sided ptosis (0.85° left tilt; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: In children with unilateral congenital ptosis, the ptotic side of the face was found to be the nondominant side of the face. Patients were also found to have ipsilateral head tilt.

A Pilot Study of Subclinical Non-Capillary Peripapillary Perfusion Changes in Thyroid-Related Orbitopathy Detected Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: Hemodynamic changes surrounding the optic nerve head are known to occur in thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO). This pilot study explores the capillary and non-capillary peripapillary perfusion changes of the retina in TRO eyes without dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Methods: Non-capillary and capillary peripapillary perfusion densities were calculated using single 4.5 × 4.5mm en face "RPC layer" OCT-A scans of 8 TRO patients without DON (8 eyes, mean age 40.6 years, range 23-69 years). Results were compared to a previously published dataset of 133 healthy controls (133 eyes, mean 41.5 years, range 11-83 years). The strength of association was measured between OCT-A perfusion densities and clinical measures of TRO. Results: Non-capillary peripapillary perfusion density in TRO eyes was found to be significantly decreased compared to healthy controls (TRO group 15.4 ± 2.9% vs controls 21.5 ± 3.1%; p < 0.0001). Capillary peripapillary perfusion densities showed no significant difference (TRO group 42.5 ± 1.8% vs controls 42.5 ± 1.5%; p = 1.0). Clinical measures of disease did not correlate well with OCT-A perfusion densities (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings may represent decreased blood flow and subclinical ischemia to the optic nerve. We discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms of thyroid-related vasculopathy, including vessel wall thickening due to immunologically-induced media enlargement.

Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy as an option for symptomatic epiphora in isolated monocanalicular obstruction.

Epiphora from monocanalicular obstruction is commonly treated with canaliculoplasty, with or without dacryocystorhinostomy, or with conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy with Jones tube placement. We describe two patients with epiphora due to isolated monocanalicular obstruction without concurrent nasolacrimal duct obstruction who underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy; both cases had previously failed canaliculoplasty, and both reported significant improvement in epiphora postoperatively. We hypothesize this is due to decreased resistance through the lacrimal drainage system allowing for increased flow through the patent canaliculus and shortened lacrimal apparatus. In patients presenting with epiphora secondary to isolated monocanalicular obstruction, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy may be considered in the absence of nasolacrimal duct obstruction before proceeding to conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy and Jones tube placement.

Orbital Glial Heterotopia: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature.

PURPOSE: To review the clinical radiographic and histopathologic findings associated with orbital glial heterotopia. METHODS: A literature search in PubMed and Scopus was performed to include all articles published in English between 1980 and January 1, 2019. A case series including 29 case reports of 29 patients, as well as the authors' 2 cases, were considered in the literature review. RESULTS: The majority of the cases had onset of symptoms (86%) and age at presentation (71%) before 5 years of age. The most common presenting symptoms and signs were swelling (45%), strabismus (32%), and proptosis (26%). The most common lesion locations described were inferolateral (19%) or primarily posterior orbital or apical (19%). The most common findings associated with orbital glial heterotopia were microphthalmia (10%) and anophthalmia (6%); however, the majority did not have systemic abnormalities (71%). The most common imaging modality was CT scan (71%). Diagnosis was made with histologic analysis in all cases, and confirmed after subtotal resection (35%), total resection (39%), or incisional biopsy (26%). The majority of the cases report no growth on repeat imaging, with only 3 reports of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Glial heterotopia in the orbit is a rare clinical entity most commonly presenting in children. We present 2 cases of orbital glial heterotopia in adults, with a literature on these lesions in both the pediatric and adult populations. Surgeons and pathologists should be aware of this atypical presentation in adulthood. Biopsy is required for diagnosis but is not without risk. Prognosis is generally favorable.Orbital glial heterotopia, commonly considered a rare congenital lesion generally presenting in children, may first become symptomatic in adulthood. Biopsy is required for diagnosis, with symptoms and prognosis dependent on location and growth of the lesion.

Normal Lacrimal Gland Volumes by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Relationship of Lacrimal Gland Volume to Orbital Size.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure volumes of normal lacrimal glands (LGs) using magnetic resonance imaging in African-Americans (AAs) and whites and to evaluate relationships of LG volumes to demographic factors. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed searching for "optic neuropathy" and "optic neuritis," cross-referencing patients who had orbital MRI with and without contrast. Cases were excluded with known history of orbital trauma or surgery, previous diagnoses known to affect LG size, and poor image quality. LGs were outlined in consecutive axial and coronal slices, and volumes were generated using OsiriX software; cross-sectional area of the orbit was measured by outlining the bony orbit in largest axial section. RESULTS: One hundred orbits from 50 patients were included (26 AAs, 24 whites). Mean LG volumes as measured in coronal and axial section were 0.714 and 0.671 cm, respectively; mean orbital area was 10.42 cm. Axial orbital size was found to be highly correlated (P < 0.01) with LG volume. No significant correlation was found with LG volume and age, sex, race, or laterality. CONCLUSIONS: This article presents normal values for LG volumes by MRI of AAs and whites. LG volumes were highly correlated with orbital size, a relationship which has not been explored in the recent literature. Such an assessment of LG size relative to patients' orbital dimensions may be more clinically useful than comparison to population-based measures of normal LG volume alone. We found no statistically significant relationship between LG volume and race, sex, age, or laterality.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the lateral rectus muscle.

Plasmacytoma is an uncommon presentation of plasma cell malignancy, especially in the absence of multiple myeloma. Orbital plasmacytomas generally originate from bone, although few cases in the literature report orbital extramedullary plasmacytomas. We present the case of a 68-year-old man found to have a solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the lateral rectus muscle without further evidence of multiple myeloma. This case demonstrates a rare presentation for such a malignancy, and a review of the literature highlights the importance of proper workup and close monitoring to rule out multiple myeloma to guide management.

Split face evaluation of long-pulsed non-ablative 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for treatment of direct browplasty scars.

PURPOSE: To investigate 1,064 nm long-pulse Nd:YAG laser for postoperative treatment of direct browplasty scars. METHODS: Nine patients who underwent direct browplasty were enrolled in this prospective study. Subjects were randomized to unilateral laser treatment at 2-week intervals for six total treatments, with the contralateral scar used as a control. Prior to each treatment, subjects rated treated and control scars on overall cosmesis. Post-treatment, subjects rated each for erythema, swelling, discomfort, and perceived hair loss. Finally, examiners masked to treatment side were asked to judge side-by-side photographs of first and final visits for improvement and side effects. RESULTS: Subjects rated the overall appearance of the treated scar significantly higher at the time of treatment number 5 (mean score 5.13 ± 2.03, P = 0.008) and treatment number 6 (6.25 ± 1.98, P = 0.005) compared to treatment 1 (3.75 ± 2.12); by contrast, they failed to rate the control scar more highly. On masked examination of photographs, the treated scar was selected as most improved 50.0 ± 12.5% of the time. Both subjects and graders reported side effects as transient and mild to moderate (mean score 1-4), with no reports of hair loss from either subjects or observers. CONCLUSIONS: The 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser provided significant improvement in scar cosmesis after direct browplasty, as rated by subject self-report, but not by masked observers, and appears to be a useful tool for increasing satisfaction among those dissatisfied with direct browplasty scars. Side effects-including erythema, edema, and discomfort-were transient and universally rated as mild to moderate. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:742-747, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.