Perceptions of ophthalmologists on the impact of trachoma in Egypt: a mixed-methods, nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: Understanding the perception and practices of ophthalmologists for trachoma is important to develop interventions aimed at disease elimination in Egypt. The survey investigated: (1) the views and practice patterns of Egyptian ophthalmologists for trachoma and (2) the influence of geographic location, setting, and years of practice on ophthalmologists' perceptions. METHODS: A questionnaire sent to ophthalmologists currently working in Egypt collected information on: (1) demographics, (2) caseload and practice patterns for trachoma, (3) 13 Likert scale questions regarding the current state of trachoma, and (4) two open-ended written response questions. RESULTS: Of the 500 recipients, 194 ophthalmologists participated. 98% of the respondents reported seeing trachoma patients in their practice. 28.8% agreed that trachoma is currently an active health problem in Egypt, with ophthalmologists in public practice having significantly higher agreement scores compared to private practitioners (p = 0.030). Rural ophthalmologists were significantly more likely to agree that a targeted trachoma control program is needed in their location of practice compared to their urban counterparts (p < 0.001). Open-ended questions revealed recurrent themes, including the rural distribution of trachoma patients and the high volume of patients with corneal opacity. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists' experiences with trachoma in Egypt differed based on practice setting, years in practice, and location, and the overall perception of the impact of the disease remains low. However, there was widespread agreement that trachoma is present in communities across the country. Practitioners in rural areas and in the public sector shared a disproportionate burden of the trachoma caseload. The perspectives of such ophthalmologists must be emphasized in decision-making related to trachoma interventions.

Comparison of three surgical techniques for internal angular dermoid cysts: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of three techniques for removing internal angular dermoid cysts: lid crease, sub-brow, and direct mini-incision. METHODS: In this single-center trial, 47 children with internal angular dermoids were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three surgical groups: group A, sub-brow, group B, lid crease, and group C, direct mini-incision. Outcome measures were operative time, postoperative scar quality using Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES), scar visibility, and family satisfaction. RESULTS: In each group, fifteen patients completed follow-up and were analysed. The operation time (median/IQR) in Group C was significantly shorter (10/5 min) compared with group A (25/10 min) and B (35/20 min) (p < 0.001). Group B had the least visible scar at all follow-up visits. Both group B and C showed superior scar quality using SBSES compared with group A at 6 months (p < 0.001). All families in group B (100%) found the scar excellent compared to 11 families in group C (40%) and 6 families in group A (73.3%). Persistent postoperative inflammation was noticed in two patients in group C. No cases of recurrence were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Both the lid crease and direct mini-incision approaches result in superior scar quality with minimum visibility compared with the sub-brow technique, however, the lid crease technique shows a prolonged operation time particularly for cysts outside the rim.

Transcutaneous approach for orbital augmentation with alloplastic implants in acquired anophthalmia.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of a transcutaneous surgical technique for orbital volume augmentation with secondary alloplastic implants in acquired anophthalmia.Methods: Retrospective case note review of patients who underwent secondary orbital implant insertion through a subciliary incision between January 2006 and December 2017. Collected data included age, gender, type and cause of primary surgery, time interval before secondary implantation, and details of secondary implantation surgery. The main outcome parameters included postoperative appearance, grade of superior sulcus deformity (SSD), implant centration, and prosthesis function.Results: Thirty-eight patients ranging from 2 to 54 years had undergone secondary alloplastic orbital implant placement through the subciliary approach. The mean follow-up was 5.3 years (range: 1-10 years). All the patients showed satisfactory orbital volume with the average SSD was grade 0.74. There were no cases with implant exposure or extrusion. Implant migration occurred in six cases (15.8%). Fitting a prosthesis was possible in all cases.Conclusion: Subciliary secondary orbital implantation is proved to be effective in correcting volume deficiency in acquired anophthalmia with rapid rehabilitation while avoiding anterior surface breakdown and implant exposure.

Recurrent upper eyelid trachomatous entropion repair: long-term efficacy of a five-step approach.

PURPOSE: To describe the lid characteristics of recurrent upper eyelid trachomatous entropion and to report the long-term outcomes of a five-step surgical approach based on the principles of upper eyelid crease lamellar splitting and retractor release with redirection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective case review of adult patients with recurrent upper eyelid trachomatous entropion who had undergone surgical correction using the five-step surgical technique between March 2014 and March 2018. Cases with primary entropion and/or <2 years of follow-up were excluded from this series. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Eyelid deformities (type of trichiasis, anterior lamellar laxity, lid margin abnormality, lid retraction and lagophthalmos), recurrence of entropion and trichiasis, cosmetic satisfaction, and surgical complications. RESULTS: Forty-two upper eyelids in 33 patients met inclusion criteria. Preoperative anterior lamellar laxity was present in 36 eyelids (85.7%), lid retraction in 31 eyelids (73.8%) with a mean preoperative MRD1 of 6.48 ± 1.1 mm, atrophic tarsus in 28 eyelids (66.7%), lid margin notching in 22 eyelids (52.4%), and lagophthalmos in 15 eyelids (35.7%). The surgical success rate was 92.9% (95% CI 0.805-0.985). There was no documented recurrence of entropion over a mean follow-up period of 31.79 months. Postoperative trichiasis without entropion occurred in three eyelids, which required repeat epilation. CONCLUSIONS: The five step-approach based on the principles of lamellar splitting is effective in correction of recurrent trachomatous entropion with long-term stability. The procedure addresses the fundamental changes frequently seen in recurrent cases, in particular anterior lamellar laxity, scarred shortened posterior lamella, and trichiasis.

Anterior Lamellar Recession versus Posterior Lamellar Tarsal Rotation for Lower Lid Trachomatous Trichiasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of anterior lamellar recession (ALR) versus posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) procedure for the repair of lower eyelid trachomatous trichiasis (TT). DESIGN: Prospective randomized comparative trial. METHODS: Study Population and Interventions: Patients with lower eyelid TT were enrolled. Patients with a history of lower lid surgery, marked horizontal lid laxity, another evident cause for the trichiasis, and those under 18 years were excluded. Participants were randomized to either PLTR or ALR. The sequence was computer-generated by an independent statistician, and the allocation sequence was concealed in sealed opaque envelops. Patients were evaluated at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Main Outcome Measures: postoperative trachomatous trichiasis (PTT) and cosmetic satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned with 30 patients in each group. Two (3.3%) participants in PLTR group did not follow up and were excluded from the analysis. At 1, 3, and 6 months, PTT was significantly more frequent in the PLTR group than the ALR group (14.3% vs 0%; p= 0.048, 25% vs 0%; p= 0.004, 35.7% vs 10%; p= 0.019, respectively). In the ALR group, 6 patients (20%) had PTT at their 12-month follow-up visit compared with 15 patients (53.6%) in the PLTR group (P = 0.008) with absolute risk reduction of 33.6% (95% (CI= 9% -58%)). Cosmetic dissatisfaction was significantly more frequent in the ALR group at the initial follow-up visits compared to the PLTR group. However, this difference was no longer significant at 6 and 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: These data provide strong evidence that ALR is more effective in correction of lower eyelid trachomatous trichiasis with acceptable cosmesis compared with PLTR.

Trachoma elimination, approaching 2020.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review current practices for trachoma treatment with a focus on recent studies, particularly those discussing trachoma trichiasis surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Azithromycin eye drops twice daily for 3 days may be as efficient as oral azithromycin in treating active trachoma. Facial cleanliness and environmental improvement programming should employ a variety of behavior change techniques to give sustained improvements. Posterior lamellar tarsal rotation carries a lower risk for trichiasis recurrence and is more effective in severe trachoma trichiasis than bilamellar tarsal rotation. Tarsoconjunctival incision can play a pivotal role in trichiaisis recurrence. Tarsus-sparing procedures continue to be refined with good success rates. Concurrent correction of lid abnormalities that commonly occur with trachoma trichiasis may maximize the result of surgery. SUMMARY: Better understanding of the pathophysiology of trachoma and postoperative trichiasis recurrence is critical for effective trachoma control. Progressive tarsoconjunctival scarring in trachoma and high recurrence rates following tarsal rotation procedures raise the importance of adopting a procedure that spares tarsus/conjunctiva.

Anterior lamellar recession for management of upper eyelid cicatricial entropion and associated eyelid abnormalities.

AIM: To evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes of upper eyelid cicatricial entropion (UCE) correction using anterior lamellar recession (ALR) with addressing the associated conditions including dermatochalasis, brow ptosis, blepharoptosis, and lid retraction. METHODS: Chart review of patients with upper lid cicatricial entropion who had undergone ALR from 2013 to 2016 was reviewed. Success was defined as the lack of any lash in contact with the globe, no need for a second procedure, and acceptable cosmesis at the final follow up. RESULTS: Sixty eight patients (97 eyelids) were operated by ALR with simultaneous correction of associated lid problems in each case when necessary. The mean follow-up time was 17.8mo (range, 6.0-24.0mo). Concomitantly, levator tucking was performed in 19 eyelids (19.6%), upper lid retractor recession in 18 eyelids (18.6%), and internal browpexy in 31 eyelids (32.0%). In 95.8% of patients (95%CI: 0.85-0.96), satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcome was achieved with a single surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Based on the principles of lamellar recession and concurrently addressing the associated lid problems, this approach is an effective and safe treatment of UCE.