Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter for Assessing Prognosis after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

PURPOSE: Evaluate optic nerve sheath and pial diameters (ONSD, ONPD) via sonography and computed tomography (CT) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (CA) and to compare their prognostic significance with other imaging and laboratory biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study enrolling patients after successful resuscitation between December 2017 and August 2021. ONSD and ONPD were measured with sonography. Additionally, ONSD, and also grey-to-white ratio at basal ganglia (GWRBG) and cerebrum (GWRCBR), were assessed using CT. Lactate and neuron specific enolase (NSE) blood levels were measured. RESULTS: Sonographically measured ONSD and ONPD yielded no significant difference between survival and non-survival (p values ≥0.4). Meanwhile, CT assessed ONSD, GWRBG, GWRCBR, and NSE levels significantly differed regarding both, survival (p values ≤0.005) and neurological outcome groups (p values ≤0.04). For survival prognosis, GWRBG, GWRCBR, and NSE levels appeared as excellent predictors; in predicting a good neurological outcome, NSE had the highest accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: CT diagnostics, in particular GWRBG and GWRCBR, as well as NSE as laboratory biomarker, appear as excellent outcome predictors. Meanwhile, our data lead us to recommend caution in utilizing sonography assessed ONSD and ONPD for prognostic decision-making post-CA.

Evaluation of a Novel Non-Diffractive Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens - First Results from a Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel hydrophobic, non-diffractive, extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) design in comparison to two monofocal aspheric lenses. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for this prospective, monocentric cohort study were opacification of the crystalline lens and patients' wishes for surgery. In the case of the EDOF IOL, patients asked for a presbyopia correction. All patients received surgery on both eyes. Corrected and uncorrected distance visual acuity (CDVA, UCDVA), uncorrected and distance corrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA, DCIVA) and defocus curves (all monocular and binocular) were compared three months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-six eyes were implanted with an EDOF IOL (LuxSmartTM, Bausch & Lomb GmbH, Berlin, Germany), 50 eyes with a monofocal aspheric IOL: 32 eyes with a clear IOL (Polylens® AS 61, Polytech Domilens, Roßdorf, Germany), 16 eyes with a yellow IOL (iSert® 251, Hoya Surgical Optics GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany). Three months postoperatively, UCDVA was comparable with the EDOF IOL, versus the monofocal IOL (P > 0.9). Binocular DCIVA in the EDOF IOL was significantly higher than in the monofocal IOL (P = 0.001). Monocular DCIVA better than 20/23 Snellen was achieved in 10% with the monofocal IOL and in 68% (P < 0.0001) with the EDOF IOL. Defocus curves showed a depth of focus at 20/23 Snellen of 1.6 vs. 0.83 diopters (D) in the EDOF IOL, vs. the monofocal IOL. No patient reported halos or starbursts in non-standardized questioning. CONCLUSION: This non-diffractive EDOF IOL provided comparably high UCDVA and significantly higher DCIVA than the mono-focal lenses, causing only mild optical phenomena.

[Retrobulbar Haematoma - a Complication that May Impair Vision]. / Das retrobulbäre Hämatom ­ eine potenziell visusbedrohende Komplikation.

Retrobulbar haematoma (RBH) is a rare complication that may affect vision after a trauma or a surgical procedure. The diagnosis must be made promptly, as only early surgical intervention can adequately prevent irreversible visual impairment. Because of the bony orbital walls, there is hardly any room for the increasing intraorbital volume due to the retrobulbar haemorrhage. This leads to an increase in intraorbital pressure and subsequently to compression of the optic nerve. Symptoms include disorders in ocular motility, ophthalmoplegia, diplopia, conjunctival chemosis, subconjunctival haemorrhage, proptosis, increased intraocular pressure, deterioration in visual acuity, decreased direct pupillary reflex, and a relative afferent pupillary defect. If the cause is traumatic or iatrogenic, prompt lateral canthotomy with cantholysis is the treatment of choice, and successfully lowers pressure in most cases. It can be performed in the emergency room by an ophthalmologist and may even be indicated without previous imaging. As the reconstruction of cantholysis is generally uncomplicated, we recommend performing the procedure when RBH is suspected. If canthotomy with cantholysis does not lead to adequate improvement, surgical orbital decompression must be performed. Supportive treatment should always include systemic steroids.

Fungal Infection in an Exenterated Orbit.

A 48-year-old man presented with an Aspergillus fumigatus complex infection of an exenterated orbit. The OS had been exenterated 7 months ago, together with total parotidectomy and neck dissection followed by irradiation due to a massive squamous cell carcinoma with orbital invasion and lymphatic metastasis. The patient was under permanent immunosuppression with oral prednisone and tacrolimus due to a kidney transplantation 5 years ago. The infected skin of the exenterated orbit was cleared using forceps. MRI ruled out any bone infiltration. After systemic treatment with oral voriconazole and topical therapy with bifonazole ointment for 6 weeks, the patient recovered completely.

Absence of lymphatic vessels in non-functioning bleb capsules of glaucoma drainage devices.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence and appearance of blood and lymphatic vessels in non-functioning bleb capsules of glaucoma drainage devices (GDD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Non-functioning (n=14) GDD-bleb capsules of 12 patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for blood vessels (CD31, vascular endothelium), lymphatic vessels (lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 [LYVE-1] and podoplanin) and macrophages (CD68). RESULTS: CD31+++ blood vessels and CD68+ macrophages were detected in the outer layer of all specimens. LYVE-1 immunoreactivity was registered in single non-endothelial cells in 8 out of 14 (57%) bleb capsule specimens. Podoplanin-immunoreactivity was detected in all cases, located in cells and profiles of the collagen tissue network of the outer and/or the inner capsule layer. However, a colocalization of LYVE-1 and podoplanin as evidence for lymphatic vessels was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the presence of blood-vessels but absence of lymphatic vessels in non-functioning bleb capsules after GDD-implantation. While the absence of lymphatic vessels might indicate a possible reason for drainage device failure, this needs to be confirmed in upcoming studies, including animal experiments.

A Simple Standardized Three-Dimensional Anthropometry for the Periocular Region in a European Population.

BACKGROUND: The three-dimensional surface imaging system is becoming more common in plastic surgeries. However, few studies have assessed three-dimensional periocular structures and surgical outcomes. This study aimed to propose a standardized three-dimensional anthropometric protocol for the periocular region, investigate its precision and accuracy, and determine the three-dimensional periocular anthropometric norms for young Caucasians. METHODS: Thirty-nine healthy young Caucasians (78 eyes) were enrolled. Three-dimensional facial images were obtained with a VECTRA M3 stereophotogrammetry device. Thirty-eight measurements in periocular regions were obtained from these images. Every subject underwent facial surface capture twice to evaluate its precision. A paper ruler was applied to assess its accuracy. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of measurements in linear distances, curvatures, angles, and indices were found to reach a statistically significant difference between sexes (p ≤ 0.05, respectively). Across all measurements, the average mean absolute difference was 0.29 mm in linear dimensions, 0.56 mm in curvatures, 1.67 degrees in angles, and 0.02 in indices. In relative error of magnitude, 18 percent of the measurements were determined excellent, 51 percent very good, 31 percent good, and none moderate. The mean value of the paper-ruler scale was 10.01 ± 0.05 mm, the mean absolute difference value 0.02 mm, and the relative error of magnitude 0.17 percent. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to propose a detailed and standardized three-dimensional anthropometric protocol for the periocular region and confirm its high precision and accuracy. The results provided novel metric data concerning young Caucasian periocular anthropometry and determined the variability between sexes.

[Personalized medicine in the treatment of periocular tumors : Targeted treatment and use of immune checkpoint inhibitors]. / Personalisierte Medizin in der Behandlung von periokulären Tumoren : Zielgerichtete Therapien und der Einsatz von Immun-Checkpoint-Inhibitoren.

The aim of this article is to provide an overview on the current state of personalized medicine in the systemic treatment of selected periocular tumors, such as basal cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma and conjunctival melanoma. This article therefore provides an extensive current literature review from PubMed including the current guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOP). As 90% of basal cell carcinomas have a pathologic activation of the sonic hedgehog pathway, vismodegib is a new treatment option for inoperable or metastatic basal cell carcinoma and for patients with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. A novel approach of systemic medicine for the treatment of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma is immunotherapy using the immune checkpoint inhibitor avelumab. Other personalized immunotherapies, such as the checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor pazopanib and the role of the hedgehog pathway in Merkel cell carcinomas are the subject of current research and will certainly play an important role in future treatment. In the narrow sense personalized medicine has only come true for metastatic conjunctival melanomas: systemic treatment with BRAF, MEK and/or checkpoint inhibitors is initiated only when a BRAF mutation is detected in the tumor or metastatic tissue. Systemic immunotherapy with the checkpoint inhibitors pembrolizumab and nivolumab can also be used as a treatment option in metastatic conjunctival melanomas. In summary, personalized medicine is a subject of current research and provides many new targeted treatment options especially for periocular malignancies; however, it also involves many great challenges in the development and implementation of new techniques and therapies.

[Young male patient with unusual space-occupying lesion of the lower eyelid]. / Junger Patient mit ungewöhnlicher Raumforderung am Unterlid.

BACKGROUND: A space-occupying lesion of the eyelid in young adults is often a sign of an inflammation, a trauma or a benign neoplasm. The aim of this case report is to demonstrate a rare basal cell carcinoma, which presumably already arose in adolescence without further high-risk factors. METHODS: A 28-year-old male patient presented for a second opinion on a painless swelling of the right lower eyelid. According to the patient's history the swelling had been present since the age of 16 years and originally resembled a molluscum contagiosum. An ophthalmologist in private practice made the diagnosis of a suspected trichoepithelioma. The extended patient history revealed a blood coagulation disorder. The clinical ophthalmological examination revealed a nodular space-occupying lesion with a border wall and telangiectasia. The further ophthalmological examination was bilaterally inconspicuous. Due to the suspicion of a malignant process, an operation was promptly carried out using local anesthesia with complete tumor excision and pedicled flap plasty as well as a histopathological investigation to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: The histopathological investigation revealed underlying infiltrates of a basaloid tumor with bale-shaped trabecular growth, sometimes with peripheral palisading of the cells. The cells were predominantly monomorphic with isolated pleomorphic nuclei and sometimes enclosed mitoses. Immunohistochemically the cells were strongly positive for BerEP4 and negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). The diagnosis of a nodular basal cell carcinoma of the right lower eyelid was made. All incision margins were free of tumor cells (R0 resection). In the dermatological screening no further manifestations were detected. CONCLUSION: Despite the occurrence of a space-occupying lesion of the eyelid in a young adult patient and also with no further risk factors, in addition to an inflammatory event and a benign tumor, a malignant disease, such as a basal cell carcinoma should also be taken into consideration. A tissue biopsy or complete excision with subsequent histological examination including an immunohistochemical analysis are essential for differentiation from other tumor entities.

[Intubation Systems in Lacrimal Drainage Surgery - a Current Overview]. / Intubationssysteme in der Tränenwegchirurgie ­ eine aktuelle Übersicht.

The development of microendoscopes in lacrimal drainage surgery has led to the introduction of novel surgical procedures that maintain transcanicular anatomy, including a variety of lacrimal drainage intubation systems. Depending on the location and extent of the lacrimal duct stenosis, bicanaliculoanular, monocanalicular, monocanaliculonasal, bicanalicular, and bicanaliculonasal intubation techniques and systems, as well as a combination of these, may be used. For isolated intubation of the puncta lacrimalia, perforated punctum plugs may be used, while pure monocanalicular intubation can be performed using a Mini-Monoka. The monocanaliculonasal intubation systems include the Monoka (Wide Collarette type), Monoka of Fayet (Crawford type), the self-threading Monoka (Ritleng type), the Masterka, and the LacriJet for the ophthalmic surgeon. The bicanaliculonasal intubation systems include various BIKA systems, the Ritleng intubation system, the Crawford intubation system, and the FCI Nunchaku. Indications for both monocanaliculonasal and bicanaliculonasal intubation systems are obstructions, stenoses or lacerations of all kinds, as well as obstructions and stenoses after opening or after a DCR. For a conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR), the classical Lester Jones Tube, Metaireau Tubes, and StopLoss Jones Tube may be used. Although the study situation is ambiguous and therefore lacrimal drainage intubation is not considered mandatory, most ophthalmic surgeons do not forego intubation - despite the higher costs and slightly more protracted surgery. The surgeons' selection of the intubation system depends on the chosen form of intubation, costs and personal preferences and experience.

Customizing a Cryolite Glass Prosthetic Eye.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, over 90% of ocularists still manufacture customized prostheses using cryolite glass from Thuringia. The present manuscript demonstrates this long-forgotten technique in detail. This manuscript shows some major advantages of manufacturing prosthetic eyes using cryolite glass in comparison to poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These advantages include a lighter weight of the prosthesis, higher levels of patient satisfaction, and only one appointment necessary for the customized manufacturing. Potential risk of breakage seems not to be a critical disadvantage for glass prosthetic eye wearers. However, in some patients, manufacturing a well-fitting prosthetic eye is not possible or reasonable due to anophthalmic socket complications such as post nucleation socket syndrome, scarred fornices, or an orbital implant exposure. This article gives ophthalmologists a better insight into ocularistic care in order to improve the essential interprofessional collaboration between ocularists and ophthalmologists.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in the management of conjunctival melanoma: current insights.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in conjunctival melanoma (CM). Methods: This article provides a review of the literature from PUBMED. Results: Data on SLNB in the management of CM are scarce and only two relatively large cohorts have been reported. Although indication criteria for SLNB vary slightly, positive findings can be expected in 11%-13% of CM cases, including small tumors. False negative SLNB findings are rare (<10%). Failure to identify SLNB has been attributed to the surgical learning curve and recurrent tumors with scar tissue impeding spread of the tracer material. Reported 5-year survival rate following CM management including SLNB, is up to 79%, but there are no comparative cohort studies proving the assumed benefit. Adverse events reported were non-severe and transient. Conclusion: Patients can potentially benefit from SLNB and the procedure can be offered to eligible patients. However, there is not enough evidence to support SLNB as a mandatory part of CM management.

Reliability of periocular anthropometry using three-dimensional digital stereophotogrammetry.

PURPOSE: Non-invasive three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry is becoming increasingly popular in many fields. However, few studies have focused on its periocular application. We aimed to provide evidence for the periocular application of a novel anthropometric procedure using 3D stereophotogrammetry by evaluating its reliability. METHODS: Fifty-one Caucasians were recruited (102 eyes; mean age, 31.9 ± 13.6 years). Two sets of 3D images were acquired for each subject, and two measurement sessions were performed on each image by two raters. Fifty-two periocular landmarks were identified, and then 49 corresponding linear, curvilinear, and angular measurements were evaluated for intrarater, interrater, and intramethod reliability. RESULTS: Our findings showed highly reliable results for mean absolute difference (0.59 and 0.68 unit), relative error measurement (2.66% and 3.08%), technical error of measurement (0.59 and 0.66 unit), relative technical error of measurement (2.71% and 2.96%), and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.98) for intrarater 1 and intrarater 2 reliability; respectively 0.94 unit, 4.06%, 0.89 unit, and 3.94%, as well as 0.97 for interrater reliability; and respectively 0.98 unit, 4.66%, 0.96 unit, and 4.64%, as well as 0.96 for intramethod reliability. CONCLUSIONS: This imaging system and the landmark identification protocol are highly reliable. The collected measurements and their errors can be applied for the comparison of reliability among various 3D imaging systems and populations. It could be utilized for planning surgeries and evaluating treatment outcomes for physicians in ophthalmology, plastic and esthetic surgery, and in the maxillofacial field where periocular morphology alterations are made.

Cryolite glass prosthetic eyes-the response of the anophthalmic socket.

PURPOSE: To investigate mucoid discharge and the inflammatory response of anophthalmic sockets to cryolite glass prosthetic eye wear. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 101 cryolite glass prosthetic eye wearers used visual analog scales (0-10) to measure frequency, color, volume, and viscosity of mucoid discharge associated with their prosthesis. Standardized photographs of the conjunctiva of their anophthalmic sockets were taken and conjunctival inflammation was semi-quantitatively graded (0-4). All characteristics of discharge and conjunctival inflammation were correlated to eye loss cause, hand washing behavior, and cleaning regimes as explanatory variables. RESULTS: Mean mucoid discharge characteristics (0-10 scale) were frequency 5.3 ± 2.8, color 4.8 ± 3.2, volume 4.9 ± 3.0, and viscosity 5.1 ± 3.2. The mean conjunctival inflammation score (0-4 scale) was 2.1 ± 1.0. There was a positive correlation between the grade of conjunctival inflammation and the frequency (p = 0.018), color (p = 0.001), volume (p = 0.003), and the viscosity of mucoid discharge (p = 0.005). More conjunctival inflammation was associated with higher frequency of cleaning (p < 0.001) and lower frequency of hand washing before removal (p = 0.001). Higher frequency, color, volume, and viscosity of discharge were associated with higher frequency of cleaning (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Discharge severity associated with prosthetic eye wear was positively correlated with more conjunctival inflammation, higher cleaning frequency, and less hand washing before handling. The results suggest that cryolite glass eyes should not be removed daily for cleaning and that further research should be undertaken to develop a standardized treatment protocol for managing inflammation and mucoid discharge. This protocol would advise hand washing before handling cryolite glass eyes and recommend a minimum period of wear between cleaning sessions.

[Rehabilitation of Anophthalmic Patients with Prosthetic Eyes in Germany Today - Supply Possibilities, Daily Use, Complications and Psychological Aspects]. / Augenprothetische Rehabilitation in Deutschland heute ­ Versorgungsmöglichkeiten, Handhabung, Komplikationen und psychologische Aspekte.

BACKGROUND: A smooth supply with a visually appealing prosthetic eye after enucleation is not just a cosmetic solution, it is also a key factor in successful social and psychological rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: This article provides an overview of the current state of medical and ocular care regarding prosthetic eyes in Germany. It focuses mainly on the newest clinical results, daily care, complications, and psychological aspects of wearing prosthetic eyes. METHODS: The study is comprised of the newest clinical results and a current PubMed literature review. RESULTS: In Germany, enucleated patients normally get a double-walled, hollow prosthetic eye made of cryolite glass, and patients with a microphthalmic or phthisic eye receive a thin single-walled prosthesis. Anophthalmic patients wearing cryolite glass prosthetic eyes seem to be more satisfied with their appearance and the look of their prostheses than polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) prosthetic eye wearers. Cryolite glass prosthetic eyes must be renewed at least each year, while PMMA prostheses need to be polished once a year and renewed after five years of wearing. Among children, the fit of the prosthetic eye must be checked, based on growth, semi-annually. A slightly higher risk of breakage of cryolite glass prostheses is, for most patients, not a great disadvantage in everyday life. Ocularists and ophthalmologists should determine an individual cleaning regime, together with the patient, that is dependent on the material of the ocular prosthesis and other external factors. Complications, such as allergic, giant papillary, viral and bacterial conjunctivitis and blepharoconjunctivitis sicca must be treated at an early stage to allow for a prosthetic eye. In the case of inflammation-caused socket shrinkage or post-enucleation socket syndrome, surgical interventions are needed to re-enable the use of a prosthetic eye. Since the health of the remaining eye is the major psychological burden of prosthetic eye wearers, good ophthalmological care and medical screenings are essential elements. CONCLUSIONS: A smooth supply with a prosthetic eye, adequate and early treatment of possible complications and attention to psychological aspects is essential for successful long-term rehabilitation of enucleated patients.

Transcanalicular laser dacryocystorhinostomy for acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction: an audit of 104 patients.

PURPOSE: External dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is considered as the gold standard in the treatment of acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. However, many advances have been made towards the development of modern minimally invasive therapies. These new techniques were proven less harmful to the patients' skin and medial palpebral structures with their palpebral-canalicular pump mechanism. Options include endonasal and transcanalicular procedures. Here, we report on our 2-year experience with the surgical technique, results and complications of transcanalicular laser-assisted DCR. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. A total of 104 patients with acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent transcanalicular laser-assisted DCR combined with bicanalicular silicon intubation. We then analyzed intra-/post-operative complications and subjective and objective success rates. The institutional ethics committee ruled that approval was not necessary. The trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00012879). RESULTS: Transcanalicular laser-assisted DCR in combination with bicanalicular silicon intubation could be performed surgically successfully in 101 patients (97%). In three cases (3%) using the superior canalicular approach, positioning of the laser instrument at the anteroinferior rim of the middle turbinate failed. Complications included thermal injury to the canaliculus (one), canalicular infection (two) and silicon tube prolapse (ten). Functional success (resolution of preoperative symptoms) was achieved in 80 cases (77%), functional failure occured in 24 cases with all patients reporting persisting epiphora, 15 reporting failure to irrigate the nasolacrimal duct and 15 requiring secondary external DCR. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-assisted DCR shows promising results with few complications. It seems well suited as a second-step procedure after failed recanalization and before external DCR.

Preexisting epiretinal membrane is associated with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether preexisting epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a significant risk factor for developing pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME). METHODS: Two hundred four consecutive eyes and 153 consecutive eyes without preexisting epiretinal membranes were retrospectively compared regarding PCME development following phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation. Patients with vascular retinal diseases, uveitis, trauma, neovascular macular degeneration, chronic inflammatory conditions, diabetic retinopathy, endophthalmitis, eventful cataract surgery, and combination of cataract surgery and vitrectomy during the observation period were excluded. Macular examination was performed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before as well as at 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 36 weeks after cataract surgery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were calculated. RESULTS: PCME occurred in 32 of 204 eyes with preexisting ERM (15.7%), whereas 9 of 153 eyes without preexisting ERM (5.9%) developed PCME. The risk of PCME was significantly increased in eyes with ERM (p = 0.007). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors predictive of PCME included the history of previous pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment (odds ratio (OR) 3.619 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.242 to 10.258]; p = 0.016) as well as the preexistence of ERM (OR 3.885 [95% CI 1.162 to 17.762]; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Preexisting ERM seems to be associated with an increased risk of PCME following cataract surgery. Therefore, this risk should be considered in surgery planning, preoperative medication, and follow-up care after surgery.